Blowing out a cloud of smoke Emerson looked askance at the private. “Daniels, why the fuck do you always think I know?”
“It was rhetorical.”
“Bullshit!” he chided with a smile, “You don’t even know what rhetorical means.”
“Maybe they’re here for a search and rescue seminar,” a third very hard looking marine jabbed, “That way we can find your sexy chocolate ass if you ever get vented from an airlock.”
“Shut your hole Banx,” Emerson laughed in mock anger. “Anybody could find your pasty ass out there. In fact, you’d be a beacon for the Drac if you got vented.”
“Looks like the captain’s getting in that squid’s face,” Daniels chuckled watching Butler and Pierce flank the two men.
“Who you calling a squid Private?” Daniels turned to find the platoons corpsman scowling at him. “I might just remember that comment if I ever have to patch you up.”
“Come on Russell, you know I don’t mean you,” he said defensively, “The only thing in common you have with them is your branch.” Leaning over he pinched her behind adding, “And you definitely have a cuter ass.”
“You’re a pig Daniels,” Russell scoffed.
“Oink oink sweet cheeks,” the private laughed, “You like it.” Before Russell could call him down the ships massive engines began to rumble, vibrating the deck, as the ships PA signaled the countdown for a superluminal jump.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this,” another private moaned drawing the woman’s attention.
“You okay Wisniewski?” Russell asked concerned.
“Don’t change the subject,” Daniels continued, “He’s fine, ain’t that right Wis—” Daniels cut off at the sight of him. Wisniewski’s face was turning a visible sickly green, made all the more prominent under his well-groomed blonde hair. “Don’t go and spew now Wisniewski, this isn’t even the fun part. What you gonna do if we make a combat drop someplace?”
“Like you’d know Daniels,” Emerson said tiredly, “you’re as green on the inside as he is outside.”
“I’ve been on drops!” Daniels defended.
“Simulations don’t count meathead!” Banx added.
“Fuck you Banx, that was no simulation!”
“You’re talking about those smugglers we flushed off that rock near Tau Ceti,” Emerson said. “The way I remember it, you were sitting tight on the shuttle waiting on us to do the hard part.”
“That’s right!” Russell laughed jabbing a finger in Daniels chest, “Pierce had you babysit the boat.”
The young private wasn’t happy about the ribbing. In a lewd display he grabbed his crotch and showed Russell the middle finger. “Don’t get into a dick measuring contest with me,” Russell said mimicking the gesture, “I’ll win every time.”
The howling revel in response cemented the corpsman’s victory but was short lived as Sergeant Pierce bellowed, “Atten-HUT!” his powerful voice echoing through the cavernous bay.
Captain Butler was already ordering, “As you were,” before the unit could even snap to attention.
Leaning back on the ammo container, Daniels once again elbowed Emerson muttering, “Wonder if this has anything to do with those squids.”
Arms crossed, Emerson rolled his eyes turning his head to look at the private. “Eyes front Emerson!” Pierce shouted snapping the marine’s attention forward. “There somthin you wanna be sharin with the rest of us?”
“No Sir!” Emerson replied strong and tight.
Scowling, Pierce glared over at Daniels, “I see, somethin you can only share with your boyfriend then?”
“The private was enquiring about the naval aviators you and the captain were speaking with Sir.”
“Do you know the answer to that question PFC Emerson?”
“It is not my place to presume Sir.”
“What about you Daniels?” the sergeant said turning his glare, “Do you believe PFC Emerson can answer your question?”
“No Sir,” Daniels mumbled in embarrassment.
“Is that how they trained you to annsa a superia in boot Private?” growled Pierce.
“No Sir!” this time his response was strong, if a bit clipped in tone.
“You’re lucky I don’t bust your ass across this deck,” Pierce lambasted the private nearly spitting in his face. “As things are, you need ta be here ta know what the hell you’re s’posed ta be doin. Now button yer trap and listen ta what Cap’n Butla has ta say!”
