The Chronicles of Benjamin Jamison: Call Sign Reaper (22 page)

She felt when he lost consciousness and started falling. He landed on his side but rolled back on top of her. She let go and unlocked her legs, trying to catch her breath. She heard a huge cheer and lots of footsteps. The audience grabbed him by his arms and legs and pulled him off of her, asking her if she was alright. She heard someone telling them to move as Ronnie knelt down and started checking her out. She heard her name being yelled by a child-like voice and recognized Natalia.

“Are you okay, E’Aria?” The girl was touching her face, looking like she was going to cry.

“I’m okay, Natalia. Just had the wind knocked out of me,” E’Aria said. The major was standing next to Reaper, who was still sitting next to the captain.

“Any more surprises, Captain?” he asked. She shook her head. “Well, thank you,” he said. “You did E’Aria a great favor.”

She turned and looked at him, not understanding. “You just gave her some major credit with the team,” he explained, gesturing to the admiring huddle. “Look at them.”

A group from the med bay came in with a stretcher. Nurse Tanaka was with them. She walked up to the group of officers.

“I should have known you would be here,” she said.

“Well, yes and no. Lieutenant Aok put the beating on the three sailors,” Ben said. Nurse Tanaka just shook her head, reminding him to schedule his next session in the tank.

Reaper went to Med bay for his treatment. He brought Snake along to watch the door to his room. The three idiots would all be there and he wanted to make sure they didn’t do anything stupid while he was in the tank.

Snake enjoyed the two hours, chatting up any female staff who happened to pass by. Nurse Tanaka checked on Reaper twice while he was in the tank. When his time was up, she helped him get disconnected and looked his wounds over. They were healing up very nice. He had worked his upper body a little more each day in the gym, so most of the soreness was gone.

Nurse Tanaka liked his broad shoulders and strong arms. Each muscle group was well defined. Reaper sat there as she pushed on the wounds, asking if he had any pain. He felt good other than some itching. He asked Nurse Tanaka if she would get Lieutenant Aok on the com and have her report to the med bay. She had taken a pretty good punch to the shoulder and he wanted her looked at, even though he thought it wouldn’t be anything more than bruising. He didn’t want her distracted when they went on their first mission. He told the nurse that he wouldn’t be back for any more treatments till their mission was over.

Snake headed to the mess for a late snack and Reaper went back to his quarters. He laid down to think about the mission, but he didn’t. His mind drifted off to his friends on Anubis, wondering what they were doing. He sent a com to E’Aria. An answer popped into his head, but not from his com. She was in her room.

Can I come over?

Sure,
she said.

Ben got up and walked across the corridor. The door opened before he could put his hand on the panel. He just laughed. He was getting used to her knowing things. He walked in and the door shut behind him. She was sitting, waiting for him.

“Are you using your gift more now than you have in the past? Is it hurting you to do so?” Ben asked.

“Yes I am,” she answered, “and no, it doesn’t hurt. I think it’s actually better now than it ever has been. Using it lets me exercise my mind some. You and I are syncing. As time goes on, I will be able to communicate with you from further away.”

“What is your range now? Can you find me anywhere on the ship?” Ben asked.

“I can,” she said. “We are all different, and so each person’s mind is different. We all have our own unique signature. The longer we work together and communicate with our minds, the stronger the link will become, but only because we are communicating this way. If I work with the team for the same period of time but with little to no communication telepathically, I would still need to be in very close proximity to pick up their signature.”

“Makes sense,” Ben said. “What I wanted to talk to you about are the things we took off of the pirate ship. Do you think you can go to my quarters tomorrow and catalog everything, then set up a account and deposit all the credits, then start a search for potential buyers?”

“I can do that,” she said. “The catalogue and banking won’t take long, but the research will take some time. The buyers are going to be a bit of a problem.”

“Maybe we find someone who has a legitimate business in dealing with high-end merchandise for clients,” Ben suggested. “They usually get a commission or finder’s fee. Hyson won’t be a good choice with all that’s going on, but maybe on our next mission we will be on a planet where we can meet a purveyor and unload some of it. How does that sound?”

