Confrontation: Aliens and Humans. Allies and Enemies. (Space Fleet Sagas)

by Don Foxe

  Stories of incredible feats of strength, speed, and daring were spread across temporary camps concerning the Space Rangers from Earth.

  The legend of Hiro the ninja and his invincible sword became the favorite stories around tribal gatherings and family meetings across the planet, with Catherea, the Forest Ghost a very close second.

  The SC tribe, with Special Ops forces assisting and communications techs in close support, were in the process of retaking SCoslene. Fitz and Trinity became the new names of two villages the SC tribe reclaimed, honoring the flyers who provided ground forces with such close support, SC tribe members swore they could see the pilots’ eyes as they flew sortie after sortie into the teeth of Zenge weapons’ fire.

  Angel Wing came in to take out fortified bunkers or cannon emplacements. Sparks and Storm provided recon and directions from high overhead in one of the Parrian cargo haulers. It had been refitted as an orbital communications and tactical center with the best in Fell communications and scanning technology, as well as Osperantue optics systems. They named the ship HELLFIRE. When another hauler was modified and launched so the planet would receive constant coverage, it was named BRIMSTONE. Both names courtesy of Col. Anton Gregory.

  During this time, with the skies cleared of enemy ships, the SFPT-99, commanded by Sam Harrington, made regular trips to the system. They delivered needed supplies, and provided an occasional security blanket, in case more Zenge or Mischene attempted to enter the system.

  Dead and injured humans were shipped back to Earth. Badly injured aboard the 99, where medical personnel could keep watch. The KIA were placed in bodybags and returned by Morgan since the vessel operated with space-fold capability.

  The Kennedy patrolled Earth’s solar system, giving the Roosevelt needed experience with space-fold travel.

  CHAPTER 51

  “It’s all very odd,” Adele said to Mags.

  “What’s odd?” Elie asked, setting her tray of food on the picnic table and joining the small group seated for lunch, enjoying a rare sunny day on Fell.

  The SFPT-99 arrived two days earlier. Supplies were being shuttled to the surface. Later this same day, injured personnel requiring more attention than available in the war zone would be air-lifted by the LBJ back to Roosevelt. Departure back to Earth was scheduled for eight hours from now.

  “Adele was telling us about the media coverage of Operation Counterstrike on Earth,” Mags answered. Joining them at the table were the former crew of Angel 5, Fitz, Anwar, and Harper.

  “It is like there are two very different operations occurring in the galaxy at the exact same time. Both involve Earth fighters, and both are happening on a planet called Fell, but that is all they have in common,” Adele said.

  “What differences?” Harper asked.

  “I am here,” the Avatar said. “Here you have waged battles resulting in tens-of-thousands of enemy soldiers killed or captured. Millions of citizens have been freed from invaders. The people hold you, and Earth, in esteem. The volunteers from Earth appear happy, actually, eager to do more. More importantly, the casualties among Space Fleet personnel, while regrettable, appear to me as significantly less than one would expect from fighting against such an enemy as the Zenge and Mischene.”

  “Okay. That sounds pretty close to what’s happening,” Mags said. “It’s wetter, colder, and more tiring to the bone than just numbers, but we are kicking ass.”

  “The people on Earth are mourning the dead. Ever since word of Angel 6’s destruction, every day the names of the dead are presented on constant repeating feeds. Pictures of dead heroes, and interviews with family and friends. People crying for their lost ones. Commentators speak of the Fellen as if they are cold, and would prefer you to leave. The story of how the SCoslene tribes are taking back their island without human help is considered one of great bravery, but also an example of why Earth should leave Fell to Fellens.”

  “The people on Earth think Fellens can free themselves without our help?” Anwar asked, his food forgotten.

  “I cannot say what the people on Earth think,” Adele admitted. “I can only tell you what the news outlets and streaming information sources report. They report human deaths and casualties. When the Morgan docks at EMS2, and flag-draped caskets are removed, the pictures are beamed live worldwide. Wounded taken from the 99 are treated the same way.”

