Space Brigade

Loutar almost passed out as the laser rifles all pointed in his direction. Raga let out a sigh as he recognized the troopers.

“Glad to see ya Jim!” Pala’ voice came from the back of the line of weapons.

“We’re the hell’ve you been?” Raga demanded angrily as he brutishly shoved Loutar aside.

“Sorry, held up in a fire fight with a patrol; and the com-unit’s been destroyed. Kolx undated us and we came running.” Pala replied smiling.

“I thought we’d lost you, you useless!”

Raga did not finish; he broke into a smile, glad to see his friend still amongst the living.

“Colonel Raga if you please!” Lal remarked, gesturing to the wounded ambassador.

Morka was barely conscious. Lal was supporting him with the help of a trooper. Raga nodded and turned back to Pala.

“Status?”

“Tantis has been ferrying up the prisoners and we’ve been escorting them on to the transports. He’s cleared all levels down to forty-seven and is continuing. My estimate; at least twelve hundred already loaded, and god know’ how many more there are to come!”

Raga glanced over at the line of emaciated forms that shuffled slowly towards the exit.

“Lal, get the Ambassador on the next transport. Jager give him a hand.” Raga motioned to the helping trooper.

Pala watched Morka being taken out then said.

“Cap’s ran into trouble in the basement. A large concentration of Quat-tar is held up down there. Seems this place has a direct link to Burrena, and they’re getting stronger.”

After a little thought, Raga replied.

“Alright, I’m going after Cap. You clean up here then follow as fast you can.”

As Raga moved away, Pala called after him.

“Hey; what about him?”

He motioned to Loutar, who was under armed guard. Raga swung round and while still jogging backwards said.

“Take good care of him; he’s got a hell of a lot to answer for. The Intelligence boys will have a field day questioning him ”

As he turned back he noticed Lieutenant Adams sitting off in one corner, alone.

“Lieutenant, with me.” he called.

“Sir?” Adams said surprised.

“Pick up that rifle and come with me.”

Raga suddenly realized Major Sorya had vanished. He must have disappeared when he was speaking to Pala and nobody noticed his departure. He made a mental note to check up on the illusive Major, and his DCO credentials when he got back to command HQ.

They made good time down to the first of the lower levels, and had only come across a couple of Quat-tar who had not put up too great a fight. As they walked on, Adams stopped and said.

“Sir, may I speak freely?”

“Always Lieutenant always.” Raga replied as he stopped.

“Sir, I don’t think it was necessary for you to have Captain Toms keep an eye on my actions. I understand you may think you owe it to my father to look out for my well-being, but I am capable of doing that myself. I don’t need, nor require a baby sitter!”

Raga listened to Adams; then threw a stern look at him before answering.

“I’m glad you think you can fend for yourself Lieutenant; however for your information and enlightenment, I asked Pala to keep his eye on you for the safety of the team; not because I own anything to your father.

You are a greenback, fresh from the academy; not had the required battle experience or anything to do with this type of mission. The Captain’s duty was to make sure you didn’t screw up and endanger the rest of his command; something I’m glad to see he accomplished. Your being here verifies that.

Now buck your ideas up and act like the Pierce Force officer you are, and stop griping over orders that don’t concern your attention.”

Raga did not like tearing a strip of Adams, but if the kid thought for one moment he could rely on him to get him out of trouble with Pala or anyone else, then perhaps he would listen and heed the advise of experienced others; maybe he would even stay alive to tell of his exploits on Secunda.

Adams nodded sheepishly to Raga’ dressing down, and for the rest of their decent remained silent, although Raga heard him mumble to himself a few times.

As they neared the final incline they heard the reports of many energy weapons. They began to move faster, almost sprinting and ran straight into Sergeant Vuptan. He and Trooper’s Wovak and Waylane were busily preparing the tunnels for detonation. Raga eyed the charges and asked.

“How long till your finished here?”

“Almost ready Sir.” Vuptan answered as he connected a timer.

“Shite job as usual!” Waylane moaned from further down.

“Don’t set them until you get my personal order.” Raga ordered as he and Adams jogged off.

