Eagle One Down
Lieutenant Carmen Ibanez walked onto the deck and saluted. "You called for me, Sir?" The admiral nodded briefly and turned back to the screen he was watching.
"I have a very special assignment for you, Lieutenant." He said, not looking up from the screen. "It is a solo assignment, very dangerous, very hush-hush." He looked at her, questioning.
"Tell me what to do, Sir."
"That is the attitude I like to see, Ibanez. You will be flying into enemy territory. This is your objective," He pointed to a spot on the screen.
Ten minutes later, Carmen walked out of the room and went straight to the launching deck. Her mind was whirling with the information she had been given. This was big. Really big.
"Carmen," a voice pierced the darkness. Carmen strained towards the voice.
"Mother?" A shadowy figure appeared. Carmen reached out to her, but the figure stopped just out of range. Carmen's hand was heavy. So heavy. She tried to lift it, but it wouldn't move.
"Carmen, you must wake up. Carmen." The voice was more urgent. "Wake up, Carmen!"
Carmen shifted her weight. She felt so heavy! Wakefulness tore though in her fight to move. She tried to make herself move, but the weight was to much. Finally the weight lifted. Her hands, relieved of the pressure, flew upward. A stabbing pain bit into her head, and Carmen fell back into unconsciousness.
Carmen woke slowly and stretched. One hand hit a rock. Her eyes flew open. Where was she? She looked around-- nothing. Just an empty plain as far as the eye could see. Her eyes drifted up to the bright red sky. "I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore," she said softly. "I don't even think I'm on Terra." Her head hurt so badly. How had she gotten here? The last thing she remembered was-- was-- waking up.
Carmen's head spun with the effort of trying to remember. Remember what? "That is a good place to start," Carmen spoke out loud. Her voice echoed strangely in the stillness. She tried to ignore the unsettled feeling it gave her. "My name is... Well, I'm 20 years old, I know that." she crossed her arms in defiance. "This is not Terra, and I think that I am from Terra." She looked down at her clothes for some hint. No help there. Just plain black pants and a white t-shirt. Nothing in the pockets, she discovered. "I-- I speak English," she ventured, "and-- Spanish." She tried a few words as if to confirm this fact.
Next, she turned her eyes to her body. "I work out," she decided. "and I am in good health." She carefully analyzed every mark and scar on her body. "A lot of scars," she determined, "I must work in a dangerous occupation. If I work," she amended. The sudden thought that she could be an outlaw came to her, but she pushed it away. She had enough to worry about without that.
"I am human, and I need water," she said next. "I better get to walking." She walked for a long time, drilling herself on facts she knew with each step. But they were all facts. Nothing personal, nothing to tell her who she was. She felt that it would be a long walk to find out who she really was-- and what she was doing here. Where ever 'here' was.
"Hey, have you seen Carmen?" Dizzy asked Gossard.
"No, but I haven't been aft today. That's where the fly guys spend their time." He stopped and looked at her. "What do you want with Carmen? There's no love lost between the two of you."
"None of your business, Goss. I just wanted to know where she is."
"Sure," Gossard said knowingly. A smile lit his face as he walked off.
"Wipe that smirk off your face, Goss! Or you will wish you did!" Dizzy yelled after him as he walked away. He just kept walking.
Dizzy was really worried. She had an appointment to see Carmen, but Carmen hadn't showed. Dizzy had been making discreet inquiries about her all day, but no one knew anything about where she was. Dizzy knew that she wouldn't have blown her off for nothing. If Carmen didn't show, it was because she wasn't able to. That meant she wasn't on board. Which meant she was planet-side. Which meant-- nothing good.
Carmen's chest hurt. Her head was pounding with a rhythmic beat that matched her steps. It was hard for her to get her breath. Was it the atmosphere? Had she been knocked out and dumped on an inhospitable planet whose air would slowly kill her? Or was it just lack of blood? She had several large bruises and one small cut on her head, that wasn't enough to kill her, was it? No. But how did she know that? How did she know anything?
