Resources: Freedom Is Reborn Page 15

  Right after everything stopped, the captain came on the intercom again, "Ladies and gentlemen we have successfully launched and are entering orbit. There's going to be some time where we are weightless. In about 45 minutes we will be doing an additional burn that will put us on a course to the space colony."

  Everyone was either smiling and laughing or just sitting in relief that we had made it. Soon they would be thinking more about the experience of zero gravity and enjoying themselves.

  Infinity Metals hanger, Spaceport America NM

  Looking across the hanger, I could see technicians scurrying around the cargo ship. They were preparing for rolling out to the launch pad. It would only be a couple of hours now before we launched our assault on the space colony.

  Technician, "Agent Chane, we were going to remove the rocket engines from the cargo to accommodate additional passengers, but due to the presidents time constraints, we are unable to do so. So at this point, the launch will be limited to eight passengers plus the pilot."

  "Thank you, I will limit my team to eight including myself." Who can I cut from the team without affecting our operational status? Already, the weight constrictions are affecting the amount of gear, maybe I can use this as a way to increase those.

  After getting everyone into to office, I announced the bad news, "I'm aware that everyone here wants to go on this mission. I was informed that we have a limited number of seats and weight restrictions. Therefore, I have decided on the following people.

  Agents Chase, Bach, Michaels, Ramirez, Smith, Jones, and YU will be going on this mission. The rest of you are dismissed.

  I picked you seven because, I have worked with each of you before, and have impeccable records and integrity. This mission is about following the rules and laws of the United States. The people on the space colony have elected to ignore those and go their own way. While some of us may not agree, the president has ordered us to secure the space colony and bring those citizens home.

  Since we are such a small group, the president has assigned a group of commandos from the space force to support the mission." Before continuing, I thought it might be a good idea to answer any questions that the men have.

  Agent Bock, "Why was I selected for this mission?"

  "Your job will be to access their computer systems and ferret out the information that we need. Your past work shows that you're up to the task.

  I have observed each of you doing your duties, and I am well aware of your skills. Some of you have performed in life and death situations and handled them professionally.

  Obviously, this is not going to be like any other raid that we've ever done. Keep in mind these people are not your typical criminal, they just want to go in a different direction.

  Sadly we have our duty to do. We are going to have to detain these people and send them back to earth. So I don't want anyone using lethal force.

  As I'm sure, most of you are aware the Space Force has a commando team that will be joining us. Since this is a civil situation, they will be reporting to me.

  Alright, team let's get on the shuttle and get up there." The team was pumped, and we were ready to go.

  To keep the mission secret, we loaded on to the cargo shuttle before moving it to the launch pad. As we were towed out to the launch pad everyone was talking, due to nervousness. None of us had ever been in space, and we were naturally tense about the launch.

  A few minutes after we reached the launch pad the pilot came over the intercom, "Launch control has given the authorization to launch. Please make sure that all your gear is stowed and that you are firmly buckled into the five-point harness. Thank you for flying with FBI Space Flight One!"

  I noticed the clock on the bulkhead that was counting down. When it hit zero the rocket engines roared to life. Having been an adrenaline junkie for years, it was one of the most exhilarating rides that I had ever felt. It was just too bad. I wouldn't be able to do it again.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations we have just surpassed the hundred-mile height, you are now all astronauts. In a few minutes, we will be entering orbit and cease acceleration. At that point, you will be in zero gravity until we do our burn for the space colony."

  Zero gravity was interesting, but it wasn't that much different than skydiving. Granted, there was no wind pushing on me, and it didn't stop after a couple of minutes.

  Agent Michaels and I were using the time to plan out how to gain control of the colony and prevent the loss of life.

  Intercom, "Agent Chane, please come to the cockpit." Trying to hurry to the cockpit in zero gravity is something that just did not work, but I finally got there and entered.

  "What do I owe for the honor of being called to the cockpit?"

  The pilot explained, "We received a communication a few minutes ago with a change of orders. The order came directly from the president. I don't know how to say this, but the mission has been put under the control of General Bradley. It also states that they are to take control of the space colony using any and all measures. Any resistance is to be met with lethal force. Additionally, it indicated that their secondary objective is to destroy everything so that it cannot be used in the future. We are to proceed to the colony and stand by for further orders."

  "What the hell is the president thinking, this is a civil issue, not a military one. On top if that, we already are on thin ice, since we're out of US jurisdiction. I don't suppose there's any anything we can do?"

  "No, there really isn't," the pilot replied. "Unless you have some other idea."

  "I'll have to get back to you on that. There may be something, but I don't know if it'll work." After the exiting the cockpit, I floated back to my seat and motioned Michaels to come over.

  "What's up boss?"

  "The president has pulled the rug out from under us. He has turned operational control of the mission over to the Space Force. Even worse, they have been authorized to use extreme force and directed to destroy the colony." I could read on Michael's face that he didn't think that was a good idea.

  Michael's, "You're not kidding me are you?"

  "I wish I was, but I'm not!