The shadow moved further towards the light. Qwerti paralleled it keeping his distance. He ignited another lumi-stick as the one he held died out, and tossed it into the corner. For the first time he got a good look at the shadowed creature. It was organic, but in a jellied state, liquid yet solid, its colour a brownish grey.

As Qwerti watched as the creature began to slowly advance on him leaving a trail of slime in its wake. Qwerti quickly retreated to the far wall. As the creature moved forward the slime it left behind bubbled on the surface of the rotten corpses. The already half decomposed flesh flaked away as the slime ate through.

“That’s far enough!” Qwerti warned raising his pistol.

The creature, apparently ignorant of Qwerti’ warning continued its advance. Not waiting to issue another warning Qwerti fired.

The green beam passed through the creature making it halt; its putrid jellied membrane burnt and smoking. The shot had left a sizeable charred hole, which after a short while began to regenerate, filling the gap with fresh membrane.

Once again the creature advanced. Qwerti fired, this time a more substantial burst. The creature let loose a deep gurgling howl, then charged. Before it could strike Qwerti called on his Lithian talent, levitated and quickly glided over the creature to the other side of the cell. The creature swung round instantly and continued stalking its prey. Another long burst from Qwerti’ pistol; another deep howl this time more prolonged. Still the creature advanced. Qwerti again moved, this time increasing the intensity of his shot. A jellied appendage shot from the creature’s mass and caught Qwerti round the base of his right leg.

The gelatinous tendril contracted, oozing liquid, which burnt into his flesh. Qwerti twisted, his whole leg burning, and fired, this time keeping his finger on the trigger node. The lance of energy severed the tendril and the remainder quickly withdrew back into its host. Qwerti fell to the floor, his head striking the cell door, his last moment of consciousness noting the creature’s slow advance.

Raga and Adams reached the basement level and found a huge natural cavern, lit by natural phosphorescent rocks that hung from the high cavern summit. Its glowing colours gave off a subdued soft pink light.

On this side of the cavern, Pierce Force was spread out behind a long line of low jagged rocks and firing continuous burst across the expanse of the cavern. Over the far side, approximately one hundred and fifty metres away, the Quat-tar fire back forcefully. The sparse wasteland between was a blanket of energy beams, criss-crossing each other, multi-coloured and deadly.

Crouching low, Raga, followed by Adams entered the fire zone. They made a concerted dash for cover as several energy lances burnt the dust around their feet. Sliding to a halt next to Trooper Loote, Raga shouted over the cracks of discharged energy.

“WHERE’S CAP?”

Loote let off two shots, and answered, jerking his thumb further down the line.

“Far end!”

“Stay here Lieutenant.” Raga ordered as he rushed off.

Adams positioned himself alongside Loote and began firing. His shots were quite precise, downing three Quat-tar with his first three shots; Loote nodded with a smile and continued with his own barrage.

Raga picked his way along the rocks, darting from one safe cover to the next. His men acknowledged with quick nods while concentrating on their objectives. Finally he stumbled to the ground next to trooper Cagrr.

“Where’s Captain Beeta?”

Before Cagrr could answer, a voice called.

“Over here!”

Raga looked behind him and saw a medic waving at him. He quickly dashed across, turned the outcrop of rocks and found Cap. He was propped against the rocks; his left shoulder was ripped open from the ear to the top of his arm. His left leg was charred and blistered. The medic tended to the leg; Cap grimaced.

“What the hell!” Raga said kneeling.

Cap opened his pained eyes and answered.

“I’ll live.” his voice was dry and shaken.

The medic stopped and glanced at Raga nodding in agreement with Cap’s diagnosis.

“You sure will. I’ve seen worse injuries on troops exiting one of Collona’ damn medical lectures. Besides, you’re too mean to kick it, and you still owe me for that bet on the Thathan twins.” Raga quipped while peering at the open shoulder and trying to hide his concern.

The medic suddenly sprang upright, a look of horror on his contorted face. Raga moved forward; the medic slumped, a smouldering hole in the nape of his neck.

“They just keep firing. The more we cut down the more there are, their never-ending!” Cap said through gritted teeth, and experiencing great pain. Raga grabbed the dead medic’s pack, rifled through it then discarded it; half its contents were missing.