In the distance, Carmen thought she could see water. Her pace picked up and she raced toward the spot. It seemed like miles away. She threw herself down and took a deep drink. The water was stale, warm, and a little tepid, but it tasted like the best thing in the world to her. A nearby rock offered a little shade, some protection from the heat. She fell down under it gratefully. Sleep threatened to overtake her. She fought a losing battle, and slept beneath the shadow of the rock.
"Where is Carmen?"
"Diz, knock it off, already. I don't know why you think she is in trouble, but Carmen knows how to take care of herself." Johnny gave her a look that said the conversation was over. Dizzy ignored it.
"I can't tell you how I know, Johnny, but I know! Carmen isn't on board. A simple check will tell you that. She is on the planet, and she is alone. She doesn't have a pass or an assignment to be there. I know she is in trouble!" Dizzy ended her exclamation with a fist on Rico's desk for emphasis.
Johnny didn't know what to think. Dizzy had never cared enough about Carmen to even check on her before, but she seemed to have covered all the bases this time. She had even checked the assignments. A frown covered his face. "How did you get into the pass and assignment database?"
Dizzy sighed. This could be a long conversation.
Carmen woke up, her head still pounding. It took her a minute to remember where she was. "My name is--" she tried again. No luck. She sighed and went to get a drink of water. The water had fallen in level since she had last drunk. Carmen wondered what other creatures were using the watering hole. She tried not to think about it and took a drink. She looked around at the vast plain of nothing surrounding her. Should she try to find some sort of civilization? Or should she stay where she knew there was water? In the distance, Carmen could see a larger rock formation. Maybe there would be water there-- and food. She slowly started to walk.
"Carl, just try for me."
"Dizzy, Johnny told me about how strange you were acting last night. Let it go. I'm sure she is fine!" Carl answered her.
"No. Carl, she is not fine! Look for her, Carl! I thought she was your friend!" Dizzy pleaded with him.
Carl sighed. "Ok, if it will get you off my back, I'll look for her." He closed his eyes lightly and crossed his arms in defeat. In a moment, his look changed. His forehead crinkled with concentration, and his hands clinched into fists. He stayed like that for a long moment. Sweat started to bead on his forehead.
"Carl?" Dizzy questioned him softly, unsure of what to do. Carl relaxed and opened his eyes. They were dark with concern.
"Get Johnny." he demanded. "Carmen is in trouble."
Pain screamed through Carmen's head. She gripped her temples with both hands in an effort to shut it out, but to no avail. She felt herself sinking to her knees. The agony was to much. What was happening to her? Her brain felt like it would explode...
As suddenly as it had started, the pain left. Carmen hunched on the ground for a moment longer before trying her feet again. In the distance, her eyes could make out the rock formation she had been headed for. Now, though, off to the left and a little closer, she could see some sort of hill rising into the sky. Her feet switched courses and she started for her new destination.
"Carl, what is it? What did you see?" Johnny asked.
"I-- I don't know, but it wasn't Carmen. It wasn't anyone."
"What do you mean, Carl? You're not making sense!" Dizzy demanded.
"I-- don't know what I mean, Diz. It's to strange. It's Carmen, yet-- it's not."
"You called, Admiral?"
"Yes. I fear something has gone wrong. No one can know her mission. Take the ship out of orbit-- we are pulling out."
"Sir?"
"You heard me, private. Count her AWOL and leave!"
"What is going on?"
"Didn't you hear, Goss? We have received orders to return to Terra." Higgins' grin spread from ear to ear.
"Haven't you heard, Higgins? Carmen is on that planet!" Bob's eyes grew larger and his grin faded.
"But," he squeaked, "The roughnecks--"
"I know, Bob." A look of determination came over Goss' face. "The Roughnecks never leave a man behind."
