Sam sat at the edge of the tower, straining his eyes through the binoculars towards the mountains. The glasses adopting daytime mode and reducing their infra-red capability. The gunfire in the early morning light had concerned him deeply, his first time on watch being anything but uneventful. Having started at first light, he had initially watched the flashes on the horizon from the main fighting to the south east. Then moved across the viewing balcony at the top of the tower to look down across the long valley towards the Mobile Brigade, seeing some ground movement through his powerful binoculars as a squad of marines completed their patrol of the rear areas of the unit. Faint muffled gunfire from his left had caused him to move round to look to the west, towards where he realised the mine would be. Scouring the snow tipped terrain, he had seen some movement through the glasses in between some jagged rocks but this had been too distant to distinguish correctly. Even glancing through the scope of his rifle had proven ineffective, although he had thought the grey dressed people he had seen in the distance fleetingly must have been miners. He had decided to await the arrival of Captain Dugachard and sat to consider how his report could be structured.
He had marvelled at the visor, how it worked with his weapon. Unlike with the assault rifles, the visor would darken as he raised the square sight to his eye, the magnification on his helmet highlighting and complimenting the scope’s power. The rifle sights were electronic, red dots converging as he aimed at individual rock surfaces and small bushes, finally locating a target conveniently painted on a rocky outcrop some two hundred metres away providing him with some familiarisation. He was yet to fire the light yet long weapon, wary of awakening the people in the village, but vowed to practise once everyone seemed awake and he had confirmed there was ample ammunition.
Sam was quite studious, being quieter than most of his colleagues. He had been studying for a History degree in his spare time with the Open University, a correspondence course. He grinned to himself as he thought how insignificant this seemed now, his wish to be a teacher, perhaps lecturer if he had achieved high enough grades. The dissertation that had been due at the end of the month now seemed almost irrelevant although he had enjoyed learning of Alexander the Great and the advances across an unknown world winning the ‘hearts and minds’ of the people he conquered. Ironically, he considered perhaps in some way strangely similar with recent events. This enemy, however, did not seem too concerned about ‘winning the confidence of those they conquered’, just slaughtering them.
The door to the circular balcony creaked open, startling him from his thoughts. Captain Dugachard and a marine stepped out into the morning light, a cold breeze enveloping them from across the valley, ‘So where is my lookout this morning?’ She grinned as she hear shuffling on the other side of the platform.
Sam appeared at the edge of the balcony, smiling, ‘Morning Captain, I trust you slept well?’ He smiled widely as he took in the smaller figure of the Captain, the combat uniform unbuttoned at the collar, the officer not wearing the shoulder armour.
Captain Dugachard smiled knowingly at his expression, ‘Yes thank you Sam. I see you are alert and keeping an eye on things…what have you to report?’ Her eyes narrowed as she saw the younger black man drop his eyes in embarrassment.
Sam shuffled on the platform, the wooden beams creaking beneath his weight, ‘Small arms fire to the west Sir, possibly at the mine. The battle is continuing south of here…’ He indicated to the distant rumbling and flashes on the horizon over his shoulder, ‘They seem got off to an early start. It is all quiet to the north with the armoured brigade…I have seen a patrol, but no signs of shooting as yet.’
Captain Dugachard’s eyes softened at his innocence, her eyes running across his broad chest and over his shoulder towards the south, ‘Good report. It doesn’t look like we will get any support from the main forces then.’ She indicated to the flashes in the far distance, ‘They seem to have their hands full.’ She stepped forward, her hand outstretched as the marine behind her glanced around cautiously, ‘Let me borrow the glasses and have a look towards the mine…is there any shooting now?’
Sam shook his head, ‘No sir, the shooting died down a little while ago towards the mine. Do you think they will be ok?’ His expression became strained as he thought of his friends.
The Captain smiled warmly, ‘They have adequate forces I think. From what you said it seems they may have had a skirmish with the Silakian bandits, anyway…let’s have a look.’ She took the powerful binoculars from Sam, seeing him avoid eye contact. Walking to the side of the platform, she raised them to her eyes, ‘Have you seen anything up there?’
