A/N: I do convey my apologies for the long wait.
A/N1: I also want to apologize if the English is not at the level most readers are accustomed to. I haven't been able to find a Beta Reader.
The Prophecy of Rao - Season 1: New Verses
Disclaimer: Based on DC comics' characters and the mythology created in Smallville (i.e. property of the CW network), and created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster but the words are my own.
AU/SML: At the aftermath of Dark Thursday, Cor of the House of El, presumed dead, leaves the Phantom Zone. He arrives on Earth and hopes to begin a better life but mystery surrounds him quickly. He sets to unveil this mystery and find the answers he craves for, guided by the spirit crystal of his mother.
Note:
Rao - the Red Sun God of Krypton and creator of the universe
Krypton - home world of the Kryptonians
Kandor - capital of Krypton
The Phantom Zone - prison dimension created by Jor-El
Collaris - the Blue Giant of Eerie and co-creator of the universe
Eerie - home world of the Yllyan Empire
Lux Eternis - capital of Eerie
Ventu Collaris - Highguard of the Yllyan Royal Court
Chapter 8
The bond promise – part II
The day in the German base near the Czech border proceeded as any other day. Base Commander, Colonel Heinrich Stent had finished his first inspection for the day and it was quiet as any other day of the week. It has become a routine but he still enjoyed it.
"Guten Tag, Herr Oberst,"
His drifted out of his thoughts and looked up. It was the new kid, the son of General Shultz, who had built a good career for himself. He held the rank of Captain in the German Air Force and was definitely to go even further up the chain of command.
"Guten Tag, Captain Shultz." – Oberst (Colonel) Stent greeted back and gave him one of his rare smiles. "Is everything in order, Captain?"
"Yes, Herr Colonel,"
"Excellent, carry on,"
The good captain saluted again and moved along the corridor. Colonel Stent looked after him for awhile before taking the elevator to the flight control tower. Today, they had no scheduled testing of the new aircraft, their pride. It was the best aircraft in the world. He still though wanted to check what scheduled flights they had for the day.
"Guten Tag, Herr Colonel," The officer on duty, Major Mario Snider, greeted.
"Guten Tag, Major," Colonel Stent replied and saluted back.
"You come for today's orders, Colonel?"
"Yes, and I wanted to check the scheduled flights for today."
Major Snider nodded and took on the sealed orders for today and handed them over to his superior officer. Commander Stent broke the seal and opened up the envelope. His expression did not reveal his first thoughts on the orders.
"Hum," Colonel Stent murmured.
"Herr Colonel,"
Colonel Stent stayed silent. He still processed the given information. He had hard time with it actually. His orders demanded of him something he was not comfortable with but orders are there to be obeyed. Still, he felt the need to share them with the major.
"Our orders, Major, are to allow a base infiltration."
"WHAT?" The Major's expression and tone had said it all.
"We are to expect a secret audit in a way. Our orders are to act as normal and share this with no one else."
"Base Infiltration?"
"Yes," Colonel Stent was not happy about it. He found it unorthodox.
"And what is this infiltrator's target?"
"The hangars,"
"We should post more sentries."
"No, we will proceed as usual. The Central Command feels the need to ascertain the effectiveness of the current defenses." Colonel Stent said. He did not agree with his superiors' tactics for this exercise but he had his orders. "We have our orders, Major and we have to obey them whether we agree with them or not."
"Yes, Herr Colonel,"
Jordana had arrived at the base's perimeter. Her printouts showed a small weakness of the base's defenses. It was a narrow runway that led to the canal underneath the main base. The canal had been used in the past for resupply and trade. Back in the days, the air force's main base building was in fact a trading post. It was narrowed for small rafts of round timber to go down the river along with barrels later to be filled with ale or wine.
She had to remove or raise the sluice without making any unnecessary noises. Putting her backpack down, she took out a swivel and made a few holes underneath the hinges. She then put in a small amount of RCX, shoved in the fuse and moved back. There was a small muffled bang and the hinges were no more. She removed the sluice and set it aside.
Jordana placed the backpack in the front her and got in. The runway ran straight forward but she advanced slowly. She had to ensure – one no one heard the little bang, and two that there were no surprises along the way – like motion and tremor sensors.
She advanced slowly and her patience was rewarded. There was of course a laser grid near the end but luckily it was above the water so she swam underneath and emerged on the other side untouched. She reached the end of the canal and was out of the water.
Her second bag was near the chute on the northern side where she pushed it before reaching the canal. The chute's upper aperture was in the forest near the base. From what she knew of it was that it was sometimes used to drop in ropes for the round timber. So the second bag contained her pilot uniform with the rank of Staff Captain (stabshauptmann).
