The Omega Drive

by Nik Whittaker

  The team glanced at each other, Jenkins words resonating with them.

  “Well, as always lets’ take this to a vote,” Dack said. “All in favour say, aye.”

  Across the team, including Vittoria and Jako on the comms, a uniformed ‘aye’ rang out. The thought of having their records cleaned from the past, along with the rewards, was more that enough to persuade them. The request coming directly from Jenkins just tipped the scales further.

  “Well then, I guess you’ve hired us,” Tanner said to Jenkins.

  “Go in, kill the Leader of the Galactic Syndicate, leave as saviours,” Dack boiled it down.

  “Let’s go save the galaxy then,” Tylr slung her rifle in front of them and continued down the tunnel, the others in tow.

  7

  The exit was a hinged wooden hatch. Lyla, inched it up a centimetre, and peered out into the castle.

  “Lyla, what can you see?” Tanner asked.

  Lyla clicked a button on the side of her visor, adjusting the settings to accommodate the new environment.

  “Not much, this place is empty. Some kind of storehouse,” she replied as she scanned the room.

  “No hostiles?” Tylr asked.

  “Nope.”

  “All right then,” Dack said, “if you were a Prime Leader of the Syndicate army, where would you be?”

  They moved in formation, single file, along the side of the room. Lyla taking the lead to direct them.

  “Why would he come here? I mean, surly that’s a risk, regardless of the Alpha being the key to win the war,” Tanner thought out loud.

  “It seems a little odd, but what do we know, maybe he just wants to be here to see it,” Dack replied.

  Lyla held a hand up, signalling to the rest to pause.

  “This is the exit, there’re are two hostiles outside, but other than that, it looks clear,” she informed, using her visor to check heat signatures on the other side of the wall.

  “Ok, form up on the Lyla. Tylr have you got any stealth on you?” Tanner directed.

  “Sure, I guess,” Tylr sighed, they preferred the more violent options.

  “Great, pass some to Dack too. Lyla, breach the door, Tylr and Dack, take the two silently, and I’ll recon for any hostiles further afield. Get ready and on three….” Tanner held up a hand and counted down with his fingers.

  As he got to zero, Lyla swung the door open, revealing the large courtyard. Standing with their backs to them, were two Syndicate Guards.

  Dack and Tylr swung through the doorway, both levelling their rifles at the guards and fired in unison. The silenced bullets thudded silently into the small of their uncovered necks. The bodies dropped to the ground like rag dolls.

  Tanner was right behind them, pulling up a set of digital binoculars, he scanned the area.

  “Anything?” Dack asked, as he and Tylr dragged the two bodies back into the room and out of sight.

  “No, Lyla you getting anything?”

  Lyla had moved next to Tanner, and was scanning the area too.

  “Nah, it’s dead as a dodo here. Where the hell is everyone?” She replied.

  “Jako, you got anything for us from the Azimuth?” Dack asked into the comms.

  “Erm, I can see the whole area of the castle, your location is on the outer section and it looks clear. The castle layout is, erm, a spiral formation. The Syndicate forces are towards the centre.”

  “Guess after the firebomb they aren’t too concerned about the Assembly attacking now,” Dack replied.

  “Where did the dropship land?” Tanner asked.

  “One moment, erm, it looks like a landing site just north of your position.”

  “The Freighter is coming up on radar, it’s orbiting in a holding pattern, until the Leader is ready to leave,” Vittoria said.

  “Right. So let’s head to the shuttle? Rig it to explode when he returns?” Tylr suggested, waving a stick of plastic explosives in their hand.

  “As good a plan as any,” Dack nodded.

  “Agreed, but maybe that should be the backup?” Tanner added. “I want to know what makes this place so special that the Leader is here in person.”

  He scanned the faces of the others, looking for their opinions.

  “It seems a lil’ off, like maybe there’s more t’this than Alpha fuel?”

  “Do we think we can take on the entire Syndicate army?” Dack asked.