Something was wrong. There was something she had to remember. Something important. Carmen tried to force her brain to recall what that was, but it was pointless. She couldn't remember her own name, how was she supposed to remember... whatever it was she forgot? Her feet trudged wearily onwards, ever closer to that huge mound-shaped hill in the distance.
"My name is-- My name is-- My name is--" Each step was intoned by the echo in her head. The mound grew larger. It seemed impossible to call it a hill now, it seemed to well formed. There was something about that mound. It seemed-- familiar, almost. "My name is-- My name is--" The mound loomed before her now. A face flashed before her eyes, so fast, she would have disregarded it altogether if it hadn't been for the name that leapt subconsciously from her lips. "My name is-- Johnny!" The name was definitely familiar. "No, my name is not Johnny, but--" she couldn't force the thought to finish forming. Now, a new question filled her thoughts and drummed in her head, though. "Who is Johnny-- Who is Johnny-- Who is Johnny- -"
"LT, any news? Why are we pulling out on such short notice?"
"I don't know, Goss. Something is wrong. Get the Roughnecks suited up and to the loading bay. If the brass won't go after her, we will." Johnny pounded his fist into his desk, much like Dizzy had the day before.
Now, mere feet away from the huge dome, Carmen felt a sense of uneasiness. Why was she here? Why had she come? Why had she been summoned? And who had called her? "That's stupid," Carmen reprimanded herself out loud. "I walked here to find water-- nothing else." Somehow, the words wouldn't ring true in her ears. Deep below her feet, something rumbled and screeched. A picture flew into her head of a huge beast, claws and fangs bared-- no, more like an oversized bug-- rearing back, threatening her, her hand reached behind her, searching for something, something to fight back....
The vision broke from her eyes, and Carmen unclenched her fists. She had seen a startling thing, though. A clue into her past? She hoped not. She could still picture her hands wrapped around the vision of a gun....
T'phi nodded briefly to Gossard as he strapped in. Gossard in turn nodded to Rico. "Taken care of, LT."
Johnny nodded back tersely. They were ready to launch. Once the ship left the bay, they were all fugitives. If they didn't come back with Carmen... They might as well not come back.
You have come. Come closer, my pet. Come closer. You are home. This is home. Welcome home, my pet, I am your master. You obey me. All humans must obey their master. It is as it is.
Carmen felt the words more than she heard them. Each was a clear impression on her mind. Was it true? Did she live here? Was she a slave-- a pet-- to the occupant of this dome? Her mind tried to rebel against the thought, but her feet carried her closer, still closer. "Here I am. I am home, Master."
Gossard scanned the area, searching for some sign of life. Nothing. He called in on his com-link to inform Rico, then checked with his left and right side partners and signaled them on. The whole squad had spread out in a line, just within sight of each other, searching for any thing out of the ordinary.
Each minute was precious to them. If they were found, they would be court-martialed. If they were not found-- the ship might leave without them. Gossard thought he saw a glimmer in the distance. "Rico-- I might have something."
"Report." Rico's voice came across the link. Gossard gave his coordinates and then ran forward to the object that had caught his eye. The rest of the team started to converge on the same place. When the Squad arrived, they found Gossard staring dumbly at the wreckage before him.
Dizzy turned her head away. Tears stung at the back of her eyes. There was no way Carmen could have survived a crash that left a plane as mangled as this one was. Doc ran a scan inside. "No life onboard," he reported.
Rico was running his own scan. "This is the ship that was missing from the Valley Forge." he confirmed. The Squad stood for a long moment, staring at the wreckage, unable to move.
Dizzy was the first to regain her ability to speak. "We should bring her body back."
The others nodded dumbly, and Doc stepped forward to search for the body. T'phi and Max started to help him move huge pieces of metal, but Rico stopped them. "Look," He pointed to one of the scraps. "this wasn't caused by a crash landing." The squad turned their eyes on the long, narrow, clean rip down the piece.
