The Humvee’s tires screeched their protest against the pavement. Smoke poured out from all four tires as J pushed the solid framed barrier. Slowly, J inched the barrier open as he steered left to push it opened the rest of the way. Taking his foot off the gas, the tires ceased their squealing as the last of the smoke rose to the inside of the tunnel.
“I got it, Mitch!”
“Good job, J. Lead on, we need to follow this tunnel and ensure there’re no more clinkers down the line.”
“I’m on it, Mitch,” J answered as he returned the Humvee to normal gear and entered the tunnel.
“Looks dark down there, J,” Mitch said.
“You’re right, there are no lights on down here,’ J said, pulling the truck’s headlights and the row of four overhead flood lights on.
CB turned to Mitch once more, “Due to current economic conditions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off.”
“You’re tellin’ me,” J answered over his comm link.
“Is it clear of disabled cars?” Mitch asked over the headset.
“Yeah, the tunnel was definitely cutoff before the disaster hit. We have a clear path to our drop sight.”
“Very good, J. Proceed with caution.
“You got that right. Really-really.”
“The broccoli says I look like a mushroom, but the walnut wants to change the subject,” CB said over his headset.
“Well said,” Mitch answered with a wide smile, “Good to see you’re in your usual form, CB.”
CB smiled another witticism, “You don’t have to take off, because apples are effected by gravity.”
“Got ya,” Mitch answered, pulling his jeep to a stop, “Kent, Jack, hold this position. Make sure nothing comes down this tunnel.”
“Got it, Sarge,” Kent said as the two hopped out of the back.
“You’re good to go, Sarge,” Jack said, slapping the side of the jeep.
J’s flood lights lit up the dark tunnel as he made his way down the underground passageway, “So far, my Keeper hasn’t grown any green, so I think we’ll be okay.”
“My Keeper!?” Kurtis protested, “What? Now you take away my name all together, or what? Huh!? C’mon … I asked you a question!”
“Relax, Kurtis,” J smiled as he glanced his way, “Your way too easy of a mark.”
“Yeah, ha-ha-ha, I’m laughing my ass off over here.”
“Hey Mitch,” J asked, “We’re crossing Battery now. How much farther did you say we go?”
“We go all the way to Yesler. It’s about fifteen city blocks under here.”
“Okay, I’m crossing Lanora now.”
“Right in the heard of squid land,” CB Nodded, “Counting these city blocks has a spooky magical power feeling to it. Just don’t chase the wrong manhole.”
“Right you are, CB,” Mitch said, glancing over to his friend before tapping his headset once more, “Kent, Jack, check in.”
“This is Kent, Sarge. Jack and I are all clear at the tunnel entrance.”
“Keep a sharp eye out. Over.”
“Roger that, Sarge,” Kent out.”
“Comin’ up on the Pike Street crossing,” J reported.
“Okay, J, only eight blocks to go.”
“So far so good down here.”
“Roger that, J,” Mitch answered, “My buddy CB says spiders have eight legs because they can crawl upside down.”
“Yeah, tell him I read him loud and clear… for once,” J answered, “Okay, comin’ up on Spring now.”
“Okay J, slow it down some,” Mitch ordered, “Three blocks: Madison, Marion, and Colombia, next one after is Yesler. There should be a maintenance shaft to the top near Yesler.”
“Yeah, Mitch, crossing Colombia now.”
Kurtis’ eyes widened, “Hold up there, chief!”
J stepped on the breaks, “Kurtis is sensing something, Mitch, stand ready!”
“Yeah,” Kurtis smiled, “Made ya’ look!”
“Damnit Kurtis, that’s not a damn bit funny!” J rebuked.
Mitch stopped his jeep and climbed out, followed by Charlie as the two made their way forward to the Humvee.
Pulling the passenger door open, Mitch squeezed his fist closed and cocked his arm back before Kurtis held his hands up to protect his face, “No! Wait! I am really feeling something now!”
“Yeah, your gonna feel something,” Mitch said, pulling back to clobber Kurtis.”
“Hold up there, Mitch,” J urged with pointing finger.
Mitch held his punch and looked over at the tunnel’s ceiling toward the maintenance hatch and let go of Kurtis’ collar, “Well I’ll be damned.”
