by M E Wise
“All secure!” I called out on the COM and refocusing myself. “Jump in three.”
Green lights lit up on the holo in front of me for each person giving a secure confirmation with their link pads. “Six lights green and we are go.”
FLASH
The metallic tinge of the electrified air filled my sinuses. “All Clear.” I sounded off on the COM. Five green lights came back in response. We would need several minutes to clear our heads. Phase jumping could have many effects, from seizures to mild headaches. Building reaction time within those dizzying effects was something the crew and I had drilled. We had made twenty trips into the Sol System since my maiden voyage in the Hermes77. It would only be a matter of time until humankind found a similar method of fast travel or developed an engine capable of speeds suitable to deep space exploration. My experience has taught me that a few years of competition can easily train a life to new circumstances quickly. Or leaving behind some equipment that could be reverse engineered would certainly level the field. The near super soldiers of the SPEAR variety fueled by my DNA is proof enough.
“Carnimor’h.” Called Wan Sah over the COM. This eerie system that held the violent sentient race the Mor’h call Carnimor’h seemed to be the midway point in our trip. A Ku’Gel could phase itself into any sector of Pluto’s Belt from Mor’h space thanks to the array there. The Castor and any other phase-capable vessel could as well within range but not in one shot. Vessels without the mass would have to short jump through multiple star systems. I had been in this system many times. The binary suns played with your senses. The history here terrified the Mor’h. One would think prey is prey, sentient or not; but the Mor’h rarely considered themselves such. Mammals never evolved on Mor’h to my knowledge. Crustaceans, insects and large varieties of worm seemed in congress with the traits leading to the Mor’h being dominant.
“I have prepped the opal craft, Reign.” Brigs stated authoritatively as he left the elevator. Brigs tended to go from level to level checking systems, including the crew. A fine officer with a great sense of union. “Bridge status is optimal.” He reported. “Thank you for the information Brigs. We are aware.” I waved my hands around to point out my presence on the bridge. He stuttered, “I was only reporting Sir.”
I stood to meet his height with a platform making up the difference. “At ease Brigman. I know you’re longing for the things you find familiar but we are not a military unit.” He stood firm. “Even though some of the call signs you have taught us have been very helpful.” He seemed pleased with confirmation of his contribution. “Dismissed?” He asked. “Of course. See you in the mess, lab level.” I answered. Mess! What a curious term for a place to eat. Brigs took the elevator away, no salute this time. Something I was uncomfortable with.
“Sal’Din; I need a connection to Dae. The Cresche please.” I have also discovered the link systems between larger Mor’h vessels were greatly improved. Dae slid into view as the huge monitor ahead filled with my beautiful wife. “Hello beautiful!” I beamed. “I think I can accept that.” She joked. “How is the Castor?” She made big eyes and harassed me with a funny look. “She is awesome.” I said to her dismay borrowing a phrase from Ben. “She huh?” Dae mocked. “Doesn’t quite have my acumen.” She wiggled in her chair. “Or my other features!”
“On that you have my full attention.” I conceded any witty retort. “How are you? Any significant happenings?”
“S’lei and I met for a quick moment at our old domicile. I miss that place.” Dae wandered a bit. “But nothing too demanding. I’m beginning to wonder what you do all day!” She laughed as my body language gave away my slumping reaction to her joke. “I’m only kidding babe!” Marta came in from behind quickly, “be safe Reign or this girl will take it out on everyone! The Mor’h, Earth, Mars; you name it!” She giggled as Dae forced her away.
“We have one more jump until Sol. Then radio silence as Brigs suggested.” I said as Dae shrunk in her seat. “I won’t wish you luck. You will be fine. Remember her information is enough. Whatever she worked on. We don’t need a rescue.” Dae was very stoic about this. “I thought she was like family?” I asked blankly. “She is, but I have Mom. And I want my husband more.” Dae kissed her hand and pressed it to the monitor. “Old colleagues and teachers aside. She has what we need and you are in harm’s way. She made her choices.”
