“Drop,” instructed Diosa. Once the weight released, she did a sit-up, replaced her feet with her hands and dropped down beside the Earth Element. “You attacked an Earth Element instructor. He was safe based on his size.”
“He embarrassed me, but I deserved it,” Radko explained.
“You asked what to do with my theory?” Diosa explained as she bent and released the ankle locks on her boots. “It’s simple. You need to trust your teammates and they need to trust you. A Sky Element is trained to hit hard and come up fighting. Do you know what they don’t like?”
“No,” replied Radko.
“An Earth who doesn’t trust them to do their job,” Diosa informed him. “Don’t hesitate to grab a hand or to make a throw. Trust your Sky Element because if you make a team, your life will depend on them.”
A commotion at the front door drew their attention. Chief Instructor Ulric marched in, glanced at the two candidates, and glared at the Sergeant.
“What are they doing here?” he demanded.
“Chief Instructor, she’s Warlock,” he mumbled a reply.
Ulric didn’t comment. He marched across the deck with his back stiff and his eyes glued on the two candidates. As he approached, he noted the red marks on the tops of Diosa and Radko’s heads.
“Your turn?” he asked.
“Yes, Chief Instructor,” Diosa responded.
“Get dressed for corridor drills,” Ulric directed before walking away while shaking his head.
Chapter - 9 Corridor Drills
Dewi Kechik hustled across the parade ground wanting to see what happened with Diosa and Radko. She hit the door and burst through.
“That’s my Striker door, candidate Kechik,” warned Ulric as the door slammed against the wall. “You will treat it with respect.”
“Sorry, Chief Instructor, it won’t happen again,” Dewi apologized.
“Get to the equipment room and gear up,” Ulric ordered.
Dewi fast marched around the splayed stacks of rectangles. At the rear of the building, she pushed through the dressing room door and smiled. Diosa was helping Radko fasten on a set of armor but, that wasn’t the reason for the smile. It was the angry red marks on their heads. Sky Elements played ‘Your Turn’ as part of their training. As far as she knew, the Earth Element’s didn’t, due to their mass. It was easier for Sky Elements to lift and lower their weight than for an Earth to pull up the bulk again and again. She was impressed that Warlock had played the game with an Earth Element.
“Sky Element. I beg your forgiveness for earning you a demerit,” Radko offered as Diosa tightened a strap on his armor. When she stepped back to work on her own armor, the Earth Element asked, “Will you grant me the opportunity to show you the respect you deserve?”
Dewi paused. Accepting his apology was one thing. Putting her career in jeopardy by working with him was more difficult. Dewi glanced at Diosa for reassurance but Warlock ignored her.
Radko also saw the look and realized whatever the Sky Element decided was an unsupported personal decision.
Dewi bit her lower lip and pouted. “Do you have trust in me? In my abilities to handle your weight? In my talents as a Sky Element?”
“Yes, Dewi Kechik,” Radko stated as he absentmindedly rubbed the tender spot on the top of his head. “You can depend on me.”
“In that case, Earth Element, help me with my armor,” Dewi suggested. “The sticky gloves limit my ability to properly tighten the straps.”
As Radko waited for Dewi to pull on the light armor, the rest of the Phase V class filtered into the dressing room.
***
“This is a full simulated assault,” Ulric declared. “Gregor and Diosa pick your teams.”
To no one’s surprise, Gregor pointed to Aloisia and Joris and stated, “Left side Earth and Sky.”
Then Diosa caused a stir when she announced, “Radko and Dewi, left side Earth and Sky.”
To be chosen first was a vote of confidence by a team leader. Diosa had just shown her approval of Dewi’s decision. The Sky Element puffed up a little from the acknowledgment.
“Daiki and Malak, right side Earth and Sky,” Gregor selected.
“Right side Earth and Sky, Gurvan and Alya,” Diosa made her final choice quickly showing no hesitation. The pair was an odd combination of easy going and nervous energy and no one could understand Diosa’s decision.
“Braulio, get up to the control room,” ordered Ulric to the single candidate. Then the Chief Instructor motioned for Diosa to walk with him away from the class. “You do know you have to pass qualifications. Those are some iffy choices.”
