Author: Johannes "Jergen[K]" Cruz			Viewing: Chapter 13

“The man’s a lunatic, and I don’t want him on my team.” Dr. Evelyn Stewart paced the small meeting room like a caged animal. “His Service Record Book details twenty seven stints in the brig for assault, three of which resulted in the discharge of Naval Officers due to wounds. This man has been demoted as many times as he has been promoted, and he has never passed a Psychoanalysis.” “The level of skill you are looking for involves a certain understanding towards the mentality it takes to sustain that amount of viciousness.” Dr. Edward Reins, head of Military Xenography, made a show of looking briefly at the files for the men then set them on the desk in front of him. “Both of these men have been involved in dozens of raids against this particular life form, and have managed to survive longer than nearly anyone within the Colonial Marine Corps. That deserves a level or respect regardless of personal transgressions. Not to mention the other one,” taking a moment to scan the roster he answered. “Sergeant Ban, has a nearly perfect military record. These two are a match Evelyn, and I don’t propose to break them up just yet.” “You do understand this operation is being monitored by higher authority.” She had meant it to be a threat, but it came out more as a desperate plea. “If something goes wrong, and it’s because of the marines you have selected there will be repercussions.” Reins smiled at her for a moment before he spoke in a low tone. “If something goes wrong Evelyn, none of this is going to matter.” Evelyn sat down slowly, concern spreading across her features before she simply nodded. *** “Come in!” Johannes yelled as he stepped out of the small shower in the back of his chambers and began toweling himself off. For a moment he looked at himself in the steamed mirror. His face was a roadmap of scars and lines. Below dark eyebrows were clear eyes, the color of cobalt, that few people could meet in conversation. His mouth was creased deeply at the corners in what appeared to be an endless frown. Smaller than the rest of his team at five seven, he still matched most of them in weight, and only a few of the heaviest could hope to match or beat him in strength. His entire body was economy of force. Corporal Johannes “Jergen” Cruz was a thing created of war. Sergeant Ban was the antithesis of Jergen. Standing well over six feet and liberally covered in muscle, he was a giant of a man. Most of the squad underestimated him because he seldom spoke, and when he did it was with such slow deliberation that many thought him lacking intelligence. Nothing could be further from the truth. He was not unintelligent, merely cautious and as a result he thought before he spoke. He was not prone to blurt out information before it’s time was due, nor was he prone to action before all options had been drawn out in his mind. These traits, along with his intense physical hardiness, had kept him alive in the face of twenty two months of constant warfare against an unforgiving enemy. Both men had found a strange familiarity in one another. Jergen had been assigned to ten different companies since he had been taken into the CMC three years earlier. Ban, on the other hand, had been the sole survivor of his companies on several occasions. He had seen so many men die that when it happened now it wasn’t even worth notice. As a result, both men hardly noticed the other marines around them. It was simple reality that they would not be around long enough to get to know. Brothers by fate, Jergen was fond of saying. “I received orders this morning Jergen,” Ban began, his rich voice filling the small room. “You and I are to report to Headquarters for assignment.” Jergen stopped shaving and looked up into the mirror, cold blue eyes regarding the reflection of Ban. He nodded. “It’s been too quiet around here anyway.” With this he smiled, then continued to prepare for the day. *** The Fast Attack Frigate Respite floated in a close dock to Gateway Station. Gateway, a military and scientific research facility, was commissioned by the United Earth Government to provide laboratories and facilities for various dangerous biological and chemical weapons projects. The station herself was the size of most small towns, with enough hold and living space to house twenty thousand personnel and their equipment comfortably. Nestled in a high earth orbit, Gateway was a shining achievement of the technological strides taken by the UEG since it’s establishment. “Loading is on schedule Ma’am, we will be ready to fall in with the Frigate Summarian in less than one hour.” “Thank you for the report Captain, my crew are ready to go.” Evelyn switched off the communication display mounted in her small quarters and stood from the tiny desk. They would be in space flight for nearly four months, during which time she would not be able to go into the hibernation because of their cargo and it’s relative danger. At first they had discussed a watch where one member of the team stayed awake for two weeks at a time to monitor the systems for the containment units, but that was quickly scrapped by the operation lead as a risk. It was going to be a long trip. The buzzer sounded inside of her chamber signaling the presence of a visitor. “Yes?” Evelyn called from the other side of the door, forgetting to switch on the transmitter and having to repeat herself to be heard. “Sergeant Ban and Corporal Cruz reporting as ordered Ma’am.” Came the reply from the other