“My people are out interviewing everyone they can find. The autopsy has proved to be a bit of a problem.”
“Problem?”
“Yes sir, there does not appear to be any cause of death. However, the dead man was clawing at his face and neck and biting his fists before he died. The medical people don’t know what to make of it.”
“That’s even more interesting.”
“How so?”
“A stranger turns up dead the day after the assassination with only self-inflicted, non-lethal wounds and you don’t find that curious?”
“Yes sir, but I suspect that we are wasting our time with this one.”
“Well, you are not wasting time, and the experience will not hurt the medical people. Has Mei Ling found work?”
“Yes sir, she has, at the restaurant which catered the party the Prime Minister was attending. She is to just keep her eyes and ears open.”
“Good, I don’t want her taking any unnecessary chances. Now, that she has found work, I can sign the form giving her permission to relocate here. How is her adaptation to the gravity here coming along?”
“Slowly, but her complaints of shortness of breath and tiredness are lessening. She’s strong; she’ll be all right.”
“Well, I must say, you’ve found a fine young woman, and I wish you many fat, healthy babies.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“As to the matter I needed to see you about. I have a new set of orders for you.” With that, La Force slid the electronic clipboard across to touch the one Fitz carried. The data were automatically and securely transferred to Fitz’s device.
Fitz read over the assignment. After a few minutes, he said, “This will put a stop to our investigation for a while.”
“Yes, it will. Don’t you think it odd that of all the assets the navy has, my little team should be given this assignment by the Admiralty itself?”
“I don’t know why the order had to come from that level, but we are the only unit with legionnaires. It is a surface job.”
“Perhaps, and maybe I’m getting suspicious in my old age, but at this moment I trust no one outside my own command.”
“Probably a wise precaution,” Fitz answered. “Any chance of getting the same crew and ship we had last time?”
“Afraid not, I’ve already checked,” responded La Force.
“Who is to be in command? I see nothing here concerning that, which is odd,” noted Fitz.
“Yes, it is odd, not proper protocol.” He paused, “It’s almost like the mission is being set up to fail.”
“Sir, I would like to command it.”
“I thought as much, but that would leave Mei Ling alone.” The Admiral thought for a moment. “I could give her my com-code, and if she gets into trouble, I could have a detachment ready to go after her. In fact, I might do that anyway, just to be on the safe side.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I don’t want your fiancée hurt; heck I don’t want anybody hurt.”
“Sir, with all due respect, with the murder of the Prime Minister, that is out of our hands.”
“Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Now, by say 1200 hours tomorrow, I will need to know what equipment you will need and what personnel you wish to take with you,” instructed La Force.
“Yes sir, will that be all?” Fitz asked rising to his feet.
“Commander, let’s not kid ourselves. These are perilous times. We have an intractable enemy without, allies who are strange to us, and now an enemy within. Any of the three could spell disaster.”
“Particularly the last.”
“Yes, and I’ve sent my reports forward, as per protocol, which means whoever is responsible for the assassination may already be wise to us.”
“Sir, do you know what you are saying?” asked Fitz in astonishment.
“Yes I do, and I don’t say it lightly. Do not underestimate the danger we are in.”
“I won’t, sir. Good evening.”
“Have a pleasant evening Commander.”
* * * *
As Commander Fitzpatrick entered the common area where his team was quartered, they came to attention. With the Admiral’s words still ringing in his ears, he paused a moment before returning their salutes and having them sit down.
“It looks like we got ourselves another little mission,” Fitz began.
The others shot quick glances at one another. Smith felt it was his place to say something. “Yes sir, what sort of mission?”
He laughed. “Yeah,” Fitz began and chuckled again. “The kind this unit seems to excel at.”
“That bad?” asked Argie.
“I’m afraid so,” responded Fitz.
“Same as usual,” added Farouk. “Suicide missions done cheap.”
“I’m glad you guys can laugh at it. Of course, it will stop our investigation into the assassination, which, incidentally, the Admiral suspects is its purpose.
“That having been said, I have until tomorrow noon to come up with a plan and a materials list to make it work. Now, here in broad terms is what we are going to do.
“The navy thinks it has destroyed a planet the enemy took from our allies. We are to get on the ground and see if the destruction is as complete as the navy boys think.”
“Didn’t they nuke the planet?” asked Smith.
“Yes, parts of it, air burst so the radiation shouldn’t be too widespread. We need to let the admiral know what equipment and materials we will need in order to get in and find out if anything is still alive on or under the surface.
“We are to be brought to the system by jump ship; then the navy will ferry us to the surface. They will then orbit the planet and see what they can find from orbit, while we nose around on the surface. I need you to come up with equipment requirements. Are there any questions?”
“Who is commanding the ground team?” asked Denver.
“I am in command of the mission. It’s not clear to me whether or not I would serve better in orbit or on the ground.”
