Cold Warriors Page 14

  "Is that clear?!"

  "Yes, Sir.” Wobbly, she sank down and pushed her body back up again. Panting heavily, her chest tightened.

  "You don't seem to get it.” The CAG grabbed her by the hair and craning her head backward like someone opening a tin of sardines. “Well, I've got news for you Cryo, we're gonna stay here until you do."

  She cranked out the push-ups until her arms gave way.

  "Finish it or so help me you'll spend the rest of your life in the brig."

  She lowered herself down barely able to support her own weight. Her arms trembled violently. Her breathing became jagged as her body rebelled against the heat it was generating.

  Just as she pushed herself up and then lowered her body, she gasped, “I can't do it ... I need—"

  "You need to get your ass in gear.” The bottom of his boot ground into her back pushing her into the floor.

  Caitlin gritted her teeth. Her mind raced and hands quivered as adrenaline pumped into her veins. The CAG lifted his foot off her back and she swung around sweeping his standing leg out from under him.

  She scrambled to her feet and backed away from him. He hopped up and grabbed her arm.

  "Keep your filthy hands off of me!” she managed to say weakly.

  He pushed her to the ground. She gulped in a bit of blood as her face hit the floor.

  "The only filth around here is your kind stinkin’ up the place,” he hissed. “I know what'll fix you good; you're going to the sauna!"

  "No!” she screamed scrambling to get away from the CAG.

  Dragging her by the scruff of her collar, he threw her into the entrance as he cranked up the heat. He reached for her again, she reeled around and kicked him in the crotch. As he doubled over pain, she ran for the door.

  "You bitch!” He grabbed her before she could get far. His large hands closed around her neck.

  She gasped for air before scratching him across his face. He tossed her aside making her sail across the room.

  She crashed against a set of barbells and slumped to the floor. Barely conscious, she felt herself being dragged across the room toward the sauna. She felt the glowing red heat as she neared the room. She lay on floor gasping for air as the dry heat seared her body.

  "What the Hell is going on?” she heard a voice yell.

  Her body jerked and convulsed and then all went dark.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Major Bishop monitored Caitlin's vitals inside the Cryogenic Refreezing Tank. Tubes snaked in and out of her causing her pallor to turn a dull gray. He lowered the setting. The glass misted over, covering her face.

  Keegan had seen enough. “How is she?"

  "It was a close call. She has some serious internal injuries. Not to mention the worst case of heat stroke and second degree burns I've ever seen on a cryo,” he said while handing her chart to an attending nurse.

  "How did this happen?” Bishop asked Keegan who stared at her unconscious form.

  "I don't know,” he answered as his rage grew within him.

  "In the short time we have, I can get her back in operational status, but I don't know how good she'll be."

  "Are you saying she won't recover?"

  The doctor paused. “She needs more time than we have. See, the problem is her body started to revert back to a normal core temperature."

  "So what's wrong with that?"

  "It's like thawing a Thanksgiving turkey in the oven, the outside is overdone while the inside is still raw. It set off a chain reaction that we don't have the facilities to handle here. The only way I can think to stabilize her is lower her temp even more. It should at least stop the internal bleeding."

  "Can you operate?"

  Bishop looked around as to see if anyone was in earshot. “They don't allow us to have any equipment like that here to take care of them."

  "So you're saying you can't do anything."

  "I'm saying I'll do my best."

  His chest heaved up and down as he saw her unmoving body. Images flashed through his mind, of her death. Of another funeral ... burying yet another one ... “I want you to confine her to bed rest,” he stated not taking his eyes off her.

  "I can't,” Bishop said slowly. “I'm under strict orders to make sure they are all fit for battle in twelve hours."

  "But you said—"

  "None are to be left behind."

  The doctor looked away. “Don't worry I'll take care of her."

  Keegan touched the frozen glass.

  "Just go get the bastard that did this to her.” Bishop said with a tinge of anger.

  Keegan turned to leave.

