by K. A. Kerr
“Why did the doctor pass me? I could have killed him.” Tarik asked anyone who could answer him.
“The doctor only administers the test. The ship computer scores you.” Goddess’s voice came out from the crowd.
Razor screeched out for the attention of the room. “To the pup who found his way to the kill. His stomach is full tonight!” He held up his glass in a toast. Everyone drank even if they didn’t know what the hell the Gorrex had just said.
Tarik sat down to get his mind around all of this. The self righteous prick of a doctor had nothing to do with his scores. He’d blamed Lamb for his crap scores before, not realizing that it was all being done live. All of his frustrations should have been directed at the ship's computer. His head swirled with the possibilities and hypotheticals.
Daze took a seat next to him. The party carried on like as it was before he entered.
“Congratulations, I know you worked real hard for this.” Daze said.
“Thank you. I think I’m still trying to figure out how I passed.”
Daze giggled in her cute little girl way. “I can’t stay long. I’ve got repair work to do.”
“I understand. Thank you for coming, it means a lot to have you here for me.”
Daze kissed his forehead and walked out of the room.
After a few more drinks Tarik loosened up. The party toasted to him more times than he could remember. He remembered dancing with Goddess and seeing who could jump from the floor to the table. He sent Daze a message but what it said he had no idea. He wrestled two of the pilots at once. He showed off some of his martial arts moves. Why he did any of these things he couldn't say.
The next morning he woke up in his bunk half undressed. His head pounded and he smelled like he had taken a bath in a vat of whisky. When he sat up he felt like he was going to throw up.
Tarik made his way to the showers not even bothering to pull his jumpsuit up over his shoulders. He had to turn off his EPS completely because the bright orange made him want to vomit. He passed Daze who had a panel removed from the wall. She gave him a look like he'd been beaten up by her father again. Tarik hoped that hadn't happened because he couldn't remember it.
“Get a little too crazy yesterday?” She asked.
Tarik looked down at himself and realized he had only one boot on.
“Yeah I think so.”
“Too bad I missed it. Very interesting message you sent me.” She put heavy emphasis on ‘very’.
“Yeah, I uhh… I'm not sure what I said.”
Daze laughed at him. “Don't worry about it big guy. Go get your shower. From what you told me you are very dirty.” She winked after the last part.
Tarik thought he should say something else but it hurt to think. He just nodded and shuffled off to the showers.
As much as the sight of Goddess nude normally cheered him up he was glad she wasn't here to see him in this state. Tarik sat down on the floor of the shower stall and tried his best not to be sick. He wanted to know if he had done anything especially embarrassing last night but he also really didn't want to know if he had. He only had a few bathrooms to clean today so he went back to his room to sleep for a few more hours.
12 - To Native lands
* * *
Over the next few days things had gone mostly back to normal. Tarik spent his days running with the pilots and cleaning bathrooms. He would weightlift with Scout Three and listen to Daze tell crazy stories at meals. Daze still teased him about the message he sent, the worst part was she wouldn't tell him what he said. Tarik started going to the range with Mange to learn about long distance shots. Goddess still did her strange sniff thing when she passed him but he was learning to ignore it. Bink still hadn't talked to him but he also wasn't openly hostile. Rumors were floating around that they would be on the new contract shortly.
Tarik had finished cleaning his third bathroom of the day and was headed to midday meal when a meeting notice showed up in his log. He finished midday meal and hung around the Dome waiting for the meeting to start.
The crew filed into the Dome and Tarik watched some of the interactions. Most of the support team ignored Machine. Daze was just about always the center of attention within their group. The bridge crew kept to themselves; nobody seemed to be a leader there. Now that he could tell the pilots apart Fighter One was the leader. The new Fighter Two was quickly adapting to the new group.
On the combat team; Games, Tricky and Scipio were pretty much inseparable. Razor was a loner, which was strange for a pack species. Lamb had a true friend in Dav but was friendly with everyone. Mange and Goddess were close friends but they welcomed Tarik into their group. Mange had become his closest ally with only Scout Three being the exception. Goddess had really started to respect Tarik and his abilities. She still sniffed the air around him for unknown reasons but everyone had strange habits he supposed.
Dav stormed into the room ready to start the meeting. The room got to their feet in respect. He got to his normal place standing on top of the raised center table. The smart screens came down from the ceiling.
“Alight, sit down.” Dav addressed the room. “We got ourselves a recovery mission. This one has multiple ways to get fucked up so listen up.”
The smart screens showed the plain logo of Sentient Search. Simple blue letters with a green shadow. Just about everyone knew about them. They operated on corporate grants to search for species which may make it to the stars someday. The company sought to document the strengths and weaknesses of rising species. The conspiracy surrounding them was that some of the species they designated as non intelligent which then allowed them to be used as beast of burden. The funny thing was that most of those species were sent to mining and manufacturing worlds where slavery was legal. If it turned out they had made a mistake it wouldn't matter because they were in an area where they could be forced to work anyway.
