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File:Chapter 2.2.jpg
Date: 17 DEC 3007Time: 1357hrsLocation: Approaching Main BasePlanet Arkadia
Milton Lee watched the ground approach through the window of the drop ship. The Fleet Commander had finally given the order to allow civilians down onto the planet’s surface. Lee couldn’t believe it had taken so long. Being forced to wait in orbit had been a slow torture and he had only found solace through reading the reports sent up to the Fleet from the ground forces. When he’d first read about the skirmishes with hostile beings, his excitement had become unbearable. He had grown frustrated at having to remain in orbit as he hungered for the chance to inspect the technology of these beings. Although the reports seemed to indicate that their weapons were surprisingly low-tech, there were bound to be differences from anything humans had produced. He was certain he could develop new technologies for humankind if only he had samples to research.
Before Commodore Harvir had departed for the surface a week earlier, he’d told Lee to collaborate with his scientific colleagues in developing a plan detailing what was needed for their research once they reached the surface. The other scientists had suggested all the usual setup details such as lab equipment, workspace, storage and such. Initially Lee had been fairly uninterested in the process, only idly monitoring their discussions while trying to engage Dr Zhen in conversation, even though she was occupied with planning what areas should be examined first by the Archaeological Society. But once he’d been able to confirm that there were alien technologies to research he became much more interested. Then he’d started insisting that everything be handed over to him to examine first. The other scientists had dismissed the idea instantly, but Lee promised himself that one way or another he was going to be the first to get his hands on the new technology.
The drop ship was nearing the peninsula where the main base was under construction. Lee thought that it looked like a giant construction kit with people swarming all over it like ants, even after a week of constant work. Skeletal outlines of buildings were appearing at a rapid rate, and with roads also now clearly defined, the eventual size and shape of the base was becoming evident. The only completed structures to date seemed to be those intended for the military, such as the depot they were heading towards. As the ship descended Lee amused himself by trying to work out which structure was going to be his. Even though the building would eventually house all of the scientists who had accompanied the Fleet, he was already thinking of it as his own personal possession. As much as he hated the idea of having to share the building he had to concede that it was a reasonable idea. No point in spreading the artefacts between multiple locations, he reflected.
His thoughts were interrupted as he noticed a streak of fire race up from the ground some distance away from the base. Lee watched its graceful arc, wondering which equation would best describe its trajectory. Suddenly he realised that he didn’t need to work it out at all; whatever it was, it was heading straight for them. Before he could say anything, he was thrown forward as the object exploded against the ship, setting off an ear-piercing alarm. He could feel vibrations as the ship’s weapons locked onto a target and returned fire, hammering the ground with hundreds of rounds in a matter of seconds. There was a screech of tearing steel and then all he could hear was a deafening roar as the main cabin lost pressure. He was crushed back into his seat as the pilot jammed the nose of the ship down, rapidly picking up speed and losing altitude as they raced towards the safety of the base. Lee was so excited it felt like his heart was trying to escape out of his chest.
A minute later, after a noticeably rough landing, the drop ship powered down. Ground crews rushed about as the passengers were checked for injuries. At the edge of the platform, Lee stood oblivious to all the action around him, finally breathing in the sweet Arkadian air. It was infinitely superior to the stale air he’d been breathing for the last few weeks in space. However, he was too impatient to stand around gawking at all the buildings being erected. He had work to do, starting with getting a sample of the weaponry that had fired that projectile at the drop ship.
He glanced around at the chaotic mob of people; passengers, medics, ground crew and troops that were only now starting to gain some coordination in their movements. He hurried to retrieve his pack and, detaching himself from the crowd, walked confidently off towards the site of the attack. No one seemed to notice that he was supposed to be with the other passengers, who were now being herded off to the orientation briefings that the military had arranged for all new arrivals.
Lee skirted around the base of a building, hoping to escape from the restrictions that were bound to be in place around the base. He threw a quick look over his shoulder and could just make out a construction worker talking to one of the troops and gesturing in his direction. He sighed, feeling vexed. They’d soon work out that he was missing and he knew that they’d send someone to escort him back. If they did, he hoped that he had a good enough head start to reach his target. Oh well, he thought, whomever they send will be useful in carrying back what I find.
As he hurried away from the base, he noticed a rock formation a little way off. It gleamed as it caught the sun, streaked with a large mineral vein. It looked vaguely familiar but he didn’t think it was anything that could be found on any other colonised planet. He wondered why it tugged at his memory, but couldn’t think of a reason why it would. He hesitated, wanting to examine it closer, but decided to continue on. He didn’t want anyone to catch up until he’d recovered the weaponry.
He soon crested a small rise close to where he thought the attack had come from. He immediately noticed scarring on the ground that could have only been caused by the violent impacts of the rounds fired from the drop ship’s weapons. He grinned in excitement; soon he’d have his first research item.
He set off down the slope but before he could get far he heard the sound of men running close behind him, their booted feet trampling the grass. A squad of troops appeared over the rise he’d just crossed and spotted him. He spared them a single frown. Seeing him they visibly relaxed and began spreading out in a large circle around him while one of them approached him.
‘Professor, I’m Lieutenant Richards. We’ve been sent to bring you back to base.’
‘What’s the rush? We can go back soon, but first I want to find a sample of the local weapons. You can help me, I’m fairly sure it’s not far from here.’
The Lieutenant stared at Lee in disbelief. ‘Are you serious? That’s what you came out here for?’ Richards shook his head, ‘No way, we are leaving now. The Commodore said that if you didn’t come willingly then we were to drag you back. Though that’s gentler than what he actually said.’
‘Oh, come now Richards, the Commodore is being overly cautious. I’ve noticed that he has a nasty habit of doing that,’ Lee scoffed.
‘I suggest you shut up Professor, and don’t talk about the Commodore that way. Do you have any idea what kind of danger you’ve put yourself in by leaving the base unauthorised and unescorted? You could have gotten yourself killed. If you’d remained at the depot you’d know we already have captured weapons.’ Richards said, getting angry as he realised that Lee had stopped paying attention to what he was saying.
A flicker of movement in the distance behind the Lieutenant caught Lee’s eye. ‘Look, over there,’ he said, pointing. ‘I think they’re not far away. It looks like I’m going to need your help to get their weapons though.’
Richards turned to look where Lee was pointing and spotted a humanoid figure just before it moved beyond line of sight.
‘Contact!’ shouted one of the troops and the entire squad hit the ground as one, flat on their stomachs. The Lieutenant growled and rose up just enough to grab a handful of Lee’s clothing and drag him to the ground.
‘Eyes open men, we’ve no idea how many there are. Call base and report our position. Fire and move if we have to, but fall back,’ the Lieutenant ordered. ‘And make sure the Professor comes with us.’
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