Chapter 5: A Touch of Blood and Snow

I’m not afraid ... I’m not afraid of death ... but I’m not a warrior ... I just want to dig the past ... and keep digging...

The man’s thoughts echoed in his mind. The sound of We’kal’s voice could be heard all around him.

<Acknowledged, > We’kal’s voice said to him.

“Huh?” he questioned. Tahir shook his thoughts away. “Sorry ... I forgot that you can sense my thoughts.”

<Alara’jal thoughts often wandered when connected to their vehicles. It is the will of the creators.>

“Is this the first battle that you’ll be in?”

<The answer is more complex than it seems, and it is defined by your language. Under current modifications, yes. However, the tank is a reconstruction of a tank of similar design. Those components and weapons were used in direct combat. When the prior tank was destroyed, its parts were salvaged and built upon a new frame. In your sense, both yes and no will suffice.>

“Are you scared?”

There was an actual pause to that question that surprised Tahir.

< ... Negative. However, it is the will of We’kal’s memories and the programming that this tank survives combat. In your sense, I do not fear destruction, only failure.>

“I guess I’m trying to make sense from a computer,” the man said. “But, I understand.”

“Tahir?” Tr’ina asked across from him.

“Yes, yes,” he replied to her. “We have an enemy ship heading our way, and there’s not much we can do about it.”

“Can’t shoot!” Sr’ina said on the comms. “I wish they would just put us on the ground already.”

“It’s a big planet ... I imagine it’s going to take some time before they finally put us on the ground.”

“Tahir, do you read?” Javier’s voice echoed on the comms.

“Yes, I’m here.”

“We have a Shal’rein scout battleship on an intercept course with us. The UHN are attempting to destroy any of the Shal’rein invaders that have reached the planet, but they’re overwhelmed. One of them slipped through the defenses and is heading towards us. Hold on tight and expect a bumpy ride. We have to do evasive maneuvers to mitigate the damage. Be ready for combat. We’ll get you on the ground as soon as possible...”

“Just make sure they don’t hit this tank.”

“That’s the idea, Doctor, Javier out...”

Tahir watched as the sensor screen showed a purple dot heading towards his location. The aerial scenery depicted nothing but moving white clouds. The large amount of snow on the ground almost made it look like another form of cloud cover. The hint of moving wind could be heard all around the cabin.

<Target on screen, > We’kal said. <As the human stated, prepare for evasive maneuvers.>

“Why tell me?” Tahir asked.

<That was more directed towards your mate, Sr’ina. She continues to fidget with the straps.>

“Sr’ina!” Tahir told her on the comms. “Stop playing with your seat belts. I don’t want to see you reduced to a bunch of stains on the wall.”

“Heh...,” she laughed.

“No, don’t try to turn that into some sort of sex joke either.”

“Ha, no, no, I couldn’t think of anything funny at that moment ... but you are giving me ideas.”

“Oh, come on...”

“Exactly!”

Suddenly, the Lifen transport took a sharp turn to the right. Inside the cabin, Tahir and the other Itrean women felt their bodies jolted hard to the left. The straps held as they used their free hand to further steady themselves. Outside and in the air over Palora’s snowy surface was the Shal’rein warship. Its size was almost that of the Lifen itself, but much of the hull consisted of various components to ensure its survivability in space. The Lifen frame was more suited for planetary combat.

However, the Shal’rein scout was carrying something that was made obvious when the lower hangar opened up. Four large purple winged aircraft were launched, their engines were on full burn heading towards the Lifen. They flew in two paired formations and swung around to hit the other side of the Lifen.

<Scout ship is carrying four planetary aircraft.> We’kal added.

“I guess that’s bad...,” Tahir replied.

Suddenly, Tahir could see a wake of purple and blue particles whiz past his location. The Lifen made another hard turn to the left. The scout ship was opening fire on the Lifen. The first shot missed as the transport flew to the left, pushing Tahir and the others to the right. The smaller AIO turrets on the Lifen spun and aimed in the direction of the planetary fighters, unleashing a salvo of shells against them. The flak fire was devastating, exploding in mid-air over one paired formation, ripping them to pieces. Their burning wreckage fell from the air.

The scout ship maintained its fire, firing two more times. One shell struck the mid portion of the port side of the Lifen. The next shell struck and nicked the dorsal section of the hull. However, the moment the Lifen made its turn, her twin railguns were in position. It swerved, pointed to the portside rear, and opened fire. Four shots were made, two missed, but the other two struck the mid and starboard aft of the enemy ship. Smoke and small fires rained out from the small explosions that took place. It caused the Shal’rein vessel to veer off as its power core took damage. However, Tahir could see the remaining Shal’rein fighters make a strafing run on the transport. Heavy gunfire from the fighter’s autocannons raked the ventral armor plating. A few of the bullets hit the tank. However, it seemed like the shots were not intended to hit the large underslung vehicle but something else. More shots bounced off the Lifen’s hull as the Shal’rein fighters flew past in formation before putting themselves directly in front of the Lifen.