“Hold on Cap I’ll be back.”

Raga rushed back along the line and stopped next to Trooper Pratic, let off a few shots, and then ordered.

“Get up top, tell Captain Toms to get down here fast, and bring some heavy weaponry.”

Without responding Pratic left his position and headed for the exit tunnel. Raga chanced a glance over the top and quickly appraised the situation. Shots ricocheted off just in front of him; he ducked and moved.

Shortly after he returned to Cap with a new medical kit.

“I’ve sent for Pala and the rest. When they get here we’ll soon turn this around, and get you up top.” Raga remarked as he tended to Cap’s shoulder.

“Sorry Jim, can’t understand a word your saying; translator’s shagged.” Cap coughed in reply.

Raga nodded, pulled a thin probe from the medical kit and began probing for the centimetre-sized translator implanted in Cap’s neck. Once he found it he ran a scanner across it, and within seconds it came back to life. Carefully he replaced in into Cap’s open neck wound.

“How’s that?”

“Good.” Cap responded with shallow breath.

He shifted his weight, drew a deep breath and gasped.

“The next time I forget to keep my butt down give me a damn good kicking will ya?”

He managed a small but painful smile.

“Probably that bloody stupid grin of yours that made you an easy target.” Raga responded as he dressed Cap’ shoulder.

The intense heat from the blast had cauterised most of the bleeding. His shoulder, or what was left of it protruded at an awkward angle and was blackened at the end. Only a few sinewy strands held on Cap’ arm, Raga gently placed it across his stomach and secured it.

“Christ Cap you should know better. When you going to learn to keep ya bleeding head down?”

Cap let out a small muffled laugh, which turned into a series of chesty coughs.

“When you stop bleeding putting me in these bloody dangerous situations!” He finally replied.

Qwerti slowly came round, blinking his sore eyes open to find he was outside the cell with Major Tantis stood over him; two troopers were firing into the open cell.

“You ok?” Tantis inquired.

Qwerti, although in pain nodded in answer.

“What the hell is that?” The major asked indicating to the cell.

“ I don’t know, maybe one of their experiments, but if you stop firing it’ll regenerate itself.” Qwerti responded as the medic peeled the remains of the creature’s tendril from his leg.

The wound was oozing a thick yellowish liquid; a deep mauve rash was visible around its edges.

“He needs to get to the Phoenix and fast!” The medic advised as he ran a scanner over the wound.

“You two, get Qwerti top-side and on the first available transport for the Phoenix.” Tantis ordered the two troopers who stood nearby.

As the troopers hefted Qwerti up, he managed to levitate slightly, taking some of his weight off his helpers. They moved off slowly back up to the surface. Tantis returned his attention back to the cell.

“How’s it going? Is it still alive?” He asked.

One trooper answered with a shrug. Tantis indicated for them to cease-fire and chanced a quick glance inside.

The creature was shaking atop the mass of decaying corpses. Large pulsing holes were evident over a great proportion of its quivering form, but were already in the process of regeneration.

“Trooper, fusion grenade?” Tantis demanded holding out his hand.

Trooper Brant slapped the small oval device into his palm. Quickly Tantis twisted the detonator and chucked it in the cell.

“Move it!” He said as he gave the cell door a kick shut.

They charged away from the cell as fast as they could; covering thirty metres before the grenade blew. The tunnel rumbled; a large crack snaked its way along the ceiling. A grey-white cloud of smoke and debris wafted towards them engulfing all.

When the cloud evaporated, green group got to their feet; luckily all were alive. They returned to the cell, its door and half the surrounding wall had been blown across the tunnel. The door had buckled and embedded into the opposite wall.

Tantis looked into the cell; dark brownish lumps of what used to be the creature were splattered up the walls. Lieutenant Kolx scanned for life-signs.

“I think it’s dead sir.”

Further along the tunnel had collapsed; there was no going on.

“Alright we’ll have to retrace our steps. Back.” Tantis ordered as he spat a wad of dust from his dry mouth.

