Salvage-5: Another Mission (First Contact) Read online

  “So, as far as he knows, he’s calling all the shots on the mission.”

  “Yes. As soon as the ships get to the 52 Europa complex, our clones capture them all.”

  “As long as we’re clear on our objective, Nadine; the team will be cloned. And our clones will bring us the core.”

  “That’s the plan, Mr. Daniels.”

  “Good. I’ll send the message that the complex should expect the ships to arrive in less than fifteen days.”

  “Excellent, Kurtis.”

  “What about the warheads?”

  “Don’t worry about a thing, I have my men working on that.”

  “Be very clear on this, Nadine. We cannot lose that Noosphere.”

  “You don’t have to tell me that, I know. I know.”

  “Just as long as you are clear on that, Nadine.”

  “You just keep your eyes focused on your mission, and I’ll keep everything on my side under control.”

  The two parted ways, Nadine paused as she exited, and then shut the lights off.

  * * *

  Chapter 3

  Whidbey Island

  Oak Harbor, WA

  Crow’s Nest Bar

  Earth Date: 10/21/2065 2064 05:30

  “Your order, Sir,” the thin waitress said to Tucker, “One double bacon cheese burger and a side of onion rings. You want ranch with those?”

  Cass looked over at Tucker’s order, “Oh please...”

  “What?”

  “Really, Tuck...be still my heart.”

  “Why, Cass. I didn’t think you cared.

  “I do care, and so will your arteries!”

  “Oh, you’re talking about the food!”

  “What did you think I was talking about?”

  The waitress smiled and placed a plate of salad in front of Cass.

  “Well, I kinda’ thought I gave your heart palpitations.”

  “You do, Tuck,” Cass grinned, “just not in the way you want.”

  “Right,” the waitress added, “One cobb salad for the misses.”

  “Oh,” Tuck interrupted, “We’re not married.”

  “Why I do declare,” the waitress said, staring at Cass, “You’re missing the boat on this one honey. Better snatch him up before someone else does.”

  “Oh, believe me,” Cass said, returning her stare, “He’s the slow one over here. I’ve been waiting for him to pop the question for months now.”

  “Well, just sayin’ ma’am, catches like this one don’t stay on the market for very long.”

  “Well, thank you for your kind advice,” Cass said with a roll of her eyes, “Can you leave us in private now, hmmmm?”

  “Okay, well...if there’s anything else you need,” the waitress gave Tucker a wink and a grin, “anything at all, don’t you hesitate to ask. I’ll be back to check on you two shortly.”

  “Don’t rush,” Cass said under her breath.

  “Why, Cassie, I do believe you’re a little jealous,” Tucker smiled.

  “Jealous?” Cass pointed to herself, “Me? No way, buddy.”

  “Ah, come on,” Tucker leaned slightly lower and looked up into her eyes, “Just a little bit?” he said squeezing his two fingers together.

  “I don’t think so.” Cass smirked.

  “I see that smile.”

  “What smile?” Cass asked, flipping her hair behind her back and batting her eyes.

  “See that?” Tucker pointed, “You’re flirting with me, Cass.”

  “Am not!”

  “Are too!”

  “Am not!”

  “There’s no point in arguing about it.”

  “You’re right, Tuck. There’s no point because I’m right and you’re not.”

  “Says the Captain to the Colonel.”

  “Oh, real good, Tuck,” Cass jeered.

  “What?”

  “Pulling rank.”

  “Well? It’s true!” Tucker said, beginning to chuckle.

  “Yeah, laugh it up Fire Ball.”

  “It’s Fur Ball...”

  “Whatever.”

  “Cass, if you’re gonna quote a Star Wars line, you gotta get it right,” Tucker said, with as serious a look as he could muster.

  The two stared into each other’s eyes before Cass burst out laughing, “You’re incorrigible, Tucker.”

  “Hey, I’m just protecting your feelings.”

  “My feelings? That’s the best ya got, Tuck?”

  “Well, I don’t want you to get embarrassed by telling it wrong, you know...”

  Cass swatted at Tucker’s jacket when the waitress stepped up, “How’re you doing over here, sweetie?” she said, batting her eyes at Tucker.

  Tucker kept looking at Cassandra, “You are so beautiful.”

