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This is Brian Fichardo’s Story

Prologue.

It is the seventh year since they first appeared from the depths of space. Some say it is because humanity was never meant to leave the Earth. It is the aftermath of the most devastating war in the history of humanity. The Earth lost most of its human population and outlying colonies during the initial onslaught and the immediate years that followed. This past decade the human race has been desperately trying to push back the invaders. Most of the people who have survived have become part of one of the remaining rebel powers. Throughout the colonies there are bands of rebels hiding and fighting just to stay alive for the next day. They do this in the hope that some godly power or that some scientist, working in some far off laboratory in the attempt to create a weapon that could destroy these aliens and will save them.

Already in Dr Wiseman’s laboratory, on the Maxime Nave, this weapon is in its final stages ready, for testing.

The Maxime Nave is a carrier bearing Humanity’s last hope. Part of massive task force made up of a vast array of ships. These ship hold within their hulls the ragged, beaten but not defeated remains of the Earth’s finest. This Expeditionary Force with the aid of this new weapon hopes to strike a defeating blow to the heart of the deadly invaders. These invaders have been called The Sirens, because of their high pitched sound of their howls as they enter the battlefield. The vast majority encountered are part arachnid and part cyborg. They walk on six legs and use the other two, shorter, legs to wield their bio-plasma weapons. It has taken so long to create a weapon capable of destroying them because they are more intelligent than we anticipated. Their weapons are powered by living matter and therefore are difficult to counter. The people remaining, having limited resources, have fought valiantly to try to defend what previous generations have fought to gain control over. They have fought for what we hold dear to our hearts, Mother Earth.

The Maxime Nave is a crew training ship and home to some five thousand fighting men and women as well as their equipment. Amongst these soldiers is a group of rookies. These marines once had lives back on Earth. Six years ago they were the cream of the Stella Cadet Forces. The Earth defence forces were caught in bed and were quickly rendered useless. These Cadets did their best to help in whatever way they could until they were transported off planet. They were then recruited with the two hundred thousand others to the Plutonian Orbital facility. There they became part of the Task Force and their training began. A year later well on their way to the Sirens home planet they graduated Military School on the Excelsior. They were then transferred to the Maxime Nave where they will be assigned as part of the field-testing program of this new weapon. Before this can happen they must prove themselves worthy.

Chapter 1.

"What do you mean you won’t be able to come to dinner Thursday?" blurted Clair.

"I’m going on a mission on Thursday," replied Brian "I don’t know where myself, there’s a briefing tomorrow at 0600, but I’m sure its probably just another survey mission, nothing to worry about." Explained Brian as they walked down the corridor to the ‘Eddies’, the only decent joint on the whole ship. Sergeant Brian Fichardo was going with Clair, a very close friend, to meet the new squad he was to be assigned to. "Besides Adam told me that they passed with honours and most of them are crack shots…anyway I should be back Saturday."

"Well that’s what you said last time and you weren’t back for a month." Clair protested.

"That was different, it wasn’t even my fault, if Charley hadn’t have disturbed that nest we would not have been stuck in quarantine for those three weeks. Do you know what emergency rations taste like, give me a Jenolian Cocktail anytime." Confessed Brian.

"You hate Jenolian Cocktails." Replied Clair.

"I know." Replied Brian as they entered Eddies. They continued talking after they found a table.

"There’s that new Sergeant we must be getting." Said Rosser.

"He looks like he must have been in a few scrapes." Replied Sara.

"Who’s the bird with him." Said Skinner.

"That’s Clair and I advise you to put her out of your mind, Spike, she’s tough and you’ll never get past the Serge." Explained Adam.

"Besides the serge’s coming over." hinted Corporal Heath with a nudge.

"Hi Adam, and this must be the squad I’m being assigned to. I’m Sergeant Brian Fichardo, this is Clair Norris my associate." They each stood up in turn.

"This is Corporal Lisa Heath, our field expert." Introduced Adam.

"Seen much action?" asked Brian.

"Here and there." replied Heath.

"This is Sara Al-Khatib, our electronics expert and medic."

"So you’re the tech whiz."

"You could say that." Said Sara hoping it was a complement.

"This is Samuel Skinner, our resident mechanic."

"You want it fixed, well that’s my job"

"Eager isn’t he." Brian said to Adam.

"This is Kirsty Cottam our medic, psychologist and expert on Siren anatomy."

"So you’re the one I see if I want a souvenir?"

"That’s what I’m here for." Kirsty replied, sounding a bit unsure of herself.

"This is Phillip Drewa, an expert engineer and marksman."

"Another sharp shooter?"

"I can shoot a pheasant at five hundred metres."

"These birds shoot back." Commented Brian. Phillip was a bit insulted buy this, but soon got over it with another sip of brandy.

"This is Charlie Evans, pilot, crack shot and all terrain vehicle driver."

"Just tell me where to go!" responded Charlie unknowingly sounding offensive and assertive.

"Don’t worry I will." Commented Brian.

"And finally this is Rosser, pilot, engineer and medic."

"I believe we’ve met before."

"Yes on Orion Four."

"That’s it, the top pilot awards." Said Sergeant Fichardo suddenly remembering.

"The others are going to meet you at the briefing tomorrow." Interrupted Cottam.

"Glad that there are some experienced personnel here. Well now that the formalities are over with, how about a drink on me for everyone?"

Cheers arose and they all made their way to the bar. "I think I’m going to like this guy." Heath said to Kirsty.

"You only like him because he is buying the beers!" Cottam insisted.

"Well I guess you’re right but he is quite nice, isn’t he?" pleaded Heath.

"I suppose so." Everyone spent the next two hours drinking and then went back to their rooms to sleep it off.

The next morning Brian was up early in the virtual shooting range. This was reserved for officers only. A door appeared in a tree. Brian swung round; plasma gun pointed chest height in order to rip open the chest of whatever appeared. The door opened making a mechanical sound as if it had not been oiled in a long time. Adam walked inside as Brian turned to face a hideous creature. He blew a hole straight through its chest. It managed a rather garbled and muffled hiss as it dropped to the floor. It lay on the floor as a very burnt, steaming heap of acid and limbs.

"I thought I would find you in here." Adam surveyed the carnage, "nice kill, what was it?…" Said Adam as he then surveyed the choice of scenery. It was a dense forest dimly lit. It contained many different species of trees; most of them had only a few leaves on their lower branches. It was a very dimly lit recreation of what Adam could remember as a tropical rainforest back on Earth. The door closed behind him making the same mechanical sound as before.

"It was a hybrid of the first genetically engineered soldier and an arachnid. They were encountered on Saturn at the end of the Jovan wars. The ones that could not be controlled were thought eliminated. A few escaped capture but were later killed as they tried to leave by the space port. Their stolen ship was destroyed by the planetary defences." Finished Brian.

"Too bad, we could have used them when the Sirens attacked." Commented Adam.

"Admiral Rebello had that idea. But the facilities were captured before they could be brought on line."

"That Admiral Mervin Rebello, he’s a legend. I served under his brother at the academy, Captain Michel Rebello. They were both valued tacticians." While the conversation was going on Brian had killed another three of the hybrids.

"Computer end simulation, and save." This was followed by the familiar acknowledgement that the computer made whenever it was doing anything. The rainforest disappeared and was replaced by a dull grey four-sided room with a door placed inconspicuously in the corner.

Adam motioned for Brian to lead the way. They then made their way to the briefing room. When they arrived they took their seats and waited. Brian looked around and saw all of the cadets he had seen the previous evening and quite few new faces. Commander Ross entered the room, everyone stood.

"As you were." Said Commander Ross. Everyone sat down and awaited instructions.

"Ok three forty second. This is your executive officer Sergeant Brian Fichardo. He has been assigned to you from the twenty third tactical division." Ross motioned towards Brian who stood up and took a bow. "And this is Sergeant Adam Coen, he is also on loan to us from the twenty third tactical division for this mission." This time Ross motioned towards Adam who also stood up and took a bow then sat down. "Sergeants these are your cadets. I believe you already know some of them. The rest I will allow you to meet in your own time. Now to the mission. Sergeant Coen you will take Al-Khatib, Beaten, Conboy, Evans, Sharda, Skinner, West and Wheel. Sergeant Fichardo you will take Cottam, Drewa, Heath, Lam, Regent, Riely and Rosser. Flight Sergeant Tinney will handle the rest. You have been given this mission because all of the other, more experienced, squadrons are on other missions. You will be dropped on a Siren planet designated T64. There you will be deployed from a Stella Assault Vehicle into a dense forest, where you will be expected to make your way to a Siren compound. There you will supply cover fire and a diversionary attack for Sergeant Tinney’s team to go in and disable the Siren satellite links. After this you will set up and fire our new prototype weapon. Dr Wiseman will be there to offer assistance for this part. Sergeant Fichardo’s team will set up the weapon. Sergeant Coen’s team will provide the diversionary attack. Once the compound is destroyed you will proceed to the rendezvous co-ordinates where a S.A.V. will extract you. Your code name will be Genocide. This is a vital mission, do not fail. Any questions?"

Chapter 2.

The dark void of space seemed to envelop the whole ship as they left the docking port on the starboard side of the Maxime Nave. Their S.A.V. would seem to be gliding along through the deep void if it were not for the muffled sounds of the ship’s engines. The marines were all strapped in on both sides of the cargo compartment facing inside. Their weapons were arranged between them. The cargo compartment is located behind the cockpit. There is little space to move inside.

"However many times I see a ship out here in space, I can’t help feeling so insignificant." Said Heath.

"I admit it is beautiful." Said Cottam.

"I just hope that we will live to see such beauty more than once." Said Janet West.

"I hope we live." Said Skinner.

"I wonder what would happen if we just surrendered?" Riely said to everyone’s horror.

"Just remember, live or die, the beauty of the Galaxy will always continue. Who knows what other countless planets are out there that could support life? Out of this how many have been devastated by the Sirens? We will not surrender, but we will make a stand, no matter how few humans survive." Explained Coen.

"If you wanted to surrender why didn’t you go with the others who gave themselves up on the ‘Roland’…" pause for Riely to speak. Before he could Brian continued. "…Oh, by the way the Roland was destroyed as it transmitted a message of peace into Siren controlled space." For the next two hours of transport no one commented on this. There was very little conversation.

The S.A.V. dodged to the left and then pivoted to the right in order to dodge enemy fire. Every-one inside would have been thrown all over the place if they were not strapped in. Then suddenly the S.A.V. slowed and began to hover. Then the S.A.V. slowly descended.

"This is your Captain speaking hope you enjoyed the ride. If you need to contact us again just dial one eight hundred HELP!" Called Captain Plestina over the intercom.

"That’s our cue, get your kit and be ready to disembark in one minute. Flight Sergeant Tinney’s team is designated Alpha team; Sergeant Coen’s team is Bravo team. The rest of you that are in my team are Echo team. Dr Wiseman you’re with me." Shouted Brian. With a final jerk and the S.A.V. was on the ground. The rear-loading hatch dropped to the ground below.

"Let’s move, come on get those butts on the ground and bring the rest of you along for the ride." Called Flight Sergeant Tinney

"You heard the man now get moving." Said Brian.