“Yeah,” J said exiting the Humvee, “We’ve got green slime.”
Charlie Bravo joined his sergeant and held his gun at the ready, “See? Didn’t I tell you a story about a man named Brady that has eight legs and…”
Mitch interrupted his buddy, finishing his sentence for him, “… and it crawls upside down. Yeah, okay, Kurtis, don’t ever do that again, got it!?” Mitch rebuked.
“Jeez, man, seems like I’m the only one that can’t tell jokes around here!”
“You’re right on that point, Kurtis,” J nodded, “You can’t tell jokes. Not good ones, anyway. So, Mitch, what are we gonna’ do about this? That green goo is blocking our ladder to the top.”
“We’ll have to move it out of the way.”
“Out of the way?” J protested, “Isn’t there another way up?”
“No, not close enough. Remember, it’s squidville up there. We still have to make our way across Alaska Way to the actual wall to ensure the fire team can set their explosives.”
“How do you suppose we move this stuff?”
Kurtis puffed his chest out, “Well, I’m a keeper, I can do it without any problem.”
“You, Kurtis? You’re going to move the alien stuff?”
“Sure, why not me? Jeez, I’m trying to help here!”
“Okay, okay,” J nodded, “If you can clear the way, then have at it.”
J motioned in the air at Kurtis and then to the maintenance ladder, “After you.”
“Right, okay, sure thing,” Kurtis said, clearing his throat.
“You can do this, right, Kurtis?”
“Yeah, yeah, step aside already!”
Kurtis pushed his way past J and the others and stepped on the ladder and climbed up two rungs before his Keeper armor grew around his body, enveloping him with a full suit.
He held his free hand out and shot a wave of energy at the substance, “There… now go! Beat it, greenie! I mean it!” Kurtis shouted.
“Um, Kurtis, I don’t think it’s going to do anything by yelling at it.”
“Shush! I’m just getting’ started here, jeez!”
The power wave exited Kurtis’ arm, down is hand and out his cloned fingers. The green goo began to shimmer and flow down the wall and away from the maintenance hatch cover. It wasn’t long before all the substance solidified into a concrete form off in the distance.
Climbing down the ladder, Kurtis’ armor began to withdraw, “See, I told you I could move it. Now what do you have to say? Huh? I asked a question!”
“Really, Kurtis. Yes, you did it. Nice job.”
“Really, J?” Kurtis spat, “That’s all ya’ got is really? I don’t even get a double really-really? Wow, what does it take to get any appreciation around here, anyway?”
“Maybe you’d be more appreciated if you kept your trap shut,” Mitch spat at the short, fat, clone of a man.”
“And who asked you, anyway? I’m not in your military, you can’t boss me around,” turning to J, Kurtis pointed with a sharp index finger, “Who does he think he is, anyway? Huh?”
“He’s the one keeping all of us alive,” J answered.
“Oh, I see,” Kurtis answered as Mitch held the barrel of his gun to Kurtis’ head. “Don’t worry about ol, Kurtis, here, Mitch ol’ pal, just put the gun down, okay? I get it! I’ll kee
p quiet… okay?”
Mitch holstered his weapons and began to climb the ladder to the top, “The hatch is open. CB, can you climb on the other side and help me lift this cover up?”
CB slung his weapon around his neck and shoulder and climbed to the top. Forcing the hatch open, Mitch was first to exit the tunnel to the open air.
“Good, we’re covered up here. It’s a small maintenance shack. They won’t see us here. It’s all clear, come on up.”
J followed CB up the ladder after Kurtis climbed up.
Mitch was already cracking the door open to the shack and poked his head out.
“I don’t see anything. Kurtis? Do you feel anything?”
“No, I think you’re all clear up here. The only thing I can detect is the alien substance in pools all over the place. They haven’t regenerated as yet.”
“Good,” Mitch answered,” CB, you cover J here and hold this position, while Kurtis and I scope out the seawall.”
“Me? Why me? I can stay here…”
“No, Kurtis,” Mitch ordered, “You’re the Keeper, no disrespect intended, but I need you to tell me if there is anything going on at our target location.”
