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“Five miles to base. Dropping altitude now,” A voice, cold and mechanical spoke throughout the cramped cockpit.

“Copy that Cyan One, opening docking bay two dash nine. See you in a minute.”

Stepping out of the radio control tower the communications officer rubbed his hands together. A bitter wind swept across the desert region near the northern pole of Mars. Looking out toward the sky the communications officer spotted an inbound cargo shuttle being followed by five one manned space shuttles.

“I can't believe that bastard pulled it off.” The communications officer mumbled out loud.

Approaching the docking bay, one last sonic boom could be heard before the ship slowed to a halt above the landing pad. Walking over to the docking bay the communications officer watched the ship fall gently into its place on the dock, he called the garrison commander.

“Jack, do you copy?”

A voice, deep and resonant, responded, “This is Jack, Lambert is that you?”

“Yes sir. I'm calling to inform you that Ryder and Cyan group is back. It looks like they captured the Torrent. I had them dock at two dash nine.” Communications officer Lambert was only fifty feet from the docking bay.

“Thank you Lambert, I will inform the Lord of their arrival.”

Lambert walked into the busy docking bay where liftcars were busy unloading the cargo from the stolen freighter. Lambert walked toward the access ramp as it lowered with a shrill hiss.

A man dressed in red mahogany fatigues was just entering the lounge where the other eight members of Cyan group relaxed.

“Welcome Mister Lambert,” The man in red fatigues had a thick Russian accent, “Come, enjoy the Independence's plunder. I assume Jack is on his way?”

“Agent Ryder,” Lambert paused, dismay evident in his tone, “I can't believe you pulled this off.”

Ryder motioned Lambert into the lounge of the vessel, he poured a glass of chilled Argyre brandy, “To the Independence and Lord Malic for choosing to defy the Confederacy!”

Lambert and the nine members of Cyan group raised their glasses, as they poured the robust, spiced liquor down their throats. As the chilled amber liquor cooled their throat and warmed their bellies two men walked in. Cyan group saluted respectfully, putting their right hand on their left shoulder.

Ryder took charge, “Good evening to you Jack, I assume you know of our success in retrieving the largest shipment to ever leave Mars?”

“I did.” Jack gestured at the room, “Congratulations Commander Ryder; I am not surprised that you could accomplish such a feat.”

Behind Jack, a man adorned with medals covering eighteen campaigns entered the lounge. Every man in the room stood at attention saluted and slightly bowed to the man.
“Lord Malric, welcome to the Torrent.” Lambert continued to bow. 

Lord Malric, leader of the Marsian based faction of Sol Independence was now amongst men whom he knew, absolutely, that he could trust. Malric removed his greatcoat, and passed it to his left. He grabbed a shot glass from a dispenser on the lounge room countertop.

“Fill her up D'mitry Ryder, this shall be a drink to the people who make change,”

Agent Ryder filled everyone's glasses as Malric spoke, “We drink to our independence, to a Mars free from the Confederate Vice-Royalty dogs who choose how we the people of Mars should live. I drink to a new world with its own government.”

Drinking their shots the twelve men cheered. Malric stepped outside, he returned carrying large

Lock-box. “I have something special for you Cyan Group, your success is the success of the independence,”

Malric set the lock-box on the table where Cyan Group was huddled around, “Nine gold bars each weighing a half pound. Consider this a bonus for the diligent hard work you nine performed.”

“Never before have I touched this much pure gold,” A young woman born on Mars exclaimed,

“I've only seen gold flakes and that was at a mineral show.”

Everyone laughed and the rest of Cyan Group agreed with her. Each member grabbed a gold bar, they couldn't take their eyes off the perfectly shaped bar.

_________________________________________

“Indra,” A man shouted as he pounded on the solid steel door, “Indra wake up damn it!”

A red light flashed on a panel, seconds later the panel opened revealing a speaker.

“What is it, Asad? I'm on a conference call with the engineers at Io Shipyards.”

“It seems under the cover of night an unknown army is occupying northern Acadalia, the suburbs of Sytinskaya and Sheranov, our security forces are pinned down and communication to the CEC is cut off. Our generals need guidance before greater Chryse is invaded.” Despite speaking fast in his thick Somalian accent Indra understood him.

