Age of Lies (Original Version)

Chapter 9

Gunfire echoed through the dim corridors as the firefight team headed into the ship past what must have been the officers' quarters. The smoky air clouded their vision as they filed past several rooms filled with smoking consoles and equipment. Meeting no resistance they stayed wary of their surroundings and followed Markelium's lead.

"Alright. Hold your fire up here unless attacked okay? There's something I need to check." Markelium called out as they approached a door. He came up beside the door and opened it. He called out "Is anybody in here?" When no one answered he cautiously peeked around the corner. It was pitch back beyond what the little light that the corridor provided. He swept his helmet lights over the room and he spotted what appeared to be living arrangements for civilians. He headed in and Quincy followed behind and they searched the room for clues. "There is nothing here now. Let's move on." Called Markelium as he headed to the door.

The squad followed Markelium as he headed to the next room searching for something only he knew about. "Sir? What are we looking for?" Asked Quincy as the exited the second room. "Answers hopefully." said Markelium. "When I looked through the security cameras there seemed to be civilians on the ship. I hope to find a few and question them."

As they headed out the sound of boots moving just around the corner. "We got incoming!" Whispered one of the marines as he lowered himself into a crouched firing position. The others gathered up behind cover best as possible. Markelium called out softly "Try and take them alive."

The marines gave an affirmative and readied themselves.

Suddenly three men in blue null-suits came through the door and when the man in the lead saw the marines ready to fire, he let out a yelp and turned around to make a run for it. However he and the other two did not make it far as the marines sprinted after them and tackled them. The men thrashed and struggled until the marines knocked them out with rifle's stocks.

The three men were tired up and then searched for weapons and communication gear and then they were placed in a room with guards watching them. Markelium headed down the corridor that the men had come from and found more rooms that must have housed civilians. They looked to have been hurriedly evacuated with belongings strewn across the floors. Quincy followed close behind Markelium who was recording everything to his holo-pad which he had hooked into the arm pocket on his null suit. "How much longer are we going to do this for?" Asked Quincy as they finished searching the rooms."

"As long as I can. It - just doesn't add up. If they were pirates - then why so many civilian areas? It is as if they are -" Markelium's voice trailed off as he and Quincy walked down the hall.

The unseen listener jotted a few notes down silently and continued following the group of marines. He panned the camera over the marines as they walked past the hidden device located in the dark shadows. He then swapped over to another feed that showed the different squads that had infiltrated their ship. "Tom, red six is headed for you. Get out of there now. Pat, got the evac ready yet?" Called the man over his head set. He received his answers and checked his cameras again and jotted more notes before following Markelium's group again as he intercepted a transmission for them.

"Markelium, Travis here. Kelly gave orders to clear the ship. The data on board is propaganda that this pirate faction uses to spread their chaos. Eliminate any and all targets and data. We will rig this ship to be pulled into this solar system's sun in a few days if the scrappers don't get here first. Now get busy and start bugging out."

"Aye sir." Replied Markelium feeling very confused. The squad headed back towards the air lock where their dropship lay waiting. After getting close to where the prisoners had been taken to the men who were supposed to be guarding them showed up and fell into formation. "Where are the prisoners? We need to bring them with us." Commed Markelium to the marine who was in charge of watching over the prisoners.

"New orders sir. Sorry." He replied.

Quincy noticed Markelium's slight change in pace and slowed to walk beside him.

"Sir? Something wrong?"

Markelium continued walking with the squad and passed by a dark hall. As he was looking forward something caught his eye in the passage way. He brought his gun up and scanned with his glasses but found no trace of life. Quincy spoke up, "Did you see something sir?"

"Apparently not. This dark ship is playing tricks on my mind. I thought I saw someone standing just down this hallway." Replied Markelium as he lowered his gun and moved on."

The shadow let out a breath of relief and backed slowly away from the intruders. After the squad passed the shadow crept forward and peered around the corner.

Markelium and Quincy entered the cramped hallway were they did a quick roll-call and gear check before they exited the airlock to their dropship which was locked onto the black hull of the drifting frigate. Markelium stared out of the doors of the drop ship as they began to close, blocking his view of the ship. Moments later the engines rumble shook the ship as they lifted off of the ship. The other dropship lifted off and the pilots made their way through the debris field that was constantly shifting, opening and closing paths back to the Prince.

There was joyous talk among the marines as they boasted of their skill and planned to have a celebration after they were debriefed. Quincy lay back and relaxed and began talking to Markelium.

"Well, I'm glad that went well. No casualties on our side. Few minor wounds but we got everyone back safe. Can't say I'd ever want to do that again, and for someone like you to be able to work with all of the new tech you are really something. No wonder your family became officer class after the United Planets was formed. Of course you did have your part in it all from what I've heard."

Markelium stiffened slightly at this and asked Quincy. "What do you mean by my family is officer class?"

Quincy turned around surprised.

"You didn't know? Did they tell you anything while you were in recovery?"

"I know bits and pieces but this is the first I've heard about being an officer class. What does that mean really?"

Quincy grew excited as his inner historian surfaced. "Well before the United Planets were formed there was only the chaos and war. However after Earth and Mars allied themselves they began expanding control to bring humanity together under a single banner. There were several major battles and the men and women who showed courage and skill were titled officer class. From then on out their families would become officers in the UPSF Navy. However the rest were deemed to be rated as crew. Those rated as crew would not be able to be raised to officer level unless they achieved a great feat but that is very rare."

Markelium was left speechless at this news. "Well. I guess I should ask Kelly about this when we return to the Prince."