“Fine, fine, I’ll go… jeez, just don’t point that thing at me anymore, okay?”
Mitch tapped his headset, “Kent, Jack, report in.”
“This is Kent, Sarge. Still all clear here.”
“Okay, good. We’re almost to our target.”
“Ten-four, Kent out.”
“Okay, Kurtis, let’s move out!”
The two exited the maintenance shack and crouch-ran across the street before ducking behind a wall.
Mitch tapped his comm link, “We made it across Alaska Way and are in place. Our target is clear.”
“Good news,” J answered. “Now we wait for our fire team.”
“They should be on their way back soon,” Mitch responded.
“Let’s hope so,” J nodded, “Let’s hope so.”
Chapter 18
253 Mathilda Jump Ring - 253 Mathilda-2
January 18, 2068 10:05
“Ion turbine and thrusters online...avionics green,” Gus announced.
“NAV check,” Sam ordered.
“Navigational gyros engaged, take off sequence set. Course programmed and verified.”
Sam tapped her headset as she grabbed the transport controls, “ERV Ingrid-5, Didymos: we’re ready to depart.”
“Didymos to Ingrid-5, roger, clear for departure.”
“Ingrid-5, roger that, we’re green for takeoff.”
“Ingrid-5, bay doors are open... ascend to 50 meters and proceed to target coordinates.”
“In 3...2...1...skids up!” Sam shouted, pulling the control stick back, “Z plus 50 meters at 25 KPH. See you soon, Captain Reynolds.”
The transport rose out of the CSMO’s landing bay and turned toward the CSMO Mathilde-2, “Patch me through to the Colonel.”
“Channel open, Sam,” Gus nodded. “We’re on course to Matchilde-2. ETA: 5 minutes.”
“Colonel, this is Sam, copy?”
“Copy you, Sam,” Tucker answered in Sam’s earpiece.
“We’re heading to Mathilde-2. We’re all finished with the Didymos’ enhancements, Sir.”
“Good, good. Cass and I are heading back from the Ryugu as well.”
Cass interjected over the comm link, “That means all seven CSMO’s have been reconfigured.”
“That would be correct, Sass. The Mathilda-2 and 3, Ceres, Vesta, Pallas and our last two.”
“Samuels and Rhodes are already back on the Salvage-5 prepping our ship for departure,” Buster said over the comm link.
“Why Buster,” Tucker nodded, “Are you eavesdropping again?”
“No Sir!” Buster exclaimed, “I would never do that, Sir,” Buster answered, his smile beaming over the airwaves.
“And you’ve been spending way too much time with the Colonel again,” Cassie smirked as she glanced over to Tucker.
“No, really, I’m not snooping on you two. I was giving a legitimate report. Just like I was about to tell you that Dillan and Parsons have returned to each of their ships as well as Captain Al Jones of the Ceres and Captain Warren Hudson on the Pallas are both in position with their modified CSMO’s.”
“Very good, Captain. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you, Commander, I do try to pull…”
Tucker interrupted Buster over the comm link, “That’s okay, Buster, we know, we know. Now, how about you setting up the mag-ring and get us ready to jump back to Earth, m’kay?”
“Sure, Commander,” Buster proudly answered, “I’ve already spun-up the systems on the mag-ring. I’m almost ready to program our ship’s courses through…”
“And what’s the hold up, my boy?”
“Well, Sir, I have to wait that twenty-three minutes return ping from the Earth ring before the programming can be uploaded…”
“… oh, I see. Well, keep on doing what it is you’re doing, I guess.”
“I will, Commander, just as soon as…”
“…We know, as soon as you receive the ping from the ring, we’ll be going.”
“Commander,” Samantha reported, “I’m on final approach to Mathilde-2. ETA: one ma’na’ta.”
“What the what?” Tucker begged.
“Yeah, it’s Antarian, Commander.”
“Huh?”
“It comes from a book I read about Warlords or something. It’s kind of cool, Sir. It means one minute… It kind of sticks with you, if you know what I mean, Sir.”
“I see,” Tucker shrugged, “… and no, I don’t really see what you mean, but whatever floats your boat, Major. Just speak English from now on, okay? Great, I thought you’d agree with me, on that.”
“Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir.”
We’re coming in right behind you, Sam,” Cassie reported. “Our ETA is two minutes.”
“Roger that, Salvage-5,” Sam acknowledged, “All stop! We’re over CSMO Mathilde-2 landing bay three. Roll them doors open, Dillan.”
“Roger that, Salvage-5,” Dillan answered, “Bay doors rolling open… ready to receive your transport.”
“Z minus 50 meters at 25 KPH… and in 3… 2… 1… skids down and locked. Roll the doors closed and pressurize us.”
“This is Tracinski, rolling bay doors closed, Major. Pressurizing in thirty seconds.”
“Ready at Bay four,” Cassie announced on her comm link. “Tracinski, roll open our bay doors.”
“Ingrid-4, bay doors are open. You’re clear to land.”
Tucker grabbed his controls and lowered the transport into the CSMO bay, “Skids down in 3… 2… 1… skids locked,” Tucker said, shutting his ship’s systems down.
“Transport bay pressurized,” Tracinski reported.
Tucker and Cassie unbuckled their harnesses, their straps floated loose in the air as they climbed out of their ship.
The small transport deck clicked their metallic walking as they made their way to the ship’s exit with their magnetic boots.
“I’m liking these things,” Tucker mused, “Very handy, very handy indeed.”
“Seems to me things are afoot,” Cassie smirked.
“Very funny, Cassie,” Tucker smiled as he opened the ship’s inner door.
Staring at them was a concerned-looking Tracinski, “Right this way, Commander.”
“Yes, to the bridge, and then we’ll move to the Salvage-5 before we enter the ring.”
Cassie and Tucker met with Samantha and Gus on the flight deck, “Nice to see you’re cloneliness, Gus, Sam,” Tucker smiled at the two.
“Buster says he’s receiving the ping confirmation from Earth’s ring matrix.”
“Is he, now?”
The group entered the bridge of the CSMO. Everyone was strapped down in their stations and making ready for their trip to Earth.
Dillan sat at his command console, “Open a fleet-wide channel.”
“Channel open,
Dillan,” Tracinski reported as he finished cinching his straps extra tight.
“Attention all fleet ships. We have completed programming our course through the mag-ring. Form up into position, at 500 kilometers and report your mission readiness.”
Tucker stood on the command deck and donned one of the CSMO’s headsets, “Is this channel still on?”
“Yes, Sir, Commander,” Tracinski confirmed.
“All ships, this is your Commander speaking…”
“I think they know who you are, Tucker,” Cassie said with a roll of her eyes.
Tucker sent her a glare before continuing, “As soon as your ships are set to jump, we’ll be increasing speed to 20,000 KPH. All ships in this fleet should have no issue keeping up. Once we cross the mag-ring, we’ll be heading to Earth to attack any alien forces we encounter. Be sharp, be ready! These aliens we encountered out there are no joke! We have to stop them. Our entire existence depends on us taking them down!
“I appreciate all of you coming at my calling. This is going to be serious business and we are expected to take losses. If any of you are having reservations on coming along, now’s the time to break off your course. There isn’t anything wrong with staying behind. Nothing at all.
“Report your ship’s readiness now. Tucker out.”
The comm link played each of the CSMO’s voices over the speakers as each ship reported in.
“Captain Parsons and CSMO Mathilde-3 is ready.”
“CSMO Vesta, Captain Brooks reporting all systems ready.”
“CSMO Ceres, captained by Al Jones is ready for action, Commander.”
The squawk of the comm link static filled their ears after each ship continued reporting in.
“Captain Hudson of CSMO Pallas is in position. All systems are ready. Lock and load, Commander!”
“This is CSMO Didymus. Jack Reynolds in command and ready for action, Sir.”
“CSMO Ryugu here. Captain Rasmussen reporting in. All systems online. Course set to mag-ring. We’re ready, Sir.”
“That’s all seven, Commander,” Parson’s reported. “CSMO Mathilde-2 is ready, Sir.”
“From this moment on, “Tucker ordered, “Your CSMO designations will be known as Civilian Space Military Operations, ‘cuase that’s what we are!”
AMP- Aftermath Page 14