Outpost Hell

by Jake Bible

  “Time to see if anyone’s home?” Nordanski asked as he unstrapped from the jump seat and stood up to stretch. “You already do a scan?”

  “Yes, and there are at least two dozen life signs registering from the outpost’s buildings,” Kay said. “Air outside is breathable, but just barely. Keep your helmet on until we’re inside a sealed building.”

  “Copy that,” Nordanski said. “Manheim assign a team leader yet?”

  “Manheim is unconscious,” Ma’ha said as he checked his carbine’s power level then grabbed up four extra cartridges from a small crate off to the side. He tucked the cartridges into his belt and rested the barrel of his H16 against his shoulder. “You want the job?”

  “Me? No way,” Nordanski said. “Kay has seniority over me and has no problem bossing us around.”

  “I have seniority over you by three weeks only,” Kay said. “And don’t be an ass. I haven’t been bossing you around; I’ve been piloting the DS. There’s a difference.”

  “I can take lead on this,” Chann said.

  “You?” Nordanski laughed. “No offense, Chann, but you’re F3. We’re F1. Not gonna happen.”

  “I’ll do it,” Kay said. “Just to shut you up.”

  “Exactly like most decisions are made around me,” Nordanski said. “How far to the first building?”

  Kay tapped at her wrist and a holo came up of a set of four buildings. According to the small digital legend at the bottom of the holo, each building was eighty meters long by fifty meters wide by ten meters high. Kay pulled her hand back, and the image zoomed out to show the location of the drop ship.

  “We’re half a kilometer from the outpost,” Kay said. “Wouldn’t be safe to land any closer. Odds are they saw us anyway since there isn’t a hill or mountain anywhere around this place, but I figured half a kilometer was enough space for us to do a little recon before we engage the inhabitants.”

  “Sentient?” Chann asked.

  “No way to know for sure,” Kay said. “I’d guess they are, but let’s prepare for anything. Could be feral animals that have taken up residence.”

  “That turn off transponders? Not likely,” Ma’ha said.

  “Does this planet even have animals?” Nordanski asked. “How? No plant life, no water source. The whole place is one giant desert.”

  “Life finds a way, even in a desert,” Chann said. All eyes turned to him. “What?”

  “Nothing, professor,” Nordanski said. “Any other words of wisdom you want to spout before we go shoot the hell out of some locals?”

  “We’re not shooting anyone,” Kay said. “Not right away. Engage only if engaged. Our primary mission is to obtain needed supplies for the Romper’s repairs.”

  “We got a list?” Nordanski asked.

  “I have a detailed accounting of what Pilot Rosch needs first,” the AI said, her voice surprisingly clear in everyone’s comms. “It can be brought up on your faceplate displays at any time. I will also be monitoring your progress and will tag and alert you to any supplies I see through your vid feeds.”

  “Not sure I like this part,” Ma’ha said. “A drop ship AI shadowing us on an op? That’s not what they’re for. They stay in the DS. They don’t follow us out into the field.”

  “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re kind of screwed right now,” Kay said. “We need all the help we can get. We’re in an unknown system, on an unknown planet, with a broken transport, most of our squad dead back on a Skrang planet, and possibly Skrang on the way if they figured out how to track us. If you want to argue about the usefulness of AIs, then do it in your own head.”

  “I think Kay is happy with taking charge,” Nordanski said.

  “Shut up, Nord,” Kay snapped. “You hear me, Ma’ha?”

  “I hear you,” Ma’ha said. “Loud and clear. I still don’t trust the AI.”

  “You don’t have to trust the AI,” Kay said. “But you do have to trust me. I want the AI on the op to help hunt for supplies. If you have a problem with that, then stay here in the DS and let the adults complete the op.”

  “Ouch,” Nordanski said. Kay glared at him. “Shutting up now.”

  “Just to play Seven Satans’ advocate here, but shouldn’t the AI stay in the ship and keep it prepped for take-off in case we need to bug out fast?” Chann asked.