“Any chance we can take the ground vehicles we have designed?” asked Argie.
“Not a chance, I’m afraid. The navy is going to play with that forever, if they ever get it done at all,” replied Fitz.
“What about one of the tracked vehicles?” asked Farouk.
“The ship we are going in with is too small,” answered Fitz.
“I wonder …” said Denver aloud but let it drift off into nothingness.
“You thinking again?” asked Argie.
“Maybe, can you smell something burning?” Smith replied.
He looked over at Fitz. “You remember those dune buggies we saw over on the dunes south of New Town?”
“What’s a dune buggy?” Fitz asked.
“You know those fat tire vehicles we saw people running up and down the beach and out into the dune field.”
“Yes, what about them?”
“If we could get our hands on a couple of them, then mount machine guns on them, we would have pretty serious recon vehicles.”
“I’ll ask. The only thing the Admiral can say is no. Why do we need them?”
“So we can move fast in case the place isn’t dead. Besides, we might have to go into areas that were blasted. There shouldn’t be too much residual radiation, but I don’t want to hang around any longer than necessary.”
“We’ll need to get decontaminated after we return, along with all our equipment. We will need radiation suits,” said Fitz. He began to write.
After a few minutes, he stopped and said, “Why don’t you see if you can get a couple of those buggies. I’ll see if I can get weapons for them. How are you going to mount them?”
“If we can get over to the Legion side of the base, I can see if my contact over there can do it,” Denver
replied.
“We have people over here who could do it.”
“How long would it take to get the many permissions we would need? We don’t have that kind of time.”
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do. We might need to recharge the buggies. I’ll add a generator to the list. You two get going. Here, use this to make the purchase.” He handed them a small chip.
“I can make certain purchases for the navy without too much interference.”
“Right boss,” Denver responded.
In a few minutes, they were on the tram for New Town.
The resort town was getting back to normal, even though everywhere they went people could be overheard discussing the assassination and cursing the Legion. In civilian clothes, they were not especially noticeable, though their obvious fitness level caused a few people to glower at them.
Soon they were checking out the beach buggies. “How are you planning on getting the owner to let go of a couple of them?” asked Argie.
“Don’t know yet. Business seems slow right now. He might be open to something.”
“Let’s ask the girl at the counter.”
They wandered over. “Hi,” Denver said trying to sound disarming. “We would like to talk to the owner.”
“You’re talking to her pal. I thought you guys were all on lockdown.”
“Actually, we work directly for the navy,” Argie answered.
“Oh … what can I do for you?”
“The navy has need of two of these beach buggies. We would like to purchase two of them.”
“They’re not for sale. It was hard enough to get them out here as it was.”
“Yes, but we do need them,” Denver said.
“Well, I’m sorry, but I have a business to run. The buggies are a large part of it. Why does the navy need them? Some Admiral wants to go for a joy ride?”
Denver looked at Argie and tried to smile. “No, nothing that silly. We need it for a mission where we need speed. I assure you this is a serious situation, and you are the only one who has anything we can get our hands on in the short time available to us.”
She looked at Argie. “Is he for real?”
“Oh yes, tell me, could we lease two of them for a few days?” asked Argie.
“I rent them by the hour. You might be better off buying them.”
“True, but if you won’t sell, it is our only other option,” said Argie.
“Assuming this is for real, how do I know you will get them back to me in usable condition?”
“You don’t, but if we destroy or damage them, we will have to replace them. We can draw that up in the lease agreement,” said Denver.
“Well, okay. Come on let’s pick two out. You ever drove something like this before?”
“Yes,” Denver answered.
After a few minutes negotiating, they were soon on the road back to base, with the wind in their hair. Soon he and Argie were racing one another.
* * * *
“An appointment, I don’t need no stinking appointment! Where’s Dmitri?” insisted Captain Smith in a manner that showed no patience for stupid questions.
“Behind you,” said the booming voice.
Denver spun around to see Dmitri walking up behind him. “Hi, Dmitri.”
“Is that your vehicle parked around back?” demanded Dmitri.
“Yes.”
“Do you know you’ve thrown my operation into turmoil? We thought we were being raided.”
“No, it’s just me.”
“You a truck driver now?”
“Trucks, flying craft, and next I’m working on subs.”
“What you got in the truck?” asked Dmitri.
“Come on, I’ll show you.” Denver led him and his entourage outside and unlocked the back of the vehicle.
“What you doing with these?” Dmitri asked climbing in the truck.
“I need you to mount machine guns on these, hopefully without having to modify the buggies too much.”
“Why?”
“I only leased them. I have to return them to their owner.”
“What do you need with these; doesn’t the navy have its own vehicles?”
“Not small ones, not like we need,” answered Smith.
“What the hell are you trying to do?”
“Stay alive. I’ll need the gunner to be able to stand here behind and above the driver without getting thrown out.”
