by Dan Worth
Everything seemed to be proceeding to plan. His craft were beginning to fan out for the landing north and south of the city whilst Simonov himself would land at the temple and set up a command post. He intended to set up an artillery position there too once the self propelled guns arrived in the next wave. The heavier armour and air defence units would be landed both at the temple and outside the city. Once his forces were on the ground they would move into Marantis and prepare to fortify it against a possible assault. Redeployments within the city would be made depending upon where the K’Soth chose to land their forces. Simonov had planned a number of possible responses; the general technique of all of them would be to prevent the K’Soth from landing near the city and keep them out on the plains where he could bombard them with his artillery to soften them up. Once the K’Soth assaulted the city, which he guessed they would, he would draw them into the warren of narrow streets and take them apart piece by piece.
He grunted with interest as the additional orders appeared on his screen. They now had an additional secondary objective: arrest three individuals for questioning last seen in the vicinity of the university and detain them until the arrival of intelligence personnel. Simonov checked his map of Marantis and redirected one of the landing craft to the new waypoint.
‘What do you intend to do Steven? You know this planet better than us two,’ said Rekkid as they hurried out of the university building with their belongings.
‘Get to the railway station, that’s what. If we can get today’s train out of here we can get away at least for a little while.’
‘Won’t they just send a ship after us?’ enquired Katherine. ‘It’s not like we can just blend in Steven, we stick out like a sore thumb here.’
‘You got a better idea?’ he shot back. ‘At least this way we’ll be further from any ground actions that take place. Come on, this way,’ he added, hefting his luggage.
They staggered out of the accommodation block into the compound. As they descended the shallow ramp outside a growing roar began to fill their ears. Looking upwards they were almost knocked flat by the downwash from the landing craft as it descended over the huddle of university buildings, scattering dust and leaves before it. The dark predatory form hung over them like a hawk for a moment, before it found them. A loudspeaker began to blare over the howling engines.
‘Stay where you are. Do not attempt to escape,’ it boomed as the craft hovered overhead. As they looked, figures wearing close-fitting combat armour and clutching weapons began to emerge from the clamshell doors at the rear of the ship. They were wearing AG packs and used them to drift down towards the trio as the voice continued to echo off the stonework of the surrounding buildings. ‘You will co-operate with Commonwealth forces. You are being detained as part of counter-insurgency operations in this area. Any hostile act will be met with deadly force.’
Katherine looked at Steven, the blast of air and dust stinging her eyes. ‘Looks like they came sooner than you thought,’ she yelled over the noise.
‘I’m sorry Katherine,’ he called back. ‘I thought we’d have longer until they arrived. I’ve let you down. If I hadn’t called for help they might not have found us.’
‘Don’t worry Steven,’ she replied. ‘You tried your best.’
The landing craft was moving now, sliding to one side as it sought a suitable landing site. Its landing gear unfolded and it slowly came to rest in the middle of the one of the ornamental flower beds, its heavy wheels mashing the delicate plants. The noise began to recede as its engines died.
The marines had landed in a rough circle around the trio, there was no escape. Their captain, identifiable by the insignia on his armour’s pauldron, addressed them:
‘Professor Rekkid Cor, Doctor Katherine O’Reilly and Agent Steven Harris?’
‘The very same,’ replied Rekkid coldly to the grim, visored face.
‘I am ordered to detain the three of you in the interests of national security. You will accompany us into a place of custody until such time as you can be questioned by Commonwealth Agents. I ask you not to resist us.’ To emphasise the point he patted the magnetic rifle that he held, other examples of which were being pointed at them by his squad.
‘On what charge, might I ask?’ replied Rekkid angrily.
‘I am not privy to that information, suffice to say that I am authorised to use all necessary means to detain you.’
Rekkid looked at Katherine, she was visibly shaking. Steven looked utterly beaten and he himself felt sick to his stomach with dread. So, it had finally come to this. It was what they had feared all along. Rekkid doubted that given the situation, the Commonwealth authorities would relent in their pursuit of every scrap of information about their activities and discoveries over recent months. They would care little for legal niceties.
