by John Davis
“He won't be waking up to the tongue of a mangy dog. I dusted that son of a bitch like crops.” Adam replied proudly.
“He ain't mangy. He's just like me, in need of a damn good woman and a damn good drink.” Dalton added, Whiskey sitting down right beside him and looking at the rest of the group as if to second the notion.
“They're inside the building!” one of the soldiers yelled, relaying the message to Lassiter.
“Hold your ground!” he replied, sending what Goliath units that remained up closer to the fight. Legion troops by the dozen had breached the entrance to the building and set up a makeshift barrier using large sandbags as even more troops piled in. The plan was to bring in the heavy Shock Troops next, however they were met with swift gunfire on the outside by several units of Colonial soldiers who had returned to command as instructed.
That's when everyone outside first saw it. The gigantic shadow cast by the last operational Colonial Star as it made its approach, carefully planning its landing behind the complex. It was met with streaming Legion gunfire, however the small arms weaponry had no more effect on the huge Colonial ship as would rain or direct sunlight. Its hardened plated steel exterior was made for deep space travel and could withstand multiple nuclear strikes, combat rifles couldn't begin to dream of doing any type of significant damage, not even in unison.
“Sir, Colonial Star Twenty Two is on approach.” one of the officers announced as a majority of the staff continued helping Sarah prep the equipment and supplies. This was literally the last remaining group of political and military command for the Colonial government, and if they fell here in the battle of Glimmeria, the Legion would win the war and once again rule the Skyla System unopposed.
“Have them land and load the supplies and equipment, however we have not lost the battle yet. I will remain here with Sarah as long as there is hope of winning, just have the Colonial Star prepared to launch if needed. Instruct all remaining Swordfish and Spartans to do defensive flyovers until ordered otherwise.” Commander Edwards said.
“Yes sir!” the officer responded, quickly turning to carry out the order.
Lassiter's men continued the full on gunfight with the few Legion soldiers who had breached the entrance, eventually taking a majority of them out while suffering heavy losses themselves in the process. Four remaining Legion soldiers who realized they were cut off from the central attacking force and surrounded by Colonials, threw their weapons down onto the ground and placed their hands behind their necks in surrender. They were swiftly taken into custody by a returning group of Colonial soldiers who entered the Command Center to rejoin their ranks.
“Take them to the holding cell on level two.” Lassiter said loudly as his few remaining soldiers checked the wounded before re-securing the entrance of the building.
“What's the situation out there?” he asked.
“Sir. The streets are torn up pretty bad. Pockets of Colonials held up throughout the city, most of it controlled by Legion forces who are getting one hell of a fight from Glimmerian locals.” one of the Colonial soldiers answered, his face blackened by the fog of war.
“Do they have air?” Lassiter asked.
“No sir, the only air we have seen has been our own, and they were few and far between. What they do have is a lot of Shock Troops and Spiders on the ground.” the officer answered as Lassiter forwarded the strategical information into the Vault via com unit.
“How many troops do we have outside of the building?” Commander Edwards asked as he stood on the other side of the thick protective glass.
“Hard to say sir. I'd estimate two dozen who are battle ready. A lot of injured and dying alongside them.” he responded.
“Legion troops?” the commander asked. “A lot sir. Hundreds. We were able to get here because we hit them out of the blue and they fell back before they realized we were so few. No way we could hold off an all out assault.” the soldier replied.
“Lassiter, post every Goliath you have left at the entrance and bring your men into the Vault. Bring as much ammunition as you can carry, I'm ordering a full evacuation.” Commander Edwards said.
“Yes sir.” Lassiter said hesitantly, thinking of the faithful Colonial soldiers who were holding their ground throughout the city, waiting for reinforcements that would never come.
