The second he left, she was fast asleep.
***
Simms didn’t notice Thomas seeking up behind him. He was too busy savoring a strip of bacon to detect her arm reaching over his shoulder. Before he knew what happened, she’d scooped his hash browns onto his scrambled eggs.
Shit!
She knew full well he hated his food touching. Her laugher echoed as she took the chair across from him. The commotion attracted looks from the mess hall’s crowded patrons. With a disgusted expression, he dug out the potatoes and put them where they belonged. Her tray clanked down, tossing the food together so it resembled a breakfast food collage. She didn’t care. He silently cursed his Marine father for making him this anal about his food.
“Thanks, hon.” He rolled his eyes.
She stabbed her fork into his delicate reclamation job and swirled it around.
“Damn it.” He pushed his tray away. “Now I can’t eat it. The flavors and textures have mixed.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, lighten up, Walt. It’s not like I spit in it or something.”
“That probably won’t be as bad.”
“I’ve been thinking.” She shoved an entire piece of sausage in her mouth.
“That must’ve been hard. What was it like? You know, it being your first time and all.”
“Ha, ha, ha, smart ass. I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you.”
He gestured toward his blended eggs and hash browns.
“Okay, I’m sorry. That wasn’t a good way to start a serious conversation.”
“Accepted.” He sipped his coffee.
“I’ve been thinking about where we should live when the war’s over.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Why’s that so weird?”
He shrugged. “Just seems a little premature. I mean, who knows how this war is going to play out? Hell, who knows if we’ll win or what shape Earth will be in if we do?”
She swallowed a large bite. “Fair points, but that doesn’t mean a girl can’t dream. Besides, I like fantasizing about life after the war, after we win. It reminds me what I’m fighting for.” She tilted her chin down and gave him a wounded animal look.
Crap.
“Okay, okay, you win.” He smiled, and her renewed grin warmed his soul. “Where do you think we should settle down?” Pointing a finger at her, he continued, “I’m not moving to Texas, though. My dad took us there for vacation once and I didn’t like it. Too dusty and hot.”
“Deal.” She nodded. “I’m thinking one of the colonies. One of the newer ones, in fact.”
“Why a new one?”
“I want to build something.” Her eyes sparkled. “I want to be a pioneer. Taming the wilderness and forging a new civilization.”
“That doesn’t sound like the quiet life you mentioned before.”
“Oh, it’s quiet. Compared to our current life, it’s downright boring.”
“Okay, where? I’m guessing you know exactly where you want to go.”
She grinned. “Actually, I’ve only narrowed it down to five planets. I say we rank them together and visit the first one. If we love it, we’ll stay. If not, off to the next one.”
He slapped the table. “Sounds like fun. I can’t wait.”
***
Corporal Jeb Braun sighed. He had to reboot his new Super Heavy unit. He disengaged the hardware connection in the dataport on the base of his skull and jumped backwards out the opened torso. Super Heavies were enlarged versions of humans. Once connected, the Driver, or “Land Pilot,” as others called them, became the machine.
He kicked the thick metal leg. A dull thud was the sole proof of the blow.
“Still givin’ you fits?” Private Tanya Lee put her hands on her hips. She was short, feisty, and southern to the core.
“Yeah. It just doesn’t feel right.” He circled the towering statue. “I had my link with the last unit perfect. It felt like my own skin. This thing feels like I’m wearing it. Man, I wish I hadn’t had to abandon my last one during the evac.”
She worked her unit over with a cloth, bringing the metallic surface to a fine shine. “At least you got off with your head. Think of it this way. You’re darn lucky they found ya a spare. Otherwise you’d be dropping as a—featherweight.” She winced at the thought of serving as light infantry. Super Heavy drivers considered themselves to be the best of the best and avoided interaction with the other units. This was fine by the light and heavy troopers who thought land pilots were obnoxious freaks.
A shiver ran up his spine. “Don’t even say something like that.” He faked a gag. “Can you imagine running into a fight with nothing but a popgun and pajamas?”
“See, I told ya.”
He scanned the Super Heavy bay. Only a couple others were tinkering with their equipment. In another hour that would change. This deck would be crawling with techs and drivers running through their pre-drop checklists. This was their last chance to relax for who knew how long.
“Lee, let’s get out of here and grab a coffee in the rec room.”
She stopped rubbing and shrugged. “Sure.”
The recreational room wasn’t much to look at. It had a basketball court and dozens of virtual reality terminals. It also had a bar, which would serve beer and wine, no hard stuff, to off-duty enlisted personnel. It was closed now. No one was off duty this close to a drop.
He approached the dispenser. “Two coffees. One black. One cream and sugar.”
They lingered around the bar, sipping their drinks.
Lee broke the silence. “You reckon we’ll have it tough planetside?”
“I don’t know...” A hand landed on his shoulder, almost spilling his coffee.
“Braun, what are you doing down here?”
He turned to find Sergeant Stan Gabriel with a grin from ear to ear. Gabriel was light infantry but also a Red Baron, which counted for a lot. He also didn’t mind the company of land pilots. Especially female land pilots.
Lee’s flushed cheeks and coy expression hinted that she was no stranger to his charms. “Sergeant, how nice to run into you here.”
