Debra drew next to them, Shino swallowing as she witnessed the emotion in the Fahimian’s deep brown eyes, whispering, ‘You must be very proud of your culture and history…I have never met such a people that love animals so much, it is very endearing.’
Begum’s eyes widened in surprise, a wide smile forming across his lips, ‘We live for our animals…they are what has made us strong and noble.’ His expression suddenly changed, head turning away as a hand rose to the earpiece before looking back grimly, ‘It is nearly time…please take your seats and make ready…I feel the next few hours will challenge us all.’ The small Fahimian turned to face the rear opening, stepping towards the ramp before hesitating and looking back, ‘I will wish to visit these Philippines…a very insightful and charming people.’ Then he strode down the ramp, indicating for the commandoes before him to disperse to their crafts, the figures stiffening as reflective helmets nodded obediently, ornate laser rifles slung over their shoulders.
Debra slapped Shino’s shoulder armour as they made their way towards their designated seats, ‘It seems you have made a friend in a high place…that could be useful…’
Shino smiled, nodding, ‘He seems very nice…they are all so loving…’
Riaz grinned as the two women lowered on either side of him, ‘I like them a lot…the colour and manners. There is also another thing…’ He glanced to either side as Debra nodded for him to continue, Shino sighing as she recognised his mocking demeanour, ‘They are also a whole race of people that Shino is taller than…there had to be some across the galaxies!’ He jerked as an elbow jabbed him in the ribs, yelping in forced pain as Debra shook her head, his voice a low hissed whisper as troops filed into the rear of the drop ship, ‘Dangerous little things...MacArthur was right!’
Captain Dugachard was the last to board the dropship, having checked all the other transports were fully manned, the lights in the dispersal bay dimming as the large ship gathered momentum, an adrenalin fuelled nervousness filling her tensed frame as the doors whirred behind, the exterior light diminishing as the walkway rose, further clanks and mechanical humming as the seals were tightened, the engines of all the small craft initiating in unison.
Fahimian engineers checked the hull briefly, observing lights and the extension or retraction of side laser barrels as they indicated to the pilots in their cockpits, the mountings on both the lower and upper hulls seeming fully operational. In addition, a frontal upper retracting gatling gun and an upper small rear turret was integrated into the extended angular and raised central roof of several of the craft. The maintenance crews inspected the exterior plate closely, ensuring air vents were not obstructed, the reinforced resin outer surface preventing magnetic mines or nano robots from homing in on the drop ships, the surface colours beginning to transform as the pilots initiated stealth mode, the red lines and lighting becoming more subdued as dark grey, dull brick and a dappled green gradually covered the hulls.
The captain turned as she reached the cockpit doors, looking across the rising apprehension in the seated soldiers’ faces, counting an equal number of Trevakians and Fahimians spread across the transport hold. Her frame tensing once more, several of the Trevakian males staring eagerly across her curvaceous uniformed body, her eyes narrowing at the attention as she spoke, ‘We are about to depart…’ The officer frowned, glancing at Debra and Riaz, Shino’s head emerging from behind the muscular asian as Tregan pulled the sliding door back from the cockpit, her voice determined and grimly official, ‘We will be landing in a hot zone…the enemy will be all around us. Each drop ship will fight as a separate unit, Fahimian, Trevakian and human together…each with a special combat unit of engineers from the next vessel.’
Debra glimpsed the serious expression and stress across Tregan’s face, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as Dugachard drew a sharp breath, ‘Once the lights in the interior hold go to red, arm your rifles…we will experience combat immediately and some will fall. We stay together and in cover and move forward, the Fahimian craft guns will provide additional initial support.’
The hum of engines increased, two resin crew seats either side of the cockpit door lowering as the drop ship hull seemed to vibrate, creaking slightly, the captain lowering herself and grasping the restraining belt on either side, her voice rising as Tregan winked at Debra, slowly withdrawing into the cockpit and closing the door as the female officer continued, ‘Secure yourselves…this will be a turbulent ride…keep your boots firmly on the floor, it will become magnetic to prevent any injury, your uniforms should also inflate slightly.’ Her lips pursed as the exterior hum became louder, belts clicking across the hold, the drop ship creaking once more as they felt the vessel gently rise, the whirring of mechanics as the landing gear was retracted, ‘A Fahimian special action squad will land in the ship next to us, several of our commandoes are ordered to accompany them initially as part of an opening mission…they will return once successful. Until that time, all boots will remain magnetised…this will slow you down, be wary of that. Now, are there any questions?’
Hushed excited whispers spread across the hold, the humming increasing as additional side engines were successfully fired up, the captain stiffening, ‘Make Ready! Visors down!’
Sharp intense squealing ensued, the hold lights flickering briefly as the hushed voices rose, the marines grasping to the side of their helmets, the Fahimian commando reflective full face visors moving from side to side, several checking the laser rifles across their thighs. Then the craft suddenly shot forward, breaths drawn and several startled whimpers as the drop ship accelerated, many grasping their seat sides in alarm as it suddenly plunged downwards, the hull screeching loudly against exterior pressures, the engines now roaring as the craft
