by T. R. Harris
But then word got out about the Alphas, and that changed everything. It was one thing to have a dozen or so supermen walking the face of the Earth. But several hundred—with more on the way—that was different.
Dr. Cross and CENTCOM did their best to tamp down the initial uproar. They told anyone who would listen that this was a limited, experimental program and that the Alphas were not allowed within the general public. This pacified the outcry to a degree, but not completely. Eventually, command packed up the Alphas and shipped them off to Crious in a big media event designed to calm the growing crisis.
The waterworld was essentially a dead planet at the time, with barely ten thousand surviving natives. However, the military bases the Humans had built on the planet were still there and intact. Crious not only became the new home of the Alphas, but also a major staging area for the rapidly rebuilding Human space fleet.
Because of this quarantine of the Alphas, Zac didn’t know what they were doing on the Valhalla, that was until he was ordered to the ready room off Admiral Armitage’s underway cabin.
The two cocky REV officers were there, along with the Admiral, a couple of Navy captains and an assortment of SEALs and Army Ranger types. Most everyone arrived the same time and made quick introductions.
Zac learned that the pool-hustling REV officer was named Brian Croft, and this time—as like the first time the men shook—it turned into a contest of strength between the two natural REVs. This time, however, Zac was prepared. He was gratified by the look of surprise on the young REV’s face when Zac added a little extra umph to his grip, a consequence of him having both Human and Antaere Rev in his system. His REV abilities were a notch or two above the others. Not too many people knew this, and all the latest contest did was confuse the young officer. At this point, that was enough for Zac.
“Please be seated everyone,” Admiral Armitage said. Her voice was stressed and it looked as if she hadn’t slept in days. “I’ll get right to the point. We have a situation that has put us in an untenable position, and by we, I mean Human military command. I’ll turn the meeting over to Captain David Poma who will provide the details.”
Poma was a Navy SEAL, as indicated by the gold Trident on his uniform. “As the Admiral said, there’s a situation that demands our attention. It’s on Enif, and as you all know, there’s been a pretty bloody revolt taking place there, since one of their own called for the Grid to rise up against the Antaere. The call had a significant impact on the Grid, but because it was an Enif who started it, the Antaere—and particularly the Ha’curn—have been attempting to make Enif an example, much as they did on Crious. Of course, they haven’t been as successful. Things are different now, and Enif is a lot more populated planet than was Crious. What’s happened within the past forty-eight hours is the Enif Minorial—a political body similar to Parliament—was overrun and most of the members taken captive by the Ha’curn. The Premier and his deputies have also been captured. In short, the entire ruling class of Enif are now being held by the Ha’curn, and I think you know what that means.” A vein pulsed in the man’s thin neck. “The Ha’curn are the sharp end of the stick with regards to these uprisings. They don’t give a damn about anyone or anything and are slaughtering millions on nearly every Colony World. Now they’re threatening to do the same to the Enif leaders unless the rebels stop what they’re doing and surrender. Since there doesn’t seem to be a lessening of rebel activity on the planet, we’ve been tasked with coming up with a solution to the problem before the hostages are killed.”
One of the other Navy captains spoke up.
“Enif may be relatively close to Earth, but we don’t have the ships to mount an invasion of the system. Besides that, other than at Antara, most of the available enemy ships are there. I don’t see where it would be possible for us to help. We just don’t have the resources.”
Admiral Armitage jumped back into the conversation.
“Captain Bennet is right, of course. But unfortunately, circumstances don’t give us the option. With all that’s happening in the Grid, we can’t turn our backs on an ally. We have to act.”
“Admiral,” said another officer at the table, “we didn’t send that broadcast that’s inciting revolutions across the Grid. We can only do so much and launching an attack on the Antaere stronghold in this part of the Grid would be a waste of our assets. This is a critical time in the buildup. We can’t afford to engage in reckless operations.”
Jerica cast a sad smile to the table. “And that is why Major Murphy is with us today.”
