by Jan Domagala
Apollo glared at the face before him, he actually took pleasure in watching the colour drain from his skin and in that second he knew this man would do anything he told him for abject fear was guiding him. He would do almost anything now to save his own skin.
He released the man’s shoulder and stepped back giving him a little space. “Keep monitoring their progress, I want hourly updates. In the meantime ensure Norsky is kept in stasis, I do not want that thing waking up, do I make myself clear?” he said not needing to add emphasis to them, his words were enough on their own, the man’s terror would do the rest.
The lab tec nodded his head vigorously in compliance, not daring to speak for fear his voice would break and further indicate his terror. He watched as Apollo turned and walked away. He waited until the huge clone had left the room before he allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief. When he turned to look at the Rover5’s who had received the treatment they were all glaring at him the same way as Apollo had and he knew the masters of his terror were all around him and not just the clone that had left the room.
*****
Kurt and Zara activated their SUT’s and were immediately engulfed with a bright light so intense it burned them to their core, or so it seemed. Everything around them disappeared as the light took over, becoming everything. A sudden feeling of disorientation struck them both as they had no idea where or when they were. There was no difference between up or down to them as their entire existence was total confusion. Wave after wave of excruciating nausea washed over them and it was a struggle to keep the contents of their stomachs contained therein.
Just as suddenly as the light appeared, it was gone leaving them with the sense of disorientation with them. Their surroundings had changed which further enhanced the strangeness of the event.
Zara staggered and Kurt grabbed her by the arm, not only to steady her but himself too. She took comfort in his touch and when she looked at him she smiled. “We made it, it worked,” she said amazed at how fast the feelings of disorientation and nausea were fading.
Kurt winked at her and she knew he too was feeling better. What they had just endured would have put any normal human on the ground writhing in agony but here they were ready to continue as if they had just had a stroll in the park.
“Okay, let’s see what we have here,” Kurt said as he dropped the visor on his helmet. He accessed the computer via his NI, nothing major just basic functions and called up the base’s schematics which were then relayed onto his HUD on the inside of his visor. Zara did likewise so they were co-ordinated.
“Got it,” she said and they set off.
41
They had appeared in one of the outer pods on the base in an empty corridor. When they moved off they kept their senses tuned to hear any movement nearby. A corner loomed in front of them and they slowed down as they approached it.
Kurt heard movement from around it, the sound of someone approaching, he also heard three heartbeats, strong and steady.
He held up three fingers to indicate how many hostiles there were and for Zara to be ready. She nodded her head in understanding. She was ready; she brought up her Remm M25 assault rifle to her shoulder, sighting down the length of the weapon.
Kurt counted down mentally as the hostiles got closer and when they were close enough he motioned for Zara and he to make their move.
As one they came moved out into the corridor in front of the three armed clones that were on patrol. Pulsed plasma bolts from the Remm M25’s struck each of the three figures squarely in the torso knocking them back several steps. The firepower of the new improved M25’s was sufficient to overload the combat suits kevlon body armour the Rover5’s were wearing. They died instantly.
“They either knew we were coming or they made preparations just in case,” Zara said. Each of them had sensor readings of bio signs of the clones inside the base relayed to their Battle helmets so they knew what to expect and where the resistance would be. They also knew that by the time the first clone went down the alarm would go off and they would be looking for them.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again,” Kurt said and Zara joined him in finishing off the famous quote. “It’s not just a job in Recon Delta, it’s an adventure.”
“Come on let’s see what we can find out,” Kurt said.
“I know what we’ll find and we won’t have to look real hard either, and that’s a whole lot of trouble,” commented Zara.
Kurt glanced across at her and she had a smile on her face. She was actually enjoying herself.
*****
Back on the Rand built Moon base those left behind were still in the Command and Control centre. Able Rand was seated in a chair at a control console, lounging would be a better description, with his long legs stretched out before him, his elbows perched on the armrests and his fingers steepled together beneath his chin as he watched the monitors for any signs to indicate something was happening over there.
“How can you be so relaxed?” Josh asked as he paced across the C and C deck. He found his nervous energy was difficult to contain.
“It comes with years of experience son; you should try to relax yourself before you wear out a trench in that floor,” Able said without looking away from the monitors.
Jess and Mitch were at other stations around the room, Jess sitting staring at a bank of monitors whilst Mitch leant against the wall over by the door keeping a watchful eye on the whole room.
“Any word from Kurt or Zara yet?” asked Jess as she glanced around at her father.
“Not yet,” he replied.
“You have to give them time to complete their mission, these things take time trust me, I know. If they go blundering around they could get captured before they have time to do anything, or worse, get themselves killed,” Mitch said.
