by Davis, John
“A cave?” Julia questioned.
“If I know anything as a soldier, it's about how to tuck away and hide real nice. Every set of cliffs has something. A cave, maybe an interior spot that can keep this rain off of us and give us a place to recharge.” the lieutenant replied.
With his words came a planet-shuttering boom. One that seemed to quake below their feet.
“That's the signal, get to it. Renaldo, you have the lead.” Jack ordered.
The sniper led, followed by the general, a woman of impeccable beauty and a soldier that was as rugged as the planet below them. Each sprinting for the hope of survival as the demons sprinted toward the sound of explosion, only to discover three more of their soldiers killed by the blast.
-
As night fell across the colony of horror, Jack continued to watch the alien bastards below – their cliff hideaway giving the small group of survivors a clear perspective.
“Sure seems a lot more peaceful up here.” Julia said, approaching the hardened marine slowly.
Meanwhile, the general slept as Renaldo pushed sleep from his eyes. Having pulled in a bit of rest prior to swapping Jack with watch duties.
“Yea,” Jack replied. “Almost seems like there isn't a murderous race down below, with the rain and all.” Jack replied, though his thoughts remained on guard.
“Can I ask you a question lieutenant?” the woman asked.
“Jack,” he replied friendly. “Of course.”
“You seem very distracted.” Julia stated.
“Well ma'am, I have to be honest,” Jack replied. “The death of most of my crew is weighing heavily – and it shouldn't be.”
“Yes, but, you wouldn't be human if you didn't feel some kind of emotion because of them.” Julia said in a comforting fashion.
“I've been a soldier long enough to know better,” Jack replied, turning to face the beautiful woman. “There's a time and place for emotion. In the midst of battle,” he added, turning his attention to the colony below them once more. “That ain't it.”
“When then?” Julia questioned.
“My sole focus here and now should be on our survival. That's it,” Jack said. “But my crew, the faces of those children,” the marine said, biting back tears. “My wife.”
“Your wife?” Julia asked, seeming both disappointed and surprised.
“Yea,” Jack replied. “I have to push all of that back right now. Otherwise it would cloud who I am as a soldier.”
“I didn't realize you were married. I didn't see a ring.” Julia commented.
“Yea I,” Jack replied, still oblivious to Julia's feelings for him. “I don't wear one in combat.”
“Oh,” the young woman replied. “Well, if it's any consolation to you, I think your wife would be very proud. You went toe to toe with one of the soldiers out there.”
“Yea, and I got the shiner to show for it.” Jack replied with a grin, his eye engulfed with black tint from the recent encounter.
“So Jack,” Julia said with smile. “From the perspective of a soldier, where do we stand?”
“Well, my boys are coming,” Jack replied. “I don't know when, but you can bet your sweet ass the core is coming.”
“My sweet ass?” Julia asked with a smile.
“Oh, um,” the marine stumbled. “I didn't mean any disrespect. It's just a saying we all have. I apologize.”
“No need,” Julia replied. “It's just a shame you're married,” she added, stopping to cautiously backtrack in her wording. “I mean for me. Not you, of course, I wish you and your wife all the best.” Julia carefully added.
As the young lady walked away, passing Renaldo in doing so, they exchanged nods.
“Julia,” Jack said, causing the woman to turn once more. “Thank you.”
“Of course lieutenant.” she replied with a grin.
“Um, anything I should know about LT?” Renaldo asked.
“No, but we do need to talk strategy.” Jack replied.
“Yes sir.” the sniper acknowledged.
“We know we're at war, and we know our boys will be coming for us.” Jack said.
“Yes sir, and chances are they'll be showing up thick as thieves, guns blazing.” Renaldo replied.
“Yep, and it would be a big help to 'em if we could give them a SITREP of some kind when they get here.” the lieutenant said.
“How are we gonna do that?” Renaldo questioned.
“I'm going out there. Gonna try and scout out what they have and figure out what in the hell we're dealing with.” Jack replied.
“Sir, with all due respect,” Renaldo said, speaking to his friend as a loyal soldier. “I should be the one to go.”
“Renaldo, I can handle it.” Jack confirmed.
“Sir, again, with all due respect, I don't believe you can,” the sniper admitted. “Or should.”
“What did you just say to me?” the lieutenant asked, clearly upset over the remark.
“Permission to speak freely, sir?” the sniper asked.
“Cut the shit Renaldo. Say what's on your mind.” Jack demanded.
“Jack, you got family back home. I don't. We both know whoever goes,” the sniper said. “If they get caught, they ain't coming back. Now I have recon skill and the ability to move silent. Hell, I'm a sniper for God's sake. I just got some rest and you're clearly exhausted. Just let me chow up and head out. I'll be back when the sun is back, and I'll have a good picture on what we're dealing with.”
“I appreciate it Renaldo, I do – but I can handle it.” the lieutenant stated.
“I know you can,” Renaldo replied pleadingly. “Just let me go. I have nothing to lose but my life, and I ain't scared of dying. You got everything to lose and nothing to prove.”
The two soldiers exchanged a stare which lasted nearly a complete minute. Each man searching the other one out with a need for words.
