Felar had been on Haak-ah-tar for several days, waiting for Doc Hase to approve her for active duty. Finally,
she thought, remembering all the rehab it had taken to restore her strength and fitness levels. Mentally, she still felt a bit shaky. You know you have to move on and
focus on your new assignment.
The task was proving difficult. How can I put the assault
behind me if I can't even remember it?
Anger filled her every time she thought of her attacker free and unpunished.
While she was happy to be back on combat deployment, Felar wasn't ecstatic when she’d learned she would be leading a squad of Initiates. Blighthearted new grads.
She had nothing against them personally, but it would be a babysitting assignment.
“Sir, when deployed, I'm used to being with other Foundies,” she’d told her new commanding officer. “I fear their inexperience might lead to problems in the field. I need troops I can count on.”
“They are a good group, graduated top of their class,” her commander had replied. “You have a day to run drills and make sure they are ready. If you have a problem with any of them, let me know. We'll find a solution.”
Felar wouldn’t admit it, not even to herself, but when she’d first met the new squad, her anxiety shot up quicker than an orbital defense lance. You’re fine, you’re fine,
she’d told herself, trying to relax and maintain her professionalism.
Even after she started talking with them, the feeling persisted. It took all her focus to fight down an overwhelming urge to flee. What’s wrong with me?
She’d never experienced anything like this before. Maintain your composure,
she thought, forcing her jaw and shoulders to relax. I don’t have time to deal with this now. Have to make sure these Inits are well-trained and fit for deployment.
As she put her new squad through drills, Felar realized the Inits were smart and capable. They even looked up to her with a reverential awe. During the exercises it was obvious they were trying to impress her by outdoing each other. She even noticed a few of them had picked up on her speech patterns and mannerisms. None of it bothered her, and in a way, she felt flattered. At the conclusion of the day, Felar realized her initial nervousness had dissipated. What was that all about?
A vague memory of a surrounding group skittered across the back of Felar’s mind, and some of her earlier tension returned. I have to get this under control, but for now…
“OK, squad,” Felar said, snapping out of her reverie, “we've received new sit-reps.” The armored personnel carrier jolted, throwing her against the seat restraints. “Ackerson,” she barked, “keep us off the worst of the rocks. My brain's feeling rattled enough as is.”
“Yes ma'am,” he responded, swerving the large vehicle around some new obstacle.
“Anyway,” Felar continued, trying to hold herself steady so she could read the terminal screen, “the Enthos have come back to Haak-ah-tar. Seven of their bi-pyramid ships just appeared inside the AF blockade. Nobody understands how they got there.” Felar paused, wondering how such a technologically backwards species pulled off that kind of trick. “It's some creepy blightheart,” she resumed, finding where she
left off. “We've managed to hunt down two of the ships and destroy them, but the rest have evaded us. Looks like the remaining vessels are bombarding the surface with some kind of force or gravity weapon. The sci guys apparently have no idea how it works, but it creates earthquake-like effects and seems to emanate from their ships. They've been sending their vessels over areas with little to no tactical significance though, so enemy intel must be bad. Some vectors have gone over Ashamine targets, but it seems almost random.
“AF analysts speculate the Enthos are trying to take Haak-ah-tar back. That doesn't sound correct to me. Their tactics are all wrong for that objective. Unless they have a lot more tech, firepower, and ships coming, they can't hope to push us off world. Wonder what they are really up to...” Felar thought about the question for a moment, then looked back at her terminal screen, knowing she needed to focus on the mission and not the overall campaign. Leave that job to the Separates.
“Looks like we've also received a better brief on our current mission, thank the Founder. I was wondering if they were going to keep us boxed forever.” Felar quickly scanned the report, assimilating everything she needed to know.
