by Thomas Davis
Chase never found his father. Over the course of the next week he met other survivors and they sustained themselves on whatever supplies they could find. Eventually the military finally responded to the initial distress signal and came to rescue them. He was drafted into the military academy, which was fine with him. Chase needed to find the Crimson Death. He needed to make that monster pay for what he took from him. He wouldn’t stop until he had justice.
2. Gunner and Gus
Amarillo Outpost: A.L. 10
Chase was inspired after the battle. Seeing the Strike Team, and the hero he had long idolized, in action had reignited his spirit. Years of regimented military life had swayed him from his true purpose. He remembered his mission. The promise he made on the Evening Dove five years ago. The Crimson Death had to be destroyed and it had to be by his hands. That monster was still out there, wreaking havoc, making more children into orphans. Children like he was. The Versatile Layer was the key. With power like that he could make his oath a reality.
The dust had settled after the Amarillo Outpost battle with the Arez Vanguard. The Strike team successfully pushed the Arez forces back with minimum loss of Terran lives. Chase was searching the halls of the outpost for the Strike team members. He needed to speak to them, gain their knowledge. The Arez weren’t giving up on seizing the orbital cannon, so it only made sense that Captain Takeda and his crew weren’t leaving anytime soon either.
After scouring the halls for over 20 minutes, Chase finally spotted Gunner Hawkins near the debriefing room speaking with ranking outpost personnel. Hawkins and the officers saluted each other then went their separate ways. Chase took a deliberate breath then followed her down the busy corridor. What would he say to her? The thought hadn’t crossed his mind until then. He was so wrapped up in tracking down the Strike Team members that he hadn’t considered how he would engage them. He’d cross that bridge when he got to it, he supposed. She turned right down a corridor ahead. Chase picked up the pace to keep up with her. As he rounded the corner, she was waiting for him.
“Why are following me kid?” She said with a stern tone. Hawkins towered over Chase. Her arms were folded in front of her. Looking at her in this calm setting Chase couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she was. She had movie star good looks. “Well… Speak up,” she demanded.
“I…”
“You look familiar,” Gunner leaned forward an inch away from Chase’s face and inspected the young man’s features. “You were on the frontline,” she stood back up and relaxed her posture placing her hands on her hips. “You’re a good shot soldier. Got a lot of potential.” She turned to walk away.
Chase had to think quick. He couldn’t let her leave. “Have you met Gus yet?”
“Who’s Gus?”
Minutes later Chase was escorting Hawkins towards the barracks. He could tell she was skeptical of his claim of Gus’s identity but she couldn’t let an opportunity like this pass her by.
“Not much further Ma’am.”
“Kid- if you’re pulling my leg for some weird reason, I’m going to sock you one good.”
“Trust me. We’re almost there.”
“And don’t call me Ma’am.”
“Yes… Sir?”
“… Fine,” she rolled her eyes.
As they entered the barracks the few troops lounging in the room full of bunk beds took notice. The men and women rushed to their feet in an attempt to stand at attention.
“At ease.’ Hawkins said nonchalantly. “You’d think an admiral just walked in.”
“Gus is in here.” Chase opened a door into the abandoned barrack next door that had officially been sealed off. He closed the door behind them after they entered. He politely held up his hand to Hawkins. “He gets a bit nervous around new people so just wait there.” Chase dropped down to his knees on the floor with his back to Hawkins. He started clapping his hands lightly, “Gus! Gus come here boy.”
A golden furred Rhodesian Ridgeback Beagle peeked out at him from behind a bunk in the far corner. The dog stepped out and slowly made its way towards Chase and Gunner.
The tall woman’s eyes lit up, “By Valhalla he’s so precious.”
“Yeah he’s great. He’s kind of the troop mascot.” Chase affectionately rubbed the dog’s neck and ears when Gus was close enough.
“How?”
“How did we get a dog?”
“Yes, They’re so difficult and expensive to clone. I haven’t seen one in years and that was in a zoo.”
