Space Odyssey: Spectre

Steel had handed in the new camp designs before the end of the day. Approved and adjusted by the engineers, it even included the new scanner they had gotten. Which Dakota provided before he took his ship and the two other ships that were orbiting this planet away. On the surface Sand Snakes and Bird's Nest were already setting up the new base camp. In two days the Sand Snakes would come up as they went down.

So he had plenty to do until then. Unfortunately Cadet Charlie would not be joining them, he was right about her refusing Sender's advances. But she needed to undergo surgery and then get the new cybernetic arm attached which Dakota also provided, it was apparently an experimental model. It did not look like a real arm but it did not matter to her.

They decided to interrogate Sender later. Steel volunteered to do the interrogation, citing that he had experience in the area. Said experience was some torture methods he picked up during his time in the slums.

Steel got to alter his armaments as promised. He was even given the revolver that Sender had. A Magnus Revolver, it really was heavy duty. Even had special ammunition, heavy rounds. Heavy rounds were only used on some snipers and heavy machine guns. So they were usually seen as part of a spacecraft's kit. He decided to only carry twelve extra shots.

He still kept his Pyre-21 as his main sidearm, unmodified. His assault rifle stayed unmodified as well, he only grabbed a few kinds of alternative ammunition, like incendiaries. He did carry a second main weapon as well, a modified laser shotgun. It had longer range and less fire power but it left enough heat to set fabrics on fire.

The only other thing he was working on was the Mecha he was given, he modified it to provide mobile artillery support as well as logistical support. There was even a place for it to sit at the base.

At the moment though he was listening to the sergeant as were the other Cadets, "this war means the rules change. I know you were supposed to be in service for a year before you graduate and specialize. But war steps up that time table, the year turns into three months. But do not expect any vacations or extended times for learning. Even the time to train decreases."

"Sir, do we know what triggered it?" Cadet Anchor asked.

"Nope and we do not care. That is not our job. We just need to focus on surviving and completing our objective." The Captain explained. "Now go talk to Tani, for most of you she has a change in weaponry depending on what you are good at."

Steel already knew he did not have a change in weaponry. They had already talked and he was certified in most types of weapons. So he got his pick of the pile so to speak. So instead he went to make sure his personal possessions were all packed up in case the Border of Downfall went down. The extra weapons he found were all handed in, he got favors and help from the engineers in its place.

At the moment he was putting the finishing touches on the mecha with the engineers help. They had nicknamed the mecha since she was a captured unit, The Whore of Crystoph. Honestly it got a good laugh out of most people.

It was only a walker-class mech so it was not space capable. But he did not need it to be. It was a full-on artillery unit with reinforced armor plating. He checked and confirmed that both Private Wise and Cadet Charlie were checked out on being able to use it. Apparently Private Wise and Crystoph Federation had history, while Charlie learned it while she was bored.

He had just finished it when the Sergeant came into the hangar. "Cadet Steel, go get some sleep we leave tomorrow morning. I will have this flown down before the end of the day."

"Yes sir." Steel saluted before he marched back to his room and got ready for sleep. The next morning he woke two hours before it was time to leave. He was able to take his time savoring the water from the shower, assuming it would be the last time he would be able to use it in a while. Then he got on clean clothes and put on his armor before loading up his weapons. 

Once he was all set he headed to the cafeteria with just over an hour left the rest were waking up and getting ready in a hurry. He was already good to go, but he would grab one last good meal before he was stuck on rations.

As he was walking to the hangar the captain came on ship wide communications. "All crew, we have been notified that a Cruiser and two Cutter class ships have broken past the blockade in a blitz. It is believed they are heading here before going to their next objective. We want to hold them here as long as possible. The Border of Downfall will stay hidden and strike while it is distracted, we have already requested reinforcements. Good luck to all."

Steel double timed it to the hangar, he arrived just as the chaos had begun to start. The ships were being outfitted and the fighter craft were prepped and ready with their pilots arriving. He jogged over to the Osprey and saw Private Wise, Corporal Tani, Private Feathertail, and Cadet Santez inside.

"Come on Steel we are dropping first. Sand Snakes are almost back, we need to be on the ground now." Tani yelled and Steel jumped in. "The rest will be dropping in a few moments with the sergeant. Since we have inbound hostiles we wanted to separate who was dropping. He will follow once he is done talking with the captain."

"Understood." He answered as the rear door closed up. The ship took off and the pilot door opened. Outside of it he could see as they flew toward the planet.

"Get ready for a rough landing." The pilot called from the front as they flew past another Osprey. "We will be doing a- shit!" She yelled, "we have to get to the planet surface immediately, strap in back there. Apparently they detected warp signatures approaching. We are the only ones going to the surface. We can't compromise the location of the base in case they do not know where it is."

Steel understood and immediately strapped himself in a seat while the entire ship went faster towards the planet. Everyone strapped themselves in immediately.

"We have five minutes to get on the ground and in cover. Unfortunately it will only be Bird's Nest and you five on the ground. We will only have this Osprey and a Hawks on the ground. Border says the name of the game is Hide and Seek." The co-pilot called back as the planet was suddenly much closer.

"Corporal Tani, when we get on the ground I need to jump in the Mecha. I will connect it to the war table on the ground and make sure there are no lingering digital connections. We have been sending so many signals to and from the planet to figure out our scanners. I am worried we forgot something." Steel stated quickly as his stomach churned, the pilot was doing a maneuver to get them through the atmosphere more quickly.

"As soon as we land, go and do that. Then the Sergeant of the Bird's Nest and I will talk and we will figure out our game plan. All communications to the ship go through us. Disable long range comms." Corporal Tani declared and they all disabled the comlink through their helmets.

"Cadet Steel, you and Wise are the only ones that can operate that. So you two will be on rotating shifts. I always want one of you in that thing. Understood?" Corporal Tani looked between them.

Wise was wearing her new armor, it was a customized set. Heavy armor with explosive ordnance, she even had a grenade launcher to go along with her high powered sniper rifle. If he did not know any better he would think she was obsessed with explosives.

His stomach suddenly churned as the world felt like it was flipping on its head. It seems like he was not the only one feeling this way. Several others were shaking their heads trying to shake it off. Steel recovered more quickly than the others.

"We are about to land. Get the land base hangar clear. Our metal is hot from the atmosphere entry." The pilot called over the commlink.

"Understood Osprey, we are clearing a path."

The moment they glided into the hangar the pilot did full stop which caused them to lurch in their seats. Then the back door opened up. "It is still hot so stay-"

But Steel jumped out the back leaping clear of the hangar and then ran to where the Mecha was hidden. The Bird's Nest was in their white armor but he just ran past them. The Sergeant looked bewildered, but Steel ignored them.

He ran straight to the mecha and quickly climbed up it. Opening the hatch and jumping down. He pulled out his revolver and set it aside. He did not want to sit on it since it was placed on a back hip holster.

As soon as he was safely seated he started up the system. Quickly typing on the keyboards. Pulling up data and then it arrived. The small fleet of ships. A Cruiser and two cutters just like the captain said. But one of the cutters was on fire. Somewhat damaged from what was like their sprint past the blockade.

The Border of Downfall was nowhere in sight. It had successfully hid. Now it was time for them to play.