  “The media, even now, when profits are no longer a driving motivator, will always try to broadcast sensational pictures,” Elie said. “Grief, destruction, despair and carnage attracts more hits than small victories. If they could see what we see, Earth would fill with pride.”

  “Why don’t they see what we see?” Anwar asked. “In previous wars, reporters were embedded with troops. Why did that not happen with Operation Crossroads?”

  “Can’t say for sure,” Elie admitted. “The somewhat secret nature of the mission, and the special hardware we are using for the first time might be part of the reason. The first such excursion by Earth on an alien planet might be another part. Whatever the reasons, Space Fleet admin nixed reporters.”

  “Patterson?” Harper asked.

  “She had to okay the decision, but it probably came from analysts down the chain,” Elie replied.

  “Admiral Singletary,” Adele said absently. “I have heard Captain Harrington speak ill of the Rear Admiral. I believe he commands Space Fleet’s public relations department, along with several other administrative sections.”

  “While we sweat our butts off saving an entire planet, the people back on Earth think we’re getting our asses handed to us by the Zenge, the Mischene, and the Fellen,” Mags said. She pushed her tray away in disgust.

  “I though the METS suits provided cooling,” Adele remarked.

  “Figure of speech, Adele,” Elie said, unable to contain a small smile at the avatar’s continued child-like take on the world around her. It struck the Spanish warrior as a bit of a quirk, considering the world-wise nature of Space Fleet’s only other avatar, Genna.

  She received no return comment by Adele, so she changed the subject by asking, “Any recent news regarding Captain Cooper’s recovery?”

  “I thought you would have been told,” Adele replied, her head tilted, as if she listened for a secret message. “Someone tried to murder him.”

  Five stunned voices demanded more information, all at the same time, all pressing in on the 99’s avatar, forcing the young woman to cringe at the assault.

  “Stop!” Elie ordered, loudly. “Give her space,” she demanded. In a softer tone, “Adele, please tell us what happened.”

  Mollified, but wary of another outburst, Adele said, “The details are classified. I do not believe even Captain Harrington is aware of the attempt. Rosy [the 99’s AI] was informed by Kennedy, who received her information from the communications computer system on EMS2. This is the first time I have spoken of it.”

  “That’s fine,” Elie said, attempting to reduce the tension. “But where the information came from isn’t important at the moment. What happened, and is Captain Cooper okay?”

  “Dr. Reinhardt, the geneticist who developed Genna and myself, has been working with the doctors on EMS2 to help Captain Cooper recover from his wounds. Normally, the Captain is never alone with anyone, with the exceptions of Admiral Pamela Patterson and Dr. Nathan Trent. But Dr. Reinhardt visited during a very slow time of evening, actually early morning. It appears he injected a dangerous bacteria into Captain Cooper’s IV.”

  “Appears?” Mags asked.

  “The monitors in the medical bay, including those in the Captain’s room, were turned off. There is no video evidence of exactly what Dr. Reinhardt did or did not do.”

  “Then why do you think Reinhardt attempted to murder Coop?” Elie asked.

  “When the computer was told to shut down all monitors, an alert was sent to Kennedy. She had placed a request for an alert if anything out of the ordinary occurred anywhere near Captain Cooper. The 109 was docked at EMS2. Kennedy woke Ge
nna. Genna sent alerts to Admiral Patterson and to Security Chief Claflin.”

  “And?” Elie gently urged.

  “Genna arrived first. She surprised Dr. Reinhardt, who held a syringe, later found to have contained a genetically modified bacteria, DNA coded for Daniel Marcel Cooper.

  I am not aware of the exact sequence of events that followed, but Dr. Reinhardt was knocked unconscious, the IV was pulled from Captain Cooper’s arm, and his immune system was able to fight off the bacteria. Somewhat due to the dosage being less, thanks to Genna’s actions.”

  “Coop?” Mags asked.

  “Moved to a secure, and secret, location on Earth. He has not regained consciousness, even though his wounds appear to have healed. His brain functions all appear normal. Reduced activity, but normal otherwise.”