“What?” Indra sounded flabbergasted, “When did this happen? Wait, don't answer that, I will be down in a second.”

Waiting patiently, Asad's subzero jacket kept him warm as the cold Mars wind buffeted against him. Cypress, oak and cottonwood trees blew in the breeze. Indra had everything he needed at his fortress. An acre of farmland and an orchid with twenty different fruit trees was all Indra needed to survive. Asad turned to face the large door just as Indra stepped out. He wore the typical fitted black uniform of an officer of Hoplite Security. Pinned to his collar was the letters c, e and o made from pure white gold.

Asad greeted the founder of Hoplite Security, “Well sir you look as if you were ready for war.”

“Let's just hope this conflict doesn't lead to global warfare.” Indra led them to his private space port. Walking across a paved walkway Asad took in the amazing architecture. Indra's entire home was modeled after a medieval walled castle.

“What inspired you to build this place?”

Amused, Indra laughed, “You didn't want to have a castle as a kid? I know I did. I knew I would inherit the solar system's most profitable company which made me always assume I was a prince.”

“I guess I understand, in the city of Dhuusamareeb in central Somalia I dreamed of being the leader of the autonomous groups who governed our people.”

Indra laughed, “My good friend Asad, you will make a fine leader, always eager to learn and always willing to help.”

Approaching the space port Asad marveled at the vines growing up the side of the coated bricks. Asad felt the brick as the lock door slid open silently.

“The coating is polyurethane; it helps protect the brick from the violent sandstorms.” Indra smiled as they both entered the vast hangar, “You've never seen all my ships, have you?”

“No sir.” Asad said as the LED overhead lighting clicked on, “I've seen Pantheon and Akshardham.”

“Alright, we'll take my AZW-120, I call her Artha, a product of my work with Io Shipyards.”

Walking up to the small troop transport Indra pressed a button on a wrist mounted computer. Each panel of the hull was painted a blue zircon with a matte chartreuse trim.

“She's a beauty. I've never seen a ship like it. It looks like a sail boat.” Asad was amazed, all of Indra's ships were normally from Eurasian Space Foundries and Peruvian Aeronautics, “So Io just gave you this ship?”

“No.” Indra chuckled lightly as they entered the transport, “Io Shipyards is a company I'm building which orbits Jupiter's moon. This is just the latest ship we've designed and commissioned.”

Asad was left speechless, the inside of the vessel was identical to that of a small merchant ship from the classical times on Earth. From the looks of the ship it was highly modified and could accommodate at least thirty personnel.”

Walking further through the large vessel they came upon a ladder. Indra climbed the sturdy, yellow ladder. Asad followed close behind. Once inside, the two men took their seats near the view-port.

“Any plan of action? Or are you just going to wing it?”

Indra flipped two switches and pulled a lever before placing his right hand upon a sensor module. Asad waited patiently for the ships engines to start. Before ever hearing the hydrogen engine turn over the ship lifted high above the hanger.

“Wow!” Asad exclaimed, his mouth held open, “I didn't even hear the engine turn on.”

“The engine is in a soundproof room, it's a good thing you can't hear it. You'd be deaf.”

Hovering one-hundred and fifty feet above the hanger, the vessel waited silently for Indra to direct it.

“Navco, plot a course for the Hoplite Security HQ in Bozkir.”

Without hesitation, the ship lurched forward producing a sonic boom as it broke the sound barrier. Asad was awestruck at the ships complexity.

“This ship rivals anything the CEC could manufacture.”

“It sure does, Io Shipyards was another dream I've had since I was a kid.” Indra pushed down on a bright blue button to his left, “E mark four dash twelve; this is Echo One.”

A metallic voice echoed through the speakerbox, “This is E mark four dash twelve, I don't think it's funny, that call-sign is resigned. Please identify before legal action is pursued.”

Taking his hand off the button Indra laughed, “She is good.”

“You have the best people working for you Indra, I say that as a friend not an associate.”

“Thank you Asad.” Indra laughed then pressed the button again, “This is Aegis Corporation associate forty-one, thirty, twelve, one. Look me up and tell me how you copy. Our eta is about seven minutes.”