“Easier than trying to do it in the middle of a rescue op,” she said with a chuckle.

The light was on in his quarters. Andrea was waiting for him. He undressed and climbed in next to her.

“Send a com out to everyone and tell them they will be getting some gear about 0730,” he said. “Then ask them to fall out in the cargo hold in full battle dress by 0800. I want to see how they look and what they brought along.”

“Hand me my com, please,” she replied. Ben got up, got it off the desk and handed it to her. She spoke quickly and sent the message. She took it out of her ear, not waiting for the replies. She would check it in the morning.

Andrea kissed his chest as she laid her head on it. This was her favorite time, she thought. She had been experiencing a whirlwind of emotions in the last two weeks that she had not felt in a long time. She knew that it showed. Tomorrow, they would get their final orders and prep for the mission; that would help her and the rest of the team.

With a smile on her face, she drifted off to sleep.

Ben woke up to the sound of the shower. As he lay there, he realized he had fallen asleep the night before almost immediately. It was probably the effects of the regen tank, he thought. It totally relaxed your mind and body, which helped in the healing process. He wasn’t sure of all the technology involved; he just knew it worked.

He got up to take a clean thermal suit out of his wall locker. He was surprised to find some smaller uniforms hanging in his locker. He wasn’t sure, but he knew it meant something when you moved your things into your lover’s closet. Andrea came out of the shower and saw him staring. She continued to dry off and let it all sink in. Letting the towel hang over her face, she dried her hair, hiding the smile that she didn’t want him to see at the moment.

Ben didn’t know what to say. It didn’t bother him, but he wasn’t going to let her know that. “You could have at least brought your own hangers,” he said in mock defense. He pulled open the top drawer to see if he had given up space for her underwear and socks and such. Of course he had. Half the drawer now held soft, silky things.

“What the hell is this?” he continued. Andrea was going to let him stew, although she thought he was just pretending to be mad.

“Get dressed, soldier,” she said coolly. “We have a meeting with the team at 0800 and things to do beforehand. I expect the general will want us all in a meeting later, so let’s get this impromptu inspection over with.”

“Anything you say, ma’am,” Ben replied with an insincere tone.

“You know, you better just get used to sharing, Benjamin,” she said in a softer tone. He enjoyed the banter with her, even if it didn’t get her fired up like it had just a week ago.

He put on his armor and all his weapons except the broadsword, which he left in his wall locker. Andrea just put on her BDU and pulled her hair back in a pony tail.

“I’m going to engineering with you,” she said. “There is an extra set of armor I ordered.”

“Oh, and who would that be for?” Ben asked.

“I had them make one for the captain,” she said. “I told you this already. We can invite her to our meeting and present it to her.”

“
Time to go,” Ben said aloud as he heard a thought from E’Aria. He and went out the door and Andrea followed.

The chief had everything on a small hover cart that they could bring into the forward section of the ship. They thanked him profusely for getting the suits done, and just in time. They headed back towards their quarters, stopping in the corridor outside where the enlisted soldiers were staying. The lieutenant had each of the team come out to get their armor. The major told them all to put the armor on, along with their weapons and packs they were assigned and meet in the cargo hold.

They headed for the officers’ quarters section of the ship, one level down. The major took her armor and went to her room. Reaper and the lieutenant waited on her. She came out a couple minutes later. She looked scarily beautiful. She had her helmet in her hand. Her long black hair rested on the shoulders of the shiny armor. It made her blue eyes even more piercing.

“Find out where the captain is and ask her if she can meet us,” he asked the major. She made the inquiry and a second later directed them towards the bridge. The door was open and the captain was sitting at her desk.

“Good morning, Captain,” Andrea said. “Permission to enter?”

“Come in, Major, you know if the door is open you don’t have to ask.”

The lieutenant was next, followed by Reaper carrying the armor. “We have something for you,” Andrea said.

