Ghost Station (The Wandering Engineer)

by Hechtl, Chris

  At the secondary LZ the dropship picked up the injured squad and the officers consulted as the rear guard warily came in. They reported the incoming squads were less than five minutes behind them. Valenko nodded and called the second dropship in. He’d vectored it to a different holding station so it would come in from a totally different direction. To make sure it wouldn’t be shot down he ordered the pilots to fly nap of the earth and as quick as they could.

  “We’re ten minutes out but we’re on our way Lieutenant,” the pilot said.

  “Roger,” he responded and turned to his fellow Lieutenant.

  Myers the first lieutenant in charge of the retreating squad wasn't happy. He's a normally by the book guy who just didn't get into this humping across the dirt crap. He wanted bigger and better things, but he'd grudgingly admitted he needed this experience if he was ever going to get above lieutenant rank.

  He's gruff, taking on a no nonsense personality. As human's go he pulled it off okay, not as well as someone seasoned could, but not bad for a bald former spacer turned marine. He marched up to Valenko, aware of the bear's mighty frame but reminding himself that the bear was on his side. The bear was also only a second lieutenant so he outranked the grizzly by a pay grade.

  The LT started to ball out Valenko but Valenko quietly explained to him to be ready for ambush. His team has deployed around the secondary LZ before the squad had arrived. “Payback's a bitch right?” Valenko growled, giving the other Lt a challenging look.

  The lieutenant looked around, pursed his lips as his crew stood near fighting positions. His hazel eyes locked onto his sergeant's. Sergeant Minachelli was more than happy to finally get some of their own back, he was grinning savagely as he locked and loaded.

  Myers turned, lips turning into a tight lipped smile. He'd been hassled the whole way, getting sniped and he was thoroughly tired of being chased all over virtual creation. He had to admit getting some of his own back was worth the chance of getting their asses chewed later. Latrine duty sounded good if he could get some of his own back.

  He snorted. “Damn straight,” he said with a grin as his hand smacked into the bear's paw. “Let's do it,” he growled as they shook hands. He checked to make sure he was locked and loaded as Valenko sent him the battle plan through their implants. He grunted as he looked it over and then nodded curtly. It was a little tricky on the timing but simple and brutal. He loved it already. He left at a trot, pointing to his troops and quietly positioning them where he wanted them.

  Valenko watched him go, updating his plan as the other officer added his own quirks. This would get interesting he thought with a savage smile. The best defense was always a good offense, and he was about to prove it.

  As the squads settled down for a nervous but eager wait he listened to the area around them. Just as he had expected the animals started chirping and making noise once more. He raised his muzzle to the wind. It was blowing just right, from the north west almost directly behind the incoming opposition force. They had done a good job vectoring Myers force in just right. He could just catch the scent of aftershave and deodorant in the wind. Would they ever learn?

  He heard the brush rustling about one hundred and fifty meters out after a few minutes. The simulated local wildlife was dead quiet now, so it made picking out the sounds incredibly easy even without enhanced hearing. There was the occasional crackle of breaking branches and soft cursing. The enemy squads were coming in hot, not really focusing on stealth doctrine as they run to catch up with the retreating squad. That was a strategic mistake.

  When the enemy squads get to the clearing at a run they were ambushed. The dropship took off with the wounded to clear the battle area just before the op force exited the tree line and came through the gap in the tree barrier that had been left for them. Their entire focus was focused on the retreating ship, not on the hunkered down marines waiting for them on the other side of the clearing and it's flanks. Now the hunters became the hunted.

  The lieutenant swore softly and then laughed as Valenko turned the tables. Mortar fire ripped into the opposing tree line. Valenko had been precise when he'd laid his people out, and his people were gods of war it seemed. Rounds tore into the opposition force from behind, shocking them and tearing them apart with their savagery. Claymore mines lovingly sown in front and on their flanks went off as the squads turned to run. Snipers got in early savage rounds under the cover of the explosions and retreating dropship, cutting down any officers or noncoms that they recognized. Chaos ensued as the opposition forces were cut down like wheat. Some of the opposition force dropped to the virtual ground and tried to find cover but he knew they were just delaying the inevitable. The LT laughed as sim ended abruptly.