"Bravo team move East towards the compound." Shouted Adam; "Echo team take position on the mount overlooking the compound in the North."

"My team lets move those sorry asses." Called Flight Sergeant Tinney as he made his way towards the West Side of the compound. As Dr Wiseman watched the rear-loading hatch closed as the S.A.V. initiated a vertical ascent to just above the treetops and engaged its main engines. Soon it was out of sight. He then surveyed the area. There was quite an abundance of vegetation. The trees were tall and the grass was knee height and a mixture of greens and yellow patches. There were large flat footprints where the landing struts had made imprints in the ground, as well as three scorched areas where the thrusters had burnt away the foliage.

"Dr what are you waiting for?" Called Kenny Choo Shee Lam. "An invitation?"

"Sorry I was just distracted for a moment." Explained Dr Wiseman as he picked up his piece of equipment and ran towards Kenny.

"Sharda three o clock." Bellowed Adam as he turned to the left to blow away another Siren. The battle had begun half an hour ago. There was shooting and carnage all over the place. Bravo team had already lost two people; Mark Beaten who foolishly got his legs cut off by a Siren and was then devoured, and Ho Yin Lee who had started running at the advancing Sirens. When a Siren had picked him up with one hand (or what passed for a hand) and then decapitated him with some kind of sword. It had then turned to Sharda and was shot to pieces just in time by Adam. After these incidents Adam quickly decided to fall back to the trench that Skinner had fallen into earlier, he was now providing cover fire from it. "They’re still coming, and I think they’re really mad."

"Sir with all due respect you did destroy their barracks." Exclaimed Skinner.

"Point taken. How are Alpha team doing West?" Responded Adam.

"I’ll find out." Called Janet West who was trying to contact them on the radio. Contact had been lost with Alpha team when they entered the compound. Suddenly the radio erupted into life.

"…This is David Mc… we’ve disabled the upl…"

"Your breaking up, how many are left?" called West down the mouthpiece.

"We have taken heavy casualties. Myself Chris, … and Flight… coming out of the East Lock… minutes… provide cover fi…" then the message was cut off.

"Flight, I gave them the message." Called David McMenamin.

"Good now stand back." With a sudden explosion the door to the East Lock gained a hole large enough to allow a fully-grown man to go through. The edges to this gaping hole were hot and slightly melted. As the smoke cleared Corporal Carroll peered around the edge of the hole.

* * *

"Serge they’re coming out of the East…" an ear-shattering explosion cut of Janet.

"All clear. There’s a crater about forty metres away." Explained Corporal Carroll.

"Siren activity?" Questioned Flight Sergeant Tinney.

"Two moving cautiously towards us." Replied Carroll.

"Mac take Anandan. Collins grab the tech unit. Carroll and I will deal with the Sirens!" ordered Flight Sergeant Tinney. He then motioned for Carroll to cover him. Carroll watched as Tinney jumped out and shot the first Siren. He missed the second as he bolted towards the crater. Just starting to run Carroll jumped out and offloaded a few shots at the second. He only succeeded in wounding him before a Siren who was in the crater knocked out Tinney by smashing him on the head with, what can only be guessed was, the butt of its bio-plasma weapon. He turned to fire at the Siren in the crater before being shot in the leg. He dropped to the floor howling in pain. He managed one final shot but missed.

Collins, having grabbed the tech unit, which resembled a suitcase, and ran over to where Carroll was slumped on the floor. Behind him Mac picked up Chris Anandan and was making his way over.

"John are you ok?" asked Collins.

"I’ll be fine. You just get to the crater and see to the Flight!" replied John Carroll.

"Yes Sir, you just remember that you owe me for saving your life back there. I want you to set me up with that cute ensign you know when we get back to the Maxime Nave." Explained Michael Collins. "She’s a bomb just waiting for me."

"In your dreams. Let’s just get back first." Said John with a chuckle. When he laughed there was a sharp pain in his leg. "Now get out of my sight." continued John attempting to sound forceful. Collins made his way towards the crater with Mac to his left. He shot the Siren in the open, with his C180 plasma rifle, and offloaded three shots before hitting the one in the crater. It died on impact. As soon as he got to the crater he jumped down, made sure it was safe, left the tech unit there and went back for the Flight. He was only metres away. He grabbed his body and pulled him into the crater with him and Mac. John lay on the floor motionless. Michael hoped that John was playing possum.

"Call Echo team, tell them to send some backup. Get the S.A.V. captain on the line, what’s his name?"

"Andrew Plestina, sir." Interrupted Evans.

"That’s him and get him back here on the double." Ordered Adam as he turned to fire at another Siren. Before he could do so he was shot in the left arm. He growled in pain.

"…What the hell is going on down there? We saw a huge explosion by the East Side of the compound and then we saw three figures move towards a crater…" Came Simon Regent’s voice over the radio.

"What’s left of Alpha team have just left the building. We need fire support now!" cried Janet.

"We’ll do what we can." Returned Regent’s voice.

"Serge they need reinforcements." Said Regent.

"Lam, Riely, Regent and Cottam get down there. Regent give the radio to Rosser." Ordered Brian hurriedly. "Dr when you said you just had to calibrate the guidance system and imput the designated yield you said it would only take a minute!"

"There, there I’m done." Dr Wiseman rushed out in one go.

"Good, shoot the damn missile and pack up!"

"Its not that easy." Complained Dr Wiseman.

"Make it that easy, our people are dying down there!" Ordered Brian in a firm voice. "Heath get the other rocket launchers. Drewa take point. Rosser tell Bravo team the cavalry is on the way. Then pack up and lets move."

"The cavalry is on its way!" called Janet West. "S.A.V. touch down two clicks North from here. Echo team are sending down Lam, Riely, Regent and Cottam."

Al-Khatib came over to Adam and she started to take out the field med.-kit she had been issued. She was an attractive young dark hared woman. Her hair was tied back but could have easily come down beyond her shoulders. She had blue eyes and was five foot five. She took off her gloves, opened the med.-kit and took out a sterilising agent and a few field dressings.

"Hold still." She said. Then she administered the sterilising agent. Adam could feel the pain slowly diminishing as the sterilising agent began to work. Adam tensed his arm and looked around. There were Siren carcasses all around them. The trench they had taken cover in was about two hundred metres from the tree line. It was not really a trench but more like a dried up river. It was lined with rocks and was set against a large boulder. After a moment he turned to Al-Khatib.

"Thanks…" he said.

"Call me Sara." Said Al-Khatib.

"Thanks Sara." Responded Adam. "I’ll remember this." Sara Al-Khatib blushed and made her way back to the firing line. Adam watched her move away and then picked up his C150 assault cannon with his right arm. He laid it on the top of the riverbed and started to fire.

Just as he dropped down to reload there was an explosion. It knocked him into a corner; he hit his arm hard but there was no further damage with the exception of a few aches and pains, although he was winded. Wheel was in the process of throwing another grenade when a Siren shot a hole straight through his head. The energy bolt entered right between the eyes and out the back of his head. As it left his head a stream of thick red blood rushed out of the newly gauged hole. His lifeless body dropped to the ground just out of reach of Adam. He tried to reach it but fell short. Manish looked round and saw Adam reaching for the grenade. He leapt next to it and threw it at the advancing Sirens. There were about fourteen left.

"Duck." Said Sharda. Dropping to the floor. The grenade exploded a few metres away.

"Thanks Sharda I owe you one." Said Adam.

"Take cover." Shouted Skinner as he saw a rocket heading in their general direction. Everyone dropped behind the cover of the riverbed. As the smoke cleared there was silence. There were a few Sirens in retreat. One of them was carrying something rather odd.

"Never fear Riely’s here." Bellowed Darren Riely. He was a short man not too intelligent and famous for getting into bar fights. He was just leaving the tree line.

Bravo team got out of the riverbed and made their way forward. They were joined by forward elements of Echo team.

"What the hell is wrong with that." Riely pointed at a Siren near him.

"I have no idea." Replied Kirsty Cottam. She was stumped. Even knowing everything she knew the only thing she could say was. "I think it’s having some kind of fit?"

"I knew that. But what caused it?" said Riely unsympathetically.

"It is having a fit." Most of the marines turned around to see Dr Wiseman entering the clearing. "My colleagues and I have developed a new weapon. When the warhead of the rocket explodes it releases a nerve toxin that only affects Sirens. The toxin sends them into what resembles an epileptic fit. We are developing a much larger version of this because the one we have only has a short range and a radius of three hundred metres. That’s why some of them escaped. We are not sure how long a Siren is stunned for so I suggest you kill them now!" said Dr Wiseman sternly.

"Yea that’s all very well, but what about Alpha team?" exclaimed Kirsty just remembering.

They all then started to run towards where Alpha team had taken refuge. After Darren Riely had run a few feet a Siren slowly pulled itself up in front of him. It was about seven-foot tall and had a kind of double-ended Sickle type short sword. It picked up Riely with its free hand and slashed down at him with the short sword. By the time anyone knew what was happening Riely was dead. A second Siren arose behind Manish Sharda. It picked him up. It tried to bite Manish’s head off. Manish pulled a short fuse grenade from his belt and dropping the pin shoved the grenade into the Siren’s mouth and said, "Chew on this you Siren mother fucker." He then held the Siren’s mouth shut as the grenade exploded. He was thrown several feet back. Kirsty, Brian and Adam rushed towards them as Drewa, Rosser and Heath stood guard. The others ran to where Alpha team lay.

"Are you ok?" asked Brian.

"Phew, what bad breath." Gasped Sharda.

"Yea he’s ok." Replied Adam.

"Remind me never to stick my hand where it does not belong." Said Sharda. "Let’s get to the Flight!" The rest of them ran over to the crater. This time they killed any Sirens who were still having a fit.

Chapter 3.

When Adam and Brian reached the crater Sara told them that only David McMenamin, Chris Anandan, Flight Sergeant Tinney, Michel Collins and John Carroll had survived. This meant that Clint Willma, Warrant Officer Putrus, Stephanie O’Brien and John Murphy did not make it out alive. Brian had sent Kenny Choo Shee Lam and Oliver Rosser to see to John Carroll. Simon Regent had asked Janet West to marry him. She told him, "In light of current events I am inclined to says no but could we talk about it when we get back to the ship." At present Janet was in communication over the radio getting a tech squad to check out the compound. Cottam and Wiseman were tending to Flight Sergeant Tinney while Sara Al-Khatib was tending to Chris Anandan’s wounds. The S.A.V. was on its way, and after compromising with the pilot, an Andrew Plestina, they had arranged to be picked up from their current position in the compound. As a result most of the other marines were ordered to clear the compound of any remaining Sirens.

Shots echoed around. "Got another one." Came Brian’s now familiar voice.

"Leave some for me!" responded Michel Collins.

"What’s the ETA of the S.A.V.?" Asked Skinner’s voice for the seventh time.

"The same ETA as it was just a moment ago. Twenty minutes." Replied Janet West now beginning to get irritated.

Coen looked around, spotted Brian and made his way over to talk to him.

"What do you think of the squad now?" Asked Brian.

"Considering how many we’ve lost, I’m quite pleased." Replied Coen with a hint of anxiety and discomfort.