“I love you Dae.” I said. “Love you too. Signing off.” The screen went back to the system ahead.
Love. This wasn’t something taught to me. Love must be natural because when I first felt it I knew it had always been there at different levels but I hadn’t found comfort in it yet. Having Dae in my life has changed all of the values I place on anything that defines me. Our connection is the stuff of stories I read bored and contained in my isolated world. Every danger, every threat and every challenge is met with the fear that love can and will be lost. I weigh these things and they are immensely heavy. This Drakos person, was old school, as Dae described. Much or her data and findings were on hard copied files or under lock and key. The other slight, she had no intentions of sharing the information across the distance as she stated, a cure or treatment would be historic.
We came out of phase jump nearly three-hundred thousand miles from Mars in empty space. “Scan the system for anomalies.” I asked aloud to Sal’Din. We had rehearsed this scenario. “Minor vessels are scattered around the orbit of Mars and Phobos. Common celestial debris and satellites litter the area. Moving to Phobos’ dark side for stage Alpha.” Sal’Din calmly and clearly answered and executed my whims. Sal’Din must have been a very measured Tah’l before his body failed him. To live on this way suits his personality though.
“All Clear.” I waited on the COM for green. They all came back clear. “Ben and Rashana please report to stations.”
“Sal’Din, I am headed to the cargo hold for Alpha II.” I Com-linked to Brigs. “Moving to Alpha II.” Brigs returned. “Confirming Alpha II. Waiting Contact.” Ben arrived in the bridge elevator as I moved in to board it. “Captain Itou on deck!” He chimed as he took the lead seat on the bridge. I proceeded down a long corridor to the primary rear elevator. The elevator whisked me to the cargo hold. “Alpha II confirmed. Proceed to Alpha III.” Brigs announced over the open COM. Rashana was fitting the second opal craft for my arrival. Brigs was already fitting into his.
“These craft are nearly undetectable,” he addressed me loudly over their hum, “but we have to assume Aries style craft and some military craft are also sensor soft targets.” I signaled the affirmative fist sign. “When the Castor passes we will de-dock and drift for approximately two minutes. Mars has a similar gravity to Earth’s so the tug will pull us naturally to her. We breech atmosphere and enter Bravo Phase I.” He was very clearly within his element.
“God’s speed.” Rasha said as my canopy closed on the opal craft. “And if Bravo I goes awry,” I asked COM to COM to Brigs, “what did DOTS mean again?” Brigs chuckled. “Depends on the situation.” He chuckled some more. “What situation?” I asked for confirmation. “That’s what DOTS means. Depends on the situation.” He answered again.
“We are swinging around Phobos at 75,000 miles per hour in low gear; damn this ship is fast!” Ben announced in open COM. “I mean t-minus 5 minutes.” He corrected in a monotone voice. Brigs gave me a thumbs up from inside his opal craft. “Rasha make sure you are clear of the jettison ports.” She gave me a thumbs up too. She made her way into the central control room made entirely of solar panels. Readouts for all six opal craft were on one translucent holo and the entire cargo hold on another. Rasha checked what Brigs taught her to look for and raised her hand to signal five. The two craft Brigs and I piloted were lit green on the readout. As her fingers counted down I could feel a knot well up in my stomach. Brigs howled over the COM!
The initial release was an adrenaline junkies dream! A rush of chaotic motion sucked us into space and the ports behind closed faster than
the eye could see. The Castor slowed just enough to leave us and burst back around to their point of Bravo I, behind Phobos. The dreadnaught used the phase field to keep it in a bubble of normal space while it hurled the ship forward like the phase jumps but at a lesser strength. It was amazing to witness. “Science fiction to science fact baby!” I howled over the COM. “Sure!” Said Brigs. “Baby?” He questioned.
“Slang Brigs. I saw it in a movie…,” I trailed on. “Check.” Brigs cut me off. “COM silence or limited.” He reaffirmed our standing orders.
