Solar Warden

Delay Part 64

The alien kept its silence. Then on the next ship day the meeting occurred. Watkins had some results and assumptions to report.

"We have now the genetics of the plants. The newer ones must be from Earth. But we also found different genetic signatures in the past. That means there was a kind of terraforming. How they did it is still unknown. We guess it was made with biological warfare measures. The former plants and microbes we found had a different evolution that results also in a for us not common DNA signature. This can be to us and the aliens dangerous or deadly. But therefore much more research time is needed. From some stuff in the lab we seen they alter our plants to produce certain fluids where we don't know exactly what they are for. Our best guess it's for nourishment. The fruits genetics is not fully done but other test shows they are from Earth. That would mean we don't need the suit protection at the land area. We cannot be sure because we have no probes of everything. But for areas close to the oceans, lakes and rivers I would still recommend protection. The air should be no problem. Drinking unfiltered water there has major risks. Now to the alien's specimens. There we still don't have full genetics. Our fast tests show both are clones as most expected. The brain of the Gray is more sophisticated, this means it has a higher evolution and capacity. The devices in there are different and smaller. We can also assume they are advanced. For specifics Dr. Newman will conduct further analysis. That mean we can still not tell what the implants are for. They could be just cyborg like brain enhancement. Faster thinking more memory or whatever. As we know they are clones, there are much more possibilities so calling them hybrids suits more. They could also be just organic robots with some control interface or they transfer the consciousness with it. That's all what we have for now." Watkins was finished with her report. She was also in the conference room with Newman and the squad leaders.

"Good work and thank you Dr. Watkins." The Captain had a question, "What about the cave do we there need protection?"

"We have seen no plants or animals. Even fungus could not be detected. For the last we have our detection limits. It is possible that former original lifeforms existed. So I would say unfiltered breathing has higher risks. But we know at the entrance part the aliens operated. There it could be as save as the other land regions. Sadly, we know how they waste their turtle faces. There is still the question do they care much about a minor danger of toxic spores. Most likely there would be an allergic reaction. If treated at once this can be controlled. But we know in combat operation such could be deadly," Watkins replied.

"Yes, their behavior we cannot understand fully. We only can assume that we now know they are clones and hybrid clones. That they have not much value. Sure the Gray with his implants have some more tactical value. But I assume they are all fully replaceable," Commander Knight concluded.

"We can only counter that by using drones. But these losses we also cannot replace here. When we run out of combat drones the ship's protections is compromised. We have then get back to Earth." The Captain had his concerns. "Also the combat drones are one of our ships main protection measure. Their primary design is for air and space combat. I can only provide a limited amount for our retrieve operation. The ships protection has the most priority."

"We have other drones we can waste more if needed. I guess all checked the cave analysis report. We have located a hidden door. That means when we go down we can scan further for such doors. We have enough of our unarmed surface drones to even waste them. But now we might be able to search the cave while we guard the door with the remote sentry option of the bikes. Then we also have to search the forest for another hidden entrance. This would be the main danger losing them. I will after the meeting analyze the armor to be sure the bikes Gatling gun is effective. Else the sniper rifle would be useful. That means risking people. But that we might not avoid. We need also to hack the machines we want. That also needs a small team. Then after checking the armor I've plan a test with the alien rifle to determine how it works on low level and how we can load the energy module. That means we should have results till our next meeting. That will give us the opportunity to engage tomorrow," Newman suggested.

"That leaves us with the possible second entrance in the forest. We have to find that first to also guard it and even then we give them some time to prepare a counter. Also the alien rifle worked well in the facility. But it is a heavy weapon. Operating long with it costs a lot of strength and targeting at longer distances is difficult for us. Contrary with our ARX-160 we have a good light weight weapon. The grenade launcher has its range limits and the 5.56 mm armor piercing ammunition does not penetrate the armor as we know. So we have to further figure out what weapons we can use." Commander Knight had made a point.

"Depends where we fortify. The forest is on high ground. So they would have a clear advantage shooting down to the cave. That means they can cut us off. Also we can use this as our advantage as long we can secure the forest," Pearce noted.

"The forest also has an advantage for our team tactics as long they don't use the armor. I guess we have no weapons to penetrate it," Yamada added.

"That works if you outnumber them and you get the surprise on your side. But with your tactics you cannot attack a bigger group covering each other's," Knight replied.

"True, at least in close combat," Yamada agreed.

"Well, if I know more about the armor I can tell if the explosive bolt of the crossbow has a chance," Newman added.

"Back to their behavior. If they don't value their troops much. They must have plenty of them or it is not an important place here. Sure with the sentry option and knowing where they come from we can stop a bigger number. But another question comes up. What kind of facility is hidden? Don't we need to check this also out? I mean sure if you build a base you need resources first but then what kind of installment is needed first in their eyes? This is probable behind that doors," Ryan noted over video. He was fit again and combat ready. But the higher quarantine stayed.

"You will need power for the machines, produce replacement parts I guess and food for the personal if there is much at start. We don't know to which extent they do it automatically but at some point here is a facility that supports the main operation. Maybe that's the facility we found or they do extend the operations. When we have the machines we always can try to blow up the doors and swarm them with surface scout drones or even use bikes," Newman suggested.

"Good option. I will consider that," the Captain replied.

"Well, we have now options to work out. That can do the team leaders with their teams now. We meet again at afternoon. I inform you when exactly later. On our last meeting Newman and Watkins will join us again. Hopefully with more information that can give us an improvement," Knight suggested.

"Good, if there are no more matters we have to discuss now, the meeting is done." The Captain waited a bit. "Ok. Back to duty. Dismissed."

Newman went for the analysis of the armor. It was a simple task getting the spectra's, identify the materials, micro- and nanoscopic analysis. Then the other scientist continued the calculations and further analysis while Newman and Cooper used for the next test space suits. They went for the measurement equipment and the alien rifle and continued to the left hangar bay. The hangar doors were closed and Newman used one to fire against while putting a plate with sensors in front. The other cameras and spectral cameras were placed. So it was time to fire. Max monitored the incoming data stream. They used fiber optics to transfer the data to the ships research cloud. Newman let Cooper do the first shot. He triggered and one shot of lowest level went directly into the plate. Most of the sensors there were fried now by the electric discharge of the shot. Those were the sensitive ones. They changed the plate and did it again with a level higher. This time Newman did the shooting. More of the sensors were dead. He estimated on the next level all would be fried. So wasting more sensors was not needed. He had data to analyze. They went back to the lab after putting the measurement equipment and the rifle back to the lab storage and got rid of the spacesuits.