The Atlantis Chronicles- The Kordam Party

by Michael Brown

  “Bombers, I have the invasion tower dead ahead, just to the east of the base, in the security buffer zone.”

  “We see it, Red Kite,” a male voice echoed from the speakers, “we are starting our bombing run now.”

  “Wizard Leader,” Dan said into his radio pickup, “proceed ahead of the bombers. Strafe the ground, thin out the enemy soldiers please.”

  “Will do, Red Kite,” Argathreft sounded his agreement.

  Through the bridge view ports, Dan saw the Talon Two fighters fly away leading the five bombers. With their escort duties dispatched, Dan banked the Red Kite and flew over the sector command base. He saw the Talons banking and strafing Hellkin foot soldiers on the ground. In the distance, the Hellkin invasion tower could be seen at the far edge of the base. The five bombers flew toward their target. As they approached, the bombers’ bays opened and racks of missiles emerged. The projectiles fired streaking across the sky and struck the invasion tower with deadly force. The structure exploded in a brilliant flash and bang. Though most of the ship was still intact, scanners indicated that the damage caused to the invasion tower's systems had begun their self destruct function. Scanners also indicated that the troops aboard the invasion tower were dying.

  Dan brought the Red Kite over the length of the base a second time. Charlie looked out of the view ports in time to see three of the troop transport shuttles gliding low over the base parade grounds with their side doors open. Large exo-suits stepped out of the shuttles, dropping the short distance to the ground. The exo-suits were roughly humanoid in shape and carried huge particle beam rifles. They hit the ground running, and fired their weapons at the Hellkin soldiers. As the exo-suits cleared the Hellkin away, the other six troop transports and the Ranger class transport landed on the parade ground, setting up a beachhead for taking back the base. The Red Kite flew into the residential area of the base.

  “There's my house,” Dan gestured while pointing.

  Charlie saw a particular house was conspicuously situated at the far end of a triangular zone near the edge of the residential zone. The house was nestled in a depression amid some hills. Charlie saw that the entire front of the house not covered by hills was covered by a line of barriers. They consisted of a line of ground vehicles with portable blockades set up in between them. Fleet Marines armed with particle beam rifles took cover and exchanged fire with Hellkin foot soldiers that had set up an attack position in the park across the street from the house.

  “Wizard Leader,” Dan growled into his radio pickup. “I need you to clear a landing zone.”

  “Roger, Red Kite Forty,” Argathreft hooted excitedly, “one LZ coming up!”

  Dan brought the Red Kite into a hover while moving sideways.

  “Light these bastards up, Whip,” Dan barked over his shoulder.

  The Red Kite fired two missiles from her torpedo tubes. The missiles broke open above the clumped Hellkin foot soldiers. A hailstorm of miniature bombs rained down on the Hellkin killing the majority. While this occurred, three Talon Two fighters strafed their position. In scant moments, the Hellkin in the park were all extra toasty. The Talon Two fighters circled back. In strafing again, they fired missiles at the dead foes. The missiles exploded upon hitting the ground, unleashing strange waves of energy that swept the wreckage and Hellkin bodies away like brooms.

  “There's your LZ,” came Argathreft's voice from Dan's headset speakers.

  “Thank you, Wizard Leader.” Dan quickly maneuvered Red Kite Forty for a landing in front of the house. Six Fleet Marines came out from behind the barriers. They were led by a female Shrive Thinker. She was slender with a humanoid body. Her skin was green and her hands had three fingers. Her head consisted of a large brain case with a triangular face. Her nose was little more than a small nub with nostrils. Her eyes were large yellow orbs with slit pupils. Despite being a reptilian, she has enlarged breasts, much like a human woman would have. Her figure, though quite slender, was distinctly feminine in form. She was dressed in surface combat armor. She had a particle beam carbine in her hand. The other marines were armed with a motley mix of weapons ranging from particle beam pistols to particle beam long rifles. Dan saw them approaching and got up. Dashing to the entry bay, he opened the boarding ramp. Taking a moment to grab a pistol, Dan dashed down the ramp. The Shrive Thinker approached him and saluted.

