Conflict

USS Stealthlon
11:45 SET
2195

“Is the insertion team ready?” Mansel asked Blackbird.

The alternate Blackbird nodded the affirmative. “Indeed they are. This time, instead of using shuttles, we’ll be transporting them straight to the surface.

“Why in the world didn’t we do that in the first place?” Mansel asked.

Blackbird frowned. “That’s a good question. Who knows?” He shook the question off and moved on.
“Cain will be leading the team. You and I will stay as defense against any ships he might try to send.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Mansel. “Let me get back to my own ship.”

The Stealthlon, with the Explorer close behind, moved to within transporter distance of Earth. Blackbird opened a communications link with the transporter room. “Transporter room,” he said. “Good luck with your mission, Cain.”

“Thank you sir. We’ll need it. Transport.” The small insurgency team dematerialized and reformed on Earth’s surface. Cain gathered his surroundings and pulled out his carbine. “Let’s go,” he said.”

“The team’s a go, Mansel,” said Blackbird on Mansel’s viewscreen.

“Good,” said the starship captain. “Lets--”
He couldn’t finish the thought as the Explorer rocked from heavy fire. “Shields!” Mansel exclaimed. “Red alert!”

“What ship is that, Talaj?” Commander Vaughn asked the Science officer.

The Venutian appeared to be frustrated. “I don’t know, sir,” she responded “I can’t pinpoint--” she was cut off as the Sovereign class ship rocked again.

“Must be Anarcha in the Crimson Star,” Mansel muttered. “Divert power from sublight engines to shields,” he ordered.

On the Stealthlon, Blackbird watched the scene unfold. “Must be Anarcha,” he said. He didn’t have time to start his next though before the Stealthlon was fired upon. “Was that Anarcha?” Blackbird asked, getting off the floor and hunkering down in his chair.

Commander Hayes shook her head “No, it was the Storm-A.”

Captain Lamb had found them at last.

Captain Cain was thankful that he had kept in shape unlike a number of UNSF officers. He puffed as he jogged up stairs, heading for Maradine’s room.

He took a quick look at the map that Lieutenant Commander Serena had been able to provide him. He’d already lost two men up to this point, both shot down almost instantly. It was as if Maradine’s henchmen had been waiting for them. He was onto them.

It didn’t much matter now. Cain was two stories from putting an end to the universal terrorist.

The officer in front of him, a man no more than 20, stopped on the 16th floor. “This is it, sir,” he breathed. “Maradine’s floor.” He reached out to open the door.

“No!” Cain shouted, then jumped a flight to avoid the laser barrage that greeted the young officer.

Retreating down to the 14th floor, he cautiously opened the door and jumped back to avoid the same from happening to him.

Nothing was there, only silence. He stepped onto the hall, cautious. Letting his gun lead the way, he made for the turbolift.

The turbolift doors opened on the 16th floor. Before they fully parted, Maradine’s guard’s had poured twenty rounds of ammo into it.

Use that sophisticated technology, Ordese,” said Captain Blackbird. “Pinpoint the Crimson Star and help Mansel out.”

“But sir--”

“Do it, Ordese.”

Mansel knew that at the rate they were going, they wouldn’t last long against a ship they couldn’t see.