Once away from the others he added in a low voice, “Dmitri, there’s something else.”
Dmitri saw the seriousness in his eyes. He quickly glanced back at his people. “Okay, I can do it.” He turned to his men and gave them orders in Russian. They quickly unloaded the two beach buggies and machine guns.
“We’ll talk in my office. You realize this is going to cost you.”
“Of course, I’m a big fan of the free market,” Smith responded.
Once in the privacy of the office, Dmitri poured two vodkas. They toasted then drank. “Okay, what you got?”
“What have you heard about the Prime Minister’s assassination?”
“It was done with one of our rifles, so the Legion is getting the blame, and we are on lockdown. That’s about it.”
“The navy has inventoried all the rifles. There are none missing,” said Denver.
Dmitri looked down at his glass and back at Denver, then finished his drink. He did not immediately pour another.
“So, what you are saying is that it had to come from here.”
“I see no other option,” answered Smith.
“You think I had anything to do with it?”
“Hell no, it had to be one of their own people, but they did it with our rifle, yours and mine. I have discovered that the decision to build a Legion of people from Earth was not unanimous, and many people had some bad feelings about it. That might have been part of the reason the guy was shot. Still, the rifle could have only come from here.”
“Do they know this?” asked Dmitri.
“No, if we can find who provided the rifle, then we might be able to find out to whom he provided it.”
“They got you investigating crime now?”
“Yes and no, it’s something my commander thought up, and his boss went along with it. Do you have an inventory of the rifles you’ve squirreled away?” asked Smith.
“Yes, and I have them numbered as well.”
“Numbered?”
“Of course, you think you Americans are the only people who can run a criminal enterprise?”
“Dmitri, we don’t know how far up in your organization this goes. We need to do this quietly. I’m headed off on a mission the Admiral thinks is designed to get us killed.”
“That’s why I’m modifying equipment for you?”
“Yes, can you see if you can get to the bottom of this?”
“I can and I will. If anyone has compromised my operation, I need to know about it. You do realize someone is going to want to know why we have an extra three hundred plus rifles,” added Dmitri.
“Yes, we’ll have to give that some thought. Maybe we can come up with something without giving away the store. We built a few extras to replace lost or broken ones, they got lost and were not shipped, some story to cover up what we are doing.”
“What are we doing?” asked Dmitri.
“Trying to stay alive. Being armed makes that easier.”
“Easier, it makes it possible!” laughed Dmitri.
“Are your weapons secured?”
“No just hidden. I’ll have to secure them now.”
“Any idea who could have provided a weapon to the assassin and why?” asked Smith.
“In fact, I do have an idea who I should be looking at. One of the men is starting to throw money around.”
�
�That can be a dead giveaway.”
“Yes, people never learn,” said Dmitri. This time he filled both their glasses.
“What will you do to him?”
“Nothing, if he cooperates. If he leads us to the culprit, nothing at all,” said Dmitri.
Then he added, “When do you need the beach buggies?”
Chapter 9 - Recon
“I don’t want you on the bridge or near the engine. You’ve been given quarters; stay in them. You may, of course, use the cargo area where, whatever those things are, are kept. You may use the galley, but try to clean up after yourselves. I don’t want the place smelly, and we don’t need any of your germs. You are not to leave the ship during the star jump or have any contact with the Greys. Do you understand?”
“I understand you’re an asshole,” replied Smith.
“At ease mister; I’ll put you on report,” replied the navy Lieutenant.
“I don’t think so pal. A Navy Lieutenant and a Legion Captain are the same rank,” said Smith.
“Uh, gentlemen, let’s save it for the Reptilians,” interrupted Lieutenant Commander Fitzpatrick.
“Sir, I don’t see why I have to take anything off this monkey, regardless of what his rank is,” replied the bright, young officer.
“He hasn’t given you anything yet; that’s why you’re still standing,” replied Fitz.
“Your people might just turn me into a misanthrope yet,” said Denver.
Fitz looked at him and cleared his throat. “See to the security of the vehicles Captain.”
“Yes sir,” replied Smith, then came to attention and saluted. With that, he spun around and marched off.
Fitz exhaled for a long time. “Look Lieutenant, uh what was the name?”
“Hapsburg, sir.”
“Very well, Lieutenant Hapsburg, you are the skipper of this ship, but I am commanding the mission. I don’t need you to create problems for the mission. You are a naval officer; you are supposed to solve problems, not create them. I will, of course, make a full report concerning the mission to my superiors after the mission is over, detailing every aspect of the mission, including the performance of this ship and crew. Is that clear?”
“Yes sir.”
“Now Skipper, we are in a war for our very survival. I’m sure you want to live, and there are probably people back home you want to see live as well. Has it been explained to you just how desperate our situation is?”
Hell Fighters From Earth Book 2 Page 7
