Post by dakota on Dec 16, 2009 7:51:33 GMT -5
“In position.” Came a hushed voice across the scrambled radio frequency as the camouflage armored figure crawled slowly on his elbows and knees through the low vegetation with his rifle cradled in his arms.
“Copy. Give me two minutes, Scope.” The figure replied, his breath labored from his slow progress. I’m getting too old for this.
“What’s wrong Shep, can’t keep up with the pace us kids set?” that was Det, the squads’ demolition specialist, positioned on the other side of the encampment the squad was encircling.
“It’s this damned helmet. You all know how much I hate them.” Shep replied. It wasn’t a complete excuse. The other four did know how much he hated wearing helmets, preferring to stick to a ratty green ball cap he’d found during one of his first missions. “All right kiddies, I’ set. LT, you still with us?”
“Locked and loaded, Sergeant.” Was Lieutenant Fraser’s soft reply. Shep had had his reservations about her when she was first assigned as his senior officer nearly eighteen months ago and he had admitted he had only agreed to serve under her because her brother Tim had been a good friend before his squad had been listed MIA. But Shep had learned quickly that his reservations had been misplaced, and Samantha Fraser had more than proved her ability. “The rest of us will join in once you start the party.”
Raising his rifle to his shoulder, Sergeant Carson “Shepherd” Trassk flipped off his modified C-14 Firebreather and raised it to his shoulder. With the cumbersome scope removed, he sighted along the open sights at a guard walking the perimeter of the camp. “Going loud.” he announced just before gently squeezing the trigger. His announcement was a bit of joke amongst the soldiers, as a brief beam of light lanced from the laser rifle to strike the guard’s unarmored throat, passing through it effortlessly. The only sound was the sickly thud of the lifeless body dropping to the ground. Around the camp, three more beams lit up the predawn morning for just a moment, followed by a second from Scope’s position. “Target one down.” Trassk announced.
“Target two down.” Lt. Fraser confirmed she had hit as well.
“Target three has a big hole where his sternum used to be.” Det chimed in. “Scope, did you actually miss?”
“Negative. Target four neutralized and Opportunity two holed as well. Dummy poked his head out of a tent to see what the noise was.” Corporal Arden “Scope” Granger replied flatly. “Beginning phase B.”
“Copy that Scope. Shep, Det, move in. Intel says there are at least five more of them in there.” Lt. Fraser stated. “Call if you need me to hold your hands.”
“I’d sooner you hold…” Det started with a chuckle.
“Watch your tongue, boy. Just because she’s an officer doesn’t mean she’s not a lady.” Shepherd warned, his tone warning the new squad members just how protective he was of Sam. He rose to his feet slowly watching, his rifle at the ready, and began to approach the encampment.
There were no signs of life as he crept closer, until a loud snap seemed to echo through the early morning air. A voice called from inside the larger tent. “Dalton? That you out there?”
Shep cursed to him self, knowing full well the noise had been from a misplaced step by Private Wilson “Det” Quandry, the least experienced member of the squad approaching from the other side of the camp. Suddenly there was movement as bodies started to come from the tents, carrying flashlights and weapons. Trassk cursed to himself as he began lining up his shot as time seemed to slow down as the peaceful morn exploded into chaos. First lasers were fired with no noise other than their bearer’s shouts, but they were soon joined by the plop of a grenade launcher. As an explosion ripped through the air, Det began to call out over the radio, “I’m hit. I’m hit!”
Fraser and Scope joined the fray, as did the ungodly roar of a NG-303 light railgun, stitching the hillside where Scope lay hidden with a wall of fire. “I’m pinned.” Granger called over the radio. “I can’t cover Det, but I saw him trying to crawl for cover.”
“LT?” Shep called as he fired a burst into one of his targets as they had turned to face him.
“I can’t see him, Shep.” Sam replied.
“Fine. Switching priorities.” Trassk replied, flicking another safety on his rifle. He depressed the firing stud and a grenade leapt from the under barrel grenade launcher. It struck the ground at the feet of the rail gunner and erupted in a tight pyrotechnic burst. The gunner cried out as the plasma explosion engulfed him and silenced the weapon. “Scope, give me Det’s location.” No answer came. “Scope? Arden, talk to me bud.”