  The waitress blushed, “Oh, my...thank you, sweetie.”

  “Shut up!” Cass snapped, “He wasn’t talking to you!” Cass turned back to Tuck. “What where you saying, Tucker?”

  “We are doing exceptionally well,” Tucker answered the waitress, “I believe I was telling my future bride how beautiful she was.”

  “Future bride?” Cass gasped, “Tucker? Did you just purpose to me?” she barely gulped.

  The skinny waitress threw her order pad and pen into the air and began jumping up and down, “They’re getting married! They’re getting married!”

  The waitress grabbed hold of Cassandra’s arm and leaned down to her, “Can I be in your wedding? I’ve never been in a wedding...this is going to be so much fun! Oh my GOD,” the waitress shrieked and stood upright, “There’s so much I have to do!” then she tossed her apron on their table and ran off muttering all the things she could think of to prepare.

  Cass burst out laughing with Tucker.

  “Wow! Where do they find these people, anyway?” Tucker asked.

  “I don’t even know her,” Cass snorted, “and she’s already my maid of honor.”

  The two laughed until two more walked up to the table.

  Cass gazed into Tucker’s eyes, “YES.”

  “Yes, what?” Tucker asked.

  Samantha leaned down and gave Cass a hug, “Congratulations, honey! You deserve the best...that’s why I can’t believe you said yes!” Sam snickered.

  Tucker sank with a worried look on his face, “But I didn’t pop the question!”

  The room froze at Tucker’s last words. It was like little needles piercing his entire body as everyone in earshot turned to focus on the Colonel.

  “I mean, I didn’t ask the question yet...yeah, that’s it.”

  The room gave no forbearance and remained steadfast at their gaze.

  Then Tucker cleared his throat and got down on one knee. He looked around at the stone cold faces as if he was victim to a shotgun wedding. He reached into his pocket and focused on Cassandra, “Major Cassandra Phillips?”

  Cass took hold of Tucker’s free hand and turned slightly away. The smile on his face was all she needed to see, “Yes, Colonel? You were going to ask me something?”

  “Major Phillips, will you marry me? ... ...” Tucker took in a deep breath for the bombshell he was about to spout, “... ...and to allow Slavena on the mission?” he said quicker than before.

  Cass’s face turned red, “Are you kidding me? You propose to me with a rider on it? So you can sneak that, that Bolshevik floozy on the ship? Really Tucker?”

  “...not on SSV-5, no no no, SSV-6...she’s going to pilot SSV-6, she won’t be on 5, no way, no how! Wattya say?”

  “Oh stop with those puppy-dog eyes,” Cass smirked, “of course I’ll marry you, ya big lug! As for that rutting Russian, all I have to say is eat your heart out Slavena!”

  The room erupted with cheers as a new waitress brought over a complimentary bottle of Scotch and several shot glasses.

  “Sorry about Lilly, she gets a little air-headed when someone mentions the big ‘M’ word...this one’s on the house, Colonel! Just promise you won’t bust up the place tonight, ‘kay?”

  �
��Marge, you have my word...as a sober gentlemen.”

  Looking up, he finally noticed Buster standing next to Samantha, “What the hell ‘re you doin’ in here, whiz-kid?”

  “Whattya mean, I’m here to celebrate with you.”

  “Yeah, but you’re not twenty-one yet.”

  “Shhh, shhh, Colonel...wink, wink, nudge, nudge...know what I mean?”

  “Ahhh, I see. NO!”

  “Colonel,” Samantha pleaded, “He’s almost twenty-one...besides, he’s putting his life on the line on our mission.”

  “Uh huh. He is. NO!”

  “I’m a bona fide member of the Salvage-5 crew, and a Lieutenant,” Buster argued. “Rank has its privileges, Sir.”

  “Okay, smarty pants, sit down!”

  Buster quickly took a seat, making Cassandra slide to the wall, “Yes, Sir!”

  Tucker opened the bottle and poured the young Lieutenant a shot, and then slid it to him, “There...drink it... all at once, now.”

  “But, Sir...”

  Tucker looked around the room, “If you want to stay here, you have to take at least one shot...that way we won’t have to listen to you the rest of the night.”

  “Oh, sure,” Buster scoffed, “Make like I can only handle one...I’m almost a man, you know.”