side of the door. Evelyn sighed, she hadn’t expected them to be so early, but it was at least a good sign. These two might be something out of the ordinary, but at least they were on time. She thumbed the control and her hatch opened. Involuntarily she took a step back when she looked up at the imposing figure of Sergeant Ban standing before her. At nearly two feet taller than herself, and at least two hundred pounds heavier, Ban was the largest person she had ever seen. Standing behind him was Corporal Cruz, whom she took a moment to look over as he looked straight at her. Immediately she looked away from him, his eyes alone had shocked her more than the stern danger written on his face. “Please come in,” she managed, stepping back in the small room. Although she was happy enough with her quarters they seemed all the more claustrophobic for the presence of one giant and another deranged killer. “I called you here to explain the mission in greater detail. As this is a secure matter we could not speak of it before the ship was to leave.” She looked at the two men closely as they stood near the door at what appeared to be parade rest. Neither of them spoke. “We are transporting very sensitive cargo. As such we require an armed escort capable of providing for it’s safety.” Ban snapped to attention and spoke, “Why just two Marines?” “Security. We knew that if we were to bring an entire platoon with us it might draw attention, while just a small force could go unnoticed. It is also my superior’s belief that you two could be trusted without question.” Jergen spoke softly, “That superior’s belief but not your own?” “I have seen your records, and although they are impressive to say the least there is a history of,” she paused for effect. “Problems.” Johannes smiled with no humor, but remained silent. “You are to have quarters near the hold where the cargo is in stasis. One of you shall guard that passage at all times, no matter the status on this ship. When we arrive at our destination you will join the other Frigate, Summarian, and travel back to port. Are there any questions?” Johannes stepped forward, his intense eyes bright with his question: “Why are we taking such pains to transport a Xenomorph Ma’am? It was my understanding that those things are the enemy.” Evelyn was silent for a long time before she spoke, trying to sound stern in the face of a man she knew to be far more deadly than she. “What we are doing is of no consequence to either of you. We need protection in case unforeseen events occur, we do not need your suggestions as to what research we ought to be performing.” Angrily she tried to stare him down. “As you wish it Ma’am. We shall serve you with complete honor and confidence.” Johannes leveled a deadly stare at her. “You may go Gentlemen,” Evelyn made to stand, but before she could both marines were out of her room and gone. Shaking her head she laid back on her small bed and sighed. Yes, it was indeed going to be a very long trip. *** “Captain, what should we do with them?” “Assign them quarters until we hit the frontier, I’m sure we can make a little money off of them.” “Aye Sir.” With this the first mate left his captain’s quarters. Smiling, Captain Mekhazzio, the infamous Shadow Dragon, watched the stars move slowly by. Things were certainly getting a fair bit interesting in this part of the world. The best thing about interesting was that in an educated mind that meant “profit.” Laughing a little, he turned to the wall charts he kept along his bulkheads. A lot like ancient mariner’s charts, they detailed every surveyed star system known and explored by man. Dark eyes shone as he planned. *** Jergen sat in silence near the aft hold of the ship. Absently he toyed with his large fighting knife as the stars of Sol system began to blur as the FTL drive was engaged. Every so often he would look back into the sealed chamber of hold 6 and spit. Inside was a large cryochamber carrying the hibernating form of a Queen Xenomorph. In his very bones he knew what they were doing was not only dangerous, but wrong as well. Just being this near the creature made three dozen different wounds ache. Sergeant Ban moved up behind him and joined in watching the bizarre light show outside of Respite as she sped up. “Thinking is dangerous on long journeys Corporal.” Johannes nodded. For a moment it seemed as if neither would say anything, then Jergen faced his friend. “What’s the count Ban?” “Three hundred and forty seven dead, six hundred fifty six wounded.” Ban’s face was a mask as he related the figures. In contrast to Johannes he had an almost friendly face, at the very least he was more human. “What we are doing defies honor and bleeds upon the memory of our fallen brothers.” “The woman is blind to the danger of these things.” Johannes was quiet, considering his reply. “She seems driven, I only hope she uses what she has to end this war and not propagate it.” “You like her.” Jergen looked into his brother’s eyes, speaking slowly: “I gave my soul to warfare a long time ago and have no need for the softness of emotion. I kill to know I’m alive.” Ban almost spoke, but knew it was not necessary. Jergen turned and walked away from him, disappearing down the corridor to his chambers. The stars continued their dance while Ban considered his friend and brother. He was always on edge, but this wasn’t what he was meant for, and it was only a matter of time before the fine edge of the warrior dulled. Dammit if this wasn’t going to be a long trip.