Chapter Five: Within and Without
The darkness was looming over the horizon. It wasn't a cloud of black smoke, it was something different. It felt like this was not just some darkness. It was The Darkness in its pure form. Darkness all around except the path before her. Torches on the sides were barely giving any light at all. She walked the path, because she had to. She felt that if she'll stop the Darkness will consume her, as it consumed everything around her. She could hear voices coming from beyond, from within the Dark, but she could not understand them. She walked the path for what seemed an eternity for her and yet she was still in the same place. She walked the path for so long now and yet nothing has changed. But finally it seemed as the Darkness begun to back off. She saw a ruins of some sort in the distance… and the she heard the voice. It was nothing like the whispers she heard thus far, it was much louder for one and she could clearly understand it. It spoke with the strange accent but she could clearly understand.
"Perhaps you…"
She turned around, as she felt the voice coming from behind her, but she only saw Darkness. It was getting closer to her, so she pressed onward.
"…you…"
The voice keep talking, as she kept walking forward. Another voice, this time from inside her, the voice she knew, because it was her voice said:
"Any place is better than this, I've got to move forward."
She kept on walking, but the Darkness was not about to cease its pursuit. Finally she could see a walls around her. The light emanating from the torches, as dim as it was, gave reflections that danced on the walls. She pressed onward, but then another wall appeared. The wall in front of her. She was cut off and the Darkness was coming. It almost reached her as she heard the strange voice again.
"Perhaps you… can be our salvation."
And then the Darkness consumed her.
10th of April 2115
Gagarin Cluster
Drakken's Crew Quarters
Gloria woke up in cold sweat. She was in her bed, inside the quarter she was assigned to on Drakken. But the dream she had was strange, it was so… real. No, not a dream. A nightmare. She checked her PDA – 3 a.m. Earth time.
"Great. Not that I'm going to catch any more sleep after that anyway." She told herself quietly. The other inhabitants were still asleep, so she decided to go take a shower and well… carry on with the day.
She took a towel and headed to the bathrooms. Fortunately her personal belongings she had aboard Vigilance had been moved down to the base camp before the former was shot down and now were transferred here. The lights were still in the night mode, as it was a common practice to simulate day and night cycle aboard star ships.
Gloria was hoping that she could enjoy the shower alone, but as she made it to the bathrooms she could judge by the sounds that it was not to be. Not that she had a problem with being naked or anything, she was an adult after all and was quite proud of her body. Some of the people she met quite openly considered her to be attractive, even some other women expressed interest in her. Not that it was problematic for her, as troubling as it was for her at first, she came to terms with it. She was tolerant, not that tolerance was anything unusual these days, although as per usual there were exceptions within the society.
Gloria undressed herself and stepped under the shower. She felt the stress being washed away, as hot water run over her body. And yet she could stop thinking about her nightmare, as much as she tried to forget it was still creeping on the boarders of her mind.
"Hi there. I didn't know you're an early riser." She heard someone talking to her. She knew that someone else is here, but when she stepped under the shower she wasn't really paying any attention to the fact. She did recognized the voice nonetheless. It was Annika.
"I'm not." Gloria said as she began to wash herself. "I couldn't sleep." She turned to face her.
It was strange seeing Annika like this. Not because she was naked, but because she was… well… human size again. She was a bit shorter than Gloria was, she generally seemed to be smaller than Gloria. She seemed so… fragile now.
"Hey what's up? You're not having fantasies about me, aren't you?" Annika asked with a smile on her face. Gloria realized that she was staring at her.
"What? No, of course not… wait, that sounded wrong. It's not like you lack anything, it's just…" Well, that turned awkward. She was stuttering like a teenager now. And she was pretty sure she blushed. She hoped that Annika wouldn't notice. That certainly wouldn't help her out of that situation.
"Oh, I get it. You still can't get over seeing me in my MEC suit?" Fortunately Annika guessed right.
