by John Migacz
CHAPTER 28
“This is not good,” said Strikedag Tanner, peering out the hole they had cut to enter the core. From inside the core, they had watched with growing alarm as they were lifted into the pitch black belly of the behemoth. The stars had winked out as the hold’s doors closed and now there was only darkness.
Thoughts of being a Kraken prisoner froze Commlead Haridep’s blood. She had read too many classified reports on the possible treatment of human prisoners and recognized that fear was driving her into shock. Her best action would be to focus on something else. Stepping away from the hole, she lit another flare and looked again at the interior of the core.
The flare’s meager light was almost lost in the cavernous room and she directed the Strikedag to fire one to each corner of the core. In the brighter light, the Commlead still had trouble grasping the scale. The chamber was so immense she could barely see the far wall.
They stood on a ten-foot-wide ramp near the roof of the core. She looked over the edge to the floor far below and her heart leaped from a touch of vertigo. The ramp wound around the inside of the chamber walls, spiraling downward until it reached the floor.
Enormous machinery, connected by a mass of wires, hung from the center of the ceiling pointing downward. The bulk reached two-thirds of the way to the floor like an inverted pyramid. She silently speculated on its function until Strikedag Tanner interrupted her thoughts.
“Yo, look alive. I think we’re getting visitors.”
The Commlead looked back at the opening in the wall. A lighted platform carrying three robots floated toward them.
The Strikedag turned to the Lancelead. “Those are D-twenty-nines, Sir. They’re not battle droids but they are laser equipped.”
“Strikedag, you stand on one side of the hole and the Commlead and I will stand on the other. We’ll catch them in a crossfire when they enter.”
“Uh… Begging your pardon, Sir…” Strikedag Tanner hesitated. “I wouldn’t like to be across from you when you fire at the droids. How about we all stay on the same side? The Commlead can be out a little from the wall. The effect will be the same.”
“Of course, Strikedag, good idea.” A chagrinned-looking Lancelead nodded to the Strikedag. “Weapons check,” ordered Lancelead Grey. “No one fire until I do.”
“I suggest we lay on the floor,” said the Strikedag. “We’ll be smaller targets that way. Droid’s weapons are kept parallel to the floor and they will have to track downward to score a hit. By that time we’ll have them ready for the scrap heap.”
The Commlead followed the marines’ lead and lay on the floor. “Gentlemen. I must tell you. I haven’t fired a blaster since basic training.” The pounding of her heart grew louder in her ears. “I’m just an information analyst for Gless sake!”
“Great,” muttered the Strikedag.
“Just pick your targets carefully, Commander,” said the Lancelead.
The lights from the platform drew closer. The only sound over the comm channel was the trio’s breathing echoing in their helmets. The platform arrived with a flash of lights. Furtive, shadowy motion filled the opening but nothing entered. Tension gripped the Commlead and she almost fired at the metal panel suddenly thrown up over the hole. A red glow edged the covered opening, then slowly faded.
“Weapons on safe,” ordered the Lancelead. “It looks like they sealed us up.” The two marines stood. “I don’t think they know we’re here. That’s great!”
Strikedag Tanner stared at the Lancelead. “No offense, Sir, but being sealed inside a Kraken Cross’s core that’s inside a Kraken dreadnought isn’t great.”
The Lancelead puffed out a breath. “You’re right, Dagger… And by the way, good catch on that crossfire mistake. If you see me about to stuff the oucher like that again, please sing out in a loud bass voice.”
The Strikedag smiled. “Aye Sir, but it will have to be in baritone, it gives me the best range.”
The Commlead had risen to her knees. The calming drugs the battlesuit had sprayed in her air were gradually taking effect. She stared at the marines, then closed her eyes. They seemed completely unaffected by the encounter. Standing, she took a deep breath and distracted herself by looking down into the core. The possibilities below helped wash away the remnants of fear. “Well, Strikedag, being sealed inside a dreadnought might not be great,” said the Commlead, “but it does give us a great opportunity.”
The marines turned and stared at her.
“It gives us a chance to see why this core is so important,” she said. With excitement building, she started down the ramp.
“Excuse me, Ma’am,” said Lancelead Grey. “Would you mind if we do a little systems check before you run off? I know the Dagger and I had a full systems load before we left the shuttle. Did you? We’re kind of a long way from re-supply.”
The Commlead stopped and shook her head. “You’re right Lancelead.” She double blinked and read off her suit’s stats. “I have two and a half days oxygen, food and water. I can stretch the food but can only recycle the oxygen so far. How about you two?”
“Our battle suits are better equipped than your scout suit is, Ma’am,” said the Lancelead. “We’re good for a tenday and we can reload your canisters when you run dry. I suggest we turn down the oxygen supply close to the minimum and take it slow.” He looked at the ramp spiraling downward. “Each side of this chamber is about half-a-mile and there look to be about ten levels of ramp. That’s a twenty mile hike to the bottom floor. In order to save oxygen, we talk only when necessary. Leave your comms open on the short range channel. There’s no need to switch frequencies since there are only three of us and it might save us a second. Leave your motion scanners on and if they beep, drop to the ground and freeze. Strikedag, take point. I’ll bring up the rear.”
“Lancelead. I am the ranking officer here,” said Commlead Haridep.
The marines stopped and stared at her. A hard glare came into the Strikedag’s eyes and his hand opened and closed on his laser-rifle.
Lancelead Grey had stiffened. “Yes, Ma’am.”
She held up her hand in a gesture of peace. “Since I have no combat training, I will ask you to take charge of military matters, but I will be in charge when we investigate the lowest floor. Clear?”
“I believe that’s wise, Ma’am,” said the Lancelead.
She smiled. “But in matters of common sense I suggest we both defer to the Strikedag.”
The Lancelead relaxed and nodded. “I heard that, Ma’am.”
Strikedag Tanner shook his head and started down the ramp. “Officers,” he muttered.
The three of them began their long walk.