“Thank you Gunnery Sergeant,” Butler said clasping his hands behind his back. “You boys know I’m not one to mince words on the details so let’s get this over with. We’ve picked up a distress signal from outpost SD Two Six requesting medical assistance after a pirate raid. No further communications have been successful. It’s possible the transmitter was merely damaged during the raid, but there’s a very real possibility that hostiles may still be in the area. Our job is to provide ground support and sweep the instillation for a medical EVAC shuttle that will be dropping in. Desert camo people, you’ve got two hours before we drop out of superluminal. Oh, and Daniels. The, ‘squids,’ will be flying cover for us. Maybe next time you should keep your mouth shut until you know what to say. Now get your asses in gear they ain’t paying us to sit around!”
A collective grumble emanated from the Platoon. That is until Pierce began shouting, “Move your asses before I move ’em for ya!” It lit a fire under their collective asses and the two hours might as well have been two minutes. Each marine threw themselves into their duties and in no time every last one was geared up and in line for inspection when the Pegasus dropped out of superluminal.
“Hey Sarge,” Daniels boasted to Pierce as the stocky man moved down the line, “is this going to take long? I’ve got a hot date tonight.”
“Wipe that grin off your face Daniels. And I am a gunnery sergeant! This ain’t the army son, you will address me accordingly.”
“Sorry Gunnery Sergeant. Just trying to lighten the mood.”
Pierce paused in his inspection once more getting in Daniels face. “Keep that shit up and I’s might make you sit on the shuttle again. Especially after that crap you pulled in fronna the Cap’n…shit.” Turning, the veteran called, “Emerson, you make sure this pup here don’t get inna no trouble, hear me?”
“Thanks a lot Sarge,” Emerson drawled sarcastically.
“Jest watch that runt!” There was no doubt of a smile on Pierce’s face. As much as he ran the platoon rigidly, he also did it fairly and obviously knew when to call a marine down and when to let something little slide. He made short work of finishing the inspection. Tightening a strap here, exchanging a joke there, he skillfully ensured every marine under him was ready for whatever life threw at them. With a grunt he yelled, “All right sweethearts, get yo asses in that boat. Move it!”
***
Finished with his final flight prep Jeff tried to relax going through his familiar calming exercises. Outside the canopy Pegasus’ flight crew was busy loading his razor into the launch tube. Most of the fighter wing stationed onboard was already maneuvering about the small flotilla establishing a security ring. Their chatter washed over him as he waited on his turn.
“Pegasus tower, Sideshow one five,” a voice crackled over the radio.
“One five go ahead.”
“Guard fighters are in position and we’re ready for the landing ships.”
“Copy one five, please hold for final fighter launch. Be advised that sensor—”
A slight jolt announced Jeff’s razor had been locked into the catapult rail. Flipping through his final checks he soon found himself accelerating down the tunnel. In seconds he was spewed forth from the bowls of the Pegasus’ hull a view of the large gas giant that was Gliese 876 C filling his vision. “Knight one zero one spaceborne,” he announced rolling the craft to enter the defensive traffic around the carrier. Dark and ominous blue green clouds filled the atmosphere of the massive planet and ice fragments reminiscent
of those that surrounded Saturn encircled the devilish looking world.
“Knight, Sideshow,” the radio announced.
“Sideshow, go ahead.”
“You and your wingman will form up on Lander-Two and hold in stationary orbit above target site until the area has been secured.”
“Wait a minute Sideshow,” Jeff argued, “I thought it was agreed Teak and I would be taking the lead here.”
“Sorry Knight. These two have more experience with terrestrial operations.”
“Now that’s a load of crap! Every last one of us has been slugging it out in deep space combat going on three years now.”
“Well now Knight. It’s not your squad so it’s not your call now is it?”
Jeff was silent a moment before sharply biting, “Copy!”
“Very good,” Sideshow sounded a bit smug to Jeff’s ears. “Once Anvil and Crud report it’s safe to land bring Lander-Two down and return to Pegasus. She reports significant interference with sensor arrays and wants as many wings on patrol as she can get.”