“I appreciate that, Chief Instructor,” Diosa replied. “But Gurvan and Alya always sit next to each other at meals. Radko and Dewi have an understanding. I’m confident in my sides.”
“The drill is yours to lose,” Ulric admitted as he marched back to the class. “First up is Diosa’s team. Put on your virtual helmets and move to the lower corridor.”
Through the VR helmets, the clear plastic rectangles transformed into a ribbed corridor. Each rib extended half a meter from the bulkhead creating hidden spaces. Set four and a half meters apart, the beams blocked vision and could hide an explosive device or an enemy combatant. Adding to the challenge of the old-style construction, the deck was littered with sections of plastic and cardboard shipping material.
“The situation is a tramp steamer with a family of traders under attack by an unknown number of pirates,” control explained as the five candidates entered the end of the corridor. “Team Leader, signal when you are ready.”
“Huddle,” ordered Diosa and the four candidates crowded around her. “Right side, you are mounted. Left side, stacked on the deck until I say different.”
From the limited view into Dewi’s helmet, Diosa could tell her left side Sky was disappointed.
“Control, Alert,” Diosa called out.
Suddenly the static scene of the corridor exploded with a burst of rifle fire coming from beyond a screen of smoke and steam.
“Right side, mount,” Diosa ordered. Alya stepped to Gurvan and the right-side Earth caught her foot and tossed the Sky Element over his head.
The Sky Element flew the six meters to where the top and side of the corridor met. There she caught with a three-point hold and aimed her laser rifle down range. Below her, Gurvan moved under her to protect his Sky from enemy fire from deck level.
“Left side, push out three meters,” directed Diosa. “Dewi get low and tell me what’s under the rubbish.”
While Radko shuffled forward, Dewi from behind her Earth, stooped down and scanned under the plastic and cardboard. They had moved two of the three meters when the Sky raised an arm.
“Trip wire,” she announced.
“Left, right defensive hold,” Diosa directed. “Dewi mount.”
Radko half turned letting his rifle hang from the sling and cupped his hands. Dewi slammed a foot into the stirrup and was vaulted straight up. Corkscrewing through the air, the Sky smacked face up into the top corner of the corridor. As she slammed into the overhead and side, she involuntarily let out a squeal of joy.
“This is a serious training exercise,” Diosa reminded her left side Sky.
“Sorry, Team Leader,” Dewi said as she aimed her rifle down range. “Clear.”
“Right Earth, you have the backdoor,” Diosa said to Gurvan. “I’m going to disarm the wire.”
Gurvan spun around and looked down an artificial corridor stretching out behind the team. Diosa got down and crawled forward to the covered wire. Carefully, she lifted the sheet of plastic. One end of the wire was anchored to the deck. The wire vanished behind a rib. Peering around the beam, she saw a grenade fixed against the bulkhead.
“Detonating the device,” Diosa announced as she grabbed the wire and rolled back letting her momentum jerk the wire which pulled the pin from the grenade. The explosion and metal fragments blew away from the team being deflected by the beam of the rib. “
Right side, even it up.”
Gurvan and Alya shuffled forward until they were on line with Radko and Dewi. Three pirates burst from an intersecting corridor. Four streams of fire ripped them to pieces.
“Earths, clear the rubbish by fire,” Diosa ordered from her knees as she spun to cover their rear.
Far down the corridor, another grenade exploded. Triggered by the bouncing plastic and cardboard as the pieces were lifted and tossed around by Radko and Gurvan’s rounds.
“Sky Elements mount. Team, forward,” Diosa instructed.
They were hit by six more pirates before reaching the end of the corridor. All six were dropped and the team reached the end of the passageway. Then the VR switched off and the bulkhead, trash, smoke, steam and bodies vanished.
“Secure from exercise,” control announced.
“Monkey dismount,” ordered Diosa.
Dewi and Alya dropped an arm each. The Earth Elements jumped up and grabbed the appendages. The Sky Elements swung the big men back then forward and, as the Earths let go, they flew out of the end of the rectangle. As soon as they landed, both spun around with their arms thrust out. Dewi and Alya came out of the rectangle, crashing into their Earth Elements. After setting down the Sky Elements, the four candidates stood waiting for their Team Leader.
