by Ben Winston
I poured the beer as I explained my idea to him. “Can we make a drone about the size of my fist that has its own power and gravimetric motor with a short range but high resolution scan function capable of creating a three-dimensional map of an underground complex of tunnels and chambers? Cloaking would be nice, but not absolutely required. It’ll have to interface with the Marines’ armor computer in real time.”
Ced winced, “That’s gonna be the kicker; the on-board computer in Marine armor simply isn’t powerful enough for the functions you’re talking about, Eric. It was purpose designed and built with no room left for expansion of any kind.”
“That doesn’t seem right, why on earth would someone design it not to be upgraded… wait, it’s Veranorian, isn’t it?” I asked.
Ced nodded. “Yeah, it is. We’ve been so busy with getting the ships and the base computer systems upgraded, no one’s had the time to think about the Marines yet.”
There was no way in hell I was going to let that stand. “Sarah, would you please let my family know I won’t be home tonight as an extremely urgent project has to be addressed right away. Then secure the schematics and a copy of the suit code for the Marine armor for me. Ced, can you build that probe or not?”
“Yeah, I can build it Eric, but like I said, it wouldn’t talk to the armor computer,” Ced replied, looking confused at my earlier orders to Sarah.
“It will when I get done with it!” I said smiling at the now surprised looking Marines. “Captain, I need to know exactly how much time I have to get this ready.”
“Unless something major changes between now and then, we’ll be on the shuttle at oh-seven-hundred tomorrow morning,” the Captain replied. “Do you really think you can upgrade our armor that fast?”
“I don’t actually know Captain, but I’m sure as hell going to try. I will be redesigning the computer and control systems in the armor, but that’s going to take longer than we have, so this might just be a band-aid fix for this battle. I’m thinking an external, add-on module that will use the comms for now.
“But, before I forget again what about shields?” I finished.
“What about them?” Ced asked.
“Why don’t the Marines have them in their armor?” I said.
“Size, power and computing power. Where are we going to put a shield generator on the suit? What good would it do? Particle weapons would go right through it. Not to mention the power requirements for a shield generator,” Ced replied naming the problems.
“If I understood the theory correctly, particle weapons shouldn’t be able to penetrate a warp field would they?” I asked.
“Are you planning on giving the marines hyperspace travel without a ship?” Ced teased.
“Nope, just trying to keep them alive. It doesn’t have to be a full blown hyperspace jump, Ced, just a small, weak warp field that would absorb the particle energy into hyperspace,” I explained.
“That wouldn’t work, the point of origin would have to be inside the field…” Ced replied but his mind was clearly engaged now.
“What if you inverted the field?” I asked.
“No, that would only…” he paused trying to think it through.
“Force any high velocity impact into hyperspace?” I asked.
“It can’t be that simple!” Ced replied grabbing his panel and beginning the calculations for the shield idea.
“Don’t forget those probes, Ced. We’ll need those before they launch tomorrow,” I said.
“No problem, how many do you want?” Ced asked.
Thinking about what I had to do, I made a guess. “I don’t think I could make more than five or six control units by then so I’d say about ten of them?”
“I’ll have them ready in about an hour,” he said absently. “I think we can actually do this, but it’s going to take a much more powerful computer unit in the armor, not to mention an upgraded power unit.”
“I’ll give you a call sometime tomorrow and we can work out the details Ced. Now set your panel aside and finish eating, or Sarge is going to steal your pizza,” I said grinning at the woman.
“No doubt! That was excellent!” she said pouring herself another beer. “And this is the perfect drink for it too, what is it?”
Ced was still deep in his panel and I grinned at him. “The food is called pizza, I ordered a variant called a deep dish, all-meat. The drink is called beer, and contains alcohol, although I asked for half the normal amount since you will be in combat tomorrow. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend drinking any more than you already have unless you want a hang-over in the morning.”
She nodded. “I’ll trust you, but I might just have to ask for more of this once we get back!” Tul-sa replied.
“I’ll have four kegs of it sitting in the Company area when you get back here. My treat,” I said. Making a note to order real beer from Earth for them.
“Eric, we’re going to need to talk to the Shallan armorers. This is going to require a completely new set of armor,” Ced replied.
I reached over and took his panel out of his hands. “Eat now, work later.”
“But…” he sighed and shook his head. “You’re right. If I don’t eat now I’ll forget to eat later, and the doctors are already mad at me about that.”
Marine Embarkation Bay
Alliance Apollo Base
Selene, Earth’s Moon
Sol System
I didn’t get any sleep that night and I had to enlist the assistance of a couple of other programmers, but we got it built. It wasn’t what I wanted, but it would get the job done for now. I tested it using my suit of armor and it seemed to work really well. The drone only used the suit computer as a hand off to the small module attached to an equipment loop on the armor. I built seven units, five to be used, and three as back-ups. Ced built fifteen drones, so each active unit had two of the small devices with five spares.
Both Ced and I were in the bay to see the Marines off and to explain how the devices would work. The Colonel was there as well.
“My Lord Cowan, Captain He’rsree tells me you and Doctor Ced are working on new armor for us, is this true?” the big Simonian asked.