“Squad, we're headed to a classified research facility.” She looked around the cramped quarters of the APC, making eye contact with each of them. “This is a big deal, guys. We've all received clearance to enter the installation, but none of us is to look at research intel. This is strictly a search and rescue op. An Entho vessel passed over the facility a few hours ago and Command hasn't been able to establish contact since. We are to find out what happened, render any aid we can provide, and report back.”
Despite her positive tone, Felar had a bad feeling. There was too much secrecy. The initial mission briefing had been scant. She hated that. Lack of information got people killed. And the fact it was a classified installation made it even more ominous.
What are they researching there? What are we going to run into?
A notice popped up on her terminal that they were straying from the navigation track. “Initiate Ackerson, why are you are deviating from the nav coordinates?”
“The point's all screwy, Enlight Haltro,” Ackerson replied, tone cheery. Nav was having me go over some big buggered hills. Decided to go around, ma'am.” She could see he needed praise for his actions, so she gave it.
“Well done Ack. Glad you aren't just blindly following a machine.” She had guessed why they were off course, but keeping these Inits on their toes was vital. While she didn't expect an ambush—or even any Entho ground forces for that matter—it was good to encourage a habit of vigilance.
“Are there any other details about the facility, ma'am?” This was from Initiate Shanbek, a tall, gangly-looking youth, barely old enough to join the Forces.
“Nope,” she replied, “and since it's a classified location, I doubt they'll give us anything else. We're gonna be in a box and on our own, so best stay sharp.” Turning to her tactical readout, she addressed Ackerson, Shanbek, and the three other Initiates. “Now that we aren't just driving off into the desert to skim a nav coordinate, we can formulate mission protocol. When the blightheart comes, there is rarely time to stop and think. It has to be instinctual, so pay attention!” She paused for a moment and looked at everyone, using her eyes to reinforce the seriousness of her tone.
“First off, let's go over assignments. Ackerson, you are running tech. We shouldn't come across anything you haven't trained on yet. Intel says this is a standard Ashamine facility, so doors, computers, AI, and just about everything else should—and I stress should
—be Ashamine standard. If you run into something over your head, let me know. My tech training is more advanced, so I might be able to help. Just don't panic,
and we'll be OK.
“Shanbek, you are on scout and recon. Remember to calibrate to the highest sensitivity you can without getting too much interference. Since this is primarily a SAR mission, any contacts you get on your readout should be friendlies. Should
and are
can be very different things, so keep your weapons ready, but don't get too trigger psycho. We can't blast scientists or any other non-hostile that may be down there. That makes us look bad.
“Edwards and Unthar, you'll be on primary weapons duty. From what we know of on-site conditions at this point, you shouldn't have much to do. That isn't an excuse for laxness or inattentiveness! I've seen easy
missions go to the fires of the black star so fast it would blast you from your boots. So stay on your toes and make sure you’re watching your squad’s tail.
“Malen, you’re supporting firepower. You'll man the big multi-barrel rail weapon. I know you’re certified, but make sure you respect it. Wield it wrong and you’ll kill us all. Use it correctly, and you can knock down anyone or anything. That gun has awesome power, as I hope you fully realize.” Felar stopped, looking at each at her troops to make sure they understood her. “Is everyone clear?” They all nodded their affirmation.
Felar's terminal alerted they were five minutes from the facility. “Check your weapons and gear loadout,” she commanded. She inspected her primary rail gun to make sure it had a full charge and was properly loaded. Felar did the same for her side arm. She also checked to make sure her short swords were in their scabbards across her back. Glad I sharpened them this morning.
Her own preparations complete, Felar made sure the Inits were doing likewise. All were slow to complete the task, but by the time Initiate Ackerson stopped the APC, they were ready. “Line up for deployment,” Felar barked.
When the ramp dropped, the Inits hustled out of the vehicle, running in a slight crouch with their primary weapons pointed at specific fields of fire. Felar brought up the rear, the position she had always taken when the squad drilled. Ackerson led them to a small door and began working the access panel. Good thing we didn't try to use the vehicle door,
Felar thought, eying the larger entrance. They didn't design it to fit an APC.
