Their path was unknown, their future wide open for anything that would come their way. He hoped that they would do what was right, that they would make a difference again.
After years of training and practice, constructing the ships and crafting the weapons, working with aliens throughout the universe, and secretly building this force—now there was only one thing left to do. It was time to attack Ruvera head-on before they knew what was coming. Velkas knew they existed, it was impossible to keep it completely secret, but he didn't know about the force they had built up. Not yet.
The chief security officer was at his side, Fox's moment had ended. "Sir, we just picked up an escape pod with an Asterion soldier on board. We believe he's a little mad from space travel but may have vital intel."
Fox nodded. "Administer whatever medical attention he needs. We'll keep a close eye on him."
"Yes, sir." The security officer left.
The attack on Razerus loomed ahead, when his head of radio operations ran up.
"Sir, I have reports streaming in."
Fox turned from the screens. "Out with it."
"Our lab on Aquaria was discovered. A Breaker-class ship rifted the planet to erase all trace of what we were doing there."
A terrible feeling of loss descended on him. "Our people there…"
"Didn't make it, sir. Except for one. That leads me to my other report. One of our drogue satellites just picked up a signal."
"That's what they're for, Soldier," Fox said.
The operator knew his vice commander was fighting back the bad news in his own way. "Maybe you should take a look. It's a coded message for you."
Fox took the papers from his hand and saw the odd frequency. When he looked closer at the repeating numbers, he saw the words embedded in them.
"Good work," he told his radio operator and turned to his director of flight. He motioned for him to follow him to the star map. "We're headed here. Now." The planet he zeroed in on appeared to be moving through a system.
His operations officer was at his side. "But the attack, sir…"
"Will wait. My father will understand. This is more important." Fox flicked his head at his director of flight, indicating he was to do as he was commanded.
"I'll let the Valian generals know too, sir."
Fox took a deep breath. He hoped he was right to take a big chance on this side mission. But the message had promised him something—a new hope.
He just hoped he wasn't too late.
Chapter 11
After thirty minutes underground, Nathan had everyone gather in the cargo hold. Utilizing the wooden pallets for fuel and an old gas tank, he had a nice little fire going on the metal floor. The temperature was easily below zero and dropping. The only light came from the fledgling fire and emergency lighting.
After the crash land, Nathan turned off all nonessential equipment to kill any heat signature the Ruverans could pick up. Out of the kindness of his heart, he had even thrown Daphkalian a blanket on his way to build the fire. He had been nearly frozen. The locks on the cell were always powered by the ship batteries, so Nathan wasn't worried about his escaping.
As everyone came down into the hold, Nathan made sure his combat-terrain vehicle had made it through. Besides a couple cracks in the window and a small dent in the side, the CTV-44 was fine. If it wasn't so cold on this planet, he'd be able to see if it still ran.
Trevor and Kaida were in the cold-weather gear they kept aboard, including face masks. They stood warming up at the barrel fire, looking tired and haggard.
The bombing runs continued overhead. So deep underground, the explosives only caused rumblings. At first, the Ruverans had pounded the area above them. Most likely, the glaciers had caved in together and buried
After years of training and practice, constructing the ships and crafting the weapons, working with aliens throughout the universe, and secretly building this force—now there was only one thing left to do. It was time to attack Ruvera head-on before they knew what was coming. Velkas knew they existed, it was impossible to keep it completely secret, but he didn't know about the force they had built up. Not yet.
The chief security officer was at his side, Fox's moment had ended. "Sir, we just picked up an escape pod with an Asterion soldier on board. We believe he's a little mad from space travel but may have vital intel."
Fox nodded. "Administer whatever medical attention he needs. We'll keep a close eye on him."
"Yes, sir." The security officer left.
The attack on Razerus loomed ahead, when his head of radio operations ran up.
"Sir, I have reports streaming in."
Fox turned from the screens. "Out with it."
"Our lab on Aquaria was discovered. A Breaker-class ship rifted the planet to erase all trace of what we were doing there."
A terrible feeling of loss descended on him. "Our people there…"
"Didn't make it, sir. Except for one. That leads me to my other report. One of our drogue satellites just picked up a signal."
"That's what they're for, Soldier," Fox said.
The operator knew his vice commander was fighting back the bad news in his own way. "Maybe you should take a look. It's a coded message for you."
Fox took the papers from his hand and saw the odd frequency. When he looked closer at the repeating numbers, he saw the words embedded in them.
"Good work," he told his radio operator and turned to his director of flight. He motioned for him to follow him to the star map. "We're headed here. Now." The planet he zeroed in on appeared to be moving through a system.
His operations officer was at his side. "But the attack, sir…"
"Will wait. My father will understand. This is more important." Fox flicked his head at his director of flight, indicating he was to do as he was commanded.
"I'll let the Valian generals know too, sir."
Fox took a deep breath. He hoped he was right to take a big chance on this side mission. But the message had promised him something—a new hope.
He just hoped he wasn't too late.
Chapter 11
After thirty minutes underground, Nathan had everyone gather in the cargo hold. Utilizing the wooden pallets for fuel and an old gas tank, he had a nice little fire going on the metal floor. The temperature was easily below zero and dropping. The only light came from the fledgling fire and emergency lighting.
After the crash land, Nathan turned off all nonessential equipment to kill any heat signature the Ruverans could pick up. Out of the kindness of his heart, he had even thrown Daphkalian a blanket on his way to build the fire. He had been nearly frozen. The locks on the cell were always powered by the ship batteries, so Nathan wasn't worried about his escaping.
As everyone came down into the hold, Nathan made sure his combat-terrain vehicle had made it through. Besides a couple cracks in the window and a small dent in the side, the CTV-44 was fine. If it wasn't so cold on this planet, he'd be able to see if it still ran.
Trevor and Kaida were in the cold-weather gear they kept aboard, including face masks. They stood warming up at the barrel fire, looking tired and haggard.
The bombing runs continued overhead. So deep underground, the explosives only caused rumblings. At first, the Ruverans had pounded the area above them. Most likely, the glaciers had caved in together and buried
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