  “We go in quiet and stealthy, see what we can see. If there’s something worth taking we move in, if not, we move and evacuate with the dropship rigged already,” Tanner suggested.

  “I like it,” Dack replied.

  “Ok, Lyla and Tylr, you guys head to the shuttle. Prep the bombs to detonate only when the shuttle begins its ascension, we need to be sure the Leader is on board before the explosion triggers. Dack, we’ll head into the belly of the beast,” Tanner laid the plan out.

  “You guys sur’ you’ll be ok,” Lyla asked.

  “Hope so, but you two be ready to evacuate once the bombs rigged, no use us all risking it once the trap is set. Vittoria, what’s the evac situation looking like?” Dack asked.

  “We’ve got the Bullet Rose ready to head down, but it will be a tight fit with all the Assembly ships evacuating from the moon, not to mention the Syndicate forces.”

  “Get the Bullet on its way now then, take it slow and steady on the way down, and have it ready. We’ll stay on comms, but at the first sign of trouble get Tylr and Lyla out of here.” Dack answered.

  “Make it back,” Tylr said to Dack and Tanner.

  They passed all their spare equipment to the others, taking only two rifles, the Alpha pistols, and a supply of stealth ammunition.

  “We will,” Tanner smiled, “after this The Coyotes will be names in the history books, the team that ended the war.

  “Let’s roll,” Dack clasped Tanners shoulder.

  They all nodded, the plan set and ready for action.

  8

  Dack and Tanner checked a digital image of the castle’s topography, which Jako had sent them.

  “So, we can make our way through here, and towards the centre,” Tanner was pointing to a route which took them through several of the inner walls of the spiral and towards the centre.

  “We need to stay low and out of sight, one alarm and the entire Syndicate army will be on to us,” Dack warned.

  “Any ideas for maintaining a low profile?” Tanner asked.

  “I may have one, what size are you?” Dack pointed to the two dead soldiers he and Tylr had shot earlier. Their uniforms looked about the right size for the two Coyotes.

  “Suits you, brings out the Corporate Thug in your eyes,” Tanner commented, once they had changed.

  “Thanks, Syndicate-Black is definitely your colour,” Dack quipped back.

  They set off, keeping the rifles raised and walking in unison to maintain the soldier look.

  *

  Tylr and Lyla had made their way to the landing site, where several shuttles and transport vessels were parked. Huddled behind some cargo crates they scanned the area.

  “Ah can see a handful of troops in the area,” Lyla whispered to Tylr, who was trying to make out figures in the dark moonlight which illuminated the area.

  “Can you see the Leader’s shuttle?” Tylr asked.

  “Looking now,” Lyla had cycled her visor, checking each wavelength for any sign of trouble, along with the shuttle. “Aye, ah think it’s over to the right there.”

  Tylr looked to where Lyla was pointing, giving their eyes time to adjust to the light, or lack thereof.

  Once they’d adjusted, Tylr could see a large shuttle sat in the corner. It had elaborate carved lines for it’s trim, like those you’d see on a wood carving. The lines were a bright gold whilst the shuttle itself, was dark royal red.

  “I think you’re right,” Tylr replied. They would need to get close enough to open the hatches under the shuttle.

  “How many between us and there,” Tylr asked.<
br />
  “Let’s see,” Lyla repositioned to get a better view of the area. “Six, but there’s a few patrolling so, maybe more depending.”

  Tylr checked their bag before pulling out a long rectangular device.

  “Is that what ah think it is?” Lyla took it and examined the metallic slab.

  “Probably,” Tylr said with a grin.

  “Are ya sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Got any better ones?”

  “Nay, you go ahead,” Lyla smiled.

  “Give me updates on the locations while I tag them,” Tylr said.

  “You got it,” Lyla made herself comfortable leaning on the box, her vantage point giving her a view of the area.

  Tylr crept around the crate.

  *

  “So far so good,” Tanner said.

  “We’d make great troopers if we had to,” Dack replied, as he looked around at the troopers they were mingled with.

