Brett took a deep breath. “I was in the Command Center the other day. “The Trellixians are still hitting every military unit they can find. From what I understood there are no major military units surviving anywhere.”
“There must be some,” protested Brenda. “Look at our base and we know there are more like this one. I’ve heard rumors General Mitchell survived as well as Vice President Hathaway.”
“I suspect somewhere deep in these mountains is such a command base,” Brett acknowledged. “It’s probably very well hidden. Someone has to be coordinating all this evacuation of civilian and military units to the mountains.”
“Professor Wilkens must be at such a base,” Lisa said. She hoped he was. If the professor was still alive there was always hope. He was the most brilliant man she knew and if anyone could find a way to defeat the Trellixians it would be him and whatever group he had surrounded himself with. “I believe several major research facilities are hidden somewhere, probably in these mountains.”
“We know our government and others knew about the Trellixians long before they arrived here,” said Brenda. “From what Major Lorre told us they’ve known since 1947 when the Jelnoid spacecraft crashed at Roswell. There could be very large underground bases we know nothing about, both military and research.”
Lisa knew Brenda was right. “We can only hope. There has to be a reason why we’re gathering this information with our special equipment. Why do it if there won’t be a use for it?”
“We’re with the Rangers,” Brett said. “If anyone can find a way to kill the Trellixians it will be them. They put us with the best units possible.”
“I wonder about the others,” said Lisa, thinking about everyone who had been in the meeting with Major Lorre. “Some of them could be dead by now.”
“Probably,” Brett replied somberly. “A lot of military units have been wiped out.”
“I knew some of them,” said Brenda, with a catch in her voice. “A few were even friends. I hope they’re still alive.”
“A lot of people have died across the planet,” Brett said, his gaze filled with sadness. “We’ve all lost friends and family members. We’ll probably lose more before this is over.”
Lisa felt tears in her eyes. Her parents and Streth had most likely died when Portland was bombed. All of her childhood friends were probably gone. It was something she tried not to think about, but, at times, like now, she couldn’t help it.
“We have to go on,” Brenda said softly. “People out there are depending on us to do our jobs.”
“At least the three of us are together,” said Brett.
Lisa nodded. A close friendship was developing between them and she hoped it continued. With all that had happened and was still occurring a person would need some friends if they hoped to get through this.
Privates Peterson and Hambridge came to Lisa. “It’s time to go, Captain,” Peterson said. “We want to get back before dark.”
The three captains stood, giving each other a quick hug.
“The two of you be careful,” Brett said.
“You too,” replied Lisa. She hoped they could see each other again shortly. “Don’t do anything foolish.”
-
As they walked back toward their skirmish line Captain Garcia came to stand next to Lisa. “According to Major Dolan we still have some assets in space. Evidently there is some Jelnoid technology in a few of our satellites so we can observe what is occurring around the globe. Do you know anything about this technology and where it came from? What is a Jelnoid?”
Lisa took a deep breath. They were walking down a narrow path which led back to their camp. The tree limbs cut off much of the reduced sunlight so they walked in a dim twilight. Looking into the brush and smaller trees to the side of the path it almost looked dark. “Only a little,” she said, knowing she couldn’t tell the captain the entire truth. “The Jelnoids are another race the Trellixians destroyed. I have some of their technology in the instruments I’m using. I guess it’s also in a few of our satellites.”
“You can’t say much, can you.” Garcia said in understanding. “The major said there is evidence of increased Trellixian activity since the colony ships were nuked. He thinks they may make a push into the mountains.”
“I’ve told you as much as I can,” Lisa replied. “I just have those two instruments I showed you. One is a sensor to detect life-forms and the other scans Trellixian ships and equipment. I’m not even certain how they work though I can make some guesses.”
Garcia looked thoughtful. “That sensor instrument of yours can pick up humans miles away. Can it pick up a Trellixian?”
“I don’t know,” replied Lisa, feeling unsure. “They’re reptilian and possibly cold-blooded. However, they are taller than us. But so are the bears when upright.”
“It would sure help if we knew they were coming.”
Lisa thought about the different settings on the sensor instrument. “I’ll check but I can’t promise anything.”
Garcia nodded. “That’s all I’m asking. A few minutes’ notice could save a lot of lives.”
-
Major Mark Dolan returned to the hidden underground base. He had much to think about. His latest briefing from Colonel Branson had been frightening. The Trellixians controlled all the airspace over the planet. No plane could be launched for fear of immediate destruction. A number of hidden fighters and bombers were scattered across the country but they dared not take off. Even the Trellixian shuttles and attack craft were protected by energy shields. Any attempt to engage them was suicide.
The colonel had also reported no news on Mark’s sister. It was looking more and more like Jennifer had perished in Dallas. Colonel Branson had mentioned the medical center she was at had been overrun by Trellixian troops and no information was available on survivors. Mark had been shaken to realize his sister was probably lost to him as well.
Stepping into a small conference room, Mark walked to the table where a large map depicted the area around the base. Drawn on the map were the two skirmish lines he had set up to defend the civilians farther back in the mountains. Nearly 1,300 soldiers were scattered along those two lines. Inside the base were the regular base personnel plus one platoon of Rangers. Everyone else had been committed to the defenses. The base was sealed up tight with no one leaving or entering without Mark’s approval.
