The Cross of Mithras Vol. 1: EOD Operation Welcome to Hell

by Douglas Howell

  Both La’jyn’eu and Mynik’ny’nuta then opened the door that led to the outside of the shuttlecraft and then stepped out. They held on to its side so that the shuttlecraft’s inertia would caused them to travel at the same speed as the shuttlecraft. After 30 seconds Parker got a call from New Horizon.

  “Shuttlecraft A-5301 please identify yourself and state your intentions.” The male voice said over the intercom.

  “This is Commodore Parker and I urgently request to talk to Admiral Lowenthal immediately.” Parker responded.

  “One moment please.”

  The Warrant Officer (who was talking to Parker) informed the officer on deck that Parker wanted to talk with Lowenthal. The officer then told the Warrant Officer to contact Lowenthal to inform her that Parker wanted to see her. Lowenthal then thought for a moment and gave the go ahead. The officer than told the Warrant Officer to let Parker proceed.

  “Sir. I scan the shuttlecraft and I got a echo of Parker’s signal. See.” The Warrant Officer mentioned.

  “It’s probably a glitch. But I’ll have maintenance take a look later.” The officer said.

  The Warrant Officer then gave Parker permission to proceed. Parker got up, went to the door that led to the outside, opened it and let in La’jyn’eu and Mynik’ny’nuta. La’jyn’eu then helped Parker get into a spacesuit. Both Parker and Mynik’ny’nuta went back to the door and waited for La’jyn’eu.

  Double Shock went over to the cockpit and manually put in the flight path for the autopilot. He then went to the back and set up the small amount of explosives near the engines. He then hooked himself up to their spacesuits, programmed the door to the outside, opened it and had them step outside. Both Parker and Mynik’ny’nuta went out first. Mynik’ny’nuta was watching and calculating the distance to the EOD Ultra Class ship’s airlock. La’jyn’eu was holding on to the door frame with his right hand, with his index finger on his left hand he was lightly touching a button on the door’s console. He was also looking at it to make sure that neither his hand, nor his finger move. Mynik’ny’nuta then patted Parker who in return patted La’jyn’eu. La’jyn’eu then pushed the button. The plasma door deactivated for two seconds, which caused a rush of air to come out and pushed the three of them away. When the plasma door reactivated, the ship’s door closed.

  The three of them then drifted to the EOD ship. When they got to the airlock, La’jyn’eu opened it, turned around blocking the entrance, and pointed to the shuttlecraft. The shuttlecraft turned and headed over to New Horizon. Between five to ten seconds later it exploded. La’jyn’eu (who was already in the airlock) quickly grabbed Parker pulling him in and then Mynik’ny’nuta. La’jyn’eu then quickly closed the airlock and three seconds later they heard metal hit the outside part of the airlock.

  “Congratulations Parker…” La’jyn’eu said after they took off their helmets. “…you’re dead.”

  They then left the airlock area. As La’jyn’eu started to take off his spacesuit, he noticed that Parker was doing the same.

  “Not yet… later.” La’jyn’eu told Parker.

  Double Shock then left to finish off the guards (there were seven of them). Earlier in the day Double Shock asked Parker how many guards and/or people were on the ship, and Parker said that he didn’t know about the guards, but added that there shouldn’t be anyone else on board since they would be on high alert. Parker then added that if there are anyone else on board than it probably would be scientists and/or engineers.

  “I’m done with the guards. Head on over to the observation area on Deck 15 if you two want to watch me.” La’jyn’eu said to both of them over the intercom.

  “Come on… let’s go. I wanna watch the master in action.” Mynik’ny’nuta said in a eager tone of voice.

  Both of them then hurried on over to the observation area. When they got there, Mynik’ny’nuta then told Double Shock that they’re ready.

  “Enjoy the show.” La’jyn’eu said.

  They then watch as he drifted over to Galactic Prime carrying several oxygen containers tied together.

  He then went over to the gun ports. Using the oxygen containers as a bomb, he set it up to were, when the gun ports fire it would set off the bomb. He then headed over to one of the exhaust vents for the engines and went down inside of it.

