by Ivan Kal
“You know why?” Squad Leader Zhu ‘Pyro’ Zhang Wei asked.
Sahib shook his head, “No, but it looks like something happened.”
Zhu started to say something else when he tilted his head for a few seconds.
“We got to go back, Jacks is calling.” Zhu waved and him and the rest of his squad started jogging back towards the tree line. Orphans home base, Rook, was in the opposite direction of the one Platoon Wolf called home. Sahib gathered his Platoon and they started jogging back to base.
Less than an hour later they arrived, and were met by their Company Leader.
“Adin, you have half an hour to shower, change and grab something to eat, then go to the main briefing room. The rest of you do the same, then pack your stuff and get ready for deployment, you will be briefed by your Platoon Leader soon enough.” Company Leader Okoro said as soon as they entered hearing range.
Sahib removed his helmet, and approached CL Okoro.
“What’s going on CL?” Sahib asked.
“You’ll know soon enough, suffice to say we are moving out.” CL Okoro responded.
“Moving out? To where? We are all alone here.” SL Petrov asked.
“You’ll get briefed soon, now go do as I said.” CL Okoro ordered.
Lola looked like she wanted to stay and asked more questions, but Sahib stepped up to her, “Go NGD, make sure your squad is packed and ready.”
“Sure Alpha.” She responded. She turned to CL Okoro and executed a precise salute, fist to chest and then led the rest of the Platoon inside the base. When they moved out of sight, Sahib turned to his Company Leader. “This is something serious then?” He asked.
“Very.” Okoro nodded gravely.
Twenty eight minutes later Sahib entered the main briefing room, it was already filled with other Platoon Leaders, quickly he noticed that not all of Platoon’s were represented. Aeris base was home to 10 Companies, with each Company having 6 Platoons. That put their numbers at 1690 personnel with the 10 Company Leaders. The full number of people on the base, including staff and support personnel was more than 2500. Sahib sat down next to PL Mira ‘Night Owl’ Johannes. “You know anything about this?” Sahib asked.
Mira glanced at him and then returned to studying the room. “Nope.” She said.
“Surely there are rumors?” Sahib asked cheerfully. He used his “happy” voice on purpose, as he knew it irritated Mira. Sahib had always fancied her, though she wouldn’t give him the time of day. She was also older than Sahib, much older, around 100 years older. She turned back and looked at Sahib for a moment. It gave Sahib time to study her in turn, she had brown hair tied in a ponytail at her nape, brown eyes, too big nose, and crooked smile. In essence, she was the most beautiful woman Sahib ever met. Sahib took one look at her and had fallen for her, now all he had to do was make her fall for him. And Sahib could be very, very persistent.
“Of course there are rumors.” Mira said, exasperated. “Doesn’t mean we should join in with the rest of rumormongers. At least I won’t.”
Sahib just looked her in the eyes and smiled widely for a moment. Then when she shook her head and turned to look down at the podium Sahib let out a laugh. “I guess you are right” Sahib said just as Commander Gin entered, followed by Company Leader Okoro, Hughes and Mao “we will know soon anyway.” Sahib added. Mira ignored him, and kept her sight on the three men on the podium.
“I will make this short.” Commander Gin started, “There has been a development in the Nuva system, the system governed by the alien race called Nel. A force of Sowir Dominion has entered the system and is on its way towards the planet. Our leaders had decided that Olympus will provide aid. The Sowir are supposed to arrive at the planet in twenty two days. And we will be there to meet them.”
Immediately most of the Platoon Leaders started speaking amongst themselves, and then one stood and spoke. “Sir, the news concerning the alien system said that it is more than ten light years away.” He said.
“That is correct.” Commander Gin said.
“But how is that possible? It would take us more than twenty days just to reach the hyperspace barrier!” The PL said.
“I don’t know the details. The only thing I know is that the fleet plans on us arriving at Nuva nineteen days from now. Three Aeris base companies have been assigned to the First Fleet. Our orders are to land on Nuva, and help in its defense should enemy forces manage to land troops.” Commander Gin said. At that, everyone grew quiet, the prospect of actually going into battle was enough to make them speechless. Seeing that no one had any questions, or was capable of asking them at the moment, Commander Gin continued. “You will be briefed in detail about the enemy on the way. Their capabilities, know tactics and weapons. All the equipment you will need has already been sent up to the fleet. Transports will land on the base within the hour, they will transport you to the Olympia where you will be met with ships that will take you to the fleet. That is all.” Commander Gin said, and then turned and left the room, the Company Leaders following.
