Deterrence expedition le.., p.8
Deterrence Expedition : Legacy Earth 3, page 8
“Why would I try and escape?” Valdivia scoffed. “This is the most well-funded dig I’ve ever been a part of. That city below us is one of the oldest pieces of history I’ve ever seen. It dates back to at least a hundred and fifty thousand years ago!”
“Do you think you could find anything that could bring a peaceful end to this ever warming cold war?” Lance asked as he looked to the skies.
Instantly, his heart sank. Every single ship was turned away from the planet, all facing one direction. One by one, they vanished into nothing as they activated their blink drives; doing so close to a planet’s surface signaled there was some sort of drastic emergency.
“If your helmet can mute incoming sound, do it now,” Lance said before opening communication to his team. “Plug your ears and open your mouths!”
The first mate pulled the translator out of his ears. He held the palms of his hands against the side of his head, closed his eyes, and opened his mouth. Planting his feet, he heard impact sirens whirring, muffled by his hands.
KKWWWHHHUMMMM!!!
A wave of air slammed into Lance like a sledgehammer. His ears rang from the explosive change in pressure but didn’t burst, thanks to him holding his head. Its vibrations coursed through his body as dirt was kicked up all around him.
He held for several seconds. Catching his breath, he slowly lowered his hands. He groaned as he rubbed his chest slightly. His entire internal body cavity ached. Lance looked at Valdivia, who appeared unaffected by the pressure wave. Picking up his translator earpiece, he put it back in.
“What was that?” she asked as she turned toward the sky.
“That was why blink drives aren’t supposed to be used remotely near a planet,” Lance replied before getting back on his radio. “Michael, get on the radio and find out what’s going on! Dexter, squad physical report!”
Lance winced. His exertion at barking an order made the ache in his chest flare into a wave of pins and needles.
“He can’t hear you right now,” Mattias responded. “He didn’t get his hands up in time, but we’re all good. Justin is getting the bird started.”
Protocol demanded they report back to the S4 headquarters without making any stops. The first lieutenant looked at Valdivia. With a sigh he hooked his arms to hers and whipped her around. The action pulled her attention from the sky.
“Whoa!” Val shouted in surprise. “Where are we going?”
“We have to get back to the barracks and since I’m your escort you’re coming with me,” Lance said, unhooking their arms as she moved along with him.
The first lieutenant entered a full blown sprint toward the ship they’d arrived in. He was surprised to see Valdivia keep up, even pass him. Her short legs moved so quickly, they were a blur. Each step she took shot up dirt and rocks, causing a red trail of dust to settle in the air behind her.
As they reached the craft, Valdivia climbed in. Lance slowed several seconds later, and boarded the craft behind her. Confusion twisted Dexter’s face. Blood trickled from his ears.
“HOW’D SHE BEAT YOU?” Dexter yelled, unaware of the volume of his voice.
Lance winced, the giant standing only two feet from him. A soft ringing overlapped the ambient sound of the ship as the engines whirred to life, lifting the ship off the ground.
“You humans aren’t the only ones who designed their suits to enhance physical attributes,” Valdivia said as she sat down and strapped in.
“WHAT?” Dexter shouted as he looked at the Jarog.
“NOTHING JUST SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!” Lance shouted back to the now partially deaf giant.
Lance climbed into the seat next to Val and strapped in with Dexter, taking the empty seat to his right. His multi-tool beeped with a notification he was being relayed a message from Michael. When he answered it, an image appeared with four separate feeds spliced in. His father, Cadence, Foltur, and Olivia; their names hovered at the bottom of their images
“Major General, this is Olivia Rainer, deep space probe officer of P.O.S.,” Olivia said, panic filling her voice. “Sir, we’ve been tracking all the asteroids in and around the solar system and there were none on trajectory to collide with anything. The report is updated every thirty minutes.”
