by Elin Wyn
“You’ll be in charge of operations there,” Albernon continued once he realized I was through with the document. “You’ll have to respect archeological procedures and whatnot, but aside from that, you'll have the reins.”
“Alright, I’ll get it done,” I nodded. “Do you have any more information on it? Or should I just get there and start digging it all up?”
“Well, not exactly,” he hesitated, scratching his chin. He looked around his desk and, once he found the document he was looking for, he pushed it into my hands. “That was drafted by Dr. Maki, the archaeologist on site. Those are her instructions.”
“I see,” I whispered as I skimmed the document. It seemed that Maki didn’t really want me to dig the structure up, but to excavate the front of it so that a team could get inside and explore. It wouldn’t be as fun as digging the whole thing up, but I didn’t mind it.
What the archaeologist wanted me to do was a challenging thing, and I was always down for a challenge. “When am I leaving?”
“Today,” he replied. “Is that a problem?”
“I rather just get started.” Reaching across the desk, I grabbed one of Albernon’s pens and a white piece of paper.
I bit the end of the pen for a couple of seconds as I thought, and then scribbled down all the machinery and material I would need for the job. Once I was done, I returned Albernon his pen and paper. “You think you can get me all that?”
“Sure,” he nodded, and that without even looking at my notes. “Whatever you need, Alessa.”
“I might ask you for some extra stuff once I get on site,” I continued. “It’ll be easier to know what I’m dealing with once I’m on the ground.”
“I trust you,” he shrugged. “Just tell me what you’ll need, and I’ll make sure it happens.”
“Well…”
“I know, I know,” he sighed. Pursing his lips, he leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers against the tabletop once more. “You’ll have an all human team with you, Alessa. But we can’t screw this up. If things aren’t working with them, I’ll have you working with an alien crew again.”
“Thank you,” I breathed out, the relief evident in my voice. “I really appreciate it.”
“Yeah, don’t thank me just yet. This is a government job. These guys will pay us for our troubles, but they’re expecting results. Drill that into everyone’s skulls, alright? We need this contract to keep afloat for the time being.”
“I won’t disappoint you, you know that.” Jumping up to my feet, I offered him my hand. He shook it in that patient manner of his, and then gave me a smile.
“I was betting you’d say yes.” His eyes crinkled with mischief. “You’ve never been one to stay idle. Your crew is already waiting for you in the city’s hangar. I’ve rented a couple of transport shuttles to fly you all out there. The machinery and whatever else you requested will fly out tomorrow.”
“Perfect, I’ll get to it right away.” Turning on my heels, I walked out of his office with a spring in my step. New projects always got me excited, and the fact that I would be back at work with an all-human crew just added to it. Rushing out of the building, I waved at a taxi and hopped inside it as fast as I could. I paid him extra so that he would wait for me as I packed for the trip and, just half an hour later, he was landing on the city’s main hangar.
With my bag slung over one shoulder, I made my way toward the small fleet of transport shuttles docked there. I immediately recognized most of my old crew, and they all seemed pretty happy to see me.
Now I just hoped they wouldn’t walk out on me. Construction jobs were always hard, but one happening in the middle of a jungle was bound to be extra hard.
While I enjoyed the challenge, most of these men were just looking for a steady paycheck.
“Alright, let’s get to it, boys,” I said out loud, pointing at the shuttles. All of them start ambling toward the ships and, just fifteen minutes later, we were given clearance for takeoff.
Even though Albernon had booked me a seat on an executive shuttle, I took my place among the crew. To successfully run a construction crew, you have to show these men you don’t think you’re better than them.
No matter how many times we’d worked jobs together, it was a never ending dance.
“Try and get some sleep,” I advised them. “It’s going to be a long flight.” Most of them acquiesced, closing their eyes and covering themselves with blankets the flight crew distributed. I tried to follow my own advice, but quickly gave up on it. Sleep never came easy before I had to start on a project.
Grabbing my briefcase, I retrieved all the documents and schematics I had been given and started going through them. I still had no idea why the government was this interested on an archaeological site, but I was starting to suspect there was more to this job than met the eye.
Even if on paper it seemed like someone was doing academic research through archaeological excavation, I was pretty sure there were other reasons for all this. What they were, though, I had absolutely no idea.
Only when my eyes started to burn did I look away from the documents. I pinched the bridge of my nose and yawned, exhaustion seeping into my muscles.
Peering out the window, I smiled as I saw the edge of the jungle drawing close, the lush greenery of untouched lands always a sight to behold.
Stretching my back, I checked my watch and grabbed a blanket from under my seat, covering my legs with it. We were still one hour away from the site, which meant I could still get some shut eye before landing.
Still thinking of schematics and materials I would need to order, I drifted off to sleep.
Navat
“Looks like we’re going to be here for a while,” I said to the scientist. “Don’t you think it’s time we learn each other’s names?”
