by Knox, Barry
Gideon looked behind him and saw three men running toward him. They were also dressed in white jumpsuits and carrying duffel bags. As the three neared, Gideon recognized the men and stopped. They were his team.
“What’s up, LT?” Corporal Gault asked when he, Sergeant Manelly, and Sergeant Kindle caught up with Gideon.
“Have you guys been briefed on anything?” Gideon asked.
“All we know is that we’re being assigned as a marine contingent aboard a starship sir,” Sergeant Manelly said.
“I’ll give you a full briefing and introduce you to our CO and starship captain as soon as I can. I specifically requested you ‘jarheads,’ so don’t make me regret it!” Gideon said with a smile.
The three men smiled back.
“Move it, marines!” Captain Neubauer yelled from the ramp of the orbital shuttle as the rest of the group boarded.
“That’s our new CO,” Gideon said as the four men ran to board the shuttle.
Destroyer USS Kathryn Sullivan, Earth Orbit
0930—February 13, 2372
“Briefing in the ammo locker in ten minutes!” Gideon yelled into the small crew bay, where the enlisted marines had been assigned during their trip to Mars.
The six marines had just stowed their gear and were going to change into their new green marine starship uniforms.
“And keep your white jumpsuits on. We’ll be wearing these until otherwise notified,” Gideon added with a smile and left.
The marines let a few choice words fly and put their new green starship uniforms away along with their new ATCCS.
“Can’t wear my newfangled uniform, haven’t really been told why I’m here, and I don’t really know where I’m going,” Corporal Gault grumbled as he put his uniform away.
“Welcome to the Marine Corps!” A bellow, sounding as if it had come from a boot camp drill instructor, echoed from the far side of the bay. “You ain’t been in the corps long enough to even know what not to know. So just keep your mouth shut until you have something worth my hearing!” Gunnery Sergeant Michael Xia made the remarks as he stood akimbo while staring at Gault.
Gunny Xia was a tall, thin, hard-bodied marine whose stance oozed experience and confidence. Only his short gray hair and slightly wrinkled face gave away his age.
“Sure, Gunny. I was only venting and-”
“No one cares, Gault!” Xia shouted. “Everyone to the ammo locker on the double!”
***
The marine ammo locker, located in the lower aft decks of the USS Kathryn Sullivan, was far away from the ship’s engines and defensive weapons. The locker contained the usual marine combat equipment aboard every destroyer. The regular marine contingent commander aboard the Kathryn Sullivan had been told to keep his people away from the locker for two hours.
Gideon was standing by Captain Neubauer when their six marines walked into the ammo locker.
“Close the hatch and have a seat wherever you can find one,” Captain Neubauer said.
The last marine who entered closed the locker hatch as the other marines sat on crates or just sat on the deck.
“As you all know by now, we’ve been told that we’re special and that we’re on some type of historic mission to find out how life originated on Earth. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t give a flip!” Neubauer said and paused as his marines chuckled at his comment.
“We’re marines! We’re already special, and all we need to know is who to kill and when to stop killing ‘em! So don’t let the squids and the overpaid scientists convince you that you’re something that you’re not,” Neubauer added.
Again, more chuckles.
“Enough of the hogwash. Here’s the setup. As you’ve already figured out, Lieutenant Klaxton is your executive officer. We have two missions: first, to provide security aboard the Stephen Hawking; and second, to deploy off ship as ordered by Captain Bowser. For deployments, we’ll have a black ops team commanded by myself, and a green ops team commanded by Lieutenant Klaxton. The black ops team will include Gunnery Sergeant Xia, Sergeant Reuben Mucha, and Sergeant John Tidwell. Green ops team will be Sergeant Manelly, Sergeant Kindle, and Corporal Gault. Questions?” Captain Neubauer asked and waited.
“Sir, what equipment will we be issued aboard the Stephen Hawking?” Sergeant Mucha asked. Mucha sat on a crate marked FISSION GRANADES. His head was shaved in a way that left three stripes of short brown hair: one stripe on top from his forehead to the back of the neck and one stripe on each side. The cut had replaced the traditional Mohawk a century ago and was usually sported by marines who had at one time been seriously wounded in battle. He was average size, weight, and height.