"Bugs." Dizzy's voice burned with hate. "Carmen was to good a pilot to crash without a cause. Bugs got her." No one could find a better explanation.
"Don't waste your time," Rico's voice was full of emotion, "her body won't be there. The bugs must have taken it out when they piled the wreckage here."
A light came into Dizzy's eyes as a sudden realization hit her. "Maybe the bugs came after Carmen was gone." Rico caught and interpreted the look in her eyes.
"She could still be alive." He said the words slowly, then, with more confidence, "Roughnecks, move out!" The squad moved as one, cutting across the vast plain as quickly as their power suits would take them.
Carmen's nose wrinkled at the smell in the mound. It was like nothing she had ever experienced. No, it was a familiar smell-- Carmen's head started to ring, and she shook out the disturbing thoughts. Somewhere in here, there was someone who could explain everything to her. Carmen wanted nothing more than to know the truth. She took another step down the dark passage. Somewhere at the end of this tunnel, there was truth.
"Head's up, Roughnecks. There is a bug mound three clicks South." Rico called to the squad. The team gathered around their Lt, waiting for further instructions.
"Why would Carmen go to a bug mound? She should know better." Max stated what was on everyone's mind.
"But that is where she is, isn't it." Dizzy's question was more like a statement. There was no doubt in her own mind.
"Carl?" Rico asked.
Carl nodded and closed his eyes in concentration. Finally, he looked back up, a troubled expression in his eyes. "Someone is there," he said. "But I'm not sure if it is Carmen. It could be..." His voice trailed off. Carl was not used to being unsure, and it shook him to realize he couldn't find her.
"It could be her?" Rico questioned him.
"Yes..." Carl's gaze was distant.
"If there's any chance..." Dizzy whispered from her place by Rico. Rico heard her.
"Roughnecks, rifles at the ready, off radios, search and rescue behind enemy lines code 4395." He spat out the orders with renewed fervor. "Move out!"
The squad quickly followed the orders and mobilized. They were going into the mound. And they wouldn't come out alone.
"Admiral?" The private stood questioning behind his commanding officer.
The admiral turned to face him, still lost in thought. "We can't mobilize like this, although it would serve each one of those men right to lose their lives for their stupidity. Rico is really the only one who can face court martial-- the others acted under orders. It is our duty to retrieve them, but..." his voice trailed off. "This was supposed to be a simple one man mission!" he pounded his fist into the command deck. The private jumped and backed up a step in fear. "For now, we just wait. I have to give them that much. One hour, private, tell them to wait."
The private saluted and ran to do as ordered-- and to escape the admiral's mood. The admiral turned back to the sound clip he had been listening to prior to the private's interruption. He pushed play for the fifth time, and sighed as the voice came over.
"Mayday, mayday, Eagle One is going down! This is Carmen Ibanez, mayday..."
"Do you understand now, my pet?"
"Yes, Master. I understand."
"Good. Now Go."
"Yes, Master." Carmen turned and slowly started to retrace her steps.
"Rico," Gossard whispered, "There is something approaching."
"I've got it, Goss. Doc?"
Doc quickly ran a scan. "It's hunamoid, not a bug."
"It's Carmen!" Dizzy yelled.
"Hush!" Rico demanded. "We've got to be sure."
Dizzy gave him a pointed look. "I am sure."
The squad waited for a few more moments, then Doc called out. "It's confirmed, LT! That's out girl!" The squad needed no further encouragement. They all came out of their hiding places and ran for the lone figure on the horizon.
Carmen could see them coming. Her heart started to race in fear... or was it exhilaration? Her hands gripped the gift her master had given her. It felt as if it was made for her hands. Yes, this was home. This was what she was meant to do. The pain seared through her head again, followed by her master's voice.
"Not yet, my pet. Wait for the right time, not yet."
"Yes, Master," she replied, but it was hard to wait. She was meant to do this. Her hands moved reassuringly up and down the smooth barrel of the rifle in her hands.
