Beyond the Shroud of the Universe (38 page)

“I understand,” Captain Sheppard said, “and I hope it will not come to that for you. I will take your offer back to Emperor Yazhak and see what he has to say while you discuss our requests with your superiors.”

“We have one final request then, if you are to leave,” the ambassador said.

“What is that?” Captain Sheppard asked.

“While you are gone, we would like to have the services of your hero.”

“What? You want us to just leave him here with you? Why? As some sort of hostage?”

“You can view him as a hossstage if you would like,” the ambassador hissed, “but you have seen our defenses, and I’m sure you realize we could not stop a determined assault by the Mrowry if it should occur. I would prefer you not urge them to make that assault, and I would like to keep your hero as insurance you won’t. From a more practical perspective, our admiral would like to have him inspect our defenses. Perhaps he will identify something we missed. Our situation is so grim we are willing to try anything, even listening to a Terran’s advice.”

“What did they offer in return for helping them?” Lieutenant Rrower asked.

“We got a whole lot of ‘Would like to’ and ‘We can’t promise that,” Calvin said. “They were very evasive about what they would do for us if we helped them. They told us the war was going poorly for them, but they may not have told us
how
badly. I wonder if it’s even worse than they indicated.”

“It is possible,” Lieutenant Rrower said. “I don’t think they would have come asking for assistance if there had been any way for them to do it themselves. They may no longer be in control of the replicators or technology you asked them for. What information did they have for you on the Shaitans?”

“The only thing they gave us for now, until we agreed to help them, was this chart.” Calvin unrolled the chart on a table. “There isn’t a lot of information; it’s just a chart showing a chain of 10 star systems. It goes from where we are now,” he pointed at one end, “to where they say they first discovered the Shaitan.” He pointed to the other end. “They also said they only hold the end system, plus the next two in line.”

Lieutenant Rrower looked at the chart. “I see why they are negotiating with you,” he said. “To use one of your sayings, ‘they’re fucked.’”

“Why?” Calvin asked. “What do you mean?”

“You said they only hold the three systems closest to the end?”

“Yeah,” Calvin said with the nod.

“I’ve heard of the fourth system. I haven’t been there, but I know its name. It’s the Ssselipsssiss home world. The negotiators here? They’re fucked. They’ve lost their capital. They may not even be in contact with any of their leaders any more…if they even exist.” Lieutenant Rrower shook his head. “The reason they can’t promise you anything for helping? They’ve just about lost it all…and if we don’t help them, the Shaitans will be into our systems next.”

The shuttle touched down gently, and the ramp started down. With a sigh, Calvin picked up his sea bag and smaller duffle bag.

“You don’t have to go,” Captain Sheppard said. “Say the word, and we’ll go back to the ship. I doubt they can jump to the other universe so we could probably make it out of here with only minimal damage.”

“No sir, it’s okay,” Calvin replied. “I’ll be fine. Just…um…don’t take too long getting back, okay?”

“Hee, hee, we’re going to have lots of fun with the, what did you call them? Lizzies?” asked Farhome. “We’re going to have lots of fun with the lizzies. I can just tell!”

“You don’t have to come,” Calvin said; “they only asked for me.”

“If you think you’re going without me, you’re crazier than I am,” Farhome said. “I thought you’d be safe on your own home planet, and look at all the trouble you got into. Here? The universe is the limit! You’d probably fall into a super nova or something. At least I’ll be here to see it! I’ve never been close to a super nova, so that will at least be a new experience for me, hee, hee. No. If you’re going, I’m going with you.” He picked up a bag smaller than Calvin’s duffle bag. “I’m ready.”

“That’s all you’ve got?” Calvin asked. “We may be there for a while.”

“It’s all I ever need.”  Farhome smiled.

“I’ve got my bags, too,” Night said. “I really think you ought to reconsider and let me come. You know they’re just using you. When it goes bad, which it will, you’d be able to kill a lot more of them with me there than if I’m with the
Gulf
.”

“I know,” Calvin said, “and while I’d love to have you, I need you to reconstitute the platoon. We took a lot of casualties, and we’re going to need reinforcements. I need you to get them up to speed and ready for combat because I know there’s going to be more. A lot more. We have to be ready, and I know you’re the man to prepare the unit.”

“If you say so, sir,” Night said. “I still think you’re making a mistake not taking me along.”

“I may be,” Calvin said. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Just don’t get dead, okay?”

“I promise,” Calvin replied. He turned to Farhome. “All right, let’s go.”

Calvin and Farhome walked out of the shuttle and over to where the ambassador stood. Calvin turned and watched as the ramp went up and the shuttle lifted off. Within seconds, it disappeared into the turquoise sky. There was no way home until the Terrans came back. If they ever made it back. And if he was still alive to greet them. Calvin turned to the ambassador.

“So? What’s next?”

