by Brian Dorsey
“Let’s begin,” replied Stone.
“Yes, sir,” replied Martin as she activated the first hologram. “Here’s the section of the nebula where the Association station is expected to be. Based on intel received from the captured Council member, we believe the station has approximately 250 security forces and maybe ten older fighters.”
“Our detachment of foxtrots should take care of the fighter,” replied Orion.
“The station will have some close-defense systems,” continued Martin, “but we should expect minimal resistance for our boarding ships. Once we board, the Rangers should secure the forward and aft approaches to the lab area and the primary assault team made up of Marshal Stone, First Sergeant Shara, Th—,” Martin let out a heavy breath. “First Sergeant Shara, myself, and three Rangers picked by Major Sk—”
“Myself, Katalya, and Sergeant Meadow,” interrupted Mori. “And it’s colonel.”
Martin positioned herself in front of Mori. Stone could see Martin’s anger start to boil up from deep inside. He prepared himself so that he could respond to her reaction.
“Of course, colonel,” replied Martin slowly.
Stone glanced toward Mori, her eyes were locked onto Martin’s.
“Thank you, major,” said Mori.
Stone swallowed hard.
“As I was saying,” continued Martin, turning back toward the holographic model of the science station. “The primary assault team will board here, on the starboard aft quarter.” Martin manipulated the screen in front of her and hologram zoomed into an interior view of the station. “With the Rangers establishing a perimeter, we’ll move to the labs on Level 3. We’ll secure the labs and Yellow Star will send over a medical team to search for the objective.”
Martin turned toward Stone.
“And remember to be on the lookout for those modified soldiers,” added Stone. “If we encounter them—”
“We kill them,” said Katalya. “We kill all of them.”
Chapter 14
Stone sat across from Martin as they waited in the boarding ship as Yellow Star neared its jump demarcation point. He watched as she slowly tied her hair into a ponytail. A smile came to his face as he remembered the countless times she had carried out this ritual. He looked down to see her feet tapping up and down.
But they were motionless.
He looked up and their eyes met.
The anticipatory excitement he’d grown accustomed to was replaced with a dark determination that seemed to radiate from deep within her soul.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine…this is what I do.” She paused as she pressed the arming pin of her rifle. “All that I do,” she said flatly.
‘Coming out of the jump,’ warned the boarding ship pilot over the intercom. ‘As soon we’re out of the jump and the fighters are away, we’ll get the launch order.’
“Roger,” replied Stone as he depressed the ‘speak’ lever on the intercom next to his position. He glanced toward Mori. Her hair was in its traditional braids but her face paint was new. Mori’s face was painted solid black save a yellow stripe across her eyes. Their gaze met and she gave him a nod; her focus was on the coming assault.
‘Marshal Stone!’ blared over the intercom. “Yellow Star reports neutrino spikes and—sir…the skipper needs to talk to you.”
Stone unlatched his harness and rushed to the cockpit of the boarding ship. “What is it?” he barked as he stepped inside.
“Sir,” replied the pilot, holding a comms receiver.
Stone grabbed the receiver and put it to his face. “What is it, Captain?”
‘Marshal…’ Stone could hear the anxiety in the captain’s voice. “Three Humani frigates are attacking the station! I—what?’ asked the captain as he gave out orders with the comms circuit to Stone still open. ‘…launch all fighters…Sorry, Marshal,’ said the captain as he returned his attention to Stone, ‘We have picked up boarding parties in route to the station. I’m going to have to divert some fighters to—’
“Just give the order to launch the boarding ships!” interrupted Stone. “We have to get on that station.”
‘Aye—‘
Before the captain could complete his acknowledgement, Stone was on his way back to the troop compartment.
Rushing into the compartment, he sat and latched his harness.
“What is it?” asked Martin.
“The Humani are attacking the station—”
“Is it her?” asked Katalya. “It has to be her,” she concluded before Stone could respond.