I nodded, but Ced answered. “Yes Colonel, we are. Our primary goal was to get you better, more powerful armor that would not only protect you better, but be more effective in combat. However, the project has grown to include all military personnel. If this works the way I think it will, everyone will have a suit of armor. The Marine version will be much stronger and built for direct combat, but the armor for everyone else would keep them safe even if their ship was destroyed around them,” Ced replied excitedly. “We’re looking into adding personal shields to your armor as well as an advanced trauma function that should greatly reduce our losses in battle.”
All of that was completely new to me and I made a mental note to talk to Ced as soon as we were done here.
“That would be very good, Doctor Ced. Your efforts on our behalf are greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing what you come up with,” he said. “Lord Cowan, this mapping module you’ve built will help greatly. No more walking into a completely blind situation. Always before, we had to send someone in first to see where the enemy was. It was very hard on the scout sent in. Thank you for working to save our lives.”
“Sir, we don’t even know if they’ll do what we need them too. I hope they do and you’ll be able to clean them out without losing anyone,” I replied.
“That would indeed be an ideal situation, Lord Doctor. We must go now. Fare well gentlemen,” the Colonel said taking his leave and climbing aboard the closest assault shuttle.
Captain He’rsree and Sergeant Tul-sa had to run to get on their shuttles but they stood on the ramp as it was rising to wave back at me. Even though I knew where they were going, a part of me wished I was going with them too. I just hoped they would all return safely.
“We need to talk,” I said to a grinning Ced. “But first, I need to speak to the Quartermaster.”
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He nodded. “I took the liberty of putting together a meeting for a little later; you, me, your wife Christy and the two finest Shallan armorers in Clan Therinate. What do you need to talk to the Quartermaster for? Do you need something from the core worlds?”
“I need to place an urgent order from something very special for a special group of Marines,” I replied.
F. C. B. Honor of Vengeance
Stationary orbit
Northwest Territories
Canada
Planet Earth
Sol System
“It’s hard to believe such a beautiful landscape could be infested with Aracs,” He’rsree said more to herself than to anyone else.
Her comment was heard by her commanding officer though. “Indeed, Captain. Their presence in such a place is in itself a form of evil most cannot comprehend,” Cren’lith replied. “I am told that fires are a natural part of the renewal for these forests. If we must burn this place, at least we know it will quickly recover.”
The Honor of Vengeance scanners had located the most probable location for the hive; the place was far removed from the impact site of the pod. In fact it is relatively near inhabited areas, which made Cren’lith uncomfortable.
“Sir, the retrieval team has secured the Arac pod and is returning it to the ship,” a controller reported.
“Very well, thank you,” the Simonian replied. “Alright, listen up people. The Honor is triple checking every square hand-span of ground between the impact site and here. So far, all indications tell us the Hive is below us. There are two small settlements only a few tens of klicks away, easily within range for the Arac soldiers. For now, neither settlement has been hit.
“Once we are on the ground, AI Honor will use Doctor Ced’s new drones to locate any burrows that might be the hive entrances. Be aware that the biologists from Earth tell us that several species of wildlife use underground burrows as dens. None of these species welcome visitors. To that end, each drone will investigate the burrow until they locate the hive.
“Once AI Honor locates a hive entrance, we will proceed to that location and she will continue to search for more entrances. Each company has been issued one of Lord Doctor Cowan’s control units and two drones. Use them to make your initial investigations; equipment is far easier to replace than you are and we do have spares.
“You have been briefed on the local military. For the time being, they have not been deployed. Expect that to change as soon as we are detected to be on the ground. Our shuttles will deploy in a rough circle surrounding the main entrance once located, and raise their shields to protect us from local military interference.
“Captain Edgigly will be evacuating the closest settlements to the large village to the south, so we will not have to worry about civilian casualties.” He placed a small icon on the map display all the commanders were standing around. “We will drop here and set up a temporary base camp. Once AI Honor locates the entrance, we will relocate to there. As soon as we are on planet, all recorders are to be turned on and all data is to be relayed to AI Honor.”
“All recorders, Sir, even the audio and video feeds from the individual marines?” one of the officers asked.
“Yes, every feed is to be sent up to be recorded. We know virtually nothing of the Aracs. All information we can glean from our actions here must be treasured,” Cren’lith replied; to which the assembled officers could only agree.
“Any further questions?” the big Simonian asked. When none were forthcoming, he nodded. “Good, let us proceed. Operations, we are ready to begin.”
“Understood Colonel. Air cover launches in fifteen minutes. Full drop in twenty; please make final preparations. This mission is a go.” Captain Edgigly replied this time. “Good luck and good hunting Colonel.”
Canadian Forces Base
Edmonton
Alberta, Canada
Planet Earth
Sol System
“Has anyone figured out what the hell we’re doing this far north?” Sergeant Mars asked the assembled NCO’s from B Company, 1/504 Para-Infantry, 82nd Airborne, United States Army. “Did the President decide to annex Canada or what?”
“Can it Mars, you know damn good and well that we wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t a reason for it,” First Sergeant Plenke said. “Now, as if I didn’t know the answer already, has anything changed from yesterday’s meeting?”
