3c68f10e21095840329ca4d14217e9c8 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Sergeant Martinez,” Nova said, “I want a recheck of everyone’s tags. This is a breathable atmosphere, but it’s an alien planet. Make sure they’re up to date on immune boosters and anti-virals, and let them know I’ll want to do an equipment inspection before they load up.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Martinez said and headed toward the nine Marines preparing to load their equipment into the dropship.

“Your chariot’s ready,” Jake Mathews said. “Power is up, and preflight check is all green.”

A Dragon-class light cruiser normally carried two small craft, standard Navy utility boats that could move personnel and cargo to and from the surface of a planet. Lewis and Clark carried one utility boat and one Marine Light Assault Lander. The LAL was built on the same hull as the utility boat, but it was equipped with a more powerful drive system, armor plating over critical parts of the hull, and upgraded electronics, including stealth fields and threat detection gear. It also featured an autocannon turret under the nose and six hard points on the hull where assorted weapons or other gear could be attached. In Marine parlance, it was a dropship, and its sole purpose was to get a squad of Marines and all the gear they might need into a hot LZ in an orderly and proficient manner. It could handle up to fifteen passengers and had plenty of storage space for gear, which allowed for a squad of ten plus the few extra people needed for a specific mission.

“Anything else the Navy can do for you?” Mathews asked.

“Yeah,” Nova said. “Get me a new driver—one with a little more experience, maybe.”

“Actually,” he said, with a sniff, “Chief Benson will be doing most of the driving. I’ll be your dropship commander. Technically, until we touch down, I’m in command of the mission.”

“That’s a scary thought,” Nova muttered. “What the hell?”

She had just noticed Mark Phillips entering the boat bay. He was wearing field gear which wasn’t much different from what the Marines wore. A gear bag was slung over his shoulder.

Without hesitation, he walked straight up to Nova. “Where do you want me?”

“Back in your lab, watching us from above and waiting until we get back,” she said. “Sure as hell you aren’t coming with us.”

“Captain says I am,” he said, and he grinned at her. “He agreed it was a good idea to have someone along who can speak the native language.”

“We’re not planning to have any contact with the natives,” she insisted.

“Things don’t always go as planned. Call it insurance. Besides, you’re the one who said this would be a walk in the park. Anyway, it’s moot—Captain says I’m going, so here I am.” Phillips nodded to someone over her shoulder.

Nova turned and saw Erikson approaching the group. She popped a salute which he returned with a nod.

“Carry on, Lieutenant…and before you say anything, yes, I did say that Dr. Phillips should go with you. He grew up on New Eden, and he assures me he learned plenty of bush skills there, so he shouldn’t slow you down or cause you any problems.

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