“He’s down, Shep.” Sam’s voice sounded strained. “Last burst from that railgun stitched him from the looks of things. He’s not moving.”
Shep cursed, and was distracted long enough for someone to catch him in the shoulder with a laser pistol shot. His armor absorbed the damage, but it was still enough to knock him off balance, Instead he used it and went to one knee before firing wildly, missing his attacker but close enough to send him for cover. The pistol wielder poked up from behind a barrel to fire at Shep, the low grade weapon catching Trassk in the hip as he scrambled for cover. A second shot sailed high as Shep got himself in position to return fire again just as his attacker popped up to fire a third time. Before he got the shot off, an energy blast rocked him from behind and the man slumped over the barrel. Trassk sighed as he got back to his feet. “Nice shot Sam.”
“Wasn’t me Shep.” LT. Fraser replied. “You can thank Det. No targets moving, I’m going to check on Quandry.”
“Copy Boss lady. I’ll check on the kid before getting back to work.” Shep teased slightly to hide the discomfort from his voice as he got to his feet. The shoulder was okay, but the hip had taken a solid hit and stung.
“You okay?” He could hear the concern in Lt. Fraser’s voice.
“You know me.” Shep forced a chuckle. “Just a little rigor mortis setting in from staying still too long.” Trying to hide his limp, he got to his feet and crossed the campsite until he saw Det approaching, his helmet hanging from his belt with a large crack in it. The junior squad member also had a black eye and a gash across his nose. “You okay kid?”
“I’ll live. Took an anti-personnel grenade to the head. Feeling dizzy and a little queasy, so I’m guessing concussion. Knocked out all by helmet’s systems.” Det replied, then motioned towards Shep’s leg. “I see you’re gimped a bit too.”
Trassk pulled off his own helmet. “ Just a stinger, nothing I won’t walk off. Here,” he handed off his helmet,” put this on, just in case.” Det didn’t argue, and slipped on the helmet. Shep pointed his finger at the private menacingly,” You start getting sick, you get it off quick, of you’ll be cleaning the puke out of it. You read me?”
“Yes Sarge. Are you always such a hard ass?” Det’s words were slurred slightly, but his balance was holding so Shep wasn’t too worried.
Trassk pulled an ear/mike communications unit from his utility belt and put it on. “LT, you copy? Det found me, and he’s walking wounded but he’ll make the LZ. Any sign of Scope?”
* * * * *
Just as Shepherd’s radio transmission came through, Sam found Scope’s blood trail. “Stand by, Sergeant. Stick with the mission.” She passed along calmly. Before being paired up with Carson, Sam would never have considered going to look for one of her soldiers who were down. It just wasn’t done by an officer, but after a year and a half she had picked up some of his bad habits. Her CP-40 laser pulse rifle was at the ready as she followed the sporadic red drops. Glancing up, there was an outcropping ahead, one that would provide a fair bit of cover. As she neared it, the sudden warning of a rattlesnake nearly made her jump. “Sorry, whoever’s out there, but you can’t come in. Mama rattler is already mad she has to share and there isn’t really room for anyone else in here.”
“Granger, it's Lieutenant Fraser. “ Sam said, taking note of the labored tone of Scope’s reply as she squatted down to peer under the outcropping.
Scope lay in on his stomach, and Sam could see in enough to see the dirt around him was dark from being blood soaked. “Hiya LT, will I get put on report for taking a siesta?”
“No Arden. How bad is it?” Sam asked, her tone compassionate. “Can you get out on your own?”
“No ma’am,” he replied,” you’re going to have to pull me out. Don’t stop if I start screaming.”
Shepherd’s voice came over the radio,”Sitrep?”
“Stand by.” Sam snapped as she took Granger by the ankles. “Here we go.”