Diosa strutted from the end of the box and reported, “Control. Team Diosa has cleared the exercise area.”
“Gregor Team, helmets on and enter the corridor,” Ulric directed. As the five candidates entered the rectangle, he watched Diosa. The early trip wire usually resulted in at least one injury. He’d need to get with control and up the hazards for Warlock. He hated the idea of someone from his class graduating with no demerits.
***
Five weeks later the teams were gelling into operational units. Braulio Nieve, unable to bond with a Sky Element, dropped back and waited for the next Phase V class. Team Leader Gregor Bhreac had earned the call sign of Reaper. His watchfulness before unleashing his teams had devastated the course record and he was becoming a legend.
“Warlock, his team is beating you on every course,” Ulric stated then asked. “How does that make you feel?”
“Chief Instructor, it’s a little late in phase V to get me to drop out,” replied Diosa. “Besides, I graduated the first time as a Sky. I wouldn’t know how to be a candidate team leader.”
“But you are a candidate team leader,” Ulric pointed out.
“Thank you for recognizing that, Chief Instructor,” Diosa responded with a wink. As Ulric huffed, turned and marched away, Warlock called her team together. “Switch up. Alya and Gurvan, you are now the left side. Radko and Dewi you are my right side.”
“What’s up?” asked Alya.
“Just shaking things up, High Moon,” replied Diosa using the Sky’s call sign. “Helmets on. Let’s own this course.”
“Alert, Warlock,” the four said as they fitted their helmets over their heads.
“Team Leader, signal when you are ready,” control radioed.
“Control, alert!” Warlock responded before ordering her team. “Left, Right mount. Push out five meters. Earths advance three meters.”
As Alya and Dewi hit the overhead corners, stuck and began crawling forward, the Earths moved casually having only three meters to cover. Warlock jogged ahead of the fast-moving Sky Elements. Three fixed positions opened fire on them but the candidates had their quadrants covered and they quickly silenced the guns.
Warlock stopped at six meters creating a wedge with her in the lead. Just in front and above her was a hatch to the deck on the next level.
“High Moon, Havoc on the deck,” she ordered as she studied the hatch.
Alya and Dewi crawled partway down the bulkhead before dropping to the deck.
“Gurvan face the rear. Radko face front,” directed Warlock. “Sky Elements, on my signal, mount the hatch from opposite directions. Get to the deck, go flat and return fire until the Earths and I get there.”
“Alert! Warlock,” they replied.
“Mount,” Diosa ordered.
High Moon and Havoc stepped onto the hands of their Earths at the same time. Propelled into the air, the Sky Elements popped through the hatch, sailed over the frame and landed on their bellies below crossing streams of enemy rounds.
“High Moon and Havoc, report your status?” asked Warlock.
“It’s like being down range, sitting with the targets at the rifle range,” Havoc observed.
“I can confirm,” added High Moon. The electronically generated pinging of rounds could be heard over the Sky Elements’ radios.
“Hold on, we’re on the way,” Warlock told them. “Radko, get on my shoulders. Gurvan climb us.”
“What’s the plan?” asked Radko as he stepped on Warlock’s bent leg before placing one then the other foot on her shoulders.
“We’re making a gun turret for War Prince,” Warlock replied using Gurvan’s call sign. He earned the call sign, War Prince, because he chose to carry extra ammo and he wasn’t afraid to burn through it all.
“You should have less than a meter clearance over High Moon and Havoc,” instructed Warlock as Gurvan started to climb.
“You expect me to shoot in two directions?” Gurvan inquired as his foot joined Radko’s on Warlock’s shoulder.
“Exactly. We’ll act as your pivot base,” directed Warlock. “Call out half turns. Radko, lock his legs beside your helmet and give him a stable base. War Prince, the dance floor is yours when you’re ready.”
“Standby. Coming through the hatch now.” And the noise of his rifle joined the cacophony on the level above. “Rotate!”