“Then you want to explain to me how one flew out of the Kupier belt, took out the Ishimura and slammed into Ganymede, taking out our refinery and killing who knows how many people in the process?” Leon’s voice was harsh, harsher than Lance had ever heard it before.
Lance’s stomach turned as he jostled to one side with the ship now accelerating forward.
“Fila’ku’ce,” Valdivia whispered in horror as she raised her hand to her helmet.
“Who was that?” Foltur barked.
“That was Valdivia Aeger, sir,” Lance replied. “Her military escort was deployed and she requested some time above ground. I was cleared to be that escort when Nightwing Protocol was put into effect, so I brought her with us.”
“This is a secure channel, First Lieutenant!” Cadence scolded. “Why are you allowing a P.O.W. to listen in?”
“Olivia, your readings weren’t off!” Val shouted. “I can help you!”
“What is she saying?” Olivia asked as she leaned away from her camera.
“We don’t have our translators on person,” Leon added. “Would you care to translate?”
“Yes, sir!” Lance replied. “Valdivia says that Olivia’s readings weren’t off. That she can help us.”
“If they weren’t, then how did we just get hit with an asteroid out of nowhere?” Leon asked, crossing his arms and cautiously raising an eyebrow.
“It’s a kinetic kill device!” Val shouted. “A space station that uses magnets to accelerate asteroids at enemy targets. There are talks about them being made illegal because of the destruction they bring. It’s unlike anything we’ve made before.”
“Think of it as rods from God, only on an astronomical level,” Lance explained before looking at Val. “How do we find it?”
“Tell Olivia to look for a frequency that is consistent at two thousand, nine hundred and fifty-three hertz,” Val explained. “That’s the frequency their weapon gives off while charging.”
“Olivia, Val says to scan the area, looking for an object giving off a frequency of two thousand, nine hundred and fifty-three hertz,” Lance explained. “That’s how we’ll find the weapon.”
“Copy that; running scan now!” Oliva replied before leaning away from the camera.
“Lance, Admiral Cortez is en route to the Manifest Destiny. Co-ordinates have already been sent to Justin. We don’t have time to drop your guest off, so bring her with you,” Leon said. “From here, we’ll plan our next move.”
The feed cut out. A sickening feeling twisted Lance’s stomach as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Folding his hands together, he leaned into his fingers as he felt the blood drain from his face.
“WHAT JUST HAPPENED?” Dexter asked as he leaned toward Lance.
“This cold war just got hot,” Lance replied.
Eleven
Orders
Justin flew to the WASP. Setting down in the hangar, they were greeted by two squads of MP’s They escorted Valdivia to the brig as Lance and his team returned to quarters and donned their armor. The ship’s alarm rang before making its jump. It rang again a few minutes later as it started to slow.
“Approaching Manifest Destiny, prepare for full craft docking,” a voice called out over the ship wide intercom.
“First Lieutenant,” Cortez chimed in over Lance’s personal radio. “Get your team and report to dock tunnel six ASAP.”
“Copy that, Hrafn squad is on its way,” Lance replied before leaving his quarters.
He walked past his team’s doors one by one and hammered on the metal doors. Each pound sent a metallic echo through the hallways and into the main barracks. Justin was the first to emerge, wearing his flight suit. Lance noticed several upgrades woven into the fabric. They gave off a slight sheen compared to the mat appearance of his clothing.
“Better hope Foltur doesn’t notice,” Lance said as he touched one of the metallic parts.
“I’ve been given permission to improve my gear,” Justin countered. “If you are able to wear top-of-the-line suits, it’s only fair the guy who flies you around gets to make a top-of-the-line suit for himself. Besides, Michael and Stephanie have been helping me with it.”
“Well, if it won’t make us swim laps, then I’m all for it,” Lance said as the other three left their rooms and fell into line.
Taking point, Lance led his team toward the elevators. They walked in lock step there, filed in, and as they reached the floor that held dock tunnel six, they marched out the same way. Deep hums reverberated through the craft as the docking tubes extended. A rattle hummed through the ship as its reverse boosters slowed it to a stop.
