Meeting in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 3)

by D Patrick Wagner

  “I hope they don’t come up with something that makes Heimdallr have some sort of giant zit.”

  “You know they will, Brooksy. Those two seemed to know their stuff.”

  “Yeah. Just wishing, Cap.”

  “Maybe we can volunteer. Go scout Corrinar.”

  “Won’t work, Toast. You saw Number Three. He has his back up. Won’t listen. We’re stuck.”

  “Since we’re stuck, how about you getting us passes so that we can see this Gregor Shipyard?”

  “Every once in a while you get a good idea, Brooksy.”

  “A complement, Toast? Really?”

  “Yeah. That’s your quota for the month.”

  “It is a good idea, Brooksy. I’ll call Captain Brewer. He’ll give us some.”

  Trotzig

  “This is what we are aiming for.” Brandt Minerals’ Operations manager pointed to the holograph of the projected cavern completion.

  Evert Keller worked his tablet. A portion of the holographic cavern turned dark.

  “This is what we have left. As you can see, it’s taken us just over three weeks to get half-way into the second phase. So I project another four to five.”

  Evert put his hand to his ear and listened.

  “My people have found something. Some sort of tunnel. I need to go. Wish to come?’

  Harriet looked at her father’s Chief operations Officer. “Sean, we can get a good on-site look.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  The three exited the command van, climbed into a utility vehicle and headed to the giant cavern dug into the mountain in back of their new town. Upon arriving, they drove up the wide ramp, entered through the massive doors and arrived at the back of the second phase. The three saw a man in full mining gear standing there, energy apparent as he waited to deliver his news.

  “What have we got, Telly?” Keller asked through his com gear as he climbed out.

  “A tunnel. Artificial. Nothing natural.”

  “Get us some helmets. Let’s take a look.”

  By now Harriet and Sean had exited the vehicle. Keller’s Mining Foreman raced to a digger, opened a locker, grabbed three helmets and returned. Pulling on the helmets, all relaxed, relieved from the bludgeoning noise.”

  “This way, Mr. Keller.”

  Telly led them almost to the back wall, turned right and stopped in front of a pile of rubble.

  “As soon as we hit air, we pulled everything back. I took a quick look and called you.”

  Evert stuck his head into the tunnel, looked both ways and withdrew.

  ‘We need surveyor drones.”

  “We’ve got some, Evert. But they are used in open spaces. Their signals won’t penetrate all this rock.”

  “Thanks, Harriet. We can use them. Scout a little. Have a team follow. That should work.”

  “Let me get them. How many?”

  “Two should do. Can we daisy-chain them? Have them transfer signals?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll get an operator, too.”

  Evert walked into the tunnel and again looked both ways.

  “It slopes up and down. If it’s straight, up towards the peak and down, somewhere. Walkable. Telly. Get us a small cart. I think the tunnel is big enough.”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Keller.”

  Telly dashed away and returned, driving a small mining cart. A passenger holding a large, metal briefcase sat beside him. The passenger and Telly climbed out.

  “Hi. I’m Lanzo. You said you needed some survey work?”

  “Yes, Lanzo. I’m Evert. Evert Keller. Brandt Minerals. Harriet Gregor, Sean miller, Telly Grimes.” Brandt’s COO pointed to each one as he named them.

  “We want to survey that tunnel.” Evert pointed to the hole in the cavern wall.

  “Our surveyor drones aren’t designed to communicate through rock. So we can’t go outside of the line of sight.”

  “From what I saw, the tunnel is pretty straight. Let’s give it a try.”

  “Ok, Mr. Keller.”

  Lanzo lugged his case into the tunnel, flipped down four legs and turned it into a table. Opening it up, everyone saw five drones nestled in their shock-absorbent compartments. Pulling one out, he closed the case, set the drone on the ground and put his tablet on the make-shift table. Pushing some icons, Lanzo watched his drone rise.

  “Ready.”

  “Harriet. Any preferences?”

  “Let’s go up first. A good test run.”

  “Lanzo. You heard the boss. Up.”