Warlock stepped clockwise three circular steps turning one hundred eighty degrees. Gurvan’s rifle fell silent for a heartbeat before he jacked in another magazine and continued firing.
“Rotate!” he shouted and Warlock circled again.
After another flurry of rounds from the team’s rifles and there was silence.
“Report!” demanded Warlock as Radko’s weight lifted from her shoulders.
“Clear,” reported three voices.
Glancing up, she spotted Havoc hanging in the hatch and staring down at her. The Sky Element was smiling. Gurvan and Radko held her by the ankles so, Warlock jumped up and grabbed Dewi’s wrists. They were easily hauled up by the Earth Elements.
“What happened?” demanded Ulric. “I wanted at least two wounded or marked killed.”
“We set eight intersecting guns on that level,” one control instructor offered. “It should have taken out the two Sky Elements when they emerged through that hatch. In every training exercise we’ve use the configuration, it’s been devastating.”
“I’ll tell you what happened,” explained the other control instructor.
“Tell me please, what happened?” sneered Ulric.
“Warlock happened, Chief Instructor,” the controller answered.
Chapter – 10 Graduation
Diosa dropped into a horse stance, rose and brought her heels together then bowed completing her morning kata. At a rack of swords, she selected a katana and carved figure eights in the air to judge the balance of the seventy-centimeter blade. Back in the center of the practice area, she brought the long blade up in front of her face. The door to the Striker dojo opened interrupting her sword drills.
“Warlock. Good morning,” Chief Instructor Ulric greeted her.
“Morning Chief Instructor. Join me,” offered Diosa.
Where Warlock had chosen a katana, Ulric marched to the rack and picked up a falchion. He gripped the wooden handle and twirled the sixty-centimeter weapon. The single edged blade at the end of the handle whipped in a circle so fast, it whistled in the air. Ulric smiled as he dropped into a guard position beside Diosa.
“Begin,” Warlock instructed and both sliced downward with their blades and stepped forward.
“You’ll graduate today,” Ulric exclaimed as he spun the heavy weapon behind his neck and brought the
tip to slash an imaginary foe. Diosa mirrored the motion and they ended up with both blades thrust forward at the same time.
“It must be frustrating for you,” Diosa commented as she drew the hilt back to her ear and dropped forward on a bent knee.
“My job is to train Phase V Strikers. I’ll settle for what I can contribute,” Ulric replied as he lunged forward on a knee that didn’t allow him to drop as low as Warlock. “But I will admit to missing the bulk of an Earth Element, the flexibility and, being operational.”
“The Constabulary Troops are bigger than our Earth Elements,” Diosa said as she rose and began a series of descending horizontal slashes. “We’ll need Strikers more and more as this war ratchets up.”
“Every candidate that I graduate is committed. They will not hesitate,” Ulric declared as the Chief Instructor aped her upward slash and downward strike. They ended stabbing forward at the same time.
“And I appreciate you weeding out the unfit,” Warlock assured him as she bowed and dropped the blade to her hip as if there was a sheath. “Still, it would be nice to have a Striker of your abilities in the fleet.”
“Not with the amount of titanium cobalt in my hips,” Ulric replied as he rested the falchion in the rack. “I’d light up an enemy scanner like a coil of hot fiberoptic cable.”
“Any idea where the class will be posted?” inquired Warlock as she wiped the hilt and blade before placing the katana in the felt lined brackets.
“From what I’ve seen you’ll be assigned to the Glynis Gavin,” reported Ulric. “Command stripped all the Uno sector Strikers for the assault on Construction Station. The Navy is screaming because they’re seeing more pirate activity and don’t have any Strike Kill teams.”
“From what I’ve seen, they aren’t just pirates. The Constabulary is directing and arming them,” Diosa added. “It’s the draw off your enemy’s resources tactic. The more the Galactic Council Navy has to deal with pirates, the less warships, Marines, and Strikers we have to throw at the Constabulary.”
“Between planet Uno and Nafaka, the reports of pirate activities have reached an all-time high,” Ulric reported. “It does seem coordinated. The addition of two Striker teams isn’t a lot but it’ll make a difference.”
Op File Revenge Page 8
