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

by Douglas Howell

“Beg your pardon sir?”

  “Sta-tus of guests.”

  “Oh them. Sir I have reason to believe that they are trying to lure us away from our critical systems.”

  “What lead you… (unintelligible)?”

  “Sir I didn’t understand what you said.”

  “What lead you to draw that conclusion? Why didn’t you check to maintenance duct earlier?” Mad Dawg said a little bit slower.

  “Sir that part of the ship had few personnel there so I figured that the Commandos would be traveling in the hallways and only using the maintenance duct when they thought someone might be coming. I also thought that after sabotaging the engines they may be headed to the communication area since that would be the next logical place for them to go. What leads me to believe that they may be trying to lure us away from the critical systems is the fact that we haven’t encounter them yet.”

  “Did you check the cargo area and our docking ports?”

  “No sir. I don’t see why they would go there.”

  “Did you consider the fact that they may be planning their escape first? Did you consider that maybe they might be trying to indirectly sabotage our critical systems?” Mad Dawg with slurred speech.

  “No on the first. Yes on the second. The problem with the second is that I don’t have enough people to protect those systems.”

  “Divide each of your teams into a three man group. If any of them should find the Commando unit have them radio it in. Tell them that their orders are not, repeat, are not to engage the enemy unless they are engaged by the enemy. When they find the enemy we will lock all the doors surrounding the Commando unit If they find only one, and only one Commando, then they would need permission to engage.”

  “What about the fact that they are using our maintenance duct?”

  “Have some welders cut some metal to fit the maintenance doors that are near our critical systems. I want them to seal those doors shut. Once that is done, divide your team in two. One team to flush the Commando unit out of the maintenance duct and the other to catch them in the hallways. Get it done right now.” Mad Dawg spoke slowly so that Murphy could understand him.

  “Yes sir.” Murphy said as he left.

  For the next eleven and a half hours Murphy was providing security to the welders, protecting the critical systems and searching for the Commando unit. He then got a call from Mad Dawg who wanted to see him right away. By that time Mad Dawg had already sobered up.

  “You wanted to see me sir.” Murphy asked Mad Dawg when he got to the bridge.

  “How long have you been awake?”

  “Sir?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  “Thirty-six hours.”

  “And your team?”

  “Sir what’s your point?”

  “Just answer my question.”

  “Some of them has been awake as long as I have. Some of them are on double-shifts.. And the rest are on their first shift.”

  “I want you and the ones who have been pulling triple-shifts to get some rest. And no more triple-shifts. Got it Lieutenant.”

  “Sir we need all available security personnel in order to protect our critical systems and to hunt down the EOD infiltration unit before they do any more harm. Better safe than sorry sir.”

  “You and your team is tired and exhausted. Get some rest and let Debernardo take over. And that’s an order Lieutenant.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Two hours later, Staff Sergeant Debernardo and her team found something so important in a docking port that Mad Dawg rushed down there to have a look. It helped to explain the behavior of the Dragon Clone in why it didn’t try to destroy any critical systems minus the engines.

  “What do ya got Sergeant?” Mad Dawg asked.

  “Sir we found a short-range EOD transmitter.” Debernardo said. She then pointed up at it which was well hidden near the ceiling.

  “Well what the…? How in the hell did they got that thing up there. No wonder Murphy didn’t find it when he did a search here.” Mad Dawg said.

  “Maybe they did it when we didn’t have any gravity sir.”

  “No they wouldn’t have the time. Even if they came here first, with or without any gravity, they still would not have the time.”

  “Maybe one of them is a cyborg sir.”

  “Not likely. You know as well as I know that anybody with more than twenty percent cybernetic implants would have been detected by our sensors.”

  “Well how we supposed to get rid of it sir?”

  “Are they any maintenance ducts nearby?” Mad Dawg asked Debernardo after he took a laser rifle and destroyed the transmitter.

  “Yes sir.”

  “Have they been welded shut and reinforced?”