“You heard what they said, I doubt very much they could get killed,” Jess said.
“I doubt that very much. I’ve seen shit all over this galaxy but I’ve never seen anyone who could not die,” Mitch said.
“For all our sakes Mitch, I hope you’re wrong about that,” Able said without taking his eyes from the monitors
*****
Back on Earth on Nellis Base on Earth Sinclair was standing in the centre of the Command and Control centre. His eyes were constantly scanning the monitors for any news of the progress of this new mission. Nothing so far had come through since the communication from the Lunar Base to inform them that Kurt and Zara had left.
He hated to admit it even to himself but he was worried for their safety. Since they had confessed that their abilities were far greater than they had originally professed he thought he would have felt safer in sending them on this latest escapade. Taking into consideration their ability to regenerate and their enhanced senses, on paper this looked like a fairly straightforward affair. He knew though that these things rarely worked out as they had been planned and that was why agents needed, above all to be adaptable. Being able to think on their feet and plan for any contingency that they may encounter was a pre-requisite for any agent and although he knew Kurt and Zara were fine soldiers, they had not been trained in covert affairs. He just hoped their training in Recon Delta was enough to see them through whatever they faced inside that base.
“Any news yet on their progress sir?” Matt asked as he entered the room. He had taken the time to grab a quick nap then showered before returning to the C and C.
“Not yet, I was just thinking that it has been some time since their last report. We should have heard something by now, don’t you agree?” Sinclair said, his voice sounding tired. The man had been on his feet for the better part of the day and needed a break.
“Sir why don’t you go take a break, grab something to eat, take a nap or something. There’s no need to work yourself into the ground, I’ll inform you the moment I hear from them, you have my word.”
Sinclair looked at him and nodded his head, “Perhaps a bite to eat and a shower would do me some good,” he
agreed.
“Are Jake and the Pulsar on station sir?” Matt asked as the general turned to leave.
“Yes they are in geo stationary orbit over the base just waiting for the signal from Kurt or Zara to extract them before the Odyssey opens fire.”
“Get some rest sir, I can handle this, I’ll let you know as soon as anything develops,” Matt said as the general walked past him on his way out.
Matt stared at all the monitors and the personnel milling around doing their jobs and he felt frustration rising. He felt like he should be out there doing something instead of being stuck in here waiting for something to happen. He was used to being pro-active in missions and this role he had been given did not suit him at all. Unfortunately there was nothing he could do to alter it now. He had to sit back and allow the others to take centre stage for this one. He knew they were capable but that didn’t stop him hating not being able to lend a hand.
“Come on Kurt and Zara, get the job done so we can finish this once and for all,” he said to himself.
*****
Sitting on the command deck of the Pulsar in geo-stationary orbit five miles above the lunar surface, Jake Riley and the rest of the Wildfire Team were also feeling the same frustration as Matt was down in Nellis Base.
“How long has it been now since we got word they had entered the base?” asked Vance.
“Ten minutes since the last time you asked Joe, for fuck’s sake you’re like the kid going on holiday with his parents who keeps asking “Are we there yet?” every five minutes,” snapped Torres, clearly the frustration was getting to her too.
“Ten minutes, not five,” Vance corrected her.
“Joe, leave it,” she warned.
“You two knock it off and do your job’s,” Jake scolded them both.
“Artie have you been able to isolate Kurt and Zara’s trackers now they’re inside the structure?” Jake asked the Pulsar’s AI.
“It has been difficult sir, trying to isolate the two frequencies through all the layers of interference being used to jam communication signals, but I believe I have a lock on them both,” the AI responded.
“That’s good then, keep locked on to them at all times Artie, we may have to pull them out at a moment’s notice,” Jake said.
“Strictly speaking sir we will not be pulling them out they will have to input the co-ordinates of this vessel into their Single Unit Transporters and then activate them to travel here themselves. We will not be doing anything to aid their travel sir,” the AI corrected pedantically.
“You’re not helping Artie,” Torres said.
“Indeed Miss is that not what I have just pointed out?” the AI said not understanding her point.
“Never mind Artie, we’ll just have to be ready for when they arrive so we can leave without any trouble from the base below,” Jake said hoping to put an end to the discussion.
“When we get back home I’m putting in an order to have his logic sub routines over hauled,” Torres said to Jake.
“My logic sub routines are performing to within the required parameters Miss, there is nothing wrong with them,” Artie said.
“Can we at least have him recognise humour, what about sarcasm?” Vance said.
“Humour is a difficult concept to fabricate sirs,” Artie offered in his defence.
“Clearly,” Torres said.
“Obviously,” Vance added.
“You can say that again,” Cooper joined in not wanting to be left out.