  “Anyone tell you the op order was to cover the extraction and get out?” he asked as they pull off their helmets. “Not that I'm complaining or anything.” He stretched grinning. Damn that felt good. It felt great to win like that, to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He was pretty sure the major had been leading the op, with virtual forces near every conceivable extraction point. The bastards could probably respawn too. From the look on the opposition squad leader's faces they were certainly pissed at being cheated out of the kill. Just about everyone had probably wanted in on taking Valenko down a peg.

  “The best defense is a good offense,” Valenko said with a shrug. He stretched as he looked over to Jethro. The panther's rack was depressed, he could see the goggles hovering in the air, but the panther was cloaked still. He had his uniform on of course but it looked like an empty shell. That was still too cool for words.

  “Damn that's wild,” a private said coming over to get a better view at the rack. “Ghost man,” he said softly. He whistled.

  “Something like that.”

  “What's he doing?” Myers asked looking at the panther.

  “Cleaning up. Or he was. I thought the sim had ended.”

  “Probably did but he's not through. Apparently someone left it up for him to try to frag his ass,” Valenko said. He'd have to talk to the major about that. It wasn't fair to pull him and his squad out but leave the panther in. If it had been a real op his squad would have come to the panther's aid in support. He'd had a plan for Jethro to fall back into the sniper's range of fire if needed.

  “Glad he's on our side,” a woman said feverantly.

  “Wasn't this op,” the first private said in disgust. He scowled at the panther's rack.

  “You know what I mean,” the woman said, grabbing a towel. “I so want a shower,” she said.

  Jethro faded into being panting. Valenko nodded as the panther sat up and then swooned a little. “You all right?” He rumbled, suddenly concerned.

  “Tired. Cloak takes a lot of energy,” Jethro said between pants. His eyes were closed. Sergio handed him a water bottle with the cap off. Jethro took it but his hands were trembling.

  “Why'd they leave you in?” Valenko asked, crossing his arms.

  Jethro took another ragged breath. “They thought they had me, I was on the run. I got away clean thought it was close sir,” he panted, eyes closed. He was fairly certain of that, that they kept him in so someone could bag him and then claim bragging rights.

  “I see it's not all fun and games for you,” lieutenant Myers said kneeling next to Jethro.

  “Metabolic rate is returning to normal now sir. Low blood sugar and well...” Jethro shrugged.

  “It takes it out of you. Yeah, I see that.”

  “Yeah. But it was worth it. Got the job done,” Jethro replied, flicking his ears.

  “That it did son. Good work,” the lieutenant said with a nod and pat on the shoulder. “Carry on,” he said gruffly as he turned and left.

  “Better?” Valenko asked.

  “Electrolytes are low. I think I need to refuel.”

  “Shit shower and shave. Hot wash on the exercise can wait,” Valenko replied with a nod. “Good job people,” he said to the bay at large. His team looked up and nodded. The noob's exchang
ed high fives. A few of the ambush team looked put out. More than one looked shook up.

  “Damn man, going to have nightmares for weeks,” one private muttered, shaking. “He just came out of nowhere! First thing I knew was when he ripped my throat out!” He shook, hand going to his throat. He kept touching it with his fingertips, making sure it was still there and intact.

  “Just a sim man. But I suggest you learn from it,” his partner said resting a hand on his shoulder. “Sim. Still here, still bitching and whining. Suck it up. Tomorrow is another day,” he said.

  “Damn straight.”

  Major Forth shook his head as he disconnected from the sim. How the hell had they pulled that off? He'd had it covered. At least he'd thought he had... had he been hacked? He checked the sim records and snorted. He watched from the bear's perspective and then from the panther's.

  Valenko... the son of a bruin... damn. He had to admit it; they were good, damn good. If you can't land where you need to, do the unexpected. His lips thinned in a grudging smile. He'd half expected them to try to rappel the retreating team up into the dropship. He hadn't expected the counter attack. “Damn they really are that good,” he sighed. He made a note of the tactic and another commending Valenko and his team for their initiative. Then he turned his attention to the growing mountain of paperwork. He hated paperwork.

  You can read more when Jethro First to fight comes out!