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

by Douglas Howell

  “Why did you return? And why didn’t you return any of my messages? And why did you request to come over to my ship?” Iverson asked. He was upset by what he assumed was Wilcox insubordination. But he was wrong and he was about to find out why.

  “You mean to tell me you didn’t hear?” Wilcox asked a bit surprised.

  “Hear what?”

  “The Founder mentioned that all those who didn’t support him, including all those who dare to call themselves neutral, is to be liquidated. And that includes our families.”

  “Oh for the love of god! You know as well as I know it would never be enforced! It’s all talk meant to scare people into supporting him. Classic EOD tactics!”

  “Then you should remember your training that suggested that those so-call tactics should be taken seriously! It’s not a question about what you or I think, but our crew!”

  “And your crew? What do they think?” Iverson asked with a lump in his throat.

  “They don’t know what to think. That’s why I need to get my bridge crew off of my ship and down on Golden Hyperion. It was the only way that I could prevent a mutiny.”

  “Understood. And the rest of the fleet?”

  “I have no idea. You are just going to have to wait until they get here in order to find out.”

  “Oh Jesus! So when will the others get here?” Iverson wasn’t ready for the response.

  “I have no idea. All I know that they will arrive in the following order: Midnight Rock, Gray Serpent, and then Black Eagle.” Captain Wilcox mentioned. The nightmare just got worst for everyone. There will be no early going home for anyone.

  “Look, I have a group that wants to go home and…” Iverson was saying.

  “Doesn’t matter. My crew won’t let anyone leave this system if they suspect that they are not on the side of the Founder. Please understand that I have lost control over my ship and crew. They only agree to let me and my bridge crew off the ship just to get us out of the way. I did not have enough control over my crew to ward off any further mutiny.”

  “Shit!” Iverson responded. He just couldn’t believe the rotten luck that he had just been handed.

  “I need to inform you Xavier that my crew will not tolerate anybody, other than me and my bridge crew, leaving this ship. They will not hesitate to attack if it is anybody else. Nor will they accept, and I do mean this, anybody coming to this ship.” Wilcox mentioned with a heavy heart. Iverson felt like he was about to cry. What could he do?

  (5)

  “This is Martinez… I… (static) … enemy. Repeat the enemy… (static) … signal. The Golems are… (static)… I… (static).” The static was far longer than normal suggesting that it was being jammed. It had a devastating effect upon the team.

  “Martinez! Martinez come in! Ma’am I cant’ reach him.” Ellis informed his captain.

  “Understood.”

  “What are your orders?” Taylor asked her.

  “Look, I know this is a shitty thing to do. But we need to keep on moving. We have got to stop these damn Golems by any means necessary.” Vaistll responded.

  The team was fully behind her but nobody could image what Martinez was going through. They had to keep on going no matter what the cost. Everything rested upon their shoulders and they knew it. But how could they continued without their best sniper?

  (6)

  “This is the captain of Midnight Rock to Captain Iverson. I think that you were expecting us.” He said with a certain urgency.

  “Yes Captain Brunner. What is the status of your crew?” Iverson asked hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

  “At least one third of my crew wants to leave this ship, including myself. The rest, it all depends upon the decision of both Gray Serpent and Black Eagle. I wished that I could, but I cannot provide anymore Intel on those crew. All I can tell you is that my crew wants all neutrals off of the ships and then to see where if goes from there. Please understand that anybody who stays upon your ship is considered the enemy. I also want you to understand that my crew is far too concerned about the fate of their families to listen to reason. God help us one in all.” Brunner responded.

  “Understood.” Iverson responded. Xavier felt as if though the rug was pulled out from under his feet and there was no way to stop any further collapse of authority.

  “What’s going on here?” Maxwell asked Iverson after some thirty-five minutes.

  “What’s does it look like? Things are going from bad to worse.”

  “I do have a solution. But it will only work if you and your crew will obey my orders.”

  “What is it?”

  “If the other two ships shows strong signs of mutiny, then the only way for you and your crew to survive this is to do actually as me and my crew says. In effect… we have to run this ship. Anything less will equal death for all of us.”