“I found him on Callista. He was abandoned during the evacuation so we took him in,” Chase looked back to Gunner. “You want to pet him?”
“I think you already know the answer to that.”
“There’s granola in the footlocker to your left. He loves it.”
Gunner retrieved the snack from the footlocker. She knelt down and held it out towards Gus. The dog sniffed the air then slowly walked her way. He stopped and looked back at Chase before continuing. He ate the loose granola from Gunner’s hand as she petted his fur. A brilliant smile grew on the woman’s usually serious face. “He’s incredible.”
“Yeah. If the higher ups knew about him they’d probably take him away.”
“So why did you bring me here?” She said as she continued to stroke the dog’s fur.
“You saved us. We were done for if you hadn’t showed up.”
“Don’t blow smoke up my ass kid. I know you’re after something. Spill it already.
Chase had been discovered. He decided it would be best for him to be straightforward and honest with Gunner at this point. She seemed like the type of person who respected directness. “I need your help with something.”
“My help?”
“You recently lost a teammate to an injury.”
“Everett Green.”
“Yeah… I’d like an opportunity to join the Strike Team. Please?”
“And you think you have what it takes? The Strike Team are the most elite soldiers the military has on offer.”
“I know I can be an asset. I’m willing to prove myself…. Ms. Hawkins.”
“Please don’t call me Ms. Hawkins.”
“Sorry.”
“Call me Sam,” she said while gazing lovingly at the beagle. She then looked at Chase. “Alright?”
“Okay… Sam.”
“You’re in luck kid. I was just speaking with base command about potential candidates to temporarily fill the vacancy in our line-up. You came highly recommended.”
“I won’t let you down.”
“Cool your jets Hot Shot, I didn’t say you were a shoe in. The Captain has final say and there are other candidates.” Gus was standing on his hind legs with his paws on Sam’s arm licking at her cheek. “Takeda is a hard man to impress so you have your work cut out for you.”
Chase silently nodded.
Of the Strike Team, Samantha Hawkins was the most level headed and reliable. Captain Jake Takeda often devised the plans but Sam would see to all of the moving parts and coordinate the team’s actions to see his schemes through. She was a lynchpin and her opinion carried much weight on the team. Earning her approval was a necessity to even be considered. Chase was beyond fortunate to luck into her and even more fortunate to gain her favor. Things were looking up for the young man.
4. The Queen of Bethlehem
Bethlehem Colony A.L. 10
Of the three colonies that occupied the space between Selaphiel and Uriel, Bethlehem was the most prestigious. It was a jewel of a station and the largest of the 12 remaining Space Colonies. Due to its colossal size, Bethlehem was orbited by smaller constructs known as orbital platforms. Commonly referred to as Ops, these platforms acted as hubs for shipping and transport. Most of the goods in the system flowed through Bethlehem. It was a center of culture and prosperity.
The governor of Bethlehem sat behind her enormous desk reading her favorite periodical on her data pad. She was feeling quite pleased with herself. Her recent election was hard fought an
d she had triumphed. It got really ugly and the mud was flung in all directions but in the end her opponent didn’t have good enough mud to stick to her. The woman seated behind the gargantuan desk was named Catherine Fisher and she had finally arrived. She thought of her short mentorship under Author Manning back on Lhasa and a brilliant smile crossed her lips. She then stole a glance out of her gigantic office windows at the glistening cityscape beyond. It was all hers now. I will be a benevolent monarch, she thought to herself.
She focused her attention back on her article as her assistant, Simon Morrissey, quietly entered the room. He was a brown skinned man with neatly groomed black hair that was parted on the side. He was always alert but one couldn’t tell it at a glance do to the tired look his eyes tended to have. Like most days he was dressed in a black three-piece suit, but today he was feeling a bit bold and wore his crimson dress shirt with a dark tie. He was a shy, soft-spoken man, and very dependable. He carried out whatever task Catherine trusted him with without fail. He hadn’t entered the room empty handed. In his hands was a freshly brewed cup of herbal tea that he had meticulously prepared himself.