The opal craft blended so well with our surroundings that in deep space we appeared as brief blurs. Entry into atmosphere however could turn us into a streaking magnet for attention. We were coming in on the dark side of Mars hoping for the best. “Check your holo for telemetry static and your digital topographer for our checkpoints.” Brigs was on top of things as usual. “Varied telemetry and map is go.” I replied. “This is amazing!” I said on COM.
“Old news, but a great rush!” Brigs quelled my excitement. “Proceed to Bravo II.” We burned through the atmosphere and monitored local channels. “These opal craft are one hell of a piece of equipment!” Brigs was impressed. “Local channels have us part of a meteor shower and have yet to make us a priority.” We reduced speed and our outer hulls cooled quickly to blend with the night sky.
“Bravo II approaching…” Brigs stopped as we both were stunned by a city as large or larger than Bhur’Anto Sit was littered with cratered impacts from heavy shelling. Buildings and other structures were open to space and the unsuitable Martian atmosphere. “That’s a gravesite.” Brigs finished. “Let’s find the lab and get out of here.” I added quietly. “Stay on course and we should be there in five.” Brigs noted.
A rough crag hid our entry and landing. The next leg of our mission would have to be on foot. Opal ships, like most small Mor’h equipment, synched to our vacuum suits. We could track them anywhere our COM’s would reach. The opal craft could even remotely pursue us if need be. Something that may come in great need out in this waste. The torn buildings and broken vestibules were a testament of Gorgon Pri’s restraint and an assault to human decency. Most of the structures in this are hadn’t received direct hits though. It appeared the targets were of the surrounding areas as a warning and to draw out the enemy. A massive Home² advertisement played on a half broken billboard. “It would appear they still have some power.” I pointed to the sign and Brigs acknowledged it. “Weapons ready.” He noticed I hadn’t brought my rifle to ready.
“Human weaponry first. If we meet heavy opposition, we can drag out the Mor’h tech. Don’t want to use them too much and pull aggro!” I gawked at him not understanding the term. “Aggro is some online language we used playing war-games as kids.” I shook my head. “No games then?” I again shook my head. “Not even Pong or Pac-Man?” He said with a rise in his voice. “Damn.” Brigs stated emphatically. “Your childhood must have been fun!”
“You have no idea.” I said quietly. Brigs continued ahead as I brought my rifle to ready. We had five web-kits to wear over our vacuum suits from the SPEAR loot recovered from the Green Acres debris. They bore most of the weight of worn equipment. I felt very much the part of soldier at the moment.
We randomly break pattern in the sand to prevent tracking. What I knew of the universe and of alien life; Brigs knew that much more of surviving, hiding and storming an area. He signed for me to cover a further point and I made quick work of the distance. Some vest lights and equipment lights swung back and forth, an obvious sign of humanoid movements. “Tekkers!” He linked in the COM. “Proceed to Bravo II.” Our path was the opposite direction of the shifting shapes ahead. We would ignore them if they ignored us.
The shifting light through broken structures made for a stressful stage to play these events on. I saw the sign for the lab ahead. Red Planet Discoveries the sign read in shrapnel scarred lettering. I held back as Brigs moved forward this time. He slid against the partitions he came into contact with; some debris, some intact. A shot fired from on top the building. I hunkered down, “Are you hit?” I called over the COM. “That was a warning shot. Way off.” Brigs said calmly and low. “I’m going to move forward; you watch for where the next shot comes from!” He said boldly.
Brigs with barrel low quickly shuffled to another wrecked vehicle ahead. Another shot fired from the top of our intended location. “It’s on top of the lab. Whoever or whatever it is.” I called to Brigs. “I want to take the target without killing them if we can.” Brigs noticeably turned his attention to me.
“It could be our scientist, scared and alone. You saw the Tekkers!” I challenged his assertion.
“Which are probably on their way given the shots!” Brigs argued. “On your order though.” His loyalty was a welcomed break in the tension. Brigs took the lit side of the building and signaled for me to take the alley between structures. No more shots came. I made the stairs that lead up the short structure toward the roof. Most Martian buildings were underground for protection from sandstorms. I slid along the wall leading up and saw a little commotion toward the rear. Brigs came up the stairs behind me. “Only way up.” He said calmly.