Indra and Asad both waited inside of the spacious cockpit. Inside were three other seats all with their own monitors, levers, buttons and switches. Like most ships from Io Shipyards it was painted  a matte light gray, the borders of each panel were a deep black.

The woman's gruff voice returned, “Mr. Isip, sorry. I mean Echo One. You are cleared for a landing in spaceport nine. Look for docking bay three.”

“I appreciate it, Controller. Prepare a war room and gather the advisers and the generals.”

“Copy sir, my name and designation is Lieutenant Eve Ruebstein.”

“Thank you Lieutenant Ruebstein, I look forward to our meeting.”

Flying over the barren wastelands in the southern highlands they soon approached the terraformed boundary where the lifeless desert met a lush, almost earth-like area.

“Terraformation.” Asad muttered, “Back on Earth, Mars shines a greenish red now.”

“It's pretty amazing, Terratech sure is achieving wonders here on Mars.”

A gleaming city was clearly visible, the vision of a connected metropolis was achieved on Mars. Every building, big and small, was connected with intricate causeways. On the outskirts of town a hyperloop connected every region from the highlands to the lowlands, allowing interplanetary travel in a matter of hours.

Taking a turn into the city of Bozkir, Indra flipped an overhead switch, a high pitch siren was emitted followed by flashing red and yellow lights. He flew above the designated space lanes just like any other emergency vehicle.

Within moments the vessel approached the Hoplite Security HQ, an enormous skyscraper overlooking the entire city. Indra manually lifted his ship to the top of the building where the extensive docking bay was located. Pulling the shuttle into docking bay three, Indra eased Artha down. Asad was standing, he was examining each different button in the cockpit.

“You have a music button?” Asad asked.

“With music from every known artist in the solar system.” Indra pressed a different button, a wardrobe opened by the access port, “Look at what's inside.”

Asad looked inside the wardrobe and grabbed the black uniform. On the upper left, right above the breast pocket was the name Nasir. A tear almost came to Asad's eyes when he looked at the embroidery on the left arm which bore the logo of Echo Squadron he sketched over eleven years ago when he and Indra attended the Plato Valley Naval Academy on Earth's moon.

“You've really outdone yourself this time, Indra.” Asad turned around and gave his best friend a hug, “So we're going to fight the good fight here on Mars?”

“We have to, these people here on Mars want a world free of conflict and strife.” Indra walked to the wardrobe and grabbed his uniform, “We're only twenty-eight, I feel like we need to go out and save this world.”

Before exiting the cockpit Indra grabbed the other three uniforms. They descended the ladder, as Asad came down, Indra pointed to a corridor on their right.

“The lounge is down that hall, you can get suited up. Seeing an active Echo squadron is sure to boost the soldiers' morale.”

_________________________________________

Deep, black smoke clouds lingered over the city of Acidalia. Space shuttles danced around the open skies, firing dazzling plasma bolts at each other. Mortar shells from the North were fired into the city, ripping apart the structures, debris and fire rained down upon the fleeing civilians who rushed toward evacuation shuttles.

Soldiers wearing burnt umber uniforms infiltrated the city from the North. Armored personnel carriers brought several dozen troops to the city before retreating away from the battle zone. Several men stormed a four-story building, the corporate center for Procter & Gamble Mars.

A squad of tanks rounded a corner from inside the city. Four tanks stayed at the Procter & Gamble building, while two others raced toward the retreating APCs.

Lifting the access hatch at the top of the tank, a man with curly, black hair shouted. “I will ask you once to vacate the building. Surrender now or the might of Hoplite Security will smite your impudent army.”

Glass was smashed out of the building, as it fell to the ground plasma bolts were shot at the heavily armored tanks. Closing the hatch, the man barked orders to the security forces. Driving toward the building, the tanks were soon out of the invader's line of sight.

“Alright everyone get ready to storm the building!”

“Ant?” A security officer called out to the curly haired man, “Is everyone going through the front?”

“No, Gamma and Zeta Group will be storming the front. I'll take point.” Ant placed a black helmet on his head, “We'll have Castor and Pollux Group scale to the top and infiltrate from the roof.”

