by John Walker
***
“Sir!” Salina shouted. “The beam is off! We’re freed!”
“What?” Desmond stood up. “What’s happening at the facility? What about our power?”
Salina paused. “Generators are online and powering back up! They did it! They actually did it!”
“Yes!” Zach and Deacon cheered, giving each other a high five. Desmond slumped in his chair, relief washing over him in waves. He couldn’t believe they’d pulled it off, connecting a Hail Mary if he’d ever seen one. The screen came back on, bright and full of color. It depicted the facility as bouts of blue flame erupted through the sides.
“Holy Crap …” Desmond muttered. “God, I hope they’re getting out of there.”
“Scans are functional,” Salina replied. “I’m picking up life forms. Wait! I’ve got them on the com! Commander Bowman is on the com!”
“Vincent!” Desmond shouted. “Can you hear me?”
“We’re in a bad way, sir!” Vincent shouted back. “I think we’re able to talk because the roof’s mostly come down but we’re trying to get out! We need evac! Can you get someone here quick?”
Desmond frowned. “Fighters are airborne now. They should be able to bring you back.”
“Get them here now then because I have a bad feeling this whole section of the planet’s about to sink.”
Desmond switched the com over to Mustang One. “Dennis, I need you guys to do a pick up. I know you’re not really suited but this is an emergency. Make it happen.”
“We’re on our way.”
The screen shifted perspective, catching the fighters as they flew by. Their engines boomed over the landscape, roaring as they breezed by overhead. They’d arrive at the facility in a few seconds. They’d have to load the passengers into their small cargo area, uncomfortable but better than the alternative.
“Good luck, guys.” Desmond clasped his hands together tightly, forcing himself to be patient as the drama unfolded.
***
Vincent took them through the open door from where the Tol’An had come. They found a couple bodies out there, dead on strange spikes sticking out of the walls. I’m glad we didn’t encounter that particular test. The thought fleeted quickly as the ground shook. The explosion rocked the entire place and sections of the walls and ceiling started falling.
Once the stone crumbled, it was as if the entire structure was designed of a single organ that failed all at once. While it seemed impenetrable before, now it had more in common with a dried up cookie falling on the floor. Cracks appeared everywhere and the doors collapsed, granting them access to get outside.
Thank God for that at least.
Vincent carried on his conversation with Desmond, getting the pilots on their way. Cassie and Gil remained close behind but it wasn’t hard for them. Carrying Heat really slowed Vincent down. The marine was heavy as hell and he complained a lot. The one good thing about all the noise around them was that none of them heard what he had to say.
They burst into the courtyard through a busted up section of wall and didn’t stop until they were near the trees again. The panels leading up to the stairs cracked and trembled, falling into the ground and burying the facility. Gorman! Vincent scowled, feeling sick to his stomach. He knew what he was doing … but … my God.
Fighter engines erupted overhead and they saw them fly in, hovering in place. “Commander Bowman,” Dennis’s voice came through the ear piece. “We’re here. There doesn’t appear to be a good place to land near the facility at this point. Can you meet us at the clearing roughly … forty yards to the south?”
“We’re on our way,” Vincent replied. “Come on guys, the pilots can grab us over here.”
“We left him!” Heat grumbled. He was too injured to do much more. “We left him there.”
“He made the call,” Vincent said. “Besides, that wound he had … It was bad, Geoff. I’m not sure he would’ve made it either way.”
“We … should not … have …” Heat passed out, becoming even heavier. Vincent didn’t think such a thing was possible.
They headed off to meet their rides to get back to the Gnosis and leave that planet behind. Oddly enough, their mission had proved successful: keep the artifact out of the hands of the Tol’An. Vincent doubted they’d have been able to use anything on that world anyway, but now there was no point in trying.
One more denial for the zealots, Vincent thought. At another high cost.
Epilogue
The Gnosis power began to recharge the moment the explosion ended the facility. Life support was restored to full power, engaging the environmental controls. Cool air filled the bridge and the crew began the arduous process of checking every system so they could plan for a safe takeoff.
Desmond visited various departments, finding a number of injuries in the medical bay. They lost several good people, killed in combat or through accidents. He found Lieutenant Fielding, who had nearly lost his left arm. Doctor Holland had to perform surgery and they weren’t sure if he’d be able to keep the limb. A day or two would tell for sure.