  “He does realize that if they test the engines he will die… don’t he?” Parker asked her.

  “Remember the motto of the HIDSO?” She said.

  They then saw him come out (without the oxygen container for his suit) and headed back to the EOD ship. After it took a little longer than normal she asked him over the intercom if he was okay.

  “Disappointed?” La’jyn’eu asked her. “Now head on over to the other observation area on the other side of the ship.” He added causing both of them to basically run there. He then headed over to New Horizon and repeated the same thing that he did with Galactic Prime.

  Since he ghost hacked New Horizon earlier he knew where to go when he got inside the ship. He made certain that nobody would be in the area near the airlock that is closest to the bridge. He also deactivated the security inside the maintenance and air ducts. When he got inside, he quickly headed over to the nearest maintenance duct.

  When La’jyn’eu got inside the maintenance duct he took off his spacesuit and then sabotage the door. He then headed to the elevator shaft sabotaging any door along the way. When he got to the elevator shaft he programmed the elevator door to lock shut. He then opened the top part of the elevator and check to see if anybody was in it. He then climb down into the elevator. He stop the elevator one floor below the bridge. He then climb back out into the maintenance duct. He then went to an air duct that led to Lowenthal’s office. Went he got to Lowenthal’s office he used Parker’s PDA, ghost hack the door to Lowenthal’s office and lock it. He then took a rope, tied and secured it, and, using his legs to hold the rope, he came out of the air duct upside down. When he got close enough to her, he snapped her neck. He then let go of the rope at the same time he did a cartwheel landing on his feet. He then shot Lowenthal in the back of the head to make certain that she was dead. He then put Parker’s PDA (it had some of Parker’s blood on it) on the table. He then used her access code and then deleted all files on Golden Hyperion. He then left and headed back to the airlock.

  When he got back, he put his spacesuit back on and headed to the airlock. He then access a computer console and deleted his Cobra virus. With that he got into the airlock and headed back to where Parker and Mynik’ny’nuta is. When he got there, Mynik’ny’nuta noticed that he was carrying a laser rifle. But she didn’t say anything about it.

  “We need to leave and head on over to the bridge… RIGHT NOW.” La’jyn’eu commanded. They then left in a hurry.

  “It’s a good thing that I already programmed the autopilot and the weapons.” La’jyn’eu said when they got to the bridge.

  Both Parker and Mynik’ny’nuta found a seat up front and sat down. La’jyn’eu went to the Captain’s chair and sat down. He then pushed a button and the ship started to leave. They then heard someone from Galactic Prime over the intercom, demanding an answer to what they are doing. When they got no response they then threaten to open fire if they don’t either stop or respond.

  “Go ahead… but I already checked your fire.” La’jyn’eu said out loud (but not over the intercom).

  After a couple of more threats, the three of them watched over the monitors as the gun ports on Galactic Prime was destroyed, then followed by the gun ports on New Horizon.

  “Now it’s time to really piss ‘em off. Hey Parker.” La’jyn’eu said.

  “What?”

  After La’jyn’eu saw both ships started to leave (then stop) he pushed another button and the Ultra Class ship fired upon both ships knocking out their sensors.

  “Don’t you wish you could see the looks upon their faces? Especially now, since they just found out that their engines have just died.” La’jyn’eu said with a sm
ile.

  Parker didn’t say anything, he only laughed. He put both of his hands on his sides because it hurt him when he laughs.

  “Now… let’s see if Starbase 231 finished repairing those sensors.” La’jyn’eu said.

  When the ship came close enough, La’jyn’eu fired upon the starbase knocking out their sensors.

  “Guess not.” La’jyn’eu said causing Parker to laugh a little.

  The ship then went on the far side of Vegas (where Roscadia is not located). And headed to where the beach resorts are. When they got there the three of them boarded a shuttlecraft and left. They arrived at a beach hut that the mafia told Parker to be at on Friday. Both Parker and Mynik’ny’nuta got off.

  “My debt… is now repaid to both of you.” Double Shock said. He was standing in the door of the shuttlecraft. “Hey Mynik’ny’nuta.” He added.

  “What?”

  “The race is on.”

