Special Police DekaOps

31

Michelle stared out the window on the command deck. Around her OpsStation personnel were busy making sure all systems were operating properly. She barely paid them any attention, she was transfixed on the Earth slowly spinning below them. Michelle had seen images of this before, in news report, in magazines, online and the like. But seeing it in person took her breath away. Noticing Dan’s reflection in the window she took his hand. He gave her a quick squeeze while they looked at the planet below. “It reminds me when I came back from my original training,” he said. “It’s still an amazing sight.”

“It’s beautiful,” she commented. They continued looking out before turning away.

“I still can’t believe we get to keep this place,” Dan said looking around the command deck. Although part of him still couldn’t shake that feeling of being watched he had when they were first tested.

“Command wants to make sure we’re properly prepared in case we’re attacked again,” Michelle reminded him. “How did the Major put it? They got the training they might as well have all the toys that go along with it. Did you take the tour yet?”

“Just got done with it,” he said. “It’s way more impressive than my first trip up here. It has all the things OpsBase has plus a Zero G training room.”

“We don’t want those new skills getting rusty now do we?”, she grinned. Leaving the command deck they walked the hall until they found an elevator to take them to the barrack deck. “So how is the duty rotation going to work with this?”

“The Major wants at least one of us up here a couple of times a week,” he answered as the doors opened. They took a left and headed for the field team barracks. “Two if we can manage it. We’re getting a couple of specialty shuttle pods that’s suppose to travel between here and OpsBase in under twenty minutes.” Saluting a couple of crew members as they passed he continued. “Although we might be seeing a little less of Ace for the immediate future. She’s been studying everything she can get her hands on concerning the Machine Tiger systems. She’s planning to supervise the repairs herself.”

“Poor bastards,” she said thinking of the repair crew aboard. “At least you don’t have to worry about getting a request form for part upgrades.”

“The Major is really thankful for that,” Dan said with a grin. “According to him she’s planning on coming up two or three times a week to supervise the Tiger’s regular maintenance.”

“Ace better bring along a couple of her regular crew otherwise these guys are not going to know what hit them.”

“She is.” They stopped in the middle of the barracks. Like at OpsBase six doors, three on either side of the hallway, waited to be occupied. “Despite the fact our time here is going to be limited the Major wants us to pick out our own quarters in case some of us pull a night shift. Since we’re senior staff we get first pick.”

“How are you two doing anyway?”, she asked. “After that surprise test he said you were pissed.”

“We talked, worked things out,” was all he said. “We’re fine now. Having to wait a week before having that conversation helped things a lot. I was a lot calmer than what I would have been.”

“Good,” she said. “I’d hate to think I’d be visiting you in the brig.” Dan rolled his eyes but said nothing. Looking at the doors she said, “Since we get first pick maybe we can get a room next to each other.”

Slowly he said, “Or maybe we can pick the same quarters.” Turning around Michelle looked at him. “I mean officially we’d have to have separate quarters, make it look like everything is being used and such.”

“That’s sort of a big step,” she told him.

“I know,” he agreed, “but I’m either sleeping in your quarters or you’re sleeping in mine. I thought why not make it official.” Suddenly feeling unsure of himself Dan went, “Unless you don’t want to.”

“Actually I love the idea,” she said wrapping her arms around his waist. “It could be like our own private get away. As long as we juggle the schedules around. So how do we pick?”

“How did you pick back at OpsBase?”

“I just went with the first empty room I went into.”

“Like this?”, reaching back Dan hit the button that opened the door behind him. Michelle squealed as he grabbed and pulled her into the room.

***

Several sonic showers a day and Chatrox still felt dirty. He still couldn’t believe he assisted Stevens, much less SPD. He doubted he’d feel totally clean again. Although the sizable fee the Bosses awarded him for the task almost made up for it. He had enough to live off of for a long, long time. Not that he took a vacation afterwards, no there were clients to take care of. New avenues of business to exploit. Not to mention something in his gut told him Stevens and his accursed black badge unit survived the little “present” he left them on the Iczian ship. No he wouldn’t believe it until he saw a body. Even then he’d demand DNA verification. Chatrox was not going to leave until that particular human was no more.

Putting his cloak back on his personal Igadroid stepped forward, “You are getting an incoming transmission.”

“Who is it?”

“The transmission indicates that it is Xyon Agent Chatrox.”