Felar looked back to the squad and experienced a moment of pride as she watched the green Inits functioning as a team. True, it's not a combat drop
, but at least they’re keeping
formation. Good to see all that blighthearted drilling got through their thick skulls.
“Damn it!” Ackerson swore, still focused intently on the access controls. “Everything is locked down. It's not letting me open the door. Giving some kind of nonsense about not having an authorized code. Didn't we get this sequence from AF Command?”
“Affirm, Ackerson.” Felar's voice was commanding, but her tone was troubled. She clicked on her long range comm. “Overwatch, this is Tango-5.”
“Tango-5, Overwatch has you with synced signal,” a strong male voice replied.
“Overwatch, the supplied code for facility entry is non-functional. Request new code.” The officer was silent for several moments.
“Tango-5, the supplied code is correct. Repeat, is correct.”
“You sure you entered the sequence right, Ackerson?” Felar demanded.
“Yes ma'am,” he promptly responded. Felar trusted his skills, so there must be another issue.
“Overwatch,” she said, reopening the long range comm, “the code remains non-functional. Request updated orders.” The officer was once again silent for several moments. A deep
part of Felar hoped Overwatch would order them back to base.
“Tango-5, mission is still go. Use any means to gain entrance. This is a high priority objective.”
“Affirm,” Felar responded, wondering why they had dispatched a group of Inits if it was such an important mission. “Tango-5 out.” She looked at the door, wondering if they would be able to penetrate it. Why is a
remote research facility high priority? What's behind this door? Blightheart... Maybe I don't want to know.
“Squad,” Felar barked, “either Intel got this buggered all the way to the fires of the black star, or the base is on extreme lockdown. Either way, we are on this side of the door and our objective is on the other. I, your ever-resourceful Enlightened, have a plan.” She said all this with a big smile on her face, even though her apprehension was deepening.
“Malen, use your multi to create an entrance.” After giving more precise directions, Felar moved everyone back to a safe distance. Watching the multi-barrel rail weapon spool up and launch was amazing. Its large cylinders circled slowly, pounding out a shot every quarter second. The tungsten alloy slugs packed an incredible punch, but they only dented the door at first. Felar thought it sounded like a dark star demon was beating on a horrible, tremendous metal drum. She increased the active sound dampening of her combat helmet, hoping to block out more of the shrieking cacophony. Sparks flew as rounds began penetrating the heavily reinforced door. Small metal fragments pelted her and Felar was thankful for her combat armor.
After thirty seconds of punishment, Felar called a halt. The door was bowed and numerous small holes dotted its surface, but it still barred entry. “Another thirty-second burst would probably finish the job, but I don't want to use all your ammo. We'll try a new tactic.” She pulled a small package of
explosives from her combat vest. This compound was distributed exclusively to the Founder's Commandos, and with good reason. She molded a gob into a shaped charge, placing it on the door. As she set the timer, Felar ordered them to take cover. Running back to safety herself, she counted down: Four, three, two, one...
The concussion wave boomed around them, and Felar was glad she hadn't been any closer. The helmet's dampening had maxed out, but she still heard ringing in her ears.
“Thank the Founder,” Felar announced after enough dust had settled to see a small tunnel piercing the door. Her apprehension ratcheted up a notch as she noticed the entrance's full construction. It was a meter thick, with at least 20 centimeters of metal alloy covering a composite core.
Once inside, Felar looked for the security mechanism holding the door, hoping she could open it. Don’t want survivors having to climb out the hole.
She discovered nothing. The interior was completely smooth. Must be controlled remotely
, she thought. That means they need
to keep people from leaving as well as entering...
Ackerson led down the long, steeply pitched corridor. It was almost completely dark on the ramp. Felar was reluctant to leave the light streaming through the doorway. She switched on the illumination at the end of her primary weapon and watched the rest of the squad do the same.
