fanfic_name = Gotterdammerung

chapter = V

author = Cicero Phelps

Rating = O18

Type = Alternative Universe

fanfic = Chapter V

The bed was really more like a cot, and calling it a bed belied the innate discomfort inherent in the object. The windows were open, and a chill breeze blew through the room, hinting at the mist outside; the thin blanket appropriated from the mess on the floor wasn't nearly adequate enough to hide the two occupants of the room from any of the discomfort. Rick looked out the window through sleep-haunted eyes and wondered how much death would be brought through the skies in the days and weeks ahead, and how many more pilots and soldiers would need to be sacrificed in order to stop the insanity of civil war.
The warmth of Lisa's body gave him pause. Did he really have to leave the bed, leave the woman he loved so dearly, and place them both in harms way yet again? Sadly, the answer was yes, but this time, they wouldn't be alone. She sighed softly and rolled closer to him, her breath in his face, her legs wrapped around his, and he ran his fingers once more through the length of her thick, auburn hair. The light on the desk burned with a low, surreal intensity and the wind was starting to pick up outside the window. Lightning flashed across the sky, brightening the room as it sparked the heavens. And, like it always did, for the past three years and more of his life, the ship's intercom prompted him to get out of bed.
"Captain Hayes and Captain Hunter, please report to the bridge."
They rolled out of bed and onto the floor, yelping at the sudden impact of the carpet on exposed knees and elbows. Rick pulled on his flight suit again, not bothering to fasten it quite yet, and cursed the fact that all of his personal possessions had been lost or destroyed. Then, there was a slip of paper slid under the door, and Rick threw the door open. There, at his feet, were two fresh, new uniforms.
The couple hurriedly dressed, and raced to the bridge. Once there, Admiral Gloval greeted them with perfunctory kindness. "Greetings, both of you. There have been a few developments since you went off-duty, ones which you need to be made aware of. First and foremost, we've been in touch with the E.S.S. Enterprise battle group, and they're sailing this way to join forces with us. This will add an aircraft carrier, two battleships, and four destroyers to our defenses. Vice Admiral Gates has offered to replace the gaps in our Table of Organization with enlisted men and officers from his ranks.
In addition, Claudia seems to have gotten a fix on some hostages. Claudia?"
The tall, slender woman stepped forward with her omnipresent clipboard, glanced over some notes, and began speaking. "Two hours ago, we received a communiqué from an unknown caller. He stated that he and his associates were in possession of about six RDF officers, mostly from the engineering section. They demand our surrender in exchange for the lives of the hostages."
"Do we have a trace on where they're located," Rick asked.
"I tried, Rick," Vanessa replied, "but the harmonics on the vocal recording weren't specific enough to pinpoint a location."
"Damn, its never easy, is it," Kim grumbled.
"No, Kim, it never is," Admiral Gloval replied. "But Vanessa and Sammie will continue scanning, while the remainder of us suits up and searches the rubble in the south-central sector."
Kim gave the Admiral a white-eyed look, but suppressed her reaction. "How long do we have to look for them," she asked instead.
"We have three hours," Claudia said. "Then they begin killing hostages."
The general mood in the room went from tense to frazzled. Admiral Gloval got up and said, "People, we have to calm down and start working. For this mission, we will carry a Galail rifle and our MOG's. Standard load for both, but be careful, we'll have friendlies in the area. We can't lose them."
Max and Miriya looked at each other, shrugged, and moved off. Claudia followed them, as did Rick and Lisa. Kim staggered to her feet, looking incredibly scared. "Lieutenant Young, may I speak to you for a minute," Admiral Gloval said.
"Yes, sir," Kim stammered.
"Kim, I know this isn't exactly your line of expertise, but we need you out there," he said, looking into her confused and scared expression.
"But I've never been on a combat patrol before," she replied.
"We need you to scan for explosives as we look for the hostages, Kim. You have the best scanning skills in the search party. We'll watch out for you, you just have to watch out for us. Okay?"
"Yes, sir," she replied, saluting.
"Good girl," Gloval replied. "Report to Armory 6, we'll suit up for the search."
*****

Rick opened the locker and looked at the contents. Laser-proof vest. Eye protection. Knee and elbow pads. Kevlar jacket. Armor-soled boots. He applied the equipment layer by layer, finishing with an urban-camouflage blue-black-and-gray uniform. He then put his harnesses and holsters on, one for the MOG, one for the half-dozen thin, double-edged throwing knives the commandos carried, and one for the bayonet for his Galil rifle. Then came the ammo pouches, carrying extra 50 round magazines for the Israeli battle rifle he was carrying. He was issued three extra magazines for the patrol, a fact that was comforting. If everyone in the patrol missed with their 200 rounds, or went up against something that could take 1200 bullets and not stop, then they were in a more serious predicament than they'd thought.
Lisa was almost ready, as was Miriya. Kim was an unknown factor; Rick had never seen her in combat, and wasn't sure how she'd hold up under fire. But with the girls around, she should be fine. He hoped.
Max looked at him and said, "Are you ready, Rick?"
"I'm never ready anymore, Max, but if it means getting home faster, then let's pull it off."
"I hear you, boss," his wingman replied.
"The both of you will make it back, gentlemen," Gloval said, "because I have never lost a man under my command to enemy fire in any of my missions."
"I'll take that as the ultimate reassurance, sir," Rick said.
"Ditto, sir," Max replied, saluting.
"Thanks, both of you. Now, let's get some wheels, and start searching; we only have two hours left."