"Yeah. It's just strange to see you like that while still remembering that other you punching robot to death." Gloria was relieved that Annika got the subject right… and didn't noticed her blush. Or did she? Gloria could swear that she saw some sort of spark in Annika's eyes. "You probably get that from everyone, don't you?"
"You got that right." Annika laughed. "You'll get used to it, everyone else did. Hell, even I had to get used to it. Guess it's hard seeing your normal self after carrying a gun that was almost as big as you."
"Mind if I ask about… you know, the augments?"
"Sure, it's not like I have something to hide." Annika said with genuine sincerity in her voice. "I'll admit, the operation wasn't the most pleasant thing in my life, but it was my decision."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, you know, it hurt for a couple of days after the surgery. They did add a set of ports that connect directly to my nervous system after all." She said as she pointed at one of her ports on her arm. Gloria had to admit that the ports were really blending in with the skin, if Annika didn't pointed at it she would probably never find it. "At least it's not like in the old days when they used to chop off your limbs."
"Yeah, it was pretty brutal back then. And how does it feel to 'drive' the MEC?"
Annika laughed. "I wouldn't call it driving, but I guess it's as good term as any. I have a power to move a few ton heavy suit of power armor and a wide configuration of weapons to boot. It requires quite a lot of concentration." She turned the shower off and headed for the lockers, and Gloria followed soon.
"My turn." Annika said. "I don't think I've ever met a psyker."
"You probably met a few." Gloria said as she began dressing up. "Some of us just don't go around advertising the Gift."
"Really? Why so? You can blow stuff up by just thinking about it, I'd say it's pretty damn impressive."
"You watched too much action movies. Very few are powerful enough to do the advanced techniques like mind control or rift and even then it leaves you utterly drained." She told her. "As for your other question, well… that depends on a person really. Some of us prefer to keep to themselves, some are outright people persons, some are in-between, as I said – depends on the person."
"And you?"
"I'd say I'm in the middle." Gloria said putting her shirt on. "I think I might be a little more sensitive than other people, but that's just my guess. We generally have better perception."
"That it?"
"Pretty much." Gloria said as she placed a hand on her stomach. "I think I'm going to raid a kitchen. Want to tag along?"
"Sure thing."
Time and place unknown
Reflections danced on a perfectly smooth walls and floors. A purple glow emanating from a circular orb filled the vast chamber with a dim light. It was perfectly quiet. Suddenly a heavy footsteps shattered the silence as Muton Elite approached the tall creature in a crimson cape and took a knee.
"Master." The Muton spoke in its bestial language. "We have news on the ship you sent to the…" the creature raised one of its hands silencing the Muton.
"You have failed me." An echoing voice stated. It was calm, but the Muton slowly gave into panic. "Explain yourself."
"Our ship has been attacked by the enemy…"
The being stared at the Muton. As if he tried to melt him down with a sheer fact of looking at it.
"Humans. They were in the sector. Our ship managed to shot down theirs, but they had reinforcements. Our forces had to pull back to…" The Muton froze and felt a grip on his mind. Grip stronger than ever. It felt the life slowly being drained from its body. "Master… please…" It let out its last, silent cry before it fell on the floor.
"You have failed me. You know the penalty for failure." The voice stated. Two other elites appeared seemingly out of nowhere. "Dispose of him." The two bowed and took the body of their comrade into the darkness.
"Humans." The voice said, with a tone of irritation. "If they shall oppose our glorious work, they will feel the wrath of the Collective." It said into the void. The other voices approved… but some… some were silent.
Planet Hulam
Doran's Nebula
"The hostage situation at the Cortex BioTech R&D Center in the capitol have proved to be difficult to disarm." The reporter standing in front of the police barricade before a tall building kept talking. "If you're just joining us, my name is Patricia Raymond and we are live at the scene of what appears to be the greatest heist in recent years."
"It's not a problem." The man spoke, taking another drag from his cigarette. "A minor inconvenience at best." He said to the hologram projected on his wall.