  “Thank you for saving us, Commander,” The Thinker spoke gravely. “We weren't sure how much longer we could hold out.”

  “What's your name, Marine?” Dan asked impatiently.

  “I'm Major Sheek Nim, sir. We're all that's left of the base personnel.”

  “Just the six of you?” Dan felt his heart sinking in fear.

  “Us, and those that are inside your house,” Nim nodded. “Mrs. Dockweiler took us in and let us turn your home into a defensible position.”

  “How long were you here?”

  “Eight hours. The Hellkin landed troops in assault shuttles first. They stormed the base and killed everyone in their path. Those of us who managed to get away made our way here. We were hoping to hold out long enough for a rescue team to come.”

  “Where are my wife and daughters?” Dan took a deep breath hoping for the best.

  “They're in the house, sir,” spoke a gruff voice.

  Dan looked and saw a grizzled, upper middle-aged Chinese man approaching them. He had a face of stone and a stiff gate to his walk. His duty dress uniform bore admiral's rank insignia. Seeing him, Dan saluted.

  “Admiral Shang,” Dan spoke respectfully. “I'm glad to see you alive, sir.”

  “Your wife was kind enough to permit us to turn your home into a defensible position, but we have been taking near constant fire for hours. I fear your wife took a shot to the heart.”

  Dan pulled a handheld comlink from his belt. “GET DOC DOWN HERE,” he screamed into the device.

  Moments later, a Zetabot stepped down the boarding ramp. The Zetabot was in a male robot body that was dressed in flight coveralls, and wore chief petty officer insignia. He carried a field medical kit with a collapsible anti-gravity gurney strapped across his back.

  “Take me to my wife,” Dan growled.

  “This way,” Shang gestured.

  Shang led Dan and Doc into the house. They were led to the master bedroom where Catherine Dockweiler lay on the bed. Her blouse and bra have been cut open, leaving her breasts bare. A pressure bandage has been applied to a spot near her left breast. Her clothes were soaked in blood. Doc dashed over to her, scanning her with a hand held medical scanner.

  “How is she?” Dan cried with concern.

  “She's really bad, sir,” Doc said. “I need to get her to sickbay aboard the Kite.”

  “Can you do anything for her?”

  “I'll know when I get her aboard the ship.”

  “Do it.”

  Doc took the collapsible gurney off his back and unfolded it. He picked up Catherine and laid her down gently. Securing her, Doc activated its anti-gravity system. The gurney rose off the bed. The Zetabot pushed the woman out of the room. At that moment, two teenage girls entered. In appearance, they were enough like Catherine that it was obvious that they were her daughters. They saw Dan and broke into tears rushing into his arms. Their names were Julie and Samantha Dockweiler.

  “Julie, Sammy.”

  “Daddy,” Julie sobbed, “the monsters hurt Mom.”

  “I know, honey,” Dan spoke softly, stroking Julie's long blond hair. “Doc's gonna take care of her.”

  “They came to kill us, Daddy,” Sammy cried on his shoulder.

  “I brought soldiers to make those monsters go away.”

  “Dad,” Julie said, “are we moving?”

  “No,” Dan said, “why do you ask, Pumpkin?”

  “Because the robots have been packing up the house,” Julie shrugged.

  “What robots?” Dan was puzzled.

  At that moment, a woman entered. She was a shapely woman with long brown hair pulled back in a
high ponytail. Her duty dress uniform bore lieutenant's insignia. Her face, though soiled, was flawless and beautiful. She blushed as she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

  “We used a few pack bots to transport weapons, ammunition and supplies to this house, Commander,” she spoke earnestly.

  “Who are you?” Dan eyed the woman with question in his eyes. His family was suffering and unexpected news was the last thing he wanted to hear.

  “Lieutenant Sarah Queen,” the woman said.

  “So you used pack bots to transport supplies here. Why are they packing up my house?”

  “I guess we sort of forgot to deactivate them. They must have reverted to their default programming and began packing up your house.”

  “They've started loading the household belongings onto your ship, Commander,” Nim said as she entered the room.

  “Orders, Admiral?” Dan would have saluted, but he still had his arms around his daughters.

  “Your wife isn't the only casualty,” Shang softened his voice; “we have quite a few wounded.”

