by John Walker
“It looks like we’re pretty good,” Cassie replied. “It would take a small army to cause us any real trouble now.”
“Anyone who wants these things can field a sizable force, believe me.” Christina paused, pressing her fingers against her ear. “They’re almost out. Can you feel the tension yet?”
Cassie chuckled. “I’ve felt the tension since we agreed to this plan. Where’s Dulain?”
“Sitting in an air-conditioned office somewhere watching our progress with a smile on his face and a glass of ice water no doubt.”
The weather chose to be particularly warm that day, pushing eighty-eight degrees. The sun beamed down on the concrete and metal, making some parts steam. Many of the marines wore their power armor, which was environmentally controlled but those who could not, people like Cassie and Christina, were being baked inside Kevlar.
Jets screamed by overhead, drawing a quick look. Just another flyby. They’re running circular patrols to keep an eye on the horizon. Scans should’ve picked up any incoming combatants that had the nerve to assault the base, but the assumption was anyone with the nerve to try something would have stealth capabilities.
No one on Earth knew how to overcome straight visual contact though and so a massive squadron of twenty ships were put in the air. Once the Orbs were loaded up, ten of them would escort four shuttles to the Gnosis. They decided to add some decoys to the arrangement and would switch up the one carrying the cargo at the last second.
Cassie had to admit, Christina’s paranoia was impressive. She planned like the sky might fall at any moment, putting together contingencies for things that likely would never happen. Years of following the admiral around hadn’t dulled her skills and she proved why Dulain picked her for the job.
Especially considering how much they quarreled with their eyes in Cassie’s presence. They tried to hide their little contention from her, but it was far too obvious to ignore. Whatever existed between them, whether it was strictly professional or the result of a failed romance in the past, created tension.
This made Cassie think about Vincent. Was it a good idea to get involved with a man she worked with? Even after her assignment with the Gnosis ended, she might run into him in a working environment in the future. He was so earnest, a genuinely good person and definitely not suited to get involved in the higher levels of the AIA.
I don’t even know if I’m suited for it. Cassie considered her position and the rise to Senior Agent. If she was to be totally honest, she didn’t really know what it meant. So far, she enjoyed a higher security clearance, access to better resources if she needed them and a bunch of clandestine double speak.
Dulain seemed to throw it to her as a bone, as if she needed a title to continue to do her job. Maybe whoever he reported to wanted to ensure a ‘senior’ person was on the project. He didn’t like being told what to do so he’d just promote her. As a younger, less experienced operative, he probably thought she’d be easy to manipulate and control.
Wow, I’m becoming cynical.
“Here they come.” Christina interrupted her thoughts and Cassie forced herself back into the moment. She glanced over her shoulder as the two large doors opened. They brought the Orbs out on forklifts, driving them slowly to ensure they didn’t fall off, even though they were lashed down like the worst prisoners imaginable.
Christina clearly wanted them to go faster but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she motioned for Cassie to follow her and they hustled over to the awaiting shuttles. When they arrived, all four ships were idling, ready to take off at a moment’s notice. Technicians stood by each of them, prepared to board.
“Which ones?” Christina asked.
“What?” Cassie gave her a blank look. “What do you mean?”
“Pick. Which ones are taking the Orbs?”
“You want me to decide?”
“It’ll make it more random.” Christina glanced back at the Orbs. “They’re almost here. Decide fast.”
“Um … these two.” Cassie pointed at one on the far left and one in the middle.
“Great.” Christina nodded. She got on her com and told them to load them on the opposite ones that Cassie said.
“What was that?”
“The random element,” Christina replied. “Don’t take it personally.” She gestured to some of the marines. “You men, get on the turrets in these things right now. As soon as the devices are secure, you’ll be launching.”
Marines boarded the shuttles just as the Orbs arrived. The technicians took the bindings off and worked to get them on board the different ships. Cassie felt a sense of sadness as theirs was loaded up. It hadn’t left Earth in generations, possibly never. Part of their past was taking a trip and she hoped it would return safely.
“Our shuttle’s over there,” Christina said. “We should get moving—” A gun went off in the distance, a single bullet that interrupted Christina’s comment. She got on the com, brow furrowed. “What the hell was that? Tell me that was an accidental discharge.” There were enough people with guns standing around so the possibility was very real.
Reports spilled in over the com. No one admitted to firing their weapon. Cassie stood up straighter, scanning the area for any sign of something being out of place, someone moving where they shouldn’t. The Orbs were nearly secure, and they’d be off soon but they weren’t moving quickly enough for her taste.
Another gunshot went off. Christina cursed, calling the direction of the shot as east. Cassie wondered how she knew. It echoed so badly, she would’ve needed a scanner to gather that kind of intel. A moment passed where the coms remained relatively silent. Different sections of the base called that they were clear.
“Contact, east!” Marines shouted. Turrets turned, and they opened fire. Chaos erupted, weapons discharging in rapid fire. Cassie flinched, stepping back toward the shuttles. Christina remained in place, glaring in the direction where the most action seemed to be taking place. Marines moved into place and provided supplemental fire.
