by John Walker
“What happened?” Cassie asked. “I saw a flash.”
“Took out an enemy fighter,” Christina said. “Gamma Alpha’s secure. I think we’re good to go. Now to get aboard the Gnosis and make this happen. I hope your friends are ready to receive us … and the pain in the ass who will be aboard causing everyone a headache to boot. God, I can’t believe he came along.”
“I guess he wants to see his theories work first hand.” Cassie hesitated. “We’ve broken orbit and are heading toward the ship. I’ll let you know when we’re safely aboard.”
“Thanks, Cassie. See you soon.” Christina rubbed her eyes before staring at the screen again. If those thugs had brought anti-air weaponry, things might’ve gone very differently. She wondered why they didn’t. Their attack made no sense. Putting together such an assault had to cost a lot of resources, both in men and weapons.
So why come ill-prepared?
Reasons flashed through Christina’s mind but she kept coming back to an explanation of crazy. Maybe their leader simply did not have a tactical mind. Part of her wanted to believe it. In fact, she found it quite plausible but the rest of her refused to give in. She’d been working intelligence too long to believe anyone would throw away forces like that without cause.
The challenge came from figuring out their trick before it was too late.
***
Desmond received an urgent call from the bridge, Vincent’s personal signal. He clicked it on and stepped away, worry gnawing at his gut. No one would’ve bothered him without something terribly urgent, though if there was a problem with the Orbs, Admiral Reach might’ve been the first one to pick up a com.
“What’s going on?” Desmond asked. “Is everything okay?”
“There’s trouble on the surface,” Vincent replied. “Some force attacked Gamma Alpha with ground troops and a few fighters. Looks like our side is holding them off but the shuttles bolted out of there in a hurry. The Orbs are on their way and should be here soon. Cassie’s with them.”
“That’s at least good news.” Desmond cursed under his breath. He had had a bad feeling something was going to happen but he hadn’t imagined a full-on attack. Random infiltrators attempting to gain access made sense but fielding an assault force? Who had the balls to do it? “So is the situation down there contained?”
“So far, yes. I’ve received a message from Admiral Reach directly. He said that when everything’s secure, we’re to depart immediately while establishing our hyperspace coordinates. They want us to be on our way before anything else can come up.”
“Okay, I trust Zach has that midway course laid in?”
“Yes, sir. We’re ready to go on your mark.”
“What about security for the shuttles before they land?” Desmond asked. “Do we have to scramble our fighters?”
“Negative, the Gamma Alpha squadron will see them safely to our hangar.”
“Thanks. I’ll remain down here to facilitate getting the orbs where they belong. Desmond out.” He returned to Darren and filled him in on the news. The marine shook his head, looking utterly annoyed.
“Whatever faction chose to do that is in for a real ass beating, you know that, right?”
“I’m pretty sure Reach and the others are going to put a hurt on them, yes.” Desmond shrugged. “It’s what they wanted and I guess they got it. In any event, no one thought this would be uneventful and no one here can really field any sort of space attack force worth mentioning. It had to be on the ground or nothing.”
“Sounds like they didn’t try very hard, honestly.” Darren checked his tablet. “Yep. As I expected. The number of attackers couldn’t possibly have taken Gamma Alpha and any military commander worth their salt would know that. They needed some artillery, some decent vehicles and real air cover. This … this looks like some kind of distraction.”
“Yeah?” Desmond hummed. “For what? All the people we’re bringing on board were already in position.”
“We’ll have to look through all the records again to make sure we’ve still got the right people. Anyone out of place will need to be locked up until the conclusion of the mission.”
“I agree with that.” Desmond nodded. “Okay, I’m going to let you handle that side of the security. I’ll be the nice guy.”
“The ‘welcome aboard’ type?”
Desmond nodded, drawing a grunt from Darren.
“Must be nice.”
“I can’t complain.” Desmond looked back at the tablet, watching as the shuttles broke orbit. There were five total vessels inbound. They anticipated the one with the Orbs coming into their area, but the others would need to put in at the other hangar. This one was totally locked down. “Since we’re leaving in such a hurry, we won’t be able to wait for all the shuttles.”
“We leaving them behind?” Darren asked.
“I was thinking we could just lock them down until we finish with the Orbs then let security check them out.” Desmond shrugged. “Some of the key personnel may be on board.”
Darren frowned, adopting the expected expression of annoyance. “I don’t like it and you know why.”
“Because we’ve got a plan but have to break it?”
Darren nodded.
“But don’t you guys pride yourselves on improvising?”
That drew a chuckle from Darren. “In battle, that means something very different from keeping saboteurs and criminals away from sensitive material. When we’re protecting something, you’ll find we’re pretty damn rigid.”
“I get that but let’s be as flexible as we can be. There was an attack down there.”
“Which was seemed to be designed to break up our plan,” Darren pointed out. “I’ll make it work, we just have to keep in mind that someone’s probably shoving us in this direction. I hope they end up figuring it out on Earth because we’re going to be a locked room mystery for God knows how many hours otherwise.”