Catherine placed her data pad down onto the desk and stood up to accept Simon’s gift. “How did you know,” She sheepishly smiled.
“It is my task to anticipate your needs,” Simon replied.
“You really know how to make a girl feel special Simon.”
“My apologies, I merely…”
“Simon. Calm down I’m just teasing you. The tea is delicious by the way,” She gestured for him to take a seat in front of her desk. Catherine got back to her data pad. Simon unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down. He nervously drummed his fingers on his leg before awkwardly breaking the silence.
“What are you reading?” He asked as he cleared his throat.
“It’s an expose on the local syndicate, The Golden Lads,” She giggled to herself. “Why does the most infamous crime syndicate this side of Uriel have such an adorable name?”
Simon attempted a smile, “perhaps to disarm their rivals.”
“True,” She put down her pad and looked out of the windows. “When your rivals underestimate you, they leave all kinds of openings. Don’t they Simon?”
He didn’t answer. A few moments passed and Simon changed the subject, “I made the preparations personally. They should be arriving at the unit by now.”
“Good. No great. Let me know when they get settled in and I’ll reach out to them.”
“You’re not going to go see them?”
Catherine stood from her desk and crossed her arms; “I’ve got too much on my plate today.” She seemed uncomfortable.
“Understood,” Simon rose to his feet as he buttoned his jacket. “I’ll have a transport on standby if things change.” He walked towards the door.
“Simon?” He turned to face her. “Thank you.” He nodded and continued out of the office.
Catherine sat back down at her desk and gazed out of the windows at her domain. She placed her thumb on a scanner on her desk drawer and it slid open. Her expression soured as she reached inside and retrieved an unregistered navi that was delivered to her earlier. She held up the small device and tapped its surface. A grainy video feed began to play. It was footage of a damaged Frame attacking an Arez female. It was footage of the incident that happened in Lhasa ten years ago. She had viewed the video countless times and like all those past viewings a disguised voice spoke at the end. “Miss Fisher… I know what you really are. I know who you really are. If you want to keep your secrets you will have to play ball.” She stopped the video before the blackmailer went into his demands. She finally had some measure of success and now this. Fear twisted in her belly as she pondered a way out of this predicament.
5. Rocky and Yvette
Bethlehem Colony
Rocky Kinney had always been a rough and tumble bloke ever since his days as a delinquent youth. He had been hustling on the streets since before he could even remember. He had a knack for it. Scams, schemes, and crime just came naturally for him. It seemed stupid to invest in a system that didn’t give a damn about him. It was stupid to be a “number” like everyone else. They just didn’t have the chutzpah to live a life like his, a life of high risk and high reward.
It wasn’t long before he caught the attention of the Golden Lads. The most prominent organized crime gang on Bethlehem Station. They didn’t take kindly to freelancers operating on their station without paying tribute. So, just like that, Rocky ended up under their thumb. Just like all of those rubes going to jobs they hate every day to pay rent, Rocky was now forced to be a part of an organization he wanted nothing to do with.
Rocky was a tall man with neatly groomed jet-black hair. His natural hue was chestnut brown but he liked to dye his hair black. He was right to do so. The color contrasted with his grey eyes making his stare more intense and intimidating. He dressed in loose fitting suits and could always be found wearing a gold colored fedora with a feather extending from the band. It was his lucky hat and he went through great pains to ensure that all of his outfits complimented it. The average citizen could see what Rocky was from a mile away and that’s how he liked it. Only the hardest of the hard had the guts to try to check him.
Rocky was puffing on a coffin nail while leaning against his transport on Delaney Street. A woman, as tall as his shoulders, walked up and snatched the foul burning stick from his mouth. She dropped it onto the ground then grinded it beneath her expensive heeled shoes.
“Damnit woman, what’s your problem?” Rocky protested
“You promised you’d quit, Rocky.” She said.