  "I almost forgot,” he said taking a note out of his pocket.” She wanted me to give you this."

  Keegan snatched the note and hustled out of the sick bay in search of his old friend Max.

  * * * *

  Keegan banged on the hatch of the CAG's quarters. He found him doing what the Corps called policing his room. It was their way of making things neat and orderly. Considering his quarters were already squared away, Keegan knew the man was just killing time.

  "I wondered how long it would take before you showed up."

  Keegan shut the hatch behind him. “So, you know how badly you screwed up!"

  "I didn't screw up. I was correcting a subordinate.” He folded a shirt neatly and placed it on a shelf.

  "Look at me when I'm talking to you Marine."

  The CAG straightened and turned around slowly. “Yes, Sir."

  "You could have killed her. What do you have to say about that?!"

  "An accident."

  "An accident? Don't blow smoke up my ass, you knew exactly what you were doing."

  "I was reprimanding a subordinate."

  "You have a responsibility to look out for the people under your command! You do not have the right to torture them under the guise of discipline."

  "You have the nerve to speak to me about discipline?! You're pants have been on fire ever since she came on board."

  "And you're trying to tell me you did this just because a rookie with four months training failed to hit a target on a practice mission?"

  "You don't get it do you?” The CAG's chest heaved up and down as he stared his friend squarely in the eye. “They screwed up royally down there. One of them called in air support on their own team. It got hairy down there and we were just on a practice mission. When the real shit happens and those assholes get down there and screw up again, a lot of good men and women are going to die!"

  "And you singled her out, not the deserters or even Beller for failing to handle his team because?"

  The CAG stepped back and looked away. “I thought so. Max, I'm warning you. Dial it down, or I'll do it for you."

  "She's a slut and she deserved it,” he muttered under his breath.

  Keegan cold cocked him square in the jaw, knocking the CAG straight to the floor. He slid a few inches then stopped.

  Keegan stood over him with fury in his eyes, “The next time you want to hit someone, pick on somebody your own size."

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Keegan and Hollis stood across from the tactical officer as they studied the schematics for the upcoming assault. The Aegis 10 system raised the flat two-dimensional representation on screen into a crisp three-dimensional image. The landscape came alive showing every rocky terrain and valley as it swept forward, finally stopping in the center of a plain.

  "This is where the bomb is going to be placed and activated. The Go-Team will insert and activate the device while both aerial and ground teams give cover,” the Tac officer explained.

  "How will they extract?” Keegan asked examining the terrain. He noticed there was not much natural cover.

  "The other ground teams will meet and regroup at their predetermined locations and will be evac'ed ASAP by armored troop transport. They have a minimum safety zone of five minutes from withdrawal, regrouping at the L-Z for extraction."

  "Why five minutes?"

  "The radia
tion from the blast. It'll sheer metal off an armored transport,” he explained nonchalantly.

  "What about the Go-Team, where will they be picked up?"

  The Tac officer looked up from the Aegis 10 as if he was awakened from a slumber. “Sir, we can't. It's too dangerous."

  "Colonel, this is a one way trip for them.” Hollis patted her old friend on the back.

  * * * *

  Keegan sat at his desk inside his room. He placed a cup of coffee down beside the mini-computer while he studied the latest set of orders. It seemed as if Command was sending them down daily. He was tired. Damn tired of it all. The war, death, and the distant memories of a planet he hadn't seen in years. It had been a long time since he'd been back on Earth.

  He couldn't save his wife before, but he'll be damned if he was going to let Caitlin slip through his fingers. “Command Order number two-five-six-eight-seven point two. Colonel Medoro R. Keegan"

  "Acknowledged Colonel Medoro Keegan, Executive Officer of the United States Space Ship Carrier Blanchard,” the computer responded.

  "Active file for duty assignments for Operation Tropical Heat Wave..."

  "File activated."

  "Open Special Operations Squad, number 6..."

  "Files open..."

  The names and faces of Caitlin's squadron scrolled before him.