The map also noted the twenty supply caches. Only a few of them still had civilians. In the next forty-eight hours those civilians would be escorted to the civilian areas deeper in the mountains. As they were evacuated, the supply caches would be sealed up in case they were ever needed in the future.
Mark sat down, thinking of everything that had occurred. His sister had most likely died in Dallas; both of his parents were probably dead from the nuke that hit Houston. For all Mark knew all of his immediate family and relatives were completely gone. Reaching into his shirt pocket he took out a picture. It was a family picture of Jennifer, his parents, and himself. He looked at it for a moment and then replaced it in his pocket. It was the only photograph he had of his family and he carried it with him always.
“Major,” a man spoke from the open door. “Colonel Branson is on the comm and wants to speak to you.”
“I’ll be right there,” replied Mark, now standing. He hadn’t expected to hear from the colonel so soon. Mark wondered if something was wrong.
-
Reaching the communications room he saw Lieutenant Bennington was on duty.
“The colonel wants to speak to you,” said Bennington, handing an earpiece to Mark.
“Colonel, this is Major Dolan,” Mark said, placing the earpiece in his left ear.
“Major, we have a situation developing. Satellite scans indicate the Trellixians have used their shuttles to drop off a large number of their troops twenty miles east of your forward skirmish line. We expect them to move into the mountains sometime tomorrow. You can also expect they will have air support with shuttles and
attack craft.”
Mark had known this was coming. He had hoped they would be given a few more days to prepare. It didn’t look as if it would be that way. The war was about to come to him.
“We’re already preparing. We’ll be ready,” Mark replied.
“I know you will be,” Colonel Branson replied. “One other thing. Reduce your base’s power to a minimum. Effective at 0:600 tomorrow morning no one is to exit or enter the base. We don’t want to risk the Trellixians finding it. Until the enemy is clear from your area all communications are to be shut down as well.”
This didn’t surprise Mark. A lot of effort had gone into building the base.
“I’ll keep you informed of any other developments.”
Mark removed the earpiece and handed it back to Lieutenant Bennington. Mark had already decided that just before 06:00 he would leave the base and go to the second skirmish line. If his people were risking their lives, he planned on being there with them.
“Lieutenant Bennington, contact all four captains and inform them of the possibility of Trellixian contact within the next forty-eight hours.”
Bennington’s eyes widened but he quickly sent out the messages on the short-range transmitter.
-
In space, Battle Commander Balforr looked down on the planet giving him so much trouble. He was pulling some of the troops from clearing the planet’s cities to go into the mountains. Somewhere on this planet had to be one or two surviving Command Centers. They had to be in the mountains and he intended to find them.
“Still no sign of the Human submersible,” reported Second Officer Jaltor.
Balforr let out a deep breath, flexing his right hand into a tight fist. These Humans seemed to find a way to thwart him at every turn. Well, now it was his turn. He would find their hiding places and drive them out. He had already sent a request to the High Command for more battlecruisers as well as troops. He had pointed out the massive militaries this world possessed were unlike anything the Trellixian Empire had ever encountered before and his troops were fighting every day for their very survival.
Balforr had also made it a point to mention the presence of Jelnoid technology. Because of that technology, he had requested an additional sixty troop ships and forty battlecruisers. When they arrived he would crush the remaining resistance on this planet. He had also reminded Battle Commanders Traven and Jabale who was in charge of this mission in no uncertain way.
Balforr gazed at the blue-white planet on the ship’s main viewscreen. It was nearing the time to put a final end to the Humans.
Chapter Thirteen
Sergeant Tucker stood on the porch of the small cabin breathing in the chilly early morning air. Even here in this isolated valley the sun was dimmer than normal due to ash and pollutants in the upper atmosphere from the Trellixian nuclear bombardment. He carefully studied every aspect of their new home.
From the air nothing was visible except the small wind generator. This concerned him in case one of the alien shuttles were to fly over the valley. He had considered taking it down but the steady flow of electricity for the small cabin was too good an asset. In the time they had been here another 215 people had joined their group. Most had come from one large group protected by a full platoon of regular Army troops. They had a considerable amount of supplies as they had come most of the way with trucks packed full of everything they thought they might need in the mountains.
“How’s it going this morning, Sergeant?” asked Lieutenant Stein, the officer in charge of the regular Army troops. He had agreed to share command with Sergeant Tucker since Tucker and his people had been in the valley first.
“Quiet,” answered Tucker, folding his arms across his chest. “Even the birds are silent this morning. I spoke to Private Jenkins earlier and he hasn’t received any radio broadcasts for several days. We were picking up occasional pleas for help but even those have gone silent.”
Lieutenant Stein nodded. “I’m afraid the Trellixians are probably using those radio signals to target whoever’s been broadcasting. It’s not surprising they’ve disappeared.”
Tucker looked down to where the valley narrowed. A dozen soldiers were constantly on duty, guarding the entrance to the valley. Lieutenant Stein had brought several more M240L machine guns with his platoon as well as some claymores. Tucker was pretty confident now they could hold the entrance to the valley against an attack by the aliens.
