==—== 4 days later
“We have enough fabricators to provide building materials for long term survival and in the short term we should have a prefab blueprint for tenting for refugee operations. Food is another issue, we can use the fabricators to provide a barebone nutrient paste.” Admiral cooker shuddered at the thought of living off nutrient paste. “We would have to use three of our heavier duty fabs to provide enough ‘food’ for everybody, this means buildings are going to be built brick by brick rather than prefabs.”
Admiral Cookers brow furrowed as he considered the logistical challenge. It was far from ideal but for now they had to make do. He looked to the chief engineer who was busy making sure she was really alive “Caroline!” Cooker shouted snapping the engineer out of her state as she turned to look at him “I want you to oversee the fabrication efforts, work with the army they should have the personnel you need and recruit from the scientists for manpower.”
Caroline nodded, her mind already whirring with the calculations and plans necessary to undertake such a massive operation. “Understood, Admiral. I’ll get right on it.” She paused for a moment, her eyes meeting his with a hint of concern. “But sir, if we’re going to be here for the long haul, we need to think about more than just basic sustenance. Morale will be crucial, and living off nutrient paste isn’t going to do much for that.”
Admiral Cooker sighed, running a hand through his greying hair. “I know, Caro. But for now we have no choice, We’ll have to make do.”
The Lieutenant nodded “maybe we can add local flora to add flavour when its confirmed safe to eat.
The admiral nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes now the plan had started to take shape. “Good thinking lieutenant. We’ll need to send out scouting parties.” He turned to look at his security officer. “Leon the scientists are being put under U.H.C command gather up any biologists and if we’re lucky, some botanists and place them with our boarding teams. and get that arm put in a quickheal cast.”
Leon tried to snap a salute forgetting about his broken arm carefully wrapped in a sling “Right away admiral” he hissed through the pain as he turned and marched from the command centre.
As he made his way through the corridors of the once gleaming ship he activated his helmets communications. “Attention all personnel this is Brasseur. On order of the admiral, all boarding teams are to report to hangar bay 3 for reassignment, acknowledge receipt of this message.
Confirmation was coming through from team leaders as he stepped into the lift, the doors shut with a soft hiss and he felt the subtle movement of the elevator.
Minutes later he emerged at the entrance to Hangar bay 3. Already, the teams had started to gather, separating themselves automatically, he sighed as he saw a group of maybe forty scientists huddles away from his men.
“Attention everyone.” his voice boomed out through the speakers in his helmet. Commanding the attention of all. “Our mission has changed. No longer will we be defending our beautiful ship from anyone stupid enough to board us. In case you were unaware, we crash landed.” He paused for a moment to let the chuckles die down. “The admiral has assigned us a new task: to protect these scientists as we explore our new home.” He glanced over at the group of scientists and sighed as he saw them only half-listening and chatting amongst themselves. “It is up to us to keep them safe in this unfamiliar land.”
Leon looked over his teams and noticed that Alpha team was a man down. and covered in the grime of the battle to evacuate Yadvek“Sergeant, you were on the planet for the evacuation? Where is your trooper?” he asked.
Sergeant Alfaro met Lieutenant Brasseurs’ gaze, his expression grim. “Lance corporal Zhao took a sniper round to the head during our retreat for the landing zone… He died instantly.” The guilt creeping into his voice in the last few words.
Leon frowned, it was never easy losing someone. The news adding weight to the responsibility he carried, the mission required a full complement of soldiers each one vital to the success of the mission. “Understood sergeant, may he rest in peace. I’ll be joining you until we can get a replacement ready for you” He saw one of his team stiffen up as he spoke about Zhao but he let it go, for now.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Affirmative sir glad to have you with us. Permission to leave sir, it’s been days and we’re starting to stink up the place.” Alfaro said with a crisp perfect salute, flaking off the dried dirt on his helmet.
“Granted sergeant we have a few days before we head out wash yourselves up and see the chaplain. First head to the armoury and get the armour in the mass reclaimers. We’re fabbing up new armour with camo before we head out.
Leon watched as his new team walked out of the hangar bay looking dead on their feet “how long has it been since I felt like that” he muttered to himself as he walked over to the scientists
“Dr Anton, a surprise to see you here. I didn’t know you were a biologist.” he reached out and shook the extended hand of the head researcher on Yadvek
Anton chuckled “I’m not before I was researching precursor relics I was the PHD lecturer of plant sciences at the university of Mars. I also have a masters in xenoanthropology. I was part of the team that went into the Pluto observation station.”