"It wasn’t your fault, or mine for that mater. In war there is only death and destruction. No-body wins there are only losers." Explained Brian offering comfort.

"Why do we fight if we will lose?" questioned Adam.

"We fight for humanity. We fight for a way of life. A planet that we had snatched away from us. We fight for our own lives, souls, family and friends. I personally fight so that I may avenge the deaths of my friends and family. But I fight harder to make sure I do not lose the friends I have now." Finished Brian.

"Like Clair and Christina?" Asked Adam cautiously.

"Yes like Clair and Christina, and even yourself Adam."

"I didn’t know you cared." Said Adam Sarcastically.

"I don’t." Said Brian. They both laughed and continued walking.

The rest of the day was spent salvaging what they could and ‘cleansing’ the immediate area as none of the remaining squad members required urgent treatment that was unavailable to them on the surface. They used the remainder of the evening loading their equipment onto the S.A.V. "Stow that kit and buckle up, take off in two minutes." Ordered Sergeant Fichardo.

"What is in that tech unit Mac?" Asked Adam.

"Don’t know! The Flight picked it up from one of the Siren rooms." Answered David McMenamin. "He went in alone and retrieved something that he said some of the tech boys lost."

"Let’s see what the tech boys are so interested in." said Lisa Heath.

"Yea." Said Kenny.

"Sorry guys, I’d love to see what’s in it myself but the Flight ordered me not to let anyone take the case but Commander Palmer and himself." Said Mac trying to sound forceful.

"Commander Francis Palmer?" asked Evans.

"Yes." Answered Mac.

"Don’t even try it. You won’t get anything out of him." Coen directed at Evans.

"Fine I’ll keep my head down." Replied Evans sounding very sorry for himself indeed.

"Belt in Lisa when you finish strapping in Anandan, we’re about to take off." Said Brian. "Al-Khatib see to Flight Sergeant Tinney once we’re underway." The loading bay closed and the S.A.V. engines increased thrust and began to lift the craft into the air. Within the space of a few moments the dark blue, grey sky disappeared and was replaced by the darkness of Space. After a few minutes Sara Al-Khatib unbelted herself and made her way over to the storage cupboard to the fore of the compartment. Beyond there was the cockpit. A few moments later returning with a first aid-kit and another blanket. Then moving over to Flight Sergeant Tinney began to tend to his wounds. Regent had got up and moved over to where Janet West was sitting and they were talking about their new friendship. Drewa had got out a pack of cards and pulled out a folding equipment tray. Rosser, Heath and Lam had moved over to Drewa who started to deal the cards. They were playing poker. Wiseman was going over some charts and weapon designs with Cottam near the aft of the compartment. Skinner had been ordered to make an inventory of the remaining weapons. Sharda was cleaning the barrel of his laser assault rifle. There was a dark blue liquid stain on it. Corporal Carroll sat asleep on one of the seats to the aft of the compartment. Sergeant Coen and Sergeant Fichardo were discussing what had happened and comparing what they would include in their reports. Then suddenly there was an interruption.

"Serge, incoming message from the fleet." Exclaimed Andrew Plestina.

"Patch it through." Ordered Fichardo.

"It’s a bit garbled but I’ll see what I can do." Returned Plestina’s voice.

"I wonder what it could be about." Said Dr Wiseman.

"Probably congratulating us on a successful mission." Said Sharda. His comment was met by confused and assertive ‘shut up’ expressions.

"…This is Maxime Nave to Genocide. The Fleet has been ambushed. We are under heavy fire… have lost the Eisenhower. The Milestone and the Bristol have received heavy casualties but are still operational and ar… your orders are to Change course to the Tempest Orbital facility where you will remain until we can regroup at Omicron 4 with you… I’m sorry but I can’t take any questions at the moment there’s a Siren battle cruiser knocking at the door…" sound of explosion. "…See you at Omicron 4 and hopefully in one piece." The transmission ended to many dazed, confused and worried faces.

There was a long pause.

"Sir, what do we do." Cottam asked. There was another long pause.

"Sir" prompted Skinner.

"Well, first we make our way to the Tempest Orbital Facility then we unload. After that I suppose we wait." Concluded Fichardo forcing a smile. "Coen inform Captain Plestina of the change in plans."

"Yes sir." Said Coen as he walked in the direction of the flight deck.

"I’d advise you all to get some sleep" finished Sergeant Fichardo. "It’ll be a long haul.

After the initial message there was very little said. Most of the squad went to sleep. As they approached Tempest Orbital Facility, Samuel Skinner woke up Sergeant Fichardo. "Serge, we are approaching Tempest."

"Thanks Skinner, let the others sleep for another five minutes. I’m going to the flight deck." replied Sergeant Fichardo as he got up and walked towards the flight deck hatch. There was a slow whining of metal scratching against metal as the hatch opened, which reminded Fichardo of the virtual shooting range.

"We should be docking in about ten minutes." Said a weary Andrew Plestina.

"Very well, continue."

It was a good hour they had been at the station. Most of the squad had been thrilled at the chance of swapping their hot metallic seats for nice air-conditioned bunks. Flight Sergeant Tinney, Corporal Carroll and Private Anandan had been taken to the infirmary. Flight Sergeant Coen (having accepted the temporary promotion, since Flight Sergeant Tinney is temporarily unfit for command, after Sergeant Fichardo had turned it down) upon having his wounded arm seen to, was on his way to the bar, when he met Sergeant Duncan Cook and Corporal Christina Chiang. Michael Collins and Sergeant Fichardo were in the bar having a drink and talking about the ‘old’ days during the initial Siren attacks when they were fighting in the same squad on Mars. They were waiting for Sergeant Cook to arrive with Corporal Chiang. They were on their way to meet Sergeant Fichardo for special orders at a bar called ‘The Black hole’. Sergeant Cook was also temporarily stationed here when the task force he was part of came under attack and he to could not therefore return to base from his mission.

Sergeant Cook has qualified as a Marksman, Pilot and officer. Sergeant Cook and Sergeant Fichardo had known each other all their life. During their lives they had saved each other’s lives on countless occasions. Christina was an ‘old flame’ that both of them fell in love with. She had turned down Sergeant Cook’s proposal of marriage in order to continue a very strong friendship between the three of them. She to had saved their lives a few times, and visa-versa. Flight Sergeant Coen and Private Collins too knew Sergeant Cook and Corporal Chiang quite well. Back then they were rookies. By all accounts they should have been dead long ago, it is a miracle they survived the initial attack let alone the war.

The bar was almost empty that evening. They had arrived at Tempest Orbital Facility at about 1900 it was now 2330. In the bar there were three men and a young woman playing poker at a table by a large window that overlooked Omicron four. They all wore dark green overalls that bear the emblem of junior cadets. There was another man sitting at the bar, he was a pilot by the look of his attire and rank insignia. The sixth person was the barman, a David Stanton. Just as Adam, Duncan and Christina walked into the bar as another man ran in. He ran over to a military communications panel and switched it on. He was a small man, five-foot, short blonde hair, and glasses and wore a grey overall with a blue striped collar. According to the markings on it he was part of the station’s communication engineers.

"Everyone look at this." The small man puffed out. He was addressing the patrons of the bar as he pressed a button on a communications panel. The COM panel suddenly burst to life.

"What follows is the last communication from task force Omega One before it was destroyed two hours ago." Came the station Commander’s voice. Station Commander Robertson was a well-built man aged about fifty. The previous screen was replaced by an attractive young woman’s face. She was wearing a vice admirals uniform. Not a grey hair in sight. She was standing on what looked like a wrecked bridge of a light battle cruiser. There was an explosion.

"…Are we on?" She called to someone off-screen. Then turned to the camera.

"I am Vice Admiral Jenny Lee on the ‘Wolfheart’ part of task force Omega One." Duncan and Christina moved over and sat down at the table where Michael and Brian were seated. Adam went over to another COM panel and called up a star chart.

"Special orders?" asked Sergeant Cook. Sergeant Fichardo nodded.

"A fleet of Siren heavy cruisers attacked us as we made our advance into Siren territory. We were hit hard and fast. Admiral Rebello attempted to lead the Siren fleet away from our damaged ships, but his Destroyer, the Hurricane, was crippled. He was forced to give the order to abandon ship as the Hurricane was pulled towards planet Mortis Domus by its gravity."

"‘The home of death.’" Said Sergeant Cook and Sergeant Fichardo almost in unison as they both remembered their childhood Latin. Adam called up Mortis Domus on the star chart and imputed where the new Siren border is and the position of task force Omega One along with the position of Omicron 4 while the vice admiral continued to talk.

"Mortis Domus lies deep within Siren territory. At present we are on our way towards task force Omega three. We are in no condition to make an attempt to save what survivors are left. We…" The image Changed into static and was then replaced by the station commanders face.

"I am asking for sixty volunteers to make up four squads to go on a rescue mission. Any volunteers report to cargo hold five at 0700 tomorrow." Finished the station commander Robertson. The screen then went blank. The short man that had come in earlier then went over to the bar to get a drink. He then left the bar.

Flight Sergeant Coen beckoned Sergeant Fichardo over. "Check this out!" Sergeant Fichardo, Sergeant Cook, Corporal Chiang and Private Collins got up and made their way across to the panel where Flight Sergeant Coen was standing. "According to this Mortis Domus has a breathable atmosphere. The average temperature is about twenty-five degrees in the shade and wind-speed twenty Knots on the equator. The exploration teams found thriving jungles and an abundance of plant life."

"So why no colonies?" asked Collins.

"Because not only are there a wide diversity of small carnivore but most of the plants are either poisonous or carnivores too." Continued Flight Sergeant Coen.

"So is that why it is called ‘the home of death’?" asked Corporal Chiang.

"Yes and No. The report goes on to say that there is a rare type of crystal that grows naturally as a fruit and actually emanates a background radiation. If exposed to for long periods of time i.e. longer than a month the build up of radiation will turn lethal. It kills by destroying the skin and making water evaporate five times as fast from the body as usual. The local wildlife although so diverse has grown a protective exoskeleton. The plans too have special organs that combat the radiation these organs upon further study, and refinement, can increase crop yield a hundred and fifty percent with no adverse side affects. Because of this, an orbital mining station was set up. The whole thing is automated, sending down collection drones to harvest these special organs which are refined and collected every month."

"And now?" said Collins.

"The Sirens have held that area of space for the past seventeen months. Intelligence reports tell us that they used the facility for themselves until a covert strike force went in and sabotaged the processing plant two months ago." Explained Sergeant Fichardo.

"If these Nav. maps are anything to go by then it would take twenty eight hours to reach Mortis Domus." Speculated Sergeant Cook. "What do you say we volunteer?"

"We’ll do it." Said Sergeant Fichardo after he and Corporal Chiang glanced at each other.

"I’m in." Said Flight Sergeant Coen. "I never could resist a good scrap."

"Sirens, carnivores, meat eating plants. Hell’ I’d have to be stupid to go," said Collins rather excitedly. "Call me stupid!"

"Well that settles it. We’ll wake the others at 0600 tomorrow and ask them." Said Sergeant Cook. "Now let’s get some rest." They then left the bar for their own quarters.

Chapter 4.

