Battle Earth - · Box Set 1-6, page 111
Rains could not help but laugh.
"Well, all right. I can bring our speed down with bow thrusters alone. That shouldn't draw any more attention than us barrelling in like a piece of junk."
Eddie turned off the last console lights. They were in complete blackout now as they floated into the mouth of the enemy vessel.
"You know if this thing hadn't come to destroy our planet, I might actually be genuinely impressed," whispered Eddie.
"Yeah, well save your genuinely impressed expression for when we blow it sky high," replied Taylor.
"So you expecting us to fight too?" asked Perez.
"If you have to, yes. Rains here proved himself more than capable last time the shit hit the fan and he was left with a gun in his hands. We're few, and they are many, so I need every fighter I can get."
"Been a long time since I had to shoot anything."
"Not for long it won't be, Eddie."
"This is it, no turning back now."
Taylor turned back to Jones' and his platoon and whispered.
"We're faking a crash landing and coming down right over what looks like a repair crew. I want us out the door and taking them down immediately."
He turned back just in time to see them pass over the enemy position and smash down onto the floor of the next level. They slid along the metal floor, causing sparks to spray up either side of them before grinding to a halt. It was just enough to make it look like their craft was a wreck, but controlled enough to cause no more than superficial damage.
"Let's go," whispered Taylor.
Jones was first to the door and heaved the large slider aside but forgot the lack of power. The ramp dropped like a brick and smashed down onto the floor. He cringed but relaxed as he realised it was probably no louder than the bull in a china shop landing that Eddie had just strived for. The platoon was frozen and waiting for a response to the noise, but it did not come. Jones turned, pointing for them to move. He was the first one down the ramp and rushed to the ragged edge of the floor that was exposed to space itself.
As they reached the edge, they ground to a halt and looked down realising the drop onto the other decks and space itself. The low gravity of the space before them would present no danger should they fall, but it did not stop Jones' from feeling unsettled. It was like looking over the edge of a skyscraper. Despite being a Parachute regiment officer, he had still never fully gotten over his discomfort with heights.
Taylor reached the edge beside him and looked down to see one of the Mech workers lifting a weapon to the slightly mesmerised Captain. Taylor quickly fired two carefully aimed shots, hitting the creature square in the chest. It wore an armoured suit that the Reitech rounds punctured through and exited out the other side of the alien's body. The creature fell back and floated off the ship into space. Any other time, Taylor would fear the body being discovered, but this day it would be just another corpse among the thousands of others in space.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something move, but before he could respond, Jones' weapon fired, and two others joined him. Two more of the creatures were instantly killed without getting a shot off. Jafar reached them and looked at the repair work being undertaken.
"Those crews work in threes, so there should be no others in sight."
"Good, then let's move. You lead the way."
He turned to see the three nukes were already in tow. With the low gravity and power of the Reitech suits, just two men could carry each. Jafar led the way forward, but Taylor turned back to Jones and could see he was every bit as concerned for the operation as he was.
"Only way is forward, old chap."
"Yeah, Jones, that's what I'm afraid of. Come on, let's see this through."
The two of them led the platoon on with Jafar on point. He led them back past Rains’ Stallion and through the blast damaged room until they were into the core of the ship. On their route, they past several dead aliens, but there was little sign of any other movement.
"Where is everyone, Jafar?" whispered Taylor.
"There will be roving patrols, but the impact must have killed many. Most of those aboard will be busy fixing the breaches.”
"So they're forming a perimeter all around this blast site. How are we supposed to get in?" asked Jones.
"Through one of Demiran's many access tunnels. There are secret passageways throughout all of his personal ships that only he and his personal guard know how to recognise."
"Sounds like he doesn't have a whole lot of trust for his own people?" replied Jones.
"No, there are many who would not hesitate to kill the Lord if they were ever given the opportunity. Surely this is not an unfamiliar concept to humans?"
Taylor could not help but smile.
"It isn't those under my command I fear. It's those above it."
"Lions led by sheep," Jones added.
Jafar seemed confused by the expression, and it was clear he wasn't sure what either of the animals was.
"You can speak our language, but you don't know what a lion is?"
"Our translation chips allow us to converse, but for some things there are no translations. There are creatures on my homeworld which I could not begin to explain to you in any language you would understand."
"Fair enough," replied Jones.
"Come on, let's focus on the task at hand," said Taylor. How confident are you that our presence has gone unnoticed?"
"Absolute. They would be hunting us right now if they knew we were aboard. The last thing Demiran would ever expect is for the humans to try and board the Gezgen K'til."
"Why?"
"Just look at it, Captain," replied Taylor.
"Yes, it has become the thing of nightmares. To go near it would be to invite death to all around you."
"Good to know, Jafar," said Jones.
Up ahead they could see an open doorway.
"Come."
They paced quickly but cautiously down the corridor to the broad doorway which was three metres wide by two high. One of the two doors look at if it had tried to shut but was jammed against the floor which had buckled up and blocked its path.