  Everyone took a collective deep breath, followed by a sigh of released anxiety.

  “Reinhardt?” Anwar asked.

  “In custody, but he swears he found the syringe and Genna did not give him ample time to explain before hitting him.”

  “Genna was first to arrive?” Fitz asked. “Where was security? Where was Patterson?”

  “Chief Claflin says the request from Genna did not arrive until later. He believes whoever hacked the medical computer, also created glitches in security and communication systems. Admiral Patterson was in Toronto. Members of the UEC Board of Governors are demanding her resignation, and she had to appear to testify.”

  “Oh, my aching head,” Mags said, dropping her head to the table’s top. “Has the world gone completely mad while we’ve been on Fell?”

  ON EARTH: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

  “The 109 has docked at EMS2,” Trent said. “I assume your orders?”

  “They were,” Patterson replied. “We need to move Coop, and I want it done by people I trust.”

  The two conversed while having coffee in Space Fleet HQ’s Officers’ Club. Patterson was unconcerned about eavesdropping. She brought a compact, but very powerful jammer with her. Nothing within five-yards of the devise could be scanned, videoed or overheard.

  “Don’t you think you should spend your time dealing with the Board of Governors, and let Benny Claflin handle Coop’s transfer?”

  “Nothing I say will change what the Governors will do. They want my resignation, or they will simply relieve me of command and kick my ass out the door,” she said. “I’m stalling in order to make sure Coop is safe before I vacate the office. EMS2 security has already been compromised. I need you to move him.”

  “Me?” Trent asked. “I’m Head of Sciences, and my teams are working around the clock trying to figure out why he hasn’t come out of his stupor, but I can’t walk in and walk out with him. And where would I take him. He needs a secure military location with the latest medical facilities.”

  “I think military facilities are not the safest place for him under the present political conditions,” the Fleet Admiral said. “Elliott Fairchild’s retreat is being prepared.”

  “Fin Island? The island he was given by the Gitga’ata after he donated hospitals and schools for their people following the pandemic.”

  “It’s remote, protected by Fairchild Industries, with computer and operational systems more advanced than anything the UEC has. There are top-notch medical research facilities on site. Elliott wants to help.”

  “Okay. You have a place to take him. How do you expect me to get him?” the world’s most famous scientist asked.

  “You will have a special team to assist.”

  ON EMS2: 2:00PM UTC. THE NEXT DAY

  “Where are the guards?” Trent asked.

  “Kennedy had them reassigned,” Genna replied.

  “They left without replacements?”

  “The replacements are inside with Coop. They are transferring him to a hover-gurney.”

  “The med-station alarms will sound when they disconnect him from the monitors and IV.”

  “For the Head of Sciences, you don’t stay very current on medical facilities, do you?” Genna asked. The development of her personality included a sharp tongue, and little regard for positions or titles. The time the avatar spent with Captain Daniel Cooper produced obvious results. Independence and a growing confidence among the qualities some found unbecoming a bio-engineered construct.

  “I have a lot of responsibilities, Counselor. Medical is not one of them,” Trent replied. Having dealt with Coop for decades, sparring with a protege presented little difficulty.

  “No wires,” Genna said. “The IV is the only actual line connection, and they will leave it on, replacing it with one we borrowed from supplies. Kennedy has asked the med-op computer to continue to send Coop’s vitals to the station monitors. No alerts. No concerns. We selected this time because lunch is over, rounds have been completed, and no one will stick a head in his room until after four PM.”

  The door to the private room opened. Lt. Heidi McCormack, dressed in the uniform of a Space Fleet Military Police lieutenant, walked ahead of the floating gurney. LCMD Henry Smith, MSD’s Command Supply Officer, pushed the stretcher from behind. Dressed as an MP, corporal rank.

  This was the team Admiral Patterson trusted. Nathan Trent, Genna Bouvier, Heidi McCormack, Henry Brown, and Kennedy, the 109’s AI.

  “Corporal?” Trent asked.