"Listen up all you lucky volunteers, I will now call out the names of the four selected squads." Called Commander Thompson from the top of a makeshift podium. The podium was actually a cargo crate with a stand for some paper. Squad one will follow Commander Peterson, Squad two Commander Swan, Squad three Commander Baker and Squad four will remain here with me. The rest of you are I’m sorry but you are not required for this mission." There were a few murmurs. Commander Thompson read out the list of the first squad. After they left he continued. "Squad two will consist of Flight Sergeant Coen, Sergeants Cook and Fichardo, Corporals Chiang, Heath and Rosser, privates Al-Khatib, Collins, Conboy, Cottam, Drewa, Sharda, Skinner, Wood and Dr Wiseman." There was a pause as the selected personal left the room.

They entered another, smaller, cargo bay. Private Kenny Choo Shee Lam had been selected as co-pilot for the mission; Captain Michael O’Brien will pilot the mission, with Private Charlie Evans as All Terrain Vehicle Driver. Private David McMenamin did not volunteer as he had been selected for another mission. Privates’ West and Regent did not volunteer because they had been saddened by the loss of two good friends Ho Yin Lee and Clint Willma.

"I am Commander David Swan. You have been selected because of your conduct in your previous mission and some of your personal skills and experiences. I believe most of you know each other but for those of you who do not, this is Sergeant Duncan Cook…" Commander Swan was interrupted.

"Who’s the hot babe?" asked Samuel Skinner.

"The ‘hot babe’ as you so kindly put it, is Corporal Christina Chiang and this is Private Rachel Wood. Your squad will be part of a four pronged tactical assault force. Your primary mission is to rescue vital tactical data that was on board the Hurricane when it went down on Mortis Domus. The mission will take leave Tempest at 0400 Monday morning. This will give you a whole day to play with our new toys. He then indicated to a crate marked ‘M.A.P.A.S.’ on it. A technician walked out from behind the steel crate and pressed a button on the side of it. A large door opened. There was a sound of air hissing.

"What the Heck is that thing?" came Collins’ voice. He said what everyone in the room, bar the technician and Commander Swan, thought.

"This is our new toy! Its technical name is a mechanised armoured poly-ceramic assault system or Tactical Combat Suit. T.C.S. for short."

"A what?" asked Samuel Skinner, who by now was getting confused.

"It’s a big metal suit!" said Rachel Wood.

"Not only is it a ‘big metal suit’ but it has built in weaponry and a few toys too. Jones show them what they’ve won." Said Commander Swan. The technician started to put on the armour.

While this was going on Dr Wiseman realised why the Armour looked fairly familiar. He then bellowed out, "That is the same type of assault armour that I’ve been designing! How did you get the specs and the par…"

"Calm down Dr this is the assault suit you were designing with a few minor refinements." Explained Commander Swan as he pointed at a schematic on the wall behind him.

"But its still months away from the prototype!" insisted Dr Wiseman.

"We saw how some of your designs were progressing and brought in a private contractor to build us a battle worthy version. Each of you will be issued one and will be instructed in its use’s and weapons over the next two days." Continued the Commander he then addressed the technician. "Jones?"

"Ready Sir." Called Jones, who by now had finished putting on the armour.

"Good, proceed with the demonstration Jones."

"Yes sir." Replied Jones. "The right arm has a built in retractable eight inch blade." He extended the shiny blade, which glossed in the dull artificial light. "The left arm will have a computer access terminal for the suit. You will be armed with either a semi-automatic laser assault gun or a heavy assault cannon. On your left shoulder is an array of sensory devices that relay information through a computer terminal on your back to the eyes up display module. You have infrared vision, night vision, satellite relay display system, and visual enhancement up to three hundred percent, gun Cam. and the ability to call up whatever another member of your team is seeing. On your right shoulder you have a high-powered searchlight. The main body of the armour contains a respirator and suit to suit communication. Two of you will have an extra modular backpack addition of an interstellar communications unit. Another three of you will have a compact rocket launcher that will replace the searchlight and be incorporated into another modular backpack design. These will fire high velocity, medium yield explosive charges. Their blast radius is three metres. The charges are sixteen centimetres by five centimetres. You will have an ammunition supply of seventy two rockets each." Jones continued. "You will also be equipped with a Mark Three assault transport that has a twin heavy plasma cannon mount and light lasers."

"An Orbital Drop Ship will be used to air drop you in. Our intelligence information tells us that the ‘Hurricane’ broke up on entry. The few detected escape pods touched down somewhere on the main continent just North of the Equator. Gamma team will have secured the orbital mining station. When you arrive you will receive the co-ordinates of the information from Gamma team who would have used the orbital mining station sensors to locate the crash site of the pod containing the data. You are then to land as close as you possibly can, retrieve the pod and get out. Five of you will hold position at your landing site to protect the Orbital Drop Ship while the rest of you make your way to the crash site. If necessary in two teams. The data you are being despatched to recover contains tactical information on the Siren ships and where they have deployed their forces. There is also information concerning our own forces and prototype weaponry and ships."

"What about survivors and the Sirens?" Asked Rosser.

"Won’t the Sirens try to stop us?" Questioned Cottam.

"The Sirens have a limited presence in that region of space and on that planet since our forces sabotaged the orbital platform. They tend to see the area as of little tactical importance. According our most recent information they had only a small fleet, which was stationed nearby, but they lost a good proportion of it in their destruction of task force Omega one we don’t expect too much trouble from them." Explained Commander Swan. "As for survivors, well if the Sirens don’t get them first you are to rescue whatever survivors you can."

"How do we get past the Siren patrol craft?" pointed out Corporal Chiang.

"Sir, don’t get me wrong…I mean the plan will work, but how are we meant to get past the Sirens when we complete the mission, I mean the will be rather ticked off? Won’t they?" asked Private Drewa rather warily and not very confidently.

"They will, Private, but you will not be detected by the patrols because you will be flying quiet near a binary star system. You will use the gravametric interference caused by the two stars to shield yourself from the Siren patrol ship’s sensors. The Orbital Drop Ship that you will be travelling in will be equipped with some new experimental devices and gadgets. One of these will be a form of metaphaseic shielding to protect you from the heat of the stars. The others will be explained in due courses. Must I point out to some of you that you should not look directly at the stars, because from the range you will be from them you could lose your eyesight?" the commander paused to look at private Collins, who looked around, then the commander continued. "There will be a total communications blackout. Once you have completed the mission you will depart ‘Mortis Domus’ and fly back through the binary system faster then a bat out of hell. As soon as you clear the system you are to send a communiqué to the fleet, which should be operational within the next few days, and we will send you reinforcements. Time is of the essence and I expect you to return from ‘Mortis Domus’ by the end of the week. If you have not returned within ten days of departing a second squad will be despatched to rescue you, or depending on what the find bury your remains." The commander gathered together some papers he had near him and said. "I don’t have to remind you not to talk about this mission with anybody. Now it is 08.30. You will have until 12.50 to arrange your things before you have to return here to start your training with the tactical combat suits." Commander Swan paused and looked at the floor.

"Sir, are you OK" asked Cottam.

"I don’t wish I could be going with you on this mission with you kids." Said Commander Swan as he raised his head. "As marines I do not expect you to question my orders, but as a human being I feel obliged to tell you what you should expect to come up against." The Commander started to pace around. "This mission will not be a turkey shoot. Truthfully…" he paused. "…Truthfully the casualty rate is predicted to be very high." Another pause. "Out of the sixty of you going only three are expected to survive ten at most with minimal injuries. Flight Sergeant Coen I understand that you accepted command because Flight Sergeant Tinney is unfit for the job."

The commander looked straight at Flight Sergeant Coen who nodded and replied, "that is correct sir."

"I also understand that some of you are new to the squad and that the rest of you have only been on one mission together. It is even more difficult to command a squad when you do not know each member’s strengths and weakness’. I wish you luck. I don’t mean to put pressure on you but there are quite a few lives hanging in the balance. I therefore don’t expect you to fail, so don’t disappoint me." The commander recovered his sense of professionalism. "Now I expect to see you all at 12.50, dismissed." Concluded Commander Swan. At that everyone in the room stood to attention and waited as the commander left. After he had left followed by Jones, the technician. They all relaxed and looked at the schematics stuck on the wall.

"OK, you all heard Commander Swan you have until 12.50 to sort out your lives. Now let’s get our assess in gear and get a move ‘em!" called Flight Sergeant Coen. Everyone left the room to either retire to their bunks or to ‘The Black Hole’ café.

Dr Toby Wiseman was on his way towards his quarters when he heard someone call his name from behind him. "Dr Wiseman, I have a message for you." Called the voice. He immediately spun round to see a young female pilot in a lieutenant uniform walking towards him. "Sir, I have been told to tell you that commander Palmer would like to meet with you in the main briefing room immediately." She said.

"Very well." Said Dr Wiseman. He was not to happy at being stopped from going to his temporary quarters to have a wash and arrange his files but he couldn’t really complain. "I’m afraid you will have to show me where the main briefing room is as I don’t know my way around the station yet."

"Yes sir." Replied the pilot. "This way sir." She said and they turned around and they walked off.

"Corporal, I thought I would find you here." Said Sergeant Brian Fichardo to Corporal Christina Chiang who continued to look out into the dark expanse of space. Sergeant Fichardo had entered docking viewpoint. There was a cargo ship docked and visible below the viewpoint.

Although Corporal Chiang was deeply starring into the distance she acknowledged the Sergeant’s presence. "I was remembering the first time the five of us were assigned together." She said. She sounded quite deep in thought and did not look at Sergeant Fichardo. At that moment as if on cue a squadron of small attack craft became visible leaving the station.

They’re probably on another patrol mission. Thought Sergeant Fichardo

"Do you remember back on mars just after the Sirens first invaded?" continued Corporal Chiang.

"How could I forget. The long wait in that processing plant for the something to happen, the Martian dust storms that obscured whole continents. Hey it was almost paradise." Said Sergeant Fichardo, trying to cheer up Corporal Chiang. He knew what she was about to say but he also understood that she had to say it.

"They attacked just after we left for a patrol. When we returned it was almost impossible to recognise the processing plant had it not been for the smoke and charred ruins. We were trapped on that rock for almost nine days." She then turned to face Sergeant Fichardo. "Had it not been for you none I’m sure none of us would have been found alive." Small droplets of water began to slide down her soft silky cheeks. Sergeant Fichardo, who waited patiently knowing that this would happen, put his arm around Corporal Chiang. She then turned into him, with her head on his shoulder, and continued to weep.

"I could not have done it alone. Remember it was your idea to rig up a shelter from the wreckage of the shuttle." Consoled Sergeant Fichardo.

"We could not have done it without your guidance." Insisted Corporal Chiang, who is still sobbing but not as much, looked at Sergeant Fichardo.

"I did have help, remember." Smiled Sergeant Fichardo. Corporal Chiang smiled too. "How about I get you a drink and tell you about the squad we will be working with? And at twelve we can meet Duncan at ‘The Black hole’?" said Brian to a now more cheerful Christina who accepted the offer. They had spent the next few hours talking and watching the different patrol ships leave and the daily transport of minerals from Omicron 4 depart.