It took some time, but they finally reached the bottom of the ramp and entered the complex proper. The air felt heavier here and Felar could sense the weight of all the ground above. It was oppressive. Most of the lights were off here as well, leaving the long corridors in eerie pallor.
“Must be running on backup power,” Ackerson noted. “At least it isn't completely dark.” He stopped at a wall monitor and tried to check the compound's systems. As Ackerson worked, Felar wondered just how deep underground they
were now. The ramp had seemed to go for at least a kilo or two and was fairly steep. She ran some quick mental math. At least 400 meters below the surface, maybe more.
“Bugger it all,” Ackerson swore, breaking into her thoughts. “It's unresponsive. Enlightened, all the monitoring and system control access is disabled on this terminal. Should we try another one?” The squad looked at Felar expectantly.
“If the complex is on lockdown, they'll all be the same.” She tried to signal Overwatch to give a sit-rep. Nothing.
Her eyes flicked to the HUD on her face plate. It showed her comm status as up for local and down on long range. “Blightheart,” she cursed, her expression calm, but her voice beginning to betray unease. “The command link is down. We are on our own for now. I'm guessing we are too deep. The APC should relay comms to AF Command, but our signal isn't reaching it.”
She paused a moment to think. It would not be wise to share her feelings about this facility with her squad. Fear was infectious, and she, more than any of them, was better equipped to handle it.
“We all stay together and work as a fire team. No one leaves the squad for any reason. We run this facility top to bottom, find anyone still shaking, and bring them out. Search and rescue is our mission. Stay alert. Be prepared for anything. Keep your weapons hot.”
Felar took point, alert, but on edge. The situation felt too serious to let an Init lead the team, even an Init she had trained. They searched room by room, corridor by corridor. The first few contained desks and terminal screens flashing “Lockdown. Report to secure quarters.” No people.
They also discovered a rec room with giant terminal screens flashing glitched out remnants of gaming software. The same lockdown message flickered and mingled with the game images, making the room look like an Ashamine-2 dance club.
Continuing the search, they found more offices. Their
plainness allayed Felar's fear at first, but then she realized something. There is nothing personal here, no decorations, no individuality.
It looked sterile, unused. There were no people here either, which was strange. Where is
everyone? Where are the 'secure quarters'?
And if this is
a research facility, where are
the labs?
Down,
she thought, stomach tightening.
“We need to find the lift,” she commanded. “Facility personnel must be on the lab levels.” After additional searching, they found an elevator. Ackerson quickly touched the screen and selected the lift call option.
“It's requiring a security code, ma'am,” Ackerson said, sounding resigned. Felar watched as he typed in the sequence supplied by Intel. She wasn't surprised when the screen displayed “Code Denied”.
“Damn it,” Felar cursed. “I don't want to blast through this door. We risk damaging the lift. That would make evac a nightmare.” She tried to think of other options, but nothing came to mind. Her squad stood around her, looking nervous but keeping a strong perimeter. “We don't have much of a choice,” Felar finally decided. She began to take out more explosives, but as she did, the control panel switched from a flashing red hand to a green thumbs-up symbol. Seconds later, a rumbling sound emanated from below.
The entire squad tensed and aimed their weapons at the lift doors. “I didn't do anything to cause that,” Ackerson said, stress evident in his voice. “Maybe someone initiated it remotely at AFC?”
Felar made her voice confident and commanding, “Alright, when the lift gets here, we clear the interior, and then we all get in. This should take us straight down to the labs. We'll find any survivors and escort them back up. Keep your fields of fire sharp. No mistakes.”
They finished moving into combat formation just as the lift doors slid open. Its interior flickered between bright and dark,
the lights strobing in disturbing syncopation. Felar quickly checked her squad, noting the dread and unease on the Initiates’ faces. She hoped they were ready for whatever faced them in the deep unknown of this eerie place.