Chapter II
1096 Words
The final frontier.
Landing pad C-23, Mars, January 17, 2095.
(Zack Johnson)
I must admit it, the red planet looks a lot greener than it did a few decades ago.
But that doesn't change the fact that it could become the scene of a possible confrontation between humans and aliens.
The transport lands and we slowly descend with the repeater cannons loaded, my team is impatient and the residents of this colony welcome us warmly... except one.
Tendo: you are late.
Rogers: Commander Arstent *salutes*.
We copy Rogers' action and Arstent nods.
Tendo: rest, I think you know why you were summoned.
Williams: E.T. is coming to Earth, and not to say hello.
Tendo: yeah, but this is more than a movie from the past century, if we can't solve this situation... well, goodbye to our way of life.
Zack: you can count on us!
Arstent looks at me oddly through the visor of his HT-29 Falcon. In the presence of that discomfort, I just stand up straight and say.
Zack: s-sir.
Tendo: I hope Liberty's decision was the right one. I'd hate to have to send you home with a reprimand.
Zack: sorry sir, it won't happen again.
Tendo: mmm... anyway, I wish you luck. And please don't screw s**t up *smiles*.
Rogers: we won't, sir.
Williams: well, now that the old man is gone, what do we do?
Zack: we don't come as tourists, let's get moving.
It was the best I could come up with at the time, but I had a heavy punch in the conscience because of it.
Williams: who put the guy with the shoulder s**t in charge?
Rogers: protocol 34, article 5. *sigh* the kid is running the operation on the orders of an elite brigade commander. Do I have to repeat it to you a third time?
Williams: no sir.
Rogers: good. Williams, take the right with Red and the kid, we'll take the center.
Williams: roger, let's go Reaper!
Reaper: sure.
Williams ignites thrusters and flies up a hill to deploy his X-supra precision rifle, the best in lone sniper technology.
Williams: Steel Reaper guarding the coast, targets to the north. 2 kilometers diagonally.
Zack: received Reaper, I'm on your back.
Williams: copy that.
Rogers: setting up contingency plan.
Zack: you're not serious.
Jacobs: this thing can take down a mountain with the push of a button. We can't afford failure.
Zack: I understand, just-... *sigh* don't screw it up, ok?
Rogers: okay.
Williams: Mama Bird has arrived, heads up.
Zack: copy that.
Red: all weapons ready, just give us the order.
Zack: violence is not always the answer, let me speak first.
Red: alright. Arstent evacuated every colony within a 25 kilometer radius, we have green light.
Zack: ok... huh?
Red: expanding. Someone has come down from the main ship, he has the character of a monarch. Proceed with caution.
Zack: I will.
Williams: I'm ready to blow brains out on your command.
Zack: hold position, I will close in.
Red: Tango-Echo 7 camouflage protocol.
Fox: received.
Reaper: hear ya.
Jericho: copy that.
All the mech-armor disappeared into the reddish dunes with exceptional timing.
Zack: I'm approaching the ship, I'm nervous.
Rogers: take it easy kid, we don't want to screw up before we can argue anything. Do you understand?
Zack: yes sir.
As I arrived, what appeared to be a female figure with light blue eyes, received me indifferently. Without saying a word.
Then, more strangers came down from the other ships and the woman raised her arm, making all her troops stop.
Then she turned her cold gaze towards me, she must have been 8 or 10 meters tall because it was a big difference between us two, and said.
Rasin: we really need the resources of this and your planet urgently, Terran. We will not stop at anything until we have what we seek in our possession. If you make it hard for me, your life will pay the price.
Zack: y-yeah... about that...
I had a knot in my throat, I couldn't get a word out without it vanishing into thin air before it could be heard.
I doubted my words too, I was afraid they would be taken as a threat or a war declaration.
Rasin: you drain my patience. If you don't give me a reasonable answer right now, we can close the deal with not so civilized methods.
I looked up into his cold eyes and closed my fists in an aggressive position.
Rasin: so?
Zack: *clears his throat* you are not welcomed here, we understand your problem, but your intentions are not the most friendly. Leave from where you came, and don't ever come back.
Rasin: you imprudent!
Like a blast of lightning, I could feel a punch in my stomach, I spat some blood on the visor due to its strength. And so it was, that I ended up buried in the walls of a nearby cliff.
Williams: s**t, Zack!
Reaper: auto-aim on line, locking on target.
Jacobs: on my way, hold on!
Rogers: Delta-44 to base, negotiation failed, I repeat, negotiation failed. Proceed to fire Zeus cannon, over.
Gerald: dammit, anyway, you gotta save their asses. Authorized, over.
Rogers: fall back to my position, quickly. I resume command, that's an order!
Jacobs: sir, Johnson is unconscious.
Red: I've applied grade 1 through 5 medical protocols, nothing's working.
Rogers: get him back to base, we're moving out. Williams!
Williams: a second chief, I've got the jackpot in my sights.
Reaper: 30% deviation, 15% deviation, 3% deviation. Fire.
Rogers: appearances can be deceiving Reaper, stand down now, that's an order!
Williams: swallow lead, b***h.
Rogers: Williams, don't!
*Heavy shot*
Zack: ah!
Red: pulse stable, are you ok?
The gunshot woke me up by its magnitude, I started breathing heavily and looked in all directions. Until my gaze crossed with the falling body of the woman who hit me earlier.
Zack: what the heck have you done...
Williams: *laughs* now we ca-... ahh!
Jacobs: no!
Rogers: no!
Zack: damn it. Don't shoot, you'll make it worse!
Williams: what are you talking about rookie, they're going to f*****g kill me!!!
Krasl: you dared to hurt the hierarch, now you will pay the consequences!!! *roar*.
Reaper: outer armor integrity at 48%, we need assistance!
Zack: I'll take care of it. Red, speed up!
Red: Yes!
I escaped from Jacobs' arms and took off running until I could lift off from the reddish sands. Unfortunately, the first confrontation was on the way.
And nothing would stop it.
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Next chapter: First contact.
- Writer