  "Alter file..."

  "Command denied."

  "Command override ... Tango, Charlie, Delta, three zero three."

  "Command override accepted."

  "Input the following personnel..."

  * * * *

  "People, this is an important mission. It could be the very mission that will help us end the war.” General Hollis stood before the group of cryos inside a large briefing room. An eerie silence permeated the room. Colonel Keegan stood quietly as Hollis continued her briefing. He glanced over at Caitlin. She was there but something was missing from her eyes. It was as if she was just barely hanging on.

  "After much deliberation and discussion, the Go-Team that will activate the device will consist of Beller, Driskoll, Miller, Wytowicz, Chen, Jackson..."

  He looked at Caitlin; she had barely stirred. He exited the room as silently as he had entered.

  * * * *

  Caitlin stood in the room where she and Keegan had last spoken. The same crates and boxes littered the cramped area as before. They cast large shadows overhead, making the room seem darker than it actually was. It was one of the few places on the ship where people didn't hang out unless they were making out or goofing off. Either way, this time she was alone. She needed some time alone.

  She coughed hard spitting up blood. She wiped the crimson fluid on her sleeve. Her hands shook and she could barely stand. Reaching into her pocket she took out two blue pills and placed them on her tongue. She forced them down her swollen throat. Wobbly she turned hearing a noise in the distance.

  Figuring it was nothing she ignored it. She inhaled deeply, causing her to cough violently. She bent over. Hearing footsteps again she straightened and glanced around. “Who's there?"

  The lights in the room dimmed. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in the crook of her neck. Her knees buckled making her to fall to the floor. Before she passed out she saw a figure standing over her. She winced as a biting pain shot through her legs.

  "I know you can hear me...” the voice whispered, “now listen close. You will remember my words but you will not remember this incident."

  The words gelled in her mind before she passed out.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  "How's your head?” Beller asked as he and Caitlin loaded up the transport. Soldiers and other technicians rushed around the launch bay as they prepared the armored transports for the mission to Tau Ceti Three.

  "I'm fine,” she answered weakly and glanced around. She caught sight of Keegan leaving the area. For the second time in her life she felt abandoned by the man she loved.

  "We've got all new people this time."

  "So I noticed. Who are they?” she asked stowing her gear.

  "I don't know. All I know is that they're all vets. Combat experienced, most of them former Marines."

  Shocked, she turned and glanced at the area where Keegan had stood.

  "All right people. Let's move out.” Beller ordered.

  * * * *

  Severely loaded down with weapons and gear, Caitlin and the rest of the crew bounded across the ground, exhausted, emerging from the cover of the valley and into the openness of the plain. The harsh environment of Tau Ceti Three cut short their breaths as the frigid air whipped across their faces. They stopped momentarily and surveyed the area. After having been dropped two kilometers away from their target area, she and the rest of the crew were making good time. Trying her best to ignore the pain surging through her body, she pressed on.

  "All right guys, keep your eyes peeled,” Beller warned.

  Caitlin nodded in agreement. This time she was not bringing up the rear, but worked by his side. “How far do we have to go?” she whispered, looking around.

  "We need to get a little farther away from this valley.” He lifted his goggles and pulled out a GPS system. “We've got about a half kilometer to go."

  "I don't like it, it's too quiet."

  "Neither do I. Stay low,” he warned, motioning to the others.

  The faces of the men and women held no fear. In their white arctic coats, gear and hoods up, they seemed to blend into the environment.

  A small whirring sound in the snow beneath them made them dive for the ground. Snow fell away as a telescopic object with a long lens rose out of the earth and began scanning the area.

  Face first in the snow, rifles covered and all, Caitlin's breathing slowed and body temperature lowered instantly. She held onto reality by using the only sense she had available, her hearing. She listened for the distinctive sound of the sensor. When it stopped, she looked and sat up.

  "We must be close,” she mumbled to herself.