“I need air coverage,” Christina spoke into her com. “Get me a visual on what’s happening over there.” She turned to Cassie. “If they were shooting at you, you’d already be dead. Relax until you see someone come over that wall.”
Cassie’s cheeks flushed and she checked on the progress of getting the Orbs secure. “They’re almost ready,” she called. “Do you want to launch as soon as they’re aboard?”
“No.” Christina shook her head. “If those people out there have anti-air weapons, we’ll have a real problem. I want to know what we’re up against, then we’ll launch. Once I get a visual, I’ll order a couple strafing runs. That plus the turrets should be plenty depending on the size of force we’re dealing with.”
Cassie moved behind Christina, glancing over her shoulder at the tablet. A visual on the attackers came into view as focus developed. They were wearing black shirts and pants, carrying rifles. A quick count showed nearly a hundred combatants charging the perimeter. Where the hell did they come from? How’d they get there without detection?
“Falcon One,” Christina said, “initiate strafing run and slow their advance. Turrets, do not let them reach the wall.” She turned to Cassie. “You’re in charge here. I’m going to get a closer look at the situation.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Cassie asked. “We’re not exactly equipped for it.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back but when I give you the order, you get these shuttles out of here regardless. Understood?”
Cassie nodded, but she didn’t agree with the order. Part of her wanted to push but there wasn’t time for arguing. Technically, Christina was in charge. “I’ll be here. Just … don’t get killed over there.”
“No intention of it.” Christina rushed off and Cassie turned to the others, technicians who looked utterly terrified. She ushered them into the shuttles for cover and aimed her weapon outward, keeping her eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. Soldiers lined the walls on a
ll sides but she had a bad feeling, something in her gut warning her.
Sure enough, she saw someone slip over the wall to the north, not even fifty yards from the shuttles. Cassie took aim, noting they were wearing the same black uniform of the men charging from the east. She pulled the trigger, catching them in the leg and stomach with a quick burst. They dropped to the ground but continued to move.
She finished them off with another burst.
“Contact north!” Cassie shouted into her com. “Someone slipped over the wall!”
“We see them,” a marine replied. “Engaging.”
Jump jets burst to life nearby and three power-armored suits flew overhead, going over the wall. They landed with such force that the noise made Cassie’s ears ring and more gunfire erupted. Fighters performed their strafing run, three ships leveling the terrain with gunfire. Energy blasts followed, purple light flashing in the east.
This is insanity!
“Get on board a shuttle,” Christina’s voice burst in her ear, “and launch immediately. Get the Orbs to the Gnosis right away. I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”
“Are you sure?” Cassie asked. “How do you know they don’t have anti-aircraft weaponry?”
“I’ve done a scan and I’m pretty sure you’re good, but we don’t have the luxury of knowing. Launch. Now!”
Cassie directed the men to board the shuttles. “I want turrets online!” She stepped onto one of the ships and closed the ramp. “Pilots, engage thrusters and get us the hell out of here! Make straight for orbit.”
A man tapped Cassie’s arm, a Pahxin named Brexan. He was one of their technicians, a young man who came highly recommended for his understanding of advanced computer techniques. He looked utterly horrified, trembling as he gazed up at her. “Are we going to make it? Are we … Are we going to die?”
“No.” Cassie gripped his hand firmly, staring into his eyes. “No, we’re going to make it out of here. I promise. Just hold on tight and don’t look outside. We’ve got this.”
Brexan turned away, wiping sweat from his brow. The others looked just as nervous, just as shaken by the situation. Cassie couldn’t blame them. She’d been through far more insanity than most of them and she still struggled with nerves. Especially with the continued gunfire erupting outside.
The shuttle began to move and Cassie gripped a safety handle before stumbling to one of the chairs. Marines manned the turrets and the madcap dash to escape began. She engaged the safety on her weapon and retrieved her tablet from her bag, peering at it for a decent view of the action.
Chapter 3
Christina peered over the wall, running her scan. They were using small arms, primarily rifles. None of them had anything that could take down a shuttle and they sure as hell weren’t prepared to pierce the walls. They must’ve thought they could scale them and engage the forces head on.
Or this is a distraction and something else is about to happen.
No one had attacked Gamma Alpha since the Orb was first discovered, not in any real threatening number at least. A couple minor terrorist groups made plays but they didn’t count for much. Marines took those threats down easily and before anyone even got hurt. This was a brazen assault from an organized force.
Someone with resources to burn and a desire to cause trouble. Someone that didn’t believe in the relationship being developed between the humans and the Pahxin. She guessed they had to be some kind of nihilistic regime or well-funded fringe organization. Either way, after the fight, whoever put the attack together would be getting a knock at their door.
I imagine the rest of the military is just itching for a fight.
Christina took aim and fired at a close by combatant just as the fighters performed their strafing run. She ducked down, watching as the swath of destruction tore bodies apart and scattered the forces in the wake of the assault. The marines didn’t let up, firing at those who weren’t killed in the attack.
Another force tried to come at them from the north but the aircraft immediately engaged, blasting away. Christina hopped down from her position, intent on getting to one of the shuttles. She paused in her step as a small cadre of enemies seemed to be charging across the tarmac, between the engaging marine forces.