Sahib turned to Mira. “I guess this is it, huh.”
Mira turned and looked at him. “Yeah.” She said.
Chapter Twenty Four
Sanctuary system – Leviathan
The air pumps turned on and started pumping air back into the landing bay, in mere seconds the area was filled with the air and artificial gravity was again turned on. Then the great blast doors were raised and people started entering the landing area of the Hangar. The 4 shuttles that had just landed opened their doors and soldiers started getting out. They were the last group meant for the Leviathan, the last two platoons. Leviathan was assigned 1 company, 168 men and women. The entire fleet was assigned 3 companies in total, with the other two spread out over the fleet. There had been multiple shuttle trips, as the transport ships couldn’t dock with the Leviathan. Adrian looked down on the men and women now arriving on the Leviathan, their arrival meant that soon they would leave for the alien system. He was standing on a raised level, where chief’s offices were and looked through down through the window in the office. He didn’t have anything better to do, all the preparations were finished, and the research department was confident that they could send the entire fleet through something they called translane. The fleet had already arrived at the coordinates of the so called trans-station, the place from where they can enter the lane. Adrian didn’t understand the science behind the trans travel, save that something called trans field, along with a trans station was necessary. He knew that his ships wouldn’t be able to come back the same way, but would need to use hyperspace. The only ship fitted with the trans field generator was the Insight, a research vessel. As Adrian understood it, Insight would project the trans field inside the station where the fleet would be, opening the lane, and sending all ships inside the station through. Insight itself would remain behind, as it won’t be in the area affected.
Adrian saw that there was no more people getting off the shuttles, and that the shuttles started closing their doors getting ready to leave. The soldiers were met by Adrian’s chief of security, Marie Thorne then sent them to the area assigned to the soldiers. Seeing the last of them disappearing through the doorway, Adrian turned and went to the elevator taking it up to the command deck. He entered the Command Center and went to his place in the command chair. Paul and the rest of the Command crew were already there. He checked the fleet readiness on his board, then seeing that all ships reported ready, he turned to Paul.
“Contact Insight, tell them that we are ready.” Adrian said.
“Yes sir.” Paul said. Then he opened a link to the Science vessel Insight. “Leviathan reports First Fleet is ready for transfer.” Paul said.
“Acknowledged Leviathan, beginning transfer in two minutes.” Said a voice over the speakers.
Paul asked for a countdown clock to be put on the holo and a few moments later one appeared in the middle of the room on the holo-table. When the countdown reached one minute, Adrian turned
to the Sensor Handler.
“Turn on the viewer.” He said.
“Right away Fleet Commander.” She said.
An instant later the walls of the CC turned bright white, and then they were in space, sitting atop the Leviathan. All around them they could see the other ships in the fleet. The external lighting coupled with the light from the sun, made the fleet an awe inspiring sight. All ships stood there in the light of the nebula, half obscured in shallow shadows. They looked menacing. The clock was entering the last ten seconds, and then it hit zero.
For a second or two nothing happened and then all ships were bathed in a violet wave of light. And the next moment they were away. The surrounding changed, and it looked as if they were traveling through a tunnel of violet and white light. All around Leviathan, violet arcs bounced of his and the other ships in the fleet. Adrian turned to Paul. “Did all ships report in?” He asked. Inside the translane it was impossible to communicate via FTL comms. The only thing that worked were radio signals. Paul nodded as his hand worked on his holographic display.
“Yes, all ships have reported in, there are no complications.” Paul said.
Adrian nodded and stood up. “You have the first watch.” Adrian said, there was no need to stay in the CC, the trip through the translane was two days long. He went to his quarters and settled in to get a bit of rest. He would spend enough time sitting in the CC when they arrive to their destination.
Three hours later Adrian woke, only to find himself under a deadly attack. He felt pressure on his index finger, and another on his foot. He stood up in his bed only to have the attack on his foot intensify immediately. He moved his hand in an attempt to save his fingers, only to have his attacker change objective, and turn his focus on his other foot.
