Artifact: Rise Of Mankind Book 6

by John Walker

  “Great.” Adam turned to Agatha. “Prepare a message to alliance high command. Tell them we’re going to need backup out here ASAP and give them the bad news about the destroyer.”

  “Yes, sir.” Agatha leaned over her console and began recording her message.

  Olly’s hand poised over a section of his terminal. “I’m launching the probes now…” He tapped several times, then turned to the primary view screen. A tactical map of the area appeared, showing the course of the various probes. Each of them sent out a pulse to capture data, rapidly returning it to the Behemoth.

  “Nothing in sector five…” Olly muttered. “Whoa! Um…Probe seven just hit an asteroid. It’s um…kinda broken.”

  Clea shook her head. “No need to be tentative about that. It happens.”

  “Sorry.” Olly cleared his throat. “Oh…Look at this.”

  Clea leaned over him and frowned at the readings. Probe three, flying near the natural satellite of the planet, picked something up but it was only a brief ping. They brought up the data and scrubbed it, trying to see what it might’ve found. A partial life form detection though only at an organic level. As in whatever it found might’ve been dead.

  “Let’s focus on that sector. Turn our own scans on it, full power.” Clea looked back at her tablet and began tapping away. “Yes, really narrow our search to that area. The satellite is lifeless with no atmosphere whatsoever. Something’s over there for sure.”

  Adam cleared his throat. “Do you think you found their ship?”

  “Either that,” Clea replied, “or another discovery no one ever imagined possible: a life form that can survive in deep space. Either way, we’re investigating and should have results momentarily.”

  “Good,” Adam said. “Keep me informed.”

  They watched their screen fill with more data, a much larger, centralized mass of life. As they sorted it and scrubbed the data, it became apparent that they found a mass of people…the ship was hiding behind the moon. The ship itself emitted no power at all. They’d shut the reactor off!

  I can’t imagine how uncomfortable that thing is right now.

  “Found it,” Clea said. “Hiding just on the other side of the natural satellite. They’ve got their power off.”

  “That should be an advantage,” Adam replied, turning to his seat. “They’ll have to crank it back on to fight properly with us. Maybe this is our opportunity to take it out. Any idea how long it will take for them to be combat effective?”

  Clea sighed and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I can speak to how long an alliance ship or this one might take but they clearly have wildly different technology. I’d be speculating without a good scan of their reactor while it’s at one hundred percent. And considering it’s off right now, I can’t even determine if they use the same pulse reactors we do.”

  “Understood.” Adam tapped the com and reached out to Gray. “Captain, we’ve found the enemy vessel. They’ve got no power and are trying to hide near this planet’s moon. I’d like permission to engage immediately.”

  “So someone’s still down on the surface,” Gray replied. “Prepare battle stations. I’ll be right up and we’ll take them out. Have all pilots get into position for an attack run. I want to hit them with everything we’ve got.”

  ***

  Hoffner found the Orion’s Light troops beyond uncooperative. No amount of coercing or threatening could get them to talk. He began to consider some extreme ideas when Jenks hurried over to him, offering a quick salute. The interruption was both annoying and welcome. He wasn’t getting anywhere with the prisoners anyway.

  “What is it, Sergeant?”

  “We’ve just spoken with the director of the colony,” Jenks replied. “She said that the commander of the Orion’s Light basically trapped them all in the building where we found them and was heading up to a nearby weather station to talk to a vet. Some guy named Varlin.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s looking for something. Some star chart.” Jenks shrugged. “Beyond that, they don’t know where it leads or anything. They lied their way down here, saying they were special forces and on some secret mission. Apparently, it was the Orion’s Light that took out the pirates. They saved the colony only to come down here and cause havoc.”

  “Christ. Prepare shuttle. We have to get out there.” Hoffner turned to another soldier. “Get these scum into a holding cell. Two of you stay to provide guard duty. If they try to escape, kill them. We don’t have time for more challenges. I’m going to report in to the Behemoth before we go. Let’s move people!”