Chapter 26
Simonov’s boots and those of his men crunched on the gravel as they stepped out of the landing craft moments after it came to rest on the barren expanse of ground that surrounded the temple. He paused for a moment and looked up at the monolithic structure that dwarfed the sleek vessel he had just exited. The air, he noted, was warm and sultry like a late summer’s evening. It occurred to him that no doubt it was always thus given the planet’s locked rotation. The armoured suits his men wore would become uncomfortable, the lighter models such as he himself wore especially so. They would soon become sweat-filled and chafing without the sophisticated temperature and moisture regulation systems sported by the heavier assault models.
As Simonov regarded the temple he noticed a crowd of locals huddled around its entrance. There were a great number of them, perhaps a couple of hundred, though it was hard to tell at this distance and in the ruddy half light, but more seemed to be emerging from within the temple. The crowd was beginning to swarm towards his position, and as they drew closer he decided that they didn’t look particularly pleased by the arrival of the marines.
Simonov gave orders to his men. All were told to remove their helmets and shoulder their weapons so as to look as least threatening as possible. However, they were to keep stun and gas grenades within easy reach should it prove necessary to disperse the crowd. He ordered them to fan out in a line in front of the landing craft with himself in the middle. As a precaution however, he ordered the ship’s gunner to keep the nose turret deployed and the rear doors open should a rapid retreat prove necessary. He had no intention of shooting the crowd, but a burst from the ship’s gatling cannon fired over their heads should prove a sufficient deterrent in the event of any threat. The multitude drew close and came to a halt a few metres away from the line of marines. Simonov saw now that they were led by a robed figure, a priest of some kind he guessed, who now stepped forward towards him and began to speak.
‘My name… is Priest Ekrino…. and I… come on behalf of this church and its… congregation.’ The translation lagged as Simonov’s suit struggled to cope with the unfamiliar language, there were pauses whilst it dredged up the vocabulary from its database. ‘I respectfully ask that you remove yourselves from this most holy of sites. Weapons are an affront to the sacred purpose of this temple of Maran and have no place here, especially at this time of miracles.’ To emphasise the point he gesticulated in the direction of the twin suns and the thin ribbons of fire that now joined them to the land.
Simonov tried to assume a friendly expression before he replied: ‘Priest Ekrino, let me introduce myself, I am Colonel Simonov of the Commonwealth’s Marine Corp. It is neither my intention nor that of my men to cause offence. We are here merely temporarily to guarantee the safety of this place.’
‘Colonel Simonov, I may be a simple priest from a backward planet, but I know the tools of war when I see them, and I would appreciate it if the gunner of that ship of yours would cease pointing his weapon at my head.’
Simonov turned and glared at the gunner and made a sharp gesture indicating that he should point the gatling cannon elsewhere. ‘My apologies,’ he replied. ‘But please be
lieve me when I say that another race, known as the K’Soth, may also try to come here. They are as interested as we in the, as you put it, “miracles” that have taken place on this planet and they are far less diplomatic than ourselves. They will take what they want from this world whether you permit them to or not.’
‘Colonel, I am dimly aware of what events transpire on world beyond my own. Yes I have heard of the K’Soth, even met a couple: they have an embassy here as well as yourselves. I am fully aware of their general behaviour towards other races but I say to you: By landing here have you not made this holy place a military target? How many more troops do you intend to bring?’
‘Sir, we merely intend to use this location as a command post and artillery fire base. Most of my forces will be dispersed in and around the city.’
Ekrino looked unimpressed. ‘And if we refuse to co-operate?’ he replied.
‘I’d much rather you didn’t.’
‘We are unarmed Colonel. Would you shoot us?’
‘No, no I wouldn’t. But this world, and this site in particular, are of special importance to the Commonwealth and I have large numbers of troops at my disposal. I would prefer to defend this city, not occupy it. We’re not invaders.’
