The Cross of Mithras Vol. 1: EOD Operation Welcome to Hell (70 page)

  “That does sound plausible.”

  “But could there be another explanation?”

  “No. I don’t think that there could be. But what would make a place so important for the Council of the Elders and/or High Command to go through all of  this trouble?”

  “Maybe the place in question is Infernus.” Omori said. It caused Lenkov to think long and hard about that and he didn’t have an answer.

  Infernus is what astronomers call a second Earth (a planet that resembles the Earth). Infernus did not have any intelligent life upon it when it was first discovered. The Council of the Elders then quickly move to hush up its discovery. They then used non-intelligent androids to build a huge manufacturing plant. The plant made everything that is needed to conceal the planet, namely nanoprobes. They also wanted to conceal other terrestrial planets, and several moons orbiting a couple of the gas giants in the system. But the place concealed a very dark secret.

  It was Omori who uncovered that dark secret. She uncovered it before both her and Lenkov was sent to Valkyrie. The EOD High Command wanted to test her hacking abilities, so they had her hack their computers. When she did, she got so deep that she found Infernus. High Command then informed the Council of the Elders who was so shocked that words cannot describe their reactions. They then told Omori that she can have anything that she wants if, and only if both she and Lenkov keeps that place a secret. (She lied to them saying that she told him.) The only thing that she said that she wanted was for both her and Lenkov to stay together. The Council, without hesitation, signed a decree permitting it. But there was an oddity in that that both Lenkov and Omori would quickly learn.

  It is strictly forbidden (absolutely for outsiders) for two people (especially those who are in love) to serve together under any circumstances. The EOD always considered it a form of a control mechanism. But the Council of the Elders made an exception for two outsiders – a first. Why? What’s so important about a second Earth called Infernus? Now, when astronomers look at the planet they no longer see a second Earth they see a volcanic world. Why would the Council do such a thing when they never did anything like that before? Why use non-intelligent androids to eliminate anyone who goes there, either by an accident or by design? Those were questions that neither Lenkov and Omori ever could get an answer to. They never asked because they knew that no one would tell them.

  The dark secret that Omori uncovered is where those non-intelligent androids got those nanoprobes from. They first of all created a group of nanoprobes to strip mine a planet. The planet was reduced to nanoprobes that could make Infernus look like a volcanic world, as well as a group of nanoprobes that could conceal the other terrestrial planets and moons. Because those nanoprobes have a shelve life they need to be replenish or they will become useless. Omori calculated that those stealth nanoprobes in the 27
th
to 28
th
century will completely disappear if they are not replenished. But the Council has no desire to replenish them. Why? It’s obvious that they are building something, but what? Lenkov and Omori never learned what was being built.

  But what became what both Lenkov and Omori call a, “rusted nail in our sides,” is the fact that the planet that got stripped mined was inhabited by roughly 7.5 billion people. That a previously unknown  ET civilization was wiped out of existence. Their knowledge, who they are and more is gone. Lenkov and Omori always wanted to know if something of those people were left behind but the Council of the Elders will not tell them.

  Both Lenkov and Omori are not murderers, but they work for those who are. The incidence at that planet had always deeply troubled both of them. They had to keep it deep down inside of themselves. It’s not like they had a choice in the matter. And now that they are thinking about it again may cause that rusted nail to turn. It is not strong enough to cause them to betray the EOD, but it would be one the reasons if they did.

  “Let’s just suppose for a moment that it is Infernus, then we must consider the following possibility: the Council of the Elders either assume or fear that Infernus will be infiltrated. If so, then by whom? Or should we say when?” Lenkov said after giving it much thought.

  “There is another possibility that we should consider. The Council is afraid that we might use both the Dragon Clones and Flip Jumpers against them.”

  “Don’t they know that we won’t?”