  “No sir.”

  “Get on it now.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Six hours into their sleep, Murphy and his team woke up to begin their shift. Debernardo informed him of what transpired while they were asleep. Forty-three minutes later, Murphy learned (after Mad Dawg was informed) that the ship-to-ground communications had finally been fixed.

  Everything started to look up for both the crew of Galactic Prime and for Task Force ZH-3C, but it would not last long. Both crews desperately needed that small victory. But in truth, the victory was far greater than what they realized. And if they knew the reason why it would have made matters worse. And Hayes was the reason.

  (3)

  The cargo ship carrying Task Force ZH-3C finally arrived at the harbor. It was 03:17 hours when they arrived. Most of the team was asleep and a few of them had between two to four hours of sleep. Hayes was among them having only three hours of sleep. He stayed awake too long thinking about what may or may not happen next. He was lost and had no idea of what to do. He didn’t want to go forward, nor could he go back.

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your shift starts at 08 hours. Make certain that you use that time to sleep.” Taylor informed Red Team. All of them were on the bridge.

  Blue Team, who woke up at 03 hours, left to get an early start on off-loading the equipment. They took a shower, went to the ship’s cafeteria to eat breakfast and left to begin their day at 05 hours.

  There was, of course, one thing that Sanchez never mentioned at the debriefing. Her team had already volunteer to do the off-loading of the equipment. Their reason is that they didn’t trust either Green nor White Team to do the job.

  The problem with Green Team is that they procrastinate and at times, goof off. White Team problem is that they have to be watched over like a hawk or they may make a mistake. But what about Nakada and Liebowitz?

  Nakada’s problem is that he is too nice. He doesn’t yell at his team unless they are disrespecting his rank. The problem with Liebowitz is that he was never given command of a team with personalities like that of Red Team or Blue Team. Of the two, Liebowitz was never tested in combat. Nobody in Blue Team thought that either Green or White Team could move the equipment without incidence.

  By noon Blue Team was finished with off-loading the equipment, food and water onto trucks. Vaistll, Taylor and Ramirez decided to have the communications set up in a nearby warehouse in case Galactic Prime tries to contact them.

  With all of the work done everybody waited for Ellis, Wexler, and Moriarty to return. In a effort to stop any of them from wondering around, they were ordered to stay near the harbor. While Blue Team was off-loading, White Team was providing security.

  “Sir I just wanted to let you know that we are done.” Sanchez informed Ramirez.

  “Alright.”

  Ramirez then used the helmet-com to tell everyone front and center. Hayes, who was busy feeding his face (and being depressed), took too long to show up.

  “Hayes!” Ramirez yelled at Hayes causing Hayes to flinch. “What is your major malfunction!? Didn’t you hear me tell you ‘front and center’!?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Then you did that on purpose!”

  “No sir! I wa
s…”

  “What!? What the fuck were you doing that was so fucking important as to take your damn time to show up!?” Ramirez yelled at Hayes when he didn’t finished saying what he was saying.

  “I was eating sir!” Hayes said which caused everybody (minus Vaistll and Taylor) to laugh.

  “Oh! So feeding your fat face is more important than following orders!”

  “No sir I…”

  “Shut the fuck up! I don’t want to hear it!”

  “But sir I…”

  “And I said for you to ‘shut the fuck up’! Got it!?” Ramirez yelled at the top of his voice. Luckily for everyone, Ramirez wasn’t using the helmet-com.

  “Yes sir.”

  When Hayes got the call he was eating, he then wash his food down with his drink, and then quickly washed his hands. Hayes was too depressed because of everything that was occurring to him. And he didn’t realize that his behavior is a positive feedback loop to his depression.

  “We have decided to set up our communications in that nearby warehouse.” Taylor informed them as he pointed to the warehouse. He then noticed that Hayes didn’t like the sound of what he said.

  “You got a problem with that Hayes?” Taylor asked.

  “No sir. I um… never mind sir.”