Chatrox snorted in disgust. It was one of his newer clients, and he was almost as bad as the humans, almost. He toyed with the idea of having the call mysteriously dropped. But there were so many times he could blame a sudden burst of cosmic interference. Walking, slowly, to his receiver he accepted the transmission. This was going to be extremely painful. “Greetings Xyon,” he said with false pleasantries, “I see the cosmos is clear today.”

An image of a stout, reddish skinned being appeared before him. In fact Chatrox would privately say he was as wide as he was tall. “Apparently,” the image said. His body language said he was annoyed with waiting so long. The Agent knew he had to tread carefully. An unhappy client was not a good thing, no matter how annoying he was.

“What do you need today?”, he asked. “I have several specialties items in stock as you know.”

“You have nothing I need today,” Xyon informed him. Keeping his expression neutral Chatrox wondered why this fool was wasting his time. “On the other hand I have something you might be interested in.”

Unless it was Steven’s current location he sincerely doubted it. Although his curiosity was piqued, “And what might that be?”

“A complete set of Centurion Class battle armor.” Chatrox jaw nearly dropped as he double checked to make sure the line was secure. Only one planet manufactured that class of Armor, Dextal. On that planet the armor was only used by the guards of the Royal Family. Not that mattered, but the material it was made from was a different story. A pound of it was worth a small fortune on the black market. A whole suit, well a smart person could purchase his own system. “So are you interested?”

“Are you sure this is legitimate?”, Chatrox asked trying hard to keep his voice even. More than once somebody had tried to pass off a fake. Because of the nature and rarity of the material in most cases that person was never seen from again.

“Of course I’m sure,” Xyon looked insulted. “You can test it out for yourself if you don’t think I’m right.”

“I plan to, I’ll meet you in a few hours at the usual location.” Chatrox ended the transmission before Xyon could say anything else. “Igadroid, get the Myon scanner and prepare my ship for launch.” It did as ordered without another word. Chatrox wouldn’t have heard it if it did say anything. He was going over his client list in his head. More specifically those looking to buy items such as this, if it was real that is and how many of them who could actually afford it.

***

Cloaked from view the Machine Shepard headed for Texas. A little earlier SPD Earth Command was contacted by a representative of the Dextal high court. This person was trailing a stolen suit of armor for a couple of systems now. She was able to trace it this far but requested some assistance seeing how she wasn’t familiar with Earth customs and protocols. Naturally they called them in because the representative wanted to keep this as quiet as possible. After a short flight Ace set the Shepard down in an abandon quarry. Exiting the ship Dan looked around not seeing anything. “Stevens to OpsBase.”

“OpsBase here,” Michelle answered.

“We’re at the coordinates but I’m not seeing the envoy,” Dan said. “Rev couldn’t even pick out her life signs.”

“Give her time Dan,” The Major told him. “She might be a little gun shy. From what I understand this is her first time on Earth, so play nice.”

“I won’t start anything if she doesn’t, Stevens out.”

“So how long to we wait?”, Ace asked as he put his License away.

“Until Base calls us back,” he answered.

“Which hopefully will not be any time soon.” All of them whipped around, hands on their SP-Shooter at the new voice. Wearing a plain brown jumpsuit a female stood there with her hand s open and sleeves rolled up. Emerald eyes stared at them while long white hair framed her pale blue face. Both sides sized each other up before making a move. Lowering her arms she continued, “It was not my intention to startle you. My name is Drilian, I am a Fourth Level Knight of the Dextal Royal Family.”

“Fourth level?”, Rev said with some amazement.

“You heard of them?”, Target asked.

“Not much,” he said, “but I do know that to reach the rank of Fourth Level Knight is a rare accomplishment for someone so young.”

“You honor me,” she said with a slight bow. “If I may be so bold, but you are a black badge unit, are you not?”

“You heard of us?”, Boomer asked.

“Some of your compatriots assisted us several of your months ago,” she informed them. “Although from the rumors of their existence I doubted I would ever see one in the flesh.”

Dan nodded, “I’m guessing if they sent you it must be pretty important.”

Drilian told him, “It is although it may not seem that way to you at first.” Opening one of the pockets of the jumpsuit she reviled a holo disc. Placing it on a rock an image of a suit of armor hovered above it. “This is a suit of Centurion Class battle armor. More importantly it is the armor of our King. I am ashamed to say it was stolen under my very nose by a very resourceful thief. He was resourceful until I caught up with him that is.”

“And he got rid of it before you caught up him?” Dan asked, getting a feeling he knew where this was going. Drilian nodded in shame. “This is a hell of a long way to drag a trophy.”