“I quit yesterday,” he smiled. “I’ll quit again tomorrow.” He went to pull another stick from the pack but the woman snatched the pack and hid it behind her back. “Don’t play with me right now Yvette.”
“These things make your breath stink and since I’m the one who has to smell it, I think I get some say in the matter.”
“Oh yeah?” Rocky wrapped his large arms around Yvette’s waist and leaned in close.
“Yuck, yuck, yuck.” She pushed his face back. “Unhand me you ox. No sugar until you rinse your mouth out.”
“Fine.” He let her go.
Yvette wore a light grey bowler hat with a metallic gold rose stencil on the left side of it. A beige sleeveless blouse adorned her upper body and she had on brown slacks, held up by suspenders, that matched her hat. Her slacks cut just above the ankle showing off her earth tone dress socks with an intricate filigree pattern stitched into them. She had golden blonde bobbed hair that peeked out of the bottom of the hat and she was the most beautiful thing Rocky had ever laid eyes on.
They had met over two years ago. Rocky had marched into her father’s flower shop wearing a bandit mask with a shotgun in hand and demanded that she transfer all of the funds in the register to a credit chip. Yvette was having a horrible day that day. Instead of cowering and giving in to his demands, she screamed at Rocky then proceeded to throw every flowerpot in the store at him until he ran away. Rocky was so taken with her that he returned to the store a week later without the mask and asked her out.
Yvette recognized him immediately but instead of reporting him, she agreed to the date. Rocky’s botched robbery attempt was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her. She felt powerful when she fended him off, for the first time in her life. On their date he took her out to the abandoned factory district and taught her how to shoot. She took to it like a natural. She wanted more. They ended the night by robbing her father’s flower shop together. Yvette never went back home after that night. She had found her calling in life.
Rocky pulled Yvette close and snatched the pack of smokes from her hand behind her back. He looked her in the eyes as he tossed the small box over his shoulder, “I want to show you something sugar.” It was a five-minute drive to their destination. Yvette disassembled and reassembled her favorite revolver on her lap on the drive over. They stopped outside of a gate to a shipyard.
Rocky walked around the transport, opened her door, and led her out by the hand. He walked her over to the gate. “Take a good look.”
“At what?”
Rocky pointed at a Galahad class space cruiser, “That’s us babe.”
“What?” Yvette’s eyes widened.
“I put the down payment on it today,” Rocky smiled. “After this next job we’re outta here babe.”
“Really?”
“No more Golden Lads. No more Bethlehem. Just you and me out among the stars.”
“That’s awesome!!!” Yvette jumped up and wrapped her arms around Rocky’s shoulders.
“Right?”
“So. What’s the job,” she inquired.
“It’s gonna be cake,” Rocky squeezed Yvette around the waist. “Just babysitting some nerd at a drop.”
“Finally,” she beamed. “We’re going to be out.” Rocky leaned in for a kiss but she turned her face. “Babe! Seriously you have to rinse.”
They laughed as they looked out at the ship in the distance.
6. Let the Games Begin
Amarillo Outpost
There was electricity in the air at Amarillo Outpost. The base leadership announced a day prior that the Strike Team was looking to fill a position in their ranks with a member of outpost personnel. Which made sense. The men and women of Amarillo Outpost had been in constant battle with the Arez for close to two months. Those who survived these skirmishes were harder than boron nitride. They had been forged in the fires of combat. Amarillo Outpost was the anvil.
Chase jogged down a corridor towards the training grounds. Like the other competitors Chase was wearing a white tank top with blue military cargo pants. According to Sam Hawkins, the Strike Team wanted to be a low key with their selection process, but outpost command decided to interject themselves into the mix and make a show of things. Command reopened the training grounds and set up an obstacle course to showcase what their soldiers were capable of. Chase was excited to show off his skills in front of the Strike Team. He knew the competition would be stiff; Pamela Alvarez and Luther Cook were definitely going to give him a run for his credits.