Scope made good on his warning, and screamed and swore profusely as Sam pulled him out as delicately as she could. She nearly stopped, but he screamed even louder for her to keep going. As he began to clear to outcropping, she could see why she had to help. a row of bloody holes the size of bottle caps were stitched across Scope’s back, eight holes in all. He stopped wailing once he was clear he sobbed,” Ma’am I don’t want to play tag with them anymore. They play too rough.” It was followed by a gurgled chuckle. “Now I know why Shep wanted me to trade up by old CA-3 armor, but I finally had it broke in the way I like it.”
“Relax Arden. Can you move your foot for me?” Sam sighed as she tried to hide her concern.
Arden shook his head. “No Ma’am, I can’t feel anything from my ribs down. At least one of those rounds must have caught my spine. Breathing is getting shallow and the inside of my bucket is covered with blood I’ve horked up. Left shoulder blade must be shattered too, I can’t move my arm much and it hurts like you wouldn’t believe.”
She started digging for her first aid gear. “Shep, Granger needs an emergency dust off. Call it in, I’ll do what I can.”
There was a pause for a moment. “Copy Bosslady, calling it in. Quandry is on his way to help, he’s had corpsman training even if his head isn’t on straight right now.”
“Copy.” Was all Sam replied, trying to contain the worst bleeding.
Scope moaned slightly,” Lieutenant, stop wasting your time.”
“You say something stupid like that again and I’ll order Trassk to start mouth to mouth on you.” Sam threatened without stopping. “You aren’t giving up on me yet, Corporal.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Scope replied as Shep’s voice came over the radio,” Emergency evac inbound, LT. Raptor 306 is ETA six minutes, but expediting. When Det gets there, if you think he can manage, I could use your help. I think I found our objective.”
Det arrived as quickly as he dared, and looked fairly odd with one helmet clipped to his belt while wearing a second one that didn’t match his armor’s camouflage pattern. As he got closer, Sam could see the damage to Det’s helmet. “LT, is Shep always looking for an excuse to take off his helmet? He even has the supports jimmied so it comes off easily.” The young private pulled off his borrowed bucket and dropped his medic kit beside Scope. He smiled despite the far away look in his eyes, “It’s okay Ma’am, just a little concussed, I can handle bandaging Scope up with a dizziness.”
Sam sighed before nodding, knowing she didn’t have much choice. “Keep your comm open, I’ll be with Shep.” She shouldered her gear, took a last look at one wounded soldier triaging another, and jogged to the remnants of the encampment.
* * * * *
“Over here, LT.” Trassk called when he spotted Sam approaching and he beckoned her to come closer. He had slung his rifle as he stood next to a workstation that had been inside one of the tents before Shep had ripped it down. On the workstation was a sophisticated looking computer connected to a radio system. On the floor below hummed a micro power system. Shepherd looked at Sam and keyed his mic. As he did, the computer monitor displayed the system was registering the signal. “Now we know how Warlord Sung’s people know our movements. There must be a receiver built into the mountainside that picks up and relays our communications. We’re lucky no one was sitting here when we were getting into position.”
Sam nodded in agreement. “What do you think, blow it up or take it with us?”
Shep surprised her,” I say we take it. R and D will be interested in something like this.” He squatted down to look closer at the power unit. “We just have to figure out how to disassemble it.”
In the distance there was steady whine of an approaching engine. It drew both of their attention just as Shep was starting to pull the computer’s power cord out. “Hey, that’s one of those new Skyhawk transports the Colonel was telling me about they just requisitioned from Free Quebec. We’re riding in style for…” He was cut off by a loud Thonk! Sound.
The computer screen suddenly showed a countdown that started at five. “Frag, it’s rigged! Go!”
Sam saw the screen to three when Shep grabbed her and knocked her down, landing on top of her to shield her.
The blast washed over them just as the Skyhawk was passing overhead. The last thing Shep remembered was Sam calling his name in a panic before everything went black.
* * * * *
Colonel Russell Wallace sat behind his desk, chomping on an unlit cigar nub. He looked at Sam, standing at attention. “Samantha, relax. Have a seat.”