“It’s more than that Cap,” Target spoke up. “I didn’t recognize the name of the planet until she mentioned the armor class. The alloy of the suit is super rare. The black market price alone is astronomical in some place.”

“You’re comrade is correct,” Drilian said. “The fact it was stolen was already a slap to the face. The very idea it could be dissected and sold off to the highest bidder, we would not be able to overcome that kind of embarrassment.”

“Do you know where the suit is now?”, Dan asked her.

“Unfortunately the armor has traded hands several times,” she answered. “I should consider myself fortunate it was not dissected and sold off by now. From what I have been able to gather the armor was given to a Troblin named Xyon.” She touched the controls of the holo disc and a wide, squat reddish creature appeared. “To my knowledge the armor was given to him in exchange in payment for a shipment of Koradone.”

“A priceless alloy as payment for some drugs?”, Target asked in disbelief.

“The previous ‘owner’ of the suit was not aware of it’s worth,” Drilian explained. “His mind was so far gone when I found him I was lucky to get this out of him.”

“Do you have a way to track Xyon before he bolts,” Dan asked.

“Xyon no,” she said. “But I can locate the suit if I can get close enough to it. We have a scanner that can detect the alloy before we dig. I was able to adapt a smaller unit for my search.”

“Target, you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“I think I am Cap,” she answered. “I can hook the scanner into the Shepard’s sensors. I should be able to widen the search radius.”

“You have my eternal thanks.”

“Thank us after we get the armor back,” Dan told her.

***

It didn’t take long for Target and Ace to hook Drilian’s scanner into the Shepard’s system. But there was a computer language barrier that delayed them a bit until Boomer and Michelle were able to solve it. Still cloaked and flying low they quickly settled on a search grid. Drilian hovered over Target’s shoulder as her eyes remained glued on the sensor screen. “So,” Target said feeling a bit uncomfortable, “how did you avoid popping up on our sensor scans?”

“As a Fourth Level Knight I am trained to lower my life readings until they appear to be nonexistent,” she explained. “It was a skill that was difficult to master at first, it is still difficult to perform at times. Even those older and wiser than myself have said so.”

“And you only attain that skill after you prove yourself worthy of attaining the forth level,” Rev said to Dan. “I believe her story is truthful Captain.”

Glancing at them she asked, “You doubted I was who I said I was?”

“We’re retrieving a suit or armor that’s damn near priceless,” Dan said. “I’d be suspecting my own mother at this point. After we couldn’t detect any electronic gear or electrical field around you, outside of the holo disc, we just needed that bit of info to know for sure.”

“I would have gone the same,” she said with a nod. “It is good to know I am not dealing with fools.”

“Well four out of five isn’t bad,” Ace said.

“Oh ha-ha,” Boomer said realizing that was directed at him.

“I’m getting a hit,” Target announced.

Drilian attention returned to the screen, “That is the alloy signature. I can’t see an exact location from this altitude. We need to get lower.”

“We get any lower and we might as well be right on top of them,” Ace argued.

“Target,” Dan said to get out of this argument before it began, “download the sensor data to a couple of hand scanners. We’ll take the Hounds and get a lock on the position from the ground. Boomer you’re with me.”

“Right,” Boomer said getting out of his seat.

“Here they are,” Target held them out as they passed. In the cargo area each jumped into a hole in either side of the hold. Settling in both announced they were ready.

“Approaching hot drop height and speed,” Ace announced. “Hot dropping in three… two… one,” they braced for it, “now!” The floor beneath them dropped away the Machine Hounds dropped to the ground. As soon as they made contact Dan and Boomer headed off in different directions. The scanner in Dan’s hand started to beep faster the closer he got to the armor. When it started to get slower he stopped and held the scanner behind him.

“We got the armor pinpointed,” Target told him.

“Send us the coordinates,” Dan ordered. He had them in a matter of moments and turned the Hound around. He rode until he could see a compound of tents in the distance. Pulling out a set of binoculars he tried to get a look of the layout. “I see Xyon,” he announced. “One tent in particular looks heavily guarded. Chances are if he still has the armor it’s in there.”

“I see it,” Ace said.

“Captain Stevens,” Drilian cut in, “it is paramount we secure that location as soon as possible.”

“We’ll secure it Drilian,” Dan assured her. “We just need to plan this out.”

“Cap,” Boomer said over the line, “check out three o’clock.”

