Dallis introduced all four platoon leaders. “This is Warrant Harkund of First Platoon, Warrant Blythe of Second, Warrant Onclav of Third, and Warrant Decker of Fourth.”
Vance was surprised to see that the fourth platoon leader was a fellow Pilgrim. The strong, muscular jawline, bright-blue eyes, and close-cropped blond hair showed obvious Terran lineage, but Warrant Decker carried himself with confidence among the other races.
“Captain on deck!” an infantry soldier shouted, snapping to attention.
Everyone copied him, clambering to their feet and standing at attention, as Captain Young walked down the center aisle.
“Take your seats, Everyone.”
The infantry sat as one, while the team members fell lazily back into their cushioned seats.
“I’m sorry I had to call you back to the ship on short notice,” the captain began. “I received a message from High Council a few hours ago, giving us our next mission. This will be a large operation, requiring most of the assets onboard this ship.”
Vance frowned. The High Council became involved only when the mission was of more political worth than tactical use. Chaired by senior military representatives from each of the major races-Avalon, Uligart, Wyndgaart, Pilgrim, Lithid, and Oterian-the High Council served as the commanding generals for the entire Alliance Infantry Force and Fleet. Cloaked in secrecy, the meeting hall of the command was unknown to anyone outside the group and their immediate assistants. Though some of the greatest technological advancements came from research conducted by the High Council, Vance distrusted any organization that worked so deep within the shadows and so far outside the boundaries of regular society.
“Three days ago,” Captain Young continued, “the Alliance lost contact with its military outpost on Purseus II, built on the outskirts of the planet’s capital city. To date, we haven’t been able to reestablish contact with anyone within the city.”
Turning, he activated the screen behind him. Images taken from orbit flickered across the screen, as he continued, “These were taken by an Alliance satellite in orbit around Purseus II. As you can see, the city seems completely intact, as does the military base beyond.”
“I don’t see any people,” Vance said, pointing at the images passing by. “Vehicles still line the streets, but I don’t see a single person. They’re just empty.”
“Anytime we lose contact with an entire city, it puts this command on edge,” Captain Young said. “I’m forced to wonder if the Terrans have gained access to a new biological or chemical weapon capable of decimating an entire city without causing major damage to the structures. That’s why I’m activating all of you for this mission.”
He pulled the image back until the entire city was visible. Pressing a series of buttons on his console, he brought up blue pyramids south of the city, followed by a large blue arrow indicating the avenue of approach.
“You’ll be dropped off outside the city. Your initial pass over it will allow you to detect any anomalies in the air that would cause us to lose contact. Once you’re ensured the atmosphere hasn’t been compromised, you’ll land here before entering the city along the main roadway.”
He pointed to the blue triangles before tracing his finger along the blue arrow. “Magistrate Vance and his team will have the lead, as your units enter the city, supported by Magistrate Dallis and his four platoons.”
“Sir.” Warrant Decker raised his hand. When recognized, he stood and said, “Warrant Adam Decker, Fourth Platoon leader. What can we expect on the planet? Are there any indigenous plant or animal life that could be a threat?”
“The plants have all been categorized as deciduous. None of the plant life should pose a threat, though I don’t recommend ingesting anything you may find along the way. Animal life is minimal, though Purseus II has widely imported Seques for use in rural areas. As beasts of burden, they’re of little consequence.”
“Natural population, Sir?” Eza asked from his seat. “Any people of note?”
“None. Purseus II is little more than a stopover between well-established galaxies. The population is an amalgamation of all the major races. Its proximity to the Demilitarized Zone is the only thing that makes it of interest for a military outpost and causes our concern over losing contact.”
Captain Young scanned the crowd. “If there are no more questions, this concludes our briefing. We’ll arrive within the week, so ensure your units are prepared. Thank you all.”
As he stepped away from the podium, all the soldiers snapped to attention.
“Carry on.” He walked out.
Once the door closed firmly behind the captain, Eza swung his head around to look at Vance. “So, basically, we don’t know a damn thing, and they’d really appreciate it if we could tell them all about the planet once we get there.”
“When is that any different from any other mission we’ve been on?” Yen, pushing past Eza, walked toward the door.
“He actually told us that Seques might be encountered on the planet,” Ainj said, exasperated. “Seques are on every planet.”
“You all complain more than anyone else I ever met,” Ixibas hissed, walking toward the door.
The infantry soldiers intermingled with the team, as they filed from the room. Vance stayed behind to gather the last of his possessions. When the room was empty, he turned on the screen again and let the images of the city flicker across the display.
“What do you think?” he asked the apparently empty room.
“It doesn’t seem any more dangerous than any other mission you’ve been on,” Halo replied from the corner speakers. “No solid intelligence on the planet and no reason for lost communications, though, always makes me nervous.”
“Did you know anything about the High Council messages the captain referred to?”
Halo paused for a quick scan of transmission files. “There’s nothing logged from the High Council, but that doesn’t mean anything. As secretive as they are, they probably have a way to send a message straight to the captain while bypassing my security systems.”
Vance remained silent, as more images scrolled by. “My gut tells me there’s more to this mission than meets the eye.”
“I agree, and you have a visitor.”
Vance turned to find Warrant Decker standing near the front row of seats.
“Sorry to interrupt you, Sir,” Decker said. “I can return later, if you need more privacy.”
“Nonsense.” He motioned Decker to join him near the screen.
As they stood side-by-side, they studied each image, as it passed.
“I take it you aren’t satisfied with the intelligence brief, either?” Vance asked.
“I wouldn't say that. I just can’t help feeling there’s more to the mission.”
“I know the feeling, Kid.”
They watched in silence, their sharp eyes drinking in the black-and-white photos of the cityscape. Many satellite pictures went by, as they sat without speaking.
After nearly two dozen went by, Decker pointed. “There. Stop the image.” His index finger traced minute details of the city’s main avenue. “Halo, can you zoom in on the area I’m indicating?”
“Of course.”
The image magnified. Blockish buildings took shape. The glass-and-girder constructions grew into clearer definition. Decker’s eyes remained on the street.
“Get us down to street level if you can,” Vance said, noticing what Decker saw.
Eventually, the street image dominated the screen. Both Pilgrims stepped back to take in the full picture. Frowns etched on both faces, as they became worried.
Along both sides of the street, a pixilated image showed a line of cars, all of which were damaged. Their roofs caved inward. Hoods buckled under a smashing force. Along the twisted hoods of many, dark-black smears spread from the car onto the ground in front of the hood.