E:A Vol 2 Ch 5—September 9, 2118

“Two pieces,” Ja’val said as he handed out the subspace tracking devices to John and his team. “The wrist piece is what you’ve probably seen Victoria wear. They will need to be activated when you’re really to be picked up. These pieces,” he said holding up something small and almost invisible, “will signal the self-destruct. One piece fits on your thumb, the other fits on your, I believe you call it, pinky. To activate the self-destruct, you touch the two fingers together.”

“And blow off our wrists?” John asked.

“No,” Ja’val answered, “it simply smolders the interior components so that our technology will not be revealed. You won’t be harmed. The worse thing you’ll experience is a rather horrible smell.”

“Why not the thumb and forefinger?” Chris asked, “Seems easier.”

“You would not want to destroy them prematurely. This combination of digits is less likely to happen accidentally.”

“Ah, right.”

“One last thing of note, the frequency I’ve selected is not one normally scanned for by Rayth ships, however, there is always a possibility that the ships in the area might inadvertently pick up the signal. So make sure at least one of you is always on guard once that signal is activated.”

“I’ll always have at least one of us on guard,” John said.

“Do we all have to have the devices on in order to be teleported up?” Be’atta asked.

“It would make things easier, however, the orders that will be given to the transport ship will be that there should be four humans and that if there are fewer signals to lock on to, they should scan the immediate area for human life signs and teleport them up,” Zy’nayth said.

Ja’val looked around the table and asked if everyone understood everything or if they had any further questions.

“You’ll show us how to put those finger parts on, right?” Chris asked.

“I will be here in the morning to make sure they are correctly applied,” he answered.

When the team didn’t have any more questions, John went over the details of his plan, giving the three Rayth copies of his digital files.

“We’re planning on it taking fourteen days to get to our destination and that’s if the forest isn’t as thick and dense as it appears, and we don’t encounter hostiles. Once there, I want to take a full day of rest before going in to recon the place, provided there is a base to recon. Depending on the size, security, and such, it could take several days before we get all of the intel we need. Of course, if it’s too heavily fortified, I might want to back out. I can’t make that call until I see what we’re up against. If all goes well and we don’t encounter much resistance, we should signal for pick up at 21 days. At the latest will be 28 days, I hope.”

“Will you be able to contact Kaven’s team while planet-side?” the First Commander asked.

“According to your report,” John said, “there’s a lot of ionization in the air, so that will disrupt our comlinks. I also want to limit contact to emergencies only in case our communications are picked up. And, of course, we don’t want the rest of Kaven’s team knowing we’re there.”

Kol’non gave Ja’val a nod, and the First Science Commander tossed something to John and to Kaven. “For an emergency. It is only capable of sending one strong burst of sound through the ionization. The sound will last exactly five seconds then both of the devices will self-destruct, just like the tracking transmitters, so use it only if desperate. It will attach to your comlinks, just slide it over the earwrap.”

“What’s it for?” Chris asked.

“If you are pinned down in the middle of the forest, or something happens to one of your team members—a broken leg or such—it can signal Kaven that you need picked up and they can alert us to start searching for your signals right away, otherwise we won’t start scanning the area until the initial 21 days have passed,” Kol’non said.

“I hope we don’t need it,” John said.

“What will that burst sound like,” Kaven asked, “so I know it when I hear it.”

“Trust me, if Colonel Hagen activates it, you’ll know,” Ja’val said. “And if you need to activate it, Colonel, make sure you also activate your tracking signals. We’re still looking at two days to get to you, and that’s if the transport ship isn’t in the middle of a supply run.”

“I take it Kaven has to be planet-side for him to receive the burst,” John said.

“Yes,” Ja’val answered.

“Then you need to make sure you make a good impression on the villagers,” Be’atta said, “so you can stay planet-side.”

“Hey, I’m a charming guy, they’ll love me,” Kaven smiled.

“You’re starting to sound like Chris,” John said, then finished up going over his plan, asked for any advice, then made a few minor tweaks to his plan. “That’s all I have.”

“High Chancellor,” Vince said, “First Commander, is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”

Zy’nayth spoke. “As soon as your team bridges over in the morning, my ship will be leaving orbit. Our operations will then commence. The First Commander will send files this evening to you. They will include what planets we will be targeting. We are going after a few of the traitorous Rayth leaders. The files will let you know what planets the ships are currently orbiting. I suggest you avoid sending teams to those areas until you hear from us.”

“I appreciate that, sir,” Vince said. “Is there anything we can do to help on this front?”

“No. Thank you. What you are doing is of great benefit. It is keeping our enemies on the run and not attacking other Rayth, nor human villages.”

“Anything else we need to cover?”