“Sentient Search had a team on the fourth planet of Golf Six Tango Nine Five. I say had because the species they were observing went fucking bonkers and organized a war against them. They were getting ready for extraction when a Kami scout ship was picked up in the system.”
Tarik heard curses muttered throughout the room.
“My thoughts exactly. The science team bugged out before they secured all of their gear. One of the cargo pods dropped off the ship and scattered in a two mile line of debris.”
The video showed a jungle with a line of trash slashing across it. Five red circles highlighted different pieces of trash.
“Starting from the bottom we need to recover an optical cube. Move up a hundred yards and get another cube. Move up fifty yards and grab the orbital linking dish. Move up one mile and get the terrestrial plotter. Then fifty yards up from that for the last optical cube.”
The screens changed to show a cube that was eighteen inches on all sides, the plotter which was two feet long and six inches wide and then the dish which was a two foot circular shape.
“All of these items are a must for contract completion. The species being observed are called ‘Drigmas’ and they are very hostile.”
The video showed an ape like creature that stood at five feet when on its hind legs. The alpha males topped out at four hundred pounds. The face was close to human but it had horns that came from the corners of its eyes that curled around to points in front of its face. The creature could leap up ten feet and move through the trees like a fish in water.
“These fucking things are organized into tribes. Where we need to put down is right on the border of two warring tribes. If it weren't for the fucking Kami out there looking around I would say we wait until after they fight and move in while they are weaker but we just don't have that kind of time. So here is the breakdown of how this needs to happen.
“Bridge team I want full shields and eyes on every patch of space around us.
“Support load up the fighters for space battle. Machine keep the ground force load outs light. We need ground teams built for speed.
&n
bsp; “Pilots I am reassigning Drop Three as Scout Four temporarily. Drop Two will move to Fighter Three. Scouts need to give me eyes on the four corners. Fighters circle the Beetle and be ready to charge in.
“Combat, Drop One will insert Mange on the plateau overlooking the first three packages. Drop One will then swing up and drop off Razor, Lamb, Games and tricky at the first package site. You four will secure the first three packages and wait for pick up at this small clearing.”
The video showed a space no more than a few dozen feet across.
“Drop One will then put Monster on this plateau to watch over the second group. Scipio and Goddess you are my fastest sprinters so you should be able to grab these items and make it back to the base of the plateau quickly.
“Monster and Mange are two of the best sets of eyes ever purchased. The jungle is going to be a bitch for spotting, but go thermal and call out any hostile groups. Try to avoid them if possible but if it comes down to it take down anything that comes too close. We don't have any indication that these fucking things can climb the plateau so you boys should be safe up there. Just in case things get fucked, Daze will be in one of the left over drop ships ready for rescue. Fighter teams are needed by the Beetle but they could possibly peel off to make a quick gun run.
“Bridge team, questions?”
A young human woman stood up. “How and when was the Kami ship spotted?”
“Ship was spotted when moving in to extract the science team. It was a visual confirmation or so I have been told. What that ship means I have no fucking idea. Next?”
After a few seconds of silence Dav moved on.
“Support, do you have any questions?”
“Should we put the ship on lockdown?” Daze asked.
“Not until we spot a true threat. I'm hoping the Kami were just peeking and haven't committed anything to the system. Next?”
“Am I calling the game?” Bink asked.
Dav looked him over. “I was going to do it but if you feel you are up to it I will let you have the ball.”
“I can get it done Dav.”
“Good shit. You're in control calling the shots. Flight do you have questions?”
No one from flight stood up.
“Combat, do you have questions?”
Tarik stood up. “What weapons do the natives have?”
“Mostly sticks and rocks. Next?”
“What's the range to the camps of the natives?”
“That we do not know. Anything else?”
Tarik could ask questions all day long but let it go at that.
“Alright we drop into the membrane in five hours. Get your game plans together and good hunting everyone.”
Dav walked over to Tarik instead of just walking out of the room. The teams all congregated together forming their plans of action. Tarik peel off of the Combat team to see what Dav wanted.
“Tarik, I’m putting you alone on the lower plateau covering the smaller ground team. I need you to understand that you need to be the monster out there. Can you do that?”
“I can sir.”
“Stay sharp down there, do not take on the world by yourself just cover your team. Do you got it?”
“I understand.”
“Good.” Dav said and walked over to the bridge team.
Tarik turned back to the combat team to listen to the plan Lamb had come up with.
“Tarik you missed this part but I’m going to have you setup a directed explosive behind you in case those native apes and can get up to you. We cannot risk you being distracted while spotting for the small group. If they come at you in force rappel down to the base early and let Goddess and Scipio help you out.” Lamb said.
The team then broke off into their smaller groups. Tarik, Goddess and Scipio discussed contingency plans and triggers. They talked about Tarik possibly using his rappel gear to fire from the middle of the plateau. That idea failed because it would have limited his field of view and it could have put off the timing. Instead they decided that if his charge went off he would drop down and take a position until he knew the force of the natives.