"Commander, I believe you wanted to speak with me?" asked Dr Toby Wiseman. Commander Francis Palmer was an average man. He was about six-foot tall, had black hair and a moustache. Commander Palmer was head of a special division that looked into alien technology. It dates back to the twentieth century when it was a ‘black book’ organisation. It was funded by the American citizens without their knowledge and answered to no one, not even the President.

"I’ll get straight to the point. Am I correct in my information that you developed a nerve toxin that renders a Siren unconscious?" questioned Commander Palmer.

"You are correct." Replied Dr Wiseman.

"I want you to help my scientists develop a much stronger version of your previous toxin." Continued Commander Palmer. "All we require are the chemical formulae and a copy of your notes."

"Sir, may I ask why?"

"You only need to know is that there is a major offensive coming up soon and we need a drop on the Sirens." Said Commander Palmer, "so will you give me your notes?"

Drewa had decided to try to make the best of what time was left before the training. He was in his quarters playing poker with Skinner, Sharda, Collins and Wood. Rachael was getting to know them and was winning. Samuel Skinner did not like this he brought it all down to beginners luck. It was about half eleven when Corporal Heath entered the room. "The Flight wants to meet everyone at about 12.40 in the armoury on deck ten. He doesn’t want anyone to be late." Said Corporal Heath.

"How about joining us for a round or two?" asked skinner hoping to win some money back.

"Ok." Said Heath who was happy to join in.

Chapter 5.

Flight Sergeant Coen had arranged to meet the whole of his new squad in ‘The Black Hole’ so he could ensure no one would be late.

It was now 12.20. Sergeant Brian Fichardo and Corporal Christina Chiang, having already eaten, started to make their way to ‘The Black Hole’ café where they had arranged to meet Sergeant Duncan Cook and Corporal Oliver Rosser. They were approaching Dr Toby Wiseman’s quarters.

"Shall we ask the Dr to join us?" asked Sergeant Fichardo.

"I don’t see why not." Responded Corporal Chiang. Who went over to Toby Wiseman’s door and pressed the door chime.

Meanwhile Dr Toby Wiseman was sitting by his desk looking through the TCS plans on a small console on his desk. The lights in his room were off, as he had just woken up. He was reflecting on the decision he made earlier. The door chimed.

Dr Wiseman immediately sat up, attended to his uniform and said, "enter," as he turned to the door. At his command the door opened to reveal two people, a man and a woman in officers’ uniforms, standing outside. They both had their weapons holstered. At first he could not recognise them and began to get slightly worried. The woman said something and then looked at the man who drew his weapon.

The door opened. Sergeant Fichardo looked inside; it was quite dark except for the light from the doorway where they were standing and a light from a console screen on a desk to the right.

"Dr" inquired Corporal Chiang "where are you, sounding quite surprised and beginning to get worried. She looked at Sergeant Fichardo. He knew instantly that she thought something was wrong. He drew his weapon and gestured for the Corporal to follow him.

Remembering the plans Dr Wiseman began to move his hand slowly towards the delete button on the console. He hesitated just before pressing it, thinking about what commander Palmer would do to him if he found out that he had deleted the plans. He then stopped. The man entered the room on the left followed by woman on the right. The both swept their weapons around, covering as much of the room as they could. The woman was just reaching for a communications panel on the wall when Dr Wiseman decided what he was going to do.

"Lights." He called as he stood up, putting his hands on his head. "I’m over here." He declared having decided to give himself up. Both intruders turned to face him, their weapons poised.

"What are you doing over there?" asked Sergeant Fichardo.

"And why were the lights off?" questioned Corporal Chiang sounding rather puzzled and relieved. "And why do you have your hands on your head?" She asked now sounding confused.

"Corporal." Said Sergeant Fichardo.

"Sir?" inquired Corporal Chiang who was confused as to why the Sergeant had inclined his head towards her weapon. "Oh." Said Corporal Chiang; suddenly realising she had her weapon still aimed at Dr Wiseman. "Please accept my apologies." She said. They replaced their weapons and walked over to where Dr Wiseman was standing. Dr Wiseman put his hands down.

"I thought you were someone else." Said Dr Wiseman who sounded very relieved. "You came in armed, and almost shot me." He said rather accusingly.

"Well sorry, we thought someone had tried to kidnap you." Said Corporal Chiang quite harshly. "I…I’m sorry I snapped at you. I’m not feeling myself." Apologised Corporal Chiang. Sergeant Fichardo put his arm around her. She stepped outside for a moment.

"Corporal, it was really my fault. I jumped to a conclusion without all the facts. It was rather unprofessional of me.

"Dr. are you alright? You seem a little on edge!" Commented Sergeant Fichardo.

"I had a bit of a run in with Commander Palmer. He wanted my notes and specs on the TCS units." Explained Dr Wiseman quite reluctantly.

"It must be connected to the tech unit that we brought back from T64." Speculated Sergeant Fichardo. "Did you give him the information?" he eagerly asked.

"No." replied Dr Wiseman. "At the time it didn’t seem at all right." He continued. "That’s why when you came in I thought you were one of his employees."

"Dr. would you mind not telling anyone about this. We don’t want anyone else to get into any danger." Asked Sergeant Fichardo.

"I won’t tell a soul." Was the doctor’s reply! "What about the corporal?"

"She can be trusted, but who else knows about the specifications?" hesitated Sergeant Fichardo, dreading the answer.

"To tell the truth I don’t really know. But outside the military I think there are only two others, they were the technicians that were present during the development."

"Good, but we will have to get a message to them to try to warn them. It may be necessary to destroy the information they have." Explained Sergeant Fichardo. "Where are they now?"

"I believe that one of them was still on the Maxime Nave. The other one…" Dr Wiseman stopped.

"Where is the other one?" Asked Corporal Chiang. She had just entered the room again and had picked up the conversation.

"He was transferred to the Hurricane two weeks ago, before she left for her final mission."

"It seems that this mission is getting better and better." Said Corporal Chiang who had decided to make a rather sarcastic comment.

"Dr. would you get in touch with your college on the Maxime Nave. Then would you mind joining us in ‘The Black Hole’ for a drink?" said Sergeant Fichardo.

"Not at all. I’ll get right on it."

"Oh and by the way I think you should have this." He gave his weapon to Dr Wiseman.

"We don’t want you giving away any secrets, do we?" smiled Corporal Chiang.

"I’ll see you there in a few minutes." Said Dr Wiseman. Corporal Chiang and Sergeant Fichardo left. On their way to ‘The Black Hole’ café Sergeant Fichardo filled in all the details that the Corporal missed.

Flight Sergeant Coen had taken a fancy to one of the waitresses and was sharing a drink with her. Sergeant Cook was waiting for Sergeant Fichardo to arrive and was talking to Corporal Rosser. Corporal Rosser had arrived about ten minutes ago. Private David Conboy, Kirsty Cottam and Sara Al-Khatib were both sitting on a table by the window watching the different craft go about their business. Private Conboy seemed to be trying to chat both of them up. He received a good hard slap, not once but twice on either cheek. Private Cottam and Private Al-Khatib got up and moved to another table. Private Conboy called after them, they did not respond. He then got up and went to the table that Flight Sergeant Coen was at. He pulled up a chair, reversed it and sat down.

"How’s it going, lads." He asked. He was totally ignored. Feeling ashamed he pulled over a waitress and asked for a drink.

The barman came over to Flight Sergeant Coen. He was aged about forty, had a beard and was bald. He was wearing an apron around his waist. He was a civilian doing his bit for the war by keeping the morale of the soldiers high. While wiping a glass he said, "Flight some guy wants to talk to you."

"Dave, could tell him that I am busy." Said Flight Sergeant Coen.

"I think it would be better if you tell the vice admiral that yourself." Said David Stanton, the barman.

"Vice Admiral!" said Flight Sergeant Coen very alarmingly. He turned to the waitress, a slender young woman aged about twenty. She had a badge on; it read ‘Angel ’. "Sorry, I have an important call. Could you just hold on for one minute please." He said as he slowly got up. Then turning to the barman he said, "have you got a place I could take the call in private?"

"Yea follow me." The barman led him to a storeroom, pointed to the terminal and left. Flight Sergeant Coen typed in his security pass and directed the call to the terminal.

"Ah, Flight Sergeant Coen, congratulations on your promotion." Said Vice Admiral Hofat.

"Thank you Vice Admiral." Said Flight Sergeant Coen nervously.

"I’ll get straight to the point. We have very bad news concerning your next mission." Vice Admiral Hofat said.

Corporal Lisa Heath had just won her fourth hand. Manish Sharda had dropped out two hands ago as he had lost a fair bit and wisely wanted to keep what he had left. Samuel Skinner was glad that Rachael Wood was not winning but was definitely not happy that Heath was. Michael Collins had lost quite a bit and was about to quit. He put his last twenty down. There were over seven hundred credits on the table. Skinner and Wood both folded. Lisa Heath put down four tens and moved her hands to clasp what remained of the money. Skinner felt sorry that Collins had lost so much.

"Wait a minute there Corporal." Said Collins quite pleased with himself. "You may want to reconsider what you are doing." He then put down a jack, queen, king. He paused to make everyone think for a moment, then put down his last card, an ace.

"A royal flush!" Exclaimed Sharda.

"I believe your luck has just turned." Mused Skinner.

"And just in time." Said Wood, looking at her watch. "If we don’t leave now we will be late meeting everyone in the armoury. Collins picked up his jacket and scooped up as much of the money as he could. They all put their chairs away and left the room.

"How’s about a kiss with the drink." Said Private Conboy. He pinched the waitress’ bottom.

"You wish." She said and tipped the contents of the glass she was holding on his head. Everyone began to laugh at him. He tried to change the subject. "Hey look the Flight is back!" It worked for the moment.

Flight Sergeant Coen returned to the table where Angel was waiting for him. She was talking to Sergeant Cook and Corporal Rosser.

"Why so glum?" asked Angel. Flight Sergeant Coen sat down. Angel put her arm around him. "You can tell me." She said.

"It’s about the mission." Said Flight Sergeant Coen, not focusing on anything.

"Why? Where’re you going?" said Angel. "Can I come too?" she almost begged.

"Angel, could we have some privacy for a while?" asked Sergeant Cook, quite cautiously.

"Yeah, leave Angel out." Said Angel, hoping that they would reconsider. They did not, so she went over to the bar and served another customer. She was quite angry at being ‘thrown’ out of yet another conversation.

"Sir?" inquired Corporal Rosser. "How bad is it?"

Flight Sergeant Coen suddenly sat up. "There’s the good news and the bad news." He paused to collect himself, then continued. "Which would you like to hear first?"

Sergeant Cook and Corporal Rosser looked at each other, then at Flight Sergeant Coen. "The bad news." They said in unison.

"The bad news is that we leave for the mission tomorrow morning at 09.30." Said Flight Sergeant Coen.

"That’s not so bad." Said Corporal Rosser. Sounding quite happy.

"That only leaves us with good news." Said private Conboy, pointing out the obvious as usual. He was met with a look of ‘I knew that’ from the others on the table. He dismissed it as he received another drink from a waitress. He was more careful this time and said "thank you" instead of the usual "how about I pay you a visit at home."