  “Shhh, Buster, keep your voice down. We don’t need you attracting any more attention over here now, do we? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know what I mean? ... ...and by the way, I do that better than you do.”

  Buster picked up the glass in frustration, “I’ll show you...Sir,” and then he downed the shot and slammed the glass back to the table.

  Buster’s face turned red and his eyes crossed before Sam knelt down to him, “Breath man!”

  Samantha shook Buster by the collar before Buster coughed and gasped for a breath.

  “What’s the matter, whiz-kid? Little strong?”

  “N-no,” Buster managed to whisper, “n---o---t b---a---d...S---i---r,” Buster said, taking a gulp of Cass’ ice water.

  Tucker pointed at the Lieutenant, “There, see? Nice and quiet...just the way I like it,” Tucker smiled.

  “What’s in the pocket, Tuck?” Cass asked. “I mean, you reached in there. Your hand is still in your pocket. So, you either have something in your pocket that’s mine, or you’re playin’ pocket pool.”

  “Yes, and yes,” Tuck smiled, “Whatever’s in my pocket belongs to you.”

  “Ahhh, Tuck, you shouldn’t have,” Cass thought a moment, “You did though, right?”

  “Why yes,” I did,” then he removed his hand. Stretched is arm out and then opened his hand revealing a ballpoint pen, “A commemorative SSV-5 pen.”

  Cass looked up at Tucker and then back down to his hand.

  Her eyes began to darken…

  “I had it made just for you...so...whattya think?”

  “I-I don’t know what ta say,” her eyebrows sunk a little lower, “Tuck...gee...ummm, that’s swell.”

  “Go ahead,” Tucker smiled, “It’s okay, pick it up.”

  Cass hesitantly reached for the pen which was inscribed SSV-5. She lifted the pen and held it up close to her eye when a glimmer and a sparkle caught her off guard.

  She grinned in amazement, seeing the pen now had changed into an 18 carat gold engagement ring, sporting a large three-quarter carat heart shaped diamond.

  “Wait...what? How’d you do that?” Cass traded glances between the diamond ring and Tucker’s eyes.

  Tucker smiled, “I had a little bit of an AMP charge left over from this morning.”

  “Oh you...”

  “Oh, me...I had it all along, Sassy Cassie.

  “Hey, I thought I told you not to call me that in the presence of others?”

  “Oh, sorry...I sort of forgot,” he grinned.

  “Uh huh...eat your burger already...before it gets cold. Our mission count down is nearing.” Cass slid the ring on her finger and held it out to show it off and to admire it herself.

  “Hey, watch it!” Tucker mused.

  “What?”

  “That thing you got on, it’s a weapon!”

  “What? I can use it to scratch your eyes out?”

  “Well, I hadn’t thought of that...but since you mentioned it.”

  “Tuuuckeeer? The clock?”

  “Ummm, yeah, I guess that would be another six hours...plenty of time,” Tucker said, glancing at the bottle of booze.

  “Oh no...you’re not going to drink that entire bottle.”

  “Oh, heavens no...”

  “Good...’cuase if you did...”

  “Not by myself, that is,” Tucker grabbed the bottle, lined up all the shot glasses in a row and filled each one to the rim.

  “Time to celebrate! We’re gettin’ married! Right after our mission...I promise.”

  Everyone at Tucker’s table drank shots into the night, except Buster, he passed out after the second one.

  Cass looked up at Tucker, spittle drooled out of the side of her mouth, “Tuck?”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “How do you do it?”

  “Do what?”

  “Drink the whole damn bottle...sure, we shared,” Cass slurred, “But you don’t appear inebriated like the rezst of uz?”

  “Well,” Tucker said, downing the last of the whiskey, “It’s this damn chip. It metabolizes the booze quicker than it affects me.”

  “You’re lucky.”

  “No, that’s not luck. I can’t get drunk if I tried.”

  “I’m zure that has itz limitz, Tuck.”

  “That remains to be seen.”

  “Good, we have to get to the ship.”

  “We’ve got plenty of time, Cass.”

  “Have you looked at your watch lately?”

  “No, it’s only about ten.”

  “It’s eleven twenty...I think I’m going to throw up.”

  “Nice...well, just not in my car, okay?”