  “I can do both, Private Chann,” the AI said. “My processing capabilities will not even achieve one percent usage while helping your team search the outpost. Keeping the drop ship prepped takes even less. I assure you that I am more than able to handle a multitude of tasks simultaneously.”

  “Good,” Chann said and looked at Kay. “Can we go now?”

  “Ma’ha?” Kay asked. “You good or sitting this one out?”

  “I’m good, I’m good,” Ma’ha said.

  “Then let’s move out,” Kay ordered.

  ***

  Chann couldn’t help but wonder just how far out on the edge of the galaxy they were. As the team moved carefully towards the outpost buildings, he glanced up at the sky and saw possibly half a dozen stars peeking through the ever-present cloud cover. No more. Only half a dozen.

  “Problem?” Kay asked.

  Chann nodded. “Yeah. I’m trying to orient myself using the local constellations. The problem is there aren’t any. Where the hell are we?”

  “Maybe we’ll find out when we hit the outpost,” Nordanski said. “They have to know where we are.”

  “If they’re friendly,” Chann said.

  “Even if they aren’t, they should know where they are,” Ma’ha said.

  “First things first,” Kay said. “Determine if they are friendlies or hostiles, secure supplies, then worry about our exact location. It’s not something we need to know at this moment. Rosch can worry about that when she tries to navigate us out of this system. Until then, eyes on the prize.”

  “Hooah,” Nordanski said.

  “Hooah,” the rest replied.

  The night was pitch dark. The planet had no satellite. No moon to light the way. The Marines relied on the displays on the insides of their faceplates to guide them across the sandy soil towards the outpost. The landscape before them was a glowing green and gray. An endless monochromatic scene that revealed almost nothing.

  Then the buildings came into view and Chann held up a fist. The team stopped, everyone ready and waiting for engagement. Nothing happened.

  “The buildings are dark,” Kay said. “No power readings at all.”

  “Life signs?” Nordanski asked. “Chann? You picking anything up?”

  “Nothing you aren’t,” Chann replied.

  “They knew we were coming and all hid,” Ma’ha said. “Smart move. I’d hide if some GF Marines were walking up to my front door.”

  “Then let’s go knock,” Kay said. “Chann? Keep moving. Take us to the closest building. Let’s see if anyone is home.”

  “We know they’re home,” Ma’ha said. “We just don’t know where.”

  “They could have bailed when we landed,” Nordanski said. “Took off running into the night to wait until we leave. Off-books outpost accessed by an off-books wormhole portal. Makes sense they don’t want to come out and shake hands.”

  “Then why have a transponder on?” Chann asked. “That’s the part that’s bugging me.”

  “Me too,” Kay said.

  Chann moved on, with the team right behind him, and approached the first building. It was big and generic, like most Galactic Fleet outpost buildings. Total utility. Chann moved cautiously to the closest entrance, a dirt-stained airlock that looked like it hadn’t been opened since the War had started centuries before.

  He moved to the airlock controls while Kay covered his left, Nordanski his right, and Ma’ha covered their rear. Chann popped open the control panel and studied the circuitry and wiring inside.

  “Basic set up,” Chann said.

  Kay gave the open panel a quick glance. “Shit, you aren’t kidding. There might as we
ll just be a big button that says Press Me on it instead.”

  “Pretty much,” Chann said as he crossed two wires then plugged them into a circuit port. The airlock hissed open. “In we go.”

  The Marines hurried inside the airlock. Chann moved to the opposite hatch and peered through the porthole set at eye level.

  “Corridor is clear,” Chann said.

  “Air outside is breathable, so go ahead and open that hatch before we close the outer one,” Kay said. “No need to trap ourselves.”

  Chann nodded and found the next panel. He popped that one open and shook his head. The wiring was even simpler than the external one. The interior airlock hatch hissed open, and Chann rushed into the corridor, his carbine aiming left then right then left again.

  “Clear,” Chann said.

  The rest of the team followed him inside. Ma’ha was last and closed both airlock hatches as the team took up positions in the corridor.