“Command One, this is Spartan One-Five-One, your area of evacuation is clear. You have an all green.” the voice of a pilot passing overhead announced through the com unit in the Vault. Commander Edwards stood beside Sarah Blaine, each one pressing a sequence of keys on the wall which opened a door from the Vault to the area outside the rear of the building, their entire field of vision engulfed by the sight of the massive Colonial Star. As Commander Edwards and the remainder of the soldiers and personnel exited the building to board the base ship, Sarah turned to the Vault door which led to the internal portion of the building, entering her key code and unsealing the door to allow Lassiter's team access to the ship.
It was only a matter of minutes before the Colonial Command Center would be overrun with Legion forces, the remaining Goliaths would buy them a few more minutes, but they had once again fallen in crushing defeat.
“What about Adam?” Lassiter asked as he carried satchels full of ammunition. “All we can do is wait for him in high orbit. The entire city is overrun, and it will only be a matter of days before the Legion has more ships here. Our window of escape is closing, but we'll give him every last second of it.” Sarah said, obviously upset at the possibility of her soon to be husband's capture.
“Colonial Command, this is Sky Commander Tess Weston of the United Gali Army. Please identify the coordinates of your friendlies so that we may assist you.” a female voice rang out across the Vault's com.
“What?” Commander Edwards said under his breath as he turned back to the com system. Visible from outdoors, a huge armada of warships and troop filled landers bearing the seal of Gali had arrived, beginning to darken the sky with such heavy numbers. Without the equipment hooked up and operational, there was no way for Colonial Command to know that Roman's home planet of Gali had indeed sided with the Colonials in the struggle of the Skyla System and had sent the bulk of its armed forces.
“Commander Weston, this is Commander Edwards of Colonial Command. I will instruct all remaining forces to engage their rescue beacons, everything else is fair game. Thank you.” he said frantically.
“You're welcome.” her voice answered as the roar of the landing shuttles full of Gali troops could be heard throughout Colonial Command. The warships were moved low to the ground, their cannons pounding pockets of Legion troops and occasionally even Hunters as it took only hours for Legion forces to issue a formal order of surrender. It was only one battle, the war was far from over. But at least now the Legion knew it no longer had control of the entire system. Gali, Glimmeria and several other planets who would soon join the Colonial side of the war had taken control of nearly a third of the Skyla System, which would give the people of those planets hope of freedom for their children.
“Adam continued to try and reach Colonial Command with the portable com unit, his message finally picked up with heavy static by one of the several operators who was collecting and dispatching information to their troops across Glimmeria.
“Sarah!” the operator yelled quickly. She had been talking with Commander Edwards as well as a handful of Gali top military, but all of that ceased to matter when she realized it was a message from her soon to be husband, and that he was safe.
“It's still not safe enough Sarah. Groups of Legion holdouts planet wide. I'm sending a group of Colonial Spec-Ops to bring them home.” Commander Edwards said, Sarah disappointed but quickly agreeing to speed up the process of bringing them back safely.
“While they take care of it, you and I need to talk.” he added, Sarah looking at him suspiciously as he pulled her off into a corner for privacy.
“Is it nearby?” Adam asked anxiously, everyone else waiting for Dal
ton's verdict, a map of the surrounding area in hand as they were all cramped inside of a sand crawler and heading for the extraction point. It was nothing more than a utility vehicle the town had used for repairs, and after seeing what the group had done to the bloodthirsty Hunters, they gladly gave it away with no strings attached.
“Well fuck me raw.” Dalton finally proclaimed with disgust, balling the map up and tossing it onto the floor of the Sand Tracker as Whiskey rode shotgun.
“Want to dumb it down for us maybe?” Sasha asked sarcastically.
“We gotta turn this molasses moving bitch around and head the fuck back, the extraction point, I shit you not, is right outside of Valencia. The other side of Valencia. That dumb enough for you?” Dalton replied snidely before cursing Colonial Command under his breath.
“You have got to be kidding?” Adam said, beside himself in disbelief.
“Do I look like a stand up comedian to you?” Dalton replied as the Sand Tracker slowly began turning to follow its own tracks back into town.