Reaper held the suit by its shoulders and let it fall. She saw the shiny armor that matched what they were wearing, except for hers had a picture of an ancient warhammer on the chest piece, with the script Andrea had ordered. A huge smile lit up her face at the gift.

“That is stunning,” the captain said. “I don’t know how to thank you.” Her eyes were getting misty.

“You are an honorary member of our little tea club,” Reaper joked, trying to change the mood. He didn’t want the captain to be seen with tears in her eyes. She smiled at him.

“Captain, you need to promise us that if it ever gets to the point you need to put on armor, you wear this armor,” he said with a more serious tone. “Screw the regulation; this will protect you much better than the issue armor.”

“I promise.”

Ten light-years past Trillond space, a fleet of 30 ships had gathered in an uninhabited star system. It was a mixture of Trillond, Colonial and ships of unknown origin. They looked like they had all seen better days. They had poor patch jobs on the hulls and scorch marks.

One ship stood out in the center of the armada. It was a huge battle cruiser, similar in size to a Colonial Carrier Class or battleship. The bridge was on top and to the rear, just forward of the six engines that moved it through space faster than anything of equal size. The captain was a tall being at eight feet. He was reptilian, but more refined and humanoid than the Allith. Behind the captain stood another of the same species, only instead of military dress he was much more regal in appearance and clothing.

Prime Minister Jinwasys looked out over the ships that were sharing space with his mighty Battle Cruiser. He was beginning to think his God King had sent him on this quest not for glory but to embarrass him and have him return in disgrace. His brother, the captain, would not let that happen. He loved glory and battle too much to fail.

“Captain Dakkon, I am going to meet with the wretched warlords of the Allith again,” the prime minister said. “Those who still do not agree to join our empire we will eliminate as a lesson to the rest and proceed to the first planet at the edge of their system. Do you agree?”

“I do, Lord Jinwasys,” his brother replied. “We have wasted many cycles on these fools already. I know our God King wishes to help our distant cousins to rise up and take a place of honor among the ancestors of the Empire, but I have no pain of heart in sending some of them to meet the ancestors now.”

“Be ready, Captain. I will send you the names of our esteemed cousins,” he said with sarcasm. He turned and left the bridge with his personal guards following behind him.

Prime Minister Jinwasys entered the meeting chambers. His guards were posted inside and outside the doors. He had explained to them as they walked to the gathering what was to happen to anyone who left the gathering prior to an agreement. The fool warlords were arguing, as they had done at the previous gatherings. The hold-up was the tax they had to pay to the Empire. Some welcomed the protection, technology and new territory they would acquire with the aid of the Empire. Others felt they were doing fine without interference from the Empire.

“Does anyone have anything new to put forward that we haven’t heard in the past 12 cycles?” Jinwasys paused for a few seconds. “Those of you who reject our offer may leave the ship and this armada. Your names will not be recorded in the annals as allies of the Empire. Good hunting to you and may you not see your ancestors for many cycles,” he said as regally and kindly as he could. “You may leave.”

He looked at the captain and his personal guard. Four warlords got up and walked to the door. The captain of the guard opened it for them and bowed, then followed them out, transmitting a feed to Captain Dakkon who now knew which ships to target. The remaining warlords could hear the sounds of laser fire. They jumped as the ship went to battle stations and felt the slight vibration of the laser cannons firing. The captain of the guard, along with all the prime minister’s guards, came into the meeting chambers with weapons drawn and ready. The meeting chambers were in an uproar. The other ships wanted to know what was happening. The prime minister stood quietly. He knew they all thought they were next.

“Be at ease, at ease,” he yelled above the noise. “Take your seats and let us embark on the conquest of Trillond.”

The Morningstar had been in orbit around Hyson along with six ships of the Trillond Navy. They had collected almost all of the colonial citizens and their families. Colonel Randolph Thomas did not understand why they could not take the embassy personnel and leave. He expressed his lack of understanding to the captain of the Morningstar on a daily basis. Captain Chavez, the shuttle pilot’s older brother, was assigned to the Warhammer.