  Lanzo worked the controls and sent the drone up the tunnel. Everyone stood around the screen, craning to get a look at what the drone saw. They saw periodic openings on either side of the tunnel as the drone flew straight. It reached then end.

  “How far out is it, Lanzo?”

  “About a kilometer, Mz. Gregor.”

  “What’s that, at the end?”

  “Looks like some sort of hatch. Looks mechanical. I don’t see any obvious electronics.”

  “That’s our first target, then. We may need some enhanced people.”

  “I’m enhanced, Mr. Keller. And unbricked. Also, full reservoirs. There’s more miners unbricked. Want me to get some?”

  “How many are there, Telly?”

  “Quite a few, Mz. Gregor. A lot of us are ex-military. Engineering corps. Mz. Brandt recruited us. Sharp lady.”

  “Yes she is, Telly. Get us three more. Have them bring some bracing gear. Survival, too.”

  “Yes, sir. I know just the ones.” Telly took a look into the tunnel, as though measuring it. “Yeah. He’ll fit.”

  Telly mumbled into his mic. Shortly three muscular men arrived. All carried backpacks of gear too large and too heavy for a normal person to carry. One towered over the other two. He stood a head taller, with wider shoulders, bigger arms and thicker legs. His pack matched the combined sizes of the other two.

  “Bernie, Hagen. The big one’s Merle.”

  “I see you brought the gear. Lanzo, do you have any cameras in that box?”

  “Yes, sir.” Lanzo stuck his tablet back in its pocket, flipped open the case and removed two cameras from the inside of the lid.

  “Helmet mounts. You clip them just under the light.”

  He handed the cameras to Evert and Telly then watched them clip the cameras to their helmets. Flipping a switch on each camera, Lanzo pulled out his tablet, tapped some icons and the screen came to life, two new windows displaying different angles of the group.

  “You’re all set, Mr. Keller.”

  “Thank you, Lanzo.”

  “I should send a drone with you. That way we can get a jump on the mapping. With its GPS and scanners, I can record a pretty good map of this cave system.”

  “Excellent idea, Lanzo. Do it.”

  Lanzo went through the steps of removing and activating the second drone.

  “Harriet, Sean. Do you want to stay here? You can monitor the drone, see what’s going on.”

  “Hiking around in tunnels under tons of mountain isn’t my thing. You five go. See if you can get the hatch, or door, or whatever that is, opened.”

  “You heard the boss.” Keller flipped on his headlamp and led his subordinates up the tunnel.

  It took an hour to cover the kilometer. The five miners kept encountering openings leading to smaller caverns. They would stop, one with a camera would step in and scan the room. Lanzo would set a drone on automatic pilot and follow in. the drone would do a three-sixty, recording everything, and withdraw back to the tunnel and line of sight.

  During their search and trek, all the five found were empty, uniform rooms.

  They reached the door. Harriet and Sean watched. Lanzo worked the drone, bringing it alongside the one already there.

  “Telly, what do you think?”

  “I think we brace before we try anything, Mr. Keller. If you would step back, me and the team will get started.”

  Evert stepped out of the way. In record time, the four enhanced miners pulled heav
y metal spanners from their monstrous packs. Building an erector set of telescoping supports and cross-supported beams, the four constructed a short latticework pressing against the tunnel walls and curved ceiling while snugging up to the hatch.

  “Let’s see what we’ve got.”

  The four miners stepped aside to let their boss get to the strange door.

  “Lanzo, are you still seeing this?”

  One of the drones waggled.

  “You were right. It’s mechanical. Looks like latches meant to keep it buttoned up.”

  Evert rolled his shoulders, grabbed one of the latches and grunted as he tried to release it from its notch. Nothing moved. He tried again. Again, no result.

  “Ok. I’ve been out of the mines too long. Telly, show me how it’s done.”

  “Not a problem, Mr. Keller. Merle, now you know why you’re here.”

  The giant of a man stepped up, seemed to hold a trance for a moment, reached out with two hands and rotated the first latch as easily as one would rotate a door knob.

  “Muscle juice, Mr. Keller. The Gregors and their scientists did right by us.”

  “Good. We’re going to need it. The other five, if you would, Merle.”

