by G J Ogden
“Lieutenant Shade, come in,” Sterling called out through the link. He released his hold on Banks and pushed himself to his feet. “Lieutenant, report!” Sterling called out again. Sterling then saw his weapons’ officer through the cloud of dust that was still billowing inside the building.
“I’m here, sir,” Shade replied, moving close. Sterling could see that she was walking with a limp. “But we have to move out now. There are more,” she added in between bitter bouts of coughing.
“How many more?” Sterling replied, helping Banks to her feet.
“Unknown,” Shade replied while slapping a fresh power cell into her rifle. “There are at least two between us and the ship,” she added, meeting Sterling’s eyes. He could see that she was clearly in pain, but Shade’s expression was otherwise as calm and businesslike as ever. “And I estimate another one or two out west of this structure.”
Sterling released the power cell in his rifle and reloaded. “We only have two weapons left,” he said, keeping the power setting of the rifle dialed to maximum. “That will barely be enough to take out one more of these things, never mind four.”
“This building is on the verge of collapse, so if we’re cut off from the ship, we should shelter in the accommodation block,” said Banks. She then spotted the backpack of equipment amongst the rubble and slung it back on. “We can get to the higher levels and block off the stairwell until reinforcements arrive. These beasts are powerful, but they don’t look especially agile.”
Sterling nodded, “Okay, let’s move,” he said. Then he saw blood leaking from a crack in the armor on Shade’s thigh. “Assuming you can make it, Lieutenant?” he asked.
“Sir, even if that thing had torn my leg off, I’d crawl through the mud to get there if I had to,” Shade replied. As usual from his weapons officer, this was not mere hyperbole. Shade was being completely serious.
“Then you set the pace,” Sterling said, inviting Shade to take point. “And make it brisk.”
Shade led the group back into the driving wind and rain and pushed on toward the accommodation block. Sterling checked his computer, studying the markers that Shade had highlighted as other possible beasts. The positions of the markers shifted constantly as he watched. The accuracy of the data feed was still being affected by the storm, which meant the true locations of the creatures was unknown.
“Lieutenant Razor, do you copy?” Sterling reached out to his engineer through the neural link.
“Barely, Captain,” Razor replied. Her voice was thin and distant, as if she was speaking to him through a dividing wall.
“Recall the commando squads and seal the cargo bay,” Sterling continued as rain stung his face and neck. “Arm the point defense guns and calibrate your scanners to look for lifeforms. This planet has a few surprises up its sleeve.”
“Aye Captain,” Razor replied. “Am I looking for Sa’Nerran life, sir?”
“No, think bigger, Lieutenant,” Sterling answered. “You’ll know it when you see them.”
“Understood, scanning now,” said Razor. “Should I send a squad to reinforce you?”
“No, in this weather they’ll just get ripped apart by the things out here,” Sterling replied. “We’re aiming to reach the roof level of an accommodation block in the main colony,” he continued, willing his body to push on harder through the rain and mud. “Once the storm has died down enough for the shuttle to take off, I’ll let you know when it’s safe to extract us.”
“Aye, Captain, I’ll be standing by,” said Razor. The engineer’s composed, no-nonsense reaction was both calming and reassuring. It was good to know that amidst the chaos and carnage, his crew had held their nerve. Sterling closed the link, confident that the Invictus was in safe hands. He then squinted ahead through the rain toward the accommodation block. Lieutenant Shade had already made it to the door.
“It’s locked,” Shade called back. The sky then trembled with the growls of the creatures that had attacked them.
“Let me try,” said Banks, taking Shade’s place.
Banks grabbed the handle and heaved back on it with all her unnatural strength, but the handle merely snapped off in her hand. Cursing, she tossed the handle aside then tried to manually force the door open, but it wouldn’t budge.
“It’s no use, it looks like the door and the ground level walls have been heavily reinforced,” Banks added, hammering the door with her fist out of frustration. “It would take a blast from the Invictus plasma cannons to punch a hole in this.”
More rumbles and roars then penetrated the veil of darkness, and Sterling could tell they were coming closer. They were running out of time.
“Cover me while I run a bypass,” Sterling said, unslinging his rifle and handing it to his first officer. “This is an old Fleet colony, so there’s a chance my command codes can still override the lock.”
Sterling connected the computer on his left wrist to the door’s keypad then began running the bypass program. Suddenly the rumble of the beasts’ roars filled the air again, harmonizing with the ripples of thunder from the dark sky above them. Then a creature stepped out from the shadows and turned its red eyes toward them. This time, the monster appeared to be in no hurry to attack. It was taking the time to study its quarry more closely. The beast knows it has us cornered, Sterling thought.
“Hold your fire until it’s closer,” Sterling said, willing the computer to work faster. “And aim for the head or neck, otherwise you’ll just piss it off.”
