War Zone-Part Three: Back to Basics

by Seven


Disclaimer:  Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company.  All rights reserved.



Author's Note:   Takes place during late S2.



*********



Several Jaridian uniforms were propped up against the rocks, inside shallow crevices and ravines. Roberta Martin walked up above the targets, on the dusky rock cliffs to watch. "Ready!" she shouted.

There was a sound of multiple clicking noises.

"Aim!"

The rifles were aimed.

"FIRE!"

Energy beams lanced out and slices the uniforms to ribbons. Martin watched emotionlessly as the uniforms were blasted, then shouted, "Cease fire!" She began to bound down the steep incline like a mountain goat.

Liam got up from his crouch and stretched, feeling his healing leg cramp a little. In the three days that he had been there, he had found himself coated with the same red-orange dust as the Volunteer squad. Next to him, Al checked the readout on his rifle. "Mine keeps draining too fast," he commented to Liam. "You got a spare powerpack?"

Liam reached into his pocket and wordlessly pulled out a pack, handed it to Al.

Martin reached them, beaming. "Excellent, people!" she called. "We've got this down pat. We'll have no trouble revulsing the Jardies when they attack."

Liam frowned at her. "I think we will," he stated.

"Shut up, rookie," Sanchez growled.

"Shut up, Pablo," ordered Martin, pointing at him. Then she looked at Liam. "Well, uh, I'd like to know what you think about our situation." She sounded like she meant it. Liam swallowed.

"Well, they've got reinforcements, while there are only about twenty of us," Liam stated. "They know this planet better than us, and if their soldiers are captured, they'd be picked up."

"The Taelons will find us," Martin said confidently. "Why do you insist on saying that they won't?"

Liam shook his head. "Because I know some of the Taelons, including Zo'or. And Zo'or isn't going to waste resources on twenty human soldiers, and he's not going to tell anyone because he knows that they would come here."

Martin frowned, confused. "But... how could he do that?"

Liam took a deep breath. The eyes of everyone in the squad were fastened on him. "If you had to abandon dogs to keep humans out of enemy hands, would you do that?"

"Yes, I..." Martin stopped, then stared at her boots. "I see your point. But..."

Liam touched her arm. "The Taelons are not coming for us unless we let everyone know where we are. We need to transmit a message."

"Our equipment was destroyed during a Jardie attack, right next to the portal," Al stated. "How can we transmit?"

Liam frowned, and his eyes wandered. "We can go to their base of attack and use their technology."

****

"I can't believe you're doing this," Sanchez yelled at Martin. "This jerk wanders into our turf, we give him shelter and medical care, and that cretin wants to get us all killed."

Martin was sitting behind a makeshift table made out of a pair of large rocks and a board. It served as her desk, although she had little to do. It looked nice, and gave an air of authority to her tiny tent. She looked intently at Sanchez. "Liam's right, the Jardies will pick us off one at a time. If we strike at them, if we die, we will be dying fast."

Sanchez looked as if he were going to burst an artery. His face was livid. "This is suicide."

Martin sighed. "If we can repulse the Jardies from our camp, we can certainly do some damage before we get shot down," she stated calmly. "We leave at dawn."

****

"Agent Sandoval," Da'an said softly. Sandoval turned around to look at the Taelon he had served faithfully for almost four years, whom he still had deep affection for. "Yes?" he asked.

Da'an lowered his eyes for a moment, as if sifting the words he intended to say. "Agent Sandoval, are you aware that Major Kincaid is missing?"

"No," Sandoval lied, feeling a stab of guilt. "Is he?"

Da'an looked at him sharply. "Yes, and I require your help to bring him back."

Sandoval pondered it for a moment, then asked, "What can I do?"

"Liam has been stranded on a planet near the Jaridian border. I need all information relative to that area."

Sandoval opened his global, called up a small chart, then stated sadly, "I'm sorry, Da'an. Only Zo'or has access to the information on that area."

Da'an studied his former employee's face for a moment, then said, "I believe you. But why does Zo'or keep the information on that sector secret?"

Sandoval frowned at his global. "I don't know."

****

The dawn on this world was the same as everything about it, red-orange. Liam, coated with the dirt and sweat of this world, was feeling more like a rock than a human being. He crawled out of the tent, and almost bumped heads with Stella. "Have you noticed something about all the Jaridians who attack?" he asked her.

"Aside from the fact that they hate us?" Stella asked with a grin.

"They're all CLEAN!" Liam laughed, rubbing the dust from his hands. There was a roar of laughter from almost all the Volunteers. "They have showers somewhere in that facility."

"And soap," Al said almost dreamily.

"And shampoo," a guy with a crew cut added.

"And those little plastic balls with the oils inside," Martin crowed, waving her arms. "Whoever knew the Jardies went for lilac scent?"

More laughter. Liam joined in, feeling better than he had in ages. Well, if they were going to die, they might as well go cheerfully. "Let's move out," Martin shouted, pointing to the west. "Live or die, we'll reach their base before nightfall."

Liam got into step next to Stella, his rifle at the ready.

TO BE CONTINUED...