  Merle unlocked the other latches, grabbed an obvious handle and pulled. The door remained closed. Stopping for a moment, he shook his arms, braced his stance, grabbed hold and, with a deep growl, pulled. At first nothing happened. Then the door gave an inch. Then a foot. Releasing his hold and grabbing the lip, Merle again braced and pulled. It moved more. Getting inside, he pushed the screeching door fully open.

  “If we’re going to use that, we need some oil and maintenance.”

  “I’ll have one of the boys get on it, straight away, sir.”

  “Good lad. Let’s see what we’ve got.”

  A wall of dirt blocked their path.

  “Gentlemen?”

  “Bernie, Hagen. You’re up. Dig.”

  The two miners unstrapped pickaxes and shovels from their packs, stepped forward and started swinging and shoveling. Shortly a hole formed with the afternoon sun shining through. The two stepped back.

  “Don’t quit now. Finish it.”

  With the top boss watching neither fired a remark at their foreman. They stepped back into it and soon had the hatch entirely cleared, up to and including a short walkway of some sort of metal.”

  Stepping back, everyone moved aside. Keller stepped onto the platform, followed by a drone.

  “Harriet, Sean. We have an exit. We’re above Trotzig. Just north. That’s all we’ve got. Just an exit. Great view, though.”

  Harriet, Sean and Lanzo saw the view through the drone.

  “We’re coming back. We’ll leave the support. Won’t hurt.”

  The one hour trip up took just ten minutes back. Evert was the only one winded, as he was the only one not enhanced. The others didn’t look like they had just hiked two kilometers, built scaffolding, pried open a door and shoveled a wall of dirt and rock. Except for their dirty fatigues, they looked as fresh as when they first arrived.

  “Let’s call it a day. You know mining. Caving?”

  “Yes. We’ve all caved at one time or another.”

  “Then, Evert, would you put together a team? Tomorrow, we go down.”

  “I think we’ve got our team, Mz. Gregor.

  “What about security? Should we bring militia?”

  “Telly. You four were in the Engineering corps. Are you weapons trained?”

  “It’s been a while, but, I was. Personal arms, rifle, pistol. You guys?”

  “The three other miners all responded as the same.”

  “Ok. Requisition some weapons. Whatever makes you comfortable. We meet here tomorrow morning. Early? Six?”

  “Make it seven. It takes an hour to get from the Roth ranch.”

  “Seven it is.”

  Oishi Scout Team

  One hour of rest. A night of running. Sunrise. Taketa and Juro reached the river. Sitting on rocks, Taketa again pulled out his tablet and controlled his drone to check the surrounding area.

  “We have time. But the aliens have brought in ground vehicles. It seems they understand that their drones are no good with us using our chameleon suits. They’re covering more ground now.”

  “How soon before they track us to here?”

  “We have time. Let’s go.”

  The two headed up river, attempting to hide their passing, but leaving small indications of their direction. For an hour they hiked. Finding a spot where it seemed feasible to cross, they donned their wetsuits and breathing gear.

  “Coms check.”

  “I can hear you loud and clear, Sousui.”

  “The waterfall is only ten, twelve meters. The pool is deep we should have no problem.”

  “Are you bolstering your courage or mine, Sousui?”

  “Funny, Mappai. Unlike you, I am not a fish.”

  “Shall I lead?”

  “It’s water. Of course you lead.”

  The two entered the water, submerged and began swimming downstream. Slowly kicking with their oversized flippers, the two Nightshades made good, effortless time. The hour upstream took only a third of that time to return to their original spot. They kept kicking. Another thirty minutes of silent swimming passed. The current picked up.

  “According to the GPS, we are approximately one hundred meters from the falls.”

  Picking up Taketa’s pronouncement in his mask, Juro responded, “Feet first, Sousui.”

  “I remember, Mappai. Thank you for the reminder.”

  With legs straight, feet locked together and arms forming an ex on his chest, Juro prepared to lead his leader over the falls. The rush of the current threw Juro out and over. A cross-break twisted Juro and changed his angle. The result caused his foot to be caught up in the fall’s spray and he cartwheeled. After multiple spins, at the base of the falls, Juro struck a boulder, shoulder first. Juro’s screaming growl notified Taketa of Juro’s plight.