When the casterfire ceased, the soldiers piled out, red dust filled the air as the men trampled on the loose dirt. Ant took point with the nine other members of Gamma and Zeta Group. On the opposite corner from Ant, a woman with straight, dark brown hair pointed at the short-range transmitter attached to her combat shirt.

“Doe.” Ant spoke into his handheld transmitter, “Take Castor and Pollux and get to the rooftop. On your signal we'll breach the door and send in the drone to gas them out.”

“Copy that Sergeant Major, prepare yourself.” Doe finished speaking and ordered her two teams, they disappeared around the corner. All ten members of Castor and Pollux used their wrist-mounted multi-tool to launch grappling hooks to the top of the building. There wasn't a door leading to the top floor of the building, Doe knew her teams would have to improvise.

As they cut a hole out of the roof Doe grabbed her transmitter.

“All clear Ant, light 'em up.”

In a matter of seconds there was a loud explosion followed by casterfire, Doe knew they had breached the door.

“Killian, I want you to lead Pollux Group. If I go right, you go left; if I go up you go down. Are we clear?”

Doe commanded the young officer. Killian nodded, he knew Ant and Doe since his childhood when he lived in the wastelands of old Los Angeles on Earth. Doe jumped into the hole followed by the other members of Castor Group. Killian and Pollux Group followed quickly after.

As they searched the building one room at a time the chaos outside seemed unreal. No movement could be detected, the only sound was boots clanking against the floor and the electrical sizzle of the overhead lighting.

“It's so peaceful here, you almost can't tell there is a war raging outside.” A member of Pollux Group spoke breaking the peaceful silence.

“Cut the chatter and keep focused. We need the element of surprise.” Killian ordered the man under his command.

Every room on the fourth floor was devoid of life. It didn't take more than five minutes for the two groups to search the entire floor. Fighting downstairs was sure to draw the attention of the trespassing soldiers. Doe and Killian met at the only staircase in the building.

“Alright, I need one person from each squad to stay at the magnelift, I don't want anyone escaping this building.”

Without waiting to see who stayed behind Doe and the rest of Castor and Pollux Groups headed down the stairs to the third floor.

On the ground floor the autonomous drone had successfully filled the room with a mild tear gas meant to disorientate targets. Ant and his two squadrons moved into the building, soldiers from the trespassing army fired their weapons blindly at the entrance. One plasma bolt caught a member of Zeta Group on the head, his hair caught fire and he slumped over a pallet of toothpaste.

Ant fired his caster rifle at two retreating men who ran up the stairs, one man escaped while another fell backward hitting his head on the polished floor. Three members of Gamma Group fired at the resistance soldiers who fired toward Ant. As the men ducked for cover a plasma bolt streaked past Ants' head, the bolt impacted with the steel structure showering the room with sparks. Looking to his right Ant fired his rifle at the man who almost hit him. Plasma ripped into the man's chest catching his uniform on fire. Smoke filled the room, the overhead sprinklers showered the room with a fire retardant solution and the fire alarm sent out a shrill chirp.

It didn't take long for Ant and the two teams to clear the bottom floor. After they searched the office spaces for additional people Ant turned to his soldiers.

“Charles, Jane, Osmond and Sheng, stay here and capture anyone who tries to enter or exit.”

As Ant and his soldiers moved up the stairs they could hear plasma bolts firing above them. Ant took point again, they slowly made their way up the stairs. They got to the second floor, the hallways were bleak and lifeless, not a single soldier to be seen. Deciding to let the trespassing soldiers stay in the room, Ant grabbed his transmitter.

“Doe have your teams put on their rebreathers. I'm gonna have our Sultan drone release fentanyl gas into the ventilation system. I want answers, not more casualties.”

“Copy that Ant. I will inform my guards on the top floor. Wait ten seconds before administering the gas.”

All the Hoplite Security personnel fixed the standard issue rebreathers to their face. Seconds after the Sultan Drone began to pump the compound into the ventilation system around thirty people stormed out of a room that Castor and Pollux had passed. Weapons were fixed on Doe and the other Hoplites.

“Drop your weapons CEC scum and put your hands on the wall.” A man with lieutenant chevrons on his sleeve spoke, “You are now prisoners of Sol Independence.”

