by Saxon Andrew
Alex shook his head, “How small?”
Prissy said, “Half the size of a period on your word processor.”
Alex shook his head, “Show me the Weg home world.” The Image on the monitor changed and the attendees saw a planet surrounded by a glowing yellow band above the atmosphere that extended fifty miles out in space.
Uginoth nodded, “There are more Energy Eaters around that planet than we’re capable of counting. The number is so huge as to be beyond our ability to visualize.”
Josh stared at the image and said, “Are those things at any of the infested planets?”
Rumel shook his head, “No, they’re only at the home world.”
Josh looked at Rumel, “Why?”
“What?”
“Why are they only there? That is the perfect planetary defense system.”
Rumel looked at Tindel for a moment and said, “I really don’t know.”
Alex looked at the Alliance scientists and said, “We need to find out why. If they start using these at infected worlds…”
Rumel said, “We’ve been fighting the Weg for a hundred years and other civilizations fought them before we entered the fight. If they could use them elsewhere, don’t you think they would?”
“Maybe they didn’t think the risk of moving them to other worlds was worth the danger before now.”
Rumel looked at Prissy and could only shake his head. Tindel said, “I know where you can get some to study.”
Everyone turned to him and he said, “Melegna.”
Alex looked at him, “Where is that?”
“It’s a planet in the outer regions of my home world’s planetary system. The planet rotates once a year so one side of it always faces the sun and the other remains perpetually dark. The Energy Eaters that were blown off the two surviving Q ships were pulled down to its airless surface after the Q ships jumped away.”
Josh smiled, “That’s why you went there; there’s no source of energy for them to feed on.”
Tindel nodded, “We left a probe there and the glow the Energy Eaters give off has disappeared. They have either died or gone into some sort of hibernation.”
Alex looked at Uginoth, “Will you collect some and tell us what you discover?” Uginoth nodded. Alex looked at the Military Leaders, “I request the next drop to be a combined drop with the Gracken and Spartan working together.” He looked at Rumel, “Will you coordinate that with General Adams.”
General Young said, “Sir, shouldn’t we use another unit?”
Alex looked at Young and didn’t like his orders to be challenged, “Name a unit that has gone through jump training with the carriers.”
Alex stared at Young and he wilted, “I’m sorry, Sir. You’re right.”
“You should get with the Alliance and have them deliver the carriers and devices you’ll need to get one of your divisions ready.”
“Yes Sir.”
Alex looked around the table and said, “Keep me informed on your progress.”
He stood up and his Executive Officer yelled, “Atennnshun!” All the officers including the Gracken stood and remained at attention until Alex left the conference room.
Rumel waked over to Tindel and said, “It’s my understanding that your division needs more warriors.”
“Yes Commander, that is true.” Tindel expected Gremel to take the next drop with is division.
“Well I’m going to let it be known that your division will be making the next drop. I don’t think it will take long for volunteers to show up.”
Tindel stared at Rumel, “Thank you, Sir. I expected you to take the next drop.”
“Commander, you’ve demonstrated your talent and ability to me recently. I need you to have a unit ready to support me. I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have at my back.”
Tindel smiled, “Thank you, Sir. You can count on me to protect your back.”
Rumel nodded and walked over to Josh. Tindel stared at his Commanding officer and knew he had learned something valuable in that moment. He wouldn’t forget it.
• • •
Sgt. Yung looked at the engineer taking the magnets off his armor as he leaned in over him. The engineer pulled a magnet out of a pouch and Yung said, “What are you doing putting that hubcap on my armor?”
The engineer smiled, “You will be having to go much higher on your next mission.”
Yung’s eyes went wide and he said, “Exactly how much higher?”
The engineer attached the new magnet and smiled, “About four more miles. Where is your other armor?”
Yung stared at the engineer, “Did you say four miles higher?”
“About six miles total. Now where is your other suit of armor?”
Yung pointed at the suit behind him as Lt. Cable walked up, “What’s going on?”
The engineer just told me our next jump was going to be six miles high.”
Jess stared at Yung, “Say what?”
“Six miles.”
Jess stared at Yung and said, “Excuse me.”
Yung nodded as she walked away and yelled, “Let me know if he was kidding.” An hour later he discovered the engineer was wrong…it was seven miles. “Oh my aching backside!”
Captain Krusiev heard him and smiled. Josh had lost many of his officers and non-coms to other units. They were needed to train other divisions in the new fighting tools being brought on line by the Alliance. He agreed with Yung. Wait until he learned they would be making the jump through five miles of flying Weg.
• • •
Tindel and Josh watched the recordings of the last drop and Tindel shook his head, “Have you looked at the tunnels the Weg have dug close to the mountains?”
“I have.”
“I don’t see any way we can use the topography in our next drop.”
Josh nodded, “I’ve pretty much come to the same conclusion.”
“Do you have a suggestion?”
“I think it’s time we took them on out in the open.”
“Do we have a choice?”
“There’s always a choice. We could land on a mountain and fight them as they climb toward us.”
Tindel nodded, “I didn’t consider that.”