“Then she’ll die today,” added Martin.
“I don’t know who is in the attack,” he replied. “But if she is…” he paused, knowing his next words would be difficult. “…we need to stay focused on the mission. If we get distracted by revenge, millions could suffer for it.”
“I won’t be distracted,” snarled Katalya.
Stone knew what Katalya meant. Leaned toward Mori. “I need you to keep her on task,” he said quietly.
‘Standby for launch!’ echoed through the compartment.
“She’ll do her job,” replied Mori. “Don’t worry about her.”
The boarding ship lifted off the deck and the slight floating sensation came to Stone’s stomach. “Pilot, pipe us in to the command circuit,” ordered Stone into the intercom.
The intercom buzzed and the chatter of the battle poured into the compartment as Stone felt the acceleration of the boarding ship as it leapt from Yellow Star into space.
‘Alpha Delta, this is Raven-one.’ Barked Orion’s voice over the circuit as she led Yellow Star’s fighter squadron. ‘Engaging Humani condors near forward quarter of station. Ravens three and four making strafing run on hostile frigate track three.’
‘Roger, Raven-one,’ replied Yellow Star’s tactical officer. ‘Engaging frigate track one with main battery, stand clear of frigate track one.’
‘Alpha Bravo, this is Runner-one. All Bravo’s away.’ Came the report from the boarding ship senior pilot alerting Yellow Star all boarding ships were in route.
‘Roger, Runner-one—Break Break,’ interrupted Raven-one. ‘Humani boarding ships have made contact on the aft port quarter and upper midships areas.’
“Son of a bitch,” cursed Martin. “They’re already onboard.”
‘Thirty seconds ‘til contact,’ reported the pilot. ‘Midships, starboard side. Orientation horizontal 178 degrees.’
“They’re gonna wish they never stepped foot on that fucking station,” added Shara.
‘Fifteen seconds…’
Stone’s stomach tightened as the troop chairs shifted on their axis to align with the station’s horizon.
“Remember the mission are the labs!” shouted Stone. “Focus on getting to the labs as fast as we can.”
“Ten seconds…brace for impact!’
The sight of Octavius in his arms flashed through Stone’s mind. Who would watch over him if he died? Who would raise him? How would they raise—
“Sir!”
Martin’s voice brought him back. He looked into her eyes.
“Focus,” she mouthed.
“Five seconds…”
With a shake of his head, Stone pushed the intrusive thoughts out of his head; there was no time—
“Three seconds…”
Stone took in a deep breath and gripped the handles of his chair.
“Two…one…”
A metallic clang echoed through the interior of the boarding ship as it slammed into the station’s hull, jarring everyone in the troop compartment.
‘Releasing harnesses!’ reported the pilot.
The harness around Stone’s chest released and he fell the few centimeters onto the boarding deck.
“Initiating hull breach!”
Stone brought his rifle to the ready as the plasma laser began to bore through the hull.
“Martin, you’re point.”
Martin nodded, her body coiled at the boarding
hatch.
Stone looked toward a panel above the hatch. BREACH LEVEL 75 read the panel, indicating the breaching hole was 75% complete. “Standby!” he ordered as he watched the panel.
85…91…97…BREACH 100.
Stone slammed his hand against the yellow and red ACCESS BREACH button. “Go!”
Martin leapt through the hole as smoke from the laser boring through the station’s hull rolled into the compartment.
As Shara moved past, Stone pivoted and stepped through the hole burned into the station’s hull. He moved forward quickly as the others took up positions. Scanning the compartment, Stone saw container after container stacked in long lines of shelves.
“Storage compartment; just like the plans said,” said Martin.
Stone gave a nod of acknowledgment and motioned for the team to move forward.
Martin stepped forward, moving fast and low between the rows of containers. She reached the end of the row and peered around the corner.
