by Terry Frost
COLOSSUS
Red Alert
Book 2
Chapter 1
Rear Admiral Anatoly Petrov just happened to be walking by Doctor Morgan Piner’s office with a personal mission on his mind. The mission was to send subliminal messages to the good doctor about his growing interest in starting a relationship with her. He had been thinking long and hard about how he would go about getting the message across without being too obvious. After all, he did have his pride to think about and if she didn’t respond the way he was hoping she would, he could backpedal all the while acting as if she misunderstood his intentions.
Anatoly pushed the intercom button by Morgan’s door and announced his presence. A few long seconds passed before the door opened. He stepped into her office and his heart skipped a beat seeing her not quite dressed for the day’s business.
Morgan hadn’t put on her normal clothes for the day, which usually was a tight-fitting skirt with a foot long split that started above the knee. Anatoly thought her skirts made her ass look delicious. She also wore a buttoned blouse that she usually left the top two unbuttoned, which accented her cleavage from her 38D’s, and that really sent his mind into another world.
Instead, he found her still in her evening sleepwear which made her even hotter in Anatoly’s mind than the way he usually saw her dressed. Morgan’s blonde, new age style haircut hung down to just below her earlobes, as her bangs sat loosely on her forehead. She had killer deep blue eyes which Anatoly couldn’t stare into without becoming a zombie.
Morgan gave him a pretty smile and asked, “And what contest did I win to get to lay eyes on the handsome Anatoly this fine morning?”
“You are always playing with me, Doctor Piner.”
Morgan had the upper hand on the poor admiral in the fact that she was an empath and already knew long ago that he had feelings for her but he didn’t know she had feelings for him too. He had some papers in his hand that supposedly needed her signature stating she had cleared a couple members of the Colossus’s crew to return to work. Anatoly begins telling her the reason for stopping by but before he could finish his white lie she stood up and walked slowly towards him.
She stopped just in front of him and put her hand on his chest while looking up at him, then pushed him back up against the wall and said, “Nu haher (Fuck it, I don’t care) in Russian and pulled his mouth down to hers. They kissed passionately for a long time and when Anatoly stopped the kiss he said, “Morgan, Loh (I’m not someone easily fooled) you are playing with me.”
She pulled his lips back down to hers and kissed him longingly then said, “Nu ohuet teper” (Wow, what do we do now?)
Instead of saying anything he picked her up in his arms and carried her to her bed. An hour later, and fifteen minutes late for his shift, he hurried out the door while listening to Morgan’s teasing laughter as he shut the door. He walked as fast as he could to the elevator to Command Central while trying to make sure his uniform was presentable.
Anatoly came out of the elevator and the first person to speak to him was Admiral Allen. “Anatoly, I’ve never seen you late for duty in all the time I’ve served with you. Where have you been and why are you so flushed?”
Anatoly stuttered just a bit with his reply. “I apologize, but it couldn’t be helped, Admiral. It is a personal matter and I would like to leave it at that, sir.”
Allen said no more but thought very interesting. A personal matter huh? You can’t fool me, Anatoly. I know who that personal matter is and it’s about damn time. Unlike you and Morgan, Victoria and I have to fake that we fell for each other while on our mission. I’m happy for you, you Russian jarhead.
Chapter 2
Allen had called a meeting with his executive staff including two of his commanding Marines on board, which was General Dubois and Colonel Hammer. Also present was Commodore Jeeves, Captain Sokolov, and Captian Slain. He wanted to discuss the possibilities of colonizing Planet Ogre should they not discover a new world for humanity over the next few years.
“Good morning, and thanks for coming to what I hope is a very constructive meeting. Before we move on out into the Expanse, I want to discuss the likelihood of colonizing Planet Ogre.”
Hammer’s eyes widened and Allen did take notice.
“I realize the colonization of that planet would be the farthest thing from your mind, Colonel, but it does have an environment, atmospheric wise, that humans could live in. The reason I want your opinion is what if after many more years of searching for our new world we don’t find anything suitable?
“I’ve just recently visited our agriculture biologist Mave Jenner, and our agronomist Kuda Black, about our food resources and got their valued opinion of just how long they can continue to grow our food and keep us fed.
“The USC’s top people in those two fields back on Mars concluded Colossus could keep us fed for nearly forty years in space, in which, we have already been out here for a little over three.”
Allen looked at Commodore Jeeves and asked, “How many heavenly bodies have we searched since the beginning of our mission, Commodore?”
Jeeves hesitated for only a couple seconds then said, “Planets and Moons combined we have scanned over 480, Admiral.”
“So, outside of Planets Yopa, Daak, Obon, and Ogre, that comes to four out of 480 over a three-year span. I don’t think I would be the only one to think those are not very good odds when it comes to finding our new world.
“I know there are many planets out there that can sustain life and I don’t want any of you to think I’m discouraged because I’m not. I and several more in the USC knew this was going to be normal. One doesn’t become an admiral of Human’s first generations spaceship without thinking about contingencies and Planet Ogre is one such contingency. With that being said, I want to see a mission plan to scour the planet over the next thirty days to seek out all life on Ogre, as well as, any viable resources beneficial to us in the future should we select Ogre sometime in the distant future.