“This is ridiculous, if any of the Hunters return we all know they will pick us up the minute we show back up.” Zavious said.
“No shit, we might as well hang streamers on this bitch and radio them ahead of time, maybe they can organize a homecoming parade in our honor.” Dalton replied as everyone inside of the overcrowded antique of a vehicle broke out into laughter for the next few moments.
A little over an hour later, the Sand Tracker had come to a complete stop, everyone huddled outside around the small crumpled map in front of them as the vehicles headlights provided enough illumination for them to see it in an otherwise completely dark environment.
“Alright, the plan is simple enough. We move everyone to the far side of town on foot with as much ammunition as we can carry, lay low in the hills and wait it out.
“What about Legion patrols? We got no cover out here.” Dalton asked.
“All we can do is hope. “I can handle first watch,” Sasha said, holding her suppressed pistol machine gun up. “Besides, I'm well rested.” she added.
“Not by yourself you're not.” Adam replied. “I'll cover first watch with you. The group loaded back up, moving cautiously to an area that was perfect for digging in and holding on until the Colonials could save the day.
“I can't believe we are going to rescue them, and then watch everyone but the man I love be imprisoned by the very government that they have sworn to protect. I mean Dalton and Steiner are there on our orders!” Sarah yelled.
“It is out of my hands I'm afraid. I will make it a priority to assure them all a fair trial as well as a very lenient sentence, but when the Colonial Parliament hears of their conspiring with the Benzans, well you have been with us long enough to know the answer to that.” Commander Edwards replied.
“They will want them executed!” Sarah said loudly.
“I'm afraid you are right. Your father was a lifelong friend of mine, it is that I hold your family in such high regard that I will personally see to it that their lives are spared, Dalton, Steiner and Roman at least. The Benzans will receive no special treatment.” Edwards replied.
“Nor would I expect them to.” she replied, considering them to be cold blooded killers.
“Sarah, I think it would be best if you were the one who orders them into custody. They will listen to your reasoning before that of an old man in an officer's uniform.” Edwards added.
Sarah looked across the sand of Glimmeria with such mixed emotion. Her entire life had been dedicated to the thought of a star system without corruption. Her father had raised her to value law and righteousness above all things, but was that supposed to include compassion and love? She knew in her heart that the right thing to do would be to rescue the man she loved and bring the rest of them to justice. But she loved Adam, and she knew that in doing so, she may lose him forever. She loved him more than any man that had ever been a part of her life, short of her own father. “I'll take care of it for you.” she finally replied, knowing that her struggling heart was no excuse for making the wrong decision.
“Thank you Sarah. I specifically plotted the extraction point close to Valencia to give them all the best chance of survival. For your sake, I want them alive and well when we arrive.” Commander Edwards said before slowly taking his leave to return to the bridge of the ship.
“The son of a bitch wants us dead, I know he does!” Dalton commented loudly as he and Roman remained awake, the other survivors sleeping solidly.
“Who wants us dead?” Roman asked.
“Commander Edwards, that's who; the cocksucker,” Dalton replied. “He sent us all out here while holding Sarah and Lassiter there. She's like a daughter to him and Lassiter is his idea of a perfect soldier. The rest of us he could give two shits about, knowing good and well we were out gunned. Then has us backtrack to the same place we almost died only hours ago.” he added as everything remained silent.
“Ya hearing me man?” Dalton asked as Roman nodded to let him know he felt the same way.
“My loyalty is to Adam to the end. As much as I like Sarah, I'm starting to realize that since the day we met her, bodies have been dropping faster than panties in my presence.” Dalton added as the two men laughed quietly, Whiskey sticking his head up for a moment almost as if he was fluent with lingerie.
“Sounds like your friends are still awake.” Sasha said, sitting next to Adam as they both watched the sand filled horizon.
“Yea, I doubt Roman does a lot of sleeping as of late. With his newly fitted mechanical parts, I'm not even sure he needs to sleep anymore. And Dalton, well he rarely gets a good night's sleep unless there's an empty bottle of whiskey close by. I'm sure watching Steiner fall isn't helping much either.” Adam answered as he and Sasha both remained silent for a moment.