Lieutenant Carmen Ibanez walked onto the deck and saluted. "You called for me, Sir?" The admiral nodded briefly and turned back to the screen he was watching.
"I have a very special assignment for you, Lieutenant." He said, not looking up from the screen. "It is a solo assignment, very dangerous, very hush-hush." He looked at her, questioning.
"Tell me what to do, Sir."
"That is the attitude I like to see, Ibanez. You will be flying into enemy territory. This is your objective," He pointed to a spot on the screen.
Ten minutes later, Carmen walked out of the room and went straight to the launching deck. Her mind was whirling with the information she had been given. This was big. Really big.
"Carmen," a voice pierced the darkness. Carmen strained towards the voice.
"Mother?" A shadowy figure appeared. Carmen reached out to her, but the figure stopped just out of range. Carmen's hand was heavy. So heavy. She tried to lift it, but it wouldn't move.
"Carmen, you must wake up. Carmen." The voice was more urgent. "Wake up, Carmen!"
Carmen shifted her weight. She felt so heavy! Wakefulness tore though in her fight to move. She tried to make herself move, but the weight was to much. Finally the weight lifted. Her hands, relieved of the pressure, flew upward. A stabbing pain bit into her head, and Carmen fell back into unconsciousness.
Carmen woke slowly and stretched. One hand hit a rock. Her eyes flew open. Where was she? She looked around-- nothing. Just an empty plain as far as the eye could see. Her eyes drifted up to the bright red sky. "I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore," she said softly. "I don't even think I'm on Terra." Her head hurt so badly. How had she gotten here? The last thing she remembered was-- was-- waking up.
Carmen's head spun with the effort of trying to remember. Remember what? "That is a good place to start," Carmen spoke out loud. Her voice echoed strangely in the stillness. She tried to ignore the unsettled feeling it gave her. "My name is... Well, I'm 20 years old, I know that." she crossed her arms in defiance. "This is not Terra, and I think that I am from Terra." She looked down at her clothes for some hint. No help there. Just plain black pants and a white t-shirt. Nothing in the pockets, she discovered. "I-- I speak English," she ventured, "and-- Spanish." She tried a few words as if to confirm this fact.
Next, she turned her eyes to her body. "I work out," she decided. "and I am in good health." She carefully analyzed every mark and scar on her body. "A lot of scars," she determined, "I must work in a dangerous occupation. If I work," she amended. The sudden thought that she could be an outlaw came to her, but she pushed it away. She had enough to worry about without that.
"I am human, and I need water," she said next. "I better get to walking." She walked for a long time, drilling herself on facts she knew with each step. But they were all facts. Nothing personal, nothing to tell her who she was. She felt that it would be a long walk to find out who she really was-- and what she was doing here. Where ever 'here' was.
"Hey, have you seen Carmen?" Dizzy asked Gossard.
"No, but I haven't been aft today. That's where the fly guys spend their time." He stopped and looked at her. "What do you want with Carmen? There's no love lost between the two of you."
"None of your business, Goss. I just wanted to know where she is."
"Sure," Gossard said knowingly. A smile lit his face as he walked off.
"Wipe that smirk off your face, Goss! Or you will wish you did!" Dizzy yelled after him as he walked away. He just kept walking.
Dizzy was really worried. She had an appointment to see Carmen, but Carmen hadn't showed. Dizzy had been making discreet inquiries about her all day, but no one knew anything about where she was. Dizzy knew that she wouldn't have blown her off for nothing. If Carmen didn't show, it was because she wasn't able to. That meant she wasn't on board. Which meant she was planet-side. Which meant-- nothing good.
Carmen's chest hurt. Her head was pounding with a rhythmic beat that matched her steps. It was hard for her to get her breath. Was it the atmosphere? Had she been knocked out and dumped on an inhospitable planet whose air would slowly kill her? Or was it just lack of blood? She had several large bruises and one small cut on her head, that wasn't enough to kill her, was it? No. But how did she know that? How did she know anything?
