Chapter #16

They walk the long hallway to the elevator. Once inside the Female officer announces the floor they need to be on.

"Deck 5, please."

There is a brief feeling of free falling weightlessness then a sudden stop as the door opens. Bright lights flood the hallway as the heavy metal doors open with an odd squeaking whooshing noise. The female officer walks into the hallway first and motions for Tosha and Marshall to follow. They travel a short way past three other doorways and enter the room. Again the automatic doors open with this weird whooshing noise.

There are several people in this room and all stop what they are doing as Marshall enters. The female officer speaks to one of the technical people then turns on her heel and without a word leaves the room. Everyone stays perfectly still for a moment. An older, wise looking man approaches Tosha. He touches her face softly, stroking it gently. Then takes her by the chin, turning her head back and forth slowly. He shakes his head slowly, then motions to one of the other techs

"Come, take her to the dressing room. Dress her in the kevlar armor and color her skin that ghastly human color, oh and chop off her hair just below her ears and none to neatly, may I add. She must blend in with the humans if she is seen. Cannot have her looking like an…" he pauses for a moment and shoots a look of disgust at Marshall "what's the word earthling, alien." The older man then walks over to Marshall, looks him up and down as he slowly shakes his head and begins mentally assessing what needs to be done as he circles.

"Well, well, well. Let me look at what we have here." he exaggeratedly motions for the others to come closer. "Look , Children, we have a twentieth century human in our presence. We should all bow to one knee for they were the so-called Great Ones in the history of their earth." There is severe sarcasm in his voice. "Look how he stands with his arms crossed in his futile attempt at defiance. Look at the unkempt look he thinks makes him look like a warrior."

Marshall cannot take the ridicule any longer; his eyes glaze and he shouts

"Fuck you dead man!" at the same time quickly drawing the trusty .45 from its shoulder holster.

So quick as just barely to be seen, the old man moves in, plucking the pistol from Marshall's hand. Then, he drops it into the vaporizing machine used to destroy waste.

"You will have to be better than that, earthling, to save our princess from what the two of you are about to encounter."

He then walks to a table and passes his hand over it. A tiny building appears, then several more; finally there is a scale map of the entire area they are about to be sent to.

"Come here earthling, I need to inform you of what you are up against."

Marshall cannot believe what just happened. He stares at his hand then at the disposal then back at his hands.

"Where did it go?" he finally stammers. "Where is my gun, how did you do that?"

The old man again looks at Marshall, raises his brow and says in a very demurring tone.

Come here, earthling. We need to show you what you have to do now. Come on, human, you can do it, just put one foot in front of the other.

Marshall walks deliberately slowly to the table and stands next to the older man. The old man begins explaining the area with almost too much detail as if Marshall were some child who would have trouble understanding even the simplest of tasks.

He cannot take it any more, Marshall draws his belt knife, grabs the old man by the throat and slams him to the table with the point of the knife jabbing into the old mans ribs.

"Don't you ever fuckin' talk to me like that again, Old man, or so help me I will run your fuckin' ass through! I didn't ask for this shit, your people gave me these assignments. Now get off my shit and get on with explaining the mission!"

The older man glares at Marshall for a long moment then begins again.

"This is the compound. It is heavily guarded and the guards are cannibalistic. They are protecting an "alien" encampment also in this compound. This "alien" is determined to take over this world and destroy it. We, meaning anyone on this ship, cannot interfere in any way or it will rewrite history and" He pauses and lets out a heavy breath "well let us say the consequences are too great to imagine. Now back to what I was saying, they are about to be attacked by a small group of very determined warriors. They can see neither you nor Tosha. It would upset the outcome of the battle that is about to happen. You cannot afford to let that happen. Again, I cannot stress this more sternly."

Marshall begins to study the model very well.

"Where is the box this time, and what the hell am I supposed to use for a weapon now?"

"We are issuing you new weapons that will match what the warriors down there are going to be using. Because of the scale of the war going on you may encounter heavy resistance. We feel you could not possibly carry enough ammo."

Marshall again asks "What am I supposed to use now, a water pistol?" He laughs.

"No, we are issuing you a .9mm pistol with a twelve round clip and a .9mm carbine rifle with a quick point sighting system. The rifle holds eleven rounds counting the one in the chamber. Both are semi-automatic and lighter than the .45 you were carrying. Armed with hollow point shells these weapons will stop just about anything that .45 will. You will be carrying about sixty hot rounds for the pistol and maybe an additional fifty for the rifle. The reason for the new weapon is .45 shells are very hard to find here where as .9mm are everywhere since the discovery they really are far superior to the .45 in so many ways."

Tosha comes out of the dressing area in the back. Her form-fitting armor really enhances her female lines.