"They'll be along to fix this before long."
As soon as they had all got through, Jafar heard movement and signalled for them to shift over into the side of the corridor. Taylor ducked down into the alcove, realising how vulnerable he felt not having his shield. They had rushed so quickly into the mission, and they had to be as light and subtle as possible, that it would not have been practical to take them. But he sure wished for it now. Jafar leaned in close.
“Two sentries.”
Taylor lifted his hand and signalled the news to the others as he drew his Assegai, lifting it for all to see. It was all the message they needed.
"Let's do this quietly."
Jafar's rifle was already slung down. He had known it was the way to do it.
I wonder if my alien friend has always been so adept at fighting in a dirty and clandestine way rather than the stand up fight the Mechs seem to use. He’s so different from the regular alien soldiers that I have to assume he’s been something special from the beginning.
The heavy footsteps grew nearer and stayed at a steady pace. The slow amble of a bored security detail sweeping large areas. It reminded him of some of the mindless duties he had been given as a young officer. He'd give anything to return to those long boring details. His pulse increased as the steps grew louder until finally a gun barrel swept into view. Jafar leapt into action and thrust his Assegai up under the arm of the first, driving it deep into the creature’s torso for an instant kill.
The second creature was quick to respond by pivoting its weapon around to fire on Jafar, but with one quick kick he shoved it out the way. Before he could close the distance, the creature spasmed from an impact from behind. It tried to turn but was hit several more times and toppled down to the deck. Blinker stood over the vanquished body with thick blood pouring from the tip of his Assegai.
"They said never stab a man in the back, but not these things," he said with a smile.
Monty shook his head in despair.
"We're on the most important and suicidal mission of our lives, and you still find time to lark about," he whispered.
Taylor looked down at the body that had been hit by repeated thrusts through its backplate. He looked up to the cocky Private who still had a broad grin on his face.
"Should we hide the bodies?" Jones asked.
"No, there is no time," replied Jafar as he lifted his rifle back into his hands and continued on.
"You seem to know this ship well," Taylor said, joining him at the front.
"No, but all of Demiran's vessels were made in his shipyard and follow the same basic layout."
"Makes sense if he wanted to easily locate and use those secret access tunnels he has."
"Yes."
They continued on until they reached a broad door that was sealed shut.
"This is where they have sealed the ship from the damage. The only way in now is through Demiran's passageways."
Taylor lifted his arm, looking at the time with concern.
"You said we had maybe an hour to get this done. Forty-five minutes have already passed. This is getting a little close for comfort."
"The weapon takes three minutes to power up, and you will know when that starts."
"Three minutes? Let's hope we don't have to hear that sound."
"I have never heard it myself either. I only know of it from legend.”
"All right, then let's get to this secret entrance and be on our way."
Jafar was looking up and around the walls, clearly searching for some unique signature only a select knew to look for. The lighting was barely enough to get by. Clearly the K'til had some basic power back. Helpful for getting their job done, but also disconcerting knowing what they were getting the power back online for.
"You still think Demiran is aboard?" asked Taylor.
"Yes, the K'til is only ever commanded by him. It would be an insult for anyone else to have had the honour of destroying a world with the K'til."
"Great, what I wouldn't give to get my hands on him."
Jafar turned to Taylor.
"I think your chance will come before long."
Jafar turned away and followed the wall, constantly looking up and down. Taylor wasn't sure whether he was following some hidden signs or completely lost, but he dare not ask. Eventually, he stopped, reaching the vent to what appeared to be a duct system. It was a metre square at most.
"Seriously? That's the 'secret access'?" asked Jones with scepticism.
Jafar pulled open the vent but did not climb in. Instead, he put his arm in, reaching up as far as he could. A second later, there was a hiss like gas escaping, and a door swung open a metre further along. Taylor breathed a sigh of relief. It was the first sign that the plan might actually work.
"Not that I doubted you, but holy shit! This is like some hidden King’s corridor in an old castle," Jones grinned.
"Precisely. It is entirely mechanical and powered by compressed gas, allowing the doors to be activated even if the power is down. This will take us about thirty metres and far inside the perimeter they have set."
Taylor stepped cautiously towards the doors, considering the fact they were committing everything they had into one corridor with only one way in and one way out.
This could be our valley of death, he thought.
"Are you positive nobody will know we are here?" he asked.
"Demiran will not think for a minute this access has been compromised. Last he saw I was loyal to him. He must think me dead, if he has given any thought at all to Tsengal and me."
"You saved his life when we first met, did you not?"
"Yes, but that will mean little to him. As far as Demiran is concerned, every Krycenaean owes their life to him."
"Nice," Taylor replied, gesturing for Jafar to lead the way. Jones stayed at the back to see the door shut after they were all inside. They stepped quietly along the passageway, not knowing what lay either side of them through the thick walls. They reached the far end without incident, but then came the time to enter into an unknown area. Taylor had his rifle at the shoulder, and Jafar reached for the door, counting down with his finger as he had been trained to do.