Zy’nayth shook his head and the First Commander also stated that he had nothing else to discuss. Vince dismissed the group and John told his team to that they were going to do one final check of equipment and supplies, go over the plans again, and that they needed to retire early.

Be’atta wanted to go over a few things with Victoria as part of her final check of medical equipment and supplies, so Victoria told her husband that she’d return to their chambers as soon as she could. When she arrived an hour later, he was sitting on the floor, the babies sitting politely in front of him eating their lunch. While one baby was given a spoonful of food, the other was chewing theirs. Then he switched.

Victoria laughed when she saw the sight. “If you’re not using telepathy, how are you able to get them to sit so still and obey?”

“They are hungry.”

She shook her head and sat down beside her husband. Mik’kenna clapped and opened her mouth, awaiting her next spoonful of food. When Zy’nayth didn’t respond immediately, she said, “Da!” and clapped again.

“It’s telepathy.”

Zy’nayth smiled and finished feeding his two children. Victoria reached up and stroked the braid in his hair and gave it a gentle kiss then rested her head on his shoulder. He could sense her emotions rising, her sorrow, then she began to silently cry.

“I wish you didn’t have to leave tomorrow,” she said softly. “Seems like we’re apart more than we’re together.”

Ky’nayth also sensed his mother’s sorrow and crawled over onto her lap and held out his arms for a hug. Victoria smothered him with hugs and kisses then set him back down so that he could finish his lunch.

“I would like to stay, but I must help with this part of the operation. I am sorry, Victoria.”

“Don’t be. I know you have to go, and I’ll be okay, I just need a little cry and I’ll be fine.”

“We have the rest of the day together. Is there something in particular you would like to do?”

“No. I just want to be with you and our kids.”

September 10, 2118

Kaven and his team bridged over to the planet of Vaan to the village that the First Commander had selected in his initial report. Ja’val finished up applying the self-destruct activators to the four members of John’s team, then they bridged over to an area roughly 500 miles from their destination. Finally, the three Rayth were ready to teleport to the flagship.

Lutia hugged her husband and failed to hold back her tears. Zy’nayth was giving his children one last round of hugs and kisses. And Victoria, noticing that the First Commander was not getting a loving sendoff walked up to him, “You need a hug too.”

“It isn’t necessary,” he said.

“Yes it is,” she smiled and embraced the tall Rayth. “And don’t worry, we’re all friends here, no one on your ship needs to know. Be careful, Commander.”

To her surprise, the First Commander returned her hug, albeit quickly. She released him from the embarrassment then went over and gave her husband a hug and kiss. “And you better be careful too, High Chancellor.”

“I shall. Do not forget to start using Raythian when talking to our children.”

“Yes, sir,” she smiled. “I love you.”

***

John and his team crossed over the bridge portal and into a small clearing. A village was located to the north, but they headed south into the canopy of the forest.

“At least the fog gives us some cover,” Chris said.

“Life signs?” John asked as Simon Harris pulled out his handheld scanner. “Nothing in front of us other than animals. We’re good to go.”

“Ionization causing any interference?” Chris asked.

“Limiting the range, but we should be fine.”

They began their long trek through the hot dense air. Chris took out his own scanner and took point for the team. There was a path but the team stayed off to the side not wanting to run into any locals. John kept them on a fast pace until the forest got so thick that they were forced to slow down.

“Good time to stop for lunch,” he said after checking his watch, “this humidity is draining. Simon, Be’atta, you two holding up okay?”

“Soaked with sweat but okay,” Be’atta said.

“Appreciating the break,” Simon said, visibly exhausted, “but I’ll keep up.”

“Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water,” Be’atta said, “you need to stay hydrated. It’ll help.”

“Got some local fauna on the scanner,” Chris said, setting his pack down and readying his crossbow. “Get a fire pit started, we should cook it underground to keep the smell and smoke from giving away our position.”

“I’m on it,” Simon said, after taking a long drink of water.

“You sure?” John asked.

Simon nodded, “Hey, you guys are carrying most of the equipment, I need to do something useful and this is actually something I know how to do.”

“All right,” John replied. “Be’atta, left, I’ll go right, make sure we’re alone. Chris, get us some lunch.”

Chris returned with three rabbit-like animals not long after leaving their little camp. Simon had the pit dug and a fire already started. He grabbed his knife and helped prep one of the rabbits.

“Where’d you learn to do this?” Chris asked, “Not many people on Earth remember how to hunt or carve up a fresh kill.”

“Dad hunted. He was sort of a survivalist. Began teaching me and my brother the moment we were conceived, I think.”

“See, I bet you never thought it’d come in handy,” Chris said.