  There is possibly something that we can do. I have a cell phone that might be able to reach JJ on the space colony. It might not work in space, but I'm going to give it a try."

  "You're right of course, we need to warn them about what's happening. It will help to avoid the loss of life when the space force gets there." Agreed Michaels.

  Removing my duffel from the overhead storage been, I started to dig through it looking for the cell phone. Thankfully it still had a charge, and I pressed the button for JJ.

  "Fuck, it's not connecting to the cell service." The cell service bar was flickering on and off irregularly. Interestingly the WiFi had four bars. A screen popped up asking me if I wanted to do phone over WiFi. I selected "yes," and a few moments later it indicated that it was ready.

  I pressed JJ's number again, and it connected, "JJ, it's important that I talk to the person in charge there right away!"

  "Therron, what is wrong?" she nervously asked.

  "No time to explain! Just get me to the person in charge."

  I heard some clicking sounds, and then I heard a voice that sounded familiar on the phone. "Therron, I have Ben Wilson on the line, and he is currently in charge." No wonder the voice was familiar.

  Ben, "Agent Chane, what is this emergency you were calling about?"

  "The colony is in grave danger. The president has ordered an attack. Currently, the space force is on the way and could arrive at any time. Additionally, a group of agents and I are on one of your cargo shuttles and will be there in a few hours. Originally I was in charge, and it was to be treated as a civil matter, and everyone would be returned to earth. The president changed the orders, and now the space force has been tasked with destroying the colony. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it, we have been ordered to stand by."

  JJ breaks into the conversation, "Theron, you know
the president has no authority in space. You have to do something, this goes against your oath of office and everything you believe in!"

  "Agent Chang, I assume that JJ talked to you about our need for security here on Oz. Is there anything you and your team can do to help us protect ourselves?" inquired Ben.

  "Personally, I am inclined to say yes and help you, but I need to make sure that the rest of my team will go along with it. After all, we would be burning our bridges, and never be able to home."

  Ben, "I can live with that, get back to me when you have your answer, and I'll have Jim Booker provide you with what you need."

  Near the Space Station, Lagrange 5

  "General Bradly, how soon till we get to the space colony? I'm itching to get into combat." Asked one of the commandos over the suit radio.

  "Currently we are about 50,000 miles out, and with deceleration, we should arrive in about 15 minutes." This is ridiculous, trying to take over the colony without sufficient people. Just me and three space commandos. Thank God the president gave me the leeway to do what is necessary. I will make them pay for making a fool of me on my own base.

  Whoever thought to convert the old Air Force X-37B into a passenger version must have been crazy. It's like riding in a coffin with no way to control what's happening. I would have thought that automation would relieve the stress of space travel, but it hasn't.

  Ding ding ding.

  "Okay men that is our queue. Everyone make sure your helmets and gloves are on and secure. When I press this button, it is going to vent the atmosphere into space and pop the doors." I couldn't help but think this was a dangerous way to for the commandos to exit.

  When the doors opened the atmosphere vented towards the turning command post. One of the commandos raised what looked like a harpoon gun and aimed it at one of the cylinder. When he fired, it hit the side of the cylinder and stuck. "I told you that I would get it in one shot. Attaching the line to the winch and reeling us in now," said the commando.

  As we were pulled up to the cylinder, I could feel the centrifugal force trying to throw us off. Another commando pulled what looked like a 3 foot long 2x4 and started unfolding it. It expanded to a 6’ x 6' square with a couple wires attached. He then stuck it on the side of the cylinder and moved off to the side. A moment later there was a bright flash, and the center exploded out with a rush of atmosphere behind it.

  Commando, "Move it, gentlemen, we have our opening, we have work to do." We then proceeded to one by one climb through the whole.

  Once we entered, I could see that the atmosphere venting had pulled most things out of the cylinder. There was a crewman in an emergency spacesuit that had tied himself to a pipe of some sort and was holding his hands up in surrender.

  "We need to keep moving. We are not taking any prisoners. One of you take him out." The commandos hesitated and looked in my direction, but then one of them stepped up and shot the man. As the man's guts blew out of him, they froze almost immediately. The men were looking back and forth between the dead man and me. I knew if I didn't keep them moving, I was going to have a problem on my hands.

  "Let's find a transfer tube and get into the other parts the station and take over. If the blueprints are correct the tubes have airlocks, so we shouldn't have to blow up anything else."

  That got them moving. Shortly we were at the airlock in the tube. "Sir, the airlock isn't opening, it keeps given as an error message indicating RFID not found. You must present a spacesuit RF ID to operate the airlock."

  "Dammit, do I have to think of everything? Go back to that guy in the emergency spacesuit and check for this RFID thing you need and bring it back here."

  A few minutes later one of the commandos came back of a flat rectangular card. When we tried the airlock, it indicated RFID verified and started opening.

  Cargo shuttle, close to Lagrange 5

  "Gentlemen we have a decision to make. The space force commandos are attacking the colony command center. They have orders to use any force necessary and to destroy the colony. There lives of the colonists are at stake. These people only want to explore and live free.