Stone stopped when Martin dropped to one knee and held her hand into the air. Letting her rifle hang from its sling, she drew her sword and glanced back toward Stone. Martin held three fingers in the air then presented her palm to tell the others to stand fast.
“What’s she doing?” whispered Mori as she knelt by Stone.
“She’s gonna—”
“We don’t have time for this,” grumbled Mori as she stood and tossed a grenade toward the opening. “Frag out!”
The grenade bounced off the bulkhead and rolled out of sight.
Martin curled away from the edge of the row as the blast sent a wave of pressure through the compartment.
Stone turned toward Mori. ‘Why would she do that?’ he thought but she was already moving forward before he could ask. He rose to his feet and rushed after her.
Martin rose and pivoted toward the direction of the blast just as Stone and Mori reached her.
“What the fuck was that?” cursed Martin, turning back toward them.
Stone glanced into the small office. The remains of three guards were scattered around the room.
“We don’t have time for you to count fucking coup?”
“I don’t even know what that means,” replied Martin. “But you just let everyone know where we’re going.”
“They already know we’re here,” replied Mori. “The whole fucking galaxy is attacking this station right now.” She glared at Martin. “And you want to take the time to make it personal.”
“Wh—” Martin snapped her head toward Stone. “Sir?”
“We’re supposed to moving fast and quiet,” replied Stone. “And we’re doing neither.” He turned toward Mori. “Martin is point. We follow her lead.”
“Not if she’s going to stop and dance with every fucking—”
“You need to follow fucking orders, bitch,” interrupted Martin.
“I don’t follow your orders, Hanmani,” replied Mori with a smile. “Or yours either if I think it’s wrong,” she said, turning toward Stone. “You three can waltz your way to the lab if you want, but I’m going to get their fast.”
Stone’s skin grew hot. “You will follow my orders.”
“What I will do is take my team and get there before you, Marshal.”
Stone felt his fist tighten. “What is wrong with—”
“Fuck her,” said Martin. “Let her go…we don’t have time for this. Besides, maybe these assholes acting like fucking battering rams will draw some resistance away from us.”
Stone stared into Mori’s eyes. That brilliant green that had drawn him in so many times now radiated defiance.
Martin was right.
“Go,” grunted Stone.
Without a word Mori turned and motioned for Meadow and Katalya to follow her.
“Sir. We need to go.”
Martin’s voice refocused Stone.
Stone, Martin, and Shara pushed forward making their way toward the laboratory section. Martin suddenly stopped, warning the others with a hand signal. Stone had just brought his rifle to his shoulder when three Humani soldiers rushed into view. Martin leapt forward crashing into two them.
The third spun and leveled his rifle on Martin.
Stone’s rifle recoiled as the soldier jerked to the right and fell to the deck, exposing a row of fangs as he let out a growl. Stone swung the barrel of his rifle toward Martin and the others.
Martin thrust her sword into the abdomen of one of the soldiers just as the second sank its teeth into her left thigh. Letting out a groan, Martin rolled to her right and landed a powerful blow to the second soldier’s temple.
The soldier recovered quickly, pulling a pistol from his vest and swinging it toward Martin.
But Martin was too fast as the blade of her knife sank into her opponent’s temple.
“Emily!” yelled Stone as he saw the first soldier, Martin’s sword still protruding from his torso, rise above her with his sword above his head.
Stone’s finger tightened on the trigger but he released when Shara stepped toward the soldier and drove his knife into the enemy’s rib cage. The soldier’s body arched against the force of the blade and Shara pivoted his body and drove the enemy onto the deck.
As the soldier slammed onto the floor, Shara drew his pistol and fired point blank into his opponent’s forehead.
“Damn it,” cursed Stone as he looked toward Martin. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” grunted Martin as she applied coagulate to leg. “Just let me…” Martin then grabbed a neuro-injector and slammed it into her thigh. She took a deep breath. “Ready to go, Sir.”