“You’re right. Glad I actually paid attention. Here, I grabbed these leaves off of one of those trees. Should be large enough to wrap ‘em in, and I already scanned to make sure they’re safe. You scanned these rabbits, right?”

“Yeah, they’re fine for us. Slice the meat thin so it cooks faster,” he said as they finished prepping their meat and putting it in the pit. “Okay, let’s cover these up. I’m gonna go climb that tree,” he pointed, “keep a watch out from up there while lunch is cooking. Keep alert, drink your water.”

“Yes, mother,” Simon sighed.

Chris gave him a slap on his back. “You’re doing good, son,” he smiled, hefted his crossbow and rifle on his back and headed up one of the nearest trees.

“Range on these scanners is getting smaller,” Chris said as John and Be’atta rejoined them once the food was ready.

“To be expected, and I think I just heard some thunder,” John replied.

“Canopy is thick enough, we shouldn’t get any more wet than we already are,” Chris said, then took a bite of his meat as he pulled out his tablet, “should be getting close to that river. Another couple of hours. Hopefully the water is drinkable. And maybe we can have a fish dinner.”

“Food’s not bad,” John said, “whatever it is. Could use some salt and pepper though.”

“Is this slower pace going to put us behind schedule?” Be’atta spoke up.

“Don’t think so. I tried to calculate it in. I think once we hit the river, things will thin out a bit again even if we stick to the forest. And having water right there to cool us off will help.”

They finished their lunch, covered the pit and did their best to hide any trace of their little camp, then headed back out as the clouds that they couldn’t see let the rain loose. Drips and drops made it through the leafy canopy overhead, but, as Chris had said, they didn’t get any wetter than they already were from the humidity.

Once they made it to the river, they took another break. Simon made sure that both the river water and the rain water were drinkable, and the group topped off their multiple water bottles before returning to the tree line to continue their hike. They kept moving for another four hours, once again able to move at a faster pace thanks to the less dense forest near the river, then John moved them deeper into the woods to set up camp for the night.

“Too tired to fish,” Chris said, “I’ll go find some bunnies. This place is thick with them.”

“I’ll get the pit ready,” Simon volunteered.

“Be’atta, help me with the tent, but keep alert,” John said.

The food was caught and cooked, along with some rehydrated vegetable rations. “I never thought I’d miss the cooking from the mess hall,” Be’atta said after tasting the rations.

“Well, if we find some fresh veggies or fruit along the way, we should pick some up,” Chris said.

“Been looking out for some,” Simon said.

“Okay,” John said looking at his tablet, “I think we’re on course and on time. I’d like to head out at oh-five-hundred—try and beat the heat. We’re all gonna be sore in the morning, but we need to tough it out. Be’atta, I want you to take first watch, two hours. Chris two hours, then I’ll take the last two. Rations for breakfast.”

“I can take a watch,” Simon said.

“No. I want you rested. You’re gonna be in the worst shape in the morning. No offense, but I know you’re not used to this. Your muscles will be burning and I don’t want to slow down if we don’t have to. So you get a good night of sleep.”

“Sorry, guys,” Simon said. “This wasn’t part of my job description. I sit around and play with computers. Though I should probably start sparring with Kaven or learning how to play football or whatever it is you guys do, if we’re going be doing any more of these types of missions.”

September 24, 2118

John pushed his team hard and they reached their target destination in fourteen days as planned. The place was surrounded by what they termed a “laser beam fence” of Raythian technology. “Okay Simon, can you calculate how big this thing is?” John asked.

“On it.”

“Chris, is that village inhabited? I don’t see any movement.”

“Just a dozen or so life signs. I’d say it’s just a cover.”

John kept scanning with his binoculars, “See if you can get life sign readings from underground. Be’atta, see any way for jets to get in and out, I mean if things are underground.”

“Not seeing anything on this side,” she said, looking through her own set of binoculars, “could be on the other side.”

“Barrier appears to be circular, about twenty miles in diameter,” Simon reported, “this place is huge.”

“Chris, anything?”

“Can’t pick up anything underground. Simon can you give it a shot?”

Simon tried with his scanner and told the group that either the laser field around the base was keeping them from picking anything up, or the ionization in the air was being problematic. “I need to do a little tweaking of the programming, it’s gonna take a while.”

“In that case, let’s call it a day. We made our destination on time. We’re gonna back up. Chris, you hunt as we go.” John pulled his team back a mile and stopped. Chris had bagged a couple of rabbits on the way, but before John and Simon began to dig a fire pit, Be’atta spoke up.

“Might be prudent to go further back,” Be’atta said, “they have Rayth tech, which means they could locate us this close with their scanners.”

“Agreed. Let’s keep going,” John said, and lugged his pack up and over his shoulders. “Sorry guys.”