Sam sat down with a “Yes sir.”
Flicking the cigar butt to the trashcan, Wallace leaned forward onto his elbows. “You did nothing wrong, so stop beating yourself up. There was no way for either of you to know that system was booby trapped. Granger survived his injuries and could be healed but has requested to undergo cybernetic reconstruction and a transfer to a borg division. Quandry has recovered from his head trauma already. And Trassk’s condition has improved greatly to the point the doctor pulled him out of the coma they induced.” He looked at Sam and smirked,” Someone needs to attach that helmet to his head permanently.”
Sam sighed slightly as she nodded, knowing full well that the reason Carson Trassk was laid up in the infirmary was because he had sacrificed his safety to protect her. “That’s good news, sir.”
Wallace nodded in agreement,” Maybe these will help with that, provided you accept.” He set a pair of Captain’s insignia on the desk in front of her. “Don’t decide now, I have something more important to discuss.” Then the colonel pulled out a manila envelope from his desk drawer. “That’s not the only reason I called you in here, Sam. I have a different sort of briefing for you. Have a look.” He handed her the envelope.
Inside it were three photographs. They were not high quality, but they were clear enough for her to make them out. They depicted several men dressed in rags being treated like animals. She didn’t understand until she got to the last one, and a sudden wave of emotion hit her as the man in the picture seemed to be looking right at her. He had a scruffy beard and thinner from malnutrition, but there was no mistaking him. Colonel Wallace gave Sam a moment before he spoke, “That’s right Sam, we found Tim and his missing squad. One of our people out of Fort Machias down in the south circulated these pictures after one of his scouts noticed several locals sporting Coalition issue equipment and some of their slave stock had military tattoos.” He stood up and came around to the corner of his desk and sat down. “Sam, I realize this is a huge shock, but I want you to focus. I wouldn’t normally do this, but this is an unusual situation. There are no missions in the works at the moment while intelligence is trying to determine just how much of our operation is compromised by that receiving station. So take some time to let this sink in before you pick your unit. And for goodness sake, tell Trassk. I know he and your brother are good friends, so you know what he’ll be like if you sneak off on a rescue mission without at least telling him.
“Copy. Give me two minutes, Scope.” The figure replied, his breath labored from his slow progress. I’m getting too old for this.
“What’s wrong Shep, can’t keep up with the pace us kids set?” that was Det, the squads’ demolition specialist, positioned on the other side of the encampment the squad was encircling.
“It’s this damned helmet. You all know how much I hate them.” Shep replied. It wasn’t a complete excuse. The other four did know how much he hated wearing helmets, preferring to stick to a ratty green ball cap he’d found during one of his first missions. “All right kiddies, I’ set. LT, you still with us?”
“Locked and loaded, Sergeant.” Was Lieutenant Fraser’s soft reply. Shep had had his reservations about her when she was first assigned as his senior officer nearly eighteen months ago and he had admitted he had only agreed to serve under her because her brother Tim had been a good friend before his squad had been listed MIA. But Shep had learned quickly that his reservations had been misplaced, and Samantha Fraser had more than proved her ability. “The rest of us will join in once you start the party.”
Raising his rifle to his shoulder, Sergeant Carson “Shepherd” Trassk flipped off his modified C-14 Firebreather and raised it to his shoulder. With the cumbersome scope removed, he sighted along the open sights at a guard walking the perimeter of the camp. “Going loud.” he announced just before gently squeezing the trigger. His announcement was a bit of joke amongst the soldiers, as a brief beam of light lanced from the laser rifle to strike the guard’s unarmored throat, passing through it effortlessly. The only sound was the sickly thud of the lifeless body dropping to the ground. Around the camp, three more beams lit up the predawn morning for just a moment, followed by a second from Scope’s position. “Target one down.” Trassk announced.
“Target two down.” Lt. Fraser confirmed she had hit as well.
“Target three has a big hole where his sternum used to be.” Det chimed in. “Scope, did you actually miss?”