  “Only MP uniform I could find big enough,” the very large man replied.

  The trip from the medical section to a waiting private shuttle docked at an exterior pier was remarkably uneventful. Any security checkpoints had been issued pre-approval through Kennedy’s connections. Coop was identified as a wounded Specialist back from Fell being transported to the med center in Toronto. A common occurrence of late that would raise no questions.

  The shuttle belonged to Trent Industries, and Trent had flown it from the surface himself. All ID markers, and EMS2 records regarding the ship, contents, and flight plans would be scrubbed. Shuttle records would show LCMD Brown and Lt. McCormack flew to Toronto to inspect supplies being shipped to MSD by new providers. The time between their departure, and eventual arrival at Fleet storage, dressed in their own uniforms, would be explained as sightseeing.

  Counselor Bouvier’s trip to the planet was classified as personal. She was visiting Trista Korr, who lived in Toronto with her mother.

  Like the trip from med to dock, the flight from EMS2 to Fin Island proved uneventful. The most difficult moment came after the shuttle landed on Fin Island. A medical team awaited to take Coop. His four friends were hesitant to give him into the hands of strangers. The presence of Mara Trent instantly relieved their anxiety.

  She greeted the team members, surprising everyone, except her husband, by shaking hands and calling each by name. She had never met the three before.

  “Did any of you know Coop’s father, Peter, rescued me during the pandemic?” she asked.

  Three negatives and one “I did,” from her husband.

  “You don’t count, Nate,” she said, tapping Trent on the tip of his nose. “Elliott called me after Pam called him. He wanted someone he knew well to be nearby when he awoke.” She did not say, ‘if he awoke,’ which was noted and appreciate. “Elliott does not get around as much, and was afraid he might not be available at the right time.”

  Fears allayed, the team shuttled for Toronto to complete the official reasons for their visit to Earth. They would meet later and officially return to EMS2 aboard a regular Fleet transport.

  Nathan Trent reported to Pamela Patterson, and Fleet Admiral Patterson turned in her resignation.

  ELSEWHERE - THE FOLLOWING DAY

  “Patterson is behind it,” Hadritak said. “How else could Daniel Cooper disappear?”

  “Agreed,” Cancer replied. “But we have no way of proving it. Besides, she’s gone, and that is the important point. I will keep her under surveillance. Sooner or later, we will find Cooper. As soon as the UEC makes the changes at Space Fleet official, I will have Reinhardt released. Then cancel Operation Crossroads.”
>
  “Do not move to recall the mission,” the Arab said. “We do not want to appear overly anxious. You must be supportive, until more outrage has built. It gives us more opportunities to create animosity. The angrier people are with aliens, the better for our long-term plans.”

  CHAPTER 52

  Thirteen months from the day Fleet Admiral Patterson and Daniel Cooper were granted permission to create the broad outline for the mission, Fell was officially declared free.

  Combining those killed during the first recon by Angel 7, with the number of Zenge and Mischene enemy combatants eliminated in space, in the sky, and on the surface of the planet, equalled 400,000 invaders eradicated on the planet.

  Sixty-seven Mischene had been captured or surrendered. The Mischene were held on a Parrian cargo hauler, but under better conditions that the previous prisoners. Surprisingly, 3,890 Zenge surrendered. The Zenge were housed on a small island off the super continent. Most were older, male and female, and did not display the religious fervor of the younger members of their species.

  It took active persuasion to prevent the Fellen from eliminating the Mischene and Zenge prisoners. Elie and Anton made it known any action against enemy prisoners of war would result in harsh punishment. Harsh as in Anton would personally kill anyone from any race, species, or tribe that harmed a POW.

  Over 600,000 Fell died, either during the invasion or subsequent battles to reclaim the planet. This represented thirty-percent of the planet’s pre-invasion population. Just as the pandemic on Earth forced very different cultures to come together to rebuild a unified planet, the war brought the tribes closer. The planet had operated without a central government, allowing tribes to market their own valuables, create trade routes, and develop partners.