Cold Warriors Page 15

  She looked around and took off toward her teammates. When she arrived, she found the entire team laying on the ground. She checked the ones in the immediate vicinity. They were all dead. She searched for Beller.

  "Beller!” She called and turned him around. She checked his pulse. He was bleeding from his side but he was alive. He mumbled incoherently.

  "What?” she asked leaning in.

  "Watch-out."

  She pulled out her side arm. She got off one shot before the weapon was knocked from her hand.

  * * * *

  The CAG made a sweep over the surface of the planet. Troops scrambled onto the transports that were lifting off as soon as the last soldier's foot hit the deck. An explosion off his right wing caused his fighter to shake. The radar on board began beeping; someone had a lock on him.

  He swerved and dipped his fighter trying to out-maneuver the Vernean craft. His jet lurched just as his right engine went out from a direct hit on his wing.

  "Shit!” he swore pressing the comm link. “Eagle One, this is Papa Bear. I've been hit, I repeat, I've been hit. Lost power in my right engine.” He tried restarting the engine to no avail.

  "Read you loud and clear Papa Bear. Baby bear is on the way."

  "Negative! No can do! No time! All clear, should be home soon.” He ordered. The fighter sputtered yet maintained speed, “Come on baby hold it together."

  The CAG finished the sweep of the area. He had no idea why he was going as far he was, but for some reason he believed he owed it to his friend. He flew over the rendezvous spot and saw the device activated but no sign of the Go-Team. The snowstorm had turned into a blizzard. Just as he was about to pull away he saw two figures in the snow, but was unable to make out who they were. He decided to go in for a closer look.

  * * * *

  Caitlin rolled around in the snow grunting, trying to get the creature off of her. It reared back to hit her in the face, but she blocked it and using the strength of her legs she manage to kick it off her. She scrambled for the knife that had been knocked earlier from her hand. Just as it dove atop her she shoved the knife into its neck. The blade stopped once it hit what she hoped was bone. Apparently lifeless, it slumped atop her. She pushed it away, out of breath and terrified.

  Frantically she searched for her rifle. The creature stirred, stood up and pulled the knife out of its neck. Spotting her rifle yards away behind the creature, her mind frantically searched for options.

  Then she heard the familiar whine of an aircraft engine. It was one of the jets from the Blanchard. She took cover as it made a straffing run. The creature exploded into little pieces. She managed to catch a glimpse of it before it was destroyed by a retreating enemy fighter.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  "Sir, all wings and squadrons accounted for,” the Operation Specialist said turning to Keegan.

  "Okay let's get the Hell out of Dodge,” Keegan said. “Boatswain Mate, let's make way behind the moon, set your course at 5-1-9."

  "Aye, aye, Sir."

  The clock ticked down with only ten minutes before the Terraforming device was set to go.

  * * * *

  Caitlin pressed the plunger into Beller's leg shooting him full of morphine.

  "Beller, wake up!” She shook him hard again and again until he stirred. “We gotta go. Where's the shuttle out?"

  She heard a massive explosion in the distance. The ground shook and rippled like the surface of the sea.

  "Just go. No way out,” he spurted blood.

  "I saw a ship overhead."

  "Is it set?"

  "Yes.” She looked into his eyes. The life was fading from them. “Dammit don't you die on me! You hear! Get up now!"

  He struggled to move. “We got to get to cover,” he said weakly.

  "Get up!” she ordered straining to help him stand. The two struggled through growing snowdrifts and driving winds. He fell to the ground; she checked her watch. They had less than five minutes. She didn't know where to go. She looked around and saw the valley where they had originally landed. She dropped her pack and rifle and took off his.

  Suddenly, she recalled an image followed by words. Something about a cave and a valley. Her mind replayed the message. “Go to the cave where the valley meets the plain. Get inside and wait."

  She and Beller struggled going as fast as they could. After making it to the edge of the plain, he fell once more. This time he no longer moved.

  "Oh God no!” she cried, desperately pulling and then dragging him by the feet. She fell to the ground exhausted and sobbing.