Staff captains were assigned not promoted but it worked for her. Her target was in the main hangar surrounded by four guards that changed shifts every four hours. The super plane on the other hand was even better guarded. It had a ring of four by four guards rotating and watching it like a hawk watches a fish.
The way she chose her path took her past the hangar's buildings and into the back entrance of Hangar 2 where she expected to have only two guards rotating every two hours. Once inside, she would use her cover as Staff Captain and inspect her target craft. The inspection includes a full review of the craft's systems, engines and weapons. Using that time she would retrieve the data she needed. And then she would simply retrace her path and leave. The plan was simple and she expected it to work as such.
Corin had reached the mountain's top overlooking the base. Looking down, he understood the danger he had chosen. The slope was steeper than he had anticipated and with fewer areas he could get a good grip. One choice would be to jump and hope for the best but that was suicidal and he would make unnecessary noise.
He circled the top to find a more suitable area to climb down and soon found one. It was not perfect but it was better than his first choice. It was a kind of a furrow zigzagging downhill but it had many edges allowing him a more controlled descent. He took out his grappling gear and though he had taken a rope he was not going to use it unless necessary.
Free climbing and descending was dangerous enough as it is but he used to do so back on Krypton as part of Zod's survival training and it was much more dangerous than the route he had currently chosen.
Step by step he began his descent. His advance was slow but he had to ensure his safety as much as possible. He tested the ground with his feet than banged the pitons into the rock and locked the dogbones and then he went as much he could. Then he would plant new pitons into the rock and repeat the procedure.
Though it occurred to him that someone later might notice all the pitons he had left in his wake but since he did not plan to return the same way it did not matter much. Well hopefully no one would notice them while he was still on the base otherwise it would be a short visit and a one way ticket to jail.
The side he had chosen went astray from his actual target and he sought a way to return to where he planned to enter the base but a path there still eluded him. He continued his descent with great care as he had no desire to fall and die or worse be broken and caught.
He was now one third down. The top of the mountain rested at least 30 meters above his target. He stopped to rest a bit. He muscles were already strained but it was nothing really compared to his survival training. He could remember it as it was yesterday: General's Zod grin, the sweat, the incessant rain and the little bugs (flies) that did not stop biting every inch of exposed flesh, and the pressure on the muscles as he hang by his fingers tips inches away from certain doom. Only his fortitude kept him alive that day.
He resumed his descent but his thoughts dwelled back in those days. He was younger then and much more eager to prove himself beyond the shadow of a doubt. Sadly General Zod never made any compliments and the only time he would know he did well had been when the general smiled. Those days he rarely smiled and Corin could not blame him. The general had lost everything that ever mattered to him long ago.
Half way through, Corin noticed change in the terrain that allowed him to return to his original course. He used it and shifted in the right direction. He had to make haste if he were to succeed. Hurrying was not recommended but time pressed and he had to risk it. There were ledges that allowed him to cover significant distance much quicker. He would grapple the edge and let go till he got a grip on the one below.
He was now near the roof of the base. He took a quick look. There was a fence that he imagined carried electric current. Using his binoculars he surveyed the area on the roof to pinpoint any sign of motion sensors. He did not find any. It was not entirely puzzling as one would imagine they would go crazy any time a bird lands on the rooftop. Still the place had to have some way of monitoring. And there were cameras, lots of cameras.
He needed a balcony or another ledge where to set foot on the base. The roof looked very well covered with all those cameras. He shifted to the right but there was nothing of help to him. He then returned to his starting point and shifted left.
"It's small but it would have to do." Corin said to himself. He had noticed a small opening where he could sneak in. He made his way down to a more comfortable jump distance.
As he got ready to jump he noticed with his peripheral sight movement. He quickly moved to the closest ledge and pushed himself against it hoping that his camouflage clothing would shield him from whoever would look in his direction. And unless someone looked closely he would have it difficult to discern him from the rock.
As bad luck would have it, it was a sentry. He did his job thoroughly. He looked at the slope upwards and then slowly down. Corin held his breath and prayed to Rao. His posture was fitting the rock and its layout making him look as part of the rock and he hoped and prayed he would not be spotted but this had put extra pressure and strain on all of his muscles.
Corin dared not to move. He stood like this for what seemed eternity. His used his hearing to determine if the sentry had gone away but he was still there. He could hear his steady breathing and then there was a sound – a zipper. Corin relaxed a bit. Perhaps the sentry had found the perfect spot to alleviate some undue pressure around the loin's area.