“As always, Miss Lee, it is a pleasure and honor.” He bowed.
Braun hated the way she reacted around men she was interested in fucking. It reminded him that she was a woman and not another one of the guys.
“Come have a seat with me.” Gabriel waved toward a table. Once there, he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out three cigars. “Would you two care to join me?”
They eagerly agreed and lit up. Braun studied Gabriel as he sucked in a long drag and let it out, taking interest in the strands of smoke.
Braun pulled the smoke from his lips. “Sergeant, mind if I ask you a question?”
“Ask away.”
“Why do you hang out with us? Light infantry and drivers don’t usually mix.”
He rolled the cigar between his fingers. “I’ve never been one for bullshit social cliques. I take people for who they are and allow them the benefit of the doubt. Life’s too short to limit the people you’ll get to know.” He took another drag, his eyes focused on a distant point. “I grow up in a piss poor part of the world and a lot of people I met thought they were better than me. They didn’t want to associate themselves with my family. I guess that experience made me want to be accepting of people. Being friendly takes a lot less energy than looking down on folks.”
Lee raised her cigar. “Well said, sergeant.”
“My first tour in the old American Army also happened to be in armor. Tanks in those days were nothing like what you all run around in, but it left me with a deep appreciation of what you bring to a fight.”
“Is that where you met General Maxwell?” Braun licked his lips. “I heard you two go way back to the old national militaries.”
He crossed his arms and chuckled. “That seems like three lifetimes ago. In some ways, I guess it has been. Yes, we served in the Rangers together. That was an elite, quickl
y deployable infantry unit. In fact, you could say he owes most of his military career to me.” He smirked. “More specifically, my ass.”
Lee and Braun shared confused looks.
Gabriel leaned forward. “Let me explain that one.”
Chapter Eleven
Claustrophobia
Nathan York shifted his eyes from one cavern wall to the next. He swore the walls crept closer when he wasn’t looking. They wanted him, he could sense it. The walls wanted to squeeze him, force him into a tight space so small he couldn’t breathe. They were clever, though. Instead of rushing in, they took their time and waited to advance when he wasn’t watching.
He hadn’t slept in days. He had to keep an eye on the video feeds in his room so he could monitor the walls. He’d even taught himself to blink one eye at a time. If they wanted him, they’d have to earn it.
All he wanted was to leave. To see the sky again, but General Franks refused. Word that their battle group had been defeated heightened the sensation. He was trapped and hostile forces were closing in.
No amount of booze, cigarettes or sadistic sex with his plaything of an assistant could shake the feeling of pending doom.
Gravel crackled under his feet and he tugged on his coat, tightening it around his body. His pale skin felt paper-thin and he found it impossible to get warm. The tremor in his hand returned, but he arrested it with a firm grip.
He was unraveling.
He needed to get out.
“I’m here to see General Franks.”
The guard outside the command tent glared down. “The general left orders not to be disturbed.” The man didn’t even bother to look down at him while he spoke.
I’ve killed dozens like you, arrogant bullies so confident and sure of themselves.
“I insist!” A hint of red returned to his cheeks. He thought-clicked to send a verification of his true identity. “I am an officer in United Earth Systems’ Internal Security and I demand to see the general.”
The guard looked around to see if anyone was near enough to hear the outburst. The research teams didn’t know who they were really working for, and enlightening them now would cause headaches no one needed.
“Wait here.” The guard huffed, dodging inside the tent.
A minute later, the guard stepped out and held the flap open. “He’ll see you now.”
The dimly-lit interior was illuminated by the glow of control panels. Staff wearing serious, emotionless faces worked the various stations. He proceeded to the back where he glided through another flap to enter the general’s office. The slit sealed itself behind him.
“Mr. York.” Franks didn’t bother to look up from his work. “I’m short on time. The enemy will be landing at any moment. What is so important that you felt the need to interrupt me?”
York tapped an inner reservoir of strength. Uncrossing his arms, he stood tall, chest out, and chin up. “I believe we should open communications with the fleet and legion forces.”
That got Franks’ attention. He set his work down and stared up with cold, piercing eyes. “And why is that?”
“There are a number of reasons, general.” He held out his hand to count with his fingers. “We have no idea of the strategic situation outside the system. Our own fleet has been destroyed. We are cut off from any hope of support. Our civilian population grows increasingly restless by the hour, and we’ll eventually have to concede anyway. We might as well begin our negotiations from the strongest possible position, and we’ll only get weaker if this conflict drags on.”
Franks clasped his hands behind him and circled the perimeter of the room. “Surrender. So you wish to negotiate our surrender. To forfeit decades of effort and end our crusade for a united humanity here and now.”
York put his hands on his hips. “That is not what I said, general.”
“Yes. Yes, it is. How do you propose we hand ourselves over without completely exposing our plans?” He shook his head. “We mustn’t communicate with the enemy in any way. We must remain a total mystery to them. If we are defeated, we must leave only questions behind.”
York waved his hand around the room. “We can’t hide everything. We are surrounded and alone. We’re under siege and it’s only a matter of time until all of our secrets are in the open.”