“Roger Sideshow,” Jeff suppressed the frustration in his voice. Switching channels he called, “Teak, are you monitoring?”
“Copy Knight. Twiddling our thumbs while the Jarheads have all the fun.” There was no hiding the frustration in his voice. Finessing the craft in position Jeff awaited the eventual launch of the landing shuttles. Knowing it would take the larger craft some time exiting Pegasus he let the cacophony of chatter wash over him, instead focusing his attention on the small moon of Euphrates.
It was a drab clay colored place with sparse spots of color peeking through the mostly clear skies. A band of what looked like lush vegetation striped the moon near the equator. Sadly, it was quite a distance from the target sight. The vast majority of the moon was arid due in part to its atmosphere. Whatever vegetation grew down there thrived on the solar radiation that pummeled the equator. But due to the thin Ozone layer, and a number of other gasses he couldn’t remember, the levels were only acceptable near the poles. To make matters worse for the poor saps stationed there, the ground water supply was tantamount to poison. They needed to rely on strict recycling and filtration of their own stores which due to the environment needed to be replenished as well every three months to counter evaporation.
A fleeting thought of just why this outpost was located here of all places briefly caressed his mind. He’d paid little attention to such topics while in the Academy. Surface infrastructure and spaceport locations where subjects for topographers and engineers. He chuckled, thinking that most likely money had a big hand in things. Flat terrain probably made it easy to build on.
The chuckle jogged something in his memory. Where had he heard the name SD Two Six before? It was quickly swept aside when the HUD alerted him that the shuttles at long last had lumbered from the landing tunnels. Goosing his fighter into position, he formed up with Alan to flank the larger craft.
***
“Captain Butler, we have cleared the tunnel and are commencing planetary approach,” the shuttle pilot announced over the intercom. “Estimate ten minutes to orbital deviation.” The sometimes jerky movements of the craft rattled gear in the cabin as the marines joked with one another awaiting the final decent towards the waiting moon.
“Gunnery Sergeant Pierce,” Private Daniels called out, “what do you think we’re going to find down there?”
“I reckon we’s gonna find a whole lot of nothin,” Pierce grunted. “You know how these outpost types are. Probably pissed themselves when they noticed that ship wasn’t a freighter. Panicked and hit the emergency signal.”
“Deadbeat dock workers,” Corporal Banx spat. “Can’t handle the heat. Rather sit on their asses guarding supplies instead of being useful.”
“Not everybody’s cut out for the front line Banx,” Butler added. “And this way they don’t get in the way.”
“But why out here?” Daniels asked. “I mean. Aren’t there better places to raid?”
“Pirates ain’t stupid,” Pierce said. “And hittin an outpost this far out don’t sound right. But seein as we’s been patrollin the lanes somethin heavy I’m not surprised. They go for the easy game. They know they don’t got much time to scoop up what they can before we’s comin. In and out is their style.”
“What I want to know is why these places are always on some hot dry useless rock?” Wisniewski fingered his fatigues for emphasis.
“Don’t you know anything Wisniewski?” bit Daniels.
“Enlighten me meathead!”
“Knock it off,” Pierce grouched at the two of them. It didn’t stop the playful ribbing from the rest of the platoon. Before long a spirited discussion erupted in the unit, the comments spanning a chasm from amusing to downright insulting. Most of the crew seemed to believe that the only thing they were getting into was an easy drop with a small bit of shore leave on a hot beach.
The jocularity dying down, Daniels looked over at Captain Butler asking, “What do you think Captain?”
“I’m not sure what to think Private,” Butler replied. “The orbital alert should have sounded when we came out of sup-loom. Doesn’t mean short range radio isn’t out too. We’ll know in about twenty minutes.”
“Well in that case wake me when we get there,” Daniels said pretending to yawn. Looking over at Russell he added, “Hey Russell, how about we find a nice quiet corner when we land!”