Marshall cannot help but stare because it would appear that Tosha was stripped naked then dipped into this armor all the way down to the last detail.

"What clothing do I wear over this outfit, Major Kripstol?"

The Major also stares for a moment. He then points to the black clothing and leather duster hanging next to the doorway. He then returns his concentration to the table pointing to one small building deep inside the compound.

"This is the building you will need to get to. We will try to get you as close to it as possible, but there is an electrical disturbance here and we may not be able to get you as close as you would like. Tosha knows the combination for the locking mechanism just as she did the last time and must not be disturbed as she gathers the information." He pauses for a moment watching as Tosha buttons her black blouse and tucks it into her tight black pants.

"You must try not to engage the cannibals. Doing this might make them boost security and then they will discover the human warriors before they are supposed to. Do you understand?"

Marshall, too, watches Tosha. Then replies softly

"I understand what's at stake and will not engage the enemy unless it is absolutely necessary."

"You must not be discovered by the humans either. That would not be good, not good at all. Put this armor and these clothes on now and mentally prepare your self it will not be long and you must leave." The Major then nods toward Tosha and snapping his fingers all the others form up in the room. They then march from the room.

Marshall stands there trying to remember everything he was told. Knowing everything now rests on his shoulders. He looks up from the table and into Tosha's eyes.

"I was never in the Army. I don't know a lot about strategy or combat situations. But I swear I will not let any thing happen to you even if it means my last breath."

Tosha smiles and touches his arm.

"I know. You will now let me help you dress." She smiles a wickedly sweet smile as she grabs him by his belt buckle. And smiles as she undoes the heavy belt, slowly dropping to her knees and licking her lips sensually. Marshall let out a soft but long moan…

Once dressed, Marshall gathers his new weapons and the accessories. Then he and Tosha also leave the room. Their long leather dusters billowing behind them as they make long, deliberate strides. Tosha pulls on her tight leather gloves and absent-mindedly wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

Once to the transporter room Tosha kisses Marshall, holds him closely and nods for the technician to activate the controls.

In a blink they are on the surface of the planet. Just as quickly, Marshall ducks down pulling Tosha down with him and covering her with his body. Two of the cannibals walk past just feet away in the darkness, muttering to their selves.

The icy cold air stings their lungs as the adrenaline rush sets in.

"Tosha, we have to stay low and move quickly and quietly." Marshall peeks up over the stack of pallets they are hiding behind. "We have a pretty good distance to cover if that is our building over there." He says, pointing with one hand and drawing the pistol with the other. He works the slide slowly, injecting the first round into the chamber. He then works the safety and places the pistol back into the shoulder holster. He pulls the rifle off his shoulder and works the slide to inject the first round in the chamber there too. Turning on the red dot sight, he motions to begin moving. Tosha turns on her locator and grabs Marshall by the leg.

"Something is not right, Marshall. The box is not in that building. It's behind us close to the gate in a larger building. Now why would Major Kripstol want us to go over there if that’s not where the box is?"

Marshall pulls the wide brimmed hat down a little tighter. Then glances at Tosha and begins moving slowly in the direction she was pointing. They pass by armored cars and trucks and a couple buildings. Marshall again pulls Tosha down and puts his hand over her mouth as six men dressed in black leather dusters and wide brimmed hats, armed with bows and katana style swords pass them in the dark. One man, a tall, thin handsome man carrying a very impressive sword passes within feet of them. He stops and looks in their direction, sniffing the air like some large predator animal. This man has the look of a wolf in his eyes as he twirls the long very elegant katana in his gloved hands.

Marshall and Tosha watch in silent awe as the group makes short work of several of the cannibals with almost no sound at all.

Marshall motions for Tosha to closely follow; as they now quickly make their way away from these very efficient humans. Just as the building with the box in it comes into distant view, shots ring out. Soon followed by what sounds like two armies going at it full bore. Marshall grabs Tosha's hand and they run for the cover of the building. Once inside, Marshall pulls Tosha down behind some boxes covering her until he feels safe the shots are not directed at them.

"Are you alright? You are not hurt are you?" Marshall's voice shows genuine concern.

Tosha nods that she is alright and fumbles for the locator in one of the pockets of the leather duster she wears.

"Marshall, we have to find the box now. I know it's in this room but where is a mystery." She begins flipping tiny switches and slowly moving it back and forth as she stands and walks around the room.

Marshall looks around the room quickly and sees there is only one door but three windows. He moves to one window and cautiously looks into the dark night seeing nothing but blackness. He moves to the next and it's about the same. As he moves to the third, an explosion happens and the window lights up brilliantly as the 6 men they saw earlier are waging war against the cannibals.

