by Knox, Barry
What seemed like an hour but only minutes later, the police stopped beating the teens and verbally warned them to begin properly acknowledging ranking CTU political members. Captain Neubauer realized that on their way to the house he had watched several CTU citizens touch their heads and bow as they passed specific citizens. The teens undoubtedly hadn’t acknowledged a ranking citizen and were caught.
Captain Neubauer noted that Gault looked simply disturbed and probably mad by the beating while Manelly, who had seen such atrocities before, looked as if he had chalked it up to a standard act of a typical totalitarian government. Gunny Xia smiled. Captain Neubauer was sure Xia, if given a chance, would kill a few CTU policemen before leaving the planet.
As soon as it was dark, the extract team took up positions around the house and were ready to move in. Captain Neubauer sounded a execute chime, and the team began the assault.
Science Division Building, Dining Room
1715—February 21, 2372
The envoy team sat at a table as they were served dinner. The two guards who had escorted the team to the dining room stood at attention inside the room by the door. The CTU scientists they had met during their earlier meeting were there along with several other people they hadn’t met. No one spoke as the servers placed food in front of the guests. Gideon scanned the faces of all the people in the room, noted that Dr. Kastriva wasn’t there, and knew the envoy team was in a bad situation.
When the servers completed their tasks, Director Buru stood. “Ladies and gentlemen of the Communal Tribal Union,” he said as he addressed the table, “it’s with regret that I inform you that I suspect our guests this evening are not here on a peaceful mission but are indeed United States insurgents sent here to destroy our society. They’ll be held under guard until I’ve interrogated them to discover the details of their mission.”
The members of the CTU, seated at the table, remained quiet and just sat there, looking down at their dinners. It was as if they were afraid to show any type of emotion.
“We’re not insurgents, sir!” Dr. Harper almost yelled in his Southern drawl as he stood. “We’re here on a peaceful mission, and I demand we be allowed to leave immediately.”
Dr. Buru didn’t respond but gestured to one of the guards in the dining room to control the doctor. The shorter guard walked behind Dr. Harper, placed a hand on the doctor’s right shoulder, and forcibly pushed him back into his seat. As Dr. Harper began to stand again, Commander Steward placed his hand on the doctor’s left shoulder to keep him seated, and as he did so, he calmly addressed Director Buru. “Director, may I speak?”
Gideon could see Buru was enjoying his control over the envoy team. Buru replied with a smirk. “Speak, Commander, you have my permission.”
“Director, I respectively request that we be treated as a peaceful envoy until you’ve determined our guilt.”
“By all means, Commander. You’ll be treated well until I prove you’re insurgents. I suggest you eat your meal as it may be the last you get for some time. I’ll begin my questioning with Doctor Jones tomorrow morning,” Buru said with a ghoulish smile, his eyes moved from Commander Stewart and focused on Dr. Jones.
Dr. Jones wobbled in her seat as her complexion turned white. Gideon, seated next to her, put his arm around her for reassurance and support in case she fainted.
“I also request Captain Bowser be contacted and told we’re being held and that we’re all right,” Commanded Steward added.
“The captain has already been notified, Commander,” Buru responded, paused, and then added, “No more questions or discussions! Eat your meal; you’ll need your strength.”
Once Gideon was sure Dr. Jones wasn’t going to pass out, he began eating. He knew it would be better to escape with a full stomach. Slowly, the rest of the envoy team and the CTU citizens ate.
After dinner, Buru abruptly left, and the two guards herded the envoy team out of the dining room. Without the guards noticing, Gideon arranged how he wanted the team to be escorted back to the lounge. He politely allowed Commander Steward to follow the smaller guard, who Gideon had deduced was probably female. Gideon held Dr. Jones back a second to allow Dr. Harper to follow Commander Steward, and then allowed Dr. Jones to follow Dr. Harper. Gideon followed, tailed by the second larger guard. Gideon knew exactly where he’d attack and disarm the guard behind him and then take out the leading guard.