  Jenks rushed off and Hoffner radioed back to Marshall to give him the news. He went through everything and told them the next step. Then, he got the news about the discovery of the enemy vessel. A potential fight was about to break out up there and if it did, they might finish everything right there.

  “We have to get to this Varlin character then right away and help him. If we can stop him from being assaulted, interrogated and killed, we might also be able to capture their commander.” Hoffner paused. “Or better yet, put his crazy ass down.”

  “Do what you have to do,” Marshall replied. “Just ensure that we stop them from getting off the planet with the star chart. By any means necessary.”

  Hoffner’s brows raised. “Sir? You mean rules of engagement don’t apply?”

  “Whatever this guy is up to, we have to stop him. So yes, the rules of engagement don’t apply. Literally, do anything you have to. I want him stopped, Hoffner. Before he leaves the surface of the planet if you can. If not, then get any intel you can on what he’s doing. This star chart business I’ll relate to the captain.”

  “Thank you.” Hoffner jogged to the shuttle. The engines were already fired up and it was ready to go. Jenks met him as they moved up the ramp.

  “Prisoners are secure,” Jenks said. “And we’re ready to fly.”

  Hoffner told him what Marshall said and even the gruff sergeant looked uneasy with the order. They never operated without limits so their target must’ve been a real ass. Of course, considering how his people acted, it didn’t surprise Hoffner at all. They were zealots, total lunatics and the fact they killed innocents, and themselves, painted their leader in a sinister light.

  As the ship took off, they left the door open. Everyone strapped in and prepared for a hot drop. They’d swoop in, depart the ship and throw themselves into a fight if necessary. If the ambushes were any sort of indication, they were in for another brawl. Orion’s Light crew seemed intent on throwing their lives away for whatever their cause was.

  Hoffner only wished they’d published it somewhere. It would be good to know what kind of crazies they were dealing with. Considering the situation, it felt likely they were some kind of religious order, another extremist group. Earth dealt with plenty of that before taking to the stars. They still had a few of them operating here and there but nothing like these guys.

  Not anymore at least.

  As the mountain came into view, he checked his rifle and took a steadying breath. Hoffner marched into countless battles in his lifetime but he never became jaded to them. While he outwardly remained calm and cool, inwardly he recognized the distinct possibility of never coming back. Some of his peers purged such thoughts entirely as if they didn’t care.

  Life can be snuffed out at any time, anywhere. Combat just ups the odds.

  Marshall told him that once and he took it to heart. He’d been a lieutenant then, cocky and sure he could take on any task and walk away unscathed. They lost four marines on an op and it hit him hard. His commanding officer did his best to bring the gravity of the situation to bear and it worked.

  Hoffner respected the danger much more, even if he couldn’t do anything about mitigating it.

  Roland, the pilot, broke his thoughts, “we’ll be at the LZ in less than three minutes.”

  Their suits protected them from the cold but the HUD of Hoffner’s helmet indicated how chilly it had become. The mountain
air matched what one might expect on Earth with the ambient temperature rapidly approaching zero. Visibility also took a hit as misty snow flurried all about them.

  “Life scans are positive near the weather station,” Roland spoke up again. “I’m reading warmer temperatures near the structure itself. That’s where the people are I’m picking up.”

  “How many?”

  “Three.”

  “Fortified, I’m sure,” Jenks said. “We know there should only be one person out here.”

  “Three’s better than ten,” Hoffner replied. “Unfortunately, we don’t know if one of those that we’re about to encounter is Varlin.”

  “I’ve got another life sign. Faint though.” Roland hummed. “Nearly two hundred yards from the station on a hill. Wait! I’m reading…there’s a ship about to break atmosphere, sir. Not one of ours. It’s really hauling ass.”

