Part 5: Mission Complete

   Lowering the dart rifle slowly, 4423 took a step forward and his foot ended up directly on the top of one of the holes created by the energy darts the alien had released. The clone stopped and looked down as he moved his boot back to inspect the impact point. The hole was several inches deep and had burnt straight through a rock. The soldier leaned down and picked up the grey stone that appeared to have been the size of his palm before the energy hand torn through most of it. Now it looked like a crescent moon with his grey pitted surface and the perfectly cut crescent shape. Looking at the other impact points, it was clear each of the bolts of energy had created similar damage. Had the alien not changed the attack’s trajectory at the last second, 4423 would be dead. Looking up at the alien again he thought, ‘Why?’ His mind started to contemplate the answer to this question as he activated his radio and said in his controlled monotone voice, “Target subdued, but it took some damage. 1767 get here immediately to inspect the target before movement.”

   The clone soldier then continued toward the alien and kneeled down next to her unconscious body as he slipped the stone in one of his pockets. His radio was filled with celebration over another successful mission, but he tuned out the noise in favor of his thoughts. He inspected the alien that had spared him as his mind continued to question her actions. He thought about what she had said before passing out. She should have killed him, he was her enemy and her merciful act resulted in her capture. Why did she show mercy to a merciless attacker? It did not make any sense to the man who was raised for the sole purpose of fighting and killing. He suddenly reached over and pulled out the dart out of the alien’s skin. Looking at the dart and then the alien, he started to contemplate what would be full scope of her decision to spare him.

   4423 was deep in thought about the faelin’s actions, when the transport re-positioned itself overhead and dropped 1767 via zip line. Rushing over to the alien, the medic moved next to the second in command while asking in his smooth voice, “Did you move her?”

   “No,” replied 4423 as he moved out of the way so the doctor could inspect the alien. 4423 slowly put the dart in his pocket with the stone as the doctor retrieved a scanning device from his belt.

Using the small rectangle scanning device, the medic quickly assessed the alien’s condition. “Looks like she has several broken ribs and a broken arm, she should be in good enough condition for the corporates. I’ll stabilize the broken bones to prevent further damage and then we can get her back to the facility,” said 1767 with a little sigh of relief as he removed his helmet and slipped off the bulky medical pack from his back. He started rummaging through the medical bag; taking out disinfectant, cloth gauze, a plastic combat splint, large needle, and a small bottle with a clean liquid in it. He applied the disinfectant to prevent infection then he splinted the compound fracture. As he worked on setting the arm the medic suddenly said, “You know, for an alien she is pretty attractive. I like green designs on her skin, they are beautiful.”

   4423 looked down at the medic passively, but before he could reply to 1767’s comment 9124’s voice came over the radio. “Shit, we have some trouble over here; looks like some of the primitives didn’t like us crashing their party. Normally I wouldn’t be worried, but there a lot of them and I do not have a lot of ammo,” said the woman’s voice which was quickly followed by sounds of the squad leader’s and heavy weapon specialist’s side arms as the two started fending off the aggressive eurians.

   “I’m going to assist! I will return in a second,” said the team’s pilot, 0082, over the radio as the gunship suddenly turned and moved off toward the sounds of pistol fire as a hidden door slid open on the right side of the nose revealing the ship’s anti-personnel Gatling cannon. A second later the distinct whine of the 30mm cannon unleashing its 80 rounds a second fury filled the forest. Sounds of explosions from the anti-infantry rounds quickly followed, and then there was a deathly silence that washed over the forest for a few seconds.

   “Well that worked, all survivors are retreating and pissing themselves after that display. Thanks for the assist there ace. Could you drop the recovery lines so we can get out of here?” said a slightly amused voice belonging to 9124 over their radio channel.

   4423 looked down at the medic and asked without using the radio, “Is the target ready to move?”

“She should be, but I do not see any reason to rush. I am sure the Succubus showed the primitives any rescue attempt is futile,” said the medic in a calm voice as he pulled a large needle out of the alien’s side where he had injected a biodegradable substance while the gunship dealt with the hostile locals. The substance would help keep her ribs stabilized for a few hours. Once finished the medic began putting away his medical supplies, as 4423 scanned the environment around them for any possible enemies. The medic looked up at 4423 for a second before saying, “I guess I should carry her.”

   4423 looked down at the man and said, “You are the medic, you would know the best way to carry it without damaging it further.”

   “That means you will get to carry my bag. Be careful with it,” said the medic.

   “I will be careful,” replied the dull voice of the second in command.

   The medic smiled as he grabbed his helmet and put it on his head again. The other man picked up the medic’s bag and put it on his back before watching the medic carefully pick up the alien. “Wow, she is a lot lighter than I expected, “ said the medic as he held the alien.

   The team’s sniper, 6132, walked up to the two as the medic stood up with the alien in his arms. After giving the female faelin and medic a quick glance, the sniper turned to 4423 and said, “Good call on positioning me where I had a clear shot on it.”

   4423 replied with a nod as their transport returned to a hovering stop above their heads. A few seconds later zip lines fell through the opening in the lush canopy above them and the sniper quickly attached himself to the line and motioned for it to be retracted. After the sniper went up, a basket was lowered for the team’s prisoner. 4423 and 1767 secured the alien in the basket with several straps and then 4423 radioed for her to be pulled into the ship. Watching the basket go up 4423 looked over at 1767 and said in a directive tone, “I would recommend keeping your thoughts about the target’s appearance to yourself.” The medic looked over at 4423 and gave a slight nod as his answer.

   Once Lynia’s unconscious body was inside the transport, 1221 and 9124 carefully removed her from the basket and strapped her down to a metal gurney. As the alien was being secured, 4423 and 1767 were pulled up into the transport. Once the ramp and door had closed the transport’s engines started to output more thrust causing the aircraft to gain altitude and speed. The Succubus was soon on its way back to the research facility.