  “You’re asking the impossible for me and my crew.”

  “Then all hope is lost. For there is no way out of this if you and your crew don’t trust me and my crew. Look… I’m not trying to take over your ship.”

  “I know that.”

  “Then trust me and my crew. Think about it.” Maxwell said as he got up and left.

  Iverson will think about it. Long and hard that is. But somehow he knew that he probably will do as Maxwell is suggesting. His reluctance to trust him is based primarily upon the fact that Maxwell didn’t inform Iverson on how in trusting him will save everyone. Iverson also realized that one of the reasons is probably based upon the fact that Maxwell will have to do something that Iverson will object to. But still, Iverson knew that he didn’t have a choice.

  (7)

  “You know, I’m starting to think that it doesn’t have a glitch.” Martinez mentioned.

  “Why do you say that?” Viper 33X asked.

  “Primarily because it’s behavior suggests that it is trying to protect that area.”

  “Why? The creation of the Golems practically destroyed the area.”

  “Well, we’ll learn more as soon as Jaguar gets back.”

  It took two hours but Jaguar 42R finally got back with a defeated look on his face. One reason why it took so long for him to return was, not only he couldn’t use the spider-bot that he was using earlier, but also because of all of the damage to the area. (Martinez thought that it would have taken him longer to return.) For some reason or another the machines that was protecting the Golem left Jaguar 42R alone. (It may have something to do with the fact that Jaguar 42R left them alone.)

  “Whaddaya got?” Martinez asked Jaguar 42R when he return.

  “The protectors are either repairing the communications or are trying to reverse engineer it.” Jaguar 42R mentioned with a heavy sigh.

  “What!? There’s no way that they could do either. Especially with all of that damage that they had caused.” Viper 33X responded.

  “Look, I can only go with what I saw. And that’s actually what I saw.” Jaguar 42R responded.

  “Well, it still doesn’t make any sense.” Viper 33X mentioned.

  “Actually it does make sense.” Martinez mentioned.

  “And how’s that?” Viper 33X asked him.

  “How else could they jam our signal?” Martinez responded.

  “So what are we going to do now?” Viper 33X asked him.

  “We’re going to have to stay here longer and gather more Intel.” Martinez responded. All three didn’t like it, but they also knew it had to be done.

  (8)

  “Greetings everyone. My name is Captain Wilcox and I will be taking over from here on out. I know that you have been given your discharge papers, please understand that I will not change that, I’m just here to keep things running smoothly.”

  Nobody believed him. They knew that it wasn’t necessary for him to be there at the lab complex. It didn’t help their morale either. They also knew that Captain Brunner was at the forward base near the factory. Unfortunately rumors were spreading to fast including the ones about why none o
f the crew of either of the two captains wasn’t with them. Everyone was expecting the worse.

  (9)

  “This is the captain of Gray Serpent. I do believe you know why I am here. I can’t talk more. I have to come over… NOW.” It was a recording and it was too demoralizing for everyone.

  “Sir… I just detected both an escape pod and a dropship leaving Gray Serpent.” The bridge officer informed Captain Iverson.

  “Under…” Iverson was saying as he saw the dropship blew up. Three minutes later the escape pod dock with Iverson’s ship with the captain of Gray Serpent on board.

  “Sir… Captain Peterson is on board and is running to our bridge.” The bridge officer mentioned.

  “What? Why don’t he just use a cell phone or something?” Iverson asked.

  “Get this ship the fuck outta here!” Peterson shouted as soon as he got to the bridge.

  “Wait! I’m not leaving until…!” Iverson was saying.

  “Do it now captain! Now!” Peterson shouted. Iverson then nodded to the bridge officer who promptly complied. Maxwell, who was in the Conference Room eating, came out.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Maxwell mentioned.

  “That’s what I would like to know.” Iverson said as he looked at Peterson.

  “My crew is beyond rebellious… they’re simply fanatical. Whitaker (captain of Black Eagle) wants all traitors, civilians included, killed.”