  "A cave. A cave,” she repeated wincing in pain. She stared seeing nothing but large cliffs that were too hard to scale and offering no cover to speak of. She grasped her side in agony and crawled over to Beller and checked his pulse. It was minimal at best.

  Spotting a tiny opening in the snow, she wiped away the powder exposing rock and a tiny cave capable of holding both her and him. She dove inside and then pulled him in after her. Wind swept over the opening, blowing snow across it and covering them just as the ground moaned and shook as a roar of wind rushed by the cave's entrance.

  * * * *

  As the clock counted down to zero, Keegan held his breath. For a moment, it seemed as if time stood still.

  * * * *

  Caitlin lay in her frozen den. Her breathing became shallow and labored. She saw blood trickle onto her clothing. She glanced at Beller laying face down on the rocky floor. She knew it could not be coming from him. She checked her torso and side; the blood came from her. Exhausted, she lay down to rest.

  Wind and searing heat made the noise outside sound like bacon sizzling. She heard the rocks above groan and shift, then a massive avalanche sealed her and Beller inside the den.

  "It's over. It's finally over,” she sighed and closed her eyes, too weak to move and too tired to care. She was ready to die.

  * * * *

  Fourteen hours later, the Blanchard and the rest of the fleet reappeared from behind the moon. Cheers rang throughout the ship signaling the mission's success.

  "Ma'am the latest recon back from the planet, reports no activity, and no movement whatsoever."

  "Thank you, Lieutenant,” General Hollis said. “Dammit, Colonel, we did it!"

  "Yes, Ma'am, we did.” Keegan didn't at all feel like celebrating, “What about a deeper scan of the planet's surface to check for life."

  "No can do. The planet's reactions still aren't stabilized yet, it's too dangerous."

  He hid his disappointment.

  "There'll be plenty of time to clear the planet. Get some rest, Colonel. You've been on duty for a while now."

  "Thank you, Ma'am, but I'm not tired."

  "Take a break, I've got the Comm."

  "Yes, Ma'am.” Keegan high-tailed it down to the ship's midsection where the cryo units were.

  He entered the main room. All of the bunks were empty. None of them had made it back. He stared at the bunk with her number on it. Suddenly the emptiness of the room was too much for him to bear. He ran to his quarters.

  He pulled out the piece of paper the doc had given him. Scrawled in her own hand was one word. Yes

  An all too familiar feeling of grief and loss overtook him. He collapsed to the floor.

  * * * *

  Keegan stowed his gear on the transport.

  "What do you think you're doing?” Hollis asked him. She looked her friend in the eye. “Look I know about the CAG, but,,Colonel, he's not down there. He's gone."

  "I know that."

  "Then what exactly are you doing?"

  "I have go down there."

  "What for?"

  "There's someone I need to find."

  She frowned. “There shouldn't be anyone down there for you to find."

  "I have to go."

  "Inside,” she motioned for him to follow her inside the transport, “I've known you for a long time and lately you're not yourself. What's going on?"

  "There is someone down the
re. She's still alive, I know it and I made a promise that I wouldn't leave her."

  "Must I remind you that a nuclear reaction has just taken place on that planet ... and chances are that it is still taking place!"

  "I don't care, I'm going,” he continued the transports pre-flight check.

  "Who is it?"

  "It doesn't matter."

  "The Hell it doesn't! You're not taking one of my birds off my ship. I just lost my Air Group Commander and you think I'm about to lose my XO?"

  "You don't know her."

  "I know everything that goes on my ship ... that's what makes me a good leader.” She paused, “This wouldn't have anything to do with that incident between you and Max regarding the cryo?"

  Keegan remained silent but stared her straight in the eye.

  She thought for a moment, “You know the place is off-limits. You do it and you'll loose your bars."

  "Considering I'm resigning my commission, it works out well."

  "Are you going to throw away over twenty years of service on this?!"

  He stuffed the rest of his survival gear into the passenger seat and stared at his wedding ring. He took it off and placed it in his pocket.