“I’m going to stun them.” I sat quiet and closed my eyes and sense five individuals, singled out Brigs and three inside then felt for the assailant nearby. I had him and I could feel his fear. He was young. I surged some raw sharing into the link and we heard a collapse. “He’s down.” My vacuum suit tended to my bleeding nose. Brigs took lead knowing such an act had ramifications to it. “He’s a young man, no soldiers or Tekkers here.” He confirmed my suspicions.
Brigs secured his weapon and zip tied his hands. I approached and studied the clunky earth space suit design. I had forgotten how bulky they seemed, the solid Earth design should have outgrown its usefulness but precaution obviously carried the creator to this final product. Or it was simply tradition. At least this suit fit the body; the helmet though was boxy and too heavy for my tastes. The young man began to revive. He panicked angrily at first and then settled. “We are looking for Dr. Diana Drakos.” Brigs addressed him first. The young man just glared passed him. He then looked at me and scooted backward. “You’re him!” He was obviously confused.
I stepped into the light. “I am Reign, if that is what you mean.” He was completely mesmerized. “There goes my stature as a soldier. I’m now a celebrity bodyguard.” Brigs blurted helping the young man stand. “You’re looking for my mother.” He stated. “That’s not possible. Her lifestyle…” I began but he corrected me. “I’m adopted.” He motioned toward the door. “I’ll take you to my mother.” Brigs went to the door first.
“If it’s a trap, you die first.” He gnarled at the young man then winked at me. Inside we went.
The stairs off the landing went down into the first floor clinic. We continued below that. Brigs pointed his muzzle into a room and shifted back and forth to see no visible targets and made entry. “You bastards let go of my son!” Came a shrill scream as a woman was attacking Brigs with an IV medical stand. Brigs just winced a little and turned and caught the next blow. She let go and recoiled in terror. “Please don’t kill us! SPEAR can take whatever they want.” She hid her face. “Laine! It’s ok!” The young man said holding out his shackled hands. Brigs reluctantly produced a blade and cut them.
“Troy what have you done!” The woman demanded. “Nothing Laine. I was watching out for Tekkers and they got the drop on me. It’s him! Reign!” He introduced me before I had a chance to calm the situation. “Reign?” She questioned. “Reign!” She looked like she would feint. She wore her age well but not as well as Brigs. Her black hair was disheveled and she was dirty but not filthy. “Oh my heavens! Diana get in here. Hurry!” Some shuffling came from across the room and Brigs brought his weapon to ready.
“We’re coming out!” Came a thick accent. “Don’t shoot us.” A large closet opened and two women came out with their hands extended showing they had no weapons. “Diana it
’s ok honey!” Cried Laine. “Dr. Diana Drakos?” I asked for confirmation. Her aged blue eyes had dirt heavy in the wrinkles. Her heavy red lipstick however was boldly pronounced over the dust and long features she had. Her lab coat was stained in blood and different spills. The young lady beside her hid in a cloaked robe. A Halfer would be my prediction. “I am, I am.” Dr. Drakos confirmed and shook as if facing a firing squad.
“It’s not safe. We should go. Those shots may have alerted the Tekkers scouring for refuge outside.” I said approaching slowly. She turned to look at me through a half set of glasses, one lens broken out. “Oh my!” She said in shock. “Dae said you were remarkable. She never lied.” She reached for my hands. “Fifty-seven years old, thirty years in research and I never thought I’d touch a single alien. Never!” She examined me. “I’m sorry, alien is such a poor description of the future. My apologies.”
“We need to be going.” Brigs emphasized in the direction to leave.
“DOTS.” I said with a smile. “Definitely DOTS!” Brigs confirmed. “Gather what you need and only what you have to have. How many suits do you have?” I paused for a quick reply. “Six? Maybe five.” Troy answered. “You get them suited.” I paused at the fitting area before the airlock to notice a peculiar badge. O’Shea it read on the collar. Dae had obviously been here at some time in the past. That investigation would have to wait.
