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  “Perfectly clear, sir,” Wilde said, his reed thin body ramrod straight as he stood before the table, pinned there by the glare from those eyes.

  “Handle this personally Jonas, I can trust no one else with this you understand!”

  “Consider it done, sir. You have my word.” Wilde said, then turned and left the room leaving Eisenhower to return to his work.

  The moment Wilde left the room he contacted the team leader who would clean up this mess. Tanis Rygar was a contract soldier who until five years ago had been in the Black Knights, the Elysium Alliance’s Special Forces. Said to be the equivalent of Col Sec’s Recon Delta marines, the Black Knights were elite in the extreme and had faced off against Col Sec on many occasions.

  Rygar was a large man with a block-like head set on broad shoulders and a well-muscled torso. His strength and ruthlessness were renowned amongst the Black Knights. He had a bald head, a black goatee and a scar on the edge of his left eye that made it appear puckered. He had worked for OMEGA as a team leader for the past five years, since Eisenhower had poached him from the Black Knights, and had proved a valuable acquisition.

  For the past year though, Wilde had become close to him, using him more and more, gaining his trust with promises that one day he would be a man of power within an organisation that would be THE power in the galaxy.

  It had been Wilde who had sent the clone to the chamber, it had been Wilde who had leaked the data about a terrorist strike against a Col Sec base, upon which the latter had no option but to act. So far his plan was going smoothly.

  “Rygar, take your team back to the chamber and destroy any evidence you may find there pertaining to the Rover,” Wilde said, after the call had been connected via his NI. All MaxCorp higher echelon employees were fitted with top grade Neural Interfaces almost to military grade and so the call was made easily enough.

  “It’s about time, I’ve been sitting on my butt for the past twelve hours waiting for your call,” Rygar answered sullenly.

  “Just remember who signs your pay cheque, Rygar, and show some respect or I’ll have you on garbage duty for the next twelve months,” replied Wilde sternly. He was not a man to cross. What Eisenhower didn’t know was that Wilde had a military background and had served in Col Sec Intelligence Division for several years before being kicked out for an op that went bad and in which several marines lost their lives through his tainted Intel. He was ruthless and determined with sociopathic tendencies and his plan was to rip control of OMEGA from Eisenhower’s fingers. If it was from his dying fingers he didn’t care, as long as he got control.

  “Yes, sir, I’m on my way, will report back as soon as we arrive on station,” Rygar replied showing the correct amount of respect and not overdoing it with a tinge of sarcasm, for he knew better than to anger Wilde. He had once seen him chastise a team member in front of the rest of the team. The member returned a sarcastic comment after being reprimanded and Wilde took out a Sig P996 and calmly shot him between the eyes, witnessed by the whole group. After that, no one was ever sarcastic to him in any situation.

  “Good, I’ll look forward to your call,” Wilde said, then broke the connection. As he continued walking down the brightly lit corridor his thoughts were on the chamber and what Rygar would find there. Once his orders had been carried out and all incriminating evidence erased, it would be time to move on to the next phase of his plan.

  Now he must make preparations so that when the time arrived he would be ready to make his move.

  Col Sec would soon learn the true power that OMEGA wielded and that there was nothing they could do to stop them. His revenge on them for his humiliation would soon be complete.

  HAWK WAS SOON ENTERING General Sinclair’s office eager to see what he wanted to tell him.

  “I came straight away, sir,” he said when he saw the General check the time. He had got there in just over five minutes.

  “No need to apologise, Matt,” Sinclair said.

  “I wasn’t, sir,” replied Hawk who stood to attention in front of the large, ornate desk.

  “At ease Captain, relax before you strain something,” Sinclair said in a more friendly tone. “What have you learned from the interrogation room?”

  “Still waiting for the preliminary reports, sir, but if I may suggest something?” Hawk replied.

  “What is it Captain?”

  “I don’t think we’ll learn much from the room, sir, not as much as we could from the chamber where I captured the clone. They picked that particular place for us to go and capture the clone and I think we need to know why,” explained Hawk.

