Riley was rubbing his chin. He looked anxious and bothered. Finally he made a decision. “Alright, you’ve got your comms gear and a team of marines. You had better be right about this.”
“Can you provide a pilot for my craft?”
“Oh why not. What are you proposing to do exactly?”
“I want to insert myself and Val where that beacon is. We’ll rappel down with your marines. Your pilot can come back here with our craft. Have the next team ready just in case.”
“OK in for a penny. I need to get things underway.”
“Can you look after Tracy until we get back.”
“Sure. Follow me.”
Chapter 16. Drakush over Fulmar 1400, 4 February
It had been an hour since the initial boarding attempt on the Drakush, the rogan dragon class capital ship. Chief Emil Faruk was a worried man. Of the 52 troopers that embarked on the initial lift, half had perished on the way in. He’d lost another six in the vicious battle in the hangar. But the hangar was theirs now. The rogan had sealed off the exits, content to leave them there, well at least for now anyway.
He’d just finished talking to the acting commander of the Chicago, Mick Riley. He couldn’t believe it when he was told he may have to hang on for another day or more. ‘Riley just doesn’t seem to appreciate the urgency of the situation’ he said to himself. He was glad the oxy packs were on the warthogs that survived to drop them off.
While he might have been reluctant to accept the facts, Emil did realise that without more warthogs and fresh troopers there was little that could be done. His main worry was that the rogan would warp away. Riley had assured him that was unlikely with their troops on the planet surface but he wasn’t so convinced.
He looked around the hangar slowly taking in his remaining 19 troopers, the nine rogan and six human bodies lying where they had fallen including that of Trooper Maggie Wise right next to him. He had failed to save her and her eyes still stared back at him imploring and disbelieving.
“Clear these bodies.”
Chapter 17. Soln 1440, 4 February
“Sue” hailed Dan “You better get back here straight away.”
“What’s up?”
“Just get back here now.”
Sue left Cpl Jim Teller in charge of her group and made her way back to the caves. Her movement attracted some sniper fire from down the slope. She hit the ground and instinctively crawled up the slope. Another shot rang out. She forced her body up into a crouch and ran for the cover afforded by a large tree that stretched upwards into the canopy. From there she made another run to the next tree some 20m away. She knew it was too far, when another shot rang out. The loud twang of the passing pulse impressed on her the need for a shorter run next time.
“Jim. Give me some covering fire” she hailed.
“Onto it” he replied. A slow rolling series of shots were directed down the slope from Jim’s position. Sue pushed off again aiming for the slight fold in the ground that was ten metres away. Down. She made it. Crawl away. Up and run. 1, 2, 3, down. Crawl. She felt the sweat running down her back. Her helmet started to mist up. The suit’s climate control system cut in and air was sucked down and away through the vent at the bottom of the helmet demisting the visor.
Up, run, 1,2,3,down, crawl. This time she could see the ground falling away and she aimed for it. Once there she took a breather.
“Sue can you please hurry” hailed Dan.
Sue was puffing strongly as she tried to recover from her exertions. “I’ll be there soon. Hang on.”
With the cover of the slight ridge she could now afford to move at the crouch without diving for cover. She pushed off at a fast walk, then broke into a jog. She saw the sleth trooper at the entrance. He recognised her and let her pass through the cordon. He directed her to the right where the cavern turned and descended. She hit her light and used its splash against the rock surfacers to guide her. There was light emanating from behind the rocks further to her right. It was moving toward her now. She couldn’t see who it was.
“Dan is that you?”
“Yeah it’s me.”
“What’s up?” She stopped and placed her pulse rifle against the wall of the cavern, bent over with her hand on her knees and took in some deep breaths while Dan closed to her position. By the time he got there she was upright. She could see his worried face behind his visor.
“Our sleth friends haven’t been completely honest with us Sue.”
“What do you mean?”
“When we got here, Wenra found an area down further where she setup her quarters. They erected a screen and I was told not to enter. So I just stayed out front. After a while I had to relieve myself. When I got back I saw another suited character with Wenra.”
“So, who?”
“That’s it. This being was well a lot shorter than your typical sleth. Well that’s what I could tell from the suit they were wearing. It can’t be a sleth child as they all left with their cap. It’s no one that was part of our column. Something is not right here Sue. I wanted to make sure you were advised before I did anything.”
“OK Dan. It’s good that you called me down.” Sue was trying to crank up her brain to deal with this new information. “How then did they get here?”
“I was on watch the whole time except for the few minutes when I took a leak. I reckon they were inside the large pack that her attendant carried.”
“Well we need to find out who they are, why we were not informed and what is happening. Agreed?”
Dan nodded his head in agreement. “How are we best to that without causing a rift?”
Sue was trying to think hard. Then she asked herself ‘what would Art do?’ But nothing clear came to her.
“Oh hang it” she said “let’s just go in and raise the matter with Wenra direct. Follow me and keep your wits about you.”
“Alright” said Dan. He didn’t sound all that confident about the plan but was glad to leave the decision to Sue.
“Where is Wenra?”