A few minutes later, as they rounded a corner leading to the lounge, Gideon attacked.
Combat Control Center, SRS Stephen Hawking
1800—February 21, 2372
“Captain Bowser, Director Buru wants to talk to you,” Ensign Young said.
“It’s about time,” Mary said as she selected the communications link from her console. “This is Captain Bowser. I demand to speak to my envoy team.”
“You will, Captain, in time,” Buru said with an evil smile. “But first I think we can make the interrogations go smoothly tomorrow for your people if you’ll supply me with some information.”
“What information?” Mary asked.
“Doctor Harper stated he developed an antimatter drive system. I’d like you to provide me with engineering drawings and specifications for that technology. I want to verify this technology exists since your alleged mission depends upon it,” Buru said.
“If I provide the engineering plans for the system, will you let the team go?” Mary asked, knowing she was negotiating a bounty for the release of the envoy team.
“It would certainly help in my releasing them by providing some concrete evidence that they’re indeed on a peaceful mission and not insurgents,” he responded.
“What else would you need as evidence to be sure they’re not insurgents?” Mary asked.
“Captain, let me have the plans first, and then I’ll see if I need anything else from you,” Buru said in an arrogant tone.
Captain Bowser thought for a few seconds and said, “Director, I’ll need to consult with my commanding officer before I can release such information. I’ll have to send a communication drone to Earth with the request, and you know as well as I do it’ll take days before I get a response. What about my team until then?” she asked.
“Until then, I’ll interrogate them,” Buru answered, paused, and continued. “It’s up to you, Captain, on how long they’ll be held and interrogated. Supply the information now, and the interrogation will be short, or wait for your government to respond, and the interrogations will take days.”
“If you hurt any of my team, I’ll personally hold you responsible, Director,” Mary said slowly and clearly.
“You’re in no position to threaten me, Captain!” Buru almost yelled. “I’ll contact you tomorrow morning, and for your team’s sake, I hope you’ll have the engineering plans for me.” Buru then terminated the communications link, and the channel hissed with static.
Mary sat for a few seconds to control her anger and refocus on the mission.
“Stephen, run various simulation scenarios on our escaping when our envoy and extract teams are back on board. If necessary, include the use of the ship’s weapons in those scenarios. Be prepared to execute the best escape plan on my command,” Mary ordered.
“Yes, Captain,” Stephen said over the Triple C intercom.
“Captain, may I ask you a question?” Ensign Young requested.
“Go ahead, Ensign,” Mary said.
“Sir, will you be using the QMAC to communicate with Earth and brief them on our situation?” he asked in a meek tone.
“No need, Ensign, I know what the answer will be. We’ll never be allowed to share the Harper Drive information with the CTU. Anyway, I suspect we’ll be prepared to leave with both the envoy and extract teams long before Buru contacts us tomorrow,” she answered with confidence, and continued with a smile. “And with a little luck I think we’ll probably make the director a very unpopular man within the CTU.”
Marine Extract Team, Dr. Kastriva’s Home, Canton Mie Biosphere 1810—Feb
ruary 21, 2372
As Gunny Xia quickly and quietly exterminated the guard at the window, Captain Neubauer began using his armor’s electronic warfare scanner to detect and bypass any alarms that might be attached to the window. As soon as he started, the scanner detected an alarm and quickly bypassed it to allow him to open the window. Captain Neubauer entered the house through the window opening and found himself in an office. Taking a quick glance at his heads-up display, he identified the thermal images of three individuals standing just outside the office door in the main living area of the house. Captain Neubauer made his way to the door as Xia followed through the open window.
“Extract Two, have you identified the target yet?” Captain Neubauer whispered to Sergeant Manelly, who was outside the house with Gault. Manelly was tasked to look for Dr. Kastriva’s location inside the house and warn them if any of the CTU soldiers stationed outside entered the house.
Manelly said, “Yes, sir. I see four men standing around a person who’s seated, and it looks like they’re beating him.”