“Negative. Target four neutralized and Opportunity two holed as well. Dummy poked his head out of a tent to see what the noise was.” Corporal Arden “Scope” Granger replied flatly. “Beginning phase B.”
“Copy that Scope. Shep, Det, move in. Intel says there are at least five more of them in there.” Lt. Fraser stated. “Call if you need me to hold your hands.”
“I’d sooner you hold…” Det started with a chuckle.
“Watch your tongue, boy. Just because she’s an officer doesn’t mean she’s not a lady.” Shepherd warned, his tone warning the new squad members just how protective he was of Sam. He rose to his feet slowly watching, his rifle at the ready, and began to approach the encampment.
There were no signs of life as he crept closer, until a loud snap seemed to echo through the early morning air. A voice called from inside the larger tent. “Dalton? That you out there?”
Shep cursed to him self, knowing full well the noise had been from a misplaced step by Private Wilson “Det” Quandry, the least experienced member of the squad approaching from the other side of the camp. Suddenly there was movement as bodies started to come from the tents, carrying flashlights and weapons. Trassk cursed to himself as he began lining up his shot as time seemed to slow down as the peaceful morn exploded into chaos. First lasers were fired with no noise other than their bearer’s shouts, but they were soon joined by the plop of a grenade launcher. As an explosion ripped through the air, Det began to call out over the radio, “I’m hit. I’m hit!”
Fraser and Scope joined the fray, as did the ungodly roar of a NG-303 light railgun, stitching the hillside where Scope lay hidden with a wall of fire. “I’m pinned.” Granger called over the radio. “I can’t cover Det, but I saw him trying to crawl for cover.”
“LT?” Shep called as he fired a burst into one of his targets as they had turned to face him.
“I can’t see him, Shep.” Sam replied.
“Fine. Switching priorities.” Trassk replied, flicking another safety on his rifle. He depressed the firing stud and a grenade leapt from the under barrel grenade launcher. It struck the ground at the feet of the rail gunner and erupted in a tight pyrotechnic burst. The gunner cried out as the plasma explosion engulfed him and silenced the weapon. “Scope, give me Det’s location.” No answer came. “Scope? Arden, talk to me bud.”
“He’s down, Shep.” Sam’s voice sounded strained. “Last burst from that railgun stitched him from the looks of things. He’s not moving.”
Shep cursed, and was distracted long enough for someone to catch him in the shoulder with a laser pistol shot. His armor absorbed the damage, but it was still enough to knock him off balance, Instead he used it and went to one knee before firing wildly, missing his attacker but close enough to send him for cover. The pistol wielder poked up from behind a barrel to fire at Shep, the low grade weapon catching Trassk in the hip as he scrambled for cover. A second shot sailed high as Shep got himself in position to return fire again just as his attacker popped up to fire a third time. Before he got the shot off, an energy blast rocked him from behind and the man slumped over the barrel. Trassk sighed as he got back to his feet. “Nice shot Sam.”
“Wasn’t me Shep.” LT. Fraser replied. “You can thank Det. No targets moving, I’m going to check on Quandry.”
“Copy Boss lady. I’ll check on the kid before getting back to work.” Shep teased slightly to hide the discomfort from his voice as he got to his feet. The shoulder was okay, but the hip had taken a solid hit and stung.
“You okay?” He could hear the concern in Lt. Fraser’s voice.
“You know me.” Shep forced a chuckle. “Just a little rigor mortis setting in from staying still too long.” Trying to hide his limp, he got to his feet and crossed the campsite until he saw Det approaching, his helmet hanging from his belt with a large crack in it. The junior squad member also had a black eye and a gash across his nose. “You okay kid?”
“I’ll live. Took an anti-personnel grenade to the head. Feeling dizzy and a little queasy, so I’m guessing concussion. Knocked out all by helmet’s systems.” Det replied, then motioned towards Shep’s leg. “I see you’re gimped a bit too.”
Trassk pulled off his own helmet. “ Just a stinger, nothing I won’t walk off. Here,” he handed off his helmet,” put this on, just in case.” Det didn’t argue, and slipped on the helmet. Shep pointed his finger at the private menacingly,” You start getting sick, you get it off quick, of you’ll be cleaning the puke out of it. You read me?”