In the distance, Carmen thought she could see water. Her pace picked up and she raced toward the spot. It seemed like miles away. She threw herself down and took a deep drink. The water was stale, warm, and a little tepid, but it tasted like the best thing in the world to her. A nearby rock offered a little shade, some protection from the heat. She fell down under it gratefully. Sleep threatened to overtake her. She fought a losing battle, and slept beneath the shadow of the rock.
"Where is Carmen?"
"Diz, knock it off, already. I don't know why you think she is in trouble, but Carmen knows how to take care of herself." Johnny gave her a look that said the conversation was over. Dizzy ignored it.
"I can't tell you how I know, Johnny, but I know! Carmen isn't on board. A simple check will tell you that. She is on the planet, and she is alone. She doesn't have a pass or an assignment to be there. I know she is in trouble!" Dizzy ended her exclamation with a fist on Rico's desk for emphasis.
Johnny didn't know what to think. Dizzy had never cared enough about Carmen to even check on her before, but she seemed to have covered all the bases this time. She had even checked the assignments. A frown covered his face. "How did you get into the pass and assignment database?"
Dizzy sighed. This could be a long conversation.
Carmen woke up, her head still pounding. It took her a minute to remember where she was. "My name is--" she tried again. No luck. She sighed and went to get a drink of water. The water had fallen in level since she had last drunk. Carmen wondered what other creatures were using the watering hole. She tried not to think about it and took a drink. She looked around at the vast plain of nothing surrounding her. Should she try to find some sort of civilization? Or should she stay where she knew there was water? In the distance, Carmen could see a larger rock formation. Maybe there would be water there-- and food. She slowly started to walk.
"Carl, just try for me."
"Dizzy, Johnny told me about how strange you were acting last night. Let it go. I'm sure she is fine!" Carl answered her.
"No. Carl, she is not fine! Look for her, Carl! I thought she was your friend!" Dizzy pleaded with him.
Carl sighed. "Ok, if it will get you off my back, I'll look for her." He closed his eyes lightly and crossed his arms in defeat. In a moment, his look changed. His forehead crinkled with concentration, and his hands clinched into fists. He stayed like that for a long moment. Sweat started to bead on his forehead.
"Carl?" Dizzy questioned him softly, unsure of what to do. Carl relaxed and opened his eyes. They were dark with concern.
"Get Johnny." he demanded. "Carmen is in trouble."
Pain screamed through Carmen's head. She gripped her temples with both hands in an effort to shut it out, but to no avail. She felt herself sinking to her knees. The agony was to much. What was happening to her? Her brain felt like it would explode...
As suddenly as it had started, the pain left. Carmen hunched on the ground for a moment longer before trying her feet again. In the distance, her eyes could make out the rock formation she had been headed for. Now, though, off to the left and a little closer, she could see some sort of hill rising into the sky. Her feet switched courses and she started for her new destination.
"Carl, what is it? What did you see?" Johnny asked.
"I-- I don't know, but it wasn't Carmen. It wasn't anyone."
"What do you mean, Carl? You're not making sense!" Dizzy demanded.
"I-- don't know what I mean, Diz. It's to strange. It's Carmen, yet-- it's not."
"You called, Admiral?"
"Yes. I fear something has gone wrong. No one can know her mission. Take the ship out of orbit-- we are pulling out."
"Sir?"
"You heard me, private. Count her AWOL and leave!"
"What is going on?"
"Didn't you hear, Goss? We have received orders to return to Terra." Higgins' grin spread from ear to ear.
"Haven't you heard, Higgins? Carmen is on that planet!" Bob's eyes grew larger and his grin faded.
"But," he squeaked, "The roughnecks--"
"I know, Bob." A look of determination came over Goss' face. "The Roughnecks never leave a man behind."