Sam nodded, standing behind her, ‘There were some figures in grey I think…could they be miners?’
Captain Dugachard shook her head, ‘Unlikely, they have distinctive orange overalls.’ She paused, seeming to think and lowering the glasses for a second, ‘They could be Silakian…strange they are in uniform though. I wonder where they could have got those from…’ She raised the binoculars again, scanning the terrain in the distance, ‘Have you had any practise with your new weapon yet?’
Sam shook his head, ‘No…not yet. I wanted to check the ammunition supplies first, doesn’t it take a unique bullet?’
Captain Dugachard grinned, the glasses still at her eyes, ‘Good observation skills…yes it does.’ She turned to the marine nearby, her voice becoming more demanding, ‘Double the sentries on the west and north approaches…I want additional emplacements set up today and all exterior facing buildings fortified. Move any heavy weaponry we have to these positions and ensure the militia get some familiarisation training, understand?’
The marine snapped to attention, his right fist rising to his chest, ‘Yes Sir! I will see to it immediately.’ He turned abruptly and disappeared from view.
The captain turned her head to look at Sam, a slight smile on her lips, ‘Right…let’s see how well you can shoot.’
Sam blinked, swallowing hard as their eyes met. Then he crouched to pick up his rifle, his face flushed, ‘Er…yes sir.’
Shino grasped the cold metal rung at the bottom of the escape shaft, her gloves padding thickening to protect her hands as she applied pressure. Looking up, she glimpsed Tregan and Debra above her, climbing the rungs set into the rock. She looked away quickly, the dust cascading downwards onto her face. After collecting some ammunition and rations, they had taken nearly an hour to locate the escape shaft, the narrow circular tunnel stretching vertically upwards from the far depths of the mine to the surface. There was only enough room for one person at a time on the ladder and the small group slowly ascended towards the surface, the light filtering in from a small hole in the metal cover at the top.
Tregan reached out for the metal cover at the top of the shaft, pushing initially with his hand. The cover shifted in its housing, but was too heavy to push fully open. Adjusting himself on the ladder, he moved upwards, pushing his shoulder to the thick cover. The circular metal obstruction grinding and then lifting as the dirt and debris was shifted from around the edges. As he pushed the obstruction to the side, there was a slight squeal of metal on metal, dirt, dust and dislodged snow falling onto the climbers below.
Tregan looked out cautiously, the cold breeze enveloping his helmeted head as he rose through the opening. The man-hole was set on top of a pinnacle, between several of the jagged rocks, the location chosen for the wind to blow dust and debris away from the cover. Carefully, he raised himself above the opening, lifting his legs out across the iced snow and quietly removing the rifle from across his shoulders. He crawled on his hands and knees to the rocks, lowering his body as he approached the edge.
Moving across the top of the small pinnacle, he glanced down into rock areas below and across the valley. In the far distance he could just make out the flashes from the mobile brigade, their guns opening fire into the ravine beyond. He scanned the terrain, seeing the numerous paths winding their way through the rock formations. Smiling as he considered it wou
ld be easy to move, but potentially dangerous due to the numerous routes, the chances of coming across enemy soldiers simply reduced to good or bad luck dependant on which route chosen.
Following the tracks, he attempted to make out a possible route across the valley and then became frustrated, eventually giving up. There were too many options and it would be virtually impossible to follow a set route planned from this height when on the ground below. He changed focus, beginning to look for possible threats, moving his eyes to peer over the edge, to look down into the rocks below.
Seeing several Silakians moving across the immediate ground below them some fifty metres away, he drew back, his breath held. Behind the grey clad troops had been a small number of the Morgon reconnaissance soldiers, their black exoskeleton armour glinting in the morning light. Carrying heavier weapons than their allies, Tregan had considered they must have found a way through the mobile brigade.
Debra struggled through the opening, her chest heaving from the exertion, ‘What’s…’ Her voice trailed off as Tregan spun round glaring at her, his fingers to his lips to indicate for her to be silent.
