"Good plan, we will dock with the Terra Aurai in thirty-three minutes."
"Excellent! I sure hope they're not early."
"They appear to have slowed their approach. They may have discovered Delack is no longer in communication with them."
"Good point, Eliot. Maybe it will give us the few minutes we need to safely get the Terra hidden behind a nearby planet out of harm's way, and Grant safely to the Ebony Belle.
"We will be entering space in two minutes."
"Girls, once we are in space, I'll open the view screen, you will be amazed." They giggled with anticipation and held each other tight. Sam looked over at them and shook his head, how could he be so lucky? How could he be getting ready to do battle with a superior foe and still be thinking about sex? He would eat, sleep, and make love for the rest of his life and nothing more, if the opportunity arose. He prayed it did.
"We have left the atmosphere and are now entering space."
"Girls, you can unbuckle and step up here with me." Sam unbuckled and stood directly in the middle of the view screen. They hurriedly did as he instructed and wrapped their arms around him as the screen opened. Their mouths dropped open at the beautiful sight before them. The twinkling of the distant stars was more pronounced without atmosphere. Small tears rolled from Dyanta's eyes and down her cheeks. Kyera mumbled something about the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She squeezed Sam tighter and they both thanked him with lots of kisses. "I told you you would be amazed!" Sam and the girls stood there in wonder for a long time.
"Docking with the Terra Aurai in four minutes."
“Better get buckled in until we complete the docking." The girls headed to their seats, eyes still glued to the view screen. From their vantage point they could see their planet in the near distance. They never knew it was green and brown with lakes, streams, and mountains scattered around.
"Docking complete, you can now disembark the passengers."
Sam made for the connecting hatch to be sure it was secure. He determined it was and opened the outer door. He ran down the gangway to the outer door of the Terra Aurai and opened it as well. "Eliot, have the villagers come across to the Terra Aurai."
Sam heard Eliot instruct the villagers to make their way to the gangway hatch and proceed to the next ship in an orderly manner. The villagers began moving across and Eliot instructed them to place their belongings in the large open bay in the center of the ship.
Once across with belongings dropped off, Sam directed them to the various empty cabins onboard. The captain's quarters were reserved for him and the girls. He hoped it was nicely appointed like the rest of the ship. He had not checked it out, but assumed it would be nicely appointed. Sam remembered he forgot to check on Grant so he made his way back to the shuttle. Once in the med room he checked the control panel. Grant still had fifteen minutes before he could be woken up. How could that be? He should already be out of stasis. He would have to wait. "Eliot, I will be back on the bridge in two minutes, are the girls still there?"
"Yes, they are waiting impatiently."
When Sam reached the bridge the girls gave him their pouty looks and he melted. "Come on, I'll show you our room." They unbuckled and stuck to him like ticks. He loved it, but wondered how long he could take their clinginess. "Eliot, Grant's healing is taking longer than planned, please keep an eye on him. Make sure no one goes in there without my permission."
"Yes, Sir."
Sam and the girls headed to their quarters for what could be their last rendezvous. "Going to have to be a quick one, I've got a planet to save ya know." They had not been together in weeks. It may be the best fifteen minutes of his life. No way was he turning it down. Seventeen minutes later, Sam emerged from his quarters smiling from ear to ear. Not even an Anotokian battle ship could remove the smile.
Eliot shook him loose, "Sir, the Anotokian ships will be able to detect the planet's surface within the next two hours. The cloaking device must be functioning before then. If not, the Ebony Belle will be their first target."
"Thank you, Eliot; I have to check on Grant." Sam headed to the med room and found Grant sitting up on the edge of the table, groggy, and speaking unintelligibly. "Whoa there buddy, you're not supposed to get off the table without assistance." Grant gave him a look of who the hell are you and what are you saying to me. He looked like an old drunk being ran off a park bench, only he was naked, and there was no park. "Grant, you've been in stasis, but you're healed, at least I hope so. Let's get you dressed and get some food in you. Grant grunted and appeared to understand as he allowed Sam to dress him, without a fight. Sam was pleased there was no fight. Grant, despite his being battered and bruised on numerous occasions, was six feet two inches of muscle, and a formidable opponent when challenged. Sam wrangled on the last of his clothing and escorted him to the galley. He ordered a double protein drink, some fruit, and a bowl of cinnamon sugar oatmeal. Grant was going to need all the strength he could get in just a few short hours, or less. "All right Grant, time to fuel up and get back to being the you you're supposed to be." Grant understood and began to eat the oatmeal and chugged half of the protein drink, the fruit was a bonus. When Grant finished he asked Sam for a large glass of ice water. Grant had never asked for a glass of water in the many years they had known each other, and he gave him a sideways look of questioning. "I'm thirsty, been in stasis, feeling dehydrated. The water will help clear my head and help me digest the food quicker."
"Oh, so ten minutes ago you can't even gurgle out your name and now you're a nutritionist. Welcome back buddy!" They exchanged smiles and Sam filled him in on what had transpired while he was in stasis.
