John Davis - The Colony

“Copy that,” Wesley replied proudly, speaking firm into a console mounted com. “Be advised, we still have a few on the surface, including our XO and a former general.”

“Acknowledged, now pull back.” the voice replied.

The scene had become one of furious fighting, thick stream of shots firing back and forth between the ships, with the Silver Charity taking the blunt of punishment.

On their way to safety, both Chandra and Wesley watched several choppers fall from the carrier. Screaming their way to the surface with a single purpose.

To even the odds.

Jack had first thought it to be thunder. Then, as the lieutenant realized the rainstorms were somber, he knew help had arrived. Several loud popping sounds followed by whistling reinforced the fact. Choppers had been sent in.

“What is that?” Julia asked, joining Jack at the cavern entrance, as did the general.

“That would be the sound of marine payback. Am I right lieutenant?” the general asked.

“Well, we’re not out of the woods just yet,” Jack replied with caution. “But those were definitely marine choppers breaking atmosphere, and from the sound of it, one hell of a firefight above us.”

“Do you think our marines stand a chance?” Julia asked with hope.

“I know this much,” Jack said, turning to the young woman. “You don’t fuck with the marines and walk away from it. Our people will win out eventually.”

Julia seemed relieved, branching out and hugging Jack tightly.

Several moments later, however, she quickly broke away from him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything.”

“I know. It’s alright.” Jack replied.

Without a response, Julia walked away. Heading away from the cavern entrance and the shame of her feelings for Lieutenant Jack Strong.

“Forgive me for saying so lieutenant, as it’s not my place, but your wife must be an incredible woman.” the general said.

“How so?” Jack questioned.

“I’ve come to know Julia well these past few months. I guess you can say our time spent under duress has seen us become good friends. She’s beautiful, very caring and obviously into you.” the general added.

“You’re right,” Jack replied. “It’s not your place.”

“I’m sorry, I just thought that…” the general began to respond, very apologetically.

“It’s,” Jack said, his eyes speaking of sadness. “It’s alright. The truth is, I’m not sure that’s she’s even alive,” he added, turning to the older man. “My wife.”

“How so?” the general asked.

“She’s a soldier as well,” Jack admitted. “She went out on a two week hop and vanished. Her entire group.”

“I’m sorry,” the general replied, placing his hand across Jack’s shoulder in comforting fashion. “I had no idea.”

The lieutenant acknowledged the general’s words with a slow nod of the head.

“I found out only days ago. On our way here,” Jack said. “I mean, they’re searching for her entire group, but…”

“I understand.” the general replied.

“Do you?” Jack asked with a bit of zeal. “This was supposed to be a simple hop. Show up, remind you to change the batteries in your damn radios and then head back. Help them find my wife,” he added. “Instead I walk into this shit. Lose my entire group, only to end up inside of a war.”

“If it’s of any comfort to you, I think you’ve done an amazing job here. I couldn’t have done any better, not even in my younger days.” the general said with a bit of a smile.

Finally prompting a return smile for Jack.

“If you want my advice, stay the course. Right now, you’re a soldier, but when this finished you become that concerned husband. Meanwhile, you use that grief…that emotion. You use that.” the general replied.

Julia had heard a bulk of their conversation, having walked back to apologize. Instead, she paused to hear a story of a soldier hurting.

“General, may I have a moment?” Julia asked.

“Of course.” the older man replied, quickly turning to leave her alone with Lieutenant Jack Strong.

“How much did you hear?” the lieutenant asked.

“Enough.” Julia replied softly.

“Great,” the soldier replied with embarrassment. “Just great.”

“Relax,” Julia said. “I came to apologize, not to judge you. Honestly, I think it’s incredible that you could do anything outside of worry.”

“No choice,” Jack admitted, tears beginning to swell in his eyes a bit. “I’m just trying to get you guys to safety. Then, maybe,” he added. “Maybe I can search for my wife.”

“I’ll not pretend to be your wife,” Julia said. “But I do think that she’d be proud of what you’ve done here.”

“What, lead my entire unit to the grave?” Jack asked.

“No. Keep us alive against unbelievable odds. There are also a lot of children that will hopefully lead incredible lives, all because of you.” Julia responded with sincerity.

Boom.

A loud popping sound echoed through the sky, followed by several others. Four total.

“What?” Julia asked. Though Lieutenant Jack Strong already knew the answer.

“Get everything together, we’ve got to move!” Jack replied.

“I don’t understand?”

“Those are our birds. I’d know that sound anywhere. Best thing we can do now is become easy to find.” Jack replied.

“What about your friend?” Julia asked.

“He’s knows his way around, and I promise you he recognized those birds coming in. With any luck we’ll meet up at the finish line.” Jack replied.

“Ours?” the general asked, rushing over.

“Yea,” Jack replied. “Gear up, we need to move.”

“Reading a transponder sir.” the pilot of the lead aircraft reported.

“Good, sit us down near the signal and advise our birds to do the same. We’ll set up a defensive perimeter and with any luck – the stranded know what to do next.” the officer said.

Just like Lieutenant Jack Strong, the officer was equally promoted. However, this officer wore a uniform of dress blue, which was a good indication that he usually worked from the black of space.

As the first of four choppers touched down to the surface, several men sprinted from them, quickly assembling lazing guns. A common sight among their fleet, lazing guns were basically automated chain guns, which viewed the area in front of them with a small string of laser, which flowed red and projected nearly twenty feet ahead. Turning with the lazing gun – in turret fashion.

Moments after setting it up and bringing it online, the lazing gun began ringing out short bursts of lead. Picking up movement beyond the conventional sight of soldering eyes.

“Get a couple more set up, now!” the officer yelled. “And stay inside of the grid, locked and loaded.”

Which they did. Each soldier laying to the ground near the chopper, rifles in hand.

As the remaining three choppers followed suit, each of them quickly bringing their lazing guns online, the group found themselves protected by a halo of eight turrets, each turning slowly and providing the security of an iron fist.

“If the sons of bitches come up on us now, they’ll regret it.” one of the soldiers claimed.

“As of now, yes,” the officer replied. “Let’s just hope the stranded know what to do. Otherwise, we might live to regret this trip.”

“I can barely see in front of me.” Julia said with frustration as rain fell down onto them.

“Just keep moving. Try to follow right behind me if you can.” Jack replied.

Three figures sprinting through a relentless rain as if they were carving themselves through murky slate. Each of them wondering about a sniper out on his own.