  With that, La’jyn’eu Ikkry’o, a.k.a.. Double Shock, in the body of Little John, closed the door to the shuttlecraft, headed back to the EOD Ultra Class ship and left the Vegas star system. Mynik’ny’nuta went inside the hut as Parker stood there watching him leave. When he saw the EOD Ultra Class leave, Parker said ‘Thank You’ and went inside.

  (14)

  Captain Henderson of New Horizon, Vaistll and Mad Dawg was standing in the conference room on New Horizon. It was 04:43 in the morning and neither one of them could get any sleep. They were too deeply disturb by all that just occurred. Mad Dawg was so shocked that he got drunk. Neither one of them could believe that the EOD had someone like that. Thirty-six people killed in two days. Ramirez was right, “lethal to the extreme.”

  “So what are we going to do now?” Captain Henderson said.

  “If your pussy ass crew weren’t such huge pusses that they are… we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Mad Dawg said with slurred speech. He was holding a bottle of hard liquor.

  “Now hold on…!” Captain Henderson said. He was starting to get very annoyed by Mad Dawg being piss drunk.

  “You two knock it OFF!” Vaistll said getting annoyed herself.

  “Are you tellin’ me to shut up girl?” Mad Dawg said.

  “Yes… I… am.” She said.

  “Then you’re gonna need some of this.” Mad Dawg said handing her the bottle of hard liquor. She took the bottle and threw it. Mad Dawg didn’t say anything. Mad Dawg isn’t stupid, even when he is drunk. He’s not dumb enough to fight another officer.

  “I’ll tell you what we are going to do.” Vaistll said.

  She turned and look at Captain Henderson and said the following. “Get your ship repaired. Defend this star system. And ask Admiral Kirkpatrick for assistance. And send a coded communiqué to the CCO informing them of what happened. Also tell them of my and Mad Dawg’s decision.”

  She turned and look at Mad Dawg and said the following. “I don’t know about you. But I’m looking for some payback. Let the EOD know who they are dealing with. Let’s go to Golden Hyperion and kick some EOD ass.”

  Mad Dawg nodded his head in agreement and said. “Alright. Let’s go.”

  “I’m going to ask you again later when you are sober.” Vaistll told him.

  “That won’t be necessary.”

  With that the three of them left to inform their crew. When Vaistll informed her crew, if any of them wanted to go home they didn’t show it. When she finished telling them both her, and Mad Dawg’s actions, they quietly accepted the fact that they will be going to Golden Hyperion.

  Parker’s treason changed the outcome of that day. If it wasn’t for his treason, it is possible that Task Force ZH-3C would be facing a mutiny. If they mutiny, then everything would have went downhill and the mission to Golden Hyperion would have been scrapped. Even if they didn’t mutiny, they probably would have been sent home anyway.

  Wherever the human race is (minus the EOD), part of the military is being recalled back to the Earth to provide assistance. Only those on the front lines, with the Necro-Mystics staring at them, are the exception. Parker’s treason and all that he did on that week, save the day by causing two Captains to make the decision to fight evil than to run from it.

  (15)

  Mynik’ny’nuta and Parker woke up in each other arms. It was her way of controlling him. She knew he had no value to the EOD and she knew that is something that he could never accept. Value comes from within, not in what you have. Yes she could kill him. But there was something inside of her (it’s the symbiote, but she won’t admit it) that couldn’t do it. She didn’t know what she wanted. She was being subconsciously controlled by the symbiote. Like Parker the symbiote didn’t like the Vegas star system. And like Parker it wanted to get away from that star system.

  Both her and the symbiote strongly believe that the symbiote within La’jyn’eu controlled him. But it didn’t. Whether it had a soul or not, it no longer matter. What it was to La’jyn’eu was nothing more than a body part. It becomes something that could be kept, or removed like a cancer cell. But that is something that neither Mynik’ny’nuta, nor her symbiote wanted to believe.

  They got a call from a Mafioso who wanted to check to see if they are there. The Mafioso mentioned that they were about five minutes away. Mynik’ny’nuta sat up and started to jerk off Parker. She then stop after he became hard enough.