Moving towards her, he whispered quietly, ‘The enemy is below us…not far. Tell the others as they get to the top of the ladder. I will go and look for our route.’
Debra nodded silently, her face flushed from embarrassment. She turned and carefully moved her legs from the opening, indicating to Riaz below her to be quiet.
As the group of four waited by the man-hole cover, their uniforms adjusting from the darkness of the shaft, they sat around the opening. Tregan moved silently along the path that lead down the side of the pinnacle, checking for breaks in cover in the rocks and possible areas for further concealment. The single track path eventually emerged onto a wider route, lower down the side of the rocks, the old hunting track still above the route used by the Silakians and their allies. The jagged rocks and broken boulders across the track indicated it had not been used for some time and Tregan decided to collect the others before proceeding further. He slowly turned and made his way back up the path.
Riaz was checking his assault rifle, the electronic round counter indicating the magazine had some thirty five bullets left. He was carrying the group’s ammunition, the camouflaged backpack full of rifle magazines and grenades.
Mrin smiled as he saw the young Asian man study the weapon, whispering, ‘You have a new best friend now!’
Riaz grinned, nodding, ‘Yes, the difference a couple of days make. I was meant to be on another early shift this morning!’
Mrin leant forward, looking down into the man-hole, then up at the Philippine girl opposite, ‘What about you Shino? What were you meant to be doing today on your planet?’
Shino smiled in surprise at the statement, ‘This was my rest-day…I was going to go shopping in Kings Road for a new outfit.’ She indicated to the uniform, her smile widening into a grin, ‘Not sure this is what I had in mind…still it was inexpensive!’
Mrin smiled broadly, ‘Interesting name…where do you come from?’
Shino smiled, ‘I am Philippine, but the name is Japanese. My father liked Japanese anime magazines…he used to collect them. Shino was one of his favourite characters.’ She grinned, ‘Not sure my mother was too impressed!’
Mrin grinned, his eyes sparkling in the light, ‘Very interesting, you should show me one day please…these anime magazines sound intriguing.’ He shifted his stance to look towards the path.
Debra nudged the blushing Shino, ‘I was meant to be going to Battersea Dogs Home in Old Windsor today. I am…sorry…was a part time dog walker for them. It was my day off too!’
Mrin indicated to Tregan as his upper body emerged from the lower path, ‘We will be moving now, check your weapon counters. In any gap in fighting, always make sure you have more than thirty rounds in your rifle!’
Tregan indicated to them, his face solemn and voice a hiss, ‘Let’s get going…I have checked the path ahead. Keep low and don’t look out, we will be moving quite quickly after a while. Morgon Reconnaissance infantry are in the area and I really don’t want to have a firefight with them. They are moving from our left to the right, whereas we will be cutting across the valley once we reach ground level. Keep sharp! If you see or hear anything, tell one of us…’ He indicated to Mrin and himself, leaning forward to emphasise, ‘…No matter how insignificant it may be, understand?’ The three nodded gravely.
Slowly progressing down the sloped path, they kept at a half-crouch, wary of being glimpsed by the Silakians or their Morgon allies. Tregan advanced first with Mrin bringing up the rear, their assault rifles held across their chests in readiness.
The path was steep and slippery and a number of times they lost their footing, the dislodged stones rolling down the slope between the jagged snow and ice tipped rocks. Shrieking from the paths below unsettled their nerves as the Morgon reconnaissance soldiers urged the Silakians onwards towards the mine.
Reaching the lower parts of the path, the rocks were interspersed by low shrubs and bushes, some bare and stripped trees struggling against the bitter elements dotted along the path. Tregan slowed the group as they reached end of the narrow track, the slope more gradual as it joined another wider route running left to right. He dropped to a crouch indicating for the others to gather round, his voice a whisper, ‘Now we will start to cross the paths of the enemy. Keep low and don’t call out. I will check the sides before we emerge.’
He crept forward, ducking his head to check first left and then right. To the right, about fifty metres away, three Silakians were trudging forwards, their grey clad backs to them. Seeing a gap in the rocks opposite, he lunged forward, hesitating as he reached the opening. Checking the next wider area, he turned and indicated for the rest to follow.