  “Send word to the Behemoth. We’re focusing on the ground mission. Take us down near the faint life sign and we’ll go from there.” Hoffner turned to Jenks. “When we disembark, set up a perimeter. Walsh, you go deal with those jack asses at the weather station. If my guess is right, we’re about to try to save Varlin’s life and take back his home.”

  The shuttle landed in the snow roughly fifty yards from their objective. Hoffner brought the scan up on his computer while Jenks did his job, spreading his men out. Walsh and his crew headed toward the weather station. The body in the snow was covered in blood, it could be seen even from the shuttle at such a distance. Crimson against white made a vibrant landmark.

  Hoffner approached as one of the medics began applying pressure to a wound. The man’s eyes fluttered open and he swallowed hard. “He…took…the chart…”

  “What is it?” Hoffner knelt beside him. “What did he take?”

  “Star…chart…to…” Varlin grunted, eyes closing tightly. His whole body stiffened just before the medic gave him an injection, something for the pain apparently. As he relaxed, the medic continued his work, frantically looking him over. “An old…monastery…the lost…ones…home…”

  “The lost ones? Who are they?” Hoffner looked at the medic who shook his head.

  “I’m sorry, sir. He’s delirious from blood loss. If he wouldn’t have been wearing this suit, he’d be dead from hypothermia. I need to get him back to the Behemoth for surgery and we might be able to save his life.”

  Hoffner nodded. “Let’s prep him to move and get this place squared away. I’m pretty sure we won’t be staying in the system long with this news.” In the distance, he heard gunfire and turned to Jenks. “Give Walsh some backup. Not that I think he needs it but better to be safe than sorry.”

  As the other marines rushed off, Hoffner helped the medic get Varlin into the shuttle and settled. They’d be gone soon and, with any luck, it wouldn’t matter that Orion’s Light got hold of their objective. Providing the Behemoth blew them out of the sky in this system, they could leisurely check out what they were after on their own time.

  Just gotta save this guy first. One step at a time, Hoffner.

  ***

  Walsh and his men approached the weather station at a brisk, but cautious pace. Their scanners indicated their targets had taken refuge inside the weather station, a five story tower with a massive antenna at the top. The power seemed to be off as they drew closer. All the windows were dark and a nearby generator remained silent.

  “Let’s spread out,” Walsh spoke into their private com. “Take it from both sides and keep your eyes up. They might be trying to take the higher ground.”

  “There are only three of them,” Felix, one of the newer privates said. “Why don’t we just blast this place with the shuttle and get out of here?”

  “Might as well preserve the infrastructure,” Johnson spoke up, a corporal. “As you said, there’s only three so why bother to blow up a building for them?”

  “Cut the chatter,” Walsh added. “Just get into position and let’s take them down.”

  A spray of gunfire littered the snow near them, coming from up high. The men rushed the building, pressing against it and moving around toward the entrance. The clean miss gave away far more than the enemy wanted, Walsh was certain. Now they knew where they were and that they were twitchy to boot.

  If they’d have waited another few moments they would’ve easily gotten a decent shot on one of us. A little more aim too. Dumb asses.

  No more shots were fired as they got into position near the doors, which were wide open. Why didn’t they shut these up? Walsh ran a quick scan and frowned. Unstable substances framed the door. They boobytrapped it.

  “Everyone move back around the building. We have to spring this.” Walsh gestured. “They’ve given themselves a little insurance in case someone just charged in.”

  “Bombs…” Felix said. “Looks like it’s unstable enough for a grenade to crack.”

  “Toss one in and everyone get to cover. Watch the windows in case they come for another shot.”

  Felix tossed the grenade and the marines rushed out of the way, hurrying toward the rocks for cover. Gunshots caught the ground behind them and one of the men cried out in pain. Johnson shouted, “contact, third story!”

  They returned fire, blasting away at the windows just as the grenade went off. It triggered the boobytrap as expected and their helmets quelled the noise to avoid interfering with their hearing. But the resounding explosion shook the ground and caused the entire building to tremble. Christ, did they nearly take the whole place down?