“Yes Sarge. Are you always such a hard ass?” Det’s words were slurred slightly, but his balance was holding so Shep wasn’t too worried.
Trassk pulled an ear/mike communications unit from his utility belt and put it on. “LT, you copy? Det found me, and he’s walking wounded but he’ll make the LZ. Any sign of Scope?”
* * * * *
Just as Shepherd’s radio transmission came through, Sam found Scope’s blood trail. “Stand by, Sergeant. Stick with the mission.” She passed along calmly. Before being paired up with Carson, Sam would never have considered going to look for one of her soldiers who were down. It just wasn’t done by an officer, but after a year and a half she had picked up some of his bad habits. Her CP-40 laser pulse rifle was at the ready as she followed the sporadic red drops. Glancing up, there was an outcropping ahead, one that would provide a fair bit of cover. As she neared it, the sudden warning of a rattlesnake nearly made her jump. “Sorry, whoever’s out there, but you can’t come in. Mama rattler is already mad she has to share and there isn’t really room for anyone else in here.”
“Granger, it's Lieutenant Fraser. “ Sam said, taking note of the labored tone of Scope’s reply as she squatted down to peer under the outcropping.
Scope lay in on his stomach, and Sam could see in enough to see the dirt around him was dark from being blood soaked. “Hiya LT, will I get put on report for taking a siesta?”
“No Arden. How bad is it?” Sam asked, her tone compassionate. “Can you get out on your own?”
“No ma’am,” he replied,” you’re going to have to pull me out. Don’t stop if I start screaming.”
Shepherd’s voice came over the radio,”Sitrep?”
“Stand by.” Sam snapped as she took Granger by the ankles. “Here we go.”
Scope made good on his warning, and screamed and swore profusely as Sam pulled him out as delicately as she could. She nearly stopped, but he screamed even louder for her to keep going. As he began to clear to outcropping, she could see why she had to help. a row of bloody holes the size of bottle caps were stitched across Scope’s back, eight holes in all. He stopped wailing once he was clear he sobbed,” Ma’am I don’t want to play tag with them anymore. They play too rough.” It was followed by a gurgled chuckle. “Now I know why Shep wanted me to trade up by old CA-3 armor, but I finally had it broke in the way I like it.”
“Relax Arden. Can you move your foot for me?” Sam sighed as she tried to hide her concern.
Arden shook his head. “No Ma’am, I can’t feel anything from my ribs down. At least one of those rounds must have caught my spine. Breathing is getting shallow and the inside of my bucket is covered with blood I’ve horked up. Left shoulder blade must be shattered too, I can’t move my arm much and it hurts like you wouldn’t believe.”
She started digging for her first aid gear. “Shep, Granger needs an emergency dust off. Call it in, I’ll do what I can.”
There was a pause for a moment. “Copy Bosslady, calling it in. Quandry is on his way to help, he’s had corpsman training even if his head isn’t on straight right now.”
“Copy.” Was all Sam replied, trying to contain the worst bleeding.
Scope moaned slightly,” Lieutenant, stop wasting your time.”
“You say something stupid like that again and I’ll order Trassk to start mouth to mouth on you.” Sam threatened without stopping. “You aren’t giving up on me yet, Corporal.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Scope replied as Shep’s voice came over the radio,” Emergency evac inbound, LT. Raptor 306 is ETA six minutes, but expediting. When Det gets there, if you think he can manage, I could use your help. I think I found our objective.”
Det arrived as quickly as he dared, and looked fairly odd with one helmet clipped to his belt while wearing a second one that didn’t match his armor’s camouflage pattern. As he got closer, Sam could see the damage to Det’s helmet. “LT, is Shep always looking for an excuse to take off his helmet? He even has the supports jimmied so it comes off easily.” The young private pulled off his borrowed bucket and dropped his medic kit beside Scope. He smiled despite the far away look in his eyes, “It’s okay Ma’am, just a little concussed, I can handle bandaging Scope up with a dizziness.”