  “Too clean,” Chann said as he knelt and wiped his glove across the floor. “Planet like this and there should be a layer of dust even with the airlocks.”

  “The inhabitants are clean freaks,” Nordanski said. “Great. It’s the OCD ones you always have to watch out for.”

  “Let’s watch out for everyone,” Kay said. “Give me scans as we move, folks. I want combined readings so we can get a better picture of the interior of this building.”

  Chann stood and started forward slowly. His finger was on the outside of his carbine’s trigger guard, but ready to slip inside and start firing the second trouble showed itself. Chann’s gut told him trouble was just around the corner.

  But when they reached the corner and Chann swung around, H16 ready, the next corridor was as empty as the first.

  Slowly, they made their way through the entire building. As they went, a small map of the place was built and presented on each of their displays.

  “Admin?” Nordanski asked. “Looks like offices and meeting rooms. No signs of habitation other than how Eight Million Gods damn clean it is.”

  “We walk it again,” Kay said.

  “What?” Ma’ha asked. “You joking? We cleared this building. Let’s move on to the next.”

  “Kay’s right,” Chann said. “Something feels off. We should check again, see if we missed anything.”

  “Since when do you like to do double work?” Ma’ha asked. “You’re the most one-and-done Marine I know.”

  “Gut feeling,” Chann said. “I swear someone is in here with us.”

  “Gotta go with Chann on this one, Ma’ha,” Nordanski said. “I got the neck pricklies.”

  “AI?” Kay called. “You getting any tech signals? Are they watching us on vid?”

  “There are zero readings from the building other than your enviro suits and weapons,” the AI responded. “I have been monitoring the building closely, and there is no sign of any type of tech being used.”

  “Maybe you’re missing it because it’s tech you can’t detect,” Ma’ha said.

  “If that is the case, then I would not know that I am missing the tech,” the AI said. “My reporting would remain the same. It is why you are physically searching the building.”

  “I think the AI just gave you a passive aggressive smack down, Ma’ha,” Nordanski said.

  “Whatever,” Ma’ha replied.

  “We run the building again,” Kay said. “Lead the way, Chann.”

  Chann nodded and turned them around, retracing their steps through the building until they once again stood outside the airlock hatch where they had come in.

  “Zip,” Chann said. “What now?”

  “Now, we can move to the next building,” Kay said.

  Chann opened the airlock and led them outside. The wind had picked up and a heavy cloud of dust whipped around them as they skirted the outside of the building and continued on to the next one.

  “Huh,” Chann said as he popped open the airlock panel. “This is more like it.”

  “Standard locking mechanism,” Kay said, glancing over his shoulder. “Above-average security circuits. Makes me think that last building doesn’t get used, but this one does.”

  “Then why clean it?” Nordanski asked. “That part is driving me crazy. Why clean a building you don’t use?”

  The airlock hissed open and Chan moved inside. He checked the opposite hatch’s porthole.

  “Chann?” Kay asked as the seconds ticked by. “You got something?”

  “I don’t know,” Chann said. “Hold on.”

  He took a couple steps back from the hatch and activated his wrist controls. Slowly, he waved his hand across the surface of the airlock hatch then studied the readings on his display.

  “Talk to us, Chann,” Ma’ha said.

  “I’m not picking anything up except a slight vibration in the hatch,” Chann said. “Like it has been recently opened and power is still dissipating. Also…”

  Chann moved back to the porthole, looked left, looked right, then shook his head.

  “Also?” Kay asked.

  “I don’t know,” Chann said. “Thought I saw some light to the left, but it’s gone, and I’m not picking up any power signatures.”

  “What’s the call, Kay?” Nordanski asked. “We gonna take a look inside creepy building number two or what?”

  “That’s why we’re here,” Kay said. “Chann, do the honors.”

  Chann hacked the hatch’s panel and it slid open within seconds.

  “Son of a bitch!” Chann yelled as he raised his carbine. Then lowered it.

  “Hi there,” a little girl said as she waved at Chann and the Marines before giggling and skipping off down the corridor.