  “Look at it from this perspective: what happens when you have someone who serves a tyrant and they become too popular? The tyrant has them eliminated. We are the first outsiders ever, who became too popular. So does the EOD even know how to handle someone of our caliber?  If not, then we are dead. So what would be the next course of action for us to take?”

  “Don’t give them too much nor too little on the success and/or failures of both the Dragon Clones and the Flip Jumpers.”

  “We should have our trusted contacts keep their eyes and ears open for anything. Is there anybody in High Command that we can trust?”

  “No. But we can rely upon CCO District Commander D’Esporito.”

  “I thought that he was a Fleet Admiral?”

  “He was, but he got promoted.”

  “Is there anybody else?” Omori asked.

  “Major General Labrune, Rear Admiral Mizuguchi, Vice Admiral Kennett, Commodore Bonfacio, Lieutenant General Byrne and Colonel ‘Brown Dust’ Durante.”

  “Alright. You contact them including D’Esporito, and I’ll contact the rest of our people.”

  Lenkov and Omori then sent messages to their contacts that were too far away. Over the next several hours they talked to the rest of their contacts. Neither one of them told their contacts about Infernus nor what the Council did to that one planet. They only wanted information not a coup d’état. But it was the information that they received from CCO District Commander D’Esporito that told them how the EOD High Command really felt about them – they are afraid their popularity.

  D’Esporito also confirmed a suspicion that both Lenkov and Omori has. That their popularity stands in Joseph’s way of getting a promotion. He’s in command of a starbase but he’s not a Commodore. In all likelihood, not for the foreseeable future will he get the promotion, no matter what his success may be. Although Joseph hardly cares (he loves his rank) it burns Sayaka deeply. There is a part of her that wants to secretly lift the cybernetic embargo on Valkyrie out of revenge.

(5)

  “Ma’am, it’s me. Look for my signal to the south-by-northwest.” Sanchez said when she got near the location of where the rest of Task Force ZH-3C is.

  When Sanchez landed she immediately left to talk to Vaistll, Taylor and Ramirez in private. She did not want either Red or White Team to overhear their conversation concerning the Hammer of Doom.

  “Where’s Green Team?” Taylor asked.

  “We couldn’t take them so I had to leave them sir. And sir… Sanders is dead.” Sanchez said.

  “How did it happen?” Ramirez asked.

  Sanchez with sadness in her eyes and voice said, “We encountered some type of a monster. It moved like a cyborg and was strong as such. But it wasn’t a cyborg.”

  “Then what was it?” Ramirez asked.

  “It was as tall as the captain, it’s skin was grayish, and it’s face…”

  “What about it’s face?” Vaistll asked.

  “It put me in mind of a cross between a dragon and a wolf.”

  “Anything else about it?” Taylor asked.

  “It talked like a cyborg. Sir, we fought that damn thing in hand-to-hand combat for more than an hour and we still couldn’t take it down.”

  “Then how did you guys kill it?” Ramirez asked.

  “It made some type of noise and then Martinez punched it in it’s throat and then it’s head exploded.”

  “Where was Green Team?” Vaistll asked.

  “I sent then out to explore the surrounding area in case you wanted to move the base camp over there. They discovered a small abandoned town. They said that it look like it was abandoned for five years at the least. While they were there that EOD Troop Deployment helicopter landed. That thing then left in a motorcycle and headed to our location. The helicopter was not carrying anybody else other than the two pilots.”

  “Alright. That will be all Sanchez.” Vaistll said.

  “Ma’am, that thing mentioned that it was a messenger from the Hammer of Doom. Green Team know but I order my team not to mention it in front of Red or White Team while we were in route.”

  “Why didn’t you order Green Team to stay silent?” Taylor asked.

  “Sir, at the time both teams were on the verge of hysterics and I wanted to hurry up and get my team out of there and give them time to calm down so that I can then talk to them alone.”

  “What precisely did it say when it mention the Hammer of Doom?” Taylor asked.

  “Nothing sir. It said that it was a messenger from them.”