“Okay sirs, humour is a difficult concept to fabricate,” Artie said.
“Who said he didn’t understand humour?” Jake offered.
“I am sorry, I do not understand,” the AI said.
“I rest my case,” Torres said with a smug grin.
Vance asked, “Are we there yet?” to which Jake just rolled his eyes in submission.
*****
“I don’t think we’re gonna get any closer than we are now to their command centre,” Zara observed as three more clones appeared.
“Don’t give up just yet,” Kurt said as he brought up his Remm M25 and shot the first of the three clones. A single pulsed plasma bolt struck the clones head blowing it apart in a shower of blood and gore which alerted the other two behind him.
Kurt shot the next one in line before he had time to aim his own weapon and as he collapsed, Zara shot the third and last one.
“Who said I was giving up?” she said annoyed at the very idea she would concede defeat.
“I just meant---,” Kurt stammered
“I know what you meant and I’m not giving up, I was going to suggest an alternative to storming the command centre.” she fumed.
“Go on, I’m listening,” Kurt said relieved for a way out from under her anger.
“We find a remote access point to the computer and download the relative data Sinclair needs,” she suggested.
“Can’t you access the computer remotely via your NI?” Kurt asked.
“I can but to gain full access to the computer files we need I would have to log on to a terminal. I can do that via my NI but if I attempt it from here I’ll only gain minimum access, we need to get in deeper to find out what they’re up to,” she explained.
“Cyber ops were never my thing, I’m basically just a grunt,” Kurt told her.
“What made you agree to the experiment then?” she enquired.
“They told me it would change the military forever and what I did today would rule out the possibility of another war. I fell for the bullshit hook line and sinker,” he said.
“So you were hoping to better the Confederation then?”
“It’s why I joined the military. My father always told me that for evil to succeed all that is required is for good men to do nothing. I wanted to do something so that wouldn’t happen and this seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“I see.”
“Right let’s go,” he said as he stepped over the nearest body.
The pod they were in was connected via a series of corridors that were basically tubes, to other similar sized pods. Each pod had several rooms that were used for a variety of purposes none of which were helpful to either of them at that time.
“Let’s see if we can reach another area closer to the centre of this place, to see if we’ll have a better chance of finding out what they’re up to,” Kurt suggested as he neared the opening of a corridor to the adjacent pod.
“This place is huge, we could search for days before we learn what we need to,” observed Zara.
Kurt stopped at the entrance to the corridor and turned to her. “You know what, you’re right. We need another strategy here,” he said, his cobalt blue eyes shining with as an idea formed.
“What do you suggest?” she asked and when she saw the look in his eyes she said, “Uh oh! This is gonna be bad, real bad,” she added.
“What did we say earlier? Life in Recon Delta, isn’t just a job---,”
“It’s an adventure,” she finished for him.
42
On the Bridge of the Odyssey Captain Tyler Biggs was standing in front of the command chair. Filled with nervous energy he never the less gave off the impression of perfect calm. His stance was wide legged with his hands clasped firmly behind his back as his dark eyes studied the forward viewscreen. When he spoke, his deep bass voice filled the bridge, “Any news on the agents progress?” he asked the officer at ops.
“None yet sir, I’m monitoring all channels although there does seem to be a blanket jamming of all comm. links still in place,” replied the officer keeping his focus on the instruments before him.
“I want all the missile tubes loaded ready for firing and all pulse cannons targeting the area the second we move above the horizon, keep it passive though. I don’t want to alert them in that base to our presence or intention,” Biggs ordered. As he turned and sat down in his chair he added, “Inform Captain Riley on the Pulsar that we are ready to engage on his command.”
“Aye sir.”
“Helm I want to be in position over that base the moment we get the signal to go,” Biggs said as he relaxed into the chair.
“Course plotted and laid in sir, awaiting your command,” replied the pilot.
“Okay people it seems there’s nothing more we can do until we get the go signal. So stay frosty and stay prepared, we are about to give OMEGA a valuable lesson in payback,” Biggs said with a wry smile.
*****
Kurt and Zara appeared out of the intense bright light that had suddenly burst into existence. They had their Remm M25’s up at their shoulder’s ready to fire and the moment the light imploded upon itself revealing them standing back to back they opened fire.
Those in the C and C were caught unawares, everyone in there was momentarily blinded by the starburst that exploded in the centre of the room and by the time it had gone, it was too late.
A blistering barrage of pulsed plasma bolts scythed everyone down as Kurt and Zara turned in a full circle. Within a few seconds the entire command deck crew was lying dead on the floor.
“Right we only have a few minutes before they find out what happened in here so work fast,” Kurt told Zara once they had ceased firing and they surveyed their handy work.