“Why?” He said blankly. “I try not to acquire information I won’t need.”
His response caught me off guard.
I wasn’t known for having the greatest manners on the planet, but surely, I was a step above this guy. He was downright unpleasant.
Before I could explain why knowing his name would be beneficial, an alert came in on my radio.
“Never mind,” I shook my head. “I’ll just call you Hey You from here on out.”
I stepped away before he could respond.
“Navat,” I announced into the radio.
“It’s Axtin. I’m approaching the location.”
Axtin? I assumed Dax or Amira would be coming out to the dig site.
“Great. You’re cleared to enter. Watch out for the scientists,” I cautioned.
“Why? Are they showing Gorgo signs?”
“No, they’re just mean.”
Axtin laughed into the radio before clicking off.
“Where should I set up?” A crisp, female voice caught my attention.
I turned around to find a human female standing close by with her hands on her hips.
Her eyes caught my attention before anything else. They looked like thunderclouds in both color and intensity. And her scent was enough to make my mind turn off.
“You’re not Axtin,” I blurted.
“What’s Axtin?” She narrowed her eyes.
I blinked, forcing myself to focus.
“Who are you?” I asked. “I wasn’t made aware of anyone else coming here.”
“Should you have been?” She tilts her head to one side. “I’m Alessa Naro. I was called in to help excavate something. Do you have something in need of excavation?”
“Yes,” I replied. “But I can’t just let you walk in without clearance.”
“I’m not sure I understand who you are.” Her smile was tight and pointed.
“The feeling is mutual.”
The tight smile turned into a scowl.
“Look,” she sighed. “This isn’t my usual gig, okay? My boss said someone called in for help and sent me.”
“Who called in?” I asked.
“If you don’t know,
I’m not sure I should be disclosing that sort of information to you,” she replied with a cold smirk.
“All I know is I’m authorized by General Rouhr and to be here. I would know if you had the same clearance,” I said.
“Apparently, that’s not true since you don’t know who I am. Can you get out of my way now? I have a job to do.”
She moved to step around me but I blocked her. I searched her eyes for any trace of a Gorgo but saw nothing. Still, something about her didn’t sit right with me.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.”
“Do I need to call someone?” she scowled at me. “Are you threatening me?”
“Are you Alessa?” Maki’s voice came from behind me.
“Yes, I am. Do you know this oaf?”
“Oaf?” I sputtered.
“I see you’ve met Navat,” Maki grinned. She stuck out her hand for Alessa to shake. Alessa smiled and looked instantly more at ease.
“Maki, can I speak to you for a moment?” I asked.
Maki gave me a confused look.
“Sure,” she said after a moment of consideration.
I walked a few steps away and turned to Maki. I hoped I was out of her earsot, but this was important.
“You didn’t mention calling in an external work team,” I said.
“I was just on my way to tell you,” Maki said. “I didn’t expect her to get here this fast.”
“Who is she?”
“She came highly recommended,” Maki said. “She’s worked with my cousin before. Very professional.”
“She’s an archaeologist?” I asked.
“No, she’s actually a mechanical engineer,” Maki supplied.
“Why do we need a mechanical engineer?”
“She can help us understand the structural integrity of what we’re dealing with. The last thing we want is a cave in.”
“I suppose,” I said slowly.
Maki gave me a calculating look.
“What are you thinking?” She asked.
“Something about that woman is off,” I said. “Have you verified everything about her?”
“No,” Maki said slowly. “But she’s well known in her field.”
“I think we should talk to her more before allowing her into the dig site.”
Maki furrowed her brow.
“What makes you say that?”
“When she approached, she refused to tell me who she was until I hounded her about it,” I said. “And when you approached, her entire demeanor changed.”
“Gorgo?”
“No,” I shook my head. “Her eyes looked fine.” Stunning, actually. But that wasn’t the point.
“Then what?”
“Anti-alien.”
Maki’s eyes widened.
“No way,” she gasped.
“Has she worked with any of General Rouhr’s teams before?”
“Let me check.” Maki pulled out her datapad and scrolled through Alessa’s information. “No, she hasn’t. Positions have been offered but she’s turned them down.”
“Interesting.”
“Actually, her last team was replaced with soldiers from the Vengeance ground units,” she said.
“Any notes on that?”
“Her boss left a comment,” Maki said but didn’t say anything more.
“Well?” I prompted.
“It says she’s requested to only work with human teams in the future,” Maki said in a small voice. She wouldn’t make eye contact.
“That sounds anti-alien to me.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“I’m not anti-alien,” Alessa snapped from right behind me. “Those guys are psychotic.”
“And I’m just supposed to take your word for it?”
“You don’t have to take my word but you should take my credentials. How could I have such a high standing job if I was part of a radical faction?” She asked. “Before you say anything, take a look at my company’s resume. They’ve done more than enough projects for Mayor Vidia and your General.”
“She’s right about that,” Maki said. “Look.”