Franks sat on the edge of his desk, gritting his teeth and digging his nail underneath. “You disappoint me, Mr. York. For several reasons.” He looked up and brought his erect index finger to eye level. “First, you appear to lack a basic understanding of military matters. All is not lost.
“The enemy has to land and come to us. If we defeat their ground forces, they are likely to pull out of the system. We have more than enough supplies to last until relief arrives. I also thought you were a true believer in the cause. But here you are, ready to throw in the towel at the first sign of adversity.”
The tremor in York’s hand itched to return. He buried his nails into his palm. The warmth of fresh blood oozed onto his skin.
I need to take a different angle.
“What about the message they’re broadcasting? They claim the Kitright Prime invasion was repulsed by some kind of super ships that are now attacking Earth.”
“Ha!” Franks flipped his wrist. “You don’t honestly believe that pile of bull, do you? It’s also very convenient that the only way to save Earth is to let them have access to this facility. Their fantastical stories will not so easily fool me. No matter what, they will not enter this chamber.”
A realization dawned upon York. He raised an eyebrow and gasped. “You’ve installed a self-destruct.”
“Of course I have. It’s standard procedure. You know that.”
He did know that, but for some reason he had assumed Franks might be a more reasonable man. The second-to-last thing he wanted to see happen was for the cavern’s secrets to fall into the hands of the fleet and legion. However, the very last thing he wanted was to die under a billion tons of rock.
“General...”
Franks held up his hand. “That’s enough, Mr. York. I’m very busy and do not have the time to argue in circles with you.” He pressed a button on his sleeve and two guards entered. “Good day, Mr. York. I will contact you if I need anything.”
York marched out of the office on autopilot. The artificial light stunned his eyes. Raising his arm to shield them, he suddenly remembered. The walls!
His head jerked. They’re closer. Yes, yes, they’re closer than they were when I went into the tent. How stupid of me!
Wide-eyed and jittery like he expected a grizzly to jump out and charge, he made his way to his private room. The door flew open, bouncing off the wall as he burst in. Natalie Woods was working at the desk and jumped out of her chair. “What the hell?”
Ignoring her, he darted to the video feeds.
“What is it?” She placed a hand on his shoulder. He shook it off like it was a dead fish. Tears welled up in her eyes and she hurried away.
“He’s going to get us all killed.” His eyes zipped from screen to screen.
“Who? What are you talking about? You’ve been acting so strange.”
“Franks. He’s going to get us all killed.”
“Franks?” She turned toward him, wiping her cheeks. “The security general?” She sighed. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m not going to die here. I’m not going to be buried alive. I won’t!” I won’t be trapped down here forever!
Chapter Twelve
The Drop
Trent’s shuttle bucked violently as it cut through the agitated atmosphere at an aggressive angle. This was an opposed drop and the pilot wasn’t taking any chances. He enjoyed the sensation of risk with individual purpose. During the space battle, he was just an observer with no duties or effect on the outcome. It was his turn, the First Legion’s turn, to be the instrument of victory.
Leveling off, the shuttle came to an abrupt stop. The rear door whined on its way down and twin rows of soldiers hurried to t
he exit, to dart off in every direction and secure the area.
The wind was the first thing he noticed. A native of Iowa, he was no stranger to strong winds. This was different, however, and not just the increased severity. The air back home was fresh and brought life. Even from inside his suit, he could tell that this place reeked of death. Dreary gray clouds overhead added to the negative ambiance.
Amanda had come down in the first wave to coordinate the setup of his command post. The terminals were already buzzing with activity when he entered the tent. “What’s the drop status?”
A lieutenant snapped to attention. “Ninety-five percent complete, sir.”
“As you were. Enemy contact?”
“None, sir.”
He activated his tactical display to bring the battlefield to life. The legion had deployed in a chain of jagged foothills, dozens of kilometers from the target zone. A red dot marked their destination at the bottom of a deep canyon. Orbital scans insisted nothing was there, but that was where intel said the alien facility was.
Rough terrain didn’t offer an easy avenue of approach. Hills guarded every angle. The canyon itself was a deathtrap of narrow passages, sharp corners and natural fortifications. The ground was tailor-made for defense.
Those giant ships had to have carried thousands of soldiers here. I wonder how long they’ve had to prepare their defenses? Too long, that’s for sure.
The legion was far from full strength. The fight on Kitright Prime had been bloody, leaving just twenty-seven hundred light infantry, four hundred fifty heavy infantry, and a mere one hundred twenty Super Heavies. All told, there were a mere three thousand, two hundred seventy soldiers on planet to achieve the objective against God knows what.
In deep thought, he didn’t notice Amanda coming alongside him. “How do you want to play this?”
“I hate this part the most. I don’t know what to expect, and that’s going to cost us lives.” He sighed and crossed his arms. “The canyon is north of us, running east to west. I’m gonna recon in force with light infantry and find out what the hell we’re dealing with here.”
She looked out at the horizon. “It’s strange. Fighting other humans, I mean. I thought we were past that point in our history. It doesn’t feel right. It feels...”
The Last Charge of the 1st Legion (The Last Hero Trilogy Book 3) Page 7