“Where are they located?” Neubauer asked.
“Outside the door you’re standing by, down the hall to your left, second door on the right. You have three men just outside the door you’re standing by now, and you’re clear to the target’s location,” Manelly responded.
Xia was now standing by the door with Neubauer and had heard the communications with Manelly. Neubauer slowly opened the door and saw the men standing and talking to each other-none looking towards the door. Neubauer motioned to Xia to slip out of the door as soon as it was wide enough and take a position behind the three soldiers. The soldier’s kelp talking as the door slowly opened and Xia slipped into the room. Neubauer then exited the office and made his way to the other side of the men from where Xia was waiting to attack.
“Now!” Neubauer whispered into his helmet, and he and Xia attacked. Xia pulled his knife and killed one man and then killed the other, while Neubauer took care of the third man by twisting the man’s head until he heard a snap. The men died instantly and were quietly laid on the floor.
Neubauer quickly stood and looked at his heads-up display. He saw the thermal images of the people in the room Manelly had identified as where Dr. Kastriva was being held.
“How’s our company outside?” Neubauer asked in a whisper.
“You’re clear,” Manelly said.
Xia and Neubauer slowly and quietly made their way down the hall and stopped just outside the second door on their right. Loud voices echoed through the door.
“This is your last chance, Doctor!” a voice yelled. “Tell us where your communications device is.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said a voice laced with pain.
“We know you contacted the United States starship earlier today. If you don’t tell me where your communications device is, I’ll turn you over to Director Buru for interrogation,” the man snapped back.
Using their thermal imaging, Xia and Neubauer noted the location of the men they would attack as soon as they entered the room. Using his fingers, Neubauer counted down from three. Xia pushed the door open and shot two of the soldiers in the head, using a pulse of particle beam. Neubauer following close behind and shot the other two before they knew what was happening.
Both Xia and Neubauer disabled their armor camouflage and materialized where they stood. Dr. Kastriva sat in a chair with his hands tied behind him and his ankles tied to the legs of the chair. He seemed to be in a mild state of shock; he’d just seen the men who were beating him drop to the floor and then men in combat armor appear. Neubauer took off his helmet as Xia moved behind Kastriva.
“Doctor, I’m Captain Neubauer, United States Marines, and I’m here to help you. Will you please accompany us to a safe place?”
“Yeeesss,” Kastriva struggled to answer and asked, “Where…where are we going, and why are you here?”
“I know you have questions, and they’ll be answered in time, but right now we need to leave here for your safety,” Neubauer said.
“Sure…sure,” Kastriva said as he tried to move his hands and feet. As he did so, Xia pulled his knife and cut the plastic restrains tied around his wrists and ankles. Kastriva stood slowly, attempting to stand without falling. Xia assisted him while he stood.
“Doctor, we’re going to enable our camouflage now and escort you out. Gunny Xia will help you. Please don’t speak. Try and walk as normal as possible. Do you understand?” Neubauer said.
“Yes,” Kastriva nodded.
Neubauer put his helmet on. “Extract Two, we have the target and ready to exit.”
***
“Understood. Wait, One,” Manelly answered and motioned to Gault to drop the guards outside. Gault quickly dropped the guards with a particle beam to the head and then ran across the street. A minute later Gault had dragged their bodies behind the house.
“You’re clear to exit, Extract One,” Manelly transmitted.
A few minutes later they were out of the house and following a predefined route back to the biosphere breach. Dr. Kastriva seemed more aware of the situation and cooperated by walking as straight as he could while allowing his unseen assistant to guide the way.
Science Division Building, Canton Mie Biosphere
1825—February 21, 2372
As they rounded the corner, Gideon quickly turned to the guard behind him and snatched the weapon from his unsuspecting hands. Gideon then, using the butt of the weapon, struck the guard under the chin, and knocked him out. It was the only vulnerable area of the guard’s armor. As soon as the soldier hit the floor, the smaller guard leading the envoy team heard the commotion and turned. Commander Steward grabbed the guard’s weapon and tried to wrestle it away.
