If It Meant Living: Tales

Trenches

 2188:  Two Years after the End of the Reaper War

Systems Alliance Operating Base, Watson Colony:  Skepsis System, Sigurd’s Cradle

James Vega hurried into the Command Center, shrugging his jacket off his shoulders as the door closed behind him.  It was too damn cold on Watson for his taste.  Next shore leave, Rio.  He nodded to himself as he grabbed some coffee from the beverage dispenser, smiling slightly as he took a long sip and felt the warmth spread through his chest and into his veins.  Yep.  Definitely Rio.

He started to head to his closet, aka “office,” when the comm specialist on duty stopped him. “Commander, I'm glad I caught you; you have an incoming priority comm on the QEC from Admiral Hackett.” 

He glanced over at the man, an eyebrow idly raised.  While quantum communications had advanced to a hub-and-spoke style network and the technology had been rolled out to virtually all military bases and starships, QEC comms were still generally reserved for highly sensitive information; he couldn’t think of a time he had used it in the four months he had been stationed on Watson.

He reversed direction and walked into the oddly stifling QEC room.  Intellectually he knew that it was just because the walls were lined with eight centimeters of sound-absorbing material, as well as active noise-cancelling waves that reverberated in the gap between the double walls; still he found the hyper-silence unnerving.  Not his favorite room.

He hit the comm link, straightening his stance and saluting crisply as Hackett’s projection materialized, then clasping his hands behind his back in an easy parade rest and nodding brusquely.  “Sir.”

“Commander.  Apologies for the urgent call, but we have a critical situation on Sanctum, and yours is the only squad both close enough to get there in time and capable of dealing with the matter.”

He grinned a little.  About time for some action; nothing of consequence happened on Watson that didn’t involve the local wildlife.  “Of course, sir.  Glad to help.”

Hackett’s lips pursed as he paced within the confines of the projection.  “You should know, Commander…that’s not the only reason I’m turning to you for this mission.”

He frowned slightly.  “I’m not sure I understand, sir.  What’s the situation?”

Five minutes later he jogged quickly down the hallway towards the Command Center exit, hitting his comm as he pulled his jacket back over his shoulders.  “Echo Squad, this is your Commander.  I hope no one is plastered or sleeping one off, because we are wheels up in half an hour.  Get your big-boy guns and your cold-weather gear and meet me at the transport on the double.”

***

James clasped Cortez’ shoulder warmly but briefly as the man settled into the pilot’s chair, taking care to keep it professional – work hours and all.

Steve glanced over the back of the chair and smiled as he began the pre-flight checks.  “Hell of short notice, Vega.  What’s the deal?”

James returned the smile, though it carried a trace of concern that did not go unnoticed by Steve.  “We have to go rescue an old friend.”

Curiosity thoroughly piqued, Steve was about to prompt him for more information when the final members of the team hopped aboard and James turned to head to the back.  “Get us to Sanctum, Esteban – and get us there yesterday.”

He stepped into the main compartment of the shuttle, reaching up and grabbing the support bar overhead as they lifted off.

“Okay, boys and girls.  This mission is Priority Red, special request straight from the top.  It is also Ultra-Super-Secret Classified, so no bragging to your friend-with-benefits about it later.”