Hearing the flow of fluids definitely relaxed him though the good sentry did that for over five minutes. It made Corin wonder if the sentry's bladder was not severely compromised.
'What? Did he drink an entire barrel of beer – on duty no less?' Corin wondered during those antagonizing minutes. Or did he hold himself all night. Weren't the cameras seeing all that and or did he choose a blind spot. Either way Corin had to wait.
Finally the sentry left after another pass around. Corin dared to peek. Relieved he relaxed and readied to jump to the spot he had selected. First he rested a bit as this little exercise taxed him. Minutes later with the proper thrust he landed successfully onto his target. He now had to find a way in as the window he aimed for was shut tight and he did not want to break it.
Beneath him he noticed a door that stood ajar onto a tight balcony. It was risky but he climbed down. Reaching down it turned out to be a window door and he pushed it open gently. It was a room no bigger than a closet. The other door stood wide open and Corin figured someone wanted some fresh air to come in. He got inside the closet and returned the window door back to its previous position.
The other door opened to a corridor that Corin followed. There was no movement so he proceeded without stopping. There were no other doors on either side only walls. He reached the end of the corridor where he noticed a small door on the left. It housed a small room full of monitors that covered the roof. There was a guard looking at them. He seemed rather bored and completely relaxed given the flow of air he had created.
There was a staircase leading down and Corin took it carefully without making a sound. He kept an eye on both above him and the immediate space below him. He reached the floor below safely. There he thought were the guard's quarters as there was only one room. He continued down with the same diligence.
The floors below were somewhat empty though there were rooms that Corin examined carefully in the hopes of finding something useful but there was nothing of value. He continued down. The next floor also had rooms but they were not empty. There Corin did find something of value – uniforms. He needed one in order to blend in but he had to find such that will not be missed and that took some time.
His uniform was that of an Oberstleutenant (wing commander) that Corin found particularly lucky as the floor seemed mostly populated with low rank officers. Now he needed to attach a name to it and hope he would not bump into the said officer. Dressed he made his way down the stairs armed with confidence.
Colonel Heinrich Stent was in his office doing the usual paperwork though his mind wondered of the surprise inspection of the unknown officer. His weekly command orders did not include such drills. It was difficult though to concentrate knowing of an impeding test of the base's defenses. The waiting was a killer of focus and mood.
"Herr Colonel," A voice came in.
Colonel Stent looked up. It belonged to Major Alicia Geerhart. She came in two months ago as assigned by the Generalmajor (Air Commodore) Otto Bjorn, chieftain of the Bavaria area under the central command of the Luftwaffe.
"Major Geerhart," Colonel Stent acknowledged her with a nod. Geerhart was a normal German woman – tall and much endowed in the chest area, with short blonde hair though regulations allowed for a longer hair, and bright green eyes. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes, Herr Colonel," Major Geerhart said. "The transfer papers for Staff Sergeant Carl Burkhart arrived this morning. They need your signature as soon as possible." She left the papers on his desk, saluted and exited.
Colonel Stent shook head. The good major always found some excuse to be in his office but sadly he could not indulge her. Fraternizing with officers under his command was strictly prohibited.
He took the papers and looked at them. Everything was in order. He expected the arrival of Burkhart early next week. He came highly recommended and the colonel hoped he would receive the much needed help. His previous staff sergeant was somewhat sloppy these days and he had to transfer him elsewhere.
Another transfer he expected was for Oberstleutenant Edmund Ekkehard. He looked forward to it though this transfer was kept very quiet by the Luftwaffe central command. The only problem with it was that the colonel did not receive a picture of Ekkehard. He assumed the assignment was classified and the only papers he received were those for the transfer and a glance of his service record.
Central Command wanted Ekkehard to test the German super plane. Colonel Stent had been ordered to provide the Wing commander whatever he required for the test mission. Stent could only assume that he was either a test pilot or an ace pilot or something else. The encrypted communiqué suggested Ekkehard would present only a badge (used in cursed times of the Nazi). He found the reference displeasing for anyone to remind them of those times but orders were orders.
Colonel Stent turned back to his work though he put the transfer papers of the sergeant at the top of his work pile. What is to come will come, his father used to say. Now was not the time to dwell onto it. Still the waiting is a killer. He decided to contact Major Snider to inform him immediately of any developments on the base.
Jordana reached without a problem the back of the hangar. She already wore her uniform and it had come in use just a few moments ago when she crossed paths with the sentry guard. The guard saluted and continued his rounds.