  “Okay then take a squad of marines with you and go and do your thing. I’ll inform Colonel De Boer that you’ll need his services once more.”

  “Thank you, sir, I’ll leave right away.”

  “Before you go I have something you need to know. My recent talk with the President went rather well. I put to him the situation about OMEGA and my recommendations on how to combat it. He agreed and gave me carte blanche to do as I see fit. To that end I intend to set up a new special unit to combat such threats, a unit of agents who will be the elite from Recon Delta and I want you to join them. In fact, I want you to be the first of my recruits. For the time being I want you to carry on with your present investigation until I’ve finalised the details of this new unit. As soon as I have anything I’ll let you know.”

  “I’m flattered, sir. What’s this new unit going to be called?”

  “That hasn’t been decided yet.”

  “If you want any nominations for recruits then I have a few: Captain Storm and his team. They helped with the rescue of Kurt Stryder and they are already a team who work well together. I must say that they are the best soldiers I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.”

  “I’ll take that under advisement Captain and we’ll talk about it soon, but for now you have work to do. Contact me on a secure channel the moment you have anything.”

  “I will sir.”

  “Dismissed,” Sinclair said and with that Hawk turned on his heel and left the office.

  4

  Hawk went straight to the spaceport where he found Colonel De Boer waiting for him with a squad of five men.

  “I understand you want to go back into the chamber to see if you missed anything the first time around, is that it?” De Boer asked as Hawk approached.

  “Yep, it seems we drew a blank with the captive and the only lead left to us is what we might find back in that chamber,” replied Hawk. He paused slightly while he thought out what he was going to say next. Just how much did the Colonel know? Had Sinclair confided in him the true nature of the situation or was he as much in the dark as before and should he tell him about OMEGA? All these questions rattled around inside his head as he chose his next words carefully.

  “Might find? Are you trying to tell me this is a goose chase of the wild variety?” De Boer asked, clearly not impressed with his new mission.

  “Look Colonel, I know you’re not impressed with me or my methods, or the fact that a mere Captain is in charge of this mission, calling the shots with the authority to issue you with orders. I know all that, you make it abundantly clear, but I tell you what, I don’t give a shit. You will carry out my orders when I give them and you will show some professional etiquette. I can’t expect you to show respect when you clearly have none but I do expect you to act like a Recon Delta marine Colonel.”

  De Boer took a step back to look at Hawk, this time with a little more respect. The man had actually stood up to him and in fact had torn a strip off him, which he knew he deserved.

  “Of that you can be assured, Captain,” he said.

  “Matt, call me Matt. I’m an officer of the Intelligence Division and I prefer not to stand on ceremony except when it’s warranted, I just want to get this job done. I’m afraid I cannot tell you too much of what’s going on, but what I can say is that this is of the utmost importance. I don’t say this just to get you motivated; I say it becau
se it’s a fact. There is a danger to Col Sec here and I have to find out as much about it as I possibly can. Now we may have no trouble back at the chamber, but protocol demands that I return there escorted by a squad of marines. The faster we get there, the faster I can learn what is behind this menace,” Hawk said.

  “In that case, Matt, I suggest we get on board,” De Boer said with a smile.

  “What, no more questions?” asked Hawk.

  De Boer looked at him and said, “I’m sure you’ll inform me of what I need to know, when I need to know it.”

  “Right,” Hawk said and they all boarded the shuttle, which promptly took off and headed straight towards the cruiser, Valkyrie, which was parked in orbit.

  The Valkyrie was a military transport placed at Hawk’s disposal for the duration of the mission and was crewed by some of Col Sec’s finest. Colonel De Boer had only brought five men along with him for this trip and not having had the benefit of all the mission details, he had been unable to do a proper risk assessment of the task ahead. Assured that this was just an escort job he believed a five-man squad would suffice. He would be proven wrong.