"Couple of hours ago a group of extremely well armed men entered the Cortex BioTech R&D Center and took the personnel hostage." The reported continued her report.
"Is that so? Because it seems to me like you have a big problem on your hands." The hologram said with a tone of annoyance in his voice.
"Law enforcers quickly arrived at the scene putting the whole area under lockdown and tried to initiate negotiation with the group. When the police negotiator approached the building he was fired upon from automatic weaponry and from what my sources tell me, sustained a fatal injuries."
"I am telling you, the package has already been secured and there is nothing…" He paused for a moment before continuing. "Nothing that can stop us now."
"This better be true." The hologram's voice shifted. "If you fail me, you WILL face severe consequences." This time it was clearly a threat.
"Don't worry. I have everything under control." The man smiled at cut the connection.
Deresin's Hostage Rescue Team 8
Squad leader: Allan Miller
"Alright people, you know what to do. While Teams 6 and 7 approach from the ground floor we and 9 go from the top. Check your corners, watch your fire and let's make sure that these people make it home to their families." Miller spoke with a seriousness on his face… not that anyone could have seen it under his balaclava.
"Prepare for deployment. 60 seconds." The pilot informed them.
"Get ready." Sound of safeties being turned off filled the transport. They had a chance to walk out of that building hands raised. Now Miller's men were going in guns raised.
Somewhere on Hula
Doran's Nebula
"It all went according to plan." The man said taking a sip from his shot glass. "The packages is in my hands."
"Good." The hologram stated. "In that case we can prepare the Flux".
"Is it really the time?" Man's voice was filled with hesitation. "We're not ready Axis and you know it."
"Then you better make ready." Axis' voice was stone cold, like if he never felt anything. "There will be no more delays. Flux shall happen according to plan."
"You do realize that there has been a talk about war, right?" Hesitation left the man's voice, he was all business again. "And if that's true… it can put a wrench in our gears."
"You worry about things on your end. I will worry about the bigger picture." Despite all that was happening, no what was RUMORED to be happening Axis remained calm, almost like it was all a part of his grand design. "I'll leave the rest to you. It goes without saying, but…"
"Yes, I know." Man cut right in. "The consequences of my failure will severe."
"Then see to it that you don't fail me." Axis said, right before he cut the transmission.
XSS Drakken
Mess Hall
The mess was crowded, as it was pretty much 12 o'clock, at least in Earth time. At least in her home. Gloria and the rest of her team, including recently transferred LT Hansen and "Slingshot" that haven't even introduced himself yet. At the very least the food was not too bad.
"So you're telling me…" Martinez said with a disbelief in his voice. "…that it was you, who took down The Decker? And you expect me to believe you?"
"Believe what you want old man. Your disbelief won't make it any less true." Slingshot said with a daring smile. "Took his head clean off from a moving gunship."
"Yeah, you keep saying that to yourself." Even Elizabeth was skeptic to the sniper's revelations. "Everyone knows that Decker died in a gang war."
"Yes, that is a official story, but only idiots believe in those."
Their argument was cut short when a young man approached their table. He was wearing a clean uniform, although Gloria couldn't quite tell what formation he served in based on his looks. He was however carrying a leather hip bag.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for…" He said digging into his bag and taking an white envelope from it. "Sergeant Gloria Van Doorn." He looked back up.
"That would be me."
"Excellent ma'am." He passed her the envelope. "I'll just need you to sign here." He passed her his datapad and she quickly returned it to him. "Very well ma'am. Have a pleasant day." He said and disappeared into the hallway.
"What was that all about?" Annika asked. The fact that Gloria received a traditional, paper letter caused quite the steer around their table.
"Let's see." Gloria said and opened the envelope with a knife. She took the letter out of it and read it silently. The minutes passed when Daniels spoke.
"So… what is it boss?"
"My commission." She said. "It's my god damned commission."