She entered the hangar and headed for her plane. She was one step closer to completing her mission. The stationed forward guard greeted her and asked her for her papers. She handed over and waited patiently.
"Captain Lisa Gilbert," The guard said her name looking through the papers. "Current assignment is to inspect and check flying systems and operational plan of Lockheed F-104 Starfighter." The guard continued reading and eyeing her as the papers included everything – the orders, her picture, and her service number. The latter he checked and it seemed valid. He handed her the papers. "You can proceed, Captain, to hangar bay 4. Please do not forget to present your papers upon entry."
"Of course," Jordana replied and moved on. 'Hangar bay 4?' She uttered in silence. She thought her plane would be here but she had no choice but proceed. It was good though that she did not have to stun anyone.
She left this hangar and moved to her target that was some hundred meters away. Upon arrival she started to feel uneasy and concerned. The reason for that was that the hangar bay door was open but she tried not to be moved. At the threshold the sentry guard asked for her papers and she promptly obliged.
She had a chance to peek inside the hangar. There were two guards standing in front of the super plane but they looked rather confused and she wondered why. Moments later she saw a man in colonel insignia walk briskly towards them. He asked something she could not make out and then they bolted out of the hangar where a military pickup vehicle stood. They mounted it and drove away with a lot of haste.
Jordana started to wonder what the reason was. The Colonel reached her and the guard. He took a look at her papers as the guard handed over.
"Captain Gilbert?"
"Yes, Colonel," Jordana said automatically while saluting. "Colonel…"
"Colonel Stent, Base Commander," Stent replied and continued looking through her papers with a look of growing distrust.
"Is something wrong, Colonel Stent?" Jordana asked though it was rather obvious.
"Your assignment is to inspect the F-104, correct?" He asked.
"Yes, Colonel,"
"Hugh," Colonel Stent exclaimed. "Then we have a problem Captain."
"Problem, sir?"
"Yes, the plane is already in the air."
"I'm not sure what you mean, sir. I was told the craft will be ready for inspection. There are no scheduled flights for it."
Colonel Stent did not seem though to listen to her. He picked up his radio. "Major Snider, where is my pilot? I need the craft ready."
"Yes, sir, I'm aware of this but the regular pilots cannot fly that particular plane. They do not have the training for it."
"Where is Wing Commander Ekkehard?"
"He is nowhere on the base, sir."
"How is this possible?" Colonel Stent exclaimed visibly angry. "I need a qualified pilot to pursue the intruder. Have the radar detected the direction yet?"
"I'm sorry, sir but we have nothing. He must be flying below the radar."
Jordana now got the distinct impression that someone stole the F-104, her plane. And it seemed the Colonel wanted a qualified pilot to pursue him with the super plane. It was not the best case scenario she envisioned for her mission but she needed the data from it.
"Colonel Stent," Jordana attracted the colonel's attention. "I'm a qualified pilot."
Colonel Stent looked at her and perused through her file. She was indeed a qualified pilot. She had tested many aircrafts some of which prototypes. "Major Snider, issue a recognition flash authorization for Captain Lisa Gilbert on the Sterne-Falke EF1717."
"Sir?"
"I don't have the time to explain. Do it."
"Yes, sir,"
"Captain Gilbert, the intruder left twenty minutes ago and is obviously flying under the radar."
Jordana got thinking. "Colonel, you may not be able to track plane with the radar with it should leave a heat trail and that is something you can track."
"Good thinking," Colonel Stent exclaimed. "Major Snider, acquire satellite and look for any heat trail leading away from the base at the time of takeoff. Captain, lets get you sorted." Stent said and proceeded towards the super plane.
Jordana followed without a second thought. Twenty minutes was a lot of time. The F-104 had a maximum speed of Mach 2.2. It can be very far away even for the super plane given that they were just prepping it for flight. By time she took off the F104 would have been gone for more than forty minutes.
Jordana was surprised though of the officers' efficiency. Apparently stealing a plane had put them in an expedite mood. The plane was ready five minutes later and all she needed for takeoff already placed in the computer. She had simply to fool the biometrics. Hopefully it was something she was ready for.
The plane fired up its engines and was outside the hangar bay. She did not have to take off like a normal plane as this one had vertical takeoff. Moments later she was in the air.
"Captain Gilbert, the F104 is currently moving across the Bavarian border into the Baden-Wurttemberg province." Colonel Stent announced. "Force the intruder down without destroying the plane if possible."
"Understood, Colonel Stent, Sterne-Falke out," And she punched it…
To be continued…
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Lordheaven