  Captain Jefferson, a twelve-year veteran of the Col Sec Space Navy, took the Valkyrie into a full thrust away from orbit so they could safely make the jump through hyperspace to their destination. Canto was only fifty-seven light years from Earth, three systems away, so they could reach it in one jump.

  Canto was a highly populated planet with several continents and hundreds of cities where most of her five billion inhabitants lived.

  There were several less populated areas on the planet also; deserts not unlike those of Earth and, as Canto was an E class planet (Earth type), there were mountainous regions too.

  The chamber was in one of these, at the base of one of the largest mountain ranges called the Quad. There were four huge mountains in the range simply called Q1 through to Q4. The chamber was hidden at the base of Q3 the third largest mountain.

  The Valkyrie arrived at Canto and immediately went into a parking orbit.

  “Well, gentlemen, I got you here safely,” Jefferson said to both Hawk and De Boer who stood at his side on the bridge. Jefferson was seated in the captain’s chair, one hand on the control panel in the armrest and the other up to his face, his elbow resting on the opposite armrest. He had a smile on his chiselled features that seemed a permanent fixture, almost as if he couldn’t take life seriously, but anyone who knew him well knew that to be untrue. Jefferson was one of the most qualified and experienced captains in Col Sec Space Navy. “The rest, as they say, is up to you,” he added.

  “Is the ATV loaded onto the shuttle?” asked Hawk.

  “Everything is ready for you, sirs, just be careful with it please. If you break it I don’t want Col Sec taking it out of my next pay cheque,” Jefferson replied, the smile still in place.

  Turning to leave, Hawk said, “Okay Dad, I’m taking the car out for a spin, I promise to be back before nightfall, and I promise not to scratch her.” He and De Boer were gone leaving Jefferson holding back a laugh.

  “Kids!” he said, then returned to watching the forward view- screen.

  This time Hawk had chosen not to wear the combat suit he had worn the last time he was there, even though the marines were. Instead he chose to wear something more casual; cargo pants and a shirt, over which he wore a soft leather jacket. On his feet he wore walking shoes rather than combat boots. He preferred the walking shoes as they were more flexible, lighter and allowed his feet to breathe even though they still retained extensive durability and were waterproof. Not expecting trouble he left most of his armament on board the Valkyrie and chose to take the Sig P996 only. He kept it in a soft leather holster beneath his left armpit, hidden by the jacket.

  The shuttle was piloted by Lieutenant Hall, an expert pilot of five years, the last three of which he’d served aboard the Valkyrie under the command of Captain Jefferson. He dropped the small craft out of the shuttle bay of the Valkyrie and aimed her straight at the planet below. Before long they were entering the atmosphere and gliding down the controlled descent towards the Quad in the northern hemisphere.

  Hall said, “There is no way I can put this baby down any closer than the base of the Quad, you’ll have to take the ATV as far as you can from there. I’ll remain on standby ’til I hear you’re on your way back and then I’ll get the shuttle prepped for immediate take off. That’s the best I can do, sirs.”

  “Don’t worry about it Lieutenant, we’ll be fine. A nice drive in the country will be most relaxing, just what the doctor ordered,” Hawk said smiling.

  “You seem quite upbeat about this mission. What’s changed?” asked De Boer, a little concerned about Hawk’s altered mood.

  “Nothing has changed Colonel, I just have a good feeling about this mission that’s all. I think we’ll find something of value down there that will help us to fight this terrorist threat,” Hawk replied, allowing the smile to slip as a sudden thought struck him, one that he chose to keep to himself. What if they found more than they bargained for down there?

  Yes, that was definitely a thought to keep to himself. He got behind the wheel of the ATV and drove it out of the rear exit of the shuttle. Colonel De Boer sat next to him whilst the marines were seated behind.

  The road ahead was nothing more than a dirt track that ran around the base of the mountains and up to the summit. The chamber was at the base of Q3 but to get to it they had to drive part way up the path before they could even see it.

