Lost in Magadan: Extraterrestrials on Earth

General Byrd responded, “Major Slade, there is only one AG fighter remaining, the other was destroyed. The remaining Russian fighter has diverted, it is unlikely he will return to your position anytime soon.”

“Roger that, General. Do we have an extraction plan?”

“We can have an AG fighter to your position in a few hours. Until then, you need to hunker down.”

“We can’t stay here. This place will be crawling with Russians in a few hours,” Snap said.

“It’s hard to tell from our position, but it looks like there is an abandoned Cold War research outpost about 10 miles from your position. I’m sending GPS coordinates to you now. Consider that the extraction point.”

“Roger that.”

“Command out.”

Furier had heard most of the conversation, but Snap filled her in on the parts she had missed. They took the emergency supply pack from the decimated shuttle and began walking east. The 10-mile hike would have been nearly impossible but for the exoskeleton armor they were wearing. Despite being damaged, the advanced armor still protected them from the weather and assisted with traversing rough terrain. In a short time, they arrived at the designated location.

“This is it,” Snap said, while studying his forearm display.

“I don’t see anything,” Furier complained.

“Well, it’s got to be here. It probably hasn’t been used in 40 years. The entrance could be covered in snow, for all we know.”

The landscape was flat and rocky, with an occasional small mound or hill. The snow was light and dry, almost giving the appearance of a barren planet or moon.

“Why would they have had a Cold War station out here?” Furier asked, as she studied her display monitor. “There’s nothing here, no trees, no people, nothing.”

“The Russians were very paranoid back then, still are, really. They could have been doing weather research, biological weapons, or it could have just been a listening post. Who knows, the outpost may have only had a dozen people stationed in it. But if we find it, it may be able to give us shelter and possibly supplies.”

“Wait, I think I’m picking up something on my radar. Looks like a large underground cavern, directly below us.”

“What are you looking at?”

“Oh, you don’t have one? It’s a ground penetrating radar, it allows me to see up to 100 feet below the surface,” Furier bragged. “Definitely, a manmade structure. Too many square edges to be all natural.”

“Well, this must be it. Now all we must do is find the door,” Snap said, as he walked toward a ten-foot-high earthen mound that appeared to be too symmetrical.

“Where are you going?” Furier asked.

“This mound, it’s too perfect, and it’s larger than all other mounds for miles around. I bet its part of the structure.”

A closer study of the earthen mound revealed a concrete entrance big enough for a single troop transport to enter. The metal doors were shut and locked; it appeared no one had been through these doors in many years.

“Look, the doors are just locked with a chain and pad lock. You can shoot it with your DE rifle,” Furier said.

“Yeah, they were not terribly concerned with security when they locked this up, years ago. Probably figured no one would even find this place, much less care to enter.”

Snap shot the lock off, and the doors slowly creaked open with little effort, revealing a dark tunnel leading underground. Furier turned on her helmet lamp; Snap’s was broken. The walls and floor were smooth concrete, with dusty electric light bulbs hanging from the domed concrete ceiling. Snap shut the door behind him, as they began to make their way down into the Cold War base.

The manmade tunnel gave way to a more natural cave-like appearance, as it opened into a cavern with stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling. The stalagmites had been removed in favor of a flat concrete floor. The large cavern was littered with crates, equipment, machinery, and a few old trucks.

“Hey, at least it’s not as cold down here,” Snap said, as he removed his broken helmet.

“Still a bit chilly, but no wind and snow,” Furier said, as she too removed her helmet revealing her long hair and blue eyes.

“Let’s see if we can find anything of use,” Snap said.

“Like what?”

“We got to sit tight for a few hours, maybe longer depending on weather and enemy troop movements. Maybe we could build a fire, find some blankets or a light source.”

“I got a light source, Major,” Furier said, as she flashed the helmet light toward Snap with a slight laugh.

After a cursory exploration of the cave, they found nothing of great interest, just forty-year-old equipment. They did find blankets and fuel to build a small fire for light and warmth.

Once the fire was built, Commander Furier began taking off her armor.

“What are you doing?” Snap asked.

“You don’t expect me to rest in this armor, do you?”

“Well, yes, I suppose I did. What if the Russians show up in the middle of the night? We won’t have time to armor up for battle,” Snap pointed out.