A second later a siren sounded, and an alert message boomed in the building. “Attention. Attention. Security violation on the seventeenth floor.” The message continued to repeat as a siren wailed.
Dr. Harper just stood there in shock, doing nothing, while Dr. Jones fell to the floor, curling into a ball, and began crying.
Gideon had expected as much from the doctors as he stepped over Dr. Jones, pushed Dr. Harper out of the way, and quickly made his way to help Commander Steward. The commander and the small guard were fighting over the weapon when Gideon appeared. Gideon placed the barrel of his newly acquired weapon against the guard’s helmet.
“Let the weapon go. Now!” Gideon yelled over the alarms.
The guard let the weapon go, and Commander Steward took it.
“Is there a room on this floor that’s not being monitored?” Gideon asked with a shout.
“No, and you’re being monitored right now,” the guard responded nodding toward a miniature camera and alarm speaker fastened on the wall.
Gideon raised his weapon and shot both. The alarm noise decreased, but other alarms could be heard on the floor.
“Commander, help the guard lying on the floor around the corner get out of his armor and put it on please,” Gideon said.
Commander Steward hesitated for a second and said, “Okay, Lieutenant.” Then he rounded the corner.
“Doctor Harper, help Doctor Jones to her feet. We’re getting out of here,” Gideon said.
Dr. Harper helped Dr. Jones up. Out of fear she grabbed hold of Dr. Harper.
“Okay, if you want to live, you’ll do what I say. Is that clear?” Gideon asked as he pushed his weapon against the small guard’s helmet.
“I’ve got a better deal for you,” the guard responded, paused a second and continued. “I’ll help you get out of here if you’ll help me kill myself before you leave this miserable planet.”
Science Division Building, Canton Mie Biosphere
1830—February 21, 2372
“Director Buru!” Assistant Leeward almost yelled after contacting him. “The Earthers are trying to escape. I was watching them being escorted back to the lounge and saw the Earthers overtake the guards and destroy the surveillance camera. I initiated the gen
eral security alarm for the seventeenth floor and I’ve dispatched soldiers to stop them.”
Buru, shocked at the news, hesitated for just a second. “I want them alive! If any of them are killed or escape, I’ll have your head!”
“Yes, Director, I’ll issue the orders, and I assure you I’ll have them shortly,” she responded as confidently as she could.
“Let me know when you have them!” Buru said and abruptly terminated the communication. He picked up a small glass sculpture off his desk and threw it against the adjacent wall. The sculpture shattered into a cloud of glass shards and fell to the floor.
A few seconds later Buru smiled, excited that he now had what he considered a valid reason to use torture during tomorrow’s interrogations. He was especially looking forward to watching blood flow from the woman doctor and the arrogant ex-marine. What a thrill it would be to call the captain of the Earth starship and show her holograms of her crew members being tormented by his hand. A thrill of excitement ran up his spine at the thought.
Another communication request chimed for his attention, interrupting his evil fantasies.
“What is it?” he demanded.
An image of a CTU soldier materialized on his holographic display. “Director, this is Captain Laniste. Doctor Kastriva is not at his home, and the guards are dead.”
“What?” Buru asked. His anger returned.
“My team arrived to relieve Commander Dewitt’s team for the evening, and we found him and his team dead. And the doctor isn’t here,” Captain Laniste said.
“Contact the police forces in the area and have them comb the surrounding sectors. I want him found!” Buru ordered as spittle sprayed from his mouth.
“Yes, Director,” Captain Laniste said.
Buru cut the communication link and thought. Is Dr. Kastriva’s disappearance linked to the Earthers? Surely not, the envoy team just escaped…unless…unless…the Earthers are somehow in contact and working with the resistance. Yes, he reasoned. The resistance has Kastriva, and this Earther so-called envoy team has been a distraction. His evil grin returned at the thought of having more poor souls to torture once they were all captured.