First Strike
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Coming out of a jump inside a planet’s atmosphere was something that Tarina and Wendy had planned for. However, the harsh reality of going from a zero gravity environment in space to one with gravity was like being hit in the chest by an enraged donkey. Although tightly strapped into their chairs, the sudden jerk experienced when gravity took hold of their craft was a nasty shock to both women.
As calculated, their Avenger came out of its jump precisely one kilometer above a sports stadium. The ship’s computer seamlessly switched the engine to sublight propulsion; still they were falling through the air like a rock. A second later, Tarina felt the craft begin to respond to her controls. She adjusted the ship’s thrusters and slowed their descent.
“How does the landing site look?” Tarina asked Wendy.
Looking at the infrared camera image on her console, Wendy swore. “The stadium’s field is covered in tents. Go for the alternate LZ.”
Tarina felt her heart begin to race. They had planned this down to the last second. If they were off by even one second, they would plow straight into the side of a building. Through gritted teeth, she said, “I hope there’s no one there, or we’re gonna land right on top of them.”
The Avenger banked over as Tarina lined it up with the sports field of a school near the stadium. She looked out the side of her cockpit window. She could not see a thing. The ground below was blacked out. With seconds to go, she engaged the landing thrusters and prayed that there was no one below them. Watching her rate of descent on her heads-up display, Tarina slowed their speed and then brought her craft for a near perfect landing. The nose of the Avenger struck something in the dark, knocking it over. Quickly switching the power off, Tarina and Wendy removed their helmets, reached over and opened up the cockpit canopy. A gust of cold air blew inside.
“What the hell is that nauseating smell?” Wendy asked as a repulsive odor wafted in the air.
“That’s me,” hollered an angry voice from below. “I was using a portable toilet when you crash-landed into it and knocked it over. I hope for your sake you’re on our side, or I’m going to personally shoot you.”
Tarina peered over the side of the Avenger. “Sorry about that. But I can assure you that we’re on your side.”
“Get down from there and show me some ID,” ordered the irate man.
Thirty minutes later, Tarina found herself in General Gruber’s office. Wendy had stayed with the Avenger in case something happened. All she had to do was push the autopilot. The craft would start automatically and jump her back to their transport ship.
“Miss Pheto, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” said Gruber, chewing on the end of an unlit cigar. “I hope you’re here to tell me that several Marine divisions are right behind you.”
“Sorry, sir, I’m only here to gather intelligence,” replied Tarina as she handed the general a copy of her orders. He took them and passed them straight over to his chief of staff to read.
“Can you at least tell me if fleet knows that we’re giving the Kurgans a bloody nose down here?”
“Yes, sir, they are aware that you are still fighting the enemy. However, before they do anything to help you, I suspect that fleet will want to know what is happening on the ground. That is why I was dispatched to Derra-5.”
Gruber sagely nodded while his chief of staff excused herself from the room to dig up all the information she could. “So, Miss Pheto, which outfit do you belong to?”
“Triple-Three Transport Squadron,” answered Tarina.
“Yeah, and I’m the Commander of the Marine Corps.” Gruber looked over at his sergeant major. “Does she look like a transport pilot to you?”
Sergeant Major Trang chuckled.
“That’s what I thought; damned Special Forces. Well, for once I’m glad to see one of you prima donnas. While you’re waiting for whatever it is Colonel Robbins has gone to dig up, could I offer you a cup of coffee?”
Tarina smiled. “I’d love one, sir.”
An hour later, General Gruber personally escorted Tarina back to the Avenger. In her absence, it had been ringed by a platoon of soldiers and several teams of air-defense gunners with launchers held in their hands in case the enemy decided to probe this part of the city with a drone.
Tarina handed up a bag to Wendy jam packed with maps, reports, and as many computer drives as she could carry.
Gruber shook Tarina’s hand. He stepped forward until he could look deep into her dark brown eyes. “Miss, you have to tell them folks back at Fleet HQ that we need help and we need it sooner rather than later. The Kurgs have been oddly quiet the past couple of days. They’re planning something big. I can feel it in my bones. The problem is I’m not sure that we can hold out much longer.”
“Sir, I’ll pass on what you’ve said word for word.”
“I can’t ask for much more than that. Godspeed, Miss Pheto.”
Tarina was about to climb up into the cockpit when she paused for a second. “Sir, could you move the people away from the sports arena?”
“Sure, but why would I?”
“Sir, I’ve just had a thought. It’s risky, but I bet a battalion-sized landing craft could just about fit in there.”
“I bet it could,” Gruber added, grinning.
With that, Tarina climbed up into the cockpit, locked her helmet in place, and closed the canopy. The ship’s engine sprung to life. With a quick salute at the general, Tarina applied power to the thrusters. Swiftly, the ship lifted up into the sky. When it was one hundred meters above the ground, Tarina engaged the jump engine. Instantly, the craft was gone.
Gruber stood looking up at the stars. For the first time in over a month, he felt his spirits begin to rise. Perhaps they were not going to be left by themselves to delay the enemy for as long as possible before being overrun. Surrender was not in Gruber’s vocabulary. He turned to face his sergeant major. “Dan, let’s get those people at the sports arena relocated before tomorrow evening.”
“Will do, sir. Do you think she’ll be back?”
“Of course she will. You know the Special Forces community. They’re a bunch of glory hounds. They’ll be back alright, and they’ll take credit for saving the whole damned planet.”
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