OMEGA Allegiance (21 page)

I looked over the scan data. "I hope we are able to pull this off without a long delay."

Garrett replied, "You know I have my eyes closed. That means I'm resting."

I laughed. "You can rest when the mission is complete."

Garrett shook his head. "Now you're sounding like the Saltons. They don't care about you personally, only that you get the job done."

I half smiled. "Well, the job has to get done."

Garrett leaned forward and began to look over the results. "Wait a minute. How long has that been there?"

I replied, "What?"

Garrett scowled. "That. Can't you see that blob?"

I looked over the display image with a bit of confusion. "Hmm. I thought that was a reflection. How long has it been there?"

Garrett scrolled back through the data. "Twenty-six minutes ago. And from the looks of it, that thing is huge! Probably five or six kilometers across! Here, let me refocus the sensors."

Thirty seconds later we had an image of a Grumar battlecruiser.

Garrett continued. "Those are ion cannons, only much bigger than ours. And there looks to be at least a dozen of them on this side alone. All of those secondary guns are the size of our biggest cannons. And look at the density readings. The armor on that thing is at least five meters thick. We could beat on that with the cannon here on the
Jess
all day and hardly make a scratch."

Two additional blips flashed on the screen. "It looks like they have company."

Garrett scratched the side of his head, ruffling his thick hair. "They have three of those monsters right here. No wonder they easily overran the Moddles and our troops when they showed up. Just one of those ships could take over an Alliance planet. We have nothing to match that firepower or shielding."

"Just one more thing to report," I said. "Do you think you could get us in closer?"

Garrett whipped his head around to face me. "Why did I know you were going to say that?"

"Well? Can you?"

Garrett sighed and nodded. "So much for my resting. What if I set us down on that moon in the same spot I was in before?"

I replied, "Would you still have sensor access from down that tunnel?"

Garrett shook his head. "No. But I could put us right at the end of it. Unless someone was to fly directly over us they wouldn't see us. Our issue with that moon will be the fact that it rotates. We'll only get a good look at those ships for about six hours out of sixteen. Being down in that hole will probably limit that view to two hours."

I nodded. "Two hours of data from that distance is going to be a lot of data."

Garrett punched in a path to the moon. "I'll say. Especially when the moon is passing over their position. That may take us within a hundred thousand kilometers. If they have windows, we'll be looking in them."

Garrett laughed as he thought about that statement. "I guess that's going to make you a peeping Grunta."

I looked up. "Was that supposed to be funny?"

Garrett shook his head. "We really need to get you a humor implant. Yes, that was funny. Peeping Grunta!"

Garrett continued to chuckle. Several hours passed before the
Jess
was safely in position on the Doomlight moon. Our first close-up look at the mammoth ships revealed rectangular superstructures five and a half kilometers long by a half kilometer tall and a kilometer deep. The outer hulls were a deep gray in color and covered by protruding towers, gun turrets, docking bays, and a multitude of antennae. Small shuttles and larger transports were in constant service going to and from the planet. I had to guess the Adicans were being taken away.

With the arrival of the ships, patrol activity in the system had picked up as well. Our previous observation point on the edge of the nearest methane planet was checked several times in the hours since we had left. Our immediate mission had changed. Gathering intel on the massive ships was now our priority.

Three days of observation passed while parked on the Doomlight moon. With each rotation, a two hour window of viewing placed the great ships square in our view. The data gave us complete three dimensional models of the exterior of each ship, as well as the many small ships that serviced them. It was a trove of data that any military commander would have given a right arm for.

As the fourth window of viewing opened, our moon received a visitor. A large shuttle landed on the abandoned port not far from our location. We stood in the stairwell of an adjacent ruin, gazing at them through an observation scope.

Garrett said, "They are unloading a lot of material over there. The translation app says that big box is a habitat. I have to think they are setting up camp. If they start nosing around, we are going to have to scoot."

I zoomed in on two of the workers as they stacked boxes. "This might be our best opportunity to grab a Grumar."

Garrett replied, "I don't know. How much knowledge are we going to be able to squeeze out of a common worker?"

I turned my focus to the individual barking out commands. "Well then, we grab the boss. He would have to at least be informed at a level above the laborers. He could certainly tell us what their plans are for this moon."

Garrett turned back to look at the massive ships. "I sure would like to get someone off of one of those big boats. An officer of some rank would be about the best we could hope for."

I lowered my scope. "And just how are we going to do that?"

Garrett looked down at the shuttle and smiled. "That boss is a Green. I have an idea."

I raised the scope. "Tell me you aren't thinking what I think you're thinking."

Garrett smiled. "I'm just saying, if we were to grab that guy and green you up, you might be able to walk around on one of those ships."

Again I lowered the scope. "Your idea is ludicrous. First, those workers would recognize that I wasn't their boss."

Garrett shook his head. "I don't know about that. Look at them. Not a one ever looks up at him. And frankly, as a non-Grunta, I really have a hard time telling one of you from another."

I tilted my head. "I think I might be a little offended by that remark."