  “Alright. Tell Blue Team that we want  to see them. And Sanchez…” Vaistll was saying.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “The only other people who know about them is Ellis, Wexler and Moriarty.” Vaistll said.

  “Understood ma’am.” Sanchez said. \She then left and told Blue Team that the captain wanted to see them right away. She then returned back with them.

  Vaistll, Taylor and Ramirez could tell that Blue Team has been through hell and back. They were in no mood to talk, they only wanted to rest. None of them mentioned the Hammer of Doom to the other team members. Not because they couldn’t, but because they didn’t feel like it.

  “Where are your helmets?” Ramirez asked Blue Team.

  “Sir, that thing shot them rendering them useless.” Sanchez responded.

  “Ma’am… I know what you are going to say, but you don’t have to say it. We didn’t mentioned the Hammer of Doom in front of Red or White Team. We just want to call it a day and rest. Ma’am, can we be dismissed so that we can rest?” Martinez mentioned.

  “Do all of you understand why we don’t want you to mentioned that if front of them?” Vaistll asked.

  “Yes ma’am.” Martinez responded.

  “Alright then. Go ahead and get your rest.” Vaistll said.

  “Ma’am, before I forget there was a medium size city that the monorail leads to.” Sanchez said after Blue Team left.

  Vaistll stood there in a akimbo way, nodded her head and then said. “Understood. Hurry up and pick up Green Team.”

  When Sanchez got back with Green Team, Vaistll ordered them not to say a word about the Hammer of Doom to either Red or White Team. Both Brewster and Anderson got upset saying that both teams had the right to know. But they caved in when Ramirez told them why they should keep it quiet.

  “Ellis, front and clear on the double.” Ramirez said over the helmet-com.

  “You wanted to see me sir.” Ellis said when he came in.

  “We need you keep on eye on Green Team. They, along with Blue Team, know about the Hammer of Doom. They have been ordered to keep their mouth shut. Make certain that they do.” Vaistll ordered him.

  “Yes ma’am. What about Nakada? He does outrank me.”

  “Well if he pulls rank than tell one of us and we will take care of it.” Taylor responded.

  “Where was that city that you saw more precisely?” Vaistll asked Sanchez.

  “It was located in a natural harbor on the southern side of the landmass ma’am.”

  “Alright. I want you to fly Red Team and land north of the city. Then have them take up a defensive position. After that I need you to ferry the rest of us and our equipment over there.” Vaistll ordered her.

  “Yes ma’am. What about Ellis? Shouldn’t he accompany them?”

  “Ma’am, I don’t mind looking after Blue and Green Team.” Ramirez said.

  “Alright go ahead.” Vaistll said to Ramirez.

  Sanchez then left with Red Team. When she got ten miles from the city, she headed north along the waterway. When she got far enough north she headed inland. While she was looking for a place to land she started to take on incoming fire from small arms, laser rifles, laser chain-guns and RPG’s. The tail of the helicopter was hit causing her to land in a nearby river hard. The helicopter landed on it’s side. Everyone made it out in one piece and they were able to  recover their gear.

  “May Day! May Day! We’re taking on incoming fire from unknown number of hostiles! We’ve made it to our destination! Please send help imm…!” Sanchez said over the com-system. The call ended in static.

  “Ma’am! Sanchez was forced down north of the city! She said that they were taking on enemy fire from unknown number of hostiles!” Ramirez told Vaistll after he ran from tent with the com-system to inform Vaistll. He had Green Team handle the com-system while he kept a watchful eye on them.

  “Shit. Look like we have no other choice but to leave immediately… on the monorail.” Vaistll said.

  “Yes ma’am.” Ramirez said with a knot in his throat.

  Everyone in Task Force ZH-3C quickly moved all equipment and gear on the monorail. They could not, and would not leave their friends behind. The com-system was the last to go. They tried their best to contact Galactic Prime, but couldn’t.