  When I took my oath of office, I believed, I would be protecting the citizens from the bad guys. I have tried to honor that oath in everything, I have done while in the FBI. However, over the last few years, I have seen the government take more and more liberties while protecting the public less and less. Our mission at best was borderline legal to start with and not in any way a military one, but the president has ordered the military to go too far.

  I have decided that I'm going to help the colonists defend their homes, livelihoods, and freedom. I'll probably be branded a traitor and never be able to go home again, but it is the right and honorable thing to do. Who's with me?"

  I was very proud of my team because of after only a few minutes of talking they decided they were with the colonists and me.

  "All right everybody, let's get ready.” said the Pilot. “The station manager Jim Booker has cleared us to dock with the command station."

  Agent Block spoke up, "Did you say, Booker? Would that be Fighting Booker?"

  "Yes, he is the colonies manager. He is in charge and will be coordinating everything with us, once we get docked. Now change your radios to 32.4 kHz.

  Once we are docked, he will meet us at the command cylinder. This would be a good time to explain how the space station is set up to avoid confusion.

  The station is four large cylinders that are connected to a metal frame that is spinning to provide gravity. There are connecting tubes that go between them, and across to the other side. We are docking to the platform at the end for ships which also allows us to transfer into any of the cylinders.

  Each cylinder serves a specific purpose. To avoid confusion we will refer to each cylinder by its use, the first is the Station Command Center, second Administrative and Workshops, third the Living Quarters, and fourth the Construction Hanger.

  The commandos are trying to get to the command center and having troubles getting through the Construction Hanger." As I talked, I felt the jar of connecting to the station. It was time to go.

  "Command post to FBI team. Do you copy?" my team, and I acknowledged one by one that we copied. "I will meet you inside the docking ring. From there we will enter the command center."

  Upon exiting the shuttle, we met fighting Jim. Everyone knew his story, and we're excited to meet the legend that had saved 100's in a terrorist attack even after having been shot in the back and paralyzed. We were shocked to see him standing in front of us with a Grimm look on his face.

  Jim, "I am glad to see that you decided to join us. Hopefully, I will not slow you down with this walking contraption.

  Since you don't have the RFID's needed to enter parts of the station you will need to enter the security code manually. The code is "freedom." To your right is a door marked emergency equipment."

  We were soon in the emergency equipment room and could see a lot of strange equipment, along with a cabinet marked armory. Jim stepped up and entered the code “Armageddon”. After a click, the cabinet opened with a hiss.

  "Some of the items in this room may be useful in defending the command cylinder," said Jim as he opened the cabinet. "There should be a stack of 3 x 3 foot clear sheets that are used patch holes in the station. Over there are some cylinders that look similar to scuba diving tanks. They spray a sticky substance that is used to patch smaller holes. The last item that might be of use is a small orange cylinder, which fires out a sticky net to capture loose materials."

  "Chevy grab a couple of those panels and attach them together with the gray spray to make a bigger shield. Agent Brock take a few of those net tubes. Chevy after you are done strap one of the cylinders on, it may come in handy. Thanks for taking the lead Jim."

  Jim, "No problem Agent Chane, I'm just defending my home. I understand that you have guns with rubber bullets." After watching for a minute, it seemed like everyone was ready to go. Jim reaching into the cabinet.
"Here are some stun guns that may come in handy.

  Each cylinder has two entrances from the others. The entrance from Construction is 40 meters down the hall from us. There you will see a tube opening that is at an angle. The space force commandos will be entering through that tube."

  As I expected, Michael's took the lead as we headed down the hall. He had the makeshift shield held up as he proceeded. As we progressed he communicated a strategy on how to control the entrance and capture the commandos.

  We had hardly got situated when the airlock door, up the tube, opened suddenly. Someone yelled, "Here they come."

  The first two came out with their guns firing rubber bullets. While these bounced off the shield, I could see Michaels having a hard time holding it steady. As they moved forward, another commando came out with General Bradly.

  "Give it up," yelled Bradly, "we are taking over this station."

  "General, this is Agent Chane, stand down! Your orders are illegal, these people are not under US jurisdiction."

  Bradly, "So you have turned against your own country now. You are disgusting! Men attack and finish this!"

  As they started firing again, Michaels gave a nod to Chevy, and he sprayed them with the gray goop. It started hardening almost immediately.

  Then Amber fired a netting tube which expanded as it flew. The first one hit the two lead commandos and wrapped around them. As is contracted it pulled the two commandos together and restricted their ability to fire. A second net got the last commando with similar results. Chevy then squirted them down some more with the spray. As it hardened, they couldn't move at all.

  Since Gen Bradley was unarmed, he wasn't a danger.

  "General, You know me, how could you attack my home?" asked Jim.

  Bradly snarled, "You people made a fool of me on my own base by stealing those engines. Did you think that I wouldn't respond? You will not get away with this!"