"Sam, is everything is in place? Does Tayana and everyone know what to do?"
"Yes, we've been waiting for you to heal so we can get you to the Belle."
“Shit, where am I?"
"On the shuttle. We're still docked to the Terra Aurai. I will captain the Terra Aurai and you will captain the Belle. Once I leave the shuttle you need to dock with the Belle and get the cloaking device installed and functioning. You need to be hidden before the Anotokian ships get within range."
"All right, gotta go, don't want to get my ass shot off again!"
Sam chuckled, "No doubt. Get moving, and good luck. He gave Grant a hug. "I can't lose you my friend; life wouldn't be the same without you."
"Same here, be safe, and no heroics, understood?"
"Understood." Sam exited the shuttle and Grant made his way to the bridge.
“Eliot, we need to get to the Belle, now. Pull up the schematics for the cloaking device. I need to know how to install it."
"Good to have you back."
"Thanks Eliot!" Eliot had never shown care towards him or Sam. This was a good step in his growth. Grant was feeling better by the minute, but time was running out. Within minutes they were at the Belle and docking.
"Dock this thing in short order, I'll be waiting by the hatch." Without another word Grant made his way to the hatchway, cloaking device in hand. He felt good; better than he had in many years. The healing table did a number on him, he liked this feeling. He felt strong and capable, his mind was clear, and he was determined to kick some Anotokian butt.
Sam had filled him in on Delack trying to kill him and he was in the brig on the Terra Aurai. Grant was thankful to not be anywhere near Delack. It would be too soon before he saw his face again. The hatch opened and Grant was off like a rocket. He headed straight for the engine room and tried pulling up the schematics he requested from Eliot. "Eliot, where are the schematics I asked for?"
"There are no schematics for the cloaking device, it is a hybrid made by the captains of the Terra Aurai."
"How the hell am I supposed to install it without instructions?" Eliot began to answer, but Grant cut him off, "It was a rhetorical question." "Grant looked over the device and noticed a small plaque on the side. The inscription read, "Just plug it in!" There was a small recess in the back of the device for a power cable. He fo
und the cable and plugged it into an adapter on the fuel cell housing. The device came alive. There was a flash of bluish light and then just a green light on the device, staring at him. I guess its working?"
"Sam, can you still detect the Belle?"
"Uh, no, we cannot, awesome!"
Eliot broke in, "Captains, the Anotokian ships are within range. They have not detected either ship."
"Sam, radio silence until we have no other choice, but to talk. Run silent as well, and keep the villagers quiet, our lives depend on it."
"Will do, catch you on the other side my friend." Grant and Sam were scientists, not trained military. They were apprehensive about what was going to happen.
"Sam, I know we need to be running silent, but we never gave Tayana a way to communicate with us."
"Oh crap! We'll have to rely on Eliot to be our eyes and ears."
"Yep, damn it! No offense, Eliot, I made a huge mistake."
On radar they could see the Anotokian ships coming into view. There were three large warships, four times the size of the Ebony Belle, headed their way. The sight of them made Grant's blood boil. He was ready for some payback for Delack trying to kill him. "Gonna get yours, you Anotokian bastards." He could feel his blood pressure rising. He had to get himself in check or he could end up killing a lot of innocent people. The ships came into view on the view screen. They were warships, but they were in pretty rough shape. Grant assumed they were the bottom of the barrel sent out to take care of the natives. Little did they know the natives had some new friends, smart ones.
The ships closed on the planet and settled into orbit. Grant was amazed at how close they were. He was concerned debris from a missile explosion might cause damage to the Belle.
The Anotokian ships began launching shuttles to the planet's surface. Grant guessed each shuttle carried a large number of soldiers. He wanted to break cover and race to the surface to save Tayana, but he knew it would only get him killed and most likely everyone else. He held his ground and waited impatiently.
Sam noticed the shuttles too and felt bad he had not thought to give Tayana a communicator. She could not call for help. She was alone and seriously out numbered. Sam maneuvered the Terra Aurai to the back side of a close moon and waited for Grant's call to arms. The villagers were settling in and were pretty calm considering most of them had never left the planet's surface and were on board an alien spaceship. Sam was confident they had not been detected and were at the moment, safe from harm. Grant on the other hand was practically making out with them he was so close.
Tayana and crew were about to get even closer.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Meanwhile on the surface, Tayana and crew prepared for what was coming.
"Stay cloaked. Do not engage the Anotokians until I give the signal."
Tayana was a fierce warrior, not so much battle hardened, but a fierce protector of her village, her family. Her crew was well trained and loyal. Fierce as she was, her mind drifted to Grant lying on the healing table in the Varizone, unaware of what was happening around him. Not being able to say the things she wanted to say, and knowing they may never get the opportunity. She saw Grant in pain or dying too many times and was determined to tell him how she felt. Grant and Sam had neglected to give her a means to communicate with them while they were orbiting the planet. She was cut off and on her own. Thankfully she had her crew and a good plan. She was a survivor and a warrior.