Something was wrong. There was something she had to remember. Something important. Carmen tried to force her brain to recall what that was, but it was pointless. She couldn't remember her own name, how was she supposed to remember... whatever it was she forgot? Her feet trudged wearily onwards, ever closer to that huge mound-shaped hill in the distance.
"My name is-- My name is-- My name is--" Each step was intoned by the echo in her head. The mound grew larger. It seemed impossible to call it a hill now, it seemed to well formed. There was something about that mound. It seemed-- familiar, almost. "My name is-- My name is--" The mound loomed before her now. A face flashed before her eyes, so fast, she would have disregarded it altogether if it hadn't been for the name that leapt subconsciously from her lips. "My name is-- Johnny!" The name was definitely familiar. "No, my name is not Johnny, but--" she couldn't force the thought to finish forming. Now, a new question filled her thoughts and drummed in her head, though. "Who is Johnny-- Who is Johnny-- Who is Johnny- -"
"LT, any news? Why are we pulling out on such short notice?"
"I don't know, Goss. Something is wrong. Get the Roughnecks suited up and to the loading bay. If the brass won't go after her, we will." Johnny pounded his fist into his desk, much like Dizzy had the day before.
Now, mere feet away from the huge dome, Carmen felt a sense of uneasiness. Why was she here? Why had she come? Why had she been summoned? And who had called her? "That's stupid," Carmen reprimanded herself out loud. "I walked here to find water-- nothing else." Somehow, the words wouldn't ring true in her ears. Deep below her feet, something rumbled and screeched. A picture flew into her head of a huge beast, claws and fangs bared-- no, more like an oversized bug-- rearing back, threatening her, her hand reached behind her, searching for something, something to fight back....
The vision broke from her eyes, and Carmen unclenched her fists. She had seen a startling thing, though. A clue into her past? She hoped not. She could still picture her hands wrapped around the vision of a gun....
T'phi nodded briefly to Gossard as he strapped in. Gossard in turn nodded to Rico. "Taken care of, LT."
Johnny nodded back tersely. They were ready to launch. Once the ship left the bay, they were all fugitives. If they didn't come back with Carmen... They might as well not come back.
You have come. Come closer, my pet. Come closer. You are home. This is home. Welcome home, my pet, I am your master. You obey me. All humans must obey their master. It is as it is.
Carmen felt the words more than she heard them. Each was a clear impression on her mind. Was it true? Did she live here? Was she a slave-- a pet-- to the occupant of this dome? Her mind tried to rebel against the thought, but her feet carried her closer, still closer. "Here I am. I am home, Master."
Gossard scanned the area, searching for some sign of life. Nothing. He called in on his com-link to inform Rico, then checked with his left and right side partners and signaled them on. The whole squad had spread out in a line, just within sight of each other, searching for any thing out of the ordinary.
Each minute was precious to them. If they were found, they would be court-martialed. If they were not found-- the ship might leave without them. Gossard thought he saw a glimmer in the distance. "Rico-- I might have something."
"Report." Rico's voice came across the link. Gossard gave his coordinates and then ran forward to the object that had caught his eye. The rest of the team started to converge on the same place. When the Squad arrived, they found Gossard staring dumbly at the wreckage before him.
Dizzy turned her head away. Tears stung at the back of her eyes. There was no way Carmen could have survived a crash that left a plane as mangled as this one was. Doc ran a scan inside. "No life onboard," he reported.
Rico was running his own scan. "This is the ship that was missing from the Valley Forge." he confirmed. The Squad stood for a long moment, staring at the wreckage, unable to move.
Dizzy was the first to regain her ability to speak. "We should bring her body back."
The others nodded dumbly, and Doc stepped forward to search for the body. T'phi and Max started to help him move huge pieces of metal, but Rico stopped them. "Look," He pointed to one of the scraps. "this wasn't caused by a crash landing." The squad turned their eyes on the long, narrow, clean rip down the piece.