“No ‘Top’, nothing’s changed,” Mars replied, using the common nickname for a First Sergeant.
When the rest of the Non-Commissioned Officers, or NCO’s, replied in kind, Plenke nodded. “I thought as much. By the way Mars, I’ve heard there are two battalions of Marines up here too. I think that’s bullshit though since there isn’t room for all of us up here, and this is the only airport this far north.”
Sergeant First Class Ballows of the first platoon nodded at his superior. “Well, there’s gotta be some of them up here cause my boys ran into them when we was setting up our perimeter. They got it worked out without calling in the officers though.”
“Why didn’t you tell us yesterday Joe?” Plenke asked. “Any idea how many there are?”
“One battalion from Twenty-Nine Palms, Top,” Captain Knoblock said as he entered the small tent.
“AH-Ten-SHUN!” Mars called out first. Everyone stood rigidly.
“As you were!” the officer said. “Let’s get them loaded up, Top. We’re heading out!”
“Yes Sir, can I ask where we’re goin’ Sir?” Plenke asked.
“Other than ‘north’ you wouldn’t know what I was talking about Top. Just get them loaded up, I’ll have the XO brief you in flight.” He turned to the assembled platoon sergeants. “Each of your platoon leaders will brief you on your areas of responsibility and what we can expect when we hit the ground. Gentlemen, regardless of what you might have heard, this is real. Unless the XO or I tells you differently, this is not a training mission. Get to your aircraft and prepare for drop. Flight time will be about an hour and a half, so make sure everything is set.”
“Yes Sir!” They are echoed.
“Dismissed!” Knoblock said, letting the NCO’s get out of the tent and run for their own platoon areas.
“What’s really going on, John?” Plenke asked.
“You’re gonna love this Bill,” Knoblock replied. “It seems E.T. has come down and has laid claim to a part of the Northwest Territories. We’re up here in defense of Canada to evict them.”
Bill Plenke snorted. “Why? Ain’t nothing up here worth fightin’ over!”
“Actually, this area is literally floating on oil. Our problem has been getting to it, since putting roads in is nearly impossible, and the water isn’t deep enough for ships. Either way, it’s not for us to decide. We have our orders, and we have to follow them.” John Knoblock replied.
“E.T. huh? Same guys that did the orbital stuff?” the First Sergeant asked. While they were talking the men had been packing up their few belongings and getting them ready to be loaded on the plane.
“So I’ve been told. I just hope our weapons will be effective, otherwise this could be a real short mission!” He pulled out a map. “Look here Top, we’re going to be dropping in here, with the rest of the battalion creating a barrier between this small airstrip and the aliens. We will have to hold that airstrip no matter what, since that will be the only way for us to get supplies, and when the time comes, this is where our ride home will be.” He pointed to a small icon labeled ‘Discovery’ on the map about seventy miles north of Yellowknife and the Great Slave Lake.
“We really need to be careful up here. It would be far too easy for someone to wander off and get lost. At least its summer time and we don’t have to worry about how cold it gets up here,” the Captain outlined. “The Marines will be dropping further into the interior, but we don’t know exactly where these aliens are going to come down yet. Intel says they’ll hit the ground first though.”
“What are our rules of engagement?” th
e First Sergeant asked. “Do I need to make sure I have space for prisoners?”
The Officer nodded. “Yes, in fact we have been ordered to take as many prisoners as we can, as well as capture as much of their equipment as we can. However, you won’t have to hold any for long; the Sergeant Major will be setting up a more permanent facility in the village to handle anyone we capture.”
The First Sergeant nodded. “Like I didn’t see that one coming! When can we expect the spooks to arrive?”
John laughed. “You’re too young to be so cynical, Bill!”
The older man just snorted. “Yeah, so when do they get here?”
“They’ll arrive once we have the town secured, like normal.”
The men had to stop talking then as soldiers arrived to tear down the tent and get all the gear loaded.
Wilderness Area
Northwest Territories
Canada
Planet Earth
Sol System
“Okay kids, we’re going in. This area is swampy and about half water. Be sure to use your jump packs to keep from getting bogged down. IFF modules are to be used at all times. We don’t want anyone wandering off and killing all the Aracs by themselves!” He’rsree said.
Shortly after her people responded to her order, the hatches opened and dropped the Marines into the open air high above the surface. She felt her pulse quicken as it always did during a combat drop.
“All units be advised, there are slow moving aircraft heading our direction. We have them listed as cargo craft most likely carrying troops and equipment. Several atmospheric fighter craft have also been dispatched, but will not arrive in our areas until well after we are on the ground. Terran troops will arrive during our landing. We do not know what their orders are so it might get messy for a little while. Sort it out as quickly as you can and remember, we are not to hurt any of the Terran soldiers,” the Colonel passed along on the battalion channel.
As they fell through the thick atmosphere of the planet, He’rsree watched her speed and altimeter. Her speed stabilized at just over two hundred klicks but shortly after that the gravity engine in the suit kicked on to begin slowing her down for impact. Normally, she would hit at just over fifty klicks, but since the ground below her was soft, the suit would slow her considerably further in an attempt to keep from getting bogged down in mud.