The door swung open, and Taylor stepped out quickly. He expected to have to fight his way out of the doorway, but there was nothing. Not a single sign of life. He signalled for the others to join him.
"How much further do we need to go?"
"Just another hundred metres should do it."
"Should?"
Jafar nodded.
They continued on down a broad corridor with four metre high ceilings. Tracks lay along the floor that looked as if they were some kind of tramline for moving heavy goods. They covered half the distance they needed when they reached a bend. Time was short, so they blundered on without checking blind corners. As they took the bend, shock nearly stopped Taylor's heart, and they came to a halt. A dozen Mechs were marching towards them. Their weapons were lowered, and it was clear they were as surprised as each other. Neither moved for a few seconds.
Jones was the first to fire, and it was the signal for the others to join him. Outnumbered three to one, the Mechs didn't stand a chance and only managed to fire off a few pulses before they all lay dead from the devastating volley. Taylor looked back, and to his amazement and delight, they had not taken a single casualty.
"That was as much luck as anything."
None of them were in any doubt. They were just glad to be alive.
“This is the entrance to one of the main crossroads of the tunnel system. Your nuclear weapons will yield maximum effect here."
"I can't believe we're gonna get away with planting these. How are they not on to us yet?" asked Jones.
"They will be," replied Jafar. "That gun battle will not have gone unnoticed. We have to hurry."
They got to a jogging pace. The corridor opened out as Jafar said into a huge five way crossroads with a domed roof. It was completely empty, but Taylor noticed the tramlines from every corridor converged at centre.
"Why is there no one here?"
"This is a main storage facility. Everything stored here will have been loaded ready for the weapon."
"What does it fire, this thing?" asked Jones.
"I have no idea. That is a secret Demiran and his ancestors have kept well guarded. That secret maintains the power they have."
"Then it will die with him," replied Taylor.
"We can only hope," Jones added.
The nukes were carried into the crossroads area. Jafar was pacing around the huge room until he found what he was looking for.
"Over here!"
He reached down and pulled up a hinged handle on the floor, yanking it hard. A several metre long and wide hatch opened, and he spun it over on its hinges.
"This is a maintenance access point. They will be safe here."
"Right, get them inside, boys!" yelled Taylor.
Come on, come on, he thought. This might actually work.
"Set the timers for five minutes."
"Five? Cutting that a little fine, aren't we?”
"Jafar said the machine needs three minutes to fire up once the power is going. We have no idea when that will happen, so I want as short a fuse as possible, Jones."
"We could just detonate remotely?"
"No, we can't risk it. If we die trying to make it out of here, or the signal somehow gets jammed, it'll be all over. These nukes going off is the number one priority. Us getting out alive is insignificant by comparison. If we can, we will."
"Well, aren't you a joy to be with today?"
"Hey, this isn't on me. I didn't turn up to Earth on this fucking monstrosity to try and end humanity. Find Demiran, and take it up with him."
"I intend to."
Taylor looked up to see the smile had gone, and he was being deadly serious. He patted Jones on the shoulder and stood up beside him.
"We'll get the bastard, and we'll get him together, unless these nukes fry him. We can only hope."
"No, it can't be that easy. Someone like Demiran, he won't go down like this. We may destroy his ship, his fleet, and even his army, but when it comes down to the bastard himself, it's gonna be a job for our own hands."
Taylor could see the bitter hatred in Jones' eyes, and he wished there was a way to console him, but only the death of Demiran would satisfy his desire.
"We're good to go."
The call came from Silva, so Taylor knew he would not need any confirmation.
"All right, let's blow this hunk of junk!" Rains shouted.
"Set the charges and be ready to move!" yelled Taylor.
"Charges...armed!" Silva called out.
"Let's go!"
Taylor was first to get moving with Jafar close by his side. In just ten seconds at a sprinting pace, they reached the bodies of the Mechs they had slaughtered. Their Reitech suits were now being used to their max, providing a rapid sprint. They reached the secret access door they had left open and thundered on through. There was no need to cover their tracks any longer. They were running for their lives.
They were nearing the end of the passageway but none had slowed down, not even Jafar who was at their head. He hit the doorway at a full sprint and smashed the door from its hinges. It bounced off the opposite wall. Taylor was out a second later and saw Jafar barrel into a roll, hitting the wall and rolling back onto his feet. Mitch had already caught the glimpse of movement when a pulse soured down the corridor between the two of them. He ripped a grenade from his webbing, tossing it quickly at the enemy soldiers and following it with several bursts.
It forced the creatures to duck for cover, and that gave the rest of the platoon enough time to get out of Demiran's no longer secret passage.
"Keep moving! Run over them!" Taylor ordered.
Just three Mechs had targeted them, and they were directly in the path they needed to get back to the Stallion. They didn't have shields, but they still advanced shoulder to shoulder at speed as if they did. Without the shields to provide cover, they used a wall of fire to do the same job. The Mechs huddled for their lives behind a small barrier, not able to raise their bodies without being instantly killed.