“It’s another ten minutes down the cavern. I’ll lead.”
Chapter 18. Redneck 45 over Fulmar 1500, 4 February
Sgt Marie Tyler eased the Streamliner out of the Chicago’s hangar. Art was in the co-pilot’s seat reviewing the flight path Marie had chosen while he had been briefing the eight marines now crammed into the back.
“No, we can’t do this” said Art. “We don’t have any cloaking on this craft.”
Marie was scanning her display looking for any evidence to the contrary. She found none. “Alright, plot me another, but hurry.”
Art manipulated the waypoints and opted for an approach from the West flying the last 100kms nap of the earth to the last reported position of the beacon. “How’s this look.”
Marie focussed on the screen. “It’ll do.” She then committed the route change and recalibrated her mission profile. She immediately adjusted her controls to align the craft onto the designated path. As soon as it was within tolerance the path turned green and she activated the auto-pilot.
“Does this beast have any defences?” she asked. Art could see that she was out of her comfort zone.
“Not really. It’s a bog standard civvy craft I’m afraid.”
“Terrific. So we come in low and slow for the last leg. I’ll let you know when we’re two minutes out. Be ready to drop fast. I’m not going to hang around.”
“Understood.”
Art got out of his seat and moved past the two marines sitting in the seats behind the cockpit. He went into the hold where Val gave him a welcoming nod but otherwise was in a serious frame of mind. He squeezed past her to Sgt Freddy McDonald who secured his console when he saw Art.
“Won’t be long before we hit the atmosphere. Then about 20 minutes till we’re flying low. We’ll be coming in from the West. Pilot will signal two minutes out. But I want everyone to suit up in ten minutes.” Art looked across and could see the rappelling lines already secured and ready for use. Freddy
turned to see what Art was looking at.
“They’re good. I checked them” he said in his strong Scottish accent.
Art patted him on the shoulder and smiled. “No guessing you’re a true scot then.”
“Dufftown, home of Glenfiddich.”
“Did you bring any?”
“Alas no! Could do with a drop right about now.”
“Just remember to make sure you get your guys down fast and covering their arcs. I’ll need a moment to get our bearings and I’ll lead off. Be ready to deploy that drone of yours on my command.”
“No problem Sir. We’ll be right behind ya.”
Chapter 19. Soln 1510, 4 February
When Dan and Sue arrived outside of Wenra’s quarters there was a section of sleth troopers deployed. Jelka was talking to the section leader when he saw them approach. He came over to meet them.
“Chalker, what is wrong?” he said.
“It’ alright Jelka. All is good up top. I need to speak with Wenra.”
“You can tell me.”
“No I need to speak with Wenra now.”
“What about?”
“Look I am happy for you to be present but I haven’t time to repeat myself. Please get Wenra.”
Jelka begrudgingly said “Wait here.”
They waited for a good five minutes. Wenra came out with Jelka. She was poised and her usual calm self. She turned over the palms of her hands in a gesture that said ‘well what is it?’
“Wenra I don’t wish to offend but you have someone here that you have not disclosed to us. We need to be completely open with each other. Who is the being that Dan observed here a short while ago?”
“That is none of your business” said Jelka.
“It is definitely my business Jelka. I am not leaving until I get a satisfactory answer.”
Jelka began bringing his rifle up. Dan was quicker and had his pistol up and aimed at Jelka.
“Enough” said Wenra. It was the first time that Sue or Dan had ever heard her speak directly. Sue put her arm over Dan’s and he lowered his pistol. Jelka kept his rifle up.
“I said enough Jelka” and Wenra left him in no doubt as to who was in authority here. Jelka reluctantly lowered his rifle.
“Come” she said. She turned and led them through the screen and into the area of her quarters. Two of her attendants were there along with another suited being. They were all on their feet. The stranger’s face was visible in its helmet. Sue was astonished to see a woman’s face. Well it was close enough to be a human female face. The eyes were larger, the nose broader but her lips would pass as they were. She had pale complexion and dark green eyes that were angled from the outside down to the centre at what Sue estimated to be an angle of 15 degrees or thereabouts.
Dan was lost for words too. He just stared. The being was indeed short by human standards but about as wide. Her head was large relative to her body but on reflection Dan thought it would be about the same size as our own, though it looked like it tapered at the top – not as pointy as a cone but much more so than a human skull. She turned her head to look at someone and Dan could see by the shape of her helmet that her skull must extend back much further than a human’s. He counted only four long fingers on her gloves.
“Let me introduce Evie Plentun daughter of the Seventh Envoy to the Rogan High Council” said Wenra. And to Evie she said “This is the famous Sue Chalker that I have spoken of and this is Dan Hoyle of the Federation Fleet.”
Evie nodded her head slightly in acknowledgement.
Sue’s mind focused on just one word ‘Rogan’. ‘Are we being betrayed here?’ Her blood was heating up. Her heart was beginning to race, just like it had in Niku when she had so wanted to take out Sterkze. She remembered in that moment how Art had saved her from her own emotional response. It took all her will power to control this urge. She took in a deep breath and bought down the quickening pace of her heart.
