by Rob Buckman
Penn shifted his weight onto his left foot as he couldn't feel the other. He noted the shadow of a smile on his guards face, betting they'd run into the tangle-foot field themselves a few times. The cybernetics team leader shot Penn a nasty look as he cleared the bot out of the way, shooting Penn a look as if he'd just killed his first-born. Locked in place, the elevator didn't move until the maintenance crew verifying the door's seal integrity and shut off the alarm. The moment they did, the doors closed and they continued their decent into the bowels of the ship.
At length, after negotiating numerous passageways, they exited into an immense hanger complex. Penn still limped slightly as he following Ellis across the flight deck toward a group of soldiers, and an assault shuttle. By the time they reached the group, the feeling in his foot had almost returned, thankfully in time should the opportunity to run present itself. Penn looked around as he walked, noting the blackened and dented steel deck from countless takeoffs and landings. To the uninitiated, seeing the open hanger bay doors and the stars beyond could be frightening, and but for the cold plasma screen covering the opening the hanger bay would be airless. As it was, shuttlecraft and such could pass through the screen into space without the need to depressurize the hanger before departure.
Penn wrinkled his nose at heavy stench of lubricants and fuel as he looked around at the collection of ships, considering the available opportunities. He also spotted three exit points from the flight deck should he decide to run. This hanger didn't offer much in the way of ships to choose from. Mostly lightweight inter-ship, or combat and assault shuttles, heavily armored, but not real fast. With the dreadnought's surrounding battle group, there wasn't anywhere to run, so he dismissed the thought. They were taking him to the planet, so why take the risk, other than to piss everyone off? Men and bots moved back and forth between several craft, preparing shuttles and auxiliary craft for departure, or securing them after landing for refueling. Penn looked up at the C&C center behind the armored plastaglass window high up on the long rear wall of the launch bay. With the command and control center orchestrated all the activity down here under their ever-watchful eye, Penn knew he didn't have a hope in hell of launching any of these craft without disabling at least some of the defense systems. That wouldn't have bothered him at all if he had someplace to run to like last time he escaped. As they walked up, Captain Carras called the men to attention, Penn immediately recognizing him from the hotel. He took in the wary glances some of the men and women gave him and Ellis as they approached, obviously recognizing them both as human. The rest of the team by their color or facial structure were from different parts of the Empire and didn't have any particular axe to grind against anyone from Earth, except possibly Sergeant Jaxx. He had the look in his eyes of someone who'd been on Earth and what to expect from humans. Standing by her side it was clear the soldiers were wondered who he was. His tan jump suit said civilian and typical of most soldiers, therefore, beneath them in some way. He checked the group out with a practiced eye of a leader, sorting them into different groups. Knowing Markoff as he did, it wouldn't surprise him if IMPSEC hadn't slipped a couple of ringers in as insurance. One soldier in particular caught Penn's eye. The slight sneer on his face as he looked at them said volumes. Penn caught his name out of the General cross talk as the Captain went through the introductions. Dana, Squad Leader Dana, and a Surl. Unlike the Var class he didn't have the distinctive bony nose ridge or the dark brown skin like General Tandy.
* * * * * *
Ellis evaluated each team members, as Captain Carras walked with her down the line of men and woman, introducing them. As far as Ellis could tell this was a mixed bag. None came from the same unit, with just a few from the same planet. That meant that without the language implants each carried, few, if any could talk to each other. Captain Carras introduced her to Sergeant Jaxx and from the look of it he was one tough customer. The Esterian Sergeant was three inches taller than Ellis, and he gave the impression he'd been doing this a long time. His yellow skin was mottled with age and old battle scars. His attitude toward her was carefully neutral, but she suspected he didn't like humans much. One by one, she tagged their names and specialties and checked them off on her data pad.
NAME
RACE
GENDER
RANK
NOTE
Marl Carras
Oxian
Male
Captain
IMPSEC - Special Forces
Bane Jaxx
Esterian
Male
Sergeant
Old Timer - Imp. Military
Sartac
Esterian
Male
Squad Leader
Worrier - Imp. Military
First Squad
Dana
Low Born Tellurian
Male
Senior Squad Leader
Hard Ass - Special Ops.
Paq
UUsarian
Male
Trooper
Heavy Weapon - Sniper
Breen
Low Born Tellurian
Male
Trooper
Snake cold - Special Ops.