“We’re told that we’ll have the standard issue of warship weapons, ammo, combat armor, and combat pressure suits. Also, we’ll have the newest model of marine assault orbital VTOL along with a standard naval orbital VTOL,” Neubauer said and then looked at Sergeant Tidwell. “Tidwell that should make your day. You think you can learn to pilot the new assault VTOL in a couple of days? After all, you’ve been flying assault aircraft since you were transferred to Marine Recon Black Ops.”
“Yes, sir, no problem,” Tidwell said. “VTOLs are like riding a bicycle these days. Learn to fly one, and you can fly ‘em all.”
Tidwell’s short height was well suited for the small pilot compartment of some assault craft. His head was shaved like many assault pilots to keep his head cool during long suborbital missions while wearing a flight helmet.
“Any other questions?” Neubauer asked.
The marines remained quiet.
“Okay then. Stay in your quarters unless Gunny Xia, myself, or Lieutenant Klaxon tells you otherwise. We’ll arrive in Mars orbit tomorrow. I’ll brief you again then. Dismissed!”
The marines stood, Gault opened the hatch, and the men headed for their quarters.
“Gunny Xia, there’ll be a briefing with Captain Bowser and the scientists at fourteen hundred hours. I want you to accompany me and the lieutenant,” Neubauer said as Xia was walking out of the ammo locker.
“Yes, sir,” Xia replied.
Destroyer USS Kathryn Sullivan, Outbound to Mars
1400—February 13, 2372
Dr. Harper, Dr. Jones, and Captain Bowser were seated in a small conference room aboard the Kathryn Sullivan when Captain Neubauer, Lieutenant Klaxton, and Gunnery Sergeant Xia entered. The marines stood at attention until Captain Bowser told them to have a seat.
“Okay, we’re all here,” Dr. Harper said. “As you know, we requested three other scientists accompany us on this mission. All are on colony planets whose governments aren’t friendly with the United States, and as of this moment none of our requests have been answered. We’d like to go ahead and make tentative plans to acquire these scientists if our requests are turned down or never answered.”
“Why are these scientists so important to this mission?” Gideon asked.
“We need experts in specific scientific fields for this mission, and we’ve been ordered to acquire the scientists who are the best in these fields. Doctor Aaron Kastriva is the utmost authority in quantum physics, Doctor Rachel Bailey is the best cosmic biologist, and Doctor Vashni Qasim designed the first quantum artificial intelligent computer system,” Dr. Harper said, hesitated for a second, and continued. “Also, these scientists will validate our findings. Their governments are more likely to believe what we find if they’re there when we discover the origin of life on Earth.”
“So, we’ve been ordered to abduct these scientists if necessary?” Captain Neubauer asked.
“Well…yes, we have, captain,” Mary said with a hint of regret. “Admiral Frank ordered that these scientists accompany us at all costs.”
“What planets are they on?” Xia asked.
“Kastriva is on Gliese, Bailey is on Corot, and Qasim is on Leonis,” Dr. Jones said.
Xia let out a long whistle and said, “Wow, you gotta be kidding!”
“At ease, Gunny,” Neubauer said.
He paused and then added, “I think you all understand those planets won’t let their scientist go with us voluntarily.”
“I don’t know about Doctors Harper and Jones, but I completely agree,” Mary answered. “We’ve been at war with those worlds on and off for the past century.”
“Do we even know if the scientists would like to go with us?” Gideon asked.
“Of course.” Dr. Harper began to answer with a trace of annoyance in his voice. “Any scientist would jump at the opportunity to go with us, no matter what their or their government’s political views are. We’re talking about being a part of the greatest scientific discovery ever made!”
“Okay then,” Captain Neubauer said as he cracked a smile and added, “All we need is to get as close to each planet as possible and have a good idea of where the scientist might be. My marines will get ‘em out.”