  Walsh looked around for their down man but they were all with him. “Who’s hurt?”

  “Got shot in the leg,” Tellis said. “I’m good.”

  “You sure?”

  “Just want to put them down.”

  Walsh caught movement on the second floor and took quick aim before firing. He saw a man’s face for a split second before blood obscured it. Scratch one for sure. More shots rang out and they had to move when the shots got too close, rushing toward different cover for a better angle.

  “We’ve got to get in there and finish this!”

  “I’m on it,” Johnson said, darting forward.

  “Wait!” Walsh sighed. “Give him cover! Light those windows up!”

  They littered the building with enough ordinance to make Walsh think they probably should have just blown it up with the shuttle. Someone took several shots at Johnson but missed him, allowing him to enter the building. Walsh ducked and switched his HUD to see his man’s perspective, ordering two more soldiers to get to the door and provide support.

  Johnson rushed up the stairs, drawing his side arm and letting his rifle hang at his side. Someone started shouting as the marine opened fire with his pistol. Three shots caught the target in the stomach and chest with the last one catching him in the neck. As the man dropped to the ground, his companion came to the stairs and fired.

  Johnson fell against the wall as the blow popped his shoulder but he managed to lift his weapon and fire at the same time as his opponent. The bullet ripped through the man’s face just as he squeezed the trigger. A full burst tore at Johnson’s chest, tossing him backwards out the window.

  “What the hell!” Walsh shouted, gesturing for his men to rush forward. Johnson landed in the snow and didn’t move. “Medic! Get on him now! Tellis and Felix, clear the building! I think they’re all gone but be sure! Form a perimeter and secure this area!”

  Jenks and his team showed up as they were checking over their fallen man. They went about ensuring no more enemies were around before Jenks joined him. “Will he be okay?”

  “I can’t say,” Walsh said. “His life signs are weak but not gone. We’ve got to get him aboard the ship. Crazy bastard. Ran in there by himself.”

  “Sounds like us when we were him.” Jenks radioed to the shuttle and requested an immediate evac. Walsh remained beside Johnson while they waited, silently praying his guy would make it.

  He doesn’t deserve to die here like this. Come on, man. You ca
n make it.

  Chapter 7

  Gray leaned forward, watching the view screen intently as they moved in to attack the enemy vessel. He hoped he might glean some insight by staring at the image, something about the Orion’s Light he could use in the fight to come. No part of him believed they would simply swoop in and destroy the ship. The commander was far too clever to leave his ship completely undefended.

  They were unpredictable and beyond committed. They hadn’t faced anyone yet who seemed quite so formidable. Even the enemy had a defined and simple purpose: to eliminate their opponents. Whatever this guy had in mind seemed far more sinister. He left some people alive, kidnapped others and now played a game with his ship hiding near a moon.

  Even the pirates had a pattern. This guy just threw his off.

  “Message from Captain Hoffner,” Agatha said. “He’s contacted me directly to let us know a shuttle is on its way up. Definitely Orion’s Light.”

  “Fleeing the scene?” Adam asked. “I wonder who’s on that ship. Think we might be lucky enough to have the commander out there?”

  “I hope so.” Gray nodded to him. “Get Revente to send the fighters in to harass it but tell them to be careful. I don’t trust this guy and there might be something more going on that we’re not aware of. I don’t want to lose anyone to a cheap trick. I feel like a soldier about to enter a mine field. Let’s make sure we don’t trigger anything.”

  ***

  Wing Commander Meagan Pointer’s unit flew security for the Behemoth during the operation. Tiger wing escorted ships to the surface then maintained air superiority, just in case the enemy decided to bring their own ships to take out the ground forces. Group Commander Estaban Revente contacted all ships to let them know the enemy had been found. They redirected for an attack.

  A new message reached her as they moved into position. “Panther One, this is Giant Control. There’s an enemy shuttle leaving the surface that may have a high value target on board. Problem is it might also be a trap. I want you to cautiously take it out.”