  “We’re not going to set up the rest of the base. And…” Taylor was saying until he noticed that, once again, Hayes had a problem with what he said.

  “What’s your problem Hayes?” Taylor asked him.

  “No problem sir.”

  “You look like you got a problem with what we decided.”

  “I don’t have a problem sir.”

  “I think that you do. Out with it.”

  “I thought that we weren’t going to set up our communications because we would have to set up the rest of our base.”

  “We don’t need to because we got cover and power for our communications.”

  “Sir, at the debriefing I suggested…”

  “Hayes, put a sock in it! We know what you were suggesting at the debriefing!” Ramirez said. He was getting very upset with Hayes.

  “Well, what about the rules and regulations sir!?”

  “I know what the rules and regulations are and don’t you dare suggest that I don’t!” Ramirez yelled at Hayes. Ramirez was starting to get pissed off with him.

  “I wasn’t suggesting that you didn’t sir!”

  “Taylor… Ramirez… come with me.” Vaistll ordered them. She then led them to a spot where they could talk in private.

  “I seriously believe that Hayes has not yet let go of the fact that he lost our weapons and ammo. If he keeps this up he could inadvertently lose Red Team to enemy fire.” Vaistll said.

  “We could do a switch-a-roo and give him command of White Team.” Taylor suggested.

  “What about Liebowitz?” Ramirez asked.

  “Give him command of Red Team.” Vaistll said.

  “Do you think he can handle them?” Taylor asked.

  “If he can then he deserves a promotion.” Ramirez mentioned.

  “If Hayes inadvertently lose Red Team then the same would apply to White Team.” Taylor said.

  “Well… we sure enough cannot afford to lose Red Team. Now can we?” Ramirez said.

  “We still need the manpower that White Team can provide us with.” Vaistll said.

  “Then what do you suggest we do with Hayes then?” Ramirez asked Vaistll.

  “Do the switch-a-roo and tell him that he can get command of Red Team back as soon as he can get his act together.” Vaistll said. Taylor nodded his head in agreement. All three then left to inform the team of their decision.

  “We have made the decision that Hayes will be given command of White Team and Liebowitz will be given command of Red Team.” Vaistll informed everybody. Hayes was the only one who was shocked and surprised by the news. It deeply hurt him.

  “What!? Ma’am that would disrupt both teams!” Hayes said quite loudly.

  “Hayes, our decision is final. As soon as you can get your act together then, and only then will you get command back of Red Team.” Vaistll said.

  “Ma’am… my act is together. This move is not necessary.”

  “We think that it is Hayes.”

  “Ma’am… I must strongly protest this move.”

  “Noted. But it changes nothing.”

  “Ma’am… why do you think I need to get my act together? What did I do?”

  “Hayes, I want you and White Team to go down to the check point RIGHT NOW. Do I make myself clear?” Vaistll ordered him.

  “Did I lose Red Team because I lost our weapons and ammo? I said that I was sorry ma’am. How many times do I have say that I am sorry?” Hayes cried out.

  “Do as your captain says and that’s an order.” Ramirez ordered him.

  “Captain.” Hayes cried out.

  “Hayes!” Ramirez yelled.

  “Yes sir.” Hayes said with his head down. Both he and White Team then left.

  As White Team was getting their gear and preparing to leave, Hayes told them that he needed to go to the bathroom. He then left and found a place to where he could cry without anyone noticing him. At that moment in his life he hit an all time low.

  When Hayes returned White Team was ready to leave to go to the check point (the bridge closest to the pier). They had to provide security in case the EOD tries to pull a fast one on them, and to remove all obstacles on the road so that the trucks can move without incidence.

  When White Team left, the other three teams received their orders. Blue Team was allowed to rest for the rest of the day. Green Team had to set up the communications and stay by it in case Galactic Prime should call. Red Team had to go to the shopping center and look for food and water. When they got back they had six tons of food, water and basic necessities. Everything started to look up for them. If White Team had known that Red Team bought back food and water it would have changed the tone of their conversation.