When everyone thought that they had a good handle on the contract they went off to prep. Tarik had a fairly easy assignment as far as he was concerned. Sit on a rock and look for bad things. If bad things came for his team, he was to shoot the bad things. He still had three hours until he needed to be loaded up so he went to the gym.
By the time Tarik got back to his room his loadout had already been hanging from the wall. He inspected his gear. The chest armor was light and breathable, it had slots for additional batteries and mag logs for his Kami rifle. The breather was to fit over his nose and mouth only and would not be an obstacle for him to get to his scope. The rappel equipment was simple enough, some clips, a Swiss seat, and a hand brake. He had a tough but light helmet in case rocks fell from the plateau when he was rappelling. He was provided one directed explosive with a proximity sensor and four hand explosives which could clip onto his armor. His Kami rifle had a fully charged battery with three spares. The sniper rifle was a standard projectile rifle with an extendable stock and barrel. Tarik put his equipment on and tested his flexibility, when he was satisfied that nothing would hinder his movement he set off to the drop ship.
Tarik was the first one to arrive at the drop ship. The pilot was still outside doing checks with one of the mechanics. He knew he was one of the last to drop so he took a seat closest to the cockpit and checked over his gear again.
Razor arrived next, the Gorrex looked more like he was wearing saddle bags than armor. He had twin blasters that he could fire with his forearms. The Gorrex anatomy would not allow him to sight his shots but as a species they did a great job of hip firing. Razor nodded to Tarik as he came in, approving of Tarik’s multiple equipment checks.
Games, Tricky and Scipio arrived in a group; just as expected. The trio had light loadouts, designed mostly for the speed at which they needed to run. The first recovery team had worked out that after Mange was dropped Games and Tricky would be dropped at the first package. Lamb and Razor who were slower but had more experience would be dropped at the last package. When Games and Tricky secured the first two packages they would meet at the third site then move to the clearing as a group.
Goddess, Mange and Lamb came in last and took their places according to the drop order. Goddess sat across from him and stared at him for a few minutes. When she finally smiled, Tarik gave her a wink. The second recovery team had a much simpler plan. Tarik would set up on the rock. Goddess and Scipio would be dropped at the furthest package site then move in towards him. Speed was their primary advantage and they planned on using it.
The pilot took his place and warmed up the drop ship. The combat team was silent, some of them had their eyes closed, and some mouthed prayers to whatever gods they worshipped. By the time the Beetle dropped into the originating membrane the teams were all locked into place and ready for business.
The drop ship was last in line and was to hold its place until the scouting party had given an all clear. Tarik left the flight command channel off to keep his focus on his own task. After a few minutes the drop ship rocketed out of the Beetle and banked to the left. The humid air above the target area caused the drop ship to sway side to side.
The ship paused and the door opened. Through the opening Tarik could see a flat space with a few deep red rocks. Mange stood at the doorway and gave a wave as he jumped to the ground.
“Control, Mange here. I’m getting set up now.” Mange informed Bink.
“Copy that Mange. Games and Tricky get ready for drop.” Bink called out over the radio.
Games and Tricky moved to the doorway. The colors from the door changed from the red stone to the jungle green, an occasional blue branch stuck out. The drop ship paused and the duo jumped to a tree below them.
“Control, Games and Tricky are moving to package one.” Games said.
“Copy that. Lamb and Razor get ready for drop.”
> Lamb and Razor took their places at the door. The jungle outside moved more like green water and then froze again. Lamb jumped first his arms extended to catch himself. Razor followed with the claws of his back legs opening and closing rapidly.
“Control, Lamb and Razor enroute to package three.” Lamb said.
“Control copies.” Bink swallowed hard then continued. “Monster, get ready for drop.”
Tarik stood and moved to the door. He looked back at Scipio and Goddess who were both watching him. He looked out the door and saw the jungle moving rapidly below him. The drop ship turned one hundred and eighty degrees and put Tarik face to face with the red rocky surface of the plateau. Tarik heard a beep in his ears and jumped to his plateau. He rushed forward and set up the explosive before calling back to control.
“Control, Monster is set up.” Tarik said.
“Control copies. Goddess and Scipio get ready for final drop.”
Tarik watched as the drop ship sped away from him. He extended the barrel of his rifle and turned on his thermal vision. As the drop ship went to the point where package four was located he saw two dark figures drop out of the back and the Drop Ship moved up far above them.
“Control, Scipio and Goddess are moving to secure package four.” Scipio said.
“Mange here I have a small party of five natives moving to package one.”
“Control copies both. What is the status of package one?”
“Package one has been secured and we are moving to package two.”
“Understood keep moving.” Bink said.
Tarik spotted a single native by Goddess and Scipio. He turned up the sensitivity of his EPS unit.
“Control, this is Monster. I’ve got a single native by package four.”
“Copy that Monster, what's the status of package four?” Bink asked.
“Package four is caught up in a tree, we are still trying to secure.” Scipio responded.
The single native Tarik had spotted jumped through the trees moving away from Goddess and Scipio.