Dan scanned the area until he saw what Boomer was talking about. A figure wearing a cloak was walking toward the tent. Xyon went to greet him. Although the newcomer’s features were obscured he could see reptilian skin underneath the hood. “Why am I not surprised.”

***

“This way Agent Chatrox,” Xyon waddled toward the Batsuroid covered tent. “It’s in here.”

“I never would have guessed,” he sneered.

“The accommodations ain’t much but it gets the job done.” A couple of Batsuroids stepped as they entered the tent. Chatrox inhaled sharply as he saw the armor. Laying in a crate the dull grey metal was accented by a gold inlay and several jewels. His hand hovered over the armor almost itching in anticipation, one of the jewels alone looked like it would be worth a king’s ransom. “So do you believe it’s the real deal now?”

“I’ll find out soon enough.” Taking out the scanner he had with him he ran it over the suit. The results came back positive. His heart stated beating faster. “Now I believe.”

“So what are you going to pay me?”

“I’m not the one who’s going to do the paying,” Chatrox told him. Xyon sputtered for a response. After tiring of hearing it he informed him, “But I will assist you in selling it to the highest bidder. I already have a couple of buyers in mind. It’s just a matter of how much they are willing to pay for it. Or exactly how much of it they are willing to purchase.” He started walking round the crate taking holopictures. “You are going to be an extremely rich man.”

“Really now?”, Xyon asked. The tone in his voice put Chatrox on alert. “So why do I need you then?” Chatrox spun around and put the tip of his dagger at the Troblin’s throat before he could draw the blaster on his hip. He pressed it against his skin just hard enough for him to feel it, “Urk.”

“Because you buffoon I have the contacts who can afford such an item.” Putting a little more pressure against his skin he made the rotund little annoyance back up. “Now because you tried that little stunt I’m going to raise my seller’s fee to forty percent of your take.”

“F… Forty?”, he sputtered as he backed up against a table.

“I could go as high as fifty,” he threatened, “if not higher.”

“Forty’s good,” he squeaked.

“Fine,” the Agent said removing the dagger.  “I’ll finish taking pictures then I’ll return to my ship and send them to the buyers. Then we’ll let the bidding commence.”

He stopped counting the credits rolling in his head when he heard something that sounded like a gunshot outside. Xyon went to the tent opening and saw one of his Batsuroid on the ground with a hole through it’s blue head. On a hill not far away Target lined up another shot with her sniper rifle and quickly dropped another one. “We are under attack,” proclaimed a third right before it’s head sparked as well.

“What the slag?”, Xyon said before the roar of the Hounds engines cut him off. Dan and Boomer fired the Hound’s laser at the bots in their way as they raced around the compound. Their Dekasuits provided the protection from any return fire. “You’re not taking my suit!”, Xyon shouted firing away.

“I challenge that claim,” Drilian said as she snuck up behind him. Before he could turn around she grabbed his wrist and flipped him to the ground with a bit of effort. Ace and Rev took care of a couple of Batsuroids that were trying to sneak up behind her. “My thanks for watching my back.”

“Our pleasure,” Ace said. More Batsuroids surrounded them. “I think I spoke too soon.” She and Rev had their Dekasuits, but Fourth Level Knight or not Drilian was pretty much unprotected. Thinking quick Ace handed her the D-Rod. “You used one of these before right?”

A sly smile graced her lips, “I believe I’ve handled something similar to this before.” She charged the Batsuroids before Ace and Rev said anything. They got off a couple of shots but Drilian was attacking the bots something fierce. Her finger had found the button that activated the energy field around the rod. A pink glow followed her arm as she slashed, hacked and jabbed at the Batsuroids. Ace and Rev stared in amazement as the last one fell to the ground defeated.

“Impressive,” Rev managed to get out.

“I’m afraid I must apologize,” she said handing the D-Rod back to Ace. “I rarely get an opportunity to utilize my training to its fullest. Facing the mechanicals I saw an opportunity to, I believe the phrase on your planet is to cut loose.”

“Not a problem,” Ace told her. “You ever thought about joining SPD?”

“Yes,” Rev agreed, “your skills would be most valuable.”

“You flatter me,” Drilian said with a blush. “Unfortunately my duty and loyalty is to my King and my planet.”

“Our loss then,” Ace said. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Xyon try to crawl away. “Oh no you don’t.” She and Rev quickly got in his way. He sputtered as he tried to speak. “Tell it to the License. Target orders.” The area went dark as the red X and blue circle flashed between them. After the scan was over the circle shined. “Apprehend target. Rev if you would?”

