Chapter 9 #2
Around two in the morning Cody was able to launch his first flight of the tiny robots, which were about a thousand times more capable than the ones he’d been operating since they landed.
After that he went to bed. Jeff had finished the com assembly and sent his first, long com about what was happening on Randal Four, including uploads of the alien languages Melly had found.
He knew a reply would take hours, even at the speed which military interstellar communications traveled these days so he sought out his sleeping bag and forced himself to close his eyes and quiet his mind.
The next day was busy. Zach initiated the barn module, only grinning when Jeff reminded him they weren’t going to start the cycle for any of the farm animal embryos currently held in stasis for a long time, if ever.
Jeff received a reply to his com report.
It felt wrong to be out in a field in the open listening to a classified communication, but the house wasn’t done perfecting itself yet and he trusted his group.
“You and your men certainly have put yourselves in the eye of a storm, captain.,” his commander’s holo said, standing incongruously in the middle of a wildflower patch.
“I think the Sectors can count themselves lucky you’re there but unfortunately it’s not so rosy for you.
There won’t be any exfil possible. The solar system is completely interdicted with robo sentries to enforce the ban with lethal force if necessary. ”
It was what Jeff had expected and had indeed told Melly at one point this would be the case.
Still, there was an odd hollow in the pit of his stomach at hearing Commander Ironside state the case so bluntly.
In Jeff’s branch of the service they never left people behind.
This situation was a wild exception to the rule of course.
“The first sample of language you sent has been positively identified as Chimmer, which is concerning. It does serve to make your theory about the alien origin of this outbreak appear to be the most plausible. The second sample was harder to identify but I kept pushing and eventually was told the only place it’s ever been seen before is in a hush hush top secret operation on the far side of the galaxy where the Mellureans are involved.
I’m trying to get you more details but there’s a black hole where this issue is concerned.
I may have to get someone with more gravity involved.
At any rate, for what it’s worth, he did give me a name—Khagrish —and I got the distinct impression these are pretty nasty fuckers. ”
As Jeff. Had said to Melly so long ago, the Khagrish were a known alien race of scientists the scuttlebutt in the teams held was working for the Chimmer.
The story had in fact become almost an urban legend among the ranks but now here he was, faced with the actual ‘mad’ scientists holding his wife prisoner.
It was tantalizing to know there was more intel on them but locked up tight where he couldn’t benefit from it.
If the Mellureans were involved, it must be touchy.
He was frustrated but really, what would knowing the details of the other operation do for him?
He was dealing with a small group of the Khagrish, presumably, operating on Randal Four on their own, backed in theory by the Chimmer.
It didn’t necessarily mean the Chimmer were here in any significant numbers.
They were one of the Mawreg’s more efficient client races, high tech and close with the ultimate enemy.
They carried out missions in support of the Mawreg’s stated goal of eradicating humans from the galaxy, which this outbreak certainly had potential to do, judging by the havoc and disruption created here.
Ironside’s holo leaned closer. “I’m not going to even try to tell you how to proceed, Captain Pearson.
I’ve known you long enough to have utmost confidence in your judgment and discretion.
You’re the local commander, you make the calls.
Obviously we have to stop these Khagrish and it would be best if we could gather intel on exactly how they created this outbreak and what their next plans might be.
I leave it to you to proceed as you see fit.
I’ll expect regular reports. May the Lords of Space stand with you for all our sakes. Ironside out.”
“Anything you can share, captain?” Cody asked when Jeff rejoined the group striving to assemble the flyer.
“No reinforcements, no exfil. Nothing new there. I have complete discretion to act as I see fit.” Jeff shrugged.
“As if I wasn’t going to do that anyway but it’s nice to have the official go-ahead.
The alien languages have been identified as Chimmer—never a good thing to have them in the mix—and a bunch of bad actors named the Khagrish.
No other detailed intel on them but I’m sure you’ve all heard the scraps of gossip and barracks talk. ”
“Fucked up scientists, what more do we need to know?” Zach said.