Stone looked at Martin’s leg. The Dog Soldier had taken a mouth-sized chunk out of her leg. The coagulant would slow the bleeding and the pain killers would allow her to keep pulling a trigger but her injury was bad.
“Are you sure?”
Martin smirked. “Really?” She reached down to pull her sword from the dead Humani soldier. “I can—” Martin stumbled and let out a grunt. “Shit.” She looked up toward Stone. “I’ll be okay.”
“Fine. Let’s—” Stone saw movement out of the corner of his eye and spun to his right just as two station guards opened fire from behind a large storage container. “Cover!”
Stone dove for cover behind the corner of the passageway as Shara and Martin pressed their bodies against the opposite bulkhead, where a small support frame provided cover as bullets ricocheted through the passageway.
Stone leaned forward and fired a burst toward the guards. As he did, he saw two more join those that had originally opened fire. “There’s four!” he shouted.
Shara nodded in acknowledgment.
Stone looked toward Martin and saw her inject another neuro-med. She grimaced as the needle punctured her skin but then dropped the injector, picked up her rifle and fired a burst toward the guards.
Their eyes met. She would slow them down…and she knew it.
“I’ll hold them off here,” she spoke into her comms circuit. “You two go down a level and bypass them.”
“You sure?” asked Shara.
“Yes,” grumbled Martin. “Just tell me when you reach the lab and I’ll make my way back to the extraction point.”
Stone didn’t reply.
Martin leaned forward and fired again, pressing her body back against the bulkhead as a hail of return gunfire bounced off the frame she was using for cover.
“Go!” shouted Martin, waving her hand. “When I die, it’s not gonna be at the hands of four fucking security guards.”
Stone took a deep breath. “Roger.”
***
Martin looked down the barrel of her rifle as a guard rose from behind the container to fire. She squeezed the trigger and the guard crumpled to the deck as two more opened fire.
“One down,” said Martin to herself as rounds hit the bulkhead in front and above her. “What’s your status?” she asked into the comms link.
The sound of gunfire broke through the link as it activated.
‘
We’re stuck one level down and about twenty frames aft,’ came Stone’s reply. ‘Mori, where are you?’ he asked.
‘We’re still pushing toward the labs,’ she replied. ‘A lot of resistance.’
‘We need to hurry,’ said Stone. ‘The Rangers are being pressed hard by the Elite Guard and Dog Soldiers…we can’t let them get there first.’
“Fuck,” cursed Martin, letting her head fall against the bulkhead.
She took a deep breath then held her rifle outward from her cover and fired a long burst. The response was immediate as dozen of rounds impacted around her. As the enemy bullets ricocheted around the hall, Martin dropped her rifle and drew her pistol. With her other hand, she grabbed a grenade and tossed it toward the container.
The firing stopped.
She braced for the explosion and leapt forward with a groan of pain as the blast echoed down the passageway.
Through the smoke, two guards rose and took aim.
Martin pushed forward, firing two rounds into the first guard without breaking stride. The second stumbled backwards while firing.
As the bullets whizzed past her, she leapt over the container and landed on her side.
Martin let out a groan but leveled her pistol just as the guard who had fell to the ground raised his rifle.
Her pistol cracked and the guard’s head snapped backwards.
“Shit.” Pain raced through her leg but she had to press on. “On my way,” she grunted into the comms link.
***
The concentrated fire from the rifles of Mori, Katalya, and Sergeant Meadow shredded the two security guards at the entrance to the lab.
“Move up!” shouted Mori as she rushed forward into the room. Once inside, she swept her rifle from right to left.
Empty.
“Is this it?” asked Sergeant Meadow.
“It should be,” replied Mori. “Get your gear and find that serum…I’ll look for the data banks.”
Mori scanned the room for her objective. They didn’t have much time.
“Where are—” A sigh of relief escaped her.
There it was.
Against the opposite wall a large bank of data stations hummed.
Mori walked over to the station. “Status on the serum?”