“Stop that, you little monsters.” Adrian said, grinning. Which of course had no effect. The little devils kept attacking his feet until he got out of the bed. Only when he put both feet on the ground did they stop. Both of them sat down on their hind legs in front of him. Adrian knew that they wanted to play, looking at the clock in the corner of his vision he saw that it was the time that he usually played with them. Looking at the two little wolions Adrian couldn’t help but worry about them, the ship was going into battle, and they could die. He planned on leaving them on Sanctuary, but every time he tried he would suddenly feel unable to do so. And then the fleet was ready to leave and he realized that they were still on board. Again he wanted to leave them, to send them to Laura on a shuttle, but was unable to separate himself from them. It wasn’t the first time that had happened, before, when he found their mother dying he felt something similar. An unexplainable urge to protect the little cubs. And then again when he took them to be checked out. He planned on leaving them with the vet, but was unable to do so. Though, the vet’s plans for the them did help his decision as well. But nevertheless it had happened too many times for it to be a coincidence. It probably had something to do with the wolions themselves, but Adrian couldn’t figure it out. He even had Iris use sensors in his quarters, but she found nothing. Sighing, Adrian got up and went to the bathroom. After waking himself completely, he put on clothes and looked at Akash and Sora. Usually when he played with them, they would try to attack him while he fought them off. But looking at them and seeing how much they had grown he had another idea. They were now the size of a small house cat, and their teeth and claws had already started to make them look like predators they were. Adrian wasn’t worried about them hurting him or anyone else, never had they used their claws or teeth on him. Even during playing, they were careful not to hurt each other or him, and Adrian felt that they would never harm. Each day they showed Adrian that they were much more intelligent than people on Sanctuary thought. Sometimes when he talked to them, he could swear they understood him completely.
“I think that today we are going to do something different.” Adrian said, looking down at them. The little wolions just angled their head at the exact same moment, and blinked their four eyes at him, again in perfect sync. He noticed them doing that, and also doing other strange things. For example, one time Adrian was about to feed Akash, when before he even placed the food on the plate the doors opened – the doors had motion sensors – and Sora arrived from the other room. And he knew that there was no way for her to hear, see or smell the food, also there was the fact that she was sleeping soundly. And other strange instances, that made him believe that there was a connection between the two.
“Follow me.” Adrian said, and started for the door. The two wolions followed close behind as he exited his quarters. It wasn’t the first time he took them out of his quarters, though the last time there was a lot less people on the ship. As they started walking down the corridors the little cubs would look around constantly, though they never lost step with him, always keeping up just behind him. From time to time Adrian turned only to find them gazing at some new thing they saw for the first time. They took one of the elevators and went to one of the lower decks where the main training room was. As soon as they exited the elevator they were met with dozen people moving around the hallway. For a moment Adrian was worried that he shouldn’t have brought them, but still they kept just behind him. The people around them on the other hand froze in place as soon as they saw them for the first time. The two cubs were small, and while they still had some of that cute baby look on them, there was no mistaking what they were, predators. Also, their exotic looks – four eyes and blue fur – most definitely drew looks. Soon whispers could be heard behind Adrian, as he passed by the crew. As he passed a crew member they would salute and then usually gasp as he passed them. Soon though, they arrived at the training room. As they entered, Adrian noticed a couple of soldiers training alongside some of Leviathan’s security personnel. As soon as they were noticed the soldiers stopped what they were doing. Adrian knew that there were rumors regarding the two cubs. Those that had seen them before had spread it around, and now everyone knew about his wolions. Though most didn’t really believe it, as far as they knew no one has ever captured a wolion, let alone have one as a pet.
Adrian knew that now there would be no more disbelief. Soon enough four soldiers approached Adrian, they were all dressed in their black uniforms with dark green outlines. They all had that tough look about them, with their close cropped hair, and intense looks in their eyes.
“Fleet Commander.” The lead one said, saluting, the others following close behind.
Adrian’s imp provided him with the man’s name and rank. “Squad Leader Meyers.” Adrian said, returning the salute, then nodding to the rest.
“We don’t mean to bother you sir. But we just wanted to ask… Are those wolions?” SL Meyers asked.
Adrian smiled and looked down at Akash and Sora, they were now sitting one on each side of Adrian, calmly looking at the Squad Leader. The only people they had interacted with were Adrian and his steward Goran.
