Star Cadets - Soldiers of the Future 1 by Todd Mcleod & Michael G. Thomas

Author:Todd Mcleod & Michael G. Thomas [Mcleod, Todd & Thomas, Michael G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swordworks
Published: 2018-09-13T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

The two cadets fled across the landscape. They’d been gone a short amount of time, but sensed urgency in their return that was more powerful than the desire to leave. They were quiet, contemplating their next moves, and trying to forget about what might be right behind them.

“Can you reach the base?” Elvin asked, double-checking the approach telemetry.

“Command this is Cadet Locke,” Vi said in an official tone, “We’re ten minutes out and need to speak to someone in command on an urgent issue.”

Vi paused, the line completely quiet. “That’s funny.”

“Is there a delay or interference?”

“Neither. I’m definitely broadcasting, but it’s like there’s nothing on the other end.”

“There’s definitely something on the other end!” Elvin looked at the communication controls himself, “Signal strength is good, but you’re right, it’s like there’s nothing there.”

“I’m searching for sources of jamming. That’s odd. If there was jamming there would be something, but there’s still nothing at all.”

“We’re so close. We should definitely be reading something.”

“Well, the whole system has issues with interference. I remember one of the officers saying when they first came to this sector things like long and shortwave comms, electro targeting, and sensors were severely disrupted.”

“I do recall hearing about that, too, Vi. But isn’t there a transceiver at home base that amplifies the signals, so things can be broadcast in this system?”

Vi paused in thought, putting together all of the variables and details. “Well, if it was offline, it would definitely be similar to how we’re not getting anything out.”

“Could it be a malfunction?”

“We were in communication a little while ago. There would have been some indication.”

“Could it have been taken out? If this is an invasion, it could have already started.”

“I don’t see how. The base is one of the best built and managed fortifications we have. They’ve spent years fortifying it and protecting it against exactly this kind of thing. I cannot imagine they were not prepared for all of this and ready to defend. It’s been a very short time since comms were still on. It would mean that within that time they came in and disabled it so fast they couldn’t even send a distress call out.”

They looked forward as they made their approach. They moved fast, perhaps too fast, but neither wanted to get caught by the creature or its allies.

“Well, given all the evidence, it seems what we’re heading into might be far worse than what’s behind us. This is at best an unpredictable situation, and at worst a trap.”

“We cannot turn around,” Vi said, “There are friends and colleagues ahead, and we cannot leave them high and dry, if what we think is happening is indeed happening. We need to go in, assess, and assist.”

The words were right out of the manual, but Elvin knew she was right.

“I agree, but we need to be careful.”

Vi nodded, and the bikes continued on, leaving the wasteland, and heading towards a thick layer of what at first looked like fog. It was soon revealed to be a massive dust cloud, kicked up by some manner of activity.

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