  There was shrubbery dotted here and there, sprouting out of the hard ground and between the boulders that were strewn around and up the mountainsides.

  Hawk steered the rugged vehicle towards the path leading up the mountain.

  “Here we go,” he said and boosted the power just enough to send the ATV along at a steady pace. There was no need to rush, especially along these treacherous paths.

  AFTER THEIR JUMP THROUGH hyperspace, Rygar and his team re-entered normal space on their way to Canto. They were in a modified freighter and with a crew of twelve and his team of ten mercenaries the small ship felt a little cramped.

  “Scan the area for any signs that the chamber has been tampered with since the last time it was used,” Rygar said as he came onto the bridge to marshal his men before going down to the planet’s surface.

  “Sir, there is a vehicle approaching the chamber by road. It looks like a Col Sec All Terrain Vehicle,” said the crewman operating the sensor array.

  Like a bird of prey swooping in Rygar came to stand by the man’s shoulder as he said, “What!”

  “See for yourself, sir,” the crewman said, indicating the sensor screen.

  After viewing the screen Rygar said, “Get us down there as fast as you can.” By the tone of his voice the Captain of the freighter knew not to argue or throw up any obstacles. “Aye sir,” was all he said and he urged the pilot to comply.

  “Right men, tool up, I want us to be ready to move the second we touch down. Whoever is down there we can’t let them leave with anything from that chamber, even if it means killing them all. No one leaves that chamber alive, is that clear?” to which his men all answered in the affirmative.

  “HERE WE ARE, JUST WHERE we left it,” joked Hawk as they arrived at the entrance to the chamber. “I suggest you leave one of your men at the ATV just as a precaution and the rest can follow me. The quicker we complete this search the quicker we’re on our way home,” he added.

  “Can’t argue with that,” De Boer said.

  Hawk stopped the powerful vehicle at the entrance to the chamber and secured it. The doors opened and he left the craft followed by De Boer and four of his men.

  “Wilson, you stay with the ATV, we’ll keep in touch with regular updates via battle com. We’re not expecting trouble, but just in case be ready, okay?” De Boer said to the last man exiting the vehicle.

  Wilson shouldered his Mk II Remm assault rifle and stood by the front of the ATV.

  “SIR, A FREI
GHTER HAS just dropped out of hyperspace and is heading for the planet’s surface,” said the ops officer on board the Valkyrie.

  “What’s so special about that?” asked Jefferson, already guessing the answer.

  “Sir, they’re heading straight for our boys,” replied the officer.

  “Scan it, I want to know who’s on board and what their intentions are and whether it is armed,” Jefferson ordered.

  “I’m reading more life signs than should be on board, sir, and there are an awful lot of weapons for a simple freighter,” the ops officer replied, having started scanning the moment his suspicions were aroused.

  “Hawk, we have a freighter heading your way. It has more than the usual compliment of crew on board so we have to assume they’re coming after you,” Jefferson said through the battle com.

  “Thanks Captain, we’ll keep an eye out for them,” replied Hawk and turning to De Boer he asked, “Did you get that too?”

  “Yes,” said the Colonel with a concerned expression. He turned to the men following him and signalled that they keep alert.

  “Lieutenant Hall, we may be having visitors quite soon. If they make advances in your direction take off and return to the Valkyrie, I don’t want our only method of transport off this planet compromised, is that understood?” said Hawk through the battle com.

  “Understood sir,” Hall replied.

  “If you have to leave us here we’ll keep you apprised of our status so we can reschedule the pick up,” Hawk said as he continued walking towards the chamber.

  “Also understood, sir.”

  “Wilson we may have hostiles coming your way real soon, I want you to secure the ATV. Under no circumstances must that vehicle fall into their hands is that clear?” said De Boer.

  “Absolutely, sir,” Wilson replied.

  “If your position is compromised relocate the ATV but, if that is impossible and only as a last resort, destroy the ATV, get yourself to safety and rendezvous with us later, understood?” added De Boer.