Josh shrugged, “There are millions of places on the planet that don’t have a tunnel directly under them. I really think they’ll forego the diggers and just come at us through the air in multi-layers of flyers.”
Tindel nodded, “I see a problem with using our two divisions together.”
Josh nodded, “Prissy and I discussed that issue after watching all the previous recordings of battles.”
“And?”
“It does appear that the best formation to take on the Weg is a single file. Two ranks actually offers smaller fields of fire.”
“I agree; however, your troops don’t have the heavy weapons my warriors carry and your lines would be weaker.”
“Not if we mixed our troops.”
“What do you mean?”
“We place a human between your warriors. Humans are so much shorter than your troops that they would not interfere with them firing over our head.”
Tindel nodded, “And your warriors would keep the low level attacks away.”
Josh smiled, “That’s how I see it.”
“Who will be in overall command?”
“You can do it.”
“I honestly prefer firing with my warriors.” Josh smiled and Tindel said, “I don’t usually get the opportunity because of leadership responsibilities. However, you are fully capable of keeping track of everything happening around us so I can add my fire power to the line.”
Josh blew out a breath and said, “The Engineers have come up with a new tool for my troops.”
“What is that?’
“They’ve redesigned our sliver rifles to correspond to the ones your warriors use.”
“How will they hold them up?”
“There is a telescoping rod that comes out that supports the new ri
fle and allows it to swivel in all directions.”
Tindel nodded approvingly, “What is the rate of fire?”
“About thirty percent higher than the ones you use.”
“Perhaps we should be using this new rifle.”
“You could but you’d be giving up the freedom of motion your warriors currently have.”
Tindel thought for a moment and shook his head, “I wouldn’t want to do that.”
“I agree. The artistry of your warriors with their weapons is amazing.”
Tindel looked at Josh and said, “What are you not telling me?”
“The engineers want us to trial a new force field.”
“What?”
“They’ve developed a new portable force field that will cover us during a drop.”
“Why do we need that?”
“The Weg are going to be able to move above us on the next drop. They can swoop into the middle of our formation and attack us from behind.”
Tindel thought about it and said, “I would hope they would jump us out if that happened.”
“Why? If the new force fields operate as we hope, the only reason to run is if they’ve dug under us or the numbers above us become impossible. We’re going to fight as long as possible before we run this time.”
“They can still dig under us any time they choose.”
Josh nodded, “But will they wait until the diggers arrive before launching their flyers?”
“Probably not.”
“Remember, we’re selecting a place where they don’t have any tunnels and it’s going to take some time for them to arrive underground.”
“They’ll get there faster than you can believe.”
“I’ve seen them and I know you’re right. However, they move faster above ground and through the air. I suspect we’ll have more time to inflict damage than we have in the past.”
Tindel smiled, “You set it up. I’ll make sure my warriors know their responsibilities.”
Josh nodded and turned back to the video.
Chapter Nine
Yung was swung over the side of the carrier with his squad and yelled, “Now that wasn’t so bad. Let’s drop and do it again.”
Sgt. Dixon leaned over and whispered in his ear, “How’s your back?”
“One more of these and I’ll apply for disability.” Marsha laughed and Yung said, “Did you know Old Yellar is back?”
Marsha’s smile vanished, “When?”
“He arrived yesterday and is one of the platoon commanders in B Company.”
Marsha lowered her head, “I’m ashamed I ever felt anything for him. I was so foolish.”
“I would ordinarily agree with you but Sgt. Graham says he’s doing a great job.”
“I don’t believe it.”
Yung sighed and shook his head, “Mars, everyone reaches a breaking point. Graham tells me that he had physical issues when he failed to make the drop. I really think that might have been the problem.”
Mars shook her head and turned back to her squad. Later that day she accidently bumped into Lt. Cantwell coming out of the cafeteria. “Oh, excuse me, Sir.”
Cantwell grabbed her by the arm to prevent her from falling and she immediately noticed he was larger than she remembered. He had put on some muscle. “No, pardon me, Sergeant.” Cantwell paused and said, “Hey, you were in my former platoon.”
Marsha’s face turned red and she nodded, “Yes Sir. I was a private in Sgt. Krusiev’s platoon.”
Cantwell nodded, “I’ve seen the drop you made and I’m proud of your platoon’s accomplishment.”
Marsha stared at him for a moment and said, “What happened to you, Sir?”
Cantwell’s lowered his head slightly and then looked her in the eyes, “I couldn’t control my nerves. I felt like I was going to pass out just before we lifted. I had no energy and could barely focus on what was going on around me. The Colonel pulled me out of ranks and sent me to the medic.”
“What was wrong?”
“I had a bleeding ulcer and nearly died from loss of blood. I should have known it but I ignored the blood I was coughing up. I assumed it was nerves. I was wrong. However, I’m happy I’ve been given another chance and I really hope my platoon can live up to the standard Captain Krusiev has set.”
Marsha smiled, “I’m certain you will, Sir.”
Cantwell smiled and said, “Thank you, Sergeant. See you on the ground.”