  “Oh, hell no,” Nordanski said.

  6

  “Hey!” Chann shouted as he hurried into the corridor after the little girl.

  “Chann! Dude!” Nordanski exclaimed. “Have you never watched a horror vid? You do not follow the creepy little girl into the dark building. Especially when she giggles and skips!”

  “Going to agree with Nord,” Ma’ha said. “That was messed up.”

  Chann stared down the dark corridor. There was no sign of the little girl. She’d caught him by surprise, and he had hesitated, but not long enough for her to be already out of sight.

  “Kay?” Chann asked.

  “We proceed,” Kay said. “Carefully.”

  “Oh, hell yeah, we’ll be careful,” Nordanski said. “You know what the most careful thing to do would be? Get back in the DS and nuke this building. Just send creepy skipping girl straight to all the Hells.”

  “That would be murder,” a voice said from behind Chann.

  Chann spun about and came helmet to face with a young man in his early twenties. Human with bright blue eyes and a wide smile. Both of his hands were up at shoulder level and he was unarmed. Chann noted all of that, but didn’t lower his carbine.

  “Who the fuck are you?” Chann snapped, taking a step forward, the barrel of his H16 leading. “You have two seconds to answer me.”

  “I’ll answer you in one,” the young man said. “My name is Taman. That was Voxah you scared off.”

  “Scared off?” Chann asked. “She didn’t look very scared.”

  “She’s a special child, and to outsiders, it looks like she is always happy,” Taman said. “But I know the truth. You startled her with your guns.”

  “That’s the point,” Chann said.

  Kay moved next to Chann, her H16 up and aimed at Taman’s chest.

  “I’m Galactic Fleet Marine Private Kay,” Kay said. “You said your name was Taman?”

  “That is correct,” Taman replied. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Galactic Fleet Marine Private Kay. Welcome to Hell.”

  “Not winning friends there, bud,” Nordanski said over his shoulder. His back was to Kay and Chann while he and Ma’ha covered their six. “Have you thought of renaming the place?”

  “Many times,” Taman said and laughed. His entire face lit up. “Believe me, it is
a constant topic of conversation around here. But most of us have gotten used to it, so we keep the name despite its ominous tone.”

  “Speaking of ominous,” Chann said. “Do you people use lights? It’s a little dark in here.”

  “Yes, well, we conserve power at night by leaving the lights off,” Taman said. “Most of us are asleep anyway. Also, we had no idea what your intentions were, so we decided to maintain a low profile until we knew for certain.”

  “So no lights?” Chann asked.

  “Of course,” Taman said. “Looffu?”

  The lights in the corridor flickered on, and Chann gasped as six people behind Taman became clear.

  “Holy shit,” Nordanski exclaimed. “Kay!”

  “What is it?” Chann asked, as Kay looked back to Nordanski and Ma’ha. Chann continued to stare at Taman and the six new people. “Kay? What is it?”

  “Eight more at the end of the corridor,” Kay said. “Just standing there.”

  “We checked that direction,” Chann said. “There wasn’t anyone there before.”

  “Appearances can be deceiving,” Taman said. “Yours is not the first party to arrive here unannounced. We have learned to protect ourselves.”

  “You’re armed?” Chann asked. He checked his display, but there was no indication of weapons on any of the people standing before him.

  “Not offensively, no,” Taman said. “We use illusion to give the idea that no one is around.”

  “There was someone back with us in the other building,” Chann said.

  “Yes,” Taman replied.

  “Your gut was right, Chann,” Nordanski said.

  “Stealth tech?” Kay asked.

  “No, no, nothing quite so elaborate,” Taman said. “We do not have access to anything of that caliber. It is simply the proper use of light and shadow to mask our presence.”

  “Well, now you are no longer masked,” Kay said. “I assume it’s because you do not perceive us as a threat.”

  “Quite the contrary,” Taman said. “We most certainly perceive you as a threat. You are, after all, Galactic Fleet Marines. Only fools would not perceive warriors such as yourselves as threats.”