  “Okay,” Dan turned to Nim, “Major, get your marines and carry the wounded aboard the Red Kite. As soon as they're aboard, we're taking off and bringing them to the hospital aboard the Atlantis.”

  “Aye, Sir,” Nim exited the room while shouting, “Scorch, Fury, Roach, front and center...” Her shouting voice faded as she receded.

  Dan moved his attention to Queen. “How long before the pack bots have the house loaded aboard the ship?”

  “I'd say about ten more minutes. Now that we've gotten Mrs. Dockweiler out of here, the pack bots have started on the master bedroom.”

  “What are you going to do, Admiral?”

  “I am accompanying you to the Atlantis,” Shang said. “I want to speak to your captain.”

  “Understood, sir,” Dan nodded, and then regarded his daughters. “Come on, girls. I'll take you aboard the ship. Are you girls hungry?”

  “Yes,” Julie barely managed a smile.

  “Well, let's get you girls fed.”

  Dan led his daughters outside to the ship. Aboard the Red Kite, he guided his daughters into the ship's mess deck. He walked them up to the serving line were Cookie was preparing lunch for the ship's crew.

  “Cookie, could you prepare some food for these two lovely ladies.”

  “Certainly, sir,” Cookie grinned, “it would be a pleasure to have two such lovely ladies eating in my mess deck.”

  “You girls stay here and eat,” Dan gestured that they would be safe here. “I've got work to do, but I'll be back for you.”

  “Okay, Daddy,” Sammy nodded.

  “Sure Dad,” Julie agreed.

  Dan left the mess deck and stepped into the nearby sickbay. He found Catherine lying on the examination bed, with Doc hovering over her, probing the wound in her chest.

  “How is she, Doc?” Dan‘s concerned face showed his fear.

  “She's dying, sir,” Doc intoned carefully. This hit Dan like a ton of bricks

  “Well what the hell are you doing about it!?!” Dan cried.

  “Commander, when I trained to be a hospital corpsman,” the Zetabot tried to be comforting, “I was taught that people die and sometimes there's nothing that can be done to stop it. I don't have the equipment or the training to heal her. I need to get her aboard the Atlantis. She needs a doctor.”

  Dan moved to a wall comlink and picked up the handset. “Bridge,” he barked, “how long until we're ready to takeoff?”

  “Pack bots have your house, the marines' weapons and supplies loaded, Sir.” Charlie's voice replied, “We're just waiting for the marines to load the last of the wounded aboard.”

  “Take off as soon as the last are aboard,” Dan growled.

  “Aye, Sir.”

  Dan slammed the handset down.

  “We'll take off as soon as possible,” Dan looked ready to murder someone for the delay.

  “I'll keep her alive as long as I can, Sir,” Doc said, “but I cannot promise anything. She's touch and go as is. She may die before we get there.”

  “Do what you can,” Dan gave the Zetabot a stern glare. As he exited the sickbay, Shang and Nim approached him.

  “Everyone is aboard,” Nim reported coolly, “and the pack bots have loaded everything that was not secured.”

  “Understood,” Dan said, “make sure someone shuts those pack bots down. I don't want them packing up my ship.”

  “Understood, sir,” Nim nodded, “any other orders?”

  “Relax, Marine. For now, your job is done.”

  “I think you should take off for the Atlantis immediately, Commander,” Shang spoke with some urgency of his own.

  “Understood, Sir. In the meantime, Admiral, you and the marines should feel free to get something to eat from the mess deck.”

  “We will,” Shang managed a thankful smile…

  Shang and Nim walked away. Dan made his way to the bridge. Sitting down in the pilot's console, he put on his headset comlink.

  “Charlie, secure the ship. We're taking off.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Calculate a course to the Atlantis,” Dan added.

  “Will do, sir,” Charlie replied.

  “Whip, flash a message to the Atlantis,” Dan growled. “Tell them we're returning with the survivors of the attack on the sector command base. Tell them, some of them are wounded.”

  “Flashing them now, sir,” Whipple worked at his console.

  Dan spoke into his radio pickup, “Strike Force commander, this is Red Kite Forty, we're returning to Atlantis with survivors and wounded.”