The creature snorted, ejecting a plume of hot breath into the air from its long, horn-tipped nose. Then the beast advanced, but was quickly met with plasma blasts from both Shade’s and Banks’ rifles. Plasma energy thudded into the creature’s head and neck, but its skin was as tough as starship armor and still it came on.
“Keeping firing, I’m almost there!” Sterling called out loud. His mind was too frantic for neural communications, though he doubted Banks or Shade could hear him over the fizz of their plasma rifles. Then there was a resonant thud followed by a dozen more like it in quick succession. A hiss of air slipped out from the seam of the door then it crept open, but only by a crack.
“It’s unlocked!” Sterling called out, shouting at the top of his voice to be heard over the storm. Sterling then pressed his fingers into the gap between the door and the frame and hauled back, but the door wouldn’t move. “Mercedes, I need you!” Sterling shouted, while still trying to pull the door open. The roar of his effort was almost as primal as the beast that stalked them.
“Take my place,” Banks called back, handing the rifle to Sterling then wrapping her fingers around the side of the door instead. “Keep that thing busy!”
Sterling moved beside Lieutenant Shade and both continued to batter the creature with plasma fire. Energy flashed through the darkness, each blast striking true. However, the beast just raised its thick, claw tipped arm to shield its face and continued to stalk toward them.
“Hurry!” Sterling called back, as the door began to slowly creak open.
A second creature then appeared out of the darkness and Shade adjusted her aim, striking it cleanly between the eyes. The beast howled, drowning out of the sound of the thunder with its anguished cry. Enraged, the monster charged.
“Get inside, go!” Banks shouted.
Sterling turned and darted through the opening, closely followed by Shade, but the beast was only seconds behind her. Banks swung herself through the opening moments before the beast collided with the door, slamming it shut like a trap. Banks was propelled into the corridor as if she’d been shot from a cannon. The lock system engaged, hammering thick bolts into the foundational walls of the accommodation block and trapping the creatures outside. Sterling rushed to Banks’ side and quickly checked her over. Her commando armor was cracked like the shell of an egg, but other than appearing dazed she was unhurt. Together, the three Omega officers collapsed against the wall, muscles tingling and chests heavy. Then a voice cut through the stillness like the fla
sh of lighting through a midnight sky.
“Drop your weapons…”
Chapter 14
Reluctant saviors
Sterling turned to see a man and a woman in the hallway, both aiming old-fashioned firearms at Sterling’s chest. The weapons, while clearly antiques, still looked powerful enough to penetrate his armor at close range. However, the colonists holding the weapons did not look like pirates or mercenaries. They appeared more terrified of Sterling and his crew than Sterling had been of the beasts outside.
“I said raise your goddam hands!” the man barked again. The colonist’s voice quivered with fright, despite obvious attempts to disguise his fear in the barked command.
Sterling raised his hands, but kept hold of the plasma rifle, ensuring that the barrel of the weapon was pointed to the ceiling. Shade and Banks also raised their hands and turned to face the colonists.
“Take it easy, we’re not your enemy,” said Sterling, keeping his voice calm and level, despite the fact his heart was pounding in his chest.
Behind them, the beast continued to hammer its fist into the massive, vault-like door that was protecting them. Each thud made the colonists jerk with fright.
“How about you slip your fingers off the triggers of those weapons?” Sterling said, fearing that the next thud against the door would cause one of the strangers to accidently shoot him.
“Last chance, Fleet,” the man spat, ignoring Sterling’s request. “Drop that gun or I blow your head off.”
Sterling held his ground, though made sure not to make any sudden, provocative moments. “Are you sure you want me to put this down?” he asked, nodding toward the plasma rifle. “I don’t think those two antiques you’re holding will be much use if that thing outside breaks down this door.”
“I built that door myself and it’s held for the last ten years,” the man hit back. “It’ll survive another ten.” Another thud vibrated through the walls and every muscle in the man’s body tensed up. Sterling also flinched, but only because he expected to eat a bullet at any moment. “But you won’t survive another ten seconds, unless you put that goddam rifle down!” the colonist barked, switching the aim of the weapon so that the barrel was now aimed at Sterling’s head. The tremors shaking the man’s body had become more obvious, despite the colonist’s firm words. Ironically, Sterling realized it was more of a risk to drop his weapon than it was to keep possession of it.
“Fine, I’m putting it down,” said Sterling, slowly crouching then placing the rifle on the ground. “You too, Lieutenant,” Sterling added, glancing back to Shade. Sterling knew Shade’s subtle tells well enough to understand that his weapons officer did not agree with the command. However, she complied without complaint.
“My name is Captain Lucas Sterling,” Sterling said, still showing the two colonists his hands. “This is Commander Mercedes Banks and Lieutenant Opal Shade. We’re here looking for information, that’s all.”
“I don’t give a damn what you’re looking for, you’re not welcome here,” the man barked back. “How the hell did you get inside, anyway? That door was locked.”
Sterling scowled at the man. It had suddenly dawned on him that these two colonists had been waiting on the other side of the door the whole time they’d been trapped outside.