"The good news is that the fleet going to be assembled a little earlier than we would have expected." He paused. "That’s because there is a massive Siren task force passing near to Mortis Domus in four days."

Everyone was suddenly quiet. Flight Sergeant Coen broke the silence. "It gets better."

"Oh. And how is that." Asked Private Conboy. "Sir." He added suddenly remembering whom he was talking to. Luckily Flight Sergeant Coen dismissed it. He had learnt to ignore David Conboy' insubordinate remarks.

"Only three teams are able to go on the mission because some of the TCS unit have either been delayed in arriving or were damaged. It has been decided to go ahead as planned, but we will have to learn the basics en route." Said the Flight.

Sergeant Fichardo and Corporal Chiang entered ‘The Black Hole’ and looked around. "Over there" Said Sergeant Fichardo. They went over to the bar and got some drinks.

"Take my advice." Said Angel. She had seen Sergeant Fichardo talking to Flight Sergeant Coen before. "That cute friend of yours is not in the best of moods. He even turned me down." She gave them their drinks. "He got some call, from some vice admiral, disappeared and when he got back he was really pissed. Be careful what you say to him."

"Thanks for the advice Angel." They began to walk away.

"Oh and bring him back in one piece." She called after them.

"I will." Said Sergeant Fichardo. They then went over to the table, pulled up a couple of chairs and sat down.

"What’s wrong with everybody?" enquired Corporal Chiang. "Angel said that some vice admiral called."

"There’s bad news." Said Corporal Rosser, rather bluntly.

"We ship out tomorrow." Said Private Conboy.

"That is only forty five of us ship out." Corrected Corporal Rosser.

"And, we got to leave the planet in four day or we have to face up to a Siren Fleet." Concluded Flight Sergeant Coen.

"Why do I get the idea that this is a bad time to have any long term plans?" asked Sergeant Fichardo.

Chapter 6.

"Tomorrow!" Bellowed Private Samuel Skinner.

"We haven’t even field tested the dam suits yet." Pointed out Private Manish Sharda.

"According to Dr Wiseman here, most of the systems are either voice activated or can be easily accessed from the terminal on the right arm." Explained Sergeant Coen, to the squad. They were in the armoury, with Commander Swan and two technicians. The armoury was lined with semi automatic assault rifles, heavy assault cannons, plasma rifles, auto loaders (a type of grenade launcher), rocket launchers and a selection of weapons of many different descriptions, including many different types of beam weapons. The squad was split in two ranks on either side of a raised platform where there were shells and cartridges for almost every one of the different weapons. These were in rows. It looked like a twentieth century library.

"In theory." Said Dr Wiseman. "They suits should work perfectly, and if they don’t, I’ll be on hand to give assistance."

"I know that you think the mission is practically impossible to pull of. You’re out gunned, under manned and don’t know the layout of the area that you will be entering. Not to mention the odds are stacked against you." Commented Commander Swan. "On the other hand you have the elements of surprise and experience." Said Commander Swan, trying to lift everyone’s hopes. "Flight Sergeant Coen, you will head up the mission. Sergeant Fichardo will be second in command. Sergeant Cook, Corporal Heath, Privates Drewa, Skinner and Wood, you are to guard the Orbital Drop Ship. The rest of you will make up the main assault group." Said Commander Swan. "Now enough moaning! Suit up!"

At that everyone split into two separate groups, one with each technician, and they were each issued their Tactical Combat Suits. They started by clamping on the leg armour, then the abdominal armour, chest plates and stopped after the arm pieces. Once everyone had put on their suits they all stood there waiting, while holding their helmets in their hands.

Sara Al-Khatib and Kirsty Cottam were issued Interstellar Communication Packs (ICPs). Philip Drew, Manish Sharda and Michael Collins were issued compact rocket launcher packs and plasma rifles. Everyone else then picked his or her choice of assault weapon.

"Ok, is everyone ready?" Said Commander Swan. There was a pause, which was followed by nods of acknowledgement. "Good. Now attach your helmets to the main armour." Again there was a pause. Everyone put on their helmets, and with the help of the technicians, attached the oxygen supply and other smaller devices.

Finally everyone was fully kited out in the Tactical Combat Suits, add-ons and assault weapons. Commander Swan continued. "In addition to the usual supplies of food, water, tools and parts you will also have split between you, the necessary equipment to locate and destroy the main computer cores of the Hurricane if it becomes necessary." After pausing to look through some papers he continued. "When you complete your main mission, you will proceed with a secondary objective, this will involve laying a trap for the Siren fleet. After you locate the missing data, you will send a coded message to Gamma team, aboard the orbital mining station, they will have a surprise waiting for the Sirens. After that you will leave Mortis Domus ASAP."

"Sir, that surprise, it isn’t by chance related to our previous mission, is it?" asked Private David Conboy, from inside his suit.

"Private, has anyone ever told you that you to keep your mouth shut?" questioned Commander Swan.

"Yes sir." Said Private Conboy.

"Have you always listened to them?" asked Commander Swan in a stern voice.

"No sir, not always." Responded Private Conboy, now getting quite worried.

"Well I suggest that you start right now." Said Commander Swan.

"Yes Sir." Said Private Conboy, now very worried, and agitated. This was followed by murmurs of laughter from everyone present. Private Conboy was really getting angry at another joke at his expense.

"Think he’ll stay quiet?" said Corporal Chiang over a personal intercom link she had managed to establish with Sergeant Fichardo.

"There’s an old saying: ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’." Responded Sergeant Fichardo.

"But you sure as hell can try." Finished Corporal Chiang, with a hint of sarcasm, they both laughed.

"Initiate system start-up procedures." Ordered Commander Swan. There was another pause while everyone opened up the computer panels on their right arms and initiated the start-up sequence. "Everyone, check that your systems are functioning at full capacity and that your suit power is stable at 800 terrahertz." Ordered commander Swan.

"Now in order to test out your abilities you will all run an assault course." A door opened behind him into a large secure cargo hold. "You will run two hundred laps!" Said one of the technicians, sounding pleased with himself.

"That’s Easy." Said Private Skinner under his breath to Private Wood.

"I expect you think it will be easy, so I had the gravity in this bay doubled." The cargo bay was about two hundred metres by seventy metres and was three decks high. This bay was usually used to store small vehicles and supplies. The particular bay therefore had an adjoining door to a larger, main cargo hold.

"Still think it’s easy?" asked Private Wood, to Private Skinner. He did not say a word; he just looked away from Private Wood.

"Flight Sergeant Coen will take point. Behind him two files. Dr Wiseman and Sergeant Fichardo will head up the files." Said Commander Swan, sounding assertive and strong. Everyone fell into line. Dr Wiseman was followed by Corporal Heath who was followed by Privates Al-Khatib, then Conboy, Drewa, Skinner and finally Sergeant Cook. Behind Sergeant Fichardo there was Corporal Rosser, Privates Collins, Cottam, Sharda, Wood and finally Corporal Chiang.

* * *

After an hour and a half of jogging they were nearly three-quarters of the way through the assault course. Most of the squad was taking to the gravity quite well. Except Dr Wiseman and Private Sharda, who were not doing quite as well. Despite the fact that this was the first time that both of them bad experienced twice the normal gravity, they persisted and would not give in to the fact that their legs were ready to give way beneath them.

Just when Dr Wiseman thought he was getting used to the effects of the gravity, he stumbled and fell. He hit the hard metallic floor with a loud thud. The TCS unit absorbed most of the impact, even if his body was not hurt his ego was. He had been determined not to be the one to hold back the squad, but now it was he lying face down on the floor. His weapon, a semi automatic assault laser, had slid across the floor when he fell. It now lay motionless by a cargo crate.

Sergeant Cook and Private Drewa stopped to help up Dr Wiseman. Skinner went over to the crate and picked up Dr Wiseman’s weapon.

"Dr. are you ok?" asked Sergeant Cook.

"If you’re worried I can’t make it, then you are wrong." Said Dr Wiseman. He sounded quite out of breath. "If you’ll just help me up I’ll be on my way to complete my evening stroll." He said from the floor. Private Drewa grabbed Dr Wiseman’s left arm as Sergeant Cook grabbed the right. They lifted him up with relative ease. Skinner brought over the semi automatic assault laser that the Dr had dropped.

"I believe you dropped this." Said Skinner as he handed the weapon back to Dr Wiseman. With a little help they were jogging at a brisk pace again. The rest of the squad had slowed the pace in order for the others to catch up. Skinner and Drewa rejoined their places. Sergeant Cook helped Dr Wiseman back to the front of the squad.

"Dr, glad to have you back." Said Sergeant Fichardo.

"Thought a Siren got you or something!" Said Private Cottam.

"It’ll take more then a fall that to keep me from you." Said Dr Wiseman. He suddenly realised what he had said. He hastily added, "I…I mean to keep me from going on this mission." He started to blush. Private Cottam was also blushing.

"We know what you mean." Said Private Conboy, with a sly expression.

It took another half an hour to complete the two hundred circuits of the cargo bay. By the end most of the squad was quite tired. Commander Swan had stepped into the armoury and had been talking with the technicians about the TCS units. At the end of the first phase of the assault course the commander walked into the cargo bay.

"Did you all enjoy your little jog?" he mused. A couple of the squad were panting. "I hope so because you will do it again in about another two hours or so. Now, do you see that wall over there?" He pointed to a vertical face that was overlooked by a small platform about two decks up. Above the platform there was an open hatch. There were three ropes suspended from the platform that dropped to the floor, where they were coiled into individual segments.

"Sir…" Private Drewa got out as he gasped for a lung full of the station’s recycled air. "…Are you suggesting that we climb that?" He then attempted to look up at the platform.

"Yes private. You will climb that, enter the ventilation shafts, and make your way straight up to the eighth mid deck and rendezvous with me. After a rest you will climb back down here and do a hundred more laps, then some target practice."

Private Collins looked up at the platform, he thought about how much work all that would be, as they were on the eighteenth deck now. Suddenly the feeling of being overworked and out of breath made him dizzy. He blacked out as he fell to the floor.

He remembered long ago when he had gone on a climbing expedition with his friends from college just before he joined the corps. He was about half way up a Welsh Mountain peak. They had gone to Wales on a climbing weekend as a way of celebrating the end of college. It had been Big J, David Conboy and himself. Big J was a big man; this weight was made up almost purely of muscle. Big J was born in Denver where he had lived most of his youth. He moved to England because his parents had gone to Cambridge before him. David on the other hand was tall and thin. He was from London and an old friend of Michael. It was the second day of their two-day expedition. They had reached the halfway point on the last crag, where they had agreed to rest. David and Michael had decided to go over the route they would take to finish the climb, since that morning it had rained quite heavily. It was still quite windy. The wind was blowing loose dirt everywhere. Big J was taking of the thick coat he was wearing.

It had been decided that the chosen climb would not be safe and they had decided to walk around to another possible way to the summit. It was not long before they found another route. After checking their gear they started to climb. Big J was first, he secured the climbing ropes, and David and finally Michael followed him. They were about ten metres between each of them.