Desmond didn’t disagree but he hoped Darren proved to be wrong. They had already vetted the people coming aboard and they’d have a few hours to do so again while they moved into position for the hyperspace jump. If anyone seemed out of place, they’d detain them. That was the best they could do considering the circumstances.
And with everything at stake, Desmond had to take some chances. The whole operation was going to be a risk. This random attack proved them all right.
***
Vincent maintained a cool disposition on the outside, but when he received the report concerning the attack, he had a moment of panic. Cassie didn’t need him to protect her, he’d accepted that fact when she went on her first mission away from the ship. It didn’t stop him from worrying, regardless if he could bring it up with anyone.
Once he reported to Desmond and felt things were under control on the Gnosis, he opened a private channel to Cassie on the approaching shuttle. Coms were waylaid by all the activity and he had to fiddle with his computer for several moments before he found a solid frequency that would allow for a decent conversation.
“Agent Alexander on the line.” Hearing her voice filled him with far more relief than the text report showing she’d made it away.
“Hey, it’s Vincent. I was checking in.” He didn’t want it to sound like he’d specifically contacted her solely to check on her. I doubt she’d approve. “The reports came in about the attack but they were a little light on how you got out of there.”
“It was insane,” Cassie replied. Her voice sounded digitized for a moment before clearing up. “I was hoping you’d be Major Dawson. She stayed behind and I don’t know if she made it out. It looked like those people were throwing themselves at our defenses, Vincent … totally unconcerned with dying.”
“Terrorists, probably,” Vincent said. “Like the Tol’An. Total zealots who just want to get the job done at all costs.”
“Maybe. There are a lot of questions about this. Why now? How’d they find out about the Orbs being moved? Who’s behind them and what did they honestly hope t
o gain? I’ve got a feeling we’ll be talking about them for a while.” She paused. “That’s … not really why you contacted me though, is it?”
Vincent’s cheeks flushed. “I … guess not.” He cleared his throat. “Yes, I wanted to be sure you were okay … hear your voice I mean.”
“I appreciate the concern,” Cassie replied. “Sincerely.”
“Right on.” Vincent looked over his shoulder, noting Salina’s disapproving gaze. “Um … I should probably clear the channel. I’ll see you soon?”
“Yeah … experiment time, right?”
“Indeed. Bowman out.” He disconnected the line and shrugged. “You can stop now.”
“I suppose I’m more disappointed in myself for not noticing,” Salina replied, turning back to her post, “than in you for that romantic moment.”
Vincent smiled. “That means we’ve been subtle.”
“More like I don’t pay attention to workplace romance.” Salina shook her head. “Or maybe I’m simply not observant at all.”
Zach laughed. “You’re about as romantic as a sour fish, Salina. No offense … but I think a lack of caring about it is what’s holding you back.”
“Anyway,” Vincent interrupted. “Let’s get back to work, shall we? We’ve got some shuttles to bring on board and some security measures I’d like to ensure we don’t foul up. Get me an ETA to our departure coordinates. With any luck, we’ll be able to hop out of the system without further delay.”
***
Cassie’s shuttle docked with the Gnosis and the doors promptly closed behind them. Apparently, all the other shuttles were redirected to the other hangar. Each of the passengers needed to be vetted again, a process they would likely complain about vehemently. Those with the Orbs would travel through the ship with them and be checked by security there.
When the doors opened, she disembarked first but two marines stopped her. They wore their power armor and looked quite severe. Both of them had to know who she was and yet they detained her until Desmond and Darren arrived. No one else even tried to leave. The situation seemed to have them spooked enough.
“Hey, Cassie,” Desmond said. “I’m glad you made it back safe.”
“You guys had them detain me too?” She asked. “Really?”
“I said everyone,” Darren replied. “That meant you too. Anyway, we’re going to check these people out while the Orbs are transported to their destination. The tech crew here will move them.”
Desmond added, “Why don’t you escort the devices while we take care of our new guests? Thayne and Gil are down there and will take over when they arrive.”
“Sure …” Cassie looked at them both, feeling unsure of what they were up to. They couldn’t have possibly suspected her of some wrongdoing. That made zero sense. Whatever, this isn’t the time to complain or cause a scene. “I’ll speak to you on the bridge then, sir? Or perhaps in the research lab?”
“I’ll be down to the lab shortly,” Desmond said. “Wait for me there.”
“Yes, sir.” Cassie stepped away as the tech crews secured the Orbs and moved them out. She followed them, casting an uneasy glance behind her before she left the room. Half way down the hallway, she reached out to Christina again, tapping into the private channel they established during their ambassadorial mission together. “Major Dawson, do you read?”
The line picked up immediately. “Agent Alexander, do you have something to report? We’re on lockdown in one of the hangars.”
“Yeah, I saw it happen on our shuttle, too. The marines and captain are checking over the passengers again.”
“Good,” Christina replied. “It’s necessary. We both know there could be trouble so I’m glad to see the crew’s taking it so seriously. What’s your position now?”
Cassie paused, noting the marines stationed every ten feet along the corridor. “Heading to the research lab. It’s about the most well defended passage since the three hundred Spartans defended the hot gates. We’re fine over here. Has anyone told you how long you’re going to be stuck on the shuttle?”