Scoffing at the remark, the corpsman aimed a rude gesture towards Daniels as a few catcalls and hollers erupted from the platoon. As if to punctuate the moment the shuttle lurched jarring the occupants. “Hold tight ladies,” the pilot announced over the intercom, “we’ve got company and it’s going to be a bumpy ride!”
CHAPTER 17:
AMBUSH
Cruising alongside the landing shuttle Jeff had a spectacular view of the moon far below. As if he had time to appreciate the alien beauty of the practically barren world. His eyes continuously scanned the HUD intent on potential threats while an intermittent signal popped and sizzled over the channel. Adjusting his pitch, he tried to filter out the distortions in his equipment. When he’d radioed Pegasus about it, they assured him it was interference caused by the decaying orbit of the relay satellite. Their scopes were clear. However he attempted to tune the instrument, the debris being shed from it continued to make picking out any signal difficult.
“Knight this is Lander-Two,” the shuttle signaled him.
“Lander-Two go ahead.”
“We’re just about ready to enter stationary orbit, but our scopes are so FUBAR it isn’t funny. Was hoping you had a better picture.”
“That’s a negative Lander-Two. Damn satellite’s clouding the whole image. I’ll bring her up about ten-thousand meters and see if that helps.”
“Copy Knight. We’ll be waiting.”
Jeff moved the razor above the shuttle and began putting distance between himself and the growing field of debris littering the moons orbit. It didn’t seem to help much. Ghost images continued to plague the display. Additionally, the intermittent signal became stronger and began garbling his communications. Curious; he began flipping through frequencies attempting to tune the transmission in. There was something oddly familiar in the popping.
“Teak this is Knight,” Jeff called.
“Knight, go ahead,” Alan’s voice was weak but discernable through the static.
“You know that transmission Pegasus said was interference from the satellite? Son of a bitch is stronger up here.”
“Probably someone downstairs trying to get through to us.”
“Maybe,” Jeff said, more so to himself. Outside the fighter’s canopy, Euphrates was looming before the group. A short distance ahead of the medical shuttle, Lander-One was beginning to adjust for atmospheric entry. The two marines escorting her pitched their razors away to cover the descent. The sensor image in the HUD continued to be a useless mess of ghost contacts. So much for getting a better look.
“Lander-Two this is
Knight, comeback,” he called to the shuttle. The static over the channel was becoming worse. Tuning the radio, he tried again calling, “Lander-Two, Lander-Two, this is Knight, please respond.” No response. There was that popping again on the channel. No longer so random either. Before Jeff had a chance to make additional adjustments the strange transmission materialized for the briefest of instants. A distinct series of quick chirping clicks echoed through his headset terminating in an ominous drawn gurgling growl. Jeff’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could signal a warning the radio erupted in a bedlam.
“What the fuck was that?” Sideshow hollered.
“It came from the rings. Tore the Sable in two!”
“What came from the rings?”
“Shit! Here comes another one!”
Jeff somersaulted his razor in time to see a lance of energy erupt from the icy rings of the nearby gas giant. It was fast and more powerful than anything he’d seen before. The beam ripped through the forward hull of the now all but useless frigate UES Sable before tearing across the upper hull of Pegasus. The carrier was quickly relieved of its main sensor array and multiple communications dishes by the devastating blast. Soon after, a pair of hulking Drac space cruisers emerged from superluminal, the lead ship pounding the remaining frigate with a massive broadside at near point blank range.
“Toads!” someone yelled over the channel. “Fuck, they’re everywhere.” Quickly local space became a bloodbath. The meager remains of Pegasus and her fighter wing desperately fighting to just stay alive. Energy bolts rained down upon Pegasus and spherical fiery gas balls blossomed in the distance.
The whole chain of events spanned a brief few seconds. And then Alan was on the radio screaming, “Lander-Two no!”
Getting his bearings Jeff spun his fighter punching his engines. The medical shuttle had pulled almost twenty meters ahead of Alan quickly overtaking the marine’s ship. The escort fighters covering Lander-One broke off in the confusion chasing down the other shuttle as it hit the atmosphere.
In the Blink of an Eye Page 18