“Castor, Pollux. Listen to the lieutenant. I'd rather not have casualties on our side.” Doe placed her caster rifle on the floor, the men she commanded obeyed her directive.

Placing their hands against the nearest wall the members of Castor and Pollux Group waited patiently.

They were searched extensively; grenades, plasma canisters and knives were taken and strewn across the floor.

“My name is Lieutenant Fidel Alvarez of the Sol Independence Army. Who here is the commanding officer of your forces?”

“No one here, I am the auxiliary officer Sergeant Alexis Moreau. Our CO, Sergeant Major Frederick Strang is on the second floor no doubt killing your men.” Doe laughed, “You'll meet him soon enough.”

Lieutenant Alvarez aimed his gun at the back of Does' head, “Why did you laugh? Being a prisoner is no laughing matter.”

“Because,” Doe spoke unusually slow, she tried to stall the lieutenant until the gas took effect, “It seems that you and your soldiers have been inhaling a distinct form of fentanyl sleeping gas.”

As if she had planned it the hostile forces fell limp to the floor. Doe stood and grabbed her rifle off the ground, she counted the incapacitated soldiers.

“Thirty-eight, we should split up in groups of two to find any stragglers.”

Ant came up the stairs alone, waving Doe over, she complied. Ant loved her, though he had never expressed this feeling.

“Commander,” Doe gave a salute to Ant, “sir thirty-eight soldiers have been incapacitated, the men are searching the rooms one by one for any others.

Ant returned the respectful greeting, “Good job Alexis. We have eight dead and another sixteen passed out like puppies.”

“You called me Alexis.” Her face turned a light shade of pink, “You've never done that Commander.”

Ant hesitated, he hadn't realized he used her first name, “Doe, I apologize. It's just that I can't stop thi–“

A blast shook the building, Ant and Doe's bodies wavered in place. They looked at each other, though she was still smiling and Ant knew she was questioning what the blast was.

“Was that our tank?” Doe asked.

Ant bolted down the stairs, “Have your men search the building? I'll take Gamma and Zeta Group to investigate.”

Another blast sent shock waves that shook dirt off the ceiling tiles. Ant shouted for Gamma and Zeta to follow him after hearing a third blast.

Jumping down the last few steps Ant noticed four guards were laying lifeless on the floor.

“Fuck!” Ant's booming voice startled his men. Ant checked his plasma caster rifle and charged out of the open door. Two tanks were utterly destroyed, scrap metal was strewn throughout the city's streets. An illegally modified frigate was idle several hundred feet away. Ant slowed to a halt, his men were close behind.

A synthetically amplified voice shouted from an unknown location, “I assume you are Agent Frederick Strang, who goes by the code name Ant.”

“Show yourself coward, your people are no match for Hoplite Security!” Ant was angry, it was the first time people had died under his command.

“There will be no need for further conflict. My forces have you surrounded, relinquish your weapons at once and lay your face on the concrete.”

Infuriating him further, Ant spat, “I don't know who you think you are but my people are far more capable than yours.”

“Ant, you ignorant little bitch,” the man's Russian accent was bitter and cold, “I assume you know what refraction of light is.”

He didn't give Ant a chance to respond, “I want half of the forces under my command to reveal themselves.”

Ant watched as nearly one hundred people materialized out of thin air. Ant was dumbstruck, never before had a personal cloaking device been invented. Ant knew when he was beat and would rather not go up against a whole company with a handful of soldiers.

“Surrender your arms men, our time will come.”

Soldiers of the independence walked toward Ant and his men, they were forced to the floor and shackled together. Another soldier gathered up the weapons and placed them into a rolling chest. Ant and his men were taken onto the large frigate, as the ship retracted its landing gear and rose above the plaza Ant looked back. Seeing Doe running out of the door to the Procter & Gamble Mars building Ant yelled with all his might.

“They're invisib –

A blunt object struck Ant across the back of his head, he fell to the floor knocked out by the force of the blow. Doe blasted at the frigate but the small plasma bolts only scored the metal panels. She ran to one of the

functioning tanks though before she could fire off a round the ship was out of view. Slamming her hands on the control panel of the tank she shouted.

“Fuck! I love you Ant!” Tear rolled down her eyes, she placed her head on the control panel.