No Easy Going: Chapter 2
Here's chapter three! We get our first look at the aliens.
The figure stood tall, looking at the display of the planet in the center of the room.
<It's perfect.> One of the scientists said, typing information into a datapad.
<From what we can tell, it has an oxygen-nitrogen mix atmosphere, water that appears reasonably safe, and land. Lots of land. Admiral Helvar, it's just what we need to prove that this expedition has potential.>
<So it is.> Helvar responded, placing her hand under her jaw, something that she did when she was contemplating something.
<Any evidence of life?> Helvar asked.
<Substantial evidence,> The scientist responded. <We have identified reasonably advanced wireless communication signals, in a language that we are still unable to translate. If that isn't an indicator of technologically advanced live, I'm not sure what is.>
A smile spread across the Admiral's jaw.
<Well then, let's begin.>
The normally sleepy control center was now flooded with people. Scientists, astronomers, and some others were all crowded in the room wondering why something seemingly impossible had happened. Six asteroids, en route to Earth had slowed down and stopped in their tracks, something that should be scientifically impossible. And yet, here it was. Six asteroids sitting perfectly still. The press would have a field day with this.
"Can someone please explain to me what the fuck is going on with this?" Venkman said. The scientists only had blank stares to offer.
"What's all this fuss about. I heard it was something important, so it had better be worth my time." A man said as he entered the room, flanked by bodyguards.
"Mr. Secretary, Sir!" some of the military personnel in the room said to the newcomer.
Richard Trunnis, the United States Secretary of Defense, wasn't a very imposing figure. Balding, with some pudginess. He was on the older side of life, only placed into the office two years prior.
"Mr. Secretary, We have a problem." Venkman said to the secretary.
"I can tell. I wouldn't be here otherwise. Now what is the nature of this 'problem?'"
"Our satellites only picked this up recently. It really shouldn't be possible at all."
"And what is this thing that I still don't know about?" Trunnis said, irritation evident in his voice.
"Look here," Another scientist interjected. "You see these six asteroids?"
"Yeah. What about them?"
"They only appeared on our monitoring systems recently." the scientist said. "We should have seen them months ago."
Trunnis was irritated. "So you called me down just to say that our detecting satellites are broken."
"No sir," the scientist said "Look at this playback."
The scientist tapped a few keys, and a recording of the asteroid's progression started. It was evident. The asteroids appeared, they slowed down, and they stopped.
"Well, I'll be damned." Trunnis said. "Get me the Pentagon."
The helicopter hovered over the desert sands. Hot as hell, generally unpleasant.
"It's a different kind of fun, ya know."
"How do you mean, Corporal?"
"It's not theme park fun, its more like shoving broken glass up your ass and taking a bath in Tabasco sauce fun."
"The hell you gettin' at Corporal?" The sergeant said.
"To be honest sir, I have no clue."
"Well, maybe the heat's gettin' to ya."
"Maybe, sir. Maybe."
The platoon inside the Black Hawk had been tracking a Red Right Hand cell. While the terrorist organization had been defeated in the war, it sure wasn't dead. The objective here was to kill or capture a member of Hand leadership, which would deal a crippling blow to the rest of the organization.
Michael Hawkins was second in command, still confused at the Corporal's lame attempt at a joke. He was kitted out in full desert gear. Chocolate chip camo, LAr-37 rifle, a sidearm, and supplies.
Sergeant Willis was heading the op.
"Alright team, I know you've been over this plan dozens of times before, but we're gonna go over it one more time. When we hit the ground, Lewis and Sanders are gonna set up sniper over-watch on that hillside. Richter , Bombast, and I will take the left flank and move around to the back. Hawkins, Leer, and Zippy over here will head up the center. Do NOT engage until you have visual, are we clear?"
"YES SIR!" The chorus of marines responded.
"Boots down in 5!"
The helicopter touched down on the dry soil, and the marines piled out. Lewis ran to take the sniper position on the hill, while Sanders would be his spotter.
As planned, two marines went off with Willis, while the other three started creeping up the center, feeling exposed while treading across the dry ground.
"I don't like it. It's too quiet." Leer said, looking around for signs of movement.
"Yeah, well it might not be quiet for much longer." Zippy replied.
"Shut up," Hawkins whispered. "Your'e gonna alert somebody, speaking of which. Two sentries ahead. Drop em'."
The bodies slumped to the sand as a short, suppressed burst of fire signaled the end of their lives. The team pressed forward.
"Zippy, head up and plant the breaching charge."
"Yes sir." He ran ahead and stuck a square pack of C4 to the door. The team lined up, a short burst of static signaled that Willis and his group were ready, and that the explosion would be the signal.
BOOM!!!
The door fell in, a trio of Hand operatives tried to grab their rifles, but a flashbang cut that short. They were dead less than 2 seconds in. Gunfire came from the other side of the structure, as Willis and his team cleared that side. A shadowy figure fled across the room, ignoring the shouts to stop and surrender.
The figure barricaded himself in a room, which was quickly opened by the team.
"Drop it!" Willis screamed, raising his LAR-37 directly at the Hand leader's forehead. The mand reluctantly tossed the revolver aside. As Zippy moved in to make the arrest, the leader tried to disarm zippy and make a break for it. This was quickly foiled by a rifle butt to the back of the head.
The robed man laughed manaically.
"So, you really think that you can win? This world is corrupt and evil. The human race needs one, strong continuous voice, and we are that voi-"
The leader was knocked unconcious by yet another rifle bludgeoning.
"Eh. Same messed up ideology wherever you find Red Hands. We can stand to not hear the 'You're gonna lose no matter what' sppech again. Guardian 5, this is Vulture ready for exfil. Package is secure."