The War Across the Stars by Alex Pennington Read Free Book Online

landed. 
    Wanda stuck her head out of the cockpit into the main compartment.  Despite the fact she was unable to see us, she still yelled out that another COM had come in from Palmer. 
    “He sent a detachment of ten Marines planetside,” Wanda continued.  “He wants ya to look out for ’em.”
    “Understood,” Ryan said. 
    He pulled out his desert camo Marine style hat and plopped it on his head.  I then watched as he detached his SR-4 from his pack and made sure it was loaded. 
    “Let’s go, team,” Ryan ordered. 
    “Yes... Sir?” Nevin said, still trying to decide if Ryan’s rank dictated the honorific.
    We hurried along the beach.  Philip pulled out his data pad and it projected a 3-D image of the local terrain approximately four decimeters off the pad.  Its standard blue holo light flickered as we observed the map. 
    “So, if we head due east along this beach we would end up at Rigel’s base in about thirty minutes,” Philip said as he carefully examined it.
    “Correct,” Ryan said observantly. 
    “Maybe ol’ Korthy won’t be there,” Robert suggested playfully. 
    “Korthy?” Max sputtered.  “That sounds like one of my silly nicknames. Copy Cat!” Max accused. 
    “His name is Rigel Korth, and it doesn’t really matter.  Let’s just focus on the task at hand,” I interjected. 
    “Stu–” Max began. 
    “Max,” I quickly cut him off.  “There’s no need to say anything.”
    “Ok, so we just head down the beach as quickly as possible… All right?” Ryan asked. 
    “You bet!” Nevin said excitedly. 
    “Sergeant?” Ryan questioned. 
    “Yes... I understand the plan,” Sergeant Johnston said quietly.  “Team,” Sergeant Johnston then bellowed.  “We've been quiet so far.  Let’s go make some noise!”
    “Yes sir!” his troops sounded. 
    “Lets do a full charge straight there.  We’ll cut down that time.  Rangers... you better keep up,” Johnston warned us. 
    “Done deal,” Ryan said. 
     
     
     

 
    Chapter 5
    The Danger Zone
     
                  We were now halfway down the trail, running at an incredible pace.  We had encountered no resistance.  At this rate, we were only a few minutes from Rigel’s complex.  We came closer and closer, still without any signs of the Marines or the Lambda Raiders. 
                  Then, we trotted up to the top of a hill and looked down to see the R.K. Military Complex.  The words were stamped on the side in dark red letters.  The complex was the deep gray of hardened Cecrete 7, the second strongest when it comes to Cecrete.  The strongest was Cecrete 10, which the Vorgians likely have no access to.  It was recently invented on the Elonian planet, Benbos, located on the far border of the empire.  The problem, the Vorgian Revolution, granted free rights to Sontonos, Hothonos, Vorga, and Enphuerzo, but essentially dismantled any trade between Vorgian and Elonian planets.  They formed the Vorgian Empire and since then have had very little positive contact with us.  So basically, no trade with the Vorgians, means no Cecrete 10. 
    “James, Nevin… flank this complex on the right side here,” Ryan instructed. 
    “Butler... Roland... you go with them to provide cover fire in case they need it,” Sergeant Johnston ordered. 
    “Yes sir...” Butler muttered. 
                  We stealthily crept along the edge of the base.  We kept our distance at about twenty meters as we looked down into the round pit in which the complex was placed.  Once we were in our position, I stuck my hand up in the three-fingered OK signal to show we were ready.  I slowly popped my head over the rock that hid us.  I saw Ryan doing the same signal. 
    “Nevin…” I whispered.  “Take aim.” 
    We both took aim at the two guards.  My heart began to race.  When I took this shot, I would, for the first time, take the life of an enemy.  I feared it might change me, and make me