  “You guys know that I am sorry for losing our weapons and ammo, don’t you?” Hayes asked White Team when they were done. Nobody said anything, they all had mixed feelings about what he did.

  “I just don’t see why I have to lose command of Red Team.” Hayes said.

  “Sir, you kept on pushing it and ended up pissing off the captain, Taylor and Ramirez.” Bryce said.

  “Then why should I have to lose command of Red Team when all I did was to disagree with them?” Hayes asked them. Nobody said anything because they didn’t have an answer to that question.

  “You know… when I was in debriefing with them, at one point Taylor agreed with me. And when he did Ramirez took him outside and told him something and then Taylor changed his mind. Why? I did asked Taylor what Ramirez told him and he told me to drop it. I got in trouble just because I wanted to know what Ramirez told him.”

  “What did the captain say, or do, sir?” Weng asked.

  “She told Taylor to go with Ramirez. At first Taylor didn’t want to go, but she ordered him. When they got back, Taylor’s face had turned white with fear. And now look at how he is behaving.”

  “I didn’t notice sir. How was he behaving?” Lucarelli asked. Lucarelli did noticed that Taylor was behaving differently, but he wanted to know what Hayes noticed, or claimed to have noticed, about Taylor’s behavior.

  “He was behaving like we were all going to die. If that’s the case then we have every right to know what was told to him. After all, maybe one of us might have an idea of how we can save ourselves. But to keep it all silent is to suggest that they don’t care about our opinions. And that’s not like any one of them. So what are they hiding from us?”

  “So what are you saying sir? They want us all to die… including themselves?” Cole asked.

  “Look they won’t listen to us and…”

  “You mean to you sir. They won’t listen to you.” Bryce said.

  “Bryce, I’m an officer, including Sanchez, Nakada and Liebowitz. If it is important than
we have every right to know. Keeping something from us can endanger the Task Force. But to keep it from you, and by you I mean non-officers, will not necessary endanger the Task Force. Understand?”

  “Yeah.” Bryce said.

  “Like I was saying, if they won’t listen to the officers, and we’re running out of food and water and… Like I said… I’m sorry for losing our weapons and ammo. Why can’t they wait until we hear from Galactic Prime?”

  “Sir… what good is it going to do us for us to contact Galactic Prime when they can’t land? At least not until we destroy those anti-air guns.” Robinson asked.

  “I never said, nor did I ever get the chance to say that they should land. But where are those anti-air guns? Do any of you know? Those guns are camouflage.”

  “Sir, if they were camouflage then Galactic Prime should have detected something.” Cole said.

  “Modern technology with the EOD using modern stealth technology, yes of course. Galactic Prime, or any other type of our ships that came before us, should have detected any stealth technology. But what if the EOD is using older technology, like camo-netting? You know our ships can’t detect camo-netting. And besides, we can’t destroy what we can’t find. And it don’t do us any good to go looking for them when we have no idea of where they are, or what we are facing.”

  “Then what do you propose for us to do sir?” Bryce asked. Hayes had no answer because he didn’t know. His lack of an answer opened a very dangerous door.

  “Sir… are you suggesting that we should rebel?” Mendoza asked.

  When Hayes didn’t responded to what Mendoza asked it had a chilling effect upon everyone. It made it sound as if though he was saying yes they should. Nobody said anything about the thought of them rebelling because neither one of them wanted to rush to their deaths.

  Fifty-seven minutes later, Ellis, Wexler and Moriarty returned. Nobody told them why Hayes is there and Liebowitz isn’t. White Team could finally return to the harbor, but they were thinking about doing the unthinkable.

  (4)

  The alarms were going off on Galactic Prime to everybody’s dismay. It was the type of alarm that warned the crew that someone fired their weapon. The computer told the security team the location of the weapon that was discharged. What deeply irritated the security team is the fact that, every so once in a while, someone shot at a shadow.