Chapter 7
'' Commander Landon, the Tamarain s.h.i.+p managed to escape before we got here. It seems they bombed the place. ''
A tall, well-built man was looking at the results of the bomb below him, whilst sitting comfortably in his Commander's chair. His name was Commander Joseph Landon. He had a rough-looking face and one of his arms was uncovered, letting all the people around see the lightning scars he had from fist to elbow. He had acquired those scars in a fight against a cla.s.s B Tamarain fighter, in the rough part of the war.
'' I can see that lieutenant. The question is why. There are no bases in a thousand mile radius and the closest village is 50 miles to the west. ''
'' We have no idea Sir. Detection arrays show faint remnants of Galvanic energy, which leads us into more confusion. ''
If there had been a fight, who were the Tamarains fighting, out here in the boonies?
'' Sensors are picking on movement on the ground Sir! It appears to be... a man? ''
Back on the ground, Henry was finally coming to and he was still stuck under the big body of Captain thunder punch, as he now called him. He could smell the odor of burnt flesh coming from him, so he pushed him aside, only to resurface in the ghost of the forest that had earlier surrounded him. Seeing the aftermath of the Tamarain bomb around him, he asked the System.
'' System, how the h.e.l.l did we survive this. ''
'' Sensing impending doom, We have taken upon ourselves the decision to convert stored energy from lifespan, to active energy to protect body from heat and shockwave from the detonating explosive. ''
'' HOT d.a.m.n! Great thinking. Was that very energy-consuming? ''
'' System calculates energy consumption to 1 year ''
'' WHAT!!??? Half our lifespan. f.u.c.k!!!! ''
Cursing at the Tamarains for their radical measures, Henry failed to notice the s.h.i.+p, hovering high in the sky overhead. What snapped him back to reality was a loud voice, coming from an onboard speaker from the s.h.i.+p.
'' Unknown civilian on the ground, identify yourself. ''
Looking up, Henry saw the s.h.i.+p hover over his head. He then looked around to see if there was anyone else. Seeing not a single living soul arround him, he understood they were talking to him.
'' This is Commander Joseph Landon, Commander of the ESM Prometheus, Frontline fighter s.h.i.+p of the First Response Squadron. I repeat, identify yourself. ''
As he was hearing these words, henry saw the s.h.i.+ps weapon re-align and take aim on him. Not seeing any signs of charging yet, he wondered if they were human or Tamarain and if he should take his chances running or do as asked. Hearing a humming sound become louder, he now knew the first option was no longer viable. They had started charging the weapons.
'' This is your last chance. Identify yourself or die. ''
'' My name is Henry Calvert. I am no one. Please, I ask for mercy, don't shoot. '' Henry said, not wanting to test out his resistance to what seemed like 4 plasma cannons.
'' Human or Tamarain? ''
Henry did not know what species the man speaking to him belonged to and the System had been unable to scan the s.h.i.+p, due to an energy barrier surrounding it. Figuring he was better off telling the truth and roll the dice, he answered.
'' Human. ''
As soon
Opening his eyes, his jaw dropped. He was standing on a round metal plate, what he a.s.sumed was a warping pad, in what he a.s.sumed was the s.h.i.+p he was staring at just moments ago. He was also being held at gun point by 4 mean looking men. Hearing heavy footsteps from the corridor outside the room, he knew he was about to meet his captor really soon.
Moments later, Commander Landon entered the warping room on his s.h.i.+p, intent on meeting this fool, who he had found in the middle of a blast zone. When he saw him on the platform, just standing there, not a care in the world. Four men were taking aim at him and yet, he was just looking around him curiously.
'' Mister Calvert, if that is even your real name, you have some explaining to do. And it better be good. '' The Commander told him, standing behind his soldiers, his arms crossed behind his back.
'' About what exactly do you want explanations? ''
'' Don't play dumb with us mister Calvert. You know what I'm talking about. ''
'' Please, call me Henry. You look like respectable man, Commander London. ''
'' Landon. It's Commander Landon. And you 'Henry' are trying my patience. One more refusal to co-operate and my men will fill you with smoking holes. Now once again, what were you doing in that blast zone and how are you uninjured. ''
'' Ahhh, that. Yes. I was caught by a Tamarain scouting party. It derailed into a light skirmish and ended with a great bang. '' Henry said, a smile in his face.
He was technically not lying, only hiring the true gravity of the situation he was in. Only, he wasn't expecting what came next.
'' Commander, our inspection party came back with answers. ''
''... ''
''... ''
'' Give your report soldier, I don't have all day. '' Landon said, with exasperation and impatience all over his face.
'' Ahh yes Sir. Sorry Sir. The inspection team found what appeared to be 8 Tamarain scout bodies and 1 officer. A Captain, judging by his uniform. They were all burnt to crisps by the bomb, but strangely, the Captain back side was untouched. ''
Raising a brow and looking at his strange 'guest', he wondered if he could have done that. Impossible, he thought. No single man alive, especially a civilian, could take out 2 scout parties, kill an officer AND survive a bomb of that magnitude. It was totally unimaginable.
Staring at his new burden, he noticed he was a little out of touch. Almost as if he was in another world. Unbeknownst to him, Henry had been talking to the ACC since the end of the report.
'' System, can I take them on. ''
'' We strongly advise against it, as the chances of success are close to none. System can not scan human strength, as it was not programmed to do so. Status and rank of man named Joseph Landon, however, suggest strength of at least equal footing to cla.s.s C Tamarain warrior. ''
'' s.h.i.+t! Could you hack into the warp pad's interface and leave then? ''
'' Hacking into warping interface would require direct contact with warping pad's control panel. ''
'' DAMMIT!!! I guess we'll just have to go along with for now then. ''
Snapping back to reality, Henry could see the Commander staring at him. Taking a fake face of worry, he asked '' Is there something on my face? '' touching his face at a few places, feigning to check it out. Seeing that, Commander Landon completely discarded the fool thought of him taking out so many enemies alone. He had probably stumbled upon the battlefield amidst the battle and hid before the bomb landed. Puting on a severe face, he snapped at the fool.
'' You look like the right age to serve. You clearly haven't in the past so i believe that will be beneficial to you. Were bringing you back with us. ''
Speaking into his com-link, he ordered the pilot to bring them back to base. feeling the s.h.i.+p shake a little, Henry understood that they had started moving. He was stuck there.
'' Ensign Duncan, Ensign Gamin, bring this fool to the brig and lock him up. I don't want him wandering around the s.h.i.+p until we get to base. ''
The 2 soldiers took Henry away and walked him down to the lower level, where the brig was. It was basically a prison but with a good bed and a toilet. He hoped the travel would be of short duration, as he refused to stay locked up forever.
Being almost thrown into his new lodgings, he looked back and glared at his escort.
'' Why thank you for showing me to my room guys. Now if you don't mind, I'd like some privacy. '' Henry said, a c.o.c.ky smile on his lips.
'' Ohh you'll get privacy, you imbecile. Get comfortable, you're going in one just like this back at base I'm sure. '' The first soldier said.
'' Ahah, keep acting c.o.c.ky man, you'll get what's coming to ya soon enough. '' said the second one.
And so, his journey to a blurry future started. Henry sat down on the bed, crossed his legs and started meditating. Nothing could be done right now so, patience, was going to be his only weapon.