Cold Warriors Page 10

  She instantly recalled their basic survival training. “Burning precious calories Ma'am."

  "Correct! I don't care how good the weather feels, you are not an ice cube. You need to maintain core temperature to stay alive. That is rule number one! Calories equal energy. And we don't have the money or the energy to revive you if you go into hibernation. Are you understanding me, cryo?"

  "Yes, Ma'am!"

  "Good. Then get your frozen ass inside!"

  "Yes, Ma'am.” She picked up her canteen and headed inside the barracks followed by the chief. Caitlin swallowed the last of her water and placed the canteen inside her footlocker.

  "Ten hut!"someone called the room to attention.

  "At ease. Listen up, I've got some news,” Chief Watkins announced while pulling a data pad out of her coat pocket. “The orders for your assignment are in and all of you are heading out."

  "Why can't we stay here?” some of them asked including Caitlin. This place had become her home. They had become her new family.

  "Because you were trained to leave, not stay!” She shook her head and continued scanning the orders. “You all will be heading for Eckhardt Station where you will be assigned to ships throughout the fleet.” The chief removed her gloves.

  Caitlin furled her brow and frowned. So this is it. It begins now, she mused shaking her head.

  "Your assignments will be posted on the boards. Listen people. You know what to do, just use your head out there. You will be placed with experienced operators and some newbies like yourselves. Fear is not the enemy, letting it dictate your thoughts and your actions is. Remember, do what you're supposed to do and get the Hell out.” She looked at the floor and shifted her weight. “It was my honor train you."

  Her hands flushed reddish pink.

  She is a cryo too! Caitlin inwardly smiled. I knew I liked her for some reason.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Keegan, along with Hollis, studied the star charts in the map room of the Blanchard. Various constellations illuminated themselves in both two and three-dimensional formats. Names like Corvus ... the Crow, Vela ... Sail, Volans ... Flying Fish and Eridanus ... River appeared before his eyes. The pinpoints of light within the constellation represented stars and the dark circles around them represented a system of planets.

  Presently they were inside Eridanus. He and the Blanchard's carrier group had turned their course from the outer edges of the region towards the mouth of the River. The Vernean's were getting too close to home and they had to be stopped.

  Even though there wasn't much useful real estate inside the River except for a few military bases and minor settlements of human civilization, it served a very important purpose for the United Earth Forces and civilian traffic. Eridanus was a place of commerce. In short, it was a valuable shipping lane because it was next door to the constellation Centaur which led directly to home—to Earth.

  But for Keegan the place had even more value because it contained a small star called Tylus with a little planet orbiting it called Eridani. It was where Caitlin had been sent to train.

  Hollis frowned and cocked her head. “Colonel?"

  Keegan snapped back to the situation at hand, “Uh ... Ma'am?"

  "What's our E. T. A. to Eckhart Station?"

  "Two hours, Ma'am."

  After four months, he still thought about her constantly. He'd given up any hope of seeing her again, however his time with her did get him thinking about his life. He'd always assumed that he'd be fine living his life alone with the Corps as his only companion.

  Caitlin opened up the possibility of things being different. He missed her terribly and didn't really understand why his attraction for her was so strong.

  Sitting around contemplating his feelings was not something he was accustomed to doing, but he was unhappy about the way he had handled his mishap with Cate. He had never run from a firefight in his life, but one kiss from her had him running away with his tail between his legs. And he was not willing to live with that.

  "Are you taking shore leave?” Hollis asked him off-handedly.

  "I don't know. I kinda like the quiet when everybody is away."

  "You know you missed your calling as a monk."

  "Nah, not enough gunplay,” he smirked

  "Spoken like a true Marine. Even so, you're still going. That's an order. You need a break, we all do."

  "Yes, Ma'am."

  "What about Tau Ceti, what's the situation over there?"

  "Reports have it that the area is hot; enemy everywhere. Apparently they caught wind of our snooping and the place is heavily guarded."

