When Words Fail by J. N. Chaney & Jonathan P. Brazee

Author:J. N. Chaney & Jonathan P. Brazee [Chaney, J. N. & Brazee, Jonathan P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military, SF
Amazon: B09L5D2J65
Publisher: self-published
Published: 2022-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

Rev was just finishing up with his frag order when the platoon lifted off. Instead of heading directly back, each of them flew over the nine Marines, skimming above their heads and giving a salute. It was a nice touch, and a part of Rev appreciated it, but his focus was on the mission ahead of them. He couldn’t start until the platoon was out of sight, so he’d much rather they just get the heck out of there and on their way.

Finally, the last of them had passed. Rev gave a few last-minute directions, then he rose another five meters to watch the platoon recede. Every minute that passed increased the chance that the Naxli would spot the platoon, and while that wouldn’t be a mission-killer, it could be a team killer. Their chances of getting out of this alive were much higher if they could surprise the enemy and not have to fight to get to them.

At last, he thought they were far enough away.

“That’s it,” he said to his team. “Let’s go.”

The other eight Marines rose on their discs and slipped into position. Sergeant Oneida, as the most experienced Marine on a disc, took the point in what was a modified wedge. Rev was off of her left flank, Božič-Mizaki on her right flank. Tsao was on the far right of the wedge, Randigold on the far left, with the other Marines filling in.

Rev had considered putting the two non-IBHU Marines on either end, like infantry screening tanks, but he decided that the IBHUs had to be where they would be most likely to engage the Naxli.

The formation flew over the gorse that had been their home for the last two days and headed slightly to the south of where Golf platoon’s position had been. With the planet’s primary sun at their backs, it would be in the eyes of the Naxli. It may not be that much of an advantage, given that they knew so little about them, but any advantage was a blessing.

It was almost like flying over an ocean. The breezes shifted the grass in wavelike patterns. In another time and situation, Rev might have even enjoyed it. But not this time. He was amped, perhaps too much so, with all his senses trained forward. If the Naxli made an appearance, the team was extremely exposed, and their only hope of survival would be to engage first.

Sixteen klicks. Fifty-five KPH if they wanted to maintain stability as they flew. Just short of fifteen minutes.

Rev kept waiting for the Naxli to appear as the minutes clicked down. Every meter they flew got them closer . . . unless the enemy had already left the area. Suddenly, Rev was afraid the Naxli had moved on, and all of this would be for naught.

He pushed ahead until he caught Oneida’s attention and motioned for her to speed up to sixty-five KPH. She didn’t hesitate but surged forward. For her, it wasn’t a problem, but as Rev had

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