  “We better all get a move on. You all can pile in my jeep, being I’m the only sober person in the room...oh, and someone please carry Buster?”

  * * *

  Chapter 4

  Salvage-5

  Location:

  Oak Harbor, WA

  Whidbey Island Naval Base and Space Port

  Earth Date: 10/22/2065 2064 01:55

  Mission Objectives:

  DEPLOY CSMO AT ASTEROID 253 MATHILDE

  JUMP ASSUALT TEAM TO 52 EUROPA

  INFILTRATE ALIEN NOOSPHERE

  RESCUE HUMANS

  COLLECT ALIEN CORE

  DESTROY NOOSPHERE COMPLEX

  “Look alive, everyone!” Tucker ordered over his wireless.

  Cass sat at her navigation station with her head resting on her console, “Is it that time already, Commander?”

  “Yep, we’re five minutes to mission start.”

  “Wow...time flies...”

  “Time flies when you’re hung-over Captain? How’s your pre-flight check?”

  “Pre-flight check complete, Commander.”

  “See, Cass?” Tucker smirked, “Samantha here didn’t overdo it, now did she? She’s mission ready.”

  Cass muttered something under her breath as she snapped her neck back and forth, “Nah, nah, nah-nah, naaah...”

  “Cass, er, Major, I need you to patch me over to SSV-7. Buster?” Tucker asked, turning in his seat, “You ready back there?”

  “Yes...Sir...I’m about as ready as ever, I guess.”

  “How’s your head?”

  “Aching...Sir...”

  “Did you remember my little care package?”

  “Yeah, I got it. Once we get to the CSMO, I’ll give it to ya.”

  “Arighty then...Cass, you have Captain Hargrove on the horn yet?”

  “Patching him through now, Commander.”

  “This is Captain Hargrove of SSV-7,” Tucker heard through his wireless, “Ready for departure, Commander.”

  “Captain Hargrove, you’re clear for mission departure. Contac
t the tower for instructions. We’ll rendezvous at primary coordinates, Salvage-5 out.”

  “SSV-7, roger that, Commander. Dash 7 out.”

  “Cass, patch me over to Captain Yakovna.”

  “Patching through, now, Tuck.”

  “Thiz iz Captain Yakovna, Ez-Ez-V-Zix; ready for mizzion departurz.”

  “Slavena, you’re clear for mission departure in two minutes. Wake turbulence avoidance procedures. Contact departure for instructions. We’ll rendezvous at primary coordinates, Salvage-5, out.”

  “Ez-Ez-V-Zix, affirmativez, Commander. Contacting towerz for inztructionz. Ez-Ez-V-Zix, out.”

  A few moments later, the Salvage-5 crew felt the powerful thrusters of Salvage-6 as Slavena powered her ship’s thrusters for takeoff. The ship gracefully floated above the tarmac. Tucker smiled as the ship’s landing skids retracted, disappearing inside the belly of the ship. Salvage-5 rumbled as Salvage-6 sped across the landscape, and then rocketed vertically before disappearing from their view.

  “Captain Rothschild,” Tucker began as he cinched his harness just a tad tighter, “You’re clear for mission departure in two minutes. Contact tower for instructions.”

  “Tower Control, SSV-5, ready for mission departure,” Sam said, pressing her transmit button.

  “SSV-5, Tower Control. You’re cleared for takeoff in thirty seconds.”

  “Tower Control, SSV-5, roger that. Departing in thirty seconds,” Sam answered, “Commander, all systems green. Ion turbine engines and thrusters online. Avionics green.”

  “Navigation check?” Tucker asked.

  “Navigational gyros engaged,” Cass moaned, “We are set for orbital sequence. Course set and verified.”

  “Captain, lift us off and take us to our primary rendezvous coordinates.”

  “Lift off in, 3...2...1...skids up,” Sam reported, pulling back on the ship’s controls.

  “SSV-5, Tower Control, cleared to depart the area. Good luck and we’ll see you in six weeks.”

  Sam depressed her transmit button, “Tower Control, SSV-5, thanks. We’ll be looking forward to solid ground by that time. Salvage-5 out.”

  The ship streaked vertically through the atmosphere and into orbit. A few small personal items began floating in the cabin.

  “Looks like someone didn’t do their final check,” Tucker said pointing at a floating pen tumbling by.