Instead, the Lifen unleashed her AIO turrets again, expelling more flak fire and tearing the remaining two aircraft to pieces. Their burning wreckage fell from the sky to the ground below. The single scout ship had enough. It left the UHN transport alone and turned hard to the left, leaving the scene in full burn with a pleasant pair of smoke trails behind it.

<Tracking damage, > the voice inside Tahir told him. <Scout ship has received damage and is veering off. Shal’rein fighters have damaged one of the main couplers holding this vehicle. Five of their autocannon shells struck the starboard front tank tread unit but did not damage the armor.>

“What about the couplers?” he asked. “Does that mean we’re going to fall?”

<Negative. The transport can still hold this vehicle with at least three couplers. It is not recommended to go to 2 or less as it could break the main maglock over the turret, thereby initiating a free fall of this vehicle. It appears that the Shal’rein were targeting the couplers in hopes of destroying this vehicle.>

The Lifen steadied herself out in the air. By now, the scout ship was nothing but a mere speck in the sky. It was growing darker as the Lifen was heading toward the dark side of the planet. However, the entire transport started to make a light turn to port.

“Tahir, do you read?” Javier asked.

“Yes?” the doctor replied.

“We’re in the clear, for now. The scout ship bugged out, but we have a new problem...”

“What is it?”

“We’ve received a distress call, priority one. Admiral Thiago’s shuttle squadron was intercepted by Shal’rein fightercraft. Most of his squadron was shot down, including the Admiral’s personal shuttle.”

“That sounds bad. Is he alright?”

“Yes, at the moment. His shuttle made an emergency landing approximately 200 kilometers from our location near the Atca Hills, but he can’t lift off again. We’re heading there now to go and pick him up, but we have another problem.”

“What is it?”

“We’re currently the only UHN vessel in the area. Most of Marine Fleet Omega is trying to ferry the marines out of the Western Hemisphere towards the main capital. We were on our way there when we picked up the distress call. We have an airforce squadron that’s going to reach the area around the same time as we are, but besides that, we’re on our own.”

“So ... do we just sit tight?”

“Not quite, Doc,” Javier explained. “I think the Shal’rein were catching on pretty quick that the main military leadership was taking off, or they just assumed that anything leaving the cities was a threat. Whatever the case is, a Shal’rein heavy gunship managed to deploy a set of ground vehicles to intercept the crash site before the carrier was destroyed. We’re going to try to engage whatever is there, but ... I’m not the one to have to say that from the stories I heard, Shal’rein combat vehicles are dangerous, and their gunners are quite accurate. We don’t carry much in heavy weapons, and with Shal’rein tanks, they pose a significant threat to the Lifen. Looks like it’s time to put your tank to good use.”

“Did you say that I’m going to fight Shal’rein tanks?” Tahir asked.

“Yep. We’re going to drop you off near the Atca Valley region, approximately three clicks from the crash site. We need you to operate independently when we try to land, but that’s going to depend on where the Shal’rein vehicles are currently at. Shira is sending a data package to your tank so you and your vehicle have all the current date info on equipment and technology specs of Itrean vehicles.”

<Data received, > We’kal responded to Tahir. <Processing Data ... Recommended that UHN and friendly units attempt to destroy the Shal’rein vehicles from orbit.>

“Ummm...,” the paleontologist remarked. “Can’t you destroy those vehicles from up high?”

“You might have noticed, Doc,” Javier replied. “That our fleet is pretty busy having to fight other Shal’rein warships at the moment. It’s a mess right now. We were pretty lucky that all we fought at the moment was that scout ship. With Shal’rein tanks that can snipe us from the ground and whatever is in the air at the moment, our hands are pretty full.”

<Data Processed, > We’kal explained to Tahir. <Confirmed. Most Shal’rein vehicle weapons are generally inferior to this tank’s weapons. The Lifen weapons are insufficient to survive against an onslaught of ground vehicles. Recommend we engage them on the ground.>

“I think We’kal agrees with you, Javier,” Tahir told him. “Do what you need to do.”

“Be ready for touch down in four more minutes...” Javier explained. “After that, provide whatever assistance you can to us, but above all else, protect the Admiral. Thiago is the lead officer for all of Palora’s defenses. Whether the Shal’rein kill him or capture him, we’ll be in even more trouble than we are now.”

“You can count on us,” Tr’ina confidently replied on the comms. “Right, Tahir?”

“ ... Yeah,” the man briefly looked at her before nodding. “Let’s do it.”

“Javier out...”

The communication signal was cut. The man could feel his body being pressed to the seat some more as the Lifen continued to accelerate faster in an attempt to reach the target area under emergency.

Tahir began to take deep breaths. Tr’ina looked over at him and saw a mild hint of discomfort in the man.

“I love you,” Tr’ina said to him.

“I’m getting what I’m wishing for, aren’t I?” Tahir said to her.

“What is it?”

“Fame ... attention ... the lone civilian and his alien wives go and fight the bad guys. I can imagine it all on the news. The one problem is how we actually feel about it compared to what they’re going to report.”

“But that’s a good thing, right? You like fame.”