“I managed to unlock it, no thanks to you,” Sterling hit back. “Were you just going to leave us out there to get torn to shreds by those creatures?”
“If you were dumb enough to go walking around outside in the storm then you deserve what you get,” the man replied, with a coldness worthy of an Omega officer. “Besides, you’re Fleet. Gettin’ mauled to death by those things is no more than you deserve.”
Banks glowered at the man then balled her hands into fists. However, Sterling was quick to bar his first officer from going any further. They’d just survived a confrontation with alien beasts that could soak up plasma blasts like they were BB gun pellets. He wasn’t about to lose his first officer to the nervous trigger finger of an irate colonist.
“I don’t care if you like us or not,” Sterling said, turning his attention back to the male colonist. “All I want is information. Once I get it, my officers and I will leave without any trouble.”
The man frowned then glanced over at his companion. To Sterling, it looked like the man was seeking her approval, rather than her opinion, and guessed that she was the leader.
“Well, they’re inside now, anyway, so we may as well make the best of it,” the female colonist said.
The man sighed then pulled the rifle back, aiming the barrel at the ceiling. The woman behind him also lowered her weapon, but only aimed it fractionally off to one side.
“What the hell are you doing here, anyway, Fleet?” the man asked. “We haven’t seen your kind around here for longer than I can remember.”
“We’re looking for someone,” Sterling replied. “A scientist. We think he may have stopped by here in a shuttle, before heading deeper into the Void.”
The woman cursed then flipped on the safety and shoved her pistol down the waistband of her pants.
“I told you that damned shuttle would only bring more trouble,” the woman said, stepping to the side and glaring at Sterling.
“He was here?” Sterling said, feeling a rush of excitement race through his body. “It’s imperative that we find him. The success of the entire war could depend on it.”
The woman laughed openly and scornfully. “The war ended for us a long time ago, Fleet,” she snapped back. “No-one here cares about what happens to Earth or the inner colonies. Why the hell should we?”
“If Fleet loses then we all lose,” Sterling replied, still managing to keep a lid on his own emotions. “The Sa’Nerra won’t be content with Earth. Once they’re done, they’ll clean out the Void too.”
The woman laughed again then gestured to the walls of the corridor around them. “Look around, Captain,” she said, picking a strip of peeling paint off the wall. “Some of us lost already.”
Sterling empathized with the colonist’s anger and he knew their bitterness was justified. However, he was also rapidly losing his patience with their two reluctant saviors.
“How about we make this simple?” Sterling said, shaking off some of the excess water that had pooled on his armor. “You let us in, so we stop turning this corridor into a swimming pool, and we trade you for any information you have on that shuttle.”
The mention of trade seemed to pique the man’s interest. “What exactly are you offering?” he said.
“We need energy cells, a replacement type-seven generator and a whole heap of medicines,” the woman interrupted, stepping forward and taking charge. “There are a hundred of us in this block alone, and many more spread out across what’s left of Thrace. Some are sick, many are injured, and our supplies ran out years ago.”
Sterling nodded. “If your information is good then you’ll get what you need,” he replied, calmly.
The woman scowled at Sterling then glanced across to her companion, who simply raised his eyebrows.
“Okay, Captain, you have a deal,” said the woman. She then turned on her heels and marched back along the corridor. “The living areas are on the top floors,” she called back as she walked. “I’m afraid you’ll have to take the stairs. Like I said, the generator is out.”
The man then slung his rifle and looked at Sterling. “The name’s Bradshaw, by the way,” he said, turning down the corridor. “She’s Landry,” he added, setting off in pursuit of his companion.
“Are those your first names or last names?” Sterling called after the man.
“Either or both, it don’t matter, anymore,” the man called back without stopping. “There ain’t enough of us left here to need more than one name.”
Chapter 15
The crazy old man
Sterling collected his rifle from floor then set off in pursuit of the two colonists. The adrenalin flowing through his veins was wearing off and he was suddenly conscious of
a dozen new aches and pains resulting from the fight with the alien creatures. Banks and Shade followed, water pouring out of their armor like a leaky gutter. Both looked as weary as Sterling felt.
“We should be cautious,” said Banks, stepping alongside Sterling and shaking the excess water from her armor. “Those assholes were willing to let us die out there.”
“You’ll get no argument from me,” Sterling replied, activating the safety on his rifle then slinging it. “Lieutenant, make sure you watch our backs while we’re up there,” he added, glancing behind to his weapons officer. “We have no idea what to expect, and Bradshaw and Landry have already made it clear we’re not welcome. They’re not to be trusted.”
“I don’t trust anyone, Captain,” Shade replied. Like Sterling, she had also slung her rifle. “Well, almost no-one, sir.”
Sterling smiled, grateful for Shade’s quick correction, though he still couldn’t be sure whether it was himself that his weapons officer trusted, or someone else entirely.