The Anotokian shuttles began landing in strategic locations, but farther away from the mining camp than she expected. There were a couple hundred soldiers at a minimum, she stopped counting. The Anotokians unloaded rovers much like Grant and Sam's, only theirs were loaded with weapons and angry soldiers ready to kill anything moving. She and her crew were cloaked and could not be detected. She felt safe, for the moment. The rovers began to organize and fill with the rest of the soldiers.
Tayana turned to her core crew, "We need to get closer to the mining camp, now. Let the others know we ride when they do. Keep out of sight and behind them. We can hide behind the boulders for protection once we're there, move!"
The crew made their way out of view and began mounting their C-rexes, readying for their ride. A war was about to begin, Tayana and her crew were ready. They trailed behind the rovers, making good time. It was only be a matter of time before the fireworks began. Her thoughts drifted to Grant, she did not know if he was recovered. Had they executed all of their plans? Was her family in trouble, were they in space? She shook herself and regained focus.
The Anotokian's slowed as they approached the mining camp, then came to an abrupt stop, causing some of Tayana's crew to separate from the group. She was not concerned; they were trained, and knew the plan. They made their way to the boulders, about fifty yards away from the mining camp. They were elevated enough to see the bunker clearly and not draw attention to themselves.
The Anotokian warriors carefully made their way into the camp. They spotted the wreath Sam had left behind and dispatched it with a single shot. No explosion, just a poof of dust and wreath debris scattered about. They advanced further into the camp and looked around.
The plan was for all of them to come into the camp, and the plan was working. The Anotokian's began exploring the mining equipment and several ventured over to the bunker. The majority of them stood like they were waiting for something to happen so they could fire their weapons and kill something.
Grant and Sam monitored the Anotokian's progress. With Eliot's help, they had a clear picture of what was happening. The first shot fired was the claymore mine Sam had set near the bunker. It killed five or six of the warriors, and caught the others completely off guard. All hell was about to break loose. Tayana motioned for her crew to duck and cover. They made themselves as small as possible, up close to the large boulders. They knew what was about to happen, the Anotokian's had no clue. Eliot signaled Grant, it was time to fire the first SHTF. Grant pushed the button detonating the SHTF. The lag in transmission through atmosphere made for a long and awkward pause. Then it happened. Grant, Sam, and Tayana saw the bright flash from their respective positions. The explosion was tremendous and the damage was beyond belief. The boulders Tayana and crew were hiding behind took a beating of biblical proportions. All the trees in and near the mining camp were eradicated. The blast took out nearly half of the Anotokian warriors. Tayana's crew weathered the first blast and prepared for the second. They shifted positions to be out of the angle of the next SHTF. Grant fired the remaining SHTF's. The planet shook like it had no intentions of stopping. Tayana and crew once again hunkered down and survived the blast. Now was the time for them to execute their plan. If it breathes, farts, or smells like it did or could, kill it. Close to all of the remaining Anotokian regiment was taken out by the blast. The few survivors were not in the best shape, but still dangerous. They could use small arms and fire on the crew at any time.
Tayana gave the signal to advance. Under their cloaks they began systematically slitting throats and burying their swords deep into the hearts of wounded warriors. It was hard to tell if they were dispatched successfully. Their hearts were not located where a human heart would be, causing some intense moments. They began stabbing the warriors repeatedly trying to find the right spot for a quick kill. Once they found the right spot they made light work of the remaining Anotokians. The ground was littered with bodies and parts. Tayana signaled her crew to head back to the village. They knew more warriors would come if they knocked out the first team of Anotokian warriors. And come they did.
Unaware of the new load of warriors being shipped down, Tayana and crew were nearly crushed by Anotokian rovers making their way to the mining camp. Their cloaks hid them and their C-Rexes from the eyes of their enemies, allowing them to continue their trek back to the village.
Nearing the village they saw the Anotokian's had landed in their front yard. "We need to go around the back side of the falls and get the dome activated quickly. We do not know when Grant will igni
te the hydrogen, but it will be soon, helium fall is beginning.
Sam and Grant celebrated in their respective crafts at the nearly complete destruction of the Anotokian ground forces. Sam almost broke radio silence when several more blips appeared on the view screen. The Anotokians sent more troops, a lot more troops. They would wait until the majority of the warriors were away from their crafts. When helium fall began they would return to their rovers, and not a minute sooner. Sam knew Grant saw the same thing, hundreds of new warriors joining the fight.
Tayana and crew made their way around the back of the falls to the dome generator. She fired it up. The initial noise caught the attention of the Anotokian's guarding the shuttles. She pressed the button and the dome began to form. It was visible until it was complete and the Anotokian warriors began firing at the dome, Tayana, and her crew. "Fire back, make them pay!" Swift arrows of the villagers pierced the neck coverings of the Anotokian's and several were quickly dispatched. The rest advanced with hesitation, but met the same fate. With the dome securely in place all went clear. From the outside there was nothing to see but forest. Helium fall was nearing its apex and the Anotokian’s began heading back to their crafts.
Helium Fall Page 23