FSRB Chpt 213

==The Federated Suns Reborn - Chapter 213==
----
 <<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
----
September 3070Interlude: Lost World
----
FSDS Palisade (Excalibur (upgraded) class Dropship) 
"Dead" World of Inglesmond 
Draconis Combine 
----
Detached Force Baker (B-B), Combat Command Bravo, 3rd Ceti Hussars RCT
Major Georgina Zibler stood near the ramp of the FSDS Palisade and looked out over her detached force's landing zone while silently promising that the next idiot she heard referring to the detachment as the BB's was going to wish he had never been born. At this stage she was prepared to gamble her pension that every woman in the unit felt the same. Leaving aside the crass jokes however the operation was going well. She and the rest of her people had been surprised at the level of recovery of the world of Inglesmond. Given the fact it was listed on every Comstar data base as being in the grip of a nuclear winter and devoid of life the fact she was staring out at a mountain valley who's sides were heavily shrouded with jungle flora and fauna she was pretty sure someone had screwed up. If it had been a screw up that is, most of the AFFS was by now extremely skeptical of anything from the "historical" era of Comstar. During it's religious cult days the organization had clearly done everything it possibly could to manipulate and hide the truth to suit it's own needs and while the more modern Comstar under Focht wasn't like that (mostly) the AFFS found itself locked in a hot war with those elements of the organization that wished to return to those days alongside the more secular elements of Comstar. Situations like that made you think long and hard about whether a mistake like the one she was staring at was a genuine one or a deliberate falsehood.
Putting that aside she headed for the Mobile HQ which had been temporarily attached to her detachment and headed inside. Sitting down at the central table she began leafing through the latest reports that had been filtering in from the long range scouting groups and recon patrols while sipping the coffee that one of her junior officers quietly left at her elbow. Stopping suddenly she stared at the report for at least another two minutes before carefully putting the coffee cup down and turning to a communication officer. "Get Captain Roberts in here right now..."
Less than a minute later the tall infantry officer who led her jump infantry contingent came into the Mobile HQ and saluted with a slight smile. Given how quickly he arrived he had clearly been awaiting on her summons. "You sent for me, Major?" 
"Ian, if this is a joke..." She forced herself to not quite snap.
''
"Ah, I see you've reached page three of my report. No sir, it's not a joke." The smile faded from his face. "I swear to you, 3rd Platoon's sergeant saw them. He's a 25 year veteran and not prone to fits of fancies or seeing ghosts. If Sergeant Butters says he saw them... They are there."
"Humans." Zibler almost whispered. "Here."
"Yes, Sir. By the few sightings Butters got of them regressed to a primitive existence. He thinks he saw them carrying metal tools but he couldn't be sure and they lost him in the bush. Whether those tools are scavenged or made themselves I would hesitate to guess." Roberts was all professional now. "Still it does change the mission doesn't it?" 
"Damn right it changes the mission! This was supposed to be a basic sweep to make sure there were no WOB bases here... Now..." Zibler turned in her chair to look over at the head of her communications section. "Lieutenant get a message to the jumpship for them to ferry back to the nearest command post. Also prepare it for the Black Box as well. This sort of news I want a little redundancy built in. Alpha Encryption. As follows: Landed on target 5 as per schedule. No signs of enemy presence. Planet however is NOT, repeat NOT dead. Nor is it uninhibited. Sightings made of regressed human culture. No signs of high end civilization. Detached Force Baker standing by. Will continue patrols and mission as per orders. Please advise how you wish us to proceed with new circumstances. Signed Major Zibler, etc... Get it sent out asap."
"Yes sir." The communication lieutenant snapped a salute and began preparing to send the orders.
Robert's smile was back. "I would pay good money to see the look on the face of the brass when they get that message...!"
Despite herself Zibler snorted and nodded, picking her coffee back up. "Okay, Ian, get your sergeant in here. I know you'll have him nearby, and lets hear his info from the top... I suspect I'm going to get a few requests for additional information shortly..." 
----
 <<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
0213, Chapter