Garrett laughed. "Well, I don't think it's unique to Gruntas. I have trouble with a lot of species. I'm sure Human traits don't stand out with you as much as they do with us either. Just think, though. You get on one of those ships, grab an officer, steal a shuttle. What a monumental intel grab that would be."

I raised the scope and once again began to observe the workers. "You are living in an insane world if you think I am going on one of those ships. There are too many things that would have to go exactly right for that to work. First, I would have to not get caught."

Garrett began observing again. "That's a minor detail, just one of a handful we would have to work out."

"Not happening," I replied. "Though I do like the thought of snatching a Green. My people would absolutely explode if I brought home a Green. Imagine eleven million Gruntas standing with their jaws dropped. The legend of the Greens confirmed. That would be monumental."

Garrett half smiled. "I guess grabbing a Green wouldn't be a total loss. I would still want to grab a couple of those Grumar. Even workers have some knowledge."

I looked over the Green Grunta as he stood on the loading ramp of the shuttle. "Our problem will be with how we grab him. He won't go easily. I don't know how much you've seen of my actions, and I don't like to divulge this, but compared to Humans we are insanely fast."

Garrett lowered his scope. "I've seen you react, and yeah, it's impressive, but I wouldn't call it insane."

I gently set down the viewing scope and held out my hand. "Give me your scope."

Garrett smirked as he handed it over. I gently set it on the stairwell beside the other instrument.

"Now, prepare yourself to react," I said.

Garrett tensed up. "OK, but I gotta say that if I can see it coming—"

In an instant I had Garrett Rourke pinned against a far wall. He couldn't move. The expression on his face spoke of intense pain. I released my hold. Garrett slumped to the floor.

After several heavy breaths and a stretching of his shoulders, Garrett acknowledged the move. "OK, you're right, that was insanely fast. That was wild animal fast. The way you lumber around everywhere, I didn't think you had it in you. I knew you were faster than me, just nothing like that."

I replied, "Please do not tell anyone of those abilities. It is something we guard closely."

Garrett worked his shoulder. "Now I know how your kids took down the Governor's mercs. Those fools never stood a chance."

I nodded as I handed Garrett his scope. "We are proud of our children."

Garrett pulled the scope up to his eye with newfound respect. "So, that Green, are they as fast?"

I zoomed in on the Green as he waved his arms. "The legends say they are only slightly slower than us, but of equal strength. I suppose it doesn't hurt to tell you now, but our women are the warriors of our species. My wife can do to me what I just did to you."

Garrett lowered his scope. "Are the Green women the same?"

"No. Their women are the much fairer gender. Their men treat them more like slaves than partners."

Garrett again observed. "So, how do we grab him?"

"How many workers are there?"

Garrett counted. "I've seen seven. I would have to guess that there is a pilot on there as well."

I lowered my scope. "Aside from killing him, which does us no good, there is one sure way to disable him."

"What's that?"

I shook my head. "Why do I feel like I'm giving away all of my secrets today?"

Garrett reached over and slapped me on the back. "Sometimes you just have to put trust and faith in those around you. Tell me what you've got."

I hesitated for several seconds. "It's not that I don't trust you, Garrett Rourke. It's that I don't trust those who would capture and torture you. You would reveal my secrets if sufficiently pressured."

Garrett pulled back. "Would you stop with all your lamenting and just get on with it! Tell me what we can do to disable that Green."

"It's Grunta physiology," I said. "We have a large bundle of nerves in the center of our armpits. Our shoulders can take a severe beating because of it. Up under the arm, it takes only moderate pressure to disable us with pain. Something as simple as jamming your thumb up in there would do it. You want to incapacitate a Grunta for five minutes or so, you target that nerve bundle."

Garrett nodded. "OK. Now, how do we get up under his arm when he's wearing a battle-suit?"

I raised my arm. "What do you see?"

Garrett poked. "I see an extra reinforced plate is what I see. That'll to be difficult to penetrate."

I moved back down the stairs. "Come with me."

I walked to the barracks building where we had first come across the two dead Greens. "There. We have the upper half of that battle-suit to practice on. Let's figure out how to get through that plate. We do that and we have subdued our Green."

After an hour of experimenting it was determined that an ion bolt from Garrett's pistol, set at the lowest power setting, would blow the reinforced plate off the suit. With luck, the concussion would also immobilize the Green. With none, I would have to apply pressure manually. Our new problem would be getting the Green separated from his workers.

We returned to our observation point on the stairwell. "It looks as though they have completed their unloading. I believe they are beginning to assemble whatever that structure is."

Garrett peered through his scope. "Interesting, it looks like some sort of inflatable building. If my guess is right, they would be able to fit that entire shuttle in there when they are done. I have to wonder if they are preparing to rebuild this outpost. It would give them a place to dock those big ships without having to mess around with the atmosphere."

I replied, "What would be the need? Why would you not just take those ships down to the surface. They would certainly be capable of doing that."