“Yes, they are. This is Akash,” He said nodding to his left, “And this is Sora.” He nodded to his right.
Squad Leader Meyers got down his knees and looked at them.
“Introduce yourselves.” Adrian said to the cubs. They looked up at him, then at the Squad Leader and back again, then finally they stood up and walked up to the Squad Leader, then they stopped and looked at him intensely. Squad Leader tentatively reached a hand out and stopped a breath away from Akash. Then Sora and Akash moved closer to the hand, sniffed and then after a moment of deciding to shove their heads into the Squad Leader's hand. He then proceeded to pet them, reaching out with his other hand.
“Amazing.” SL Meyers said, “I didn’t know that anyone managed to catch a wolion.”
“They didn’t.” Adrian said. “I found these two in the woods, their mother died after giving birth to them.”
“Really? Well, they look harmless enough.” As he said that both Sora and Akash let out a small growl. Squad Leader immediately pulled his hands back.
Adrian let out a laugh, “They might be tame an
d small, but I would hardly call them harmless. Also, they appear to be able to understand us, or at least what we intended to say if not the actual words.”
The Squad Leader nodded tightly, with his companions laughing with Adrian.
“Did you plan to exercise with them here?” Squad Leader asked.
“Yes, they need a bigger space to play than my quarters.” Adrian said, then looked at the cubs and pointed his hand at the small running track, “Go play.”
Immediately the two ran off and started chasing each other all over the room, running around the people training already, as if they didn’t want to disturb them. Although their presence alone did that.
“Well, it was a pleasure meeting you sir. And them.” Squad Leader said, saluting again.
“Likewise Squad Leader.” Adrian said, returning the salute.
As the soldiers left back to their corner of the room, Adrian approached one of the weight lifting machines. Since he was here already he might as well get some training done, he doubted he would have much time for it after they arrived.
***
Nuva
Retsar Isani sat in the ready room aboard his battleship Valor, he was reviewing the data provided by the humans. The more he spent in the company of humans, or reading data they provided, the more he realized just how different they really are. Of course we are different, we are not the same species, Isani thought to himself. But they looked similar enough to each other that he questioned everything he knew. Could have the Order been right all along? Isani thought, and immediately shook himself. No, there is no point in questioning the actions of his ancestors. That was the darkest moment in his peoples history, he shuddered to think what would happen if it turned out that the Order was right. It was better to remain ignorant. Some things are better left unknown.
Isani continued reading, the projected time for the arrival of the human fleet in the system was two days. The location was deep inside the system's gravity well, which had baffled Isani. But he chose to trust the humans, they haven’t lied to them yet. They had concealed things, but they had just met them. After arriving it would take the human fleet another sixteen days to reach Nuva, just two days before the Nel arrive. There were no plans for a joint strategy, they didn’t know each other that well. They would do their best to protect Nuva. Isani didn’t know if they will be able to fight them off. The humans were sending 10 ships, with Isani’s 13 ships their force will outnumber the Sowir force of 20. But still it might not be enough, Sowir force had 6 battleships, all of newer make and more powerful than Valor. And Isani didn’t know whether the Humans had any battleships in their force, he knew nothing about Human warships. There was nothing for him to do but wait and hope that it would be enough to defend Nuva. They would meet the Sowir ship close to the planet. They simply didn’t have enough forces to split them, and meeting them out, away from Nuva would mean leaving the planet undefended. All it would take is for one ship to slip past them, the planet had no other defenses. The Sowir practice of taking over a world was to destroy any defenses, and then land troops to take care of the population. They usually killed everyone, but in a few instances they did leave a small part of the population alive, to serve as a work force. Each world they conquered was then populated by their people. Nuva would be no different. Isani believed that Sowir would try to land their troop ships on the ground, each ship held 1500 Sowir soldiers, their best. With two transport ships, that meant 3000 Sowir soldiers. Nuva had very few weapons for ground combat, and even less people capable of using them, in the last few months they did form a militia of sorts, but Isani knew that they wouldn’t stand a chance against the elite Sowir soldiers. So their only choice was to protect the planet, keep their ships close and make sure that the transports don’t get through. The population will in the next few days be going to the underground shelters, that they built over the course of the past two years. Only those in the militia will stay above to protect their homes.