“Contact!” Christina shouted into her mic, opening fire. Her first target went down in an instant, blood splattering everywhere. The others looked around, firing in seemingly random directions. Nevertheless, it was enough to drive Christina to take cover behind a couple of large metal crates. “Moving toward the shuttles! Engage!”
A marine called back that they were on it. Christina peeked around, ready to fire but a couple of bullets slapped so close to her head, her entire body went rigid. Falling back to safety, she drew several deep breaths. That was way too close.
“Threats neutralized, agent,” a marine replied in a bored tone. “Proceed as you were.”
“Thanks,” Christina muttered. Her muscles tensed to move when she saw four more enemies, this time coming from the main gate. How the hell did they avoid the guards? She lifted her weapon and fired several quick bursts, moving the weapon to the left and right. They went down, though at least one of them wasn’t dead.
A shot slammed into the crate, less than a foot from her left side. Christina moved around to the opposite side of her cover, remaining crouched. “There!” She looked up in time to see a man charging her with a knife held over his head. He started screaming when he was halfway to her.
Christina shot him once in the torso and adjusted for the head. Just as she went to pull the trigger the second time, he was on her and she had to dodge aside as he slammed the knife into the crate. Spinning in place, she fired into his foot and he threw his weight against her but instead of taking her down, she stumbled back and let him hit the ground.
She put a final round in his head but the next one came at her, again with a knife. Hopping to the side, she kicked him in the gut then brought her rifle down on his back. He landed on his stomach and struggled to stand. A quick stomp to the back of his head made his face bounce on the pavement and he stopped moving.
Potential prisoner there. Christina ensured there weren’t more before leaving the crates behind, rushing toward the waiting shuttles. The pilots kept the engines idling. Nervous passengers shifted about in their seats with marines standing guard at the ramp. She nodded to the marines as she boarded, heading for the turret control. Someone grabbed her wrist.
Christina cast a glare at the person and sighed when she saw it was Dulain.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m coming along with you,” Dulain said. “I couldn’t let you have all the fun. Looks like someone thought it would be a good idea to give us a hard time before we even got into space though.”
“Good observation.” Christina pulled her hand away. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a gun to take command of. Note for your record that I strongly protest your presence on this ship. It’s not safe and if something happens, the AIA is going to be in a lot of trouble.”
“Understood. Thank you for your concern.”
Christina took the turret seat, peering at the scanner. The fighters engaged enemy aircraft coming in but they met them at nearly ten miles out. Not much for a ship that could cover such territory in seconds but providing they held them there, the attackers would be contained.
Chaos bathed Gamma Alpha as the marines tore through dozens of enemy ground troops. Christina planned for a swift assault as a precaution which is why the marines were already in the turrets during the first wave. The fact they even tried it disappointed her. It wasn’t that she felt optimistic about humanity, but this attack said something about short sightedness.
If they succeeded, if they had destroyed the Orbs or even captured them, then all of the human race would suffer as a direct result. The Tol’An would effectively win before the fight really started. Nothing could stop them if they had all the devices that were still effective. Not that Earth would c
are much.
There was a chance, however unlikely, that blowing up the Orbs might well annihilate the Earth. Or at least that continent. Christina didn’t even want to think about it too much. She got Cassie on the com to check in as paranoia began chewing at her gut. “Hey, how’d it go? Everyone leave okay?”
“Yes,” Cassie replied. “We’re almost in orbit now. Are you okay?”
“I’m on a shuttle following you now.” Christina sighed. “And I’ve got bad news. Dulain’s with me.”
“What? Why? What’s he doing there? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“All great questions that I’m afraid we’ll have to ask later. Right now, we’re almost out of this mess.” Christina paused, watching the ground forces push the enemy out from the base. Text reports showed they were taking prisoners, which meant the military would learn who those guys worked for. “Looks like Gamma Alpha will be fine in a moment.”
“I saw some enemy aircraft. You don’t think they’re going to try to take us in space, do you?”
“No one should have the capability to take us on up there,” Christina replied. “Not on Earth anyway. I guess we could face a Pahxin threat … but that’s unlikely.” A red dot began flashing on the turret scanner and she noted that they were being pursued by an enemy fighter. It wouldn’t be able to chase them for long but it was trying to get a lock.
Okay then, let’s do this. Christina gripped the controls and spun the gun around to their rear. She let the targeting computer do its work but it couldn’t get a tone. Their pursuer was about to fire … She pulled the trigger first. The energy blasts nearly got him but he bolted to the side, banking hard right.
Without going head on as fast as he could, the fighter couldn’t keep up. Nevertheless, Christina aimed again, this time using the reticle instead of the computer. Distance continued to broaden but she pulled the trigger, catching him right in the tail. Three good hits, pounding the hull and piercing the engines.
Fire erupted from the damage and something else caught a moment later, fuel of some kind. The entire ship went up in a fiery ball, bits of debris raining down on the ground below. No other enemies were within range. She settled back in her chair and took a deep breath, again turning to the ground reports.