“Alright. You find your way down to wherever these fucks are calling a command center. You assess the situation, then you get your ass back in once piece. Understood?” Jack asked.
“You got it.” the sniper replied.
“Recon only, I'm series,” Jack warned. “We've lost too many already. Now chow up and get moving.” the lieutenant added with a nod of thanks.
“Yes sir.” Renaldo replied, his bolt-action rifle across his shoulder.
-
“What is it?” Wesley asked, having rushed to the bridge of the small marine vessel.
Chandra offered no reply, simply a look of defeat.
“Holy shit.” Wesley said, glancing through the shatterproof glass and locking eyes onto Chandra's worry.
Two ships, very large and anything but human-built. Carriers – at least that was Wesley's initial assessment.
“What do we do?” Chandra asked.
“God,” Wesley added. “I...I dunno.”
“Wesley, we need to do something. Either hail them in surrender or try and run. They are closing fast.” Chandra said, punching coordinates into the computer systems in front of her.
“No, we can't run. Ships that size are bound to have smaller craft inside. They'd just run us down.” Wesley finally admitted.
“What then, try to hail them in surrender?” Chandra asked.
“Normally I'd say hell no. I'd tell you to drop this damn rig to the surface. But with the kids aboard,” he said with despair. “We have no other choice.”
Chandra looked to him for several moments, both of the soldiers thinking of what may be to come. Wesley finally resting his hand onto her shoulder in comforting fashion.
“Attention derelict vessels. This is Officer Chandra Bailey of the Earth Defense Force. I am hereby surrendering our vessel, the High Freedom, and advising that you do not fire. We have several children aboard and will remain unarmed.”
With that, Chandra pressed several buttons that solidified the fact that they were dead in the water. Shutting off thrusters and what little weaponry was aboard. Leaving only their lighting,
life-support systems and com online.
As the two large ships pulled closer, both soldiers became nervous. For the children above all else.
“War ships, they gotta be. Looks like a lot of guns hanging off, and the exterior looks well shielded.” Wesley commented.
“Do you think they plan to fire on us?” Chandra asked.
“No, they would have done it by now. They've had the bead on us for several minutes.”
“What then?” she asked.
“I don't know,” Wesley admitted. “May just be trying to figure out what in the hell to do with us.”
The ships looked eerie by every definition. Several points on each end, which appeared almost diamond-like. The material which comprised the shell of exterior was a shiny brown. It resembled stone, though both soldiers knew it had to be a type of metal. Nearly twenty large cannons seemed to bloom from each ship, though they were all mounted to one side of the large crafts. Wesley suspected the side without mounted weaponry was the spot where smaller ships may be stored. A hangar bay, or something similar to it.
“They're powering weapons!” Chandra shouted.
“What?” Wesley asked, rushing himself to their console. “Did you power everything down?” he asked, though he checked through the systems board with his own eyes.
“Yes!” Chandra replied.
“Well check again!” Wesley frantically replied. “Why would they be powering up weapons? We're no threat to them!”
“I don't know.” Chandra replied in defeat.
“Get our damn systems back up, NOW,” Wesley ordered. “We're going to have to make a run for it!”
It was too late. One of the large ships fired a burst into their direction – three glowing spheres of red traveling fast.
As Chandra fired systems back up, even she knew it was too late for them.
“Brace!” Wesley shouted, bracing himself for the impact of such weaponry.
The shot glanced over them, however, clipping a ship which now approached the theater of combat.
“High Freedom, this is E.D.F. Silver Charity. You're instructed to fall back to grid position four-seven-fourteen-one-nine and await further instructions.” a man's voice announced through the speakers to the surprise of both Wesley and Chandra.
Just a few dozen of feet in front of their own small ship, the two soldiers witnessed zipping white shots with a glow of yellow. Pure and unadulterated man-made ass-kicking lead firing from deck guns.
“Do it!” Wesley shouted, his adrenaline in full supply. “Get us the hell out of here.”
The massive carrier had followed the distress call and responded much quicker than expected – and they had shown up with guns blazing. Still, it was a matter of numbers. The large ship of steel was tough, no doubt, but faced two enemy carriers. Each of them now pounding return shots.
“Copy that,” Wesley replied proudly, speaking firm into a console mounted com. “Be advised, we still have a few on the surface, including our XO and a former general.”
“Acknowledged, now pull back.” the voice replied.
The scene had become one of furious fighting, thick stream of shots firing back and forth between the ships, with the Silver Charity taking the blunt of punishment.
On their way to safety, both Chandra and Wesley watched several choppers fall from the carrier. Screaming their way to the surface with a single purpose.
To even the odds.
-
Jack had first thought it to be thunder. Then, as the lieutenant realized the rainstorms were somber, he knew help had arrived. Several loud popping sounds followed by whistling reinforced the fact. Choppers had been sent in.
“What is that?” Julia asked, joining Jack at the cavern entrance, as did the general.
“That would be the sound of marine payback. Am I right lieutenant?” the general asked.