“No, and thankfully, no one’s hurt.” Christina lowered her voice. “Dulain’s being a bit prissy about it though. He doesn’t like being told where he has to sit and for how long. He must’ve been a real pain in primary school.”
Cassie couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ll see what I can do about expediting your departure. Alexander out.” She put her tablet away and continued the somber, silent march to bring the Orbs to where they belonged. There wasn’t nearly as much ceremony when they took the new one off the ship but then again, no one knew it was coming.
They brought them into the massive chamber and went about attaching them to the preinstalled pedestals under Thayne’s watchful eye. None of them even spoke and she started to feel like she’d been thrust into some kind of strange nightmare. The marines took up positions at the door, standing on either side with their weapons crossing their chests.
This seems beyond paranoid at this point. We got them here. They should be safe. Especially since the only people who potentially could want to cause trouble are held up in shuttles waiting to be let go.
Neither of the Pahxin scientists bothered to look in her direction. They were intent on their work, preparing the area for the experiments to come. Gil in particular studied some panel off to the side, clearly not a human piece of technology. Their new allies brought several pieces of equipment on board to supplement the trials.
Desmond entered the room a moment later, clapping his hands. “Well, those look ready to go.” He turned to Cassie. “What do you think of the accommodations? We had to make some modifications to allow all this gear to operate and have plenty of space for the various scientists and technicians.”
“Sir, the head of the AIA is on one of the shuttles,” Cassie said. “He’s with Major Dawson right now. We might want to expedite whatever security measures we’re taking.”
Desmond’s brow lifted. “Isn’t that Beaumont Dulain? I wasn’t aware of him coming aboard. Does that strike you as odd?”
Cassie sighed. “Not if you knew him … I guess. He’s a big cat and does whatever he wants. I’m sure he’s here to observe the project and offer … whatever it is he thinks he’s bringing to the table. I can be honest with you and say I’m not thrilled that he’s on board but you and I both know how much clout he holds.”
“Okay. I’ll be sure we get him taken care of right away. Those involved in this experiment will be housed on this deck. Only key individuals will have access after we lock it down. I know that you were meant to be in on this too so you might want to go to your quarters and grab anything you’ll need.”
“How long will we be in hyperspace?” Cassie asked. “I didn’t know we’d have to … well … sleep down here.”
“Almost thirty-six hours though the destination isn’t that far from what I’m told.” Desmond shrugged. “Apparently, we’re taking a less efficient route to buy ourselves more time. Anyway, take care of what you need to and I’ll make sure our VIP has a nice place to stay. Maybe he’ll see fit to give me an explanation for his unannounced visit.”
“Good luck.” Cassie smirked. “I doubt he’s explained himself to anyone in his whole life.”
“I’ll try to be persuasive.” Desmond patted her on the shoulder. “See you later.”
***
Dulain read his tablet, patiently waiting for one of the high-level ship representatives to arrive. He figured they’d send the first officer or the commander of the marines. When Captain Bradford stepped aboard, he was actually a little surprised. He didn’t know if reputation warranted the leader of the entire ship but he wasn’t going to complain.
“Captain.” Dulain stood and shook the man’s hand. “Thank you for coming to see us. We’ve been here for the better part of an hour. Any chance we can disembark soon?”
“As you know, security is tight,” Bradford said. “We need to vet the rest of the crew of this shuttle, but you and Major Dawson can leav
e now. If you’d come with me, I’ll escort you to your quarters. We’re putting you with the Orbs. That is, if you’re here to observe the experiments.”
“Indeed.” Dulain smiled. Maybe Agent Alexander talked about his interest in the situation. Either way, the captain wanted to make a point. He knew some things and though he might not have the whole story, he had a good start. Taking him into confidence seemed foolish but it might be necessary before they finished the mission. “Dawson? You ready?”
Christina joined them, covered in sweat and black stuff. When she messed around on the wall with the marines, she must’ve gotten filthy. He hadn’t been in the field for a long time and one look at her made him grateful. She scowled at his scrutiny but he maintained his grin, trying to show some positivity.
“The Gnosis is a fine ship,” Dulain said as they disembarked the shuttle. “I’m proud to be on board.”
Bradford nodded. “Thank you. This trip will be a first for many reasons.”
Dulain glanced back at Christina and she shrugged. He redirected to the captain. “How so?”
“We’ve never performed a hyperspace jump for such a length of time for one. Second, having both Orbs aboard may have some unforeseen effect on our trip. No one can really say if they’ll interfere with some system or other.”
“I assume we’ve taken some precautions.” Dulain tried to keep the alarm out of his voice but for the first time since he snuck aboard the shuttle, he began to regret his decision. He assumed the ship wouldn’t be any more or less dangerous than when they brought home the second Orb. And hyperspace had been proven to be safe.
“As many as we can,” Bradford replied. “The Orbs are segregated to their own area and we’ve sealed it up as much as possible. All systems are also shielded but of course, as you know, we’ve barely scratched the surface of what these devices are capable of. They could, at any moment, do something inexplicable.”