The ceremony wasn't too big, but Gloria liked that. She never really enjoyed the big, hours long ceremonies. Well… to be honest there was no ceremony. Now Gloria was again in the comm room.
"So what happens now?" She asked. "I don't suppose I'm on the desk duty from now on.
"Of course you're not." Her father stated. "You earned that promotion, that is one thing.
"And the other one?" Gloria gave her father the look.
"Don't look at me like that. I had nothing to do with it, I've only learned when you told me." He took a drag from his cigar. "The other thing is, that promotion of yours really clarifies things, don't you think? With LT Hansen not willing to take command it would be a bit strange wouldn't it be?"
"If you say so." Gloria was still a bit skeptic. People had a tendency to assume that she was getting a preferable treatment because she was Van Doorn. But the truth was that name didn't meant anything. In fact her father expected more from her, ever since she enlisted. She felt that she has to earn the name for herself. And she did… in a way.
Ian noticed the expression on his daughter's face. "Are you ok?"
"What?" Ian's question broke her trance, and not a moment too soon in her opinion. "No, I was just thinking."
"About…"
"Yeah, about that." She couldn't let it take a grip on her again. Not once more.
Ian sighed, he knew his daughter well enough to know that she doesn't want to talk about it. "Well, back to the matters at hand, there is one last thing you should know about."
"Which would be?"
"You're getting another squad member." Gloria raised an eyebrow. Another one? She had Martinez, Daniels, Elizabeth, Annika and "Slingshot" and she was about to get another person?
"Another one? That's pretty big team if you ask me."
"I know, but there's something about this kid. He's special."
"Special? In what way?"
"You'll know when you see him. He's name is Evans. Private Ronald Evans. He's a Psion."
"Great. The more the better."
"I don't think we can stop this."
"I don't think we can just idly stand by."
"He will not let our actions go unpunished."
"Of that I am certain… but this is our only chance."
"Are you sure they're even ready?"
"They have proven it in the past. I believe that they are."
"And what if they are not ready? This could mean the end for all."
"They are ready."
"Are you willing to bet everything on that?"
"What else do we have left, if not hope?"
"Then we should make our move."
"When the time is right, we will."
"Breach!" Daniels yelled as he pushed the detonator button. A shaped charge went off, blasting a hole in the wall. Martinez and Gloria went in, nailing hostiles one by one. Another door. Martinez was on point.
"Flash and clear, move when ready." He said steadily.
"Just like mom used to say." Gloria said with a smile. There was an awkward pause as everyone in the team looked at her with a mixture of laughter and confusion on their faces. "What?!" She asked. "My mother is SAS."
Martinez kicked the door, but it stood fast against his leg.
"Breaching charges." He said and gestured on Daniels. He approached the door and planted another charge on it, Gloria was standing by with a flashbang in her hand while Annika, without her enormous MEC suit, and Elizabeth held the rear, with "Slingshot" being on overwatch on the rooftop of the adjacent building.
Daniels hit the button yet again, Gloria threw a flashbang through a newly made door and they entered the room picking off disorientated hostiles. It all took just a few seconds. Finally when they stood amidst the carnage and corpses Gloria spoke.
"Ok guys, that's enough for today."
The reality began to shift around them and they found themselves back in the training room. Virtual Killhouse was no match for the real thing, like the one they had in Herford, but didn't really have a proper Killhouse.
A door hissed open and a young man approached Gloria. He made what can only be described as a bow. "My name is Private Ronald Evans. I was told to seek you out Lieutenant."
A smile spread across Gloria's face. She knew that there will be some things coming out of her promotion, but she really wasn't expecting this kind of behavior. No one was and everyone was giggling.
"Easy there Private. You don't have to bow, the salute will do."
"Yes Lieutenant." Evans said and made a proper salute this time.
"So, you're the new face in my team right?" Gloria asked and now she really understood what her father meant when he said that Evans is "special". She could feel the aura of psionic energy around him. This man was truly special. How would that play out, she wouldn't know… but she was genuinely curios.