Marshall watches as the group of warriors continues to blow things up. The group of men seem to be chasing the largest man in the group as he screams, "WoooHooo!!" and uses some sort of grenade launcher to destroy everything in front of him no matter what direction he is facing.

Marshall then moves to the door and takes up a position there where whatever or whoever will have to pass in front of him to get into the room.

"Tosha, ya finding that fucking thing yet? I mean it looks like its getting kinda tense out there and at any time anyone of them can head this way ya know. Lets get on with it, Love."

Tosha flashes a hard look at Marshall.

DAMN IT! Is that not what you say in times like this, Damn it? Marshall, it's here somewhere. It is almost like it is invisible…"

Marshal cuts her off.

"Or you're standing over it. Mark off the outline and come over here and watch the door. Marshall moves towards Tosha, handing her the carbine and drawing the .9mm pistol.

"Where is it, oh wait, I see it, watch the door and kill anything that comes close to it."

Marshall takes a breath and looks in Tosha's direction for approval, then opens up on the floor, emptying the pistols first clip and shooting a semi circle of closely grouped bullet holes into the floor just away from where she drew in the dust. Reloading the pistol, he fires at the floor again. The noise of the pistol going off in this tiny room and so quickly makes his ears ring. Ten shots are fired when he realizes Tosha has opened up on a small group of cannibals who were trying to get away from the warriors who are invading their camp. Marshall fires the last two shots in the direction that Tosha is shooting in. Dropping the empty clip from the pistol and then stomping hard on the floor, opening a hole between the floor trusses, Marshall then races towards the door.

"Find that fucking box and get what we need from it."

Tosha is way ahead of him. Running across the room to the hole in the floor, shining the penlight from her belt into the hole, she sees the small black box. Retrieving it, she soon is doing the combination to open it.

Marshal has the door set ajar and watches the action going on out side. The big human warrior is running in a helter skelter fashion all around the compound launching bombs and laughing hysterically. Cannibals are screaming and trying to escape. Two more make the mistake of running toward the shed Marshall and Tosha are in. They get within ten feet when Marshall opens the door, leveling the pistol at them.

"Evening gents, sorry but there's no vacancies here."

The cannibals' eyes widen with fear as they try to stop forward movement. But, they cannot and slide trying to stop waving their arms in the air for balance.

Marshall fires two shots from the .9mm pistol. The hollow point projectiles strike their marks. A small hole appears in the forehead of each of the flesh eaters; they just stand there for a moment then collapse to the ground.

"Tosha are you through yet? I think this place is going to heat up quickly and we need to get the fuck outta here."

"I got it, we can go now." She reaches into her pocket for the small communicator radio her eyes widen.

Where is it? Where is the communicator? I cannot find it, Marshall. What are we going to do?" She continues going through her pockets, but to no avail.

Marshall realizes they have to find the only link back to the ship and decides they are going to have to retrace their steps. Biting his lip, he looks out at the mayhem in progress.

"Ok here is the plan, we retrace our path and find the fucking thing then get the hell outta here ok? Shooting a look at Tosha who has now taken off the coat to go through it again.

"Tosha, put on your coat and check your ammo in the carbine. Come on, let's go."

Tosha swings the long heavy leather duster over her head slipping her arms into the holes and letting its weight drop to her shoulders. She then picks up the carbine and pulls out the clip. One shell left in it. She replaces the clip, placing the last bullet between her teeth, she puts the empty clip in her pocket then picks up the clip Marshall dropped earlier also putting it in her pocket. A few long strides and she is at Marshall's side.

"Well, lets do it.

They both exit the building staying low and heading back to where they first landed, winding around the stacks of pallets and boxes of stolen or captured materials. Marshall leads her closer and closer to the landing area and the battle.

As they duck around a corner Tosha grabs Marshall's coattail. "Marshall, I have it!" Her voice is jubilant with excitement.

Marshall looks back at her from his position on one knee and smiles. Then notices the light from the raging fires is being blocked by something. Slowly time passes. Everything moves in super slow motion as Marshall turns toward the tall dark figure in front of him, raising the barrel of the pistol, his teeth clinched and eyes wide.

The tip of a long very sharp blade touches Marshall's throat and an MP5 is leveled on his head. Marshall's eyes are locked on the area where this seemingly giant's eyes should be but are hidden by the darkness. His hands seem to not be moving at all except for the sudden trembling he feels, knowing death is smiling and patiently waiting for his demise.

Tosha presses the emergency extraction button on the communicator and takes a strong hold on Marshall's coattail. Her eyes, too, are wide and full of fear.

In an instant they are back in the transporter room of the ship. The Major and several others are there waiting.