  Taketa had, as planned, followed Juro, but just to his left. Taketa missed the cross-break. His fall went according to plan. Hitting the pool feet first, he rocketed into the water, splayed his legs and arms then kicked to the surface. Frantically searching, he saw Juro’s bobbing head and fiercely swam to his wounded teammate.

  “Juro!”

  “I’m fine, Sousui,” Juro gritted through clenched teeth.

  “Can you swim?”

  “Shoulder isn’t working. But, yes, I can swim.”

  “Breather functioning?”

  “Yes, Sousui.”

  “Make for the bank. I am going to scout the falls.”

  “Hai.”

  As Juro headed for the bank, Taketa headed for the falls. Diving deep to avoid the wash from the falling water, the Nightshade leader approached the underwater cliff. Swimming up its face, he broke surface and scanned the area. He found a ledge. After pulling off his flippers, he climbed the two meters and pulled himself over the edge. Inspecting his surroundings, he found a small cave behind the falls, well hidden and, except for the constant mist at its opening, fairly dry.

  “Juro, status.”

  “Area clear. No hostiles in sight.”

  “Your status.”

  “Currently concealed between two boulders. All gear and weapons intact. Shoulder, dislocated. wrist, possibly broken.”

  “Gods! I found a hide. Stay put. It requires a climb. I’m coming to get you.”

  Taketa dropped his own gear and weapons. Pulling climbing gear from his pack, he drove two pitons into the cavern floor. Using his climbing rope, he constructed a makeshift ladder, tied it off and threw the end over the side. With a jerk on each line, he climbed down, bouncing on each loop, insuring its safety. Once in the water, he pulled on his mask and sank, kicking hard to reach his injured teammate and friend.

  Spotting Juro nestled between two rocks, pistol drawn, Taketa swam over, pulled off his mask and critically eyed his wounded companion.

 
“Yes. Dislocated. Your left shoulder has definitely dropped. I can pop that back in. Can you swim?”

  All Taketa received for his question was a look. Juro holstered his weapon in its water-tight holster, adjusted his face mask and followed his Sousui back to the cave. Juro climbed first, using the loops for support and one-handing it for balance. Taketa followed, ready to catch Juro if any missteps occurred. Juro reached the cave floor, pulled himself over and cleared the way. Taketa followed.

  “Here. I’ll help you get out of your wetsuit.”

  Working slowly, Taketa helped Juro struggle out of his wetsuit and shed his pack and gear. Juro took a comfortable position, legs crossed, hands on his thighs, knowing what was to come. Taketa first felt down Juro’s left forearm.

  “Yes. The ulna is Broken. Midpoint. Easily splinted. Ready?”

  “Hai, Sousui.”

  Taketa knelt behind Juro, wrapped an arm around Juro’s upper arm, pressed on Juro’s shoulder and jerked. The grinding pop and Juro’s growl of pain echoed around the cave.

  Gingerly rolling his shoulder, Juro pronounced, “Good.”

  Juro painfully pulled up his chameleon sleeve, exposing a slightly deformed forearm. Taketa pulled a sleeve from the medical bag and helped Juro slide it over the broken limb.

  “Ready?”

  “Hai, Sousui.”

  Taketa struck the break with a quick palm thrust, realigning the broken bone. Again, Juro growled in pain. Pressing a button on the sleeve, both watched as the chemicals mixed and the sleeve solidified into a hard, smooth cast. Pulling the chameleon sleeve back over the cast, Juro flexed his fingers, made a fist and attempted to rotate his wrist.

  “Wrist is limited. But usable.”

  “Pain?”

  “Some. Not bad. I’m still a ‘go’, Sousui.”

  “I didn’t doubt that for a minute. Stay here. I’ll search for our meal. Water shouldn’t be a problem,” Taketa joked.

  Onboard Ravage Maker

  Flight, bring up Fourth fleet’s attack craft. Create a second wave behind Third Fleet’s.

  “As you order, My Lord.”

  “Also, bring up Third’s carrier. The moment we control the soft skin’s space, I want a full assault on their root world.”