Lost in Magadan: Extraterrestrials on Earth

“Impossible to tell. But whoever it was, they had chameleon technology and energy weapons,” Furier said, shaking her head.

“Do you think that transport was part of our exit plan?” Genu asked.

“If it was, it’s not anymore. The transport is gone. Looks to me like it was seriously outgunned.” Furier handed the binoculars to Genu and said, “I’m going to tell Forte.”

Furier sat in the jump shuttle’s cockpit and pulled up the COM. Her armor, while the inspiration for the modern FALOS suit, was technologically inferior when it came to data transmission. The humans, who had little technological development in the arena of space travel, were somewhat advanced when it came to mass data collection, management, and dissemination. Not to mention, her battle armor had been sitting in a storage locker for 30 years while the humans continued to develop theirs.

“Commander Forte, can you hear me?” Furier spoke into the shuttle’s COM system.

“Loud and clear. What’s your status, Commander?” Forte asked.

“As you know, the Americans landed a few hours ago and have been pulling out the Element 115. It looks like their transport plane came to pick it up and was attacked.”

“Say again Commander.”

“It was attacked by what appeared to be a craft with chameleon capabilities,” Furier said.

“And?”

“The transport was outgunned; it flew away. I cannot confirm whether it was destroyed by the attacker.”

“Not good. I think that was going to be our ride out of here,” Forte said.

“From the size of the plane, it looks like it could easily have carried us, all the Element 115, and half our shuttles,” Furier complained.

“I’m certain that was our extraction plan. We need to be prepared for a longer stay. I’m glad you were able to recover those supplies.”

“Supplies are going to be the least of our worries when the locals come looking for us. How long can the 70 of us hold out against an organized military?” Furier asked, almost frantic.

“Commander, calm down. We don’t have to beat their army. All we have to do is hide until the Americans devise another rescue plan.”

“I want to help the Americans on the ground at the crash site,” Furier said.

“How? It sounds like the Americans already outgun you. What can you do to help them against an AG Fighter?”

“I don’t know. But I could add 10 guns to their side.”

“Ten guns for what? To shoot at an invisible craft. I think not. Stand down. We have been ordered to protect the cargo in our possession, not defend the crash site. Let the Americans on the ground do their job; we will wait for orders from Moon Base,” Forte commanded.

Furier said nothing.

“Do you hear me, Commander? That is a direct order. Stand down, and stay put, do not make contact with the Americans until we are told to do so,” Forte said firmly.

“Understood,” Furier replied.

Furier took a deep breath and adjusted the COM to contact Catrix, who was still in one of the lower cargo holds of the Impegi. “Furier to Catrix, can you hear me?”

“This is Catrix. We can hear you. Can you see what’s going on out there? It sounded like an explosion or something.”

“It looks like the American’s transport was attacked by an unknown aggressor.”

“And, do we have a ride out of here?”

“Looks like it was shot down, total loss. How are your efforts going?”

“Surprisingly well. Fabris and I may be able to salvage some of this equipment. I’ll keep you posted. Should we contact the Americans?”

Furier sighed, “You and Fabris stay out of sight for now, but if the situation changes, and they need help, use your own judgment.”

Furier stood on the ridge, staring through her binoculars at the column of smoke reaching for the sky just beyond the skyline.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Nox had departed the Magadan airport 20 minutes earlier, leaving the timid General and his staff officers with instructions to stay on the base until General Popov arrived and had an opportunity to debrief them. Even though his craft could comfortably seat 10 passengers, Nox enjoyed flying solo. His craft had now been properly prepared for the weather and he had reduced speed to 700 miles per hour so that he would have a better chance of not missing something important on the ground. As he approached the location of where the Russian helo had made last contact he started paying closer attention to the surface. However, the crash site was clearly visible, along with the huge nuclear-powered transport plane sitting next to it.

Of course, the Americans were already here. How did the MiG-31 fighter pilot miss this huge debris field on the first pass?