“We are to wait on the Warhammer to arrive and pick up the embassy personnel,” the captain said patiently to a clearly irritated colonel. “Once they are safe onboard we will depart together. The Trillond Navy has made a request that we take any refugees we can off the planet. We have not received any orders addressing that request as of yet.” These were their standing orders, and this was not the first time the captain had had to go over them with Colonel Thomas.

“Captain Chavez, I don’t care about any Trillond refugees and have no intention of risking my troops rounding them up,” the Colonel replied with distaste. “We could have the other personnel already onboard and gone, is the point I am trying to make.”

“Yes Colonel, I know. You made it yesterday and the day before,” the captain replied, clearly tired of the conversation.

“Captain, we have multiple ships dropping out of light speed, and one of them is of unknown origin. The others are all Colonial and Trillond ships that have been reported stolen or lost over the years. Some have no transponder ID but basic config says they are more of the same,” the colonel said.

“Battle stations!” the captain yelled as the alarm rang through the ship. “Get me the Trillond Naval Rep on the com.”

The Warhammer came out of light speed to debris and laser cannon fire. “Battle stations!” the captain yelled immediately. “Coms, get me the Morningstar.” The captain could see the wreckage of three small Trillond ships, as well as many other smaller gunboats and frigates. The reports were coming through to the bridge. Twenty-six ships dropped out of FTL and immediately began attacking the Trillond ships and bases on the planet. Some of the ships fired as they ran through the systems and jumped to light speed again. The unknown battleship was providing cover fire and trying to take out all the opposing ships for the Allith, who were headed planet side. It was only disabling them. The Allith were destroying everything they could.

On the Warhammer, the major and the team were in the conference room online with General Grey when the alarm sounded. The captain cut into the com. “General! Hyson is under attack,” she said. “I am sending data on the situation and on the unknown ship and so is the Morningstar.”

“Captain, contact the Morningstar and tell them to rendezvous with you,” Grey said. “Major, get your team on the shuttle and go at the first window of opportunity. You are to retrieve Emily Brous and any other embassy personnel who have not gotten onto a ship. Captain, your destination package and orders are in your system now. Once they are on board, go full burn and make sure the Morningstar is gone as well.”

Reaper heard the name Emily Brous and a million thoughts were going through his head. Was it the same Emily Brous he knew? What was she doing here? Had she joined Military Intelligence?

“Reaper! Reaper!” His name brought him out of his thoughts. The general was looking at him and the room was totally silent. Even the captain could tell something was going on.

“Are you listening?” the general asked.

“Yes sir,” he said hurriedly, “I am now. I apologize.”

“What is it that had you so distracted?” Grey asked.

“A ghost from the past, General,” he replied.

“Sometimes those ghosts end up not really being ghosts at all, Reaper.” Ben knew and so did the general. It was his Emily Brous.

“We will get her out, sir,” Ben said.

“I know you will,” the general said, turning to Andrea. “Major, get your team to the shuttle.

“Captain, keep this com open as long as you can. I want you or one of your officers reporting everything verbally and in writing. Keep all sensors and cams on that unknown ship. We will need every scrap of data we obtain.”

The team was running through the ship. The corridor was not busy at all; all personnel were at the ready and in position by now. Chavez and Wu were at the shuttle and already prepping it with Corporal Higgs as crew chief. Reaper had made a short stop to get the broadsword. The lieutenant already had her sword on her back. She left the two short swords behind. The team was all on board. They all strapped in.

The captain moved the Warhammer into position behind the Morningstar, keeping it between her and the unknown battlecruiser. She didn’t want them to see her open the cargo bay doors. Captain Chavez was in the loop and kept the ships in sync.

Lieutenant Chavez darkened the high-density poly glass of the hull plate and lifted the shuttle. He spun it around and flew out the back of the Warhammer before the cargo bay was all the way down. The crew chief of the Warhammer saw the maneuver, shook his head, and gave the go-ahead to close the bay door.