  "Ruth, try to understand. If I don't this, I will regret it for the rest of my life. Don't try to stop me, because I'm going with or without your permission."

  She thought for a moment. “We never had this conversation and none of this ever happened. But, you have one hour to get there and get back, if not, when the fleet retreats and sweeper ships come, you'll be added to the list of casualties."

  "I understand,” he nodded knowing that he wasn't interested in coming back if he didn't find Caitlin.

  "Just for the sake of my own thoughts, how do you plan on finding her?"

  "With this,” he said holding up an Implant Sensor Device.

  "Right...” she nodded, “you've got one hour."

  * * * *

  Keegan's boots crunched against the slushy snow and ice. According to the readout she was supposed to be somewhere here near the cave he had seen on the schematics earlier. He studied the Implant Sensor Device and once again glanced around the surrounding landscape. Snow had turned to a biting rain.

  He peered around then spotted some gear. A semi-melted rifle and canteen littered the landscape along with other indistinguishable items.

  A scanner on his tool belt alerted him to an upcoming radiation storm. He took an anti-rad pill out of his pocket and placed it on his tongue.

  He waved the imsensor device around hoping the radiation would not interfere with the signal. Suddenly it beeped registering a number. Keegan walked towards the signal as it counted down to zero.

  He bent down digging through the rubble and melting snow. He stopped when he saw an opening. He pulled out a flashlight and peered inside. He saw two bodies.

  "Cate?” he whispered and pulled out her frozen form. He placed the Imsensor Device against her leg. It showed minimal vitals, though she was unconscious and frozen stiff.

  "Biostasis, good girl,” he said with a hint of relief in his voice. “At least you remembered. Thank God for those neurotransmitters."

  Crawling over Caitlin, he checked Beller inside the cave. Judging from the hole in his side and his lack of vitals, he knew was gone. Scooting out of the cave, he tossed Caitlin over his shoulder.

  The scanner on his tool belt beeped. It meant a radiation storm was eminent. He quickly carried her back to the transport. Just as the doors shut, the wind blew, making the metal on the ship sizzle.

  Keegan strapped her and then himself in, putting the craft in gear heading toward the Blanchard.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Months later ... Earth

  "Cate? Cate?"

  She slowly stirred, feeling more aware of her surroundings.

  "Cate. Wake up,” the voice sounded gentle and reassuring.

  She winced as a sharp light penetrated her eyes. Instinctively she reared away.

  "Honey, wake up."

  She squeezed her eyelids tighter then opened them. As her blurry vision came into focus she saw two figures in front of her. One standing and one sitting.

  "Ms. Driskoll, can you hear me?"

  "Yes,” she answered weakly.

  "So far so good,” the other voice said.

  "Where am I? Am I still on the ship?” She asked smelling the familiar sent of alcohol and antiseptic in the air.

  "You're in a hospital,” the first voice responded. It sounded familiar.

  "What?” she asked gasping, her breathing shallow and labored.

  "Shhh, calm down. You're going to be fine."

  She could feel someone holding her hand. She opened her eyes fully and turned her head. She saw Medoro sitting in a chair beside her. He was dressed in civilian clothes, as was the doctor standing next to him.

  "Thank you doctor,” he nodded clutching her hands. His academy class ring shined in the light.

  "I'll be back to check on her."

  Looking into his eyes, “Was it real? Did it really happen?"

  He nodded.

  "How did you find me?"

  "Don't worry about it."

  She tried sitting up but the IV's flowing in both of her arms prevented it. “You came back for me?"

  He nodded silently.

  "What about the ship? The planet? Did it..."

  "Everything's fine."

  "Beller?"

  "No,” he shook his head solemnly.

  She turned her head and swallowed. Her throat was dry and sore. She looked back at him, “I saw him. I could have sworn I saw him. The CAG..."

  "He won't hurt you anymore."

  "No, he saved me. He saved me...” she mumbled, “I know he did, but they came, the ship, it ... it ... shot.... and he blew.... up..."