  “Before we meet again… you will learn what your value is to the EOD. Do not fear… for we will meet again. Then I will be able to finish that. So hold it for me.” She said to Parker.

  She then got up, put on her nano-suit and went into the living room. She heard a knock at the door and she answer it.

  “Who are you?” The Mafioso asked.

  “Little John sent me to give Parker a good time. Parker is in the bedroom getting ready. Little John mentioned that his favorite statue has a key in it. He said that he wanted someone to take the key and go to One World Union Bank, ask to speak to Susan Baruch and asked to see the safety deposit box with the number V-212. In it, there is information on why Little John has to leave.”

  “Do you know when he will be back?”

  “I have no idea. He never mentioned it. I’m just the messenger and one who gives pleasure. Well I love to stay and chitchat but I have to go.”

  Mynik’ny’nuta left and headed over to the ferry that went to Roscadia. The Mafioso went inside the hut and got Parker and then the two of them left. Parker kept on thinking about what Mynik’ny’nuta told him about why she can’t go with him. Things just didn’t add up and it confused him. It gave him doubts on her. But he didn’t have time to think. The Mafioso gave him something else to think long and hard about. Not by talking to him, but by turning on the radio. Parker heard over the radio that he has been killed. He stop thinking about her and started to think about his new life.

  While Parker was on a ship that was taking him to an EOD base (not Golden Hyperion), he finally realized that she lied to him. When he got there, feeling deeply hurt and betrayed by her, he told the EOD recruiter everything he knew about the hive and her. Like Project 21, the EOD would create a special order that dealt with any contingency on running across her or the hive.

  When Mynik’ny’nuta got back to Roscadia she went directly to Starbase 231. As soon as she got there she acquired a maintenance spacesuit. After she put it on (luckily for her, spacesuits can readjust for taller/shorter people) she access a computer console. She was looking for a ship that was leaving within the hour. She found a freighter with a crew of 139. She then ghost hacked the computer.

  “You’re not the only one who can ghost hack a computer Double Shock. Whereas your skills are average… mine are advanced expert.” She said in a voice that was different.

  She went to the nearest airlock to the freighter, went outside and headed over to the freighter. She then started to talk in the symbiote voice with those dark yellow eyes.

  “It’s time for Mynik’ny’nuta Ydxx’od’omaa to sleep. But do not worry my little ones… mamma is comi
ng. Mamma is coming to… free you from your wretched disease. Your wretched disease called… free will and pride. No more pain. No more greed. No more suffering my little ones. Mamma will take the pain away. Always remember my little ones… mothers are gods… in the eyes of their children.”

  (16)

  Vaistll was sitting in the conference room on Galactic Prime. She just finished with her message to her family. Before she sent it to them in Roscadia, she sat back in her chair and prayed that she will return. After she sent it, she look at the crew manifest of her team to see if all of them were on board – they were. Ramirez asked for permission to say his goodbye (in person) to Maria Sadowayj and Vaistll gave it. Sanchez and Caparzo arrived at the same time on the same shuttlecraft. Commander Taylor was the last to arrive. He was making sure that everybody makes it on board. They all knew one thing: as soon as the ship is repaired, they will be on their way to Golden Hyperion.

  Vaistll order up something to eat. Seven minutes after she got her food, a Ensign came in and told her that they were ready to leave. She nodded her head in response. With that, they were now on their way to Golden Hyperion, and they were going there blinded. Without the debriefing by either Commodore Parker or Admiral Lowenthal, valuable intelligence on the moon is lost. They could send a request to the CCO headquarters, but it would be a fourteen month round trip. Everything that occurred on that Wednesday and Thursday told them that the mission couldn’t wait that long. They have to go and they have to go now.

  Getting Ready To Roll

  (1)

  Saturday, both the crew of Galactic Prime, and Task Force ZH-3C, was trying to readjust to life on a starship. For the crew of Galactic Prime they are, and they are not, use to it. It’s hard for anyone to live on a any starship (except for luxury liners). No view no windows. If there were windows on a starship, than the only view would be stars and nobody really wants to see that. On some starships officers get the luxury of a video window. Galactic Prime is one such ship. For the crew – nothing.