After the meeting, Mary asked Neubauer and Gideon to stay behind for a few minutes. Neubauer wanted Xia to stay, but Mary denied his request.
“I wanted to let you know that we’ll try to ‘rescue’ the scientists, but I don’t want to lose anyone doing so,” Mary said after the doctors and Xia left. “Captain Neubauer, begin planning your rescue missions as best you can with the limited information that you’ll be supplied. Don’t sacrifice your men or put my ship in danger. If you can’t get the scientists out, that’s fine. I’ll take the responsibility and support all your decisions.” Mary took a breath and added, “Off the record, Captain Neubauer. What do you think about this mission?”
“Ma’am, off the record-”
“Sir, I prefer to be addressed as ‘sir,’” Mary said.
Captain Neubauer nodded and said, “Yes, sir. Off the record, I think this mission is wasting my men’s time and stalling my career. I should be commanding a company of marines on one of our battle fronts, not babysitting a bunch of scientists who’re trying to figure out where we came from.”
“Sounds like we’re on the same page, Captain,” Mary said. “I was waiting for orders to command one of the new strike carriers that’ll be commissioned by the end of the year. I want to get this mission over with as quick as possible and be back before then. That being said, let’s follow orders and not let our personal feelings about this mission interfere with our decisions. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir,” Captain Neubauer said.
Mary addressed Gideon. “Is it clear to you, Lieutenant Klaxton?”
“I think so, sir. You want us to do our job and not bellyache about it in front of the men, no matter how much we think this mission is a waste of time.”
Mary and Captain Neubauer both laughed.
“Lieutenant, you’re a genius. You’ll go far in the marines!” Mary said and then dismissed them.
Gideon smiled at her comment. The Marine Corps had been telling him he was a genius since he joined.
Destroyer USS Kathryn Sullivan, Mars Orbit
1800—February 14, 2372
The crew and marines of Mission Origin View crowded into the Kathryn Sullivan aft hangar bay inner air lock, waiting for the next orbital shuttle to take them to Station Viking. A few of the Kathryn Sullivan’s crew, on duty in the aft hangar, were ordered to avoid contact with the people wearing white jumpsuits and to forget they ever saw them.
A few minutes later, a standard orbital shuttle entered the outer hangar bay and rested on the hangar floor. The outer air lock hangar door closed, and as soon as gravity was restored and air pressure was normal in the hangar bay, the inner air lock door opened, and they boarded the shuttle.
Gideon was the last to board and looked for a place to sit. He found just enough space for him by Sergeant Manelly at the rear shuttle bulkhead.
“Got enough room, sir?” Manelly asked as he moved to try to make more room.
“Yes, thanks, Sergeant,” Gideon said as he looked around the cargo bay and saw his fellow crewmates; they were seated against the walls of the cargo bay, facing each other. A few minutes later the shuttle exited the hangar and set course to enter Mars’s atmosphere.
As the shuttle started its gradual entry into the atmosphere, Gideon noticed some people, sitting next to each other, were conversing, while others were either sleeping or just trying to relax.
“Sir?” Manelly leaned over.
“Yes, Sergeant,” Gideon said.
“Can I speak to you as a friend, sir?”
“Sure, Burt,” Gideon said as noise from the entry into the Martian atmosphere increased in volume.
“Sir, it’s about Gunny Xia. There’s something I think you should know.”
“Okay, what about?”
“Well, sir, I served with Gunny Xia once. I was a private then and served in the same company, but we were in separate platoons. He was court-martialed for mistreating prisoners and killing three captured enemy soldiers and a suspected terrorist.”
Surprised, Gideon asked, “Was he convicted?”
“No, sir, he was acquitted because everyone in his platoon testified that he was in the barracks when the murders occurred.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“Sir, I know he did it because I witnessed it.” Manelly paused and continued. “I talked to NCIS and told them I was there and volunteered to tell them what I saw. I was never called as a witness.”
“Why not?” Gideon asked.