“Yes Sir.”
• • •
Yung and Lt. Cable waked up behind Mars and Yung said, “What’s going on with Yellar?”
Marsha shook her head, “He was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer. He says he nearly died before they stopped the bleeding.”
Jess looked back at Cantwell as he walked away and said, “He looks like he’s been working out.”
Marsha looked and nodded, “It does appear he has.”
Yung and Jess smiled and Yung said, “No fraternizing with enlisted warriors.”
Marsha smiled, “It hasn’t stopped the two of you.”
Both Yung and Cable showed surprise at her remark. Yung smiled, “Where on Sparta would you ever get such an idea?”
Marsha laughed, “Come on, can’t you two take a joke.” Marsha walked into the cafeteria and Yung leaned over and whispered, “We have to be more careful.”
“NO! You have to be promoted!”
Yung smiled, followed Jess through the door, and watched her as she walked toward the Officer’s tables.
• • •
A week later, Captain Krusiev walked in front of Second Platoon and Yung called the platoon to attention. The twenty-five warriors looked at Krusiev and saw that Lt. Cantwell was standing with him. What was going on? Krusiev looked at Sgt. Yung and saw him take a deep breath. He looked at the platoon and said, “It has come to my attention that one of the noncoms in this platoon has an emotional relationship with one of my officers.” The twenty-four warriors all looked at Yung whose face was red. It is inappropriate that an officer has a relationship with an enlisted warrior…however, it is not forbidden as long as they do not serve in the same unit. I have given Lt. Cantwell his platoon back and I expect you to continue at your high level of performance. Are there any questions?”
Marsha lifted her hand, “Sir!”
“What is it, Dixon?”
“I request to be transferred to Lt. Cable’s new platoon.”
Krusiev smiled, “That’s the smartest thing you’ve done, Sgt. Dixon. Your request is granted and you may move your gear now.”
Marsha stepped out of ranks and Cantwell looked at Krusiev, “Why is she leaving, Sir?”
“Everyone knew it when you were in command before.”
“Knew what?”
“Sgt. Dixon has a huge infatuation over you, Lieutenant. It appears she realizes that it could affect her during combat and is doing the right thing in requesting reassignment.”
“Sir, may I speak with her before she leaves.”
“I will not allow her to stay, Lieutenant.”
“I understand, Sir.”
Krusiev nodded and Cantwell ran after Marsha and yelled, “Wait a minute.”
Marsha stopped and turned around, “What is it, Sir?”
Cantwell grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her hard. Marsha felt it to her toes and her eyes remained closed when he broke the kiss. “I will see you again, won’t I?”
Marsha smiled and said, “You know where I am.”
Cantwell smiled and turned to go. He said over his shoulder, “Indeed I do.”
He arrived back at his platoon and Krusiev left. Cantwell smiled at his platoon and said, “I owe you. We are going to be the best platoon in this planet’s army and you are the ones that will make that happen. It’s my honor to be with you and you can count on me to be with you no matter what happens.”
The men and women in Second Platoon looked at their new Lieutenant and they took his measure. He had changed and they could see it. Yung yelled, “
Second Platoon!”
Every warrior in the platoon yelled, “YOOOOO RAHHHH!”
Krusiev heard them as he walked away and smiled. They were ready.
• • •
The next week the new armor arrived with the new force fields and magnets built into the plates. Krusiev’s Company received the first shipment and they started their training immediately. It didn’t take the warriors long to figure out what the new force field was designed to do. Yung asked Lt. Cantwell to meet with the platoon and answer their questions about what they were being asked to do. The meeting was held in the platoon’s barracks and Private Bingham asked the first question, “Sir, we are of the opinion that the new armor is designed to be pulled through large concentrations of Flying Weg, is that true, Sir?”
“It is.”
The warriors starting looking at each other and they didn’t like what they were hearing. Bingham sighed and said, “Sir, I’ve seen how the Weg can concentrate their forces. Will we be pulled out before they can achieve a dense concentration?”
“Probably not, Private.”
Bingham wasn’t expecting that response, “Sir, isn’t this suicide if we aren’t pulled out early?”
Cantwell looked at his warriors and saw their fear and concern. He thought for a moment and said, “I think most officers in my place would just say that you will do what you’re ordered to do and end this conversation at that point. However, you’re not rookies in this fight against the Weg and you know what you’re going into.” Cantwell tilted his head toward the barracks door, “Most of the units here don’t know what they’ll be facing and they’ll go into it blindly not knowing what they’re going to have to endure. I’ve heard it said ignorance is bliss and their case, it’s probably a good thing.
Cantwell paused and said, “However, I’ve seen estimates that if the Weg aren’t stopped now, they will find our worlds in less than a hundred years at their maximum rate of growth. You and I will survive if we just decide not to enter this fight but your children’s children will be facing them. Before we can defeat them, we have to survive on the planet they’ve infested. That means we will work toward being able to stand toe-to-claw with them and not retreat. We’re not there…yet.” Cantwell walked over to a suit of armor hanging in front of the room and said, “This armor is different from your old armor.”