“Well, we're not out of the woods just yet,” Jack replied with caution. “But those were definitely marine choppers breaking atmosphere, and from the sound of it, one hell of a firefight above us.”
“Do you think our marines stand a chance?” Julia asked with hope.
“I know this much,” Jack said, turning to the young woman. “You don't fuck with the marines and walk away from it. Our people will win out eventually.”
Julia seemed relieved, branching out and hugging Jack tightly.
Several moments later, however, she quickly broke away from him.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything.”
“I know. It's alright.” Jack replied.
Without a response, Julia walked away. Heading away from the cavern entrance and the shame of her feelings for Lieutenant Jack Strong.
“Forgive me for saying so lieutenant, as it's not my place, but your wife must be an incredible woman.” the general said.
“How so?” Jack questioned.
“I've come to know Julia well these past few months. I guess you can say our time spent under duress has seen us become good friends. She's beautiful, very caring and obviously into you.” the general added.
“You're right,” Jack replied. “It's not your place.”
“I'm sorry, I just thought that...” the general began to respond, very apologetically.
“It's,” Jack said, his eyes speaking of sadness. “It's alright. The truth is, I'm not sure that's she's even alive,” he added, turning to the older man. “My wife.”
“How so?” the general asked.
“She's a soldier as well,” Jack admitted. “She went out on a two week hop and vanished. Her entire group.”
“I'm sorry,” the general replied, placing his hand across Jack's shoulder in comforting fashion. “I had no idea.”
The lieutenant acknowledged the general's words with a slow nod of the head.
“I found out only days ago. On our way here,” Jack said. “I mean, they're searching for her entire group, but...”
“I understand.” the general replied.
“Do you?” Jack asked with a bit of zeal. “This was supposed to be a simple hop. Show up, remind you to change the batteries in your damn radios and then head back. Help them find my wife,” he added. “Instead I walk into this shit. Lose my entire group, only to end up inside of a war.”
“If it's of any comfort to you, I think you've done an amazing job here. I couldn't have done any better, not even in my younger days.” the general said with a bit of a smile.
Finally prompting a return smile for Jack.
“If you want my advice, stay the course. Right now, you're a soldier, but when this finished you become that concerned husband. Meanwhile, you use that grief...that emotion. You use that.” the general replied.
Julia had heard a bulk of their conversation, having walked back to apologize. Instead, she paused to hear a story of a soldier hurting.
“General, may I have a moment?” Julia asked.
“Of course.” the older man replied, quickly turning to leave her alone with Lieutenant Jack Strong.
“How much did you hear?” the lieutenant asked.
“Enough.” Julia replied softly.
“Great,” the soldier replied with embarrassment. “Just great.”
“Relax,” Julia said. “I came to apologize, not to judge you. Honestly, I think it's incredible that you could do anything outside of worry.”
“No choice,” Jack admitted, tears beginning to swell in his eyes a bit. “I'm just trying to get you guys to safety. Then, maybe,” he added. “Maybe I can search for my wife.”
“I'll not pretend to be your wife,” Julia said. “But I do think that she'd be proud of what you've done here.”
“What, lead my entire unit to the grave?” Jack asked.
“No. Keep us alive against unbelievable odds. There are also a lot of children that will hopefully lead incredible lives, all because of you.” Julia responded with sincerity.
Boom.
A loud popping sound echoed through the sky, followed by several others. Four total.
<
br /> “What?” Julia asked. Though Lieutenant Jack Strong already knew the answer.
“Get everything together, we've got to move!” Jack replied.
“I don't understand?”
“Those are our birds. I'd know that sound anywhere. Best thing we can do now is become easy to find.” Jack replied.
“What about your friend?” Julia asked.
“He's knows his way around, and I promise you he recognized those birds coming in. With any luck we'll meet up at the finish line.” Jack replied.
“Ours?” the general asked, rushing over.
“Yea,” Jack replied. “Gear up, we need to move.”
-
“Reading a transponder sir.” the pilot of the lead aircraft reported.
“Good, sit us down near the signal and advise our birds to do the same. We'll set up a defensive perimeter and with any luck – the stranded know what to do next.” the officer said.
Just like Lieutenant Jack Strong, the officer was equally promoted. However, this officer wore a uniform of dress blue, which was a good indication that he usually worked from the black of space.
As the first of four choppers touched down to the surface, several men sprinted from them, quickly assembling lazing guns. A common sight among their fleet, lazing guns were basically automated chain guns, which viewed the area in front of them with a small string of laser, which flowed red and projected nearly twenty feet ahead. Turning with the lazing gun – in turret fashion.
Moments after setting it up and bringing it online, the lazing gun began ringing out short bursts of lead. Picking up movement beyond the conventional sight of soldering eyes.
“Get a couple more set up, now!” the officer yelled. “And stay inside of the grid, locked and loaded.”
Which they did. Each soldier laying to the ground near the chopper, rifles in hand.
As the remaining three choppers followed suit, each of them quickly bringing their lazing guns online, the group found themselves protected by a halo of eight turrets, each turning slowly and providing the security of an iron fist.
“If the sons of bitches come up on us now, they'll regret it.” one of the soldiers claimed.