  Dack and Tanner were deep behind enemy lines. They had got through several layers of the castle before running into any other troopers, but now they were getting close to the centre, it had been impossible to go any other way.

  They had got into formation with a group marching towards the centre, getting into step with the march. The whole area was swarming with soldiers as they reached the centre of the castle where a large door blocked the end of the route. Their comms units were sensitive enough that they could whisper to themselves.

  “This is it,” Tanner whispered.

  The wooden door was several times higher than a door had any right to be, and just as wide. At the foot of it, ten troopers stood in perfect line, blocking its access.

  “They look like... ”

  “Elites,” Tanner finished his sentence.

  The ten troopers were wearing helmets which covered their faces with a black glossy glass. Their armour was more light-weight than that of the regular troops, with cloaks which skimmed the floor. A handle was visible over their shoulders, where a sword was across their backs, the weapon of choice for the Elites. Finally, a patch on their chest, above their heart, depicted two crossed daggers, the emblem of the Syndicate. Enhanced with a crosshair, overlaying the daggers, making it Elite’s own personal emblem, finished the look.

  “I think this is about more than Alpha,” Tanner said.

  “We’ve not even seen any Alpha, if that was the main aim here, there’d be transports gathering the stuff for shipment,” Dack agreed,

  A movement behind them made them turn. The marching line they’d been a part of had halted, waiting for orders. Now it seemed they would get them as a commander strode alongside them all.

  “Troopers!” The Commander yelled. “We will evacuate the moon soon, you are free until that time. Be ready when the call comes.”

  With that, Dack and Tanner scattered, moving closer to the door.

  “We need to get inside,” Dack whispered.

  They began to walk around the area, being as inconspicuous as they could.

  The door led to a descending wall, which disappeared into the ground behind it.

  “It must be a ramp, or stairs leading downwards,” Tanner analysed.

  “A crypt, or storage house of some kind?”

  “Perhaps, can you see any other entrances?”

  “Nothing, it’s solid all around other than the door,” they had completed a full circle.

  Around them, many other soldiers were also walking around, or sitting waiting for evacuation.

  “We need a distraction, something to get them away from the doors,” Tanner said.

  “It must be something big, there’s enough troopers here to start a war,” Dack joked.

  They moved closer to the Elites, as close as they dared, trying to see if there was anything they could use.

  Suddenly, the doors began to open, a low creaking noise filled the air as they pulled apart. As the small space in the centre opened a man emerged, flanked by two more Elites. He had the look of a man who had seen war, but he wasn’t old. His suit of armour was similar to that of the Elites, but with less protection, and no helmet. His cloak was a dark red, distinguishing him. In his hands he held a small book, it look old but well intact.

  As he approached, the remaining Elites began to circle, forming a protective perimeter around him.

  “It is time to leave,” the Prime Leader said. Within seconds the area became a buzz of activity. The troopers gathering their things and forming into squads.

  Dack and Tanner looked around, the doors were now unguarded.

  “What do you think? We could have a quick peek?” Tanner suggested.

  “It’d be rude not to, the others are setting the bombs, anything we can salvage from here will be a bonus,” Dack agreed, they were already halfway through the door.

  9

  Tylr had made their way around the shipyard, keeping hidden behind the crates and ships in the area. Lyla had kept them up to date on the positions of the guards, guiding them.

  Tylr approached the last one, their footsteps almost silent as they placed each step. A glance back to Lyla confirmed the coast was clear. Tylr reached forwards and threw the last metal disc towards the guard. It attached to the small of his back with a minimal force.

  All the soldiers were now tagged with similar discs.

  “Ready?” They whispered to the Lyla.

  “Ready,” Lyla replied.

  “Hit it.”

  Lyla pressed a button on the metal slab she held, a moment later all six of the guards froze as a bolt of electricity shot through their bodies. Delivered by the dots, the power of the electric surge was enough to take down a large animal, on the solider it was instantaneous. A moment later they had all collapsed to the ground.