“General, I want to be included in the plan. With your suggestions on all necessary tactics, we might need to keep our people safe that will be on the surface of the planet. And if any of you are wondering, there will be personnel traveling the planet on land. Any questions?”
“I have one, Admiral,” Hammer said.
“Yes, Colonel.”
“Sir, I know you have read my report on my short vacation to Planet Ogre. During my short visit, almost everything I saw was huge, and not only that, we would make a great snack for all of them except for maybe the beach ball size fireflies.
“It goes without saying that there could be ten to twenty more species like the Sasquatches and the Ogres on that planet. So my question is, will we be annihilating any of those we come across should we take the planet for ourselves?”
“Not that the Colonel and I ever think along the same lines Admiral, but I was thinking the same thing,” Jeeves said.
“Let me say this to that. Morally, it would not be something I would ever want to do. But the continuation of our race will have to come first. Let’s get the mission plan together and presented to Admiral Petrov and me and go from there. I want the plan in my hands by the end of today. If there aren’t any more questions you are dismissed.
Leaving the room and walking with Colonel Hammer was Captain Kenner Slain, and Hammer remarked, “The old man doesn’t have a clue just how the thought of trying to make a go of it on that damn planet grates on me. The Venic girl, the Prince, and I were only there less than a day and I’m telling you, Kenner, we only covered less than three miles of a planet twice as big as Earth. Hell, if the Ogres and Sasquatches don’t present a problem for our kind the house size insects, snakes, s
corpions and whatever else is on the fucking planet will.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing, Jak. The big tough Colonel Hammer is scared of a few insects. I have to say that is a first.”
“Yeah, can’t wait to see how you react to being chased by a Brown Recluse the size of one of our rovers. Then we will see who the hell is scared of a little old insect.”
“Spiders aren’t insects, Jak. They are arachnids.”
“Shut up, Kenner.”
****
Allen, Petrov, and Dubois were looking at the mission plan for surveying Planet Ogre for possible colonization sometime in the future. Most of the plan was anticipated by Allen but the only thing he really cared about was the protection of those on the ground.
He approved of what he saw which included: 8 weaponized Rovers, each carrying a squad of 8 Marines in their nearly indestructible battle armor. Every Marine would be carrying the normal quassrifle but added to the rifle’s firepower in addition to projectile ammunition was a second, short, top mounted barrel that could launch tactical nuclear grenades of which each man had an inventory of six.
Each Rover rode on eight, four-foot tall wheels, which gave them exceptional ground clearance. They were fitted with two particle beam machine guns and one nuclear grenade launcher.
In order to cover more of the huge planet and for air cover of those on the ground, the mission plan called for 6 hornets and twenty-four combat wasps. The Striker and Perseus would also be surveying the planet from their ships. Manning the Ion Cannons on the Striker was Commodore Jeeves and on the Perseus was Commander Masato, who normally handles Weapons for General Dubois on Colossus.
Every hornet would be flown without a co-pilot. The reasoning behind having the pilots of the hornets work without co-pilots was that General Dubois felt since they wouldn’t be fighting against any alien fighters it would be a waste of personnel. Commanding the entire mission was delegated to Colonel Hammer.
Four hornets, including Colonel Hammer’s, was assigned the call sign Ogre 1. The twelve combat wasps that were to be used for overwatch for the ground pounding Marines was designated as Ogre 2 and would be commanded by Major Hoser and his hornet. Hoser’s lead pilot of the wasps was Lieutenant Baffy. The other twelve wasp’s mission, and commanded by Captain Teasor in his hornet, was to fly over vast areas of the planet searching for inhabitants, whether it be animal or otherwise, was designated as Ogre 3. Teasor’s lead pilot of the wasps was Lieutenant Cargon.
The Marines on the ground would be commanded by Master Seargent Lick Givens. A mean 5’9” tall battle tank. The Seargent’s name fits him perfectly as he licked or kicked every man’s ass that ever took him on during training exercises of hand to hand combat.
Speaking to General Dubois, Allen said, “Looks like you’ve done a good job giving me what I wanted, Alias. I see your plan is to have your Marines stay on the surface during the campaign and I understand your reasoning is because of the time constraints involved in bringing them and the Rovers back to the Colossus each night.
“But I don’t see anywhere you mentioning what type of facilities will we use for them to stay in at night. I think you will agree we won’t have our boys out surveying the dangerous planet past sunset, correct?”
“Correct, Arvin. They will be taking the collapsible titanium sheds with them. Each TCS sleeps eight Marines comfortably and has firing ports set at 360 degrees. They can withstand winds up to 300 mph and were tested to withstand six tons of weight on them.
“Commodore Jeeves, Colonel Hammer, and I agreed that we will position two Rover teams at various locations at a distance of two miles from the next nearest team and when they have covered their assigned area they will all form up at a command location and plot their next areas to survey.
“Commodore Jeeves thought to keep at least two Rover teams within a respectable distance from one another would work best in the event a team encountered an overwhelming number of possible threats to just one team.”
“That is an excellent idea, Alias. Make sure to tell the Commodore his consideration pleased me.”