“Fucked up eggheads holding my wife hostage,” Jeff replied. “Let’s get this damn thing finished.”
The task took most of the day and Les McDaniel was invaluable in completing the job.
He had mechanical skills and knowledge at a high level and Jeff was glad to have him on board.
He’d been discussing maintenance he wanted to do on the APC’s while there was downtime and showed himself to be the kind of guy who couldn’t sit and wait to be assigned a job.
He went out and identified a need and filled it.
Ryan was on his own, sorting through the container which held armaments and setting aside the items needed for an assault on a facility, once Cody’s drones located the alien lab.
Devora and Tamsyn, aided by Mike and keeping an eye on Jenny, dug out the crates containing the basic housewares modules Jeff had purchased.
He’d gone for the top of the line option, with add-ons to reflect the fact there’d be five men living in the house.
Now their group had increased in numbers, he was glad he’d been defiantly extravagant and suspected the women would tell him he needed more.
After lunch the house signaled him it was done with adjustments and ready for occupancy, so everyone took a break from their labors and explored their new home.
The first thing which struck Jeff when he stepped inside was the fresh smell—lemons and pine, but not overwhelming.
The furnishings were built in and modular so the rooms reminded him a bit of hotel accommodations in the MidSectors.
There were faux woodgrain items but for the most part the decor was white and gray, with touches of black and a splash of navy here and there.
He’d assigned himself the master bedroom suite since he was the commanding officer and he knew Melly would appreciate having their own bathroom.
He stood in the room for a long time, wishing she was here, safe with him, exploring their new home.
Soon, he promised her mentally. I’ll get you out of the trouble you’re in because of me and bring you here.
Unable to deal with the grief and anxiety he felt, Jeff went to check on the others.
Cody and Tamsyn had a room, as did Les and Devora.
For now Jeff had assigned the small office as a room for Jenny because it was close to her parents and he figured the couple deserved to have their privacy.
Trent and Zach shared a room and Ryan and Mike were in another.
The sixth bedroom was reserved for team meetings, the interstellar com and any other gear Jeff decided to install there.
Concluding his tour of the house with the kitchen, he found the two women there, putting away pots and pans. “Well what’s the verdict?” he asked.
“I think you did a good job,” Tamsyn said. “For a starter house, this is well laid out, as comfortable as modular is ever going to be and we seem to have most of the essentials.”
Devora nodded. “There were enough linens for all the beds—barely—and towels. I think we’ll be able to manage here. Much better than living in the APC’s.”
“No argument there. They weren’t designed to be a home away from home.” He squatted next to Jenny, who was pretending to feed one of her stuffed animals from a small pot. “How do you like your bedroom?” he asked.
“It’s great,” she said enthusiastically. “I can spread out all my furry friends and have a tea party. You’re all invited too.”
“Tell me when and I’ll be there,” he promised.
With a serious expression Jenny said, “I’ll give you the invitation myself when it’s time.” She evidently took her hostess duties for the imaginary party very seriously.
Cheered by the child’s happy attitude, Jeff headed outside and resumed his tasks related to the flyer. It was nearly ready for the checkout ride, which he and Les would do.
“Captain?” Tamsyn called after him, following him onto the back porch. “There’s a storm coming, don’t know if you’d noticed, not being from these parts.” She pointed at the mountains and Mike pivoted to follow her direction.
There was an ominous line of black clouds literally boiling up over the peaks and the breeze had picked up just in the short time he’d been inside. “How long do you figure we’ve got?”
“Couple of hours maybe. It’ll probably last all night and most of tomorrow. We should get everything into the containers and seal them.”
Surveying the cargo containers in the field, Jeff realized he and his crew had been a bit careless about opening the pods and scattering the contents while plucking out the items they wanted most. Military discipline had definitely lapsed in the face of excitement over exploring the cargo.
“Get whoever’s in the house out here, would you, please,” he said to Tamsyn. “We’ve got no time to waste.”
When the others joined him, exclaiming at the change in the weather, he took a moment to ask Cody why he hadn’t reported it earlier.