Garrett nodded. "I would agree. But trying to get one of those behemoths out of that gravitational pull and away from that atmosphere might be viewed as a vulnerability. Fighting in space is all about being able to maneuver. Down on that planet their size would work against them."

Garrett continued several seconds later. "Ah, here we go. They are setting up a platform with a table next to the shuttle. If the others are assembling that structure, that will give us about a hundred meters of separation. If we can knock him behind that platform, we can have at him. The others won't see a thing."

I shook my head. "If I come from around the other side of that shuttle, he will see me and react before I reach him. I can't come over the top. I would be too exposed to the workers."

Garrett smiled. "Sounds like you need a distraction. Could you take him down from around the other side if I had his attention?"

"I suppose I could. That distance would only require two to three seconds. Are you sure you would want to be a potential target for that length of time?"

Garrett smirked. "I don't have to draw fire, just his attention. I think I can handle that."

With our plan firmed up, we waited for an opportunity to present itself. Garrett moved to a location that would allow him to approach the Green from behind. I positioned myself for a sprint to the opposite side of the shuttle, followed by a dash around the end for a confrontation with our target.

Garrett signaled that he was ready to go. "When I step out from behind this wall, that's your cue to start your sprint. When you hear me yell, that's when I should have his attention."

I replied, "Just make sure he is turned in your direction. If he draws on me I will have to kill him."

In a nervous move, Garrett cleared his throat. "OK, I'm going out. The workers are all on the other side of the materials. Looks like they are engrossed in what they are doing."

I stopped beside the shuttle. "I'm in position. You say when."

Garrett set his blaster to minimum. "Got it. When you hear 'go,' come running. If he doesn't turn, I'll yell 'stop.'"

I walked to within twenty meters of the platform that held the Green and turned up the volume on my external speaker.

"Hey!" I yelled out, preparing for a reaction.

The Green didn't move.

I said, "What's happening?"

Garrett replied in a frantic voice. "He didn't turn!"

Garrett again yelled out. "Hey you!"

Again the Green did not react.

"What are you doing? We are exposed!" I said.

Garrett replied: "Get ready. Don't wait for me to say 'go.' Just come when you hear or feel the rumble."

"What are you doing?" I said with an angered voice.

Garrett laughed apprehensively. "Here goes!"

I felt the ground rumble. I sprinted around the tail end of the shuttle, pushing hard with every muscle I had. When I reached the back of the ramp, the platform came into view. It had collapsed.

Garrett yelled over the comm. "The Green is down! Grab the pilot!"

As I brought myself to a stop, Garrett was standing over the Green Grunta. A pole from the collapsed platform was jammed up under his arm, sticking out through his shoulder. The Green was out cold.

Garrett pointed at the shuttle ramp. "Go! Grab the pilot. I got this!"

I turned and raced up the ramp just in time to catch the pilot as he was coming out to see what had happened.

I raised my blaster. "Turn off your comm or I'll kill you right here!"

The Grumar pilot nodded, flipping a switch on the side of his helmet.

"Come with me," I said.

The pilot followed.

The workers, at the distance they were, had not taken notice of the raid. I hustled the pilot back to a stairwell as Garrett dragged the Green behind him. We were soon out of sight, and within minutes, the two captives were aboard the
Jess
.

I gestured with my blaster. "Take that suit off and give it to me."

The pilot complied.

I took the pilot's gear and tossed it down the ramp. "That's all we can do for now. I need to get us out of here before any alarms go up."

I removed the Green's helmet and set it to the side.

I turned to Garrett and nodded. "I've got these two. I don't see much blood with the Green, which is a good sign. How did you manage to get that pole up under his arm?"

Garrett laughed. "I yelled at him twice! He wouldn't turn around, so I figured I could get his attention by shooting that platform! What are the odds that a support pole would go exactly where we wanted it to? I mean, the odds of that are incalculable."

I replied, "I'll take all the luck we can get and not complain. Now, just get us out of here!"

I looked at the naked pilot. "You have a name?"

The pilot nodded. "Gasua Mont."

The
Jess
lifted off the Doomlight moon and was quickly away before any alarm sounded.

Garrett turned around after setting several waypoints on the nav computer. "I've got nothing following us and we are pulling away fast. I can't believe that worked!"

Garrett looked at the Grumar pilot. "Can I guess that those are your private parts you are covering with your hands?"

The pilot slowly nodded.

Garrett snarked. "Well, good, if you want to keep them, you'll cooperate fully. Understand?"

Again, a slow nod came in response.

I rolled the Green up on his side. "Give me a hand with restraining his arms. We'll move him into your bunk once that's done. We can remove his suit, except for the shoulder piece. That's pinned on him right now. You, Gasua, give us a hand at moving this guy. I'll give you some clothes when we're done. I'd rather not have to look at you and I'm sure you don't want to be looked at either."

Several minutes passed before we emerged from Garrett's cabin. The Green had been sufficiently restrained, with the majority of his armor removed. Garrett forfeited a set of clothes to the pilot.

I had Gasua sit on the floor just behind the cockpit, his hands restrained behind him.