The virgin & the bad boy (Gravity)

B2/Chapter 36/The night before the attack

A/N We are back and are setting up for our attack run now - your forgiveness is appreciated. Expect more chapters as fast as we can deliver them. 

The night was better and more miserable than I expected. It was better because we all just about fitted in the cave in the rock. Actually, it was two caves a larger and smaller one. It was miserable because it was hard to sleep with the gale outside. I woke up early having not slept but as Dante said Rested. About an hour before dawn I called John, Dante and the others together. We stayed in a semi-transparent white pressure tent. With our helmets off so we could talk.

"The wind is still too high for everyone to climb, and we are running out of time," I said.

Dante grimaced "You knew it would never be easy."

"We could pull the same winch trick. Get a good team to climb up to the top then winch everyone else up" said John.

"Run winches under the robot's noses? " I said. It didn't sound viable. "I'm not sure we have the power to do it. I'm not sure the distance would be to far for the winches. Yakim. "

One of older implant-less men of we called the Marines ( we were 'the kids' ) lent forward. His name was Kirk.

"You kids did a good job but your light. I say we take John here, Dante a couple of the others. You stay here and send a small team up. We run the minimum of safety and climb quick and fast. What slows us down is pulling the oxygen packs up. We just go with the air on our backs. That way we scout out the root and have a small force ready to take the base. We don't expect the base to be heavily guarded. Then the others can catch us up." Kirk said. He looked tired like we all did. His problem was he didn't know the whole plan. This wasn't just about capturing the base. It was about getting the vital control codes which protected the machines which issued the instructions to the assassins in every Martian's arms. 

"Out out additional tanks. When I last looked at the root it would be about five hours on those packs. The back tanks last six" I said. If there was a delay we might all suffocate.

"The attack is in 8 hours. After that the base will be full of security, especially if it's the last control node." said John.

They were right the safety margin was limited. I thought for a moment.

"OK but I'm going with you," I said. I was one of the better climbers depending on how many Marines we took with us they would need experience. "We take one winch. Anchor it when it reaches the limit. We leave everyone else to get pulled up AFTER we have distrupted them enough to stop them attacking the winch point. With one winch they can pull the others up and the gear and back us up. OK let's get the top 15 people climbing minimal kit" 

 They agreed the decision was made. Vaderman put me in charge so I could do this. It was my plan once we get there to get the codes. 

With the decision made we suited up and deflated the tent. I was left alone with Dante, we were getting ready. Leaving any weight absolutely non essential behind. I checked this chest. We all carried a stab pen injector. I attached the squibs to his an my suits. 

"I know why you're doing this. You're still worried about the traitor" Dante said in front of the others. 

I looked at him. "how did you know about that?" I asked him.

"It's standard practice within an insurrection." said Dante.

I looked at him. "Don't worry I sent Uriel away. She couldn't climb anyway."

"You're worried in case the traitor is one of the Marines" then he paused "or me."

"I am betting the planet on you. I'm sure it's not you. " I said. while Benni could see me. 

"As soon as I was imprisoned, George and the others were in danger." Dante began "in that cell Vaderman persuaded me, I could do more for them outside than inside. I still think he,she,they are right."

I stood up and kissed him "there is no one I would rather risk the planet for" I said. "I have complete trust in you. You know that."

" do I pyjamas?" Said Dante with the look of someone who knew the answer.

"Hey that's Captain pyjamas to you" I said.

I took a protein pill and caffeine pill then I put a blood pill in my mouth and pushed it with the side of my cheek with my tongue for later.  Dante did the same and we began the climb at the end of the world.