Covers
Low Born Tellurian
Male
Trooper
Sneaky - Special Ops
Romm
Sarcaffian
Male
Trooper
Medic - Radio operator
Second Squad
Gemma
Midrian
Female
Squad Leader
Surly - Imp. Military
Class
Gort
Neuter
Trooper
Heavy Weapons - Sniper
Callis
Midrian
Female
Trooper
Young - Imp. Military
Vanira
Midrian
Female
Trooper
Mother Hen - Imp. Military
Zinary
Essobarian
Female
Trooper
Cold Bitch - Special Ops
Third Squad
Merl
Clone World
Male
Squad Leader
Solid Hand - Imp. Military
Gelbow
Rim World
Male
Trooper
Cook - Imp. Military
Rune
Sethian
Male
Trooper
Mechanic - Imp. Military
Pretrov
Calorian
Male
Trooper
Explosive - Special Ops
Milac
Pittbranian
Male
Trooper
Electronics - Imp. Military
The biggest by far was Trooper Class. He almost qualified as a giant, standing over seven feet tall, and built like a moving mountain. Oddly, according to her spec sheet he was a sniper as well as one of two heavy weapon experts. How someone that big could move so stealthily to be a sniper was something she'd have to wait and see. Her data pad pointed up that several were Special Forces, and probably black Op specialists. That presented a potential discipline problem as most Spec-Ops were by nature mavericks and loners. Probably a lot like Penn. As if she didn't have headaches enough baby-sitting him through this mission, she now had a dozen potential prima donnas’ to deal with as well. Ellis let out an inaudible sigh. So what else was new? If anyone could do it, they wouldn't need her.
“Heads up people! We have a mission to do.” Her voice sharp and full of authority as she moved to stand in front of them. ”Here's what I expect…”
While Ellis was going through her introduction spiel, Penn looked around the flight deck again, gauging his chanced of grabbing a shuttle, or maybe something more lethal and getting the hell out of here. The itch in his neck reminded him of just how short a leash they had him on. He heaved a sof
t sigh of resignation as Ellis motioned him to board the shuttle. As Penn started to ascend the rear ramp, General Tandy showed up escorted by six, large, hard faced IMPSEC goons.
“Good morning troops - Sub-Major.” Returning their salutes with a casual wave of his hand. “I'd like to thank you all for volunteering for the dangerous mission…” He started to say.
“Think you have enough moral support there Tandy?” Penn cut in before the General could launch into his mealy-mouthed pack of lies. He moved slowly away from Ellis, and the shuttle ramp into the clear.
“Watch your tongue, Penn.”
“Why? Are you going to tell your bunk buddies to beat me up if I don't?”
Penn started pulling air into his system and clamping down on his stomach muscles in preparation for a fight, almost eager for Tandy to give the word. This time he'd get a piece of the General's ass, despite what Ellis or anyone else could do. He was disappointed, as with an effort, General Tandy controlled his temper. His plan to come down to the flight deck and rouse the troops with his presence and a few stirring words crumbled to dust. It didn't take a genius to see that Penn was just itching for another chance to hurt him.
“Carry on Major.” He snarled, beating a hasty retreat back to the command deck.
“What a fucking dickhead!” Someone in the ranks muttered. If the Major, or the Captain heard it, they said nothing.
“Quiet in the ranks!” Sergeant Jaxx growled.
There is a long-established rule in any military that NCO were not permitted to let such remarks go without comment, or risk reprimand from an officer, even if they agreed with its sentiment. In the Sergeant's opinion, if asked, this mission was starting out as a cluster fuck and going downhill fast. He didn't like humans any better than General Tandy, having lost a good many people, as well as friends to the insane creatures. Nevertheless, orders were orders, and he was a professional.
CHAPTER - SEVEN: Descent - Sigma Alpha Prime
An hour later the team completed loading the remaining supplies, equipment and stood waited for the all-important launch order from the flight control center. Everyone hated the waiting for different reasons, but the inevitable, and universally despised visit from the medic was at the top of the list. Moving quickly down the line, he injected each in turn with an immunity booster, against what the medic didn't know, just that he’d been ordered to do it. A technician followed the medic down the line, checking and uploading last-minute additions to their translation implants.
At last they strapped in and prepared for departure, eighteen nervous looking individuals strapped tightly into heavily padded jump seats. They all knew if the General was telling the truth, this was a one-way trip. Ellis and Penn by contrast seemed unconcerned about the whole thing. Penn looked like he was half-asleep while Ellis rested comfortably in her shock webbing, putting her faith in the additional padding, heavy cross bracing, and larger contra-gravity generators to get them down safely.
She didn't want to die, but she'd developed a fatalistic attitude toward the possibility that was somehow comforting. Instead, she contemplated the bleak possibility that if they, meaning Penn, couldn't find a way to turn off this gravity device. They'd be stuck here for the rest of their lives. She was one of five female midst fourteen oversexed alien males. Penn was the obvious choice as a partner, but she prayed it wouldn't come to that. The last thing in the world she wanted to do was cuddle up to that psychopathic killer. During the pre-mission briefing General Tandy had twice told her of Penn's survival expertise, but then again, anyone on Earth who'd survived the Empire's invasion would be an expert. General Tandy kept assuring her that if anyone could get her party to the target building Penn was that person. She had her doubts. To her, Penn probably didn't have the brains to pour beer out of a boot, with the instructions on the heel. He was way too young to have any real combat experience. A few firefights, and the occasional punch-up at the local pub maybe. In comparison she'd seen more combat in the chow line waiting for lunch.