They had climbed about thirty metres when a small stone gave way. Big J almost lost his footing. He called down, "Watch out, there are a few loose rocks up here." As he did so, he lost his grip. He fell about five metres before his safety rope stopped him. Then without warning one of the screws, used to secure the climbing ropes, came loose. He tumbled another ten metres as the rest of the screws gave way. David was pulled down as the ropes tangled around him and Michael soon followed. Michael lost consciousness on the way down.

When he awoke he found himself lying on a ledge next to David; he guessed from what he could see that they had fallen about two hundred metres. Their equipment had given-way due to the weather conditions. Their packs and supplies were nowhere in sight. Michael called to David, there was a groan, but he was still unconscious. He then called to Big J. but there was no answer. Big J was nowhere in sight. Trying to get up he realised that he could not move his left arm and that he was lying in a rather odd position with his leg folded underneath him. He lay there motionless for most of the day before passing out.

The next thing he knew he was on a rescue helicopter, there was a paramedic looking down at him. He tried to ask where Big J had disappeared to and what had happened, fearing the worst, but he was too weak to do anything.

When he finally regained consciousness he was told that David and he had survived. They had landed on a small ledge, whereas Big J had fallen a further one hundred and fifty metres, he had snagged on a tree and lost consciousness, he never regained consciousness. David and Himself were lucky to survive even that fall. It turned out that Michael had miraculously only broken his arm and sustained a hairline fracture to his leg. David had only received a minor concussion and two broken ribs. Both their bodies had shut down for the sixteen hours they had been out there. If it wasn’t for Michael planning to go out on a date with his girlfriend, Margaret, that evening then the alarm would not have been raised in time and they would have died up on that cold windy mountain.

He then awoke, to see two heavenly figures looking down at him. Staring down at him was Corporal Heath and Private Cottam. He had his helmet removed, as did Corporal Heath and Private Cottam. Corporal Lisa Heath had short blonde hair that reached her shoulders. Kirsty Cottam had long blonde hair that was tied in a ponytail and was resting on her shoulder; it could easily come down to her waist.

"Collins, for a moment there we thought that we had lost you." Said Corporal Heath, with a hint of sarcasm. "We were about to inform the morgue that they should prepare for your arrival."

"Glad to know you hadn’t given up on me yet!" Said Michael Collins, not sounding very impressed. "Must have dropped off for a moment there." He continued. "How long was I out?" he questioned.

"About two minutes." Replied Flight Sergeant Coen. He had seen this happen before and was kicking himself that he didn’t expect it earlier.

"Oh, sorry to wake you, were you hoping that we had finished the training by now?" Asked Private Conboy, rather harshly.

Collins didn’t answer him; instead he extended his arms. Corporal Heath grabbed his left arm as Private Skinner grabbed his right arm. They lifted him up. Private Sharda handed him his helmet and plasma rifle. He steadied himself by resting on Private Skinner. Still feeling dizzy he looked up at the platform and said, "How about we climb this beast."

"You’re on." Said Private Sharda.

"Meet you at the top." Said Sergeant Cook, he was standing by the ropes.

"That is, if you can make it to the top." Included Private Conboy.

"Are you sure that you are up to it?" Asked Private Al-Khatib, she sounded very caring and sweet.

"I can do anything as long as there is a fit bird, like you, at the end of it." Replied Private Collins.

It did not take long for the squad to start their long climb. After about forty minutes of climbing they finally reached the eighteenth mid deck. They then rested for ten minutes then started their decent. It only took twenty minutes to get back down. They managed to complete their run in a further hour then started the target practice.

Chapter 7.

"I could sleep for a month." Said Manish Sharda from the top bunk. The lights were on ‘night mode’. This bathed the room in a kind of continuous twilight.

"Too bad we only got…" Samuel Skinner looked at a chronometer near his bunk, "…9 hours left."

"That last run really got to us." Said a weary Corporal Oliver Rosser from a nearby bunk.

"You know it was kind of our fault for going to the bar straight afterwards." Pointed out Private David Conboy.

"You know, he’s got a point there." Said Philip Drewa to Manish Sharda, who nodded.

"Where were you when we left the bar?" asked Corporal Heath, changing the subject.

"I was with Angel." Said David Conboy, now sounding quite pleased with himself.

"Really now!" Said Manish Sharda.

"We know what you two were up to." Said Kirsty Cottam from the other end of the room.

"Oh yea!" David Conboy made a friendly challenge.

"It was rumoured that you and her were caught in Cargo Bay 9." Said Sara Al-Khatib; she purposely said Cargo Bay 9 although she had been told that it was Cargo Bay 6. She wanted to be sure that her information was correct.

"What!" Said David Conboy. "It was Cargo Bay 6."

"Ha! I knew it." Shouted Sara Al-Khatib, sitting up in bed. David realised what he had said, but could do nothing about it. Sara began talking to Kirsty; David was too far away to make out what was being said.

"I’ve been thinking." Said Sharda rather unexpectedly. "About the mission."

"Did I hear you right, you were actually thinking, and it wasn’t about girls or food?" Questioned Private Conboy.

"Yea I was thinking." Sharda Said.

"This should be interesting." Said Collins to Drewa, Drewa just laughed.

"Why send us on this mission. I mean, why send an inexperienced group of rookies." He said quite confused.

"They’re sending in the other more experienced squad in on the main mission. We are just walking decoys." Explained Conboy.

"That’s not true!" insisted Corporal Chiang. "Our mission is…" she was interrupted by Conboy.

"I know what our mission is, it is to go down to ‘the home of death’ and get ourselves killed for nothing. We are to go and rescue the data, says the brave Flight Sergeant Coen and his sidekicks Sergeants Cook and Fichardo." He said the last bit in a sarcastic voice; he was trying to imitate Commander Swan, it was a poor imitation.

"The Flight would never let that happen." Corporal Chiang began to say. "Sergeant Fichardo is not his sidekick!"

"Oh, come on Corporal. We all know about you and Sergeant Fichardo." Said Private Conboy very harshly.

"He never laid a finger on me, he was a complete gentleman, something I don’t expect you to ever understand." She said sounding assertive and offensive.

Philip Drewa and Samuel Skinner listened to this conversation go on. Neither of them liked David Conboy very much. They had become friends with Sergeant Fichardo and knew that Conboy did not like the Serge at all. The one thing that really got to them was that Conboy was taking it out on Corporal Chiang. Private Collins noticed this too. She had nothing to do with this, except that Sergeant Fichardo and her had a relationship that was more then friends and more than family could ever have been.

It had started during their final mission on Mars before the Sirens Captured Mars; the Sergeant and her were left to guard their outpost. Their squad was lost in combat when the Sirens took Mars. They were found perfectly safe by the evacuation team. During the two days they were alone something happened that created a bond that has not only brought them closer to each other than any two people before, but has kept them alive ever since. No one knew what had happened and neither of them could explain it. The one thing was for sure was that whenever they were together; something big was going to happen and it was imperative that they took part. The Corps had somehow known this and only brought them together on a mission when they thought no other person alive could pull it of.

Drewa signalled to Skinner, he acknowledged the signal and got out of bed. They both left their bunks and made their way to Conboy’s bunk.

"A gentleman!" Said Private Conboy, rather unimpressed. He did not notice Drewa and Skinner sneak up behind him.

"Now!" Shouted Skinner. At that Drewa grabbed Conboy, pulling him of the bunk. Conboy dropped to the floor quite dazed and confused. Even though he was on the bottom bunk, and so did not have to fall very far, he hit his head on the cold metallic floor. The floor, being metallic, was not very soft to land on and so gave Conboy a small bump.

Corporal Heath jumped out of bed. She may not of liked what Conboy was saying, but she knew enough to keep her mouth shut, but this called for some action.

"Lights." Called Corporal Chiang. The computer acknowledged the command and brought the lights to full strength. Everyone was now looking at Conboy, who was on the floor, overshadowed by Drewa and Skinner. Skinner was about to punch Conboy in the head but was stopped by the strong grip of Corporal Heath.

"Save it for the enemy, grunt!" She ordered, instinctively.

"What?" Asked Skinner quite confused. He struggled to get his arm free but could not get out of the firm grip. The Corporal did not even look like she was trying to stop him.

"You heard me! Now get back into your bunk and cool off!" Ordered Corporal Heath, "As for you Private…" she now spoke to Private Conboy who had sat up on the floor by his bed. Drewa had slipped away to his bunk when Corporal Heath had shouted at Skinner. Corporal Chiang was now standing near her bunk. "Get your sorry ass into your bed and get some sleep! I don’t want to hear another word from either of you three, for the rest of the night!" Shouted a very pissed Corporal Heath.

"Yes sir." Came three replies. Conboy quickly scrambled into bed.

Corporal Chiang nodded ‘thanks’ at Corporal Heath who smiled and got into her bed. She then got back into bed. "Lights off." Called Corporal Chiang. The computer again acknowledged the command and turned the lights off.

It was about 09.45 on Sunday morning. The final pre-mission briefing had just started a few moments ago. The squad, kited out in their TCS units, were all seated in the briefing room. Commander Swan had finished giving them the last minute changes to the plan. He was standing at a podium. Flight Sergeant Coen was standing next to him. By the door there was a single guard wearing a black and green security uniform. He was cradling a plasma rifle and had a light plasma pistol on his belt. The door opened and two security officers walked in followed by Station Commander Robertson.

"Room, attention!" called Commander Swan. Everyone stood to attention.

"As you were." Said Station Commander Robertson as he walked over to the podium. Everyone relaxed a bit but stood standing. Commander swan stepped back. Station Commander Robertson stepped up to the podium and began, "Today you leave on a perilous mission from which only a few of you are expected to return. This mission could give us a tactical advantage over the Sirens if you can pull it of. If you fail then the Sirens could gain information on the complement of our remaining forces and the locations of our hidden bases. Your mission to retrieve this information and any survivors from the ‘Hurricane’ will earn you a place in the history books."

There was a pause as the Station Commander collected himself. "As you are well aware our fleet strength is minimal at the moment. However by Wednesday evening we hope to have a significant force ready. We expect, because of your early departure, that you will have completed your mission by at least Thursday Morning. By then the fleet will be on its way to rendezvous with you at ‘Alpha Prime’, just outside the Siren border." Again there was another pause. "Obviously I have not come to tell you what you already know. I have come to wish you all good luck and I hope to see you all back here in a few days for a little coming home party the Commander here has planned." He pointed at Commander Swan.

"Now that’s let the cat out of the bag." Said Commander Swan, quite disappointed that everyone now knew about his little surprise.

"Now, now Mr Swan. You didn’t expect this intelligent bunch to be in the dark forever did you?" asked Station Commander Robertson as a joke. "I think that it is about time we sent the Sirens an invitation, don’t you?" he asked, as he looked at a chronometer on the wall, expecting an answer.

"Sir, Yes Sir." The squad said as one. The Station Commander, and his escort, left by the door they entered from followed by Commander Swan.

Then the squad left the room for their transport craft. They were to board a transport that would take them to their assault craft. Everyone left the room except Sergeant Fichardo and Corporal Chiang. They waited for the door to close before they started talking.

"Did you get everything I requested?" asked Sergeant Fichardo.