The marine remained unconscious when Desmond arrived but he figured he’d come back to see him later.
Sergeant Heathrow suffered a nasty wound to the leg that would heal up over time. However, the man was deeply moved by the loss of his friend. He was coolly indifferent to Desmond’s visit and didn’t have much to say about the mission itself. The two had been close since long before joining the Gnosis.
The leg might heal quickly enough but the wound of losing his companion would take considerably longer.
Vincent gave his report concerning the facility and everything they learned. Cassie backed him up and they provided all the data they uncovered from within the facility. Some of it might’ve benefitted future technology projects. Desmond found it hard to believe that beings pushed themselves beyond the realm of the flesh, into a situation of eternal stagnation.
They invented their own version of hell.
Engineering finished sealing the hull just as the Stalwart arrived in orbit. Ulian contacted Desmond personally and they spoke in the privacy of their respective quarters.
“I see you didn’t really need our help after all,” Ulian said.
“According to the data,” Desmond replied, “you guys made it possible for our people to shut them down here. Your attack on their starship, the fact you were able to cause so much damage, distracted them. They hadn’t been challenged, or lost, in so long it was like a breath of fresh air after living in a sewer.”
“Incredible. What a strange discovery. The Tol’An truly know how to play with plasma.” Ulian shook his head. “We will escort you out of this system and return to Earth with you. I believe we have vessels stationed there now and I’d personally like to see the home of our new allies.”
“Thank you, Ulian. I appreciate you coming all the way out here for us.”
“Allies are there for one another. I assume you would do the same.” Ulian leaned forward. “Ulian out for now. We will speak again when you attain orbit.”
Desmond switched off the com and sat back in his chair, taking a deep breath. As he exhaled, his muscles relaxed and he closed his eyes for a moment. Nothing about their mission played out as he had anticipated, not a single part of it but somehow, despite their casualties, they succeeded.
Maybe not the most graceful way to go about interstellar travel, Desmond thought. But at least we’re clawing our way through it one obstacle at a time.
***
Dennis locked his office door and reached out to the Stalwart, getting in touch with their central control. The translator kicked in for him, letting him know he’d reached their bridge and a guy named Viran. “This is a busy channel,” Viran said. “Are you trying to coordinate with us for repair efforts?”
“No,” Dennis replied. “I’m checking to see if you have a pilot on board named Dala. Um … Dala Ahnshyr. I believe.”
“Yes.” Viran paused. “I will see if she is a
vailable.”
Dennis tapped his foot, trying not to be anxious. Relief hit him as he considered the fact that she was okay. Since they last spoke, they’d been in a couple of different engagements. At least Viran didn’t pull some I regret to inform you thing. Dangerous as their jobs could be, he didn’t want to think about the tragedy they faced every time they went out.
“This is Dala.” The translator worked again. “Who is this?”
“Dennis,” he replied. “Dennis Arden? We … we flew together against the Tol’An when they kidnapped our people?”
“I remember,” Dala replied. “I’m glad to hear your voice … that you’ve survived.”
“You too.” Dennis hated the fact that confirming they were alive was the way to start a conversation. “I’ve heard a rumor you are coming to Earth. Do you know if that’s true?”
“It is,” Dala said. “We will be heading there with you when you’ve launched.”
“Great! Um … Awesome …” Dennis cleared his throat. “I was thinking that when you’re there, if you can get clearance, I’d love to show you some things. At least our facility if not more. You know … like ambassador type stuff.”
“Truly?” Dala paused. “I … would be interested in doing so.”
“Perfect! That’s perfect.” Dennis bounced in his seat, trying to think of what else to say. A message came over the loud speakers, letting everyone know to clear the com channels for takeoff. Damn it! Horrible timing! “Okay, so we’re about to take off but I’ll contact you when we get back to Earth.”
“Thank you, Dennis Arden,” Dala replied. “I will speak to you then.”
Dennis flopped into his chair as the line went dead. He didn’t know what she looked like, but he absolutely needed to meet her in person. At the very least, he wanted to buy her a drink for all she’d done for him. But he felt there was more to it than that. There was a connection. Even if they hadn’t met face to face, he believed it existed.
And getting together would prove it one way or another. Besides, the fact they were heading back to Earth with them had to be a sign. He decided he wanted to believe in it, regardless of how naive it might’ve made him seem.
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