All eyes turned to the REV, and Zac knew instantly what was up.
“That’s right, major,” the admiral said. “A covert mission to rescue the politicians.”
“With all due respect, admiral, anyone but politicians, please,” he said, trying to lighten the mood.
“As much as I sympathize with your sentiments, Mr. Murphy, I’m afraid our hands are tied. If we do nothing, it will show those fighting for their freedom that Earth doesn’t have their backs. The Antaere will use that to demoralize the fighters, causing many of the rebellions to dry up and fade away. We have to prove we’ll at least try to help.”
“Excuse me, admiral,” said the young REV officer Brian Croft, “but REVs don’t try … we do!”
Zac felt sorry for the man—almost—as every eye in the room stared at him for a long moment. Croft’s immaturity was on full display, and everyone knew it except him.
“That may be so, Mr. Croft, but this mission will be like nothing you’ve ever been on before. Captain Poma.”
The SEAL officer glared at the young man for a moment before turning his attention to Zac. “Major, you will lead a small force of your specialized REVs to Enif and affect a rescue of the hostages. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to provide any support except from a few local assets whose loyalty may be compromised. Also, there’s over forty hostages being held.” He held up his hand to stop any protests. “We’re not saying you need to get them off Enif, just into the hands of the insurgents who will hide them from the Ha’curn. We have pretty good intel, so we know where they’re being held and what you’ll be up against. But you can’t go in with a large force, not over the distances involved. A single ship and a dozen men. Your team will be comprised of your Delta REVs, plus the AC-3s. Lieutenant Croft will serve as your second-in-command.”
Zac turned to Croft. “Lieutenant, I’m curious: Have you ever been in combat?”
Croft’s jaw tightened. “Yes, sir! I’ve been on nine Runs, mostly on Menkar.”
“I meant have you been in combat as an Alpha REV, without someone controlling your actions?”
A nervous shuffling filled the room, as those around the table tried not to laugh. Croft’s face turned red, as Zac knew a fair amount of natural Rev was flowing into the young man’s system triggered by his anger and humiliation.
“Sir, no sir. But I do remember every Run I’ve been on. You know that’s how it works.”
Zac turned to Captain Poma. “Sir, if I may. I’d like to request my own second-in-command: First Lieutenant Angus Price.”
“I’m afraid we don’t have time for that. We’ve already checked. He’s on Crious, and we can’t get him here before you deploy. Mr. Croft goes with you.” Zac could hear the missing ‘sorry’ in the officer’s reply.
Zac smiled at the young officer. “Very good then. Mr. Croft, I look forward to utilizing your extensive combat expertise during the coming operation.” Zac turned his attention back to Capt. Poma. “What’s the timeline, Mr. Poma?”
“This news came in only forty-eight hours ago. Even so, the Ha’curn are not known for their patience, and they don’t take hostages unless they mean what they say. The rebels have been given two weeks to surrender or the hostages will begin to be killed. We believe they’ll save the Premier until last.”
“When do we launch?”
“Eight hours. We’ll get you in as close as we dare, and then you’re on your own. Even still, you have a fo
ur-day journey ahead of you just to get to the Enif system. It’s a case of hurry up and wait, thanks to this big-ass galaxy. We’ll fill you in on the details at the mission brief, including estimates of enemy strength, site layout—you know, the usual things.”
“And exfil?”
“The way you came in. As I said, you’ll have some local support, but I doubt they’ll have a way to get you off the planet after the mission. Enif is pretty well locked-down. Use local resources, or fade into the community until things settle down. It will be your call. And major, we don’t want to trade one hostage situation for another, so don’t get yourselves caught.”
Zac smiled and looked over at a still-fuming First Lieutenant Brian Croft. “Don’t worry, sir. To borrow a little of my young friend’s bravado, it’s pretty hard to catch a REV … and even harder to hold one. Believe me, I know that from first-hand experience.”