  “They’ll be out o’ it for around five minutes, we need t’move fast,” Lyla said, running to join up with Tylr.

  Moving fast they headed for the Royal Shuttle, and go to work prepping the bomb.

  “Just a heads up,” Dack’s voice came up on the comms. “You will probably have some company soon, they army is evacuating.”

  “Shit!” Tylr cursed.

  The two of them double the speed of their efforts.

  *

  Dack and Tanner had made their way into what had turned out to be a crypt. A ramp leading from the door, descended into a large cavity which housed many tombs and other graves along its walls. The smell of damp and decay filled their nostrils.

  “What could the Leader want in here?” Tanner said.

  The path of the ramp was lit with several illuminating beacons, left by the Syndicate when they first arrived.

  “Look,” Dack pointed where an abundance of light had illuminated a small tomb which had was open.

  The tomb itself did not differ from the surrounding ones, cold stone and cobwebs.

  “Here lies the past, for the future cannot be told,” Tanner read the inscription on the lid of the tomb.

  “No name, just the words,” Dack said, peering into the darkness of the opened grave. He picked up a beacon and using it, illuminated the inside.

  Something caught his eye, a small square of metal.

  “What you got?” Tanner asked.

  “Not sure, looks like a buckle or something,” he examined it in the light. It had engravings on each side. They resembled a solar system, but it didn’t seem to match their own.

  An explosion rocked the crypt.

  “What the hell was that?” Tanner opened the comms to all the Coyotes.

  “Shit, shit, shit, shit!” Vittoria’s voice screamed through the comms.

  “What t’hells going on!” Lyla’s voice shouted out.

  “Coyotes, get the hell out of there!” Jenkins’ shouted.

  Dack and Tanner ran as fast as they could out of the crypt and out into the courtyard.

  Steams of light were flying towards the surface, explosions as each trail reached the ground.

  “It’s a fucking orbital strike!” Dack shouted.

  “
Vittoria, tell me our evac is close by!”

  “I’m coming in hot Tanner, but it’s a damn minefield out here,” she replied.

  “Tylr, what’s your status?”

  *

  At the shipyard they had finished arming the bomb on the shuttle, and had taken cover as the Syndicate army had began arriving.

  “We’re ok, but I have a feeling this whole area could go up any minute now,” Tylr said.

  A missile landed in the middle of the shipyard, causing one of the ships to explode. The fireball engulfed several of the Syndicate soldiers, their screams echoed around them.

  “Get out of there! Lyla where do you need us?” Dack shouted over the sounds of the missiles.

  “There’s a clearing in the castle a few clicks north, it seems to have fewer strikes heading to it. I think the Assembly are aiming for the shipyard and the centre of the castle,” Vittoria replied.

  Lyla and Tylr ran towards the northern area when they heard another missile incoming. Glancing behind they saw it strike, the Royal Shuttle went up in a massive explosion as it triggered their own bomb along with the missiles’ detonation.

  “Fuck!” Lyla shouted. “The strike just took out our trap.”

  “Goddamn it! What’s going on?” Dack demanded to know.

  “I’m sorry Coyotes, the Council wouldn’t listen to me,” Jenkins was on the comms again. “They saw the Leader leaving the crypt on satellite imagery and authorised the air strike. They didn’t want him leaving the moon, I tried to argue, but they were insistent.” He sounded truly sorry.

  “We can talk later, for now we need to get out of here,” Tanner shouted as another explosion took out half the wall in-front of him and Dack.

  They were running north now, heading towards the evac point, when a shot ricocheted on the wall beside Dacks’ head.

  “What the hell!”

  He ducked, falling to the ground from the momentum of his run. Scrambling he turned to look behind and saw five Elites marching towards them, the Leader stood beside them.

  “I assume we have you to thank for this?” The Leader said, stepping towards them.

  “Hey, we’re in as much danger as you here,” Tanner helped Dack to his feet.

  “True, I think the Assembly are determined to stop me at any cost,” the Leader smiled. “Regardless I think you need to make sure you are on the right side in this.”