“Anatoly, do you have anything for the General?”
“My only question is do you think this mission can be accomplished in just thirty days, Alias?”
“To be extremely honest, Anatoly, I don’t know. A mission like this will most surely have its setbacks and it isn’t like any mission I’ve ever been given in our world. And because of all the intangibles that could be lurking in such a place as Ogre, I’d say it will be a difficult task. But as I always do, I and our men will give it our best and try to get it done in that timeframe.”
Chapter 3
One day before Mission Ogre, everything needed to accomplish the mission was ready to go by the next morning. During the late hours that night, Admiral Allen and Victoria Stavens were lying quietly in the admiral’s bed. She was laying beside him with her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. They had just finished making love and hadn’t said a word for several minutes when Arvin spoke.
“You know I’ve always thought that when we met our first aliens they would have blue or green skin and the females would have three tits.”
She pinched his stomach making him yelp, then said while laughing, “Just like a man. Always thinking about tits.”
They lay quietly for a few more minutes then Arvin said, “Did you know Anatoly and Dr. Piner are doing it?”
She raised up and looked him in the eyes and said, “No way. How do you know?”
“I’ve had my suspicions for a while now and the other day he came to Command Central late. He has never been late for duty all the time I’ve known him. His hair hadn’t been combed and his face was flushed.”
“The admiral’s hair is always presentable, I have to give you that. If that is the only marker that gives away his romping, I think you need to figure out a way to get him to get a crew cut like most every member of your staff wears.”
“Nah, it gives me pleasure to know something about his private romp sessions with the good doctor.”
“You're an evil man, Admiral.” She gave him a quick kiss and said, “I need to get back to my room. Don’t want anyone seeing me with my hair looking like this. Besides, what if I ran into Anatoly on my way to my quarters?”
****
Colossus and its two Battlecruisers had just jumped back to Planet Ogre and as the three ships put themselves in an orbital pattern near the huge planet, Captains Slain and Sokolov were waiting to hear from Admiral Allen so they could proceed to enter the planet’s atmosphere.
They didn’t have to wait long before all heard the admiral say, “Gentlemen, commence mission, Ogre. Good luck and protect each other out there.”
USC Striker and Perseus turned their ships and headed into the stratosphere of the beautiful but dangerous blue planet. Once they broke out of the stratosphere, both ships began unloading their hornets and wasps.
Once the fliers were unloaded, the two Battlecruisers landed in a pre-designated location on the center landmass just above the planet’s equator and unloaded their Rovers and Marines. Thirty minutes later the two ships took off. The Striker took a heading to the east and Perseus went west to begin their task of surveying the planet.
Ogre 1 was the first to begin the standard communications check within the group, then Ogre 2 and 3 followed the Colonel’s lead. Satisfied everyone’s communication was working, Colonel Hammer said, “Remember men, as soon as you have something to report in relation to our mission don’t hesitate to communicate your findings to me. Hammer out.”
Sergeant Givens, the leader of the ground troops, ordered his men to load up on the Rovers, then sent two Rovers to the north, and he and the other two headed south to the beach, which was approximately twenty miles away.
Givens had studied his map before heading in the direction of the ocean and knew he and his men would need to go through two miles of forest before breaking out into the open, and on the beach, his map showed was there.
The beach ran along the coast for several miles to the east and west.
Given’s Rovers hadn’t traveled more than a couple miles when they ran into the first sign of life on the planet. The sergeant was riding in the trailing Rover when the lead Rover communicated through his headset for an all stop.
“What’s the holdup, Corporal?” Givens asked.
“There are at least several dozen cone-shaped mounds a thousand feet to our south Sergeant, and I can’t make it out, but there are some large black insects with what I believe to have curved horns on their heads. They resemble those Rhino Beetles back on Earth and they're attacking the mounds.
Sergeant Givens told his driver to pull up next to the lead Rover. When he got next to the corporal, he raised his field glasses and peered at the mounds. It was just as the young corporal said except the beetles were the size of ATVs and they were sticking their horns into saucer size holes in the mounds and pulling out huge big-headed insects, that looked like soldier termites.
While looking through his binoculars Givens remarked, “Look at the size of those pincers on those damn termites. Them son da bitches coming out of the mound have the legs of their attackers in them pincers and aren’t letting go.”
“I think those are called mandibles, Sergeant,” one of the Marines in his Rover said.
“Mandibles my ass, if I say their pincers then their fucking pincers, Private.”
“Yes, Sergeant.”
“Well, boys, we don’t want any part of that skirmish so let’s motor around them. Corporal Dickens, move out.”
Dickens and the lead Rover turned south-southeast and gave the insect battle location a wide berth before turning back to a straight south heading. Meanwhile, Sergeant Givens called the skirmish into his Colonel.
“When Colonel Hammer finished listening to the sergeant's report and disconnected their communication, he thought holy shit, I warned the admiral about this place and the sooner he realizes Planet Ogre is never gonna be a place for the human race the better. If the insects on this world number as many as on Earth there is no way in the cosmos we could defend ourselves against millions and millions of them. I don’t fancy being harpooned by a giant assed Rhino Beetle.