War Zone-Part Four: Welcome to Hell

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.



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Liam was humming desperately, trying to keep his weary mind on track as they tramped over a thousand identical rocks, through countless ravines, over countless mounds. He could feel Sanchez's dark eyes boring into the back of his neck, but he didn't care. At least the rest of the squad was looking as tired as he was.

"Ach 'n uair a thig an Samhradh," Liam sang softly to himself, calling on Beckett's memories of old songs. "Bheir mise sgriob do 'n ghleann ud/S gu'n tog mi leam do 'n Ghalldachd/Gu h-annsail am fleur..."

"What's that?" Stella asked curiously.

Liam smiled tiredly. "An old Gaelic love song."

Stella nodded. "It's pretty."

"Yeah, it is," Al added. "Where'd you learn that?"

"My mother... taught it to me," Liam groaned, as he climbed out of the ravine and pulled Stella out after him. "She knew a lot of them."

Martin clambered out after him. "According to my readings, the facility is only two miles in that direction," she said, pointing in what seemed like a random direction.

"We'll be sweeping in attack formation," Liam said, "while two of us will infiltrate the main communication center."

"Great," Sanchez said. "We still have time to turn around."

"We're not turning around," Martin snapped.

"What, are you afraid?" Tim Cantor asked.

"Want to see how afraid I am?" Sanchez snarled.

"That's enough," Liam ordered. "I'm going into the facility. Any volunteers to come with me?"

No response.

"Anyone?" he asked with a sinking heart.

"I'm coming," Sanchez growled, rising from his crouch. "I want to keep an eye on you... just in case you decide to switch sides."

Liam looked appalled. "You take that back right now!" Stella said, shocked.

"Who's going to make me, you little pacifist?" Sanchez spat derisively.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" shouted Martin. Nothing more, except the wind whistling, was heard. She took a deep breath. "Now... Liam and Sanchez will infiltrate the communications array. The rest of us will smash the Jardie defenses, soldier by soldier. Remember, do not stop fighting."

There was only a solemn silence in response.

****

Sandoval felt a little strange as Lili piloted the shuttle through ID, searching for a safe way to reach the planet. It had been a very long time since he and Lili had escorted Da'an anywhere, and it felt odd to have the Taelon diplomat sitting next to him again.

"We're coming out of ID... now!" Lili called, drawing her hands back. Sandoval expected to see the barren surface of the planet, but instead saw a huge, green-gray structure, spiky, like a spider trying to grow extra legs.

And at the end of each leg was a Jaridian ship.

****

The Jaridian sentries never knew what hit them, Liam thought. They had gone down with nary a whimper nor a scream. Now as he heard firing and shouting from the dispatched soldiers and Volunteers, he was running around to the back of the towering green structure. It looked like a distorted version of a Taelon building, he thought.

And worse, he had Sanchez dogging his every step.

He crouched next to the door, tapped in a code, and it slid open. Liam waited for Sanchez to pass through, but the Volunteer only glared at him. Sighing, Liam slipped into the building. Sanchez glanced from side to side, then followed him and shut the door behind him.

****

"Oh for..." Lili whispered, drawing the shuttle away from the structure. "What's that?"

"I believe," Da'an said in a small voice, "that it is a Jaridian shipyard."

Sandoval felt his inside go cold. A Jaridian shipyard this near the border only meant one thing; potential invasion.

TO BE CONTINUED