"It’s already on the Drop-ship. Are you sure we will need all this extra equipment?" replied Corporal Chiang.

"Just a precaution. You remember how Dr Wiseman looked yesterday morning?" questioned Sergeant Fichardo.

"Yea, he practically freaked out when we entered his room." Laughed Corporal Chiang, reminiscing the moment.

"We did come in armed, though, didn’t we?" mused Sergeant Fichardo.

"True!" said Corporal Chiang as they left the room for the transport ship.

In a dark office, Commander Francis Palmer was looking out of his window at the transports leaving Tempest for their various missions. The door to his office opened, but his gaze did not flicker for a moment. He knew who it was but chose to let him wait.

Sergeant Brendan Quin walked over to Commander Palmer’s desk. Everyone in ‘Novatech’ knew how much Commander Palmer liked his privacy and how he enjoyed making his subordinates wait silently, without responding to their entry into his office. He had an uncanny ability for knowing who had entered without them ever saying a word. Sergeant Quin was new to Novatech. He was a strong willed and well-orientated man.

Essentially he was a bounty hunter. Recently he had run into a credit problem, the previous company he had worked for had refused to pay him because he had accidentally destroyed a large supply of precious minerals. They had refused to pay him, saying that his paycheque was going towards paying for what he destroyed.

Initially he had declined the offer to join Novatech. He, having financial problems and finding no easy way to pay them of, decided to work for the ‘United Earth Forces’. This was the military force that enforced its power to ensure the safety of Earth and all Terrain colonies. Novatech then offered to pay him to be an informant within the U.E.F. and to pay of the debt he owed to his previous employers. He had agreed to the deal. The first piece of information he gave Novatech was about a raid by the U.E.F. on one of Novatech’s transport ships. For the information he gave them he was given a substantial amount of money.

This was all before the Sirens invaded, over the years he had slowly been promoted in the U.E.F. to the rank he now held, Sergeant. He was part of a squad that was made up entirely of Novatech agents.

Right now he stood waiting for Commander Palmer to acknowledge his presence. He felt that he had been standing there for forever. It had actually been only about two minutes. He was about to speak when Commander Palmer said, "is it done?" Commander Palmer spoke in a low voice, without turning around.

"Yes sir. Our…I mean your little surprise is on board and we expect to be on Mortis Domus before anyone else." Replied Sergeant Quin.

"Good! Well done Sergeant. Now I suggest you get down to your transport before they leave without you," said Commander Palmer, "Oh, and when you get back, there will be a little bonus for you." He had turned around and was facing Sergeant Quin as he drummed his fingers on his desk.

"Yes sir…" said Sergeant Quin happily, "Thank you sir."

"Dismissed!" replied Commander Palmer as he turned around to the window again. Sergeant Quin left the room.

After Sergeant Quin left the Commander’s room, he made his way to docking bay four and boarded his transport. His ship immediately departed. He had faith in his crew and his CO. that was all except for Private Samson’s replacement. It was unfortunate for Jake Samson; he had been injured during the previous weeks training. At the last minute Commander Palmer had chosen a replacement. Sergeant Quin did not trust this ‘new kid’. He knew he did not have a good reputation for obeying orders, but he did have some experience. The only reason that Sergeant Quin had not spoken out against his assigning was that he reminded him of a friend he once had. His friend had given him courage and strength. Those were two things he felt he would need on this mission. The comfort of having at least the essence of his old friend was enough to comfort his misgivings. Even though, he still had a gut feeling that something was not right and there was a good chance that he would regret his decision.

Corporal Chiang watched the silhouette of Tempest fade into the blackness of space; she turned and walked over to Private Al-Khatib, who was looking through the medical supplies. Corporal Chiang had a headache upon leaving the station. She had said nothing about it before because she thought it was because of the pressure and stress of the upcoming confrontation with the Sirens. The headache had eventually got more intense and forced her to seek relief.

"I believe you were right, you are suffering from mild stress. It’s nothing to worry about. Here take this suppresser once every six to eight hours." Private Al-Khatib produced a small device. "It should help, if not, you know where to find me."

"Thank you Sara," said Corporal Chiang.

"I’ll check with you later, to see how you’re doing," said Private Al-Khatib.

"I hope every-one’s ready to rock, ‘cause there’s no turning back now." called Flight Sergeant Adam Coen over the internal communications system, he then composed himself, "enough chit-chat, settle in quickly, I want department checks every four hours, understood?" he ordered. Everyone confirmed the order.

Chapter 8.

The squad had been split between the various duties required of them for smooth operation of the ship. The ship that they were on was called the ‘Prometheus’. Flight Sergeant Adam Coen was seated in the command chair of the cockpit. Captain Michael O’Brien was piloting the ship with Corporal Oliver Rosser as co-pilot. Private Kenny Choo Shee Lam was at the engineering console and Sergeant Duncan Cook was at the main weapons controls. Dr Toby Wiseman was seated at the communications console. The Orbital Drop Ship was a fairly small ship. It was larger than an S.A.V. but not as big as the ‘Angel’ class transports. The Drop Ship had two main bay, which carried vehicles, a small five-man cockpit, which incorporated the engineering and life support control systems, and bunks which could hold up to thirty people, although the norm was twenty including officers. The stores and armoury had an adequate selection of various types equipment. Everyone ate in a mess hall, which doubled up as a briefing room. There were also two small laboratories and one larger one which, doubled as the ship’s medical facilities. The ship also had three small cargo bays. It was also equipped with two ten-man, medium range, escape pods.

During the first hour, everyone was very tense and active, but after the first few hours everyone had calmed down. Sergeant Fichardo was in the main transport bay with Corporal Lisa Heath. They had decided to familiarise themselves with the vehicle that they were to use once on planet.

The main bay was split into two separate bays, both having All Terrain Vehicles in them, but with obvious differences. The first, a Leviathan, was equipped with caterpillars and twin heavy plasma cannon mount, as well as light lasers. It could hold up to eighteen people. The second, an Avenger, had an anti-gravity unit. It was also equipped with a twin heavy plasma cannon mount and light lasers. This ATV sacrifices transport capacity, which is thirteen, for speed and manoeuvrability.

Sergeant Fichardo walked up one of the loading ramps of the Avenger and stopped at the top. "She has speed," he said as he patted the side of the ATV, "not to mention stealth."

"Yes, but the ‘Leviathan’ has armour and a hard punch." Shot back Corporal Heath; she did not mean it as offensive. After pausing and then to have weighed the options, she said, "In my opinion, I think we should go for stealth."

"I thought you might say that," said Sergeant Fichardo with a smile. "Get Drewa and Skinner to load her up. Notify me when they’re done Lisa." He then saluted.

"Yes sir," said Corporal Heath, as he was Sergeant Fichardo made his way to the door leading to the rest of the ship.

"Oh, and Corporal," he paused again, as if he was trying to find the right words, "nice work in the bunk room last night," he stopped halfway out of the door, "looks like you avoided a potentially nasty situation." He said, before continuing on his way.

Before Corporal Heath could say anything, he was gone. He had left a very bewildered Corporal Heath in the main bay, wondering who could have told him about the previous night.

Private David Conboy and Private Michael Collins were in the mess hall eating, when Private Rachel Wood walked in accompanied by Private Kirsty Cottam. Kirsty passed a suspicious glance at David before continuing to the food dispenser where Rachel was waiting. David saw them enter and made an extra effort to seem genuinely interested in the dehydrated food he was eating.

"What happened between you and…" Michael stopped in mid sentence when David looked up. "…Oh! I get it!" he said as he recognised the look David was giving him. David instinctively began to rub his jaw, which still hurt a little.

"You Okay Rachel?" asked Kirsty Cottam worriedly.

"Yea I’m fine." Replied Rachel Wood.

"You sure, you-know, about earlier." Continued Cottam.

"Got to put up with him for at least a week, might as well start now." Said Rachel unemotionally as she received the food from the dispenser, then moved to sit down. "It was more his fault then mine." She told Cottam what she remembered.

David Conboy had had a bit of a run in with Rachel Wood earlier onboard Tempest before leaving. He had said the wrong things to her, under normal conditions Rachel Wood would not have even given him a second thought, but she had been under serious stress and had just had bad news regarding her family. She used Conboy as a method of venting the emotional anger. Afterwards she had felt guilty and went to apologise but Conboy would not accept it, he was stubborn, and said some other things that he later regretted. Wood became furious with Conboy and was about to take a swing at him when Sergeant Duncan Cook walked in, saw what was happening, and stopped her in mid swing. As Sergeant Cook pulled Wood back Conboy began saying that Wood was "chicken" (up to the mid-twenty first century a bird farmed for food and eggs, Conboy had seen one in a history-vid) and how he could take her any day. Then with a sudden burst of energy, she knocked Sergeant Cook back, into a bulkhead and took a full swing at Conboy. She hit straight on his jaw – bone against bone – not a good idea. Conboy saw a blur as he fist hit him square in the jaw and he fell back, still not comprehending what had happened. Two other crewmen heard the commotion and came in. Conboy rose and attempted to attack Wood but was held back by the two crewmen. By now Sergeant Cook was up, he grabbed Wood and pulled her away from Conboy.

Conboy stopped struggling enough for Sergeant Cook to say "thanks guys but I can handle it from here". The two crewmen looked at each other, puzzled, and then left, but not without another glance at Conboy. Conboy had blood dripping from his mouth. Sergeant Cook ordered him to go to be treated, which after a long moment, of contemplating the punishment for attacking an officer, dismissed the thought and left.

Sergeant Cook had asked Wood "want to tell me what happened back there?". Rachel told him about the message about her family, what Conboy had said and about the fight. Sergeant Cook said that he would have a word with David Conboy that they both were at fault and he would not tell anyone else as long as nothing like this happened again. Truth was that the whole incident was trivial and would mean interviews and paperwork. He hated paperwork.

"…And that’s what happened!" Wood finished.

"Sounds like Sergeant Cook saved you from quite a fight." Said Cottam neutrally.

"Yea, well I suppose you’re right." Replied Wood.

"You mean you doubted that I would be right?" asked Cottam rhetorically. They began to laugh while they continued to eat.

"A straight flush!" said Wiseman, as he reached out to grab the chips.

"Wait a minute my good doctor", said Corporal Rosser as he put down his cards. Ten, jack, queen, king… he stopped savouring the moment. Dr Wiseman froze as he looked at the cards. Then put down his last card down – Ace. A ‘Royal Flush’. "I think this is mine!" said Corporal Rosser as he moved to grab the chips.

"That’s the second time he’s done that." Said Sharda to Wiseman.

"Yea, I know." Said Wiseman rather glumly. As he watched Sharda picked up the cards and shuffled them.

They were in Private Evan’s quarters. He had offered to let them use his cards. He had played the first few rounds but had been called back onto duty. He had returned after his shift only a few minutes ago and was now sitting on his bed polishing his replica of a pre-twenty-first century firearm called a shotgun. He placed the weapon back down onto his bed and moved over to the poker table.

"Deal me in." He continued with a smile on his face. "Maybe I can turn the tables on him."

"I doubt it." Replied Corporal Rosser.

Sharda dealt out the cards. They each picked up their cards. Rosser started the bet with ten credits.

"