The Last Hero by Nathaniel Danes Page B

intel...but I didn’t find the silver bullet. Here’s the data, get it uploaded.” He handed Simms a flat oval crystal.
    “Silver bullet?”
    “You know, a simple way to take them out. Like one shot into a fuel cell and the whole place erupts.”
    “Ahh, I get it. Yeah, that would have been nice.”
    “How is the link going? Are we going to be able to connect with the relay the Commerce left at the entry gate?”
    “Don’t see why not, I’m almost done. We should be able to transmit tonight.”
    “Good, I want that info out of here as soon as possible so we can start the attack countdown. I don’t like being out here without support. It’s time to get the Fleet in the fight.”
    “Sir.” The voice came from Thomas, standing a few meters behind Trent. He turned.
    “Yes, Lieutenant?”
    “When you’re done there, may I show you what we have from the sensor array?”
    He looked back at Simms, “Anything else for me?”
    “Nope.”
    “Fine work, thanks.”
    “Yeah Simms, good work playing with your unit .”
    Simms said, “Like you would even know what to do with one.”
    Trent ignored their verbal sparring. He followed Thomas to a small dish pointed at the sky. Captain Jones watched the monitor.
    “What do you have for me, Captain?”
    “It’s been slow going. We’ve had this thing scanning the space around the gate ever since you left, and we still aren’t done, won’t be till morning. Wish we could pump up the power.”
    “Too risky, we can’t afford for them to pick up the signal. What’s it found so far?”
    “I think I’m looking at a small battle group.”
    “What do you mean? Can you get any detail?”
    Jones’ transparent head shook no.
    “Not only am I handicapped by the low powered passive scan...but I have no reference to compare these images to.” She highlighted one of the ships on the screen. “For all we know, this could be a battleship or a family vacation oriented cruise ship. I do have one piece of good news though.”
    “Oh, yeah. What’s that?”
    “After this battle, we’ll have reference.”
    “That’s good to know, Captain. All we have to do is live till we can use it in the next battle.”
    ***
    The sun’s rays peaked over the horizon, showering Trent as he stood by the fully assembled transmitter. All of the officers joined him.
    “Is all of the data uploaded?” he asked Simms.
    “She’s ready, Major. Just hit this button, and the signal will be shot to the sub-space link relay and through the gate to Alpha’s link.”
    Trent said, “It all comes down to this then. Once the signal is sent, Fleet will acknowledge, and the forty-eight hour countdown begins. Simms, since everything is dependent on your tech skills, would you do the honors?”
    “Christ,” Thomas blurted out, “you mean we came all this way and success or failure rests on his ability to know what the hell he is doing. If I had known that, I might have found something else to do today.”
    Trent had grown tired of their bickering. On the eve of battle, he felt it was time to clamp down on discipline.
    “That’s enough, Thomas. I know everyone is bitchy because we’ve been trapped in these suits forever. Hell, I doubt I’ll ever get my sense of smell back. But your attitude isn’t helping. We go into battle in two days. Simms here just might save your life.”
    Thomas lowered her head. “I’m sorry, sir.”
    Simms smiled like a playground toddler who just got his sister in trouble with Dad. Trent sensed this and sought to even the score between the two.
    “The same goes for you, Simms. Thomas here could be the only thing standing between you and certain death in a couple days. Now carry on. Both of you start acting like soldiers.”
    Simms pressed the button. The box hummed as the light on the tip of the rod blinked. They stood there watching and waiting, no one moved nor said a word. Save for the clicking sound of some kind of bird on a branch overhead, the area remained silent.