Leons eyes widened at the way the scientist casually mentioned he was at the Pluto precursor relic. “I thought that was a myth” His curiosity piqued “What did you find there?”
Antons eyes grew hard as he recalled the memories. “Until that moment we believed we were the only intelligent life in the galaxy. It changed everything we knew about our origins. And we found things that laughed in our face at our childlike understanding of physics. The government as they always do decided to keep things under wraps and swore us to secrecy on threat of death. I wouldnt be surprised to find out some of the technology on this ship is reverse engineered on what we found.”
Leon felt a shiver run down his spine, if true the implications of what he was saying meant they were woefully out of their depth.
“Is that why you were on Yadvek?” he asked “New secrets to unearth?”
Anton nodded. “This time…we found remains, dead for millions of years sure, but there they were. We found three distinct species. Two that resembled humanoids. Different enough to count as separate species, and one that looked like it could’ve died yesterday. It was the strangest discovery of all; it had an ant like body, but stood at least shoulder high to us.”
Leon’s mind raced as his brain attempted to grasp the implications of Anton’s revelations. The discovery of well preserved alien remains was groundbreaking. It was something that could reshape humanity’s very understanding of the universe and humanity’s place within it.
“Lieutenant, I have a request. Your Alpha team dragged us out of our hole and brought us to the evacuation zone. We wouldn’t have made it if not for them. If possible, myself and my team would very much like to stay with Alpha team.”
“Consider it done doctor I’ll make sure they get commendations for what they did” Leon’s nodded curtly, his mind still reeling from the information shared with him. But for now there were more pressing matters at hand, he would have to process later.
He opened a private channel with Alphas leader sergeant Alfaro “Sergeant, doctor Anton told me what you did for him and his research team on Yadvek. I’m assigning them to your team along with myself. When you’re cleaned up I want you to report to the bridge with doctor Anton, there are some things I need to share with you and the admiral.”
“Roger that, sir.” Alfaro said curtly and closed the communications channel. Leon sighed and went on with assigning groups of scientists to the remaining teams.
When all the scientists had been divvied up to the teams Leon found doctor Anton with his research team. He was in the middle of briefing them on the plan and that they would stay with Alpha team, a look of relief crossed the teams faces.
“Doctor, a private word?” Leon said. Anton quickly ushered his team away so he and the Lieutenant could speak privately.
“What can I do for you Lieutenant” Anton said with a smile as if he didn’t just drop a bomb on Leon’s brain.
“Are you sure you should’ve shared your findings with me? Wouldn’t that be top secret information?” Leon whispered conspiratorially.
Anton chuckled dryly. “I highly doubt the U.H.C intelligence services have a foothold on this planet.”
leon nodded a weight lifted off his shoulders “We have to brief the admiral on this, I’ll also be bringing the leader of Alpha team into the know. Right now, get some rest. We’re going on our first run three days from now, this planet’s days are only a few hours longer than ours. If you want to fabricate equipment, the lab is on deck seven midship. If you get lost just say ATLAS and he’ll direct you to the lab” he said
As Leon was walking away he heard doctor Anton thanking him. “I need a drink” leon muttered to himself
==--==
The engineering department, now a combined effort of army and navy engineers, worked tirelessly to get the nutripaste fabricators operational.
Meanwhile, members of Alpha team trained alongside the army’s shipboard recon and special warfare teams to improve their ground-based combat skills. The army had separate orders to survey the area around the crash site and ensure the safety of the ship and its inhabitants. Alpha team, accustomed to operating in space, had quickly adapted to the new conditions of the yet unnamed planet, determined to be ready for any obstacles that lay ahead.
Alfaro called everyone over. They were all covered in sweat and grime after a whole day of training with army special warfare. “That’s enough for today, grab a shower and report to the armoury. it’s time to fab up the new gear. The loadouts are different than what we’re used to. The armoury guys worked with ATLAS to create a camouflage pattern that should help us blend in.”
Abiola , the heavy weapons expert of the team, asked the question on everyone’s mind “What time are we headed out?”
“0700 relative”. Alfaro answered. “Make sure you get enough sleep im not sure how long we’re gonna be out there. Lets kick some ass Oorah.”
“Oorah.” they all said in unison, tired but full of determination. They were used to early mornings and long-term missions, but this one felt different. The tension in the air was palpable. A heavy weight they all carried, they didn’t want to disappoint the memory of their fallen comrade. As they fabricated their gear for the mission, they couldn’t help but wonder what lay ahead.