“So, we got a few hours. Catch me up on the Benzan lifestyle. Seems like pretty much everything that I've been told of them was untrue.” Adam said.
“I'm afraid I am not the kind of girl who likes talking a lot about herself.” Sasha replied. That was a first for Adam, who gave her a huge but faux smile as he couldn't make the connection between a woman and selflessness. Finally, deciding to break what had become a very awkward silence between the two, he spoke up. “Well, I guess in that case I can ask Dalton to come out and entertain us.”
“Where would you like me to begin?” Sasha asked, bringing a laugh to both of them quickly.
“Yea, he has that effect on people. He's really not as bad as he comes across when you get to know him. He's loyal and a damn good friend.” Adam replied.
“I understand.” Sasha answered.
“What I still can't figure out, is how you and the crew ended up fighting a politician's war?” she asked, changing the mood of the conversation to one of seriousness.
“Good question,” Adam answered. “It wasn't long ago that I was just like you. I thought I had everything figured out. Then, of course, I met Sarah, and it wasn't long after that everything got clouded I guess. Most of the people that the Colonials are trying to protect are honestly good people. I figured it was time to change who I was and start doing something positive.” he added.
“If you don't mind my saying so, I don't believe you have changed. This person you seem to think you once were, that's the only person I have seen since you arrived on my ship. You seem to have things figured out to me, loyalty and friendship above all else.” Sasha said, a very long silence falling after her last word as Adam began wondering if she was right. Had he really changed at all?
“So, what about you,” Michaels asked. “I'm still curious as to how you ended up with the Benzans and what day to day life is like?” he added.
“It's a pretty simple story I'm afraid. If the person chooses to wear the amulet, they are from that point forward recognized across all Benzan families as one of their own, taken in and taught the lifestyle.” she added.
“And what lifestyle would that be?” Adam asked.
“Everything from
how to handle a weapon and defend yourself when there is no weapon, to helping the poor and defending the otherwise defenseless,” Sasha replied. “In my case, a close friend of the family who was more like an uncle to me, decided after my family was slain that my only hope for survival would be with the Benzans.” she added.
“I'm sorry to hear about your family,” Adam replied somberly, looking at the ground for a few moments. “So Cyrus took you in?” Adam added.
“They all took me in as their own. Cyrus was like a father to me, but there are many other families, just as they are many other clans of Hunters,” she replied. “Adam, you should consider the offer to become one of us. I know it will complicate things for a bit, but personally, I would really love the opportunity to spend every day with you.” Sasha added, taking Adam by complete surprise.
“Well, I am certainly flattered by the offer. It's only fair to tell you though, when we return, my place is by Sarah's side until death. We had planned a wedding until the Legion arrived.” Adam replied.
“Very well, all I can do is extend the offer, but it is your choice as to where life will take you.” Sasha replied.
For the next few hours, Adam told Sasha the stories of the first Glimmerian War, his long career as a criminal smuggler and of course, the friends who had fallen that she would never have the opportunity to meet. Sasha continued telling Adam of the Benzan lifestyle as well as of the friends she had made, and sadly lost along the way. They laughed together, showed concern and even let go of some emotional feelings, venting to one another in a strict matter of trust. Personal accounts that only good friends could possibly accomplish through the bonding of a friendship.
“Adam! Picking up all kinds of Colonial traffic over the com unit.” Dalton yelled loudly, running out to Michaels and Sasha as the rest of the group slowly followed.
“Gear up, they're coming.” Adam said to the group after listening to the chatter for a couple of minutes. A small group of Legion faithful, not even a click away from their position, began firing tracer rounds into the sky. It was a tearful sight for nearly everyone when they saw the tracer rounds begin to be answered by Colonial rail gun fire, which could only mean one thing, their rescue chopper had arrived!