  “Shit. Alright Isaac I’ll trust you with the command of my ship.” Iverson said sounding a bit defeated. Neither Peterson nor Maxwell had any reaction.

  “Captain Peterson, I need you on Golden Hyperion to take command of my forces currently making certain that the Medusa contagion is destroyed. Xavier, please take this ship behind the rings of Ishtar but keep us within sensor range of those ships. I need everyone on this ship to be strapped down for the possibility of loss of gravity. My crew must, and this is mission critical for anything less spells death, I need my crew to be in absolute control of all critical parts of this ship. They will know what parts to take command over.” Maxwell’s words had a chilling effect upon everyone. It was mainly because of the words “strapped down for the possibility of loss of gravity.” They knew that typically means the death of a ship. Iverson could only nod and then gave the order. It didn’t help much that he saw that Maxwell went into the Conference Room and came back out with a bottle of hard liquor. He then sit down on the left side of the captain’s chair and strapped himself down.

  (10)

  “This is Captain Whitaker. What is the status of the star system?”

  “This is acting Captain Beltchev all former captains have left their ships, including all other traitors. There is no change on Golden Hyperion. No one is returning my messages. The Hammer of Doom is no where to be found. There are rumors that suggests that either it went into a wormhole or that it was destroyed.” The acting captain of Midnight Rock responded.

  “Sir, this is Harnett of Ma Duce.”

  “Go ahead.” Whitaker responded.

  “Dark Phoenix (Iverson’s ship) is still in the area. I believe that Captain Maxwell is on Iverson’s ship and that the traitors on our sister ships is currently on Golden Hyperion.”

  “Sir this is Chaverou of Gray Serpent it is my duty to inform you that some of the traitors are still on board my ship. They are pathetically trying to sabotage my ship. But it’s nothing that me and my crew can’t handle.”

  “Sir, what are your orders?” Harnett asked.

  “Wait for my arrival. My ETA is four hours.” Whitaker responded.

  (11)

  They just couldn’t believe it. Not even if someone were to pay them. But Task Force ZH-3C just witness that one of the Golems, along with it’s protectors, just split off and headed towards the one area that they dreaded and deeply feared – the main area of the factory. The spot that makes it a true factory. The nightmare was growing.

  “Ma’am, there’s only one thing that we can do. I know what you are going to say, but it has to be done.” Ramirez informed his captain.

  “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

  “Me, Ellis and Wexler needs to follow that Golem and try to figure out it’s attention. And if necessary try to stop it.”

  “You’re right, I didn’t want to hear it. And you’re right again. Take them and do all that you can to stop the Golem.”

  The team was basically cut in half at that point. Only four was left and there was no way for them to complete their mission. How could they? They needed help. They need to contact Maxwell to let him know what they are going through. This new threat needs to be exposed. But there is very little that the team can do but to flank it and try their best to collect Intel.

  (12)

  “ABK! ABK! ABK!” Maxwell’s crew was shouting as they were remotely controlling the dropships loaded with as many torpedoes as they could cram into them. (ABK means always be killing)

  “Are you sure that this will work?” Iverson asked Maxwell.

  “You get to find out why The Hammer of Doom is a killer of fleets.” Maxwell responded. He was drinking and his eyes was shinning with the love of the tactics that was being employed. The comment also caused Maxwell’s crew who was taking charge of the ship’s system to chuckle. It had a sobering effect upon Iverson’s crew.

  Each dropship was put into a position that could “hide it” (A ship sensor may detect it as either space junk or something else that is equally harmless.) within Ishtar rings. Nobody was concerned about the torpedoes that was being (wasted) used. They were far more concerned about the tactics being used. It had the most chilling effect upon everyone. How could they understand these tactics?