  "We just fought our way out of Hell in Achernar, Hydrus and Rigel. Eridanus is our territory, we gotta kick those bastards out and keep'em out."

  Keegan pointed at an area of the star chart, which lit up in response to his movement. “The Wacians have got us covered in Tucana and Delta Caeli, if we kick the Verneans out of Tau Ceti, then we'll have supremacy in this region."

  "And we'll have to maintain it,” she growled

  "I can't think that far ahead, Ma'am."

  She answered wearily, “Somebody had better. I'll be on the Bridge."

  "Yes, Ma'am."

  * * * *

  Inside the main briefing room, Colonel Keegan stood before his department heads of Tactical, Intel and the Air Wing. The closed circuit television broadcast the craft taking off and landing on the carrier. “Jack, would you turn that down?” Keegan asked.

  He complied, activating a panel on the wall. The volume of the television turned down to a low hum.

  "Once we put in to Eckhardt, we'll be picking up a compliment of crew and materials for our upcoming assignment. The manifests in front of you will give you the specifics for each of your departments.

  "We're going in to Tau Ceti. It's a hot zone with major enemy activity, which is why it's important that you and the rest of crew come back in tip top shape. Don't go in there losing your heads, get your people and your gear ready."

  "Sir, is it true we're getting cryos?"

  "Yes, we are, which leads to my next point. We are trained personnel with a duty and pledge to protect our planet, and that includes its citizenry, whether frozen or otherwise. There will be no harassment of any kind while they are on this ship. They are soldiers—"

  Someone coughed in the room. The others shifted uncomfortably in their seats. “Okay let me put it this way.” He stiffened his posture and placed his hands on his hips. “I'm not a politician and I'm not your counselor and I don't give a damn about the way you feel about cryos coming on this ship! But while they are under my command, there will be no clashes of any kind with them or any other members of my crew. If there is any harassment, I am charging you with the responsibility for stopping it. If you don't and I catch you, you'll be floating home. Is that clear?!"

  "Yes Sir!"they bellowed in unison.

  "We have too much at stake here to be fighting each other. If we don't cover our asses, nobody else will. Teamwork extends to everyone, not just the ones you like. If you hate them so much, I suggest you stifle it and get with the program. We got a lot coming at us and we need all the help we can get."

  He glared at the men and women sitting before him. Their expressions registered their willingness to cooperate.

  "Dismissed."

  The CAG stood up and walked over to his friend and nodded. Keegan eyed his friend as he walked by. He was one of the main ones he had to keep an eye on.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The CAG, Lt. Colonel Max Podi, flared his nostrils as he gulped in the liquor and smoke filled air inside the HALO bar. Keegan grinned a toothy a smile while gazing at his friend enjoying himself.

  "You know,” Max stumbled back to his seat at the bar, his voice cutting through the loud music, “this kind of place is my favorite."

  Loud music and conversation threatened to engulf the two men sitting at the bar. Keegan finished his glass of scotch and motioned to the bartender for more. “And why is that?”
Keegan's words slurred.

  "Because it contains the three important food groups,” Max lifted his large hand and counted off, “Wine, women, and song."

  "You know the women of the world are very lucky you haven't married any of them.” Keegan raised his glass in a mock toast.

  Max slammed his fist against the bar. “Hey, I was married once. Didn't take."

  "No shit.” Keegan sniffed the contents in the glass. “I'm just glad I don't have to cover for your sorry ass anymore."

  "Cover?!” Max belched. “It's not like you were any good at it. Hell, I always got caught."

  "That's because you were stupid.” Keegan snickered feeling his buzz rise to a new level. He decided to cut himself off.

  "Eh, maybe you're right. Momentary brain fart.” Max motioned for the bartender, “another beer for me and a scotch for my friend."

  "No. I'm done.” Keegan stood and checked his Com Call Duty Rouser. The flat, rectangular device sat dormant on his belt only registering his name, rank and duty status on the small screen.

  "Did it go off?"

  "No. False alarm,” Keegan said, slurring the words.