  “Roger, Red Kite Forty,” said a female voice, “we already have the enemy on the run.”

  “Ready for take off, Skipper,” Charlie reported respectfully.

  “Roger,” Dan growled to himself this time. Gripping the throttles, Dan eased the ship into a hover. Red Kite Forty lifted off the ground and rose into the sky. When she was far enough off the ground, the ship's twin engine bars flashed blue-white energy as she took off, making for orbit.

  Chapter Two

  In orbit, the Atlantis moved toward the massive, egg-shaped Hellkin command ship. Just beyond the Hellkin command ship, the Pacifica could be seen moving toward it as well. The Pacifica was identical to the Atlantis, save for the fact that she was painted in green and white livery, where the Atlantis was painted in red, black and white livery. The two ships moved to flank the Hellkin craft. On the Atlantis' bridge, Bowen looked at a holo-display hovering near his face.

  “Distance to target,” Bowen barked.

  Too Far glared at his own display. “Closing within firing range.”

  “Initiate firing sequence,” Bowen said intently.

  “Prepare to fire the shield beam,” Too Far barked into the pickup of his headset.

  Too Far entered a command sequence into his control panel. In the space between the double prow of the Atlantis' two outrigger hulls, energy began to arc from the ship's deflector shields, forming into an energy projectile. On the other side of the Hellkin command ship, the Pacifica could be seen forming a similar energy projectile between her own double prow. The energy projectile grew until it was the size of a small asteroid. Suddenly it launched away from the Atlantis. The Pacifica's projectile launched at the same time. The two projectiles streaked across space. They struck the Hellkin command ship dead center. The ship exploded in a brilliant fireball. On the bridge of the Atlantis, Bowen looked at the forward display glaring as the Hellkin command ship dissolved away, consumed by the explosion. “Status,” he barked over his shoulder at Too Far.

  “The enemy fleet is disoriented, Captain,” Too Far hissed, “their fleet is breaking up. They don't know what to do with themselves.”

  “So Parker was right,” Bowen growled, “take out their overlord, and they lose the ability to think. Flash all units...wipe out the enemy.”

  “With pleasure, Sir,” Too Far grinned wickedly.

  “Captain,” Landry c
alled, “we've two ships inbound.”

  “What are they?” Bowen asked glad the battle was finally winding down.

  “A transport from Elnore Prime,” Landry reported.

  “So Glitter gets back just a little late,” Bowen nodded. “What about the other?”

  “It's Red Kite Forty.”

  “Bring the Forty in to the Number Seven entry bay,” Bowen said. “I'm going down there with a security detail.”

  “What are you going to do, Sir?” Landry was a bit concerned his captain was about to overreact.

  “Throw Dockweiler in the brig,” Bowen glared, and then as he stalked off the bridge, he called over his shoulder, “Cowboy, you've got the bridge.”

  As Cowboy took the command chair, he gazed at Landry and grimaced. “I wouldn't want to be Commander Dockweiler right now.”

  “Yes, the captain is likely to rend him limb from limb.”

  “And then he'll do something awful,” Cowboy joked as he sat down.

  Bowen entered the Number Seven Entry Bay followed by Urko and three marines, all armed with rifles. They stood at the inner door of the docking tube, watching through the nearby window as Red Kite Forty was moved by tractor beam into position. As they waited for the docking tube to maneuver into position at Red Kite Forty's starboard airlock, Urko leaned in to Bowen.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Captain?” Urko asked quietly, not wanting to show he was questioning the captain‘s authority.

  “He abandoned his post during a battle,” Bowen glared angrily at the marine. “He's going to the brig.”

  “Sir, you've known Commander Dockweiler for fifteen years,” Urko said. “You do this; it isn't going to be conducive to your continued friendship.”

  “Do you think I'm overly concerned about my friendship at this point?” Bowen growled.

  “At least allow him to make a statement,” Urko suggested with no pressure in his own statement. The captain was often an angry individual with the responsibility of so many lives at stake.

  Before Bowen could respond with another cutting remark, Doctor Sculapus entered followed by a triage team. Bowen glanced at him sideways.