The lieutenant didn’t waste any time. He hit the atmosphere hard and made for the rendezvous point. He started broadcasting to the embassy that they were on their way. There was a park not far from the point that had enough foliage to give the shuttle some cover in case the stealth plating was turned off. The plan, whether or not it would be followed, was for Emily to meet them there.

Reaper sat in the shuttle, waiting for a response from the embassy as Chavez continued to broadcast. After a couple of minutes, the com crackled.

“CNS Scythe, this is Francis Adams, Director of Embassy Hyson. What’s your ETA?”

“We’re 12 minutes out from the designated pickup point,” Chavez replied.

“I don’t think that’s going to work,” the voice said. “There are ten of us in the embassy and almost a hundred lizards climbing around, trying to get in.”

“Director, can you give me a run down on your personnel?” Chavez said.

“There are five embassy personnel and five members of the Trillond Militia who didn’t get out on a shuttle.”

“Ask her if Emily Brous is there,” Reaper said.

“Director, is Emily Brous in the Embassy?” Chavez asked.

“She is, Lieutenant,” the director said. “She has taken charge of the personnel who can fire a weapon. They’re holding them off, but I don’t know for how long.”

“Tell them we are on our way, and to hold on just a little longer.”

“I will, Lieutenant. Please hurry.”

“Gunny,” ordered Chavez, turning around, “hand out the weapons. Everyone load up, safeties on.”

“Major, I think you and the sergeant major should stay with the shuttle, monitor the coms and help the corporal keep it protected,” Reaper said. “I’ll take Snake, Genius and Mumbles with my team. We’ll have a breach team of three and the rest will drive the Allith back and provide cover. Lieutenant, set the shuttle down next to the embassy. Bring it in with the cargo door open. Snake, if you can blow the wall right here on the main level, Mumbles and Genius can herd them out. We will setup a perimeter here. Marines, do not stop shooting until the barrels melt. If we aren’t out of here by then, we won’t be leaving.” Reaper finished and waited for any rebuttal from the major.

“Sounds like a plan,” the major said, and Chavez nodded.

The shuttle landed without incident. They lowered the cargo door and the team ran out into the cover of the buildings. They worked their way quickly over to the embassy.

“Ronnie, turn your vid on and connect it to the shuttle,” Reaper ordered. “Lieutenant Aok, I want you and Ronnie to stick together. If she needs to treat any wounded she will need someone watching her back.”

They could see there were about ten Allith raiders standing against the wall where they didn’t need to be. Someone stuck a laser rifle out the second floor window and was trying to hit them without aiming.

“Director, this is extraction team Reaper, please respond.”

“Go ahead, Reaper.”

“Director, do you have the lower level cleared of personnel?”

“Affirmative, Reaper, do what you have to do.”

“Hillbilly, set up the grinder and make us a large order of lizard burger,” Ben said. Hillbilly took the large case off his back and in less than a minute set up a stationary rail gun on a swivel tripod. He took one of the large power supplies and a box of ammo and loaded it.

“Snake, take your sniper rifle and be ready for their friends. Genius, get the explosives ready. Once they are all down you and I are going to blow that wall and add a new exit. Mumbles, spot for Snake and have your rail gun ready. I am hoping they will back off when they see what happens here,” Reaper said to the group.

“Reaper, I’ve got a green light on my rifle,” Hillbilly said.

“Don’t let any get away,” Reaper answered.

The rail gun made a whining sound and let loose. Hillbilly worked from the outside in. In 20 seconds it was over.

“Come on, Genius.” Reaper took off at a run. He had his rail gun ready in case any big lizards were playing possum. Genius stuck a spike in a hole in the wall, courtesy of Hillbilly, and attached a mine to it.

Reaper went around the corner and waited for the mine to blow. It did, and there was a nice big hole perfect for everyone to get through. He threw his grapple onto the roof and made his way up. He moved to watch where the Allith had all gathered. He studied the group for a leader. The Allith didn’t always have someone in charge; that’s why they weren’t very successful at warfare.

However, this group appeared to have a leader; a tall lizard man who seemed to be ordering the others around. He wasn’t anything like the Allith. He was humanoid and intelligent-looking.