  "Good, then sit down, I told you this was on me."

  He shook his head awkwardly. “If I don't stop now, something else will be on you."

  Max gulped down half a mug of beer. “You never could hold your liquor."

  "I'm going."

  "Where?"

  Keegan searched his pockets for his wallet and pulled out his Military Resources Card that enabled him to pay for anything he needed and acted as his room key. His blurry vision tried focusing on the stripe and his name that went across the card.

  "To my room to pass out for awhile."

  "Fine, who needs ya.” Max waved him off finishing the last of his beer.

  Keegan weaved through the crowd hearing his buddy calling a lady to his side.

  * * * *

  The hollow resonance of an electronic chime slowly stirred Keegan from sleep. “Time!"

  "Twenty-two hundred hours, Saturday, Standard Earth Time,” the female voice cooed.

  "Shit.” Keegan's head rolled away from the light.

  "I do not recognize your verbal command. Please repeat."

  "Be quiet.” He growled sitting up in bed holding his head. “I've been asleep for eight hours. Who in the Hell starts drinking at two o'clock in the afternoon?"

  Keegan stood and looked at himself in the mirror. His clothes were wrinkled and he reeked of alcohol.

  * * * *

  Hundreds of soldiers in all branches of the American military as well as military units from around the world, milled back and forth around the docking bay inside Eckhart Station. Two levels of catwalks trimmed the outer rim of the bay leading to several corridors where military personnel could go to living quarters or seek entertainment. A few bars sat directly off the bay where various groups of rowdy soldiers sat around slinging back drinks with their duffle bags sitting at their feet.

  Keegan entered the bay from the residential unit corridor with a crowd of other personnel dressed in civilian clothes. His dark gray pants and dark blue long sleeved shirt was a surprising contrast to the others who wore t-shirts and jeans. Keegan pushed up the sleeves on his shirt feeling the surprisingly dry air.

  He leaned against the rail of the catwalk watching the streams of new soldiers who wore expressions of exhaustion and amazement. Keegan felt a sense of pride when he saw them; they fought for something bigger than themselves and he felt more relieved with each arrival—it meant reinforcements for most, and for others, a chance to rest.

  The soldiers’ youthful faces made him feel out of place. Was I ever that young? Probably not.

  Standing up from the railing and strolling to the walk away, a loud commotion stopped him in his tracks. He craned over the railing to see two soldiers slugging it out while their friends cheered on. He sized up the situation and estimated the time it would take for him to get down there and break it up. He knew he wouldn't make it in time; besides he was on leave. He did enough of that crap on board.

  Two MP's tore through the throng of cheering soldiers, tearing the combatants off of each other and dragging them away. As the hole in the crowd began to close, Keegan blinked at what he thought was a familiar face. He glanced over the side again, shook his head and walked away.

  Bored, he wandered into the entertainment wing of the station. Music and laughter echoed through the passageways and halls. Flyers featuring naked men, women and gambling littered the walls and the floors. Men and women entered and exited doors, which led to pool halls, bars, dance clubs, movie screens and other delights.

  A skinny man in flashy clothes stopped in front of him. “History lives in all of us,"

  Keegan tried to dart out of the way, but the man stepped in his path again. “Come to Theater Ten and see the latest documentary on the great warriors of ancient Japan by acclaimed film maker Yojiro Watanabe.” He handed Keegan a flyer. “It's only five credits or six American dollars to get in."

  "Why is it more if I pay in American money?” He studied the flyer.

  "You pay cash, we get charged for converting it. Just splitting the cost.” The man shrugged and walked away, stopping another patron just behind him.

  Keegan crumpled the paper and tossed it aside. He was in no mood to sit in a dark theatre on his time off.

  "Hey, wait just a second.” A large hand landed on his shoulder, spinning him around.

  Reflexively Keegan reared back ready to retaliate.

  "Whoa! Whoa! It's me.” Max grinned widely. “I've been looking all over for you. Where the Hell have you been?"

