Hardcore - 03 Read Free Page B

physically and mentally. "You are aware you have been hand-picked as those at the top of your particular fields. Recent events have shown we have underestimated the junks, and by association, Leviathan. The junks are three steps ahead of us, both in terms of numbers, weaponry, tactics, and technology. Two days ago, they destroyed General Kotinevitch's WarFleet."
    Steinhauer paused, allowing that to sink in. Several gasps could be heard through the ranks.
    Steinhauer continued. "Not only was the WarFleet crushed and decimated. It was done so with consummate ease. Arrogance. A disregard for the Quad-Galaxy's might, so long unchallenged after the brutality of the Helix War. Now, as you know, our mission here is one of intelligence gathering. The junks originated somewhere relatively local - and we need clues as to their origins, the source of their technology and, most importantly, how we can take the war to them. You have all been assigned to small squads, carefully picked by my Under-Generals in order to complement one another's specific talents. In a few moments, data will be transcribed to PADs and call-signs initiated. I want you to team up with your new squad mates, and from thence specific instructions will be streamed, and myself and Under-Generals will circulate in order to answer specific questions. Understood?"
    "YES SIR!" thundered Hanger 57.
    "One last thing, soldiers of the Quad-Gal. If we'd spoken two days ago, well, I had a different speech planned. The recent annihilation of Kotinevitch's WarFleet has put a new spin on events. The junks are accelerating their war effort, my friends. We need something, something special, in order to stop them. Only you can do this. Dismissed!"
    Keenan's PAD buzzed, and he glanced down, then across to Franco. "Well done, Big Man, you've been promoted."
    "Eh?" Franco was busy watching the arse of a lithe but powerful woman with long, jagged-cut red hair, who had just risen from her seat.
    "It says here that our Combat-K gang are going to Sick World, but not alone. We're all Squad Captains. Franco, Pippa, you'll take a team of three down to the surface of Sick World; from there we'll split, carry out specific intelligence gathering and search several flagged archaeological sites, then reconvene after five days to plan the next step. If we think we have intel on the junks, we report and delve deeper. If not, we skip planet and head for the next designated target on the list."
    "I'm a Squad Captain!" beamed Franco. He stood, and puffed out his chest. "Wow! That means, yeah, that means I have a team! We can do team building! Appraisals! I can give advice! Hell and damnation, I hope they're all pretty."
    "Hello? Captain Haggis?"
    Franco whirled, giving a full-teeth grin. The athletic woman with jagged red hair was smiling down at him, head tilted as she looked at her new boss and realised his eyes had strayed disconcertingly towards her cleavage.
    "Hello