# # # # #

Terran Space Force (Prior to Anti-Domus Operations)

Commanding Officer                            Lieutenant Commander Shawn ‘Calvin’ Hobbs

Executive Officer                            Captain Paul ‘Night’ Train

Space Force

Space Force Leader                            Sergeant Major ‘Master Chief’ Ryan O’Leary

Squad ‘A’ Leader                            Gunnery Sergeant Patrick ‘The Wall’ Dantone, Cyborg

Fire Team ‘1’ Leader                            Staff Sergeant Park ‘Wraith’ Ji-woo

Laserman                                          Sergeant Marcus ‘Spud’ Murphy

Laserman                                          Sergeant Margaret ‘Witch’ Andrews

Laserman                                          Sergeant Dan ‘Giseman’ Geisenhof

Laserman                                          Corporal Calvin ‘Bossman’ Davis

Fire Team ‘2’ Leader                             Staff Sergeant John ‘Mr.’ Jones

Laserman                                          Sergeant Jamal ‘Bad Twin’ Gordon

Laserman                                          Sergeant Austin ‘Good Twin’ Gordon

Laserman                                           Corporal Irina ‘Spook’ Rozhkov

Laserman                                           Sergeant Anne ‘Fox’ Stasik

Fire Team ‘3’ Leader                             Staff Sergeant Eric “Willie” Williamson

Laserman                                           Sergeant Ismail “Mailman” Al-Sabani

Laserman                                           Sergeant Jacob ‘Chaos’ Braig, Cyborg

Laserman                                           Corporal Dan ‘Danny Boy’ Anderson             

Medic                                                        Corporal Shaun ‘Lucky’ Evertson

Ground Force

Ground Force Leader                            Master Gunnery Sergeant Bill Hendrick

Squad ‘B’ Leader                             Gunnery Sergeant Jerry ‘Wolf’ Stasik

Fire Team ‘1’ Leader                            Staff Sergeant Alka ‘Z-Man’ Zoromski

Laserman                                          Sergeant Richard ‘Shipwreck’ Shipley

Laserman                                          Corporal Robert ‘Fury’ Scott, Cyborg

Laserman                                          Corporal Donald ‘Triple D’ Drake

Laserman                                          Corporal Rus ‘Overkill’ Rogers

Fire Team ‘2’ Leader                            Staff Sergeant David ‘Market’ Hirt

Laserman                                          Sergeant Rajesh ‘Mouse’ Patel

Laserman                                           Corporal ‘Bob’ Bobellisssissolliss

Laserman                                          Corporal ‘Doug’ Dugelllisssollisssesss

Laserman                                          Corporal Brenton ‘Butcher’ Davis

Fire Team ‘3’ Leader                            Staff Sergeant Ryan “The Big Gurn” Gurney

Laserman                                          Sergeant Milan ‘Gunner’ Vranjesevic

Laserman                                           Sergeant Pierce ‘Big Sky’ Tomas, Cyborg

Ninja                                                        Sergeant Hattori ‘Yokaze’ Hanzo

Medic                                                        Sergeant John ‘Gags’ Russert

Terran Space Force (Anti-Domus Operations and Beyond)

Commanding Officer                            First Lieutenant Ryan O’Leary

Executive Officer                            Second Lieutenant Cristobal Contreras

Space Force

Space Force Leader                            Gunnery Sergeant Patrick ‘The Wall’ Dantone, Cyborg

Squad ‘A’ Leader                            Staff Sergeant Park ‘Wraith’ Ji-woo

Fire Team ‘1’ Leader                            Sergeant Marcus ‘Spud’ Murphy

Laserman                                          Sergeant Margaret ‘Witch’ Andrews

Laserman                                          Sergeant Dan ‘Giseman’ Geisenhof

Laserman                                          Corporal Calvin ‘Bossman’ Davis

Laserman                                          Corporal Jonny ‘Dark’ Minion

Fire Team ‘2’ Leader                             Staff Sergeant John ‘Mr.’ Jones

Laserman                                          Sergeant Jamal ‘Bad Twin’ Gordon

Laserman                                          Sergeant Austin ‘Good Twin’ Gordon

Laserman                                           Corporal Irina ‘Spook’ Rozhkov

Laserman                                           Sergeant Anne ‘Fox’ Stasik

Fire Team ‘3’ Leader                             Staff Sergeant Eric “Willie” Williamson

Laserman                                           Sergeant Jacob ‘Chaos’ Braig, Cyborg

Laserman                                           Corporal ‘Bill’ Obillossilllolis

Laserman                                           Corporal ‘Skank’ Misssollossissos             

Medic                                                        Corporal Shaun ‘Lucky’ Evertson

Ground Force

Ground Force Leader                            Gunnery Sergeant Jerry ‘Wolf’ Stasik

Squad ‘B’ Leader                             Staff Sergeant Alka ‘Z-Man’ Zoromski

Fire Team ‘1’ Leader                            Sergeant Richard ‘Shipwreck’ Shipley

Laserman                                          Corporal Sam ‘Mental’ Ward

Laserman                                          Corporal Joshua ‘Prince’ King

Laserman                                          Corporal ‘Sal’ Sallissollosiss

Laserman                                          Corporal ‘Phil’ Fillississolliss

Fire Team ‘2’ Leader                            Staff Sergeant David ‘Market’ Hirt

Laserman                                          Sergeant Rajesh ‘Mouse’ Patel

Laserman                                           Corporal ‘Bob’ Bobellisssissolliss

Laserman                                          Corporal ‘Doug’ Dugelllisssollisssesss

Laserman                                          Sergeant Declan ‘Ducky’ Jones, Cyborg

Fire Team ‘3’ Leader                            Staff Sergeant Ryan ‘The Big Gurn’ Gurney

Laserman                                          Sergeant Milan ‘Gunner’ Vranjesevic

Laserman                                           Sergeant Pierce ‘Big Sky’ Tomas, Cyborg

Ninja                                                        Sergeant Hattori ‘Yokaze’ Hanzo

Medic                                                        Sergeant Simon ‘Dougie’ Douglas