‘Really? Perhaps it depends on one’s point of view, Colonel,’ replied Ekrino dryly.
‘We merely wish to learn more about the “miracles” that have occurred here.’
‘Really, and you need armed men and women for that? Tell me, since when did the Commonwealth show an intense interest in the religious affairs of backwater worlds such as our own?’
‘To answer your first question: given the current state of play between ourselves and the K’Soth, yes. Secondly, we believe that the events that have transpired on this planet may have far reaching consequences. We intend to secure this world and study the phenomena that have occurred here. We believe it is of the utmost importance that we prevent the K’Soth from doing so. If they were to gain access to these “miracles” it could give them the ability to wreak havoc in the galaxy.’
‘Really?’ replied Ekrino. ‘So tell me, does the Commonwealth intend to spread the word of Maran for the good of all… hmm?’ Simonov said nothing. Ekrino paused before continuing. ‘Very well, as it seems I have little choice…’ he said wearily. ‘Much as it leaves a sour taste in my mouth I shall allow you and your men to remain here. In the interest of avoiding any immediate unrest I shall permit you to stay providing you do your utmost to avoid further insult and provide no hindrance to those who wish to visit this place.’ Simonov nodded in agreement. ‘I shall inform my congregation that you are here for their protection, though I doubt they will believe me. I ask you not to make me look like a fool Colonel. I will not tolerate any slight or insult however mild and despite your weapons I have a great many of the faithful at my beck and call.’ He turned, leaning on his staff, and returned to the crowd who then began to recede towards the great claw shaped structure from whence they came. Simonov let out a sigh of relief.
He returned to his ship and watched the landing unfold on his console. Everything was proceeding as planned. The first wave of troops had made successful landfall and were now reporting in. Their positions, highlighted on Simonov’s screen, described two rough bracket shapes north and south of the city. The second wave and the heavier equipment were still in transit from the Normandy, but it would be on the ground in a matter of minutes. Simonov switched to a three dimensional map of the space above Marantis and examined the tracks of the incoming vessels.
Switching back to a map of the city he noticed a single ship making its way toward his position. Closer inspection revealed it to be the landing craft he had diverted to apprehend the three fugitives. Simonov guessed that his men had been successful. Judging by their speedy return, their targets couldn’t have put up much resistance. He turned to an aide and requested the intelligence brief on the three individuals concerned. The urgency of Captain Chen’s request had piqued his interest. Just what had these three people been accused of?
A roaring sound outside signalled the approach of the second landing craft. It swooped low over the ground and alighted gently next to Simonov’s ship, a raptor returning with its catch. Marines emerged from the rear of the vessel and led three cuffed figures outside across the barren ground towards Simonov's vessel.
Simonov stood at the foot of the ship’s loading ramp and watched the prisoners approach. They were an odd assortment: a woman with long red hair tied back from her face who wore a defiant scowl on her slightly grubby yet attractive features. Next to her was a well-built, dark featured man who moved with an unusual grace and fluidity. That triggered alarm bells in Simonov’s mind, the man’s movements and appearance screamed “Agent” as soon as he set eyes on him. He would have to watch that one. The third figure was undoubtedly an Arkari, tall and gangly, his bird-like physique clad in surprisingly human styled garments. He was looking intently at Simonov with those large dark eyes of his. It was slightly unsettling.
Simonov’s aide brought him paper copies of the intelligence he requested, as well as giving him a verbal update on the progress of the landing; the second wave were almost on the ground. Simonov looked up and saw the faint diverging pattern of contrails from the approaching ships. He could hear the tearing sound of their engines high in the blood coloured sky.
He glanced at the files in his hands: Doctor Katherine O’Reilly, archaeologist: suspected of collaborating with the enemy, wanted for questioning regarding the theft of Arkari Navy property and the recent activation of the Maranos device. Professor Rekkid Cor, archaeologist: wanted for the same charges as his colleague. Steven Harris, Commonwealth Agent: Disgraced following the Urranakar incident six months ago, wanted for aiding and abetting two known felons, also wanted for questioning about the murder of a Maranos inhabitant.