The rocks above Cap exploded; Raga ducked covering his friend. The cavern was fast filling with the harsh acrid vapour of many discharged energy weapons making it hard for Cap to breathe. Raga again rifled through the medi-kit, found a breather tube, snapped it and placed it under Cap’s nose. Cap breathed the sterile air deeply; after several deep breaths he raised his eyebrows and nodded. Discarding the empty tube, Raga asked.

“Better?”

“Yea. Now I think you’d better get back on the line; you’ve a job to do. I’ll do just fine here!”

Nodding reluctantly in agreement, Raga patted Cap on his good shoulder as he turned to leave.

A loud thundering noise suddenly emanated from the Quat-tar side of the cavern. Raga moved quickly to a better observation point and poked his head up. On the far side a huge plume of smoke bellowed from the Quat-tar’s tunnel; several of them were firing up it. Raga reached for his field binoculars; they were missing. He cussed himself for losing them and strained to see what was going on.

From the Network tunnel an explosion shot towards the Quat-tar side stretching across the divide. The heavy cannons beam tossed several Quat-tar high into the air; they landed three metres out into the wasteland with a sickening thud.

Raga looked along the firing line and saw Pala and the rest of Pierce Force charge from their tunnel towards the enemies’ lines. Raga and the others followed suit, rushing from their cover, firing as they ran. He still wondered why the Quat-tar were firing up their tunnel.

Nearer and nearer they came to the Quat-tar lines, the enemy’s fire scorching the ground around them. Raga could now see why the Quat-tar were firing up their own tunnel, several people had force their way out; they wore the uniform of Bel-tel’ Rats. Obviously they had driven the Quat-tar down here from Burrena and now caught between the two forces, it would only be a matter of time before they capitulated or lose their lives.

Once Pierce Force reached the Quat-tar side they threw themselves over the rocks and into the battle, engaging in fierce hand-to-hand. Flashes of vibro-knives, swinging clicking claws, screams of rage, pain and death. Blood splattered rocks, blood of every colour, of every species, mingling into one bland mixture.

A Quat-tar warrior struck Raga on the back of his neck, luckily not making full contact. Raga threw himself down, rolled, turned and kicked out catching his assailant in the stomach. As the warrior staggered back, Raga reached out and buried his vibro-knife deep into his abdomen. He twisted and tore sideways gutting his enemy. As he withdrew the vibrating blade, the Quat-tar’ innards spilled out.

Raga was on his feet again and looking to his left saw Pala trying to fend off three at once. One managed to strike him in the leg. Pala went down; Raga dispatched all three with decisive shot from his pistol. Pala pulled himself up and dragging his leg continued into the slaughter, his face a mask of stony hatred.

The Rats exited the tunnel and joined in the free-for-all. Major Vadier hastily chopped his way into a mass of fighting bodies; emerging the other side covered in their sticky orange blood and minus one arm. He staggered a few paces and dropped. Six of his men fought their way to his side and fended of the enemy while two others dragged him to the relative safety of the tunnel.

Quat-tar after Quat-tar fell along with many Network troops. The ground became sodden with the spilt fluid of life. The reds, blues, purples, and orange life fluid flowed into one, a slippery mousse-like mosaic of colour.

A Rats trooper pulverized a Quat-tar’ scull with his entrenching tool; its brain oozed over the ground like a puddle of pink pus. Another was frantically fending off four attackers. Raga could only look on as they cut the trooper limb from limb.

A sharp pain screamed through Raga’s left arm. He swung round and sliced the claw from its owner and pulled the claw from his bleeding arm. The attacker did not renew his attack, two of Lieutenant Kolx’ Lithian throwing disks embedded into the Quat-tar’s head; he fell forward reaching defiantly for Raga.

Stepping back, something hit Raga’s boot. He glanced down to see the decapitated head of trooper Beni, its eyes glazed and staring. Kicking it aside dispassionately, Raga renewed his advance. His rage at its height he kicked, shot, and punched any of the enemy who came within reach, finally reaching where he wanted to be, at Pala’ side.