  As Black Eagle enter the star system all dropships that was left upon Iverson’s ship was used. Dark Phoenix had no more dropships to rely upon. Not even the escape pods were immune. They too were equip with explosives. These booby traps was placed in such a way that when they detonate, combine with the rocks, would significantly damage any ship that sprung the trap. And if that wasn’t enough, even space drones was used. But they weren’t placed among the rocks within Ishtar’s ring, instead they were kept in the ship. Maxwell’s crew worked so fast that it was truly amazing that they were able to get the job done.

  “This is Captain Whitaker. All those who do not support the Founder, civilians included, is dead. It is my orders to weed out all… “ He was saying. Dark Phoenix fired a torpedo at his ship and then slowly hid itself behind the rings of Ishtar.

  “There’s no honor in a cowardly death… Whitaker.” Maxwell said over the ship intercom.

  “Why don’t you come out and fight?” Whitaker responded.

  “Because if I did then it will only spell your doom. B10U. B10U! For you are no more. For your doom draws near. For The Hammer of Doom falls upon you. You fucking pussy! Come and get me!” Maxwell responded in his drunken stupor with eyes shinning with the hope of conflict.

  “So be it. Dead man.” Whitaker responded.

  Dark Phoenix came out and fired a shot at Gray Serpent and then retreated back behind Ishtar’s rings. All four ships under Whitaker’s command promptly gave chase. They all (minus Maxwell and his crew whom seemed so detached from their environment or human suffering) wanted it to be over as soon as possible. But they knew that further bloodshed will be required in order to settle it.

  “I got you!” Chaverou mentioned as she narrowly avoided being hit by the rear gun of Dark Phoenix. And before she had a chance to react, she fell into the trap that was led out by Maxwell’s crew. Her ship took a huge beating from, not only the explosions but also the rocks (some as big as a mountain) hitting her ship.

  “Fucking hell! Are you alright!?” Beltchev asked her.

  “Damage report coming in! Holy fucking shit!” Susan yelled out when she saw Dark Phoenix making a suicidal attack run.

  Dark Phoenix fired multiple shots at Gray Serpent and then went under Ishtar’s south pole. Ma Duce was right behind her firing at any chanc
e that it got. Midnight Rock stayed behind to protect her fallen sister ship. Black Eagle traveled to where it thought that Dark Phoenix would come out.

  “Goddamn those sons-of-bitches!” Chaverou screamed out when she saw Dark Phoenix come out from Ishtar’s atmosphere (it was so crazy [suicidal is a better term] that nobody would ever expect that a ship and crew would be that crazy).

  Gray Serpent took multiple hits as Dark Phoenix came by and then doing a 180 retreated back into Ishtar’s atmosphere. Gray Serpent at that time was trying to retreat into a defensive orbit so that her sister ships can have better chance at defending that sector. And now the ship is turning end over end having lost all control over it’s ability maintain both latitude and longitude over it’s position.

  “Sir this is Beltchev! Gray Serpent has lost all control over it’s altitude! It is spiraling out of control and I can’t reach them! What are your orders!?”

  “Defend her! We can’t let them win. For our families!” Whitaker shouted over the intercom.

  They kept on Dark Phoenix tail even it meant death. Everybody within Dark Phoenix watch as they felt the pull of Ishtar’s gravity pulling them towards the center of Ishtar’s core. Death was close and they all knew it. Only Ma Duce was crazy enough to go through Ishtar’s atmosphere. All in pursuit of her prey. (Neither Dark Phoenix nor Ma Duce went that deeply into Ishtar’s atmosphere. If they did they may have been pulled to the planet’s core. Instead they only went through the upper atmosphere.) Ma Duce was the tail to Dark Phoenix. Whereas Black Eagle was too cautious.

  “This is… (static) …rou! My altitude is… (static) …rol! We’re… (static) …fight!” Susan mentioned. Her ship’s thrusters was trying to stabilize the ship but she was having a tough time in getting it under control. The bow would go up to a north pole position, then down to the south pole position, the ship’s thrusters would try to correct for that, then the ship would spin along the equator position, try it’s best to correct itself, only to do a belly roll. It’s what everyone called a ship being punch drunk. It’s so rare that Gray Serpent may go down in history as being the only ship that it ever occurred to.