“I don’t know, sir,” Manelly said while shaking his head. “Anyway, sir, I’m telling you this because you should watch out for him. He’s a dangerous man.”
Gideon tried to digest what Manelly had told him as the shuttle, after entering the Martian atmosphere, changed course for Station Viking. Gideon decided to review Gunnery Sergeant Michael Xia’s personal files as soon as possible.
Station Viking, Mars
2100—February 14, 2372
The Mission Origin View crew arrived at Station Viking and was assigned quarters. Captain Neubauer briefed his marines as they ate in a small dayroom in the enlisted men’s quarters. During his briefing, he informed the men that they were to depart for Phobos in the next few hours and for them to stay in their quarters and try to grab a nap.
After chow Gideon returned to his quarters, a one-room billet about the size of a large closet. He didn’t even unpack his duffel bag. Instead, he just took out what he needed and then walked to a shared latrine down the hall to take a quick shower and shave. When he returned, he packed his toiletries away, took out his ATCCS, and turned it on.
Gideon was hanging up his white jumpsuit before trying to get a little sleep when a voice said, “Welcome to Mars, Lieutenant.” Gideon jumped and then realized the voice had come from his ear implant which had a wireless connection to his ATCCS.
“Thank you,” he said without really thinking, and smiled at himself for answering.
“You’re welcome, sir. Is there any information you require?” his ATCCS asked.
Not knowing the capability of such advanced technology, Gideon hesitated before he said. “Can you access a marine service record for me?”
“Yes, I have access to Station Viking’s data network. Please give me the name of the marine you desire information about,” the voice said.
Gideon noted the ATCCS voice was different from the voice used to test his implant. The test voice was a standard computer electronic voice used in most intelligent military equipment, such as fighters, tanks, and so forth. This voice was feminine.
“Gunnery Sergeant Michael Xia,” Gideon said.
“One moment, Lieutenant…I’m sorry, sir, but it will take some time to access the information. I have to set up a new account for myself at Mount Mitchell. While we wait, I’d be happy to tell you about the differences between myself and the traditional ATCCS that you’ve used. Should I proceed?”
Gideon, fascinated by the intelligence of the ATCCS, sat down on his bunk, picked up the ATCCS, and looked at its display. It was displaying the words he was hearing through the wireless connected ear implant.
“Sure, go ahead,
” Gideon said.
“As you probably already know, I’m the AI chip located in your ATCCS wrist band. You can activate voice communication with me, through your implant, by simply saying ‘Anna.’ That’s short for Artificial Neural Network Associate. And most people refer to their ATCCS as Anna.”
Gideon was surprised the system was referring to itself as “I” and “myself.”
“You can also say, ‘Quiet, Anna,’ and I won’t speak to you through the implant, but I’ll continue to print information on the wrist band display. I can also locate individuals of our crew for you, and interface with their Anna to pass information. All you have to do is ask me aloud or type in a request on the display. I’ll also have access to the Stephen Hawking master computer when we arrive and can provide you with unlimited processing power. Anything you want to know, I can probably get for you. Do you have any questions, sir?” Anna asked.
“Not right now,” Gideon said.
“I’ll let you know when I have Gunnery Sergeant Michael Xia’s file,” Anna added.
“Thank you, Anna.”
“No problem, sir.”
“Anna?” Gideon asked
“Yes, Lieutenant.”
“Please address me as Gideon.”
“With pleasure, Gideon.”
Gideon stretched out on his bunk, waiting for the file, and eventually fell asleep.
***
“Gideon…Gideon?”
Gideon woke to a voice and realized it was Anna. He looked at his watch: 0130.
“Yes, what is it?” he asked.
“I received the personal file on Gunnery Sergeant Michael Xia. Would you like it now?”
“Yes, Anna.”
“Also in the future, I can hold information for you until a specific time or upon your request.” Anna paused and then continued. “I assume you were asleep?”
“I was asleep, and that’s good to know. Thanks, Anna.”
“You’re welcome, Gideon. Shall I read you the information, or do you want to read it from the wrist band display?”
“I’ll read it.”