2
Major Zac Murphy and First Lieutenant Brian Croft were silent as they left the final mission brief six hours later, each stunned by the revelations and lost in their thoughts. The brass hadn’t said the words, but the meaning was clear.
Zac met the rest of the team in one of the huge launch bays of the carrier. A beat-up freighter was in the hold, something snatched out of space by the Human forces and brought here for this specific mission. The freighter’s crew was locked away somewhere aboard the carrier and would be released after the mission was complete, with or without their ship being returned to them. That would depend on Zac and his team.
There were ten enlisted REVs in the room, seated on crates or leaning against the hull of the freighter. The two officers stepped in front of them.
“All right, listen up,” Zac began. “We’ll start loading gear after the meeting and launch shortly after that. More mission details will be given during the flight to Enif, but briefly, we’ll go down in two teams. I will lead Team Green with myself and another Delta, along with four Alphas. Mr. Croft will lead the Blue Team, also comprised of two Deltas and four Alphas.”
One of the young REVs raised his hand. “Shouldn’t the Alphas be under Mr. Croft’s command? After all, he’s one of us.”
“What’s your name, private?”
“Private First-Class Malcolm Lisbon, sir.” The ‘sir’ was spoken with a hint of humor.
“Private First-Class Lisbon, leave the area. You’re off the team.”
The young man turned pale. He stood up straighter and looked to Brian Croft. “You … you can’t do that! This is a twelve-person mission. Mr. Croft assigned me to it.”
“And Mr. Croft follows my orders, something you obviously have no intention of doing. Now get the hell out of here.”
“You need twelve men.”
“We’ll go with eleven. Your childish insubordination will make it a little harder and put the rest of the mission at risk, but I’m sure you’re okay with that, since you’re only thinking of yourself.”
“Sir?” Lisbon said to Croft.
The lieutenant pursed his lips but said nothing.
Lisbon slinked away.
“Let that be a lesson to all of you,” Zac began. “I’m in charge of this mission. You got that straight? And another thing. All you Alphas are rookies, even if you been on a hundred Runs before this. You’ve never gone into combat controlling your own destiny. And what I mean by that is you won’t have someone’s finger up your ass controlling your every move. Your individual actions will impact the welfare of the entire team. And of the Deltas, only Gunnery Sergeant Sean Lock and I have had any real combat experience. You may think your supermen, and that being stronger and faster than normal people makes you better. That’s what the lion on the savannah thinks until a scrawny Human with a spear comes along and locks him away in a zoo somewhere.” Zac tapped his head with a finger. “It’s what’s up here that counts. And if you haven’t noticed, Rev affects the mind as well. I’m afraid most of you haven’t learned that yet. To you, it’s all about the muscles, and in the old days, that was a lot of it. You didn’t have to be skilled at anything to get by. But this is a real mission where the decisions you make will make a difference. And you won’t have mommy watching your every move to pull your asses out of the fire if you screw up. You’ve been selected because you showed some proficiency in things other than weightlifting or sprinting. Prove to me you belong here and you’ll gain my respect.”
Zac sighed and looked into the eyes of his team. “And now for the bad news.” This caught most of them off guard. “We’re going into the capital city of Nurin on Enif, up against a force of Ha’curn estimated to be over two hundred. If you know anything about the Ha’curn, you know they’re skilled fighters, both in hand-to-hand and with a variety of weapons. Strength-wise, they’re stronger than a normal Human but not as strong as a REV. But they are quicker than shit and they like to attack in packs. It’s a given that we won’t be able to outfight them, not the eleven of us. So, we won’t even try. We have a pretty straight-forward means of getting on the surface—” he pointed to the freighter—“but once there, it will be all about stealth. However, rescuing forty hostages from a fortified and well-guarded structure will involve some shooting. Let’s just make sure it happens when we want it to and for the most effect.”
He paused and looked to a worried-looking Lt. Croft. The young officer knew what was coming.