“So what’s going on here Wenra?” she asked.
“Evie has been one of my disciples for a long time. She came to me after our home worlds were destroyed by the rogan fleet. She did so without her father’s permission. The rogan force outside is here to bring her back. We cannot allow that. We must protect her.”
“Disciple?”
“Yes Chalker. You see I am a spiritual leader, like your… shamans, gurus, priests. I am the spiritual head of the path of Waru. Waru is practiced throughout the systems of what you know as the Scrutum Crux, now dominated by the rogan. The rogan have conquered all before them and have banned the practices of our path. But there are many who still follow, who know that the rogan way is not the Waru way.”
“And Evie is one of your followers?”
“One who wants to put things right, Sue. One who has influence. Anyone else and they would have simply destroyed us. But her father has much power and he wants her back. If she returns it will only be a matter of time before we are destroyed.”
“I see” said Sue. She paused for a moment and then continued “You used us Wenra. We provided you safe haven and you have not been honest with us. Does honesty not count in your spiritual path?”
“Yes my child we have used you. But you were not ready for this information. We did what was necessary to survive. We are sorry for not being open with you but would you have provided us with safe haven if you had known this?”
“That is above my pay grade Wenra. I can’t answer for the Federation Council. But they did provide you protection and it was on my recommendation.”
“Maam” hailed Steff “we hear a craft approaching from the West.”
“Alright Steff” responded Sue “I’ll be back shortly.” She then faced Wenra. “I have to go. We’ll talk soon.”
“We are grateful Sue” said Wenra.
Sue nodded and gestured to Dan for him to follow her. When they were five minutes back up in the cavern, she paused. “Dan, stay with Wenra. Keep me posted if you become aware of anything suspicious.”
“What don’t you believe her?”
“Maybe, maybe not. Just keep an eye on them and keep me informed OK?”
“Sure. Will do.”
Chapter 20. Redneck 45 over Fulmar 1520, 4 February
Marie Tyler was concentrating hard to keep the craft flying level for this last minute of the run in. The canopy was starting to thin out ahead. She slowed even further. She knew that the Marines in the back were all on their ropes ready to release on her command. She was searching for the clearest spot.
The alarm on her dash fired. “Shit” she called out as the arcing line on the display indicated an incoming missile. She hit the hatch release and hailed “Go, go now.”
Art was out first with Val and two others. He let the rope slide through his hands, only applying resistance as the canopy neared. He braced himself for impact with the branches but in fact went straight through without contact. He looked to see how the others were going. Val was through and so were the other two troopers.
The ground was coming up fast and he braked on the rope using his clutch controller on his belt. He bent his knees slightly to avoid breaking his legs or damaging his knee joints. Contact, roll with it, release the controller. The rope retracted automatically leaving him lying on his side. He reached behind his back and pulled on his rifle. He rolled onto his stomach and began scanning his surroundings.
He could see some rocks up ahead. He forced his legs to push him up into a crouch and then after a few quick steps went to ground. He turned back to see that Val and the other two had pushed out of the DZ too. Descending feet could be seen coming through the canopy the rest of their torsos would follow suit in a second.
In less than thirty seconds Freddy and another three of his team were on the deck and the ropes retracting skywards for the remaining two troopers. But they were not to make it. The missile hit Redneck 45 with a tremendous impact. The unarmoured craft stood no chance, nor did Marie and the remaining troopers.
Those on the ground prayed for salv
ation as they were showered with debris. Art felt a tremendous yank on his heart. It was the same feeling he had experienced all too many times before when he had lost colleagues because of his decisions. It was like part of him had been ripped out and he was the lesser for it.
But then his training kicked in. “Freddy, get ‘em up and out of here. Follow me.”
There was no answer from Freddy. He was still trying to regain his breath. He was on all fours on the ground trying to suck in the oxy. He shook his head, grabbed his rifle and forced himself upright. “Alright, on your feet” he finally hailed.
He went over to where one of his troopers was still lying and pulled on their webbing to assist them up. The trooper shrugged free from his grip as they rose too.
Art had pushed ahead some thirty metres, where he paused. The compass bearing on his visor’s display showed east. That would do he thought. He brought up his rifle, looked through the sights and scanned the area ahead and to the sides. Nothing. He lowered his rifle, gazed back to ensure the rest of the survivors were with him. They were. He picked up the pace.
Chapter 21. Chicago over Fulmar 1530, 4 February
Mick Riley couldn’t believe it when he saw the “confirmed destroyed” tag appear next to the Redneck 45 icon. ‘How is it possible to have such a bad day’ he thought.
“Did anyone get out?” he asked to no one in particular within the control centre.
“I think so Sir” said the offensive specialist. The first serial was on the deck. Maybe the second got out. Don’t know for sure.”
Mick hit his fist onto the station in front of him. Everyone else remained quiet. He looked around their faces. He knew that they were looking to him to lead them out of this. He took a big breath in. “Open up a channel.”
Redemption: Book 2 of Warner's World Page 28