Excalibur by Tim Marquitz

Author:Tim Marquitz
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub
Published: 2017-03-15T06:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Sector 082, Allied Space

Dev-ji 482

Once the crew had on their armored body suits and had weapons strapped and ready to go, they stood in the drop pod as it sealed shut and pressurized around them. Though the Excalibur could operate in atmosphere, its design didn’t facilitate terran landings, no gear allowing it to settle on the planet. As such, Choi kept the ship hovering, and the crew would ride what was essentially a tiny, very short range life raft shuttle down to Dev-ji 482.

“Raft pressurized, Captain,” Choi’s voice echoed in the small craft. With everyone going planetside except the helmsman, they were squeezed in so tightly that their helmets clinked together if they moved too suddenly. “Preparing to drop.”

“You know what to do if the bugs find you, right?”

“I do,” Choi replied, “but I don’t particularly like it.”

“Regardless, at the hint of any trouble, you bail, back to space if necessary,” Albion told him. “If things fall apart down here, we need to get a message to Vance and Command, let them know what’s going on out here. If we’re stuck, you’re the only one who can do it.”

“No pressure.”

“You’re a big boy, Lieutenant. You can handle it.”

Choi muttered something the Captain chose to ignore, and then ordered the raft dropped. The helmsman did his duty without hesitation despite Albion knowing how much he didn’t want to be left alone on the ship.

There was a sudden lurch, and the raft broke loose of the Excalibur’s underbelly and sank toward the planet with an easy grace. The only indication that they’d landed was a quiet thump that vibrated the floor. The crew checked their weapons and gear once more and, when each offered a thumbs up, Lyana choosing a different finger, Albion opened the hatch. Gritty sand dusted them as soon as it was open, harsh grains scraping across their visors. A red glow seemed to suffuse everything, the dust reflecting what little sunlight penetrated the dirty clouds that loomed in the sky above.

“Looks like a swell vacation spot,” Lyana muttered.

Albion sighed. “As much as I appreciate the comms check, Commander, let’s stick to business while we’re here. While I don’t think the bugs are scanning for local channels, best not to test that theory and broadcast too often.”

“You really just want to be able to hear Choi whimper because he’s been left alone on the ship.”

“I heard that,” Choi answered. “At least there’s this thing called air up here. You might remember it being important.”

Albion shook his head. “Hold it down, both of you.” He reached over and tapped Lyana’s helmet, sneering at her. “Keep our suit telemetry onscreen, Choi, and stay put at your console. I don’t want to have to hunt you down if we need something.”

“Where the hell am I supposed to go, Captain?”

“We know you have a special infinity for the Captain’s private head, suing it when he’s not around,” Crate said with a grin.

“You better not—” He drew in a breath and caught himself. “Just stay put and pay attention.

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