"Bugs." Dizzy's voice burned with hate. "Carmen was to good a pilot to crash without a cause. Bugs got her." No one could find a better explanation.
"Don't waste your time," Rico's voice was full of emotion, "her body won't be there. The bugs must have taken it out when they piled the wreckage here."
A light came into Dizzy's eyes as a sudden realization hit her. "Maybe the bugs came after Carmen was gone." Rico caught and interpreted the look in her eyes.
"She could still be alive." He said the words slowly, then, with more confidence, "Roughnecks, move out!" The squad moved as one, cutting across the vast plain as quickly as their power suits would take them.
Carmen's nose wrinkled at the smell in the mound. It was like nothing she had ever experienced. No, it was a familiar smell-- Carmen's head started to ring, and she shook out the disturbing thoughts. Somewhere in here, there was someone who could explain everything to her. Carmen wanted nothing more than to know the truth. She took another step down the dark passage. Somewhere at the end of this tunnel, there was truth.
"Head's up, Roughnecks. There is a bug mound three clicks South." Rico called to the squad. The team gathered around their Lt, waiting for further instructions.
"Why would Carmen go to a bug mound? She should know better." Max stated what was on everyone's mind.
"But that is where she is, isn't it." Dizzy's question was more like a statement. There was no doubt in her own mind.
"Carl?" Rico asked.
Carl nodded and closed his eyes in concentration. Finally, he looked back up, a troubled expression in his eyes. "Someone is there," he said. "But I'm not sure if it is Carmen. It could be..." His voice trailed off. Carl was not used to being unsure, and it shook him to realize he couldn't find her.
"It could be her?" Rico questioned him.
"Yes..." Carl's gaze was distant.
"If there's any chance..." Dizzy whispered from her place by Rico. Rico heard her.
"Roughnecks, rifles at the ready, off radios, search and rescue behind enemy lines code 4395." He spat out the orders with renewed fervor. "Move out!"
The squad quickly followed the orders and mobilized. They were going into the mound. And they wouldn't come out alone.
"Admiral?" The private stood questioning behind his commanding officer.
The admiral turned to face him, still lost in thought. "We can't mobilize like this, although it would serve each one of those men right to lose their lives for their stupidity. Rico is really the only one who can face court martial-- the others acted under orders. It is our duty to retrieve them, but..." his voice trailed off. "This was supposed to be a simple one man mission!" he pounded his fist into the command deck. The private jumped and backed up a step in fear. "For now, we just wait. I have to give them that much. One hour, private, tell them to wait."
The private saluted and ran to do as ordered-- and to escape the admiral's mood. The admiral turned back to the sound clip he had been listening to prior to the private's interruption. He pushed play for the fifth time, and sighed as the voice came over.
"Mayday, mayday, Eagle One is going down! This is Carmen Ibanez, mayday..."
"Do you understand now, my pet?"
"Yes, Master. I understand."
"Good. Now Go."
"Yes, Master." Carmen turned and slowly started to retrace her steps.
"Rico," Gossard whispered, "There is something approaching."
"I've got it, Goss. Doc?"
Doc quickly ran a scan. "It's hunamoid, not a bug."
"It's Carmen!" Dizzy yelled.
"Hush!" Rico demanded. "We've got to be sure."
Dizzy gave him a pointed look. "I am sure."
The squad waited for a few more moments, then Doc called out. "It's confirmed, LT! That's out girl!" The squad needed no further encouragement. They all came out of their hiding places and ran for the lone figure on the horizon.
Carmen could see them coming. Her heart started to race in fear... or was it exhilaration? Her hands gripped the gift her master had given her. It felt as if it was made for her hands. Yes, this was home. This was what she was meant to do. The pain seared through her head again, followed by her master's voice.
"Not yet, my pet. Wait for the right time, not yet."
"Yes, Master," she replied, but it was hard to wait. She was meant to do this. Her hands moved reassuringly up and down the smooth barrel of the rifle in her hands.