“Of course Trish,” he removed the D-Whoppers from his belt and slapped them around Xyon’s wrist.

“Drilian, somehow I get the feeling he’s going home with you,” Ace commented.

She gave him a dangerous grin that made him cower, “I certainly hope so.”

Dan and Boomer pulled up a moment later. “Camp’s clear,” Dan said. “Let’s secure the armor.” Drilian didn’t need to hear another word as she headed for the tent. Dan was in right behind her and immediately drew his D-Colt. The others came in doing the same with their D-Shooters. Chatrox stood by the armor holding a cylinder over it in his right hand. “Step away from the armor Chatrox,” Dan ordered.

“This,” he calmly said, “is a disintegration grenade. This is the pin for said grenade,” it dangled from a finger on his left hand. “If I drop the grenade in a matter of seconds this suit will be vaporized into atoms.”

“Do not dare villain,” Drilian demanded, but she hardly allowed herself to breath.

“I won’t as long as I’m allowed to leave unharmed.” Dan glanced over to Boomer for confirmation about the grenade. He nodded slowly, cursing under his breath he ordered for them to lower their weapons. Chatrox backed away until he was out of the tent. Dan bolted after him as soon as he did and looked around. The Agent was nowhere to be seen.

“Shit,” he cursed and grabbed his License, “Target did you see where the Agent went?”

“He faded from view the moment he exited,” she answered. “I’m sorry Cap but I have no idea where he went.”

He wanted to swear again but he already knew her answer before she even said anything. “It’s not your fault Target, he’s a tricky son of a bitch. Keep an eye out for anything vaporizing suddenly. He should be somewhere in that area.” Returning to the tent Drilian was eyeing the armor carefully. “Is it still in one piece?”

“It is,” she answered, “thanks the heavens above. You have my eternal thanks and appreciation for getting it back Captain Stevens.”

“Now we’ll take it, and we’re just doing our job.”

***

Drilain guarded the armor at OpsBase until they received word from her home planet that they were ready to transport the suit back. The Machine Tiger made the final leg of the journey from OpsStation to the Dextal royal ship. It softly landed in the hanger with several rows of soldiers and workers waiting for them. Drilian exited the Tiger accompanied by the Major, Dan and Ace as a couple of techs carefully guided the armor down the ramp. A Dextal stepped forward in regal robes and a silver crown on top of his head Drilian immediately went to a knee and bowed her head. Dan motion for him and Ace to do the same. “My Lord,” Drilian said with reverence, “my task is complete. My only fault is I did not return it to you sooner.”

“Arise Fourth Knight Drilian,” he said, “and knights of Earth as well.” Getting back up to their feet he continued, “Time has no meaning to the cosmos Drilian. I am grateful the armor was returned and that you have come back to us.” Drilian nodded and took her place beside him. “Major Pierce, your knights have my gratitude and eternal appreciation. I am aware the armor has monetary value elsewhere in the galaxy. But it has been in my family for generations. It value to me is greatly more.”

“It’s our pleasure to return the suit to you your majesty,” the Major said with a slight bow of his head.

“Hey let me go!”, Xyon demanded as he was dragged out of the Tiger. “I got my rights!”, he continued screaming as the soldiers took him from the techs and out of the hanger.

“Ah him,” the King said. “His punishment will not be as severe as if he took the armor himself. But it will be appropriate.” Looking over to Dan he mentioned, “Captain Stevens I am a mild acquaintance of a Commander in your organization named Trytan. Although he did not go into details he did mention he was highly impressed with a group of humans from Earth. It appears the praise was well earned.”

“We were just doing what was asked of us,” He told him.

“You do you and your organization proud Captain. Now I do not want to appear rude but I am anxious to return the armor home. Major, I wish you and your knights good travels.”

“Good Travels to you as well your majesty.” Dan and Drilian exchanged nods before both sides parted ways.

Aboard the Tiger Ace was warming up the engines with a smirk. Finally she said, “He called us knights.” She waved her hand in the air, “Lady Patricia Fieldman, I like the sound of that. Are female knights referred to as ‘lady’?”

“I’m not sure,” the Major told her taking Dan seat, “but if you guys are the knights I guess that makes me the king.” He leaned back looking smug.

Propping an elbow on the back of the chair Dan said, “Well you Lordship, before you let that go to your head I’ve been keeping a couple of stories under my belt. And they might accidently come out if the trip home becomes unbearable.”

Losing his smugness Pierce asked, “So what’s the ETA back home?”