At last the clearance arrived, and the pilot sealed the rear hatch. As the hatch closed, Ellis snuggled back into the shock padding, preparing herself the best she could for the buffering they'd been told to expect. A slight sound drew her attention, bringing a deepening frown between her eye. With a slight growl, she gritted her teeth as she looked at the source of the noise. It was Pen, and he was snoring softly, fast asleep. Of all the infuriating men she ever met, this Penn took the biscuit. If she could reach, she'd kick him, just out of spite. The shuttle lifting off killed that idea, wishing she had something she could throw at him instead.
"Of all the arrogant…" The surge, and roar of the shuttle engines exiting the launch bay covered up the rest of her statement.
The in-flight across the AU barrier was uneventful almost boring event until the shuttle passed the marker buoy. At that point it started to shake, but again, nothing unusual. The shaking increased the deeper they plunged into the planet's gravity well, bringing Ellis back to the moment as she tightened her shock webbing one last time. Penn of course was still fast asleep, his boyish face smooth and untroubled as if he were sleeping in his mother's arms.
The mission profile was clear. One: crash land on the planet. Two: If they survived the landing, they were to make their way to the pyramid. Three: With Penn acting as a guide, and point man, make their way to the building and gain entry. Four: Once inside, locate the control center, or find the equipment that controlled the gravitational effect. From there, it was either 'A' turn it off, or 'B' destroy it.
If neither A nor B worked, General Tandy didn't have to point out they would be stuck with option 'C'. That meant Ellis, and whoever survived the crash landing would be stuck here for the rest of their lives, or until someone figured out a way to land and take off again. Not something Ellis wanted to contemplate at the moment.
* * * * * *
The shuttle bucked and rolled the neared it got to the planet, and Penn's inner ear told him the pilot was trying in vain to keep the craft's nose up as their descent speed increased. How much real control he had was difficult to say, but if Tandy's warning was correct this was more of a controlled crash than a landing. Ionized gasses began flaring along the length of the shield, something few if any had seen. Most craft entered atmosphere slowly, due to the anti-gravity systems and at slow speed it was rare to see anything unusual. The Ionization increased as did the speed of their death plunge toward the planet surface. As the craft plunged deeper into the atmosphere the sound of air rushing by the hull increased, as did the amount of orange tinged flame and the whine of the over-sized Cg and inertial dampening generator as it warbled up the scale to try and compensate for the downward pull of the planet. The interior lights dimmed as the generators sucked up more and more power, and they all heard shouting from the flight deck as the craft went into a sharp angled dive. Any resemblance to a normal descent, even a combat drop, ended when they passed the one AU barrier, but it became obvious once they enter the atmosphere. Just how much control the pilots really had become apparent as the terrible buffeting worsened by the second. It became even more frightening when the interior lights flickered, then went out altogether, plunging the cargo deck into darkness. Only the bright, flickering orange light outside the windows highlighted the frightened faces, and mouths opened to scream, unheard, and buried under the roar of atmosphere streaming pass the hull. Someone screamed even louder as they hit with a bone jarring impact, hearing the hull groan in protest, as the extra cross bracing began to buckle under the increased strain. Supposedly secure lockers sprung open, sending the contents bouncing around the interior as the hull twisted out of shape. Penn caught a flying oxygen bottle, and jammed it between his legs as he batted miscellaneous objects toward the deck with his free hand. The high-pitched screech of metal tearing off the ship as they smashed into something cut through the interior like a knife, the impact starting them spinning, first one way, then another as they hit something else.
Penn held on to
the shock webbing, breathing heavily, betting they'd come down in a forest by the sound of branches snapping as they scraped along the outer hull. The third hit had them traveling forward again in a reasonably straight line but still way too fast. With one last bone bruising crash and the sound of rending metal they were down and at rest. A pale greenish light leaked into the darkened cabin around the broken stub of an enormous branch that punched its way through the cockpit windshield and the forward bulkhead. Thankfully, above their heads. The dripping red stain on the broken end bore mute testimony to the gruesome demise of pilot and copilot. So much for getting off this mud ball in this ship was Penn's thought as he unsnapped the crash webbing. Curses and groans of pain came from all around as the team unstrapped, and tried to stand on the sloping deck, the hull groaning in protest as it settled. Suddenly, bright greenish light flooded the interior as Sergeant Jaxx hit the emergency release on the shuttle's rear ramp. The steel ramp crashed to the Earth with a wet thump and a spray of mud. Unlike the others Penn had nothing to carry, so he followed Ellis down sloping deck to the ramp, breathing the hot humid air, feeling as if he'd come home.
A quick survey told them how lucky they'd been, but not by much. Either by luck or judgment the shuttle pilot managed to put his ship down on a thickly wooded hillside. Looking back up the hill they could all see the path of destruction the shuttle carved as it careened down, from the broken trees to the freshly churned Earth. Its final resting place was the scary part, accounting for the branch through the cockpit. Sometime in the past, wind, or gravity had brought down one of the giant trees, so it lay across their path of descent. If it weren't for that, the shuttle would have plunged over a sheer cliff that fell away in a thousand foot drop. No one would have survived that no matter how much padding they had.