  He caressed her face, “Shhh. Try not to think of that now."

  "What do we do now?"

  "It depends. Do you like Montana?"

  She smiled. “As long as you're with me."

  He leaned forward and kissed her. At that moment, she knew everything was going to be all right.

  THE END

  We hope you enjoyed Cold Warriors by Clare Dargin. If you enjoyed this science fiction look at the future, we'd like to recommend, New Tortuga: Monday's Child by Jessica Russell.

  To keep up with our latest releases, we recommend you joining one of our yahoo groups. AMPCommunity@yahoogroups.com is our chatty community and AMPMountaineer@yahoogroups.com is our announcement only loop.

  Now, for an excerpt from New Tortuga: Monday's Child

  Excerpt:

  He was dead and it was my fault.

  I stared at the charred stage floor torn between horror and numbness. I preferred the numbness. Occasionally shudders wracked my body and I'd clutch the woolen blanket tighter around my body. Questions were asked above my head and all I could think about was Jhon. My beautiful Jhon.

  I sat alone in the middle of a room full of people. No one but the gossip columnists and holo newscasters paid any attention to me. A thousand voices called questions from behind the cordon, but I couldn't hear them past the roar in my ears. Jhon was dead.

  They'd taken his body already. I needed to call his life partner but somehow my body wouldn't move. Fog filled my mind and I welcomed it. Another death. Tonight's headlines would say something about my tour's curse. Fatal accidents followed us. I blinked. Me. They followed me. I clenched the bridge of my nose and fought off the tears.

  My gaze fixated on the spot where Jhon had died. Where I should have died. Would the smell of burned flesh ever leave me? Why did it have to be fire? It had been my choreography. I made the call to switch up the moves. My eyes burned with unshed tears and I knew I had to get out of here before I lost it in front of the universe.

  The media sweep cameras were trying to hover over the cordon. I shivered. No telling how much of Jhon's death they'd caught on camera. It had been our greatest performance in over a year. Guilt gnawed at my stomach. Go
dless law, I had to get out of here. I shoved the blanket off my shoulders and looked for the easiest way out.

  "Miss Ianna James?” A sharp-eyed detective in a standard issue green skin suit smiled at me. Almost any other time I would have appreciated the sight of a well-developed man, especially one that put all the right ridges and curves in that suit. I smiled a half-hearted smile. Yeah, what a helluva companion I'd be tonight.

  "Yes, Detective?” I crossed my arms and planted my feet. He'd get a fight if he wanted one. I needed to get to my room and under the influence of a nice sedative.

  I watched Mickey make his way toward me with the determination of a bulldog. Mickey, my hero and assistant, oh goddess I loved him. That man could make anyone sit up and beg. I smiled at the detective and relaxed my stance.

  "Ianna, love, we have to go.” Mickey swept me up into his arms like we'd been lovers forever, although we'd never made it past platonic.

  I nuzzled his cheek and smiled. We played it very well. It kept the wolves and fortune hunters at bay. So far anyway. He set me down and gave me a tight hug.

  The detective cleared his throat and I waited.

  "More questions?” Mickey's smile fell. He kissed my forehead and sighed. “I'd wanted to get us to bed and away from all of this."

  He pulled me close and slipped an arm around my shoulders. I closed my eyes and longed for my room like a drug. Another round of questions and I'd fall apart.

  The detective cleared his throat.

  "Ianna, he wants your autograph.” Mickey's murmur shocked me to stillness.

  I stared, incredulous. The bastard. Sure enough he held a pen and sheet of, oh how quaint, real honest to goodness Old Earth paper for me to sign. Images of a pen nib sticking out of his jugular flashed in my mind.

  With shaking hands I jerked the utensils out of his grasp and scribbled a signature glaring my disgust. He had the decency to look uncomfortable.

  I shoved them back at him and turned on my heel. Mickey fell in step with me blocking the waves of media and onlookers as we made our way through the cordon line. He held my arm and I slipped from his grasp.