Sam sighed before nodding, knowing she didn’t have much choice. “Keep your comm open, I’ll be with Shep.” She shouldered her gear, took a last look at one wounded soldier triaging another, and jogged to the remnants of the encampment.
* * * * *
“Over here, LT.” Trassk called when he spotted Sam approaching and he beckoned her to come closer. He had slung his rifle as he stood next to a workstation that had been inside one of the tents before Shep had ripped it down. On the workstation was a sophisticated looking computer connected to a radio system. On the floor below hummed a micro power system. Shepherd looked at Sam and keyed his mic. As he did, the computer monitor displayed the system was registering the signal. “Now we know how Warlord Sung’s people know our movements. There must be a receiver built into the mountainside that picks up and relays our communications. We’re lucky no one was sitting here when we were getting into position.”
Sam nodded in agreement. “What do you think, blow it up or take it with us?”
Shep surprised her,” I say we take it. R and D will be interested in something like this.” He squatted down to look closer at the power unit. “We just have to figure out how to disassemble it.”
In the distance there was steady whine of an approaching engine. It drew both of their attention just as Shep was starting to pull the computer’s power cord out. “Hey, that’s one of those new Skyhawk transports the Colonel was telling me about they just requisitioned from Free Quebec. We’re riding in style for…” He was cut off by a loud Thonk! Sound.
The computer screen suddenly showed a countdown that started at five. “Frag, it’s rigged! Go!”
Sam saw the screen to three when Shep grabbed her and knocked her down, landing on top of her to shield her.
The blast washed over them just as the Skyhawk was passing overhead. The last thing Shep remembered was Sam calling his name in a panic before everything went black.
* * * * *
Colonel Russell Wallace sat behind his desk, chomping on an unlit cigar nub. He looked at Sam, standing at attention. “Samantha, relax. Have a seat.”
Sam sat down with a “Yes sir.”
Flicking the cigar butt to the trashcan, Wallace leaned forward onto his elbows. “You did nothing wrong, so stop beating yourself up. There was no way for either of you to know that system was booby trapped. Granger survived his injuries and could be healed but has requested to undergo cybernetic reconstruction and a transfer to a borg division. Quandry has recovered from his head trauma already. And Trassk’s condition has improved greatly to the point the doctor pulled him out of the coma they induced.” He looked at Sam and smirked,” Someone needs to attach that helmet to his head permanently.”
Sam sighed slightly as she nodded, knowing full well that the reason Carson Trassk was laid up in the infirmary was because he had sacrificed his safety to protect her. “That’s good news, sir.”
Wallace nodded in agreement,” Maybe these will help with that, provided you accept.” He set a pair of Captain’s insignia on the desk in front of her. “Don’t decide now, I have something more important to discuss.” Then the colonel pulled out a manila envelope from his desk drawer. “That’s not the only reason I called you in here, Sam. I have a different sort of briefing for you. Have a look.” He handed her the envelope.
Inside it were three photographs. They were not high quality, but they were clear enough for her to make them out. They depicted several men dressed in rags being treated like animals. She didn’t understand until she got to the last one, and a sudden wave of emotion hit her as the man in the picture seemed to be looking right at her. He had a scruffy beard and thinner from malnutrition, but there was no mistaking him. Colonel Wallace gave Sam a moment before he spoke, “That’s right Sam, we found Tim and his missing squad. One of our people out of Fort Machias down in the south circulated these pictures after one of his scouts noticed several locals sporting Coalition issue equipment and some of their slave stock had military tattoos.” He stood up and came around to the corner of his desk and sat down. “Sam, I realize this is a huge shock, but I want you to focus. I wouldn’t normally do this, but this is an unusual situation. There are no missions in the works at the moment while intelligence is trying to determine just how much of our operation is compromised by that receiving station. So take some time to let this sink in before you pick your unit. And for goodness sake, tell Trassk. I know he and your brother are good friends, so you know what he’ll be like if you sneak off on a rescue mission without at least telling him.