Simonov looked again at the three approaching figures. They didn’t look like international terrorists or fifth columnists. But no-one ever did, that was always the problem.
Rekkid eyed the stocky armoured figure as they approached, flanked by the squad of marines. His scrutiny revealed a middle aged man with a head of close cropped hair and colonel’s stars on the shoulder pauldron of his suit. The name badge on his breast-plate read “Simonov.” The man’s eyes flickered from the approaching prisoners to the sheaf of papers in his hands as he squinted at them in the shadow of the drop-ship he stood beneath. Rekkid met his gaze levelly as he attempted to formulate some sort of pithy phrase to greet the colonel with.
The marines ordered them to halt some metres from Simonov. The captain began to speak to his commander:
‘Sir, we have apprehended the three suspects as ordered, sir.’
‘Very good, captain. Have you searched them for weapons?’
‘Yessir, we found these in their belongings sir,’ replied the captain, handing over the two laser pistols and the gauss pistol they had carried between them. Simonov inspected the guns before passing them back.
‘Would any of you three care to explain to me why you require these weapons?’ said Simonov to his captives.
‘Well,’ said Rekkid. ‘Everyone else around here seems to be carrying a gun, we thought we’d try and fit in. Next, we’re planning to have our brains removed too.’
‘Professor Cor, I don’t have time for your bullshit,’ snarled Simonov. ‘Now I asked you a simple question and I expect an answer.’
‘Or what, you’ll beat it out of me?’ replied Rekkid coldly. ‘For your information those guns belong to Agent Harris here. He gave Katherine and me a laser pistol each for our own protection. You may ask questions first and shoot later; however, certain other parties are less discriminating.’
‘Rekkid’s telling the truth,’ said Katherine. ‘I was attacked in Bridgetown, that pistol saved my life.’
‘And who attacked you?’
‘We’re not sure, some sort of parasitic creature. Alien and artificial we think, but we don’t know where it came from.’
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‘You were attacked? Why, because you’re working with the K’Soth?’
‘No! We…’
Simonov cut her off. ‘I don’t have time for this. I’m in the middle of landing my troops. Captain Lars, could you escort these three prisoners inside the temple and secure them in one of the basement chambers? According to the schematic I pulled up there should be several that would be suitable for use as makeshift cells.’
‘Yessir. Sir, what about their belongings?’
‘Let them keep them for now, as long as they aren’t armed I don’t see a problem. You have searched them thoroughly?’
‘Yessir.’
‘Very well. We’ll hold them here until we can question them at length, or until someone sends a ship to retrieve them. You and your men are responsible for their safe keeping for now. Dismissed.’
The marines set off once more, marching their charges across the baked earth toward the looming temple. Once out of earshot, a couple began to grumble about being posted to guard duty. Katherine could sense their resentment, although a couple of the male marines appeared to be eyeing her up; she saw their gazes flick away as she turned her head. Except for the largest in the group, the heavy weapons operator, who grinned at her broadly and winked. The soldiers were relaxed, they began to josh one another as they walked, swapping comradely, not to mention colourful insults regarding their current duty. They were not terribly alert and appeared to have forgotten that only two of their captives were civilians. Steven was quick to take advantage of this.
The prisoners were being escorted in a line three abreast, with three marines to the front and rear, two at each side and their captain strolling along at the back. They had their weapons in their hands, but for now they were not pointed directly at the captives.
Steven assessed the situation. The marine behind him, a black kid who looked like he was fresh from the boot camp, seemed to be far more pre-occupied with Katherine’s arse than he was on his job. The one in front, a grizzled looking older man was exchanging good natured insults with the man to his left. All of them had their armoured visors raised, and why not? They were not in combat and the air was warm, it must be swelteringly hot inside that armour.