“Now for more bad news. I don’t know if you understand the politics of the mission; if not, I’ll fill you in. Our mission is a way of proving to those fighting in the Grid against the Antaere and the Ha’curn that we have their backs, that we support them, and that we’ll help whenever we can. To that end, it’s been implied that our mission need not be successful to succeed on another level. Basically, all we have to do is make the effort. In reality, the fate of the politicians means nothing in the overall scheme of things. The Antaere are more-or-less through, even though they’re still putting up a fight. Soon, we’ll have a fleet strong enough to make a move on Antara, and then the war will be over. But in the meantime, it’s all about the show.”
“What about the Ha’curn?” a young sergeant asked.
“Once the Antaere are gone, command feels the Ha’curn will return to their homeworld. This has never been their fight. But continuing with what I was saying. Sending twelve—now eleven—REVs, against such a large force is not the smartest thing to do. But as I said earlier, victory is not the ultimate goal. Putting in the effort is.”
“Excuse me, sir,” said one of the Deltas. “Are you saying we just have to make a show of it and then retreat if things get too dicey?”
“Major, if I may?” said Lt. Croft. “That is not what he’s saying. He’s saying that we will carry out our mission to the best of our ability, no matter what the final results may bring.”
“A suicide mission, sir?” asked the Delta. “That’s crazy. Especially with you leading the mission, Mr. Murphy.”
Zac smirked. “You would think so, wouldn’t you, Top. But just think about that for a moment. What better message could CENTCOM send than they’re willing to risk their most famous REV in an effort to help the natives. Obviously, someone thinks the benefit outweighs the risk. But let me tell you here and now: I don’t do suicide missions. Our mission may fail, but it won’t be because we didn’t try. We’re twelve—eleven—badass natural REVs. Never has such a force been sent into battle. I don’t intend for us to fail, and I don’t intend for us to die, either. Is that understood?”
“Oorah!”
“Is that understood?” Zac repeated.
“OORAH!”
The battle cry echoed off the metal walls of the launch bay.
“Good, now let’s stow our gear. Liftoff in—” he checked his watch—“forty-one minutes.”
As everyone rushed off, a contrite Private First-Class Malcolm Lisbon stepped up to Zac and saluted. “You don’t salute when uncovered, Private,” Zac said.
“Eh, sorry, sir,” the young man stammered. “I want to apologize, sir, and re
quest that I be placed back on the team.”
“Did you hear what I just said about our chances? Most people are calling this a suicide mission.”
“I heard it and understand, sir. I still want to be part of it.”
Zac studied the young, fresh-faced Marine. He didn’t look like a superman but looks are deceiving. “Very well, Mr. Lisbon. A certain degree of insanity is a prerequisite for being a natural REV. You certainly have that. Fall out. Load your gear.”
The man went to salute again but caught himself. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
Zac shook his head as the eager young man ran off.
“Kids,” Zac muttered.
3
It took four days for the freighter to reach the Enif star system, even on full gravity drive. Sergeant First-Class Daniel Negron—one of the Alphas—was a certified freighter pilot, having been born into a family of space merchants before applying for the REV program. He captained the gangly vessel with the help of the resident AI.
Although the system was on a security lock-down by the Antaere and Ha’curn, it was still necessary for trade to continue. By now, all the worlds in the Grid were dependent on one another for certain necessities. Even so, there wasn’t a lot of traffic coming and going, but the rebels on the surface had doctored the end-used certificates for this cargo, making it critical to the planet. Clearance was given, and the ship was directed to a heavy cargo spaceport outside the city of Nurin.
The field was sparsely filled with large ships of every make and model, each appearing to be in the process of being violated in unspeakable ways by massive cranes offloading cargo. Zac timed the landing for well after dark; even so, the spaceport was awash with artificial lighting and was a hive of activity.
The freighter was a convenient way onto the planet, but it would be a horrible way of leaving. It was slow and unarmed, and because of that, Zac was working on a backup plan.