Lieutenant Stein turned toward where the tents had been set up to hold the civilians. It hadn’t been easy but they were all under the trees and concealed so they wouldn’t be visible from the air. “Let’s grab a bite to eat and then inspect our defenses. You’re right. It does seem too damn quiet.”
As they walked toward the tents where a number of long tables were set up Tucker could see several of the civilians, both men and women, cooking over propane stoves. Lieutenant Stein’s people had brought a surprising amount of dehydrated food packages with them. It made cooking simple as all you had to do was add water. Tucker thought the breakfast foods were the best-tasting.
Tucker filled his plate and then walked to a table where his wife and three-year-old son, Matt, were already seated. Lacy had gotten up earlier to help with breakfast and to allow Matt to play with the other young children.
“It’s a little chilly this morning,” said Tucker, sitting down next to his son who was eating cereal. His wife and son were both wearing light jackets.
Lacy nodded. “Yes and it’ll only get colder here in the mountains. I’m worried about the children getting sick. We’ll probably see a lot of snow too.”
“We have Corporal Briggs and Corporal Hatter. Both are medics. I’m sure they can treat any colds that come up.” Corporal Hatter was one of Lieutenant Stein’s people. “The tents are insulated and designed for these climates. We also have the cabin.”
“It’s not just that. The kids are getting restless staying inside the tents; we all are.”
“Just make sure none of the children leave the tree line or venture toward the narrow pass. We have explosives planted all around.”
Lacy gave a nod to her husband. “I’ve spoken to several of the other mothers and we’re considering setting up a school. That might help to keep them occupied.” Lacy turned her head, looking at the tents. “I know those tents are supposed to be good even in colder temperatures. I just wished we had something more solid.”
“More cabins,” Tucker said. He took a deep breath, wondering what could be done. A small town was about thirty miles away. It had a lumberyard and it was tempting to send several of the trucks to haul building materials back to the valley. However, if they moved any of the trucks it would greatly increase their risk of detection. Then they would have to use the ATVs to haul the lumber to the cabin and they were limited due to the fuel they had available. Of course the trucks could bring back more fuel when they returned.
“We have power in the cabin,” Lacy said. “If we had some games or a TV where the kids could watch videos it would really help. Some of the older kids have their tablets with some games downloaded but they’re getting bored playing the same ones every day. Plus there are only so many electrical outlets in the cabin. There’s always tablets plugged in, charging.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” Tucker let out a deep sigh. Perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to send out a few trucks to the nearest town. They could bring back the lumber, possibly additional medical supplies, and raid the local Walmart for games for the kids. He would speak to Lieutenant Stein about the possibility later.
If they were going to be here for the long haul, it would be nice to have a few items to make the time pass by easier. A small flat area was directly behind the cabin. It would be easy to add a large room for the kids to spend the day in. Adding a big-screen TV and a large assortment of videos would make for a huge morale boost for everyone. They could include a PlayStation or two and maybe a few Xboxes for additional entertainment. Even some of the adults might enjoy the games. It
might be necessary to add several smaller TV screens as well.
The problem would be power. The wind generator only put out so much electricity. A series of batteries served as a backup on days when the wind wasn’t blowing, but he didn’t know how long they would last if a number of TVs were on. He would have to check with one of the men in his unit who knew a lot about electronics.
-
Later Lieutenant Stein and Sergeant Tucker inspected the fortifications at the narrow part of the valley. It was barely two hundred yards wide with towering granite walls that reached up four or five hundred feet on each side. The area was moderately forested with a small stream running near one of the cliffs. The stream ran through the entire valley and was used to supply water for the refugees.
Four M240L belt-fed machine-gun pits had been dug in strategic locations to provide overlapping zones of fire against any enemy attempting to enter the valley. A number of trees had been cut down to form a bulwark with dirt piled against it to protect the three soldiers in each pit. Branches and leaves had been piled on top to help hide the pits from the air. A wide opening had been left in front through which the machine guns could fire.
Corporal Owens was currently on duty and in charge of the soldiers guarding the entrance to the valley.
“It’s quiet,” said Owens, looking into the trees. “There’s been no movement other than a few elk we saw around sunrise. They were drinking from the stream about 150 yards downstream. It was tempting to shoot one of them.”
Tucker looked toward the stream. He knew a number of claymores had been emplaced all across the narrow neck of the valley. All were set to be remote-detonated as they didn’t want the local wildlife setting them off. Tucker would feel better if they had twice the number.
On the way to inspect the defenses, Tucker had brought up the possibility of sending some of the trucks to the nearby town. Lieutenant Stein had finally agreed to it but wanted the trucks to go at night with the drivers using night-vision goggles. That might make detection less likely. He also suggested the soldiers spend the entire day in the town, gathering what was needed and then returning after dark. This would be a one-time trip. It would be far too risky to do this again with the area as quiet as it had gotten recently. Stein was concerned that any day the Trellixians would begin moving into the mountains searching for survivors.
Earth Fall: Invasion : (Book One) Page 18