  * * * *

  "Boatswain's mate, set your course for 2-1-9.” Keegan ordered on the bridge.

  "Aye, aye, Sir. Setting course for 2-1-9"

  Keegan steered the Blanchard right into the wind, so to speak, giving the ship's fighters the best tactical advantage over the enemy's dampening system.

  "All hands battle stations,” he alerted.

  The alert went quickly down the line as the Blanchard and the rest of the fleet prepared for war.

  * * * *

  Caitlin peered through the scope, squeezed the trigger and sent out a volley of fire towards an impacted snow bank. A humanoid creature fell to the ground dropping its weapon in the process.

  "Where is the air support?” she grumbled.

  "Driskoll you keep shootin'!” her teammate yelled.

  Suddenly they heard a loud volley of fire from their M60D gunner who brought up the rear. The large weapon kept the enemy pinned down, giving them the chance to advance.

  * * * *

  "Okay people we've got one chance at this so let's do it right,” the CAG said over his Comm.

  He swung his fighter into formation as he and his squadron dove towards the planet's atmosphere.

  "I've got a bogey on my scope,” Lt. Kovitz said.

  "I see it,” her wingman acknowledged. “It's at your three o'clock position!"

  Kovitz's fighter rolled away, just missing the shots that fired over him. Jacoby moved into position making making the kill.

  * * * *

  The recoil blast from her M14D rifle jarred Caitlin's body as she and her squadron were pinned down on both sides.

  "Dammit, time is running out!” Beller growled. “Where in the Hell is that air support?!"

  "Try reaching them again!” Caitlin yelled.

  * * * *

  Colonel Keegan and General Hollis held on as the ship shook violently from the shockwave of an exploding mine, which nearly knocked the carrier on its side.

  "Raise the blast shields!” Keegan alerted the brid
ge. He glanced at the clock. It was almost time for the fighters to come home. Hopefully the ship's diversionary tactic was working.

  "What's the E.T.A. on the bombers?"

  "Sir, the team is just exiting the shed and the bombers are expected to make to their target in three minutes,” the operations specialist answered with his ear still pressed to his comm unit.

  "All right helmsman it's almost time for the birds to come home to roost, let's turn our backs to the rising sun."

  "Aye, aye Sir."

  The clock counted down. They had less than a half hour to go.

  * * * *

  "I'm almost out of ammo,” Caitlin called out.

  "Hold your fire!” Beller yelled as fighters buzzed overhead, just completing a strafing run.

  "All right this is close enough, we're setting it here,” he ordered his squad.

  Caitlin and a fellow team member opened their packs and took out a long metallic cylindrical object, which rested on a tripod.

  "Where's the relay?” Caitlin asked.

  "It's twenty yards ahead.” Beller gave her a look as if to say don't let me down.

  "It's done.” She lifted her hood and scrambled across the snow.

  * * * *

  "Alright, let's get this thing finished so we can get the Hell out of here."

  He and his crew quickly flipped a switch on the metallic cylinder. A laser emanated from the bottom, penetrating the snow, allowing them to affix it securely in the dirt. He checked the time.

  "Set it."

  "Ahhhhh!!!” A volley of gunfire from the large M-60D gunner went off in the distance and then went silent.

  Dark clouds formed in the sky just as the wind whipped violently around them. Visibility dropped as the snow fell.

  "Shit!” Beller gritted his teeth and readied his weapon.

  He heard a click, looked up and found himself face to face with the working end of an enemy rifle.

  * * * *

  Caitlin sniffled as her nose started to bleed. She dropped to the ground and secured her weapon. Removing a locator device from inside the pocket of her vest, she turned it on.

  "Hot damn, I'm good,” she coughed and spit a trickle of blood in front of her.

  The locator informed her that relay was right in front of her. She dug furiously in the snow until she touched a metal tip. It came to life. The tube rose out of the ground. A probe stuck out of the main cylinder, turned around and stopped once it locked onto a signal. It sent out a confirmation beep she could barely hear.