“Not at the point of a gun, though,” Tahir looked ahead. “If we die, then nothing will be reported at all. That’s it. We’re buried in the snow and forgotten. Suddenly, I understood what those Alara’jal must have felt while we dug up their remains.”

“But, they are dead...”

“I was meaning if they were alive looking at the future, knowing that some other alien race is going to go grave robbing for their corpses.”

“Finally, some action,” Sr’ina added on the comms.

“When did you become so trigger-happy?”

“I’m just so bored. That’s all. I got nothing but big guns surrounding me ... ready to be fired. I must be the luckiest Ko’min out there to have all these big barrels ... for me to play with.”

“Well, looks like it’s going to happen. You’ll have plenty to shoot at. Just be sure you know what you’re handling up there.”

“Like your hink?”

Tahir sighed. “I walked into that one, didn’t I?” The man turned to look at Br’ina. She was watching him and remaining quiet.

“You like the silent type, don’t you?” Tr’ina questioned him.

“I’m just amazed at how each one of you look the same yet, be so different. Sometimes I wish I could hear what Br’ina has to say.”

“She is silent but deadly,” Sr’ina remarked. “I know what my sister wants. Tr’ina will make her sound innocent and cute, but we know what she wants.”

The man sighed again. “War and sex ... Sex and war, you never give up, do you?”

“You don’t. We know how you are in bed. Anxiety makes you frisky ... frisky means good sex.”

“Sometimes, there’s such a thing as being too direct ... like being more subtle...”

“Subtle? If I were subtle, I would never have sex.”

“She is right,” Tr’ina said. “You are better in bed when your mind is occupied with worry.”

“You too?” He looked at her.

“Yes. Sex is good for the body and mind. It is good for the soul. Ko’min would not exist without it.” She tapped her bulging stomach, reminding him of his good deed. It made the man smile a little bit.

“Well,” he said, looking ahead. “It’s too bad a battle is coming ... Just can’t stop to do it.”

“Argh,” Sr’ina added. “Excuses, excuses...”

“We know,” Tr’ina said with a few clicks in her voice. “When the time comes, you have three Ko’min waiting for you ... relieve you of your stress. Don’t worry ... we are safe ... safe and waiting.”

<We are approaching the drop point, > We’kal said to Tahir’s mind. <I recommend focusing on the upcoming battle rather than mating.>

“I’m trying,” he said to it. “I have three Ko’min for wives.”

There was a pause as Tr’ina made their own quiet form of giggle. However, Tahir sensed something else from We’kal. The computer matrix almost seemed like it was going to respond to Tahir but didn’t. At the same time, the man picked up what could have been described as a light form of response that was repressed by the computer itself. Perhaps it was an emotion.

Was it amusement? ... Tahir would have to inquire about it later.

However, that would have to be dropped. The man looked at the sensor display. The Lifen was slowing down and making a descent towards something. The Atca region was a set of small hills covered in a heavy layer of snow. As the ship had made its journey, darkness was setting in more and more. Even with night setting in, the bright white snow still made the territory seen quite well. There was nothing else to remark about the location. The hills seemed numerous and almost unending, but there were still plenty of flat regions to traverse.

“Sensors are tracking something,” Tr’ina told Tahir. “Picking up ... a shuttle?”

<I have picked up the ship remains that matches the description of a UHN Shuttle, > We’kal replied.

“I see it,” Tahir added. He looked through the front to see a set of flares that were launched into the sky. In a flat regional valley area was a single gray shuttle. The cylindrical remains left a streak of black and brown over the snow as if the vessel had pretty much crashed, almost burying itself into it. The hint of smoke came out of the shuttle’s main rear thruster. Further hull damage perforated its sides, indicating that it was in a fierce dogfight. Tahir could also mark other small wreckages here and there on the digital 3d map.

Caution lights flickered on the Lifen’s hull as it continued to reduce its altitude and slow its approach.

<Alert, > We’kal reported. <Picking up additional vehicles closing in from the northeast approximately 16 kilometers. Database match found. Five Shal’rein clan vehicles. Two are Sho’Ki’Shi Mark 213 Armored Personnel Carriers. Three are Sholy Mark 91 Battle Tanks.>

Two sets of schematics appeared on the screen for Tahir to see. The Shal’rein vehicles had a certain majestic look to them that was both impressive and terrifying to behold. The treaded vehicles were covered in a layer of purple-colored laden armor. Both the armored personnel carriers and the tanks carried a similar frame, consisting of two large tank treads that covered their sides. The difference, however, was that the APCs had a more triangular front nose, side closed windows, and a single top turret associated with a howitzer or mortar cannon. Its simplicity was more directed towards carrying infantry.

The Sholy tanks, however, were more intimidating. The front sides consisted of two medium minigun turrets. The front nose had a downward slanted slope to it. The top consisted of a dual railgun turret, with two autocannons, and an additional light infantry railgun and machine gun turret on top of it. Sets of small fins dotted the rear compartment of the vehicles. These tanks were what Javier must have mentioned about. The railgun cannons were seemingly large, possibly similar in size and caliber to the Lifen’s side-mounted railgun turret. They were little more than powerful mobile gun batteries.