Chapter 15

At White Island in Antarctica, Nash and his team pull themselves onto the shore just as flurries begin to drop. They sit for a moment to rest from the two mile swim to land from their drop point. The extreme temperatures the continent offers don’t faze the team. If it wasn’t for their briefing or the howling winds they wouldn’t even know it is cold. Each member wears a specially developed wetsuit containing a thermoregulation system to maintain temperature. Using water to filter through the suit like veins, it keeps the body at a constant temperature despite the conditions outside of it. When wearing a balaclava the user can attach it to the wetsuit and the thermoregulation continues to work creating an entire working bodysuit. In addition to the specialized wetsuit, each member carries a predetermined set of gear including a carbine, pistol and combat knife, and of course the nanotech Titan Armor. Warrant Officer Katie Matthews being the team’s sniper carries her sniper rifle.

“Alright team, listen up,” Wesley Nash announces bringing his team’s attention around to him. “Our armor is going to be the most important piece of equipment we have. So use it, but don’t attempt to see what all it can handle by pushing it to its limits.”

“What’s the plan, LT?” Senior Chief Petty Officer Jasper Mason asks knowing that Nash would have a different mission plan than the one command had given.

“We are going to keep it low key. Major Graves wanted us to use a diversion, but if this place is as heavily guarded as intelligence says then I’m not one for wanting to be notice— at least right away.”

“What do we got to keep the Goji from spotting us, if they haven’t already?” Mason questions.

“The Titan Armor has a special device built in that blocks them from sensing us,” Nash explains.

“Pretty fancy,” Matthews comments.

“It’s a nifty piece of technology we got from the Black List,” Nash states matter-of-factly. “We’re going to sneak in two by two.”

“Rules of engagement?” Mason asks.

“You’re just wanting to blow some shit up,” Petty Officer Jared Bridges comments.

“Like you’re not?”

“Of course I am. I can’t wait to cook some of those Goji assholes.”

“Cut it, you two,” Nash orders. His voice tells both men he is serious and both keep quiet not even responding with a yes sir. “We can take out any opposition, but I want you to make sure they aren’t reporting in to anybody or this will turn into a serious fight.”

“Are we still going to try and capture that bitch?” Matthews asks.

“Not if I can help it,” Nash says. “Command may think they can contain her, but I’m not up for pissing her off any more than we have to.”

“I hear that,” Mason says.

“Alright,” Nash says. “Matthews, you’re with me. Mason, Bridges, you two hit from the east, we’ll hit from the south. We’ll meet somewhere in the middle.”

“You summoned me?” Natalya states more than asks as she enters the large cavern like room.

Avyanna is so engrossed with watching the gate being uncovered that she doesn’t bother to turn around when Natalya enters. “Yes I did,” she says as if she were bored. “Being so close to Maltaus I assume you can be trusted to some extent.”

“Of course.”

“The Ternion it would appear has plans other than mine they wish to put into place. This is no surprise as the Sura have attempted for many millennia now. Try as they might they will fail as they always have. There will be an ancient ruling the Goji.”

“Of course not. You are the true ruler,” Natalya says with a wicked grin.

“Flattery will not get you anywhere with me, only results and servitude,” Avyanna says raising her voice letting a bit of anger slip in. “They have been slipping information to the humans. Even with their distrust I have let them deal with our enemies. But, we are very close to our goals and I will not allow them to be disrupted.”

“What would you like from me?”

Avyanna finally turns and looks Natalya in the eyes. “Rid me of the soldiers sent here to stop me. Prove to me your worth and I will let you live.”

“Very well,” Natalya says.

She begins to bow when the ancient holds out a hand stopping her. “I will be watching you as well, Natalya. Do not do anything stupid that I will ensure you’ll regret.” Without giving Natalya an opportunity to reply she turns around toward the excavation with her hands at her back. Natalya knows what she has to do, even if she doesn’t want to.