They went another four miles then set up camp and Chris caught several more of the local rabbits that would give them meat for both lunch and dinner. Be’atta and Chris set up the tent while John patrolled the area.

“Pretty sure I’ve got this,” Simon said after lunch, “I can hike back and give it a shot.”

“Chris, Be’atta, stay here. Simon essentials only in your pack,” John said as he began to unpack some of his supplies, “let’s go light make it quicker.”

“Happy to,” he said.

“Should be back in under two hours. Chris go over our map, see what it’s going to take to circle around that place. Be’atta, get some rest, you’ll have first watch tonight.”

“I should help patrol.”

“That’s an order.”

“Yes, sir.”

***

“Oh yeah, there are a lot of life signs underground,” Simon said, “hundreds.”

“That’s not what I wanted to hear. Human, Rayth, both?”

“Human. Maybe be a few Rayth, hard to tell with this many people. But if our past missions are any indication, Rayth don’t stay planet-side long.”

“Can your scanner pick up any jets down there?”

“Not exactly, but look here,” he said as he moved alongside the colonel, “only a few life signs. And if it’s a hallway, it’s large enough for a couple of jets side by side, easy. I’d say it’s a hangar.”

“Good, now we know we need to make sure we pay attention to the west side of this place to figure out how they’re getting in and out. At least the jets anyway. Any idea of the topside entrance?”

“No way to tell. Probably multiple entrances.”

“One’s probably through the village, and I agree, there’s got to be more than one way in. Any other data you can grab here?”

“No. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll find something I can tap into—a control box or something.”

“I plan on having us marching around the perimeter tomorrow. There has to be something.”

***

“Okay team,” John said as he and Simon returned to their camp. “We have a big job ahead of us. Hundreds of humans in there. Chris, you say it should be pretty easy going around the perimeter. That’s good news. Priority one, break through the Rayth barrier. Simon, that’s all yours. Chris, I want you and Simon to go east around ring. Note anything of interest, no matter how insignificant you may think it is. Simon, if you find a control box or whatever it is you need, don’t actually break in, just try to download the data, work on it back at camp.

“Be’atta and I will go west, where we think the jets are able to enter and exit. Stay in the trees, and do not do anything to draw attention to yourselves. Chris and I will carry full packs, weapons, and ammo. Simon, take what equipment you’ll need if we find a panel you can tap into.

“When we meet up as we circle, we’ll take a short break and discuss what we’ve found. After that, continue around the ring and head back here. I’ll decide our next course of action after we know a little bit more about the place.”

September 31, 2118

A week later, the group was assembled near the one access panel that had been found around the perimeter of the base. They watched the base, scanning for more information while Simon worked on trying to break the defense code. But he’d been working on it all week with no success. They had just discussed attempting to run a “code breaker” as Simon called it, to see if it would work. They all voted against it. It could set off alarms. Most likely it would.

Simon sighed as he ran his fingers through his humidity-drenched hair, “Sorry, I can’t break the barrier.”

“What about digging under the barrier?” Be’atta asked, “We could try.”

“Won’t work, well, it might, it’s just that the barrier goes about fifteen feet down,” Simon said. “That’s a lot of digging, down this side, over a few feet, then up through the other side. We didn’t actually bring anything to help us dig and most likely, we’d end up setting off some proximity alarms. I’m sorry guys, there’s nothing else I can do. I can keep fiddling with the program, but it’s been a week and if you don’t have anything you want to do while we’re here, my fiddling is just going to be a waste of time. I know this is beyond me. We’re gonna need the First Science Commander to look at this code. Sorry.”

“Not your fault,” John said. “We found out where the jets are going in and out. We have two confirmed points of entry for humans. We have a good idea of their numbers. We hoped for more, but we knew we might encounter something like this. Let’s head back to camp. Everyone get a good night of sleep, we’ll pack up first thing and start heading back to the bridge portal. We’ll set off our tracking devices in the morning, right on the twenty-first day. I don’t want that signal out there even an extra few hours in case those three ships are with the rebels.”

“I really don’t want to go back to the High Chancellor and First Commander with so little,” Chris said.

“If the First Science Commander can translate this code and give us a way to break in, we can come back,” John said, “I want to if you guys would be up to it.”

The three members of his team nodded.

“And maybe bring one of those Rayth with us if we run into anything inside where we’ll need their help.”

“I doubt if we do. We’re pretty sure over ninety percent of the life signs are human, not Rayth. The other facilities we’ve been in have all used either Gyhan or English in their communications, which we all know. The only exception, thus far, has been the jets since they’re stolen from the Rayth. Besides, bringing a Rayth with us means he’d have to feed at some point. I don’t like being on the dinner menu, myself.”

“Good point.”