KU-KUNK! KU-KUNK! KU-KUNK!
Docking clamps were engaged. As they approached dock tunnel six Lance rounded the corner to see Admiral Cortez and Valdivia. He paused as he looked from his commanding officer to the P.O.W. then back to the Admiral.
“Is she allowed to be up here, ma’am?” Lance asked.
“That is a hard no,” Cortez replied, frustration and anger lacing her words. “But we don’t have a choice, as the prisoners you managed to capture have been assassinated.”
Lance’s stomach dropped upon hearing the news. He took a half step back and clenched his jaw. Shaking his head, he knew the answer before he even asked the question.
“Veles?” he muttered, Cortez nodded. “Did we at least get them for questioning?”
“The one we caught took a cyanide capsule before we could question him,” Cortez replied. “So I’m not leaving Valdivia alone until we can root out the Veles problem.”
“Copy that, ma’am,” Lance said as his memories flashed back to the Perseus Observatory and the mercenary who chose poison over talking as well.
“Have we made any progress on the Veles front?” Michael asked as the hiss of the tube pressurizing rang out.
“We’ve rooted out several dozen pockets,” Cortez replied. “But all that’s doing is showing how widespread their influence is.”
“At least they’re less likely to sabotage us while we’re fighting the Galio,” Dexter mused with a shrug as the doors slid open.
Lance shot the giant a knowing look before turning on the magnets in his boots and following Cortez and Val through the tube. Dexter nodded, mouthed, ‘I’m sorry,’ then put a finger in front of his lips before pointing at Valdivia. The first lieutenant sighed, shook his head, and turned his attention forward.
The Admiral and archeologist floated peacefully through the tunnel with no gravity. As they reached the far side, the opposing doors slid open with a hiss. Lance overtook his commanding officer and stepped onto the Manifest Destiny first.
He turned off the magnets in his boots before facing Cortez and Val. Taking their hands, he gently guided each of them into the ship, slowing their descent as artificial gravity kicked in for them. As the last of the Hrafn passed through the docking tubes, the doors shut.
Inside the metallic halls of the Manifest Destiny, dozens of men and women ran from one place to another. In a ship this size, it was impossible to tell who belonged where, or even their point of origin on the craft. Two armed escorts emerged from a hallway several yards away. Leon emerged behind them with his translator in his ear. He made eye contact with Cortez.
Lance watched closely as his father seemed to have a complete non-verbal conversation with his admiral. Having been on the receiving end of similar looks, the first lieutenant was able to understand what his father was saying as well. Without saying anything either, he turned his attention to the Hrafn before making a small circular motion with his finger.
All four moved into formation and stood at attention. Leon nodded behind him before turning back around, his escort following him back down the hallway they’d come. Cortez jogged to catch up with Val right beside her. Lance took his position at the head of his squad and followed as well.
For the next several minutes, they ran through bulkheads, twisted around hallways, and dodged countless soldiers who ran through the corridors with purpose. Eventually, they reached the elevators. It was a tight squeeze, but they all managed to pile in. Several seconds of movement later, the box stopped and doors opened to Leon’s chambers.
Everyone stepped into the room. The major general held his multi-tool against the elevator control panel and locked it. Lance watched his father closely as the greying man made his way to his desk. The young man noticed something about his father’s steely demeanor, something he’d only ever seen attempted to be concealed once, maybe twice: fear.
Lance swallowed hard as butterflies surged throughout his stomach. This can’t be good, he thought to himself as Leon activated a holographic display on his desk. A terrain image of Ganymede appeared. In the center of what use to be a massive refinery district was now a crater large enough to swallow New York City and then some.
“This is Ganymede,” Leon said. “Two hours ago, an asteroid hit, taking out our main fuel refinery and killing an estimated eighty-five thousand people… that number is expected to rise.”
Anger flared within Lance at the sight. A strange sense of heartbreak washed through him like the excitement did on Mars. The major general zoomed out to reveal hundreds of orbital weapons platforms in orbit around the moon.
“Fortunately, the ORCCs were able to cut the asteroid in half before it impacted; otherwise, it would’ve been a planet killer,” Leon added.
“Fila’ku’ce,” Valdivia whispered again as she stepped back.
Lance noticed a shudder in the Jarog’s shoulders. Her fingers twitched as she raised her hands to her mask in horror.
“Sir, should we be giving this information out in front of a non-human?” one of the guards asked.
Annoyance, like ants under the skin, crawled over Lance at the question. It was valid from a professional standpoint; on a personal level, it rubbed the first lieutenant the wrong way. Wanting to comment, he held his tongue. It was the major general’s place to respond, not his. Leon turned his attention straight to Val.
“Valdivia Aeger, you are no longer a prisoner of war,” Leon said, bringing an odd joy to Lance. “Should you want, we will provide you with a ship and supplies and allow you to return home.”
Valdivia crossed her arms. She shifted her weight to her right foot as the major general spoke.
“But?” she asked in a weary tone.
“But I request that you stay with us, on board our ships, and assist us with the mission we’re being sent on,” Leon replied as he leaned against his desk.
Val looked around the room. Despite not being able to see her face, Lance felt her gaze fall on him as she turned toward the young man, almost as if she were asking his permission. He looked at her reflective helmet where he thought her eyes would be and nodded.
“It’s completely up to you,” he said with a shrug. “You have the freedom to choose your path.”
“I’m assuming you’re requesting I stay because of my knowledge of Galio technology?” she asked, still looking at Lance.
“Olivia was able to find the weapon with the instructions you gave her,” Leon replied. “We were able to disable it before it could fire again. Knowledge like that can save lives on both sides.”
“Okay, then I’ll stay,” she said without skipping a beat. “If it’ll help save lives and I get to continue to monitor the progress on my dig site on Mars, I’ll stay.”
Val turned her attention back to Leon before dropping her arms and shifting her weight to her left side.
“Of course, I’ll have Cadence forward you every report she gets,” Leon said with a nod. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way it’s time to go over our new set of orders.”
With a wave of his hand, he beckoned the team to his desk. Lance advanced, taking his place at Cortez’s right side. Placing his hands on the desk, he inadvertently leaned over it in the same position as his father.
Snapping his fingers, Leon changed the hologram to an image of three ships. The Manifest Destiny, one titled the Virulence and Cortez’s WASP. The major general turned his attention to the admiral.
“She’s a new ship; all new ships need a name,” Leon said. “It’s bad luck to set sail without one, be it on the oceans, or among the stars.”
Cortez paused. She took in a deep breath as she looked at her ship. Lance kept his eyes locked in the WASP. This was a sacred duty undertaken by all captains of new ships and none of them were likely put on the spot as the Admiral was. After a few moments of tense silence, she crossed her arms.
“I’ll name her the Divinity Sol,” she said as matter-of-fact.
With a clatter of his fingers, Leon typed and the ship’s new name appeared above it.
“After Mars was attacked two years ago, we sent out probes with our most advanced blink drives to map out portions of space beyond our solar system,” Leon said as he zoomed out from the ships showing the Milky Way. A green wave bubbled around the edge of the starry disk. “This is what we’ve got scanned so far. It’s based on the trajectory of the first Galio vessel.”
“If I may, sir,” Valdivia said, lifting her hand.
“By all means,” Leon replied.
“The Galio aren’t in this direction,” she said as she pointed to a small black marker on the galactic map. “This is why we came from this direction, though. It’s two black holes orbiting one another. The Galio use gravitational slingshots to navigate the galaxy. It adds a little extra juice to their already impressive propulsion. They actually originate from here, the outer Scutum-Centaurus Arm.”
Valdivia pointed to the spiraled galactic arm that passed between the solar system and the center of the galaxy. The Jarog shook her head before tapping the table.