Maki’s datapad screen was filled with a list of projects her company and General Rouhr’s team collaborated on, including Mayor Vidia’s emergency housing buildings after the Puppet Master destroyed a section of buildings.
“Why would my company, who is not anti-alien in any way, hire me if I was anti-alien?” Alessa pressed.
“Answer me this,” I looked at her with a level gaze. “What’s your aversion to working with aliens?”
“It’s not that I have an aversion, exactly” Alessa said quickly. “I was just pissy that my team walked out on me and that I had no say in who replaced them!”
“Why did they walk out?”
“We were working near Sauma,” she explained. “Some of my guys got possessed, and the rest freaked out.”
“You can’t blame them for that.” I furrowed my brow. “We still don’t know what we’re dealing with let alone how to counteract it.”
“Yes, I realize that.” Alessa stared daggers at me. “However, that didn’t change the fact that we had a job to do and they left!”
“How does that tie into aliens?” I pressed.
“I don’t think you understand the kind of trust it takes to work in a team like that,” she said. “My boss replaced them all with strangers. Alien strangers. That didn’t feel good.”
“I don’t think she’s anti-alien, Navat,” Maki sighed. “She hasn’t called you scum yet.”
“The day’s not over,” Alessa spat.
A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. She had some fight in her. I liked that, even though this particular quality of hers had already proved to be a pain in my ass.
It'd been less than five minutes. That must be some kind of a record.
“I don’t think she is either,” I decided, ignoring the stunning female and going the reasonable route.
Talk to Maki only.
Srell.
Since when has agreeing with Maki been the reasonable route?
“I think she has an attitude problem but she’s not a radical.”
“An attitude problem?” Lightning flashed in Alessa’s thundercloud eyes. “You’re the one treating me like a criminal when I’ve done nothing wrong!”
“You refused to identify yourself at a classified site,” I argued.
“How would I know the site existed if I wasn’t privy to that information?” She demanded.
“If you had proper clearance, why didn’t you just say so?”
“Because I didn’t know who you were!”
“You don’t have to know who I am. I have to know who you are.”
“Is it really a mystery to you why I prefer to work with my own human team?” Alessa folded her arms across her chest.
“Okay, okay!” Maki stepped between us and held up her hands. “This sounds like a misunderstanding.”
“I’ll say,” Alessa huffed.
“The two of you simply got off on the wrong foot, that’s all.” Maki’s smile was too big and too forced. “Let’s start over, shall we?”
Neither Alessa or I moved to do anything.
Maki jabbed her elbow into my rib.
“I’m Navat of Strike Team Three,” I recited unenthusiastically.
“Alessa Nora, mechanical engineer and not a species-ist.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” I growled.
“Enough,” Maki let out an exasperated sigh. “For the sake of my sanity, let’s get this project underway.”
“You’ll hear no argument from me,” I muttered.
“Really? All I’ve heard from you are arguments,” Alessa replied.
Maki stopped and looked up at the canopy.
“Today’s going to be a long day,” she said.
I couldn’t have agreed more.
Alessa
“Kill the engines,” I cried out at the top of my lungs. The man piloting the excavator couldn’t hear me, so I simply ra
n beside the hulking machine and stepped in front of it, waving my arms like a maniac. “Kill the goddamn engines!”
That did it.
The roaring sound of the engines finally subsided, and the pilot climbed out from the excavator’s cabin with a confused look on his face. Taking his helmet off, he wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand and made his way toward me.
“Anything wrong, boss?”
“No,” I smiled, my heart still beating fast. “But according to the scans we’re closing in on the entrance structure. We gotta stop using the excavator. We don’t wanna risk the whole thing collapsing as we keep on moving dirt.”
“Alright, I got it,” he nodded. “So what now? Good ol’ fashioned shovels?”
“That’s right. Tameron is already debriefing the rest of the crew.” Pointing toward a large canvas tent that had been set up a hundred yards behind the excavation site, I sent him on his way.
He walked away promptly, and I just studied the massive hole we had already dug.
Six days of digging, and we had moved nearly a million cubic feet of dirt. We could’ve gone way faster but, taking into account we had to be extra careful with the buried structure underneath, I was happy with the pace we were keeping.
If the schematics I had been handed were right, we were merely hours away from uncovering an entrance.
“What do you think?” I heard Maki say from behind me, and I spun around to find her looking at the hole, just like I was doing. “How long till we can get inside it?”
“A couple of hours more and we’ll dig out the entrance,” I replied. “That doesn’t mean you’ll be able to get inside it. Depending on the structure’s state, we might have to build some ancillary structures inside it for support, just so it doesn’t collapse on top of your team.”
“Seems fair,” she whispered, more to herself than to me. She kept her eyes focused on the thin layer of dirt covering her coveted structure, her gaze fiery and passionate. There was a lot that could be said about Maki, but the main thing was that she took her job seriously. She was as passionate about it as I was about engineering.