Supporting his friend’s weight, they fought together. Slowly they both realized the enemy strength was diminishing. The sixth and seventh storm-trooper brigades had arrived, sent by Mi Hancy and joined in the affray with new vigour. Steadily the depleted Quat-tar were driven into a corner. With nowhere to retreat they started dropping their weapons and held their arms high.

The immediate fighting over, Raga placed Pala down gently and picked his way through the abundance of wounded and dead to the head of his force. A large Quat-tar officer stepped forward, saying.

“I am General Elic Gombar, Commander Burrena garrison. You will accept our surrender?”

From behind Raga a voice called.

“I’LL DEAL WITH THIS RAGA!”

Raga turned and saw Bel-tel, flanked by four troopers push their way through.

“General Bel-tel, senior officer commanding Network Forces. I will accept your surrender General.” Bel-tel stated proudly.

Raga glared at Bel-tel in disgust. As usual Bel-tel had appeared after all the fighting was over; his uniform clean, with not even a speck of blood or dust. Raga could only feel an overpowering hatred for him, staying safe while his men fought for their lives.

He reached for his holstered pistol; he wanted to end Bel-tel’ excuse for an existence. As he started to pull his weapon a hand cupped his over the pistol stopping him from drawing it.

“Forget it Jim he’s not worth the trouble!” Pala said as he force the pistol back down into the holster.

Raga glared at Pala, fought to free the weapon; Pala tightened his grip, saying.

“Forget it, it’s over.”

Slowly Raga released his grip and nodded, the anger and hatred in his eyes subsiding.

“Cap’s been wounded!” Pala said as they started back towards their tunnel.

“I know; haven’t we all! And you, you alright?” Raga asked indicating to Pala’ leg.

“I’ll live.”

Major Tantis jogged up to them as they neared the tunnel; his face was dirty and covered with specks of blood.

“Gather up what’s left of our men; it’s time to leave.” Raga mumbled to Tantis.

Tantis looked at him, not responding.

“What? What is it?”

“I’m sorry Colonel, its Lieutenant Adams; he didn’t make it.” Tantis replied solemnly.

Raga hefted Pala up to get a better grip, and without speaking they headed up the tunnel.

On the surface, a seven hundred metre landing zone had been burnt out of the jungle. Five dropships, full of rescued captives were in the motions of taking off; another five were being loaded.

Three medic’s hurried over and relieved Raga of Pala; placing him on a stretcher and working on his leg wound, and was carried to one of the remaining ambulances, he protested loudly at having to be carried; the medic’s ignoring his argumentative tantrum. Raga opted to remain planet bound until all of Pierce Force had been accounted for.

Within three hours of hostilities ending, all surviving prisoners had been ferried to the Phoenix and her escort ships. All remaining members of Pierce Force had returned to the surface. Any Quat-tar still alive had been transferred to holding areas at Tormac-sol.

General Bel-tel and Quat-tar General Gombar had agreed on a plan to oversee the peaceful occupation and surrender of any Quat-tar warriors remaining at large. Gombar eagerly agreed to head any new interim government; under the guidance of Coalition representatives; hoping to gain a solid and high-ranking future for himself.

The bodies of all those killed had been laid out ready for burial; details were already preparing the mass graves, and similar duties were also being carried out at Tormac-sol and Burrena; this operation had cost the Network dearly.

Raga wished he had not seen Lieutenant Adams body when they brought him up. He had seen many disfigured corpses in his time, but this one really got to him, the sight turning his normally hardened stomach; he didn’t relish having to inform his family.

“We’re ready to leave Colonel.” Tantis remarked as they carried Adams body away.

Raga looked at the remains of his worn out force; now a rag-tag group, almost three quarters had been lost. Qwerti, Pala, Cap, all wounded; this had been one hell of a fight.

“Alright you lot. Let’s get the hell of this damn planet!” He ordered.

On Secunda, all battle groups were recalled to the Phoenix; Pierce Force was among the last to return. The Network Fourth Fleet arrived; an impressive sight of over twenty starships along with two DCO Starchasers. Admiral Torre was presented with recall orders and after making temporary repairs the Phoenix, along with her now scarred escort made headway for Agar and hopefully some down time before their next mission…

THE END…