  Keegan relaxed forcing a pleasant expression. “Around,” he nodded.

  "Good answer, I knew you'd say that. Damn, you're uptight. Relax, this is a little heaven inside Hell.” Max pointed his thumb behind him. “I rustled us up a couple of dates."

  He glanced behind his friend at the two leggy women dressed in high heels and short skirts. He chuckled and shook his head. “Uh, no thanks, you can have them,” Keegan remarked

  "What's wrong partner? Afraid they don't have all their shots?” Max laughed.

  He turned his nose away from his friend who smelled of whisky and beer. He didn't want to go that route again. “No. If they're here, I'm sure they do. I'm just ... not interested."

  The CAG's expression hardened. “What, they're not cold enough?"

  Keegan's pleasant expression melted away. “What the Hell's that supposed to mean?"

  "It means you need to keep your priorities straight."

  "Screwing a hooker in a dingy room is not on the top of my list."

  "Yeah, but doing a frozen one is?"

  Keegan's chest heaved up and down as adrenaline shot into his blood stream. He clenched his jaw and desperately tried to maintain control.

  "Go away, Max,” he ordered viciously.

  The CAG stepped forward and eyed his friend. The two locked their eyes briefly, neither man giving in. The CAG turned and motioned for the two women to follow. Keegan watched as the three moved out of sight. His blood boiling, he stormed off in the opposite direction.

  He wandered the corridors until he found himself standing in front of the doors leading to the theaters. Suddenly, being in a dark and a relatively quiet place seemed appealing. He surveyed the marquees of all the theaters until he found a movie he liked. He shoved cash to the ticket handler inside a booth. She gave him a ticket and resumed reading her book.

  Red drapery and candelabra framed the boxy room. Half a dozen patrons scattered throughout the room made the environment seem more intimate. Keegan chose a seat near the aisle in the back.

  He shifted in the red velveteen chair before sighing and giving up hope of being comfortable. As he watched more patrons wandering in and out, he began doubting the soundness of his actions toward Max.

  What the Hell is my problem? He scratched his chin. I'm acting like I'm pre-menstrual or something. I'm supposed to be relaxing.
>
  Determined to do just that, he settled down and prepared to enjoy the movie. After a moment, he checked his watch wondering what time the show was going to begin.

  He leaned forward, “Excuse me. Do you know when the next show starts?” he asked a woman sitting in the next row.

  "Any moment now,” she answered pleasantly.

  Images of Japanese Shinto shrines and Buddhist monks filled the screen. Men on horseback wearing ferocious expressions, wielding heavy swords that they were obviously not accustomed to carrying, ran around in mock battle.

  He snickered at the insult he saw on the screen. Bored with the movie, he scanned the audience. To his left he noticed a woman looking as bored as he. The light from the screen illuminated her petite frame and soft features.

  Keegan's heart skipped a beat when he realized who it was.

  That was her I saw in the bay. She must be on her way out.

  "Driskoll?” he said aloud not realizing he was disturbing his fellow patrons.

  She didn't respond.

  He licked his lips and gathered his courage. Keegan moved over to the seat next to her.

  "Caitlin?” he asked again.

  She turned her head slowly furling her brow. “Yes?"

  Her expression turned to shock. They sat staring at each other in amazement. Suddenly, she got up and dashed out of the theater.

  He gave chase following her closely. He wanted to call her but feared it would make things worse so he decided to follow her and catch her when she stopped. He pursued her through several hallways, a fire door, down a flight of stairs and then into an empty office with a view of the star field outside.

  He stood there silently as she stared out the window.

  "Why did you run?” His voice echoed off the walls.

  "Why did you follow me?” She didn't turn around.

  Keegan studied her taut muscular figure, realizing that the harsh training molded her soft curves into solid ridges and angles.

  "You first,” he shot back gently.

  Caitlin turned around showing a face that lacked the sweet innocence he once knew, though she still looked just as beautiful to him as the day she left, even more so now. He hadn't realized how much he had missed her until that moment.