Riaz crept across the path, his heart beating hard in his chest. Seeing the enemy soldiers in the distance turned his stomach, the thought they were now progressing across the enemy routes unsettling him. Reaching the gap in the rocks, he waited as Tregan shot forward, running across the opening and avoiding the patches of snow.
Riaz froze as he heard a loud howl to the left, the animal sound making him jump. He clenched his rifle and pushed himself forward after Tregan. Shino and Debra also reacted to the howl, their stomachs twitching in nervousness as the animal call echoed across them. Mrin crouched behind them, his teeth clenched, ‘Just ignore the snow tigers, they are relatively harmless unless provoked. There are very few of them…an endangered species on this planet.’
Shino glanced round at him, her eyes wide, ‘Snow tigers? What else is in this valley?’
Mrin shrugged, ‘Probably some wolves and other animals. They are very timid unless they find an isolated prey.’
Debra smiled at Shino’s serious demeanour, ‘…Or a small delicate one!’
Shino grimaced in jest, ‘Plenty more meat on your bones after those canteen lunches…my body is mostly muscle!’
Debra’s eyes widened in surprise, her smile widening to a grin, ‘May I remind you that I am a senior officer…that is no way to talk to…..’
Mrin interrupted, ‘Perhaps we should keep moving rather than discussing what menu is on offer.’ He indicated with his hand, ‘After you ladies…’
Shino bolted forward and through the opening, seeing Riaz beckon to her. Another howl echoed around them as they ran half-crouched across the wider area, coming to rest against the rocks at the other side. Tregan waited until they all joined together, then glanced out into the next opening, a path leading into the clearing from both sides.
The Trevakian gritted his teeth, the open area quite wide. Turning he whispered, ‘We need to run across the next bit…maybe eighty metres. Keep low and don’t stop!’ He looked around the nervous faces, waiting for each to nod in response. Pushing himself forward, he sprinted into the clearing, heading across the path for a small gap in the rocks at the other side.
As he slid through the rocks, another howl echoed across the end of the valley
, the noise seeming closer. Mrin glanced around pensively, raising his assault rifle so his visor snapped down, his voice becoming excited, ‘They are tracking us!’
Shino swallowed, her nerves becoming taut. Mrin turned to them, hissing, ‘All run together this time, I will follow on…there is something not right here!’
Riaz grabbed Shino’s shoulder as he saw Tregan wave them forward, ‘In front of me Shino, I will cover you.’ The young Philippine darted forward through the opening, Riaz following close behind as Debra lunged after them.
Mrin slipped between the rocks, swearing under his breath as he heard a Morgon shriek behind them, ‘It seems Trevakian luck will be tested this day!’
Tregan heard the shriek, frantically waving for the others to hurry. Another howl, closer than the last, indicated the animals were getting nearer. Tregan glanced out across the next path quickly, seeing it was clear and pushing Shino and Riaz through, ‘Get to the next opening…we will follow.’ He turned raising his rifle and Debra passed him.
Mrin glanced round, hearing another howl, much nearer. He jerked his weapon around, the dots moving across his visor unable to locate a target. Stepping forward into the clearing, he spun to the right seeing the path was clear. Twisting his body round, he froze. At the end of the path to the left stood a Morgon soldier, his exoskeleton black armour clear in the morning light. Before him were three leashed snow tigers snarling, their mouths open as they pulled at their restraints. The Morgon shrieked a warning as he saw the Trevakian, several Silakian troopers appearing behind him.
Mrin glanced across at Tregan, his voice hoarse with fright, ‘Run! They have tigers as hunters!’ He dropped to one knee as the Morgon let go of the leashes, raising his assault rifle to his eye. The tigers lunging forward as they felt their freedom, their blood lust rising after days without food. Their white and grey coats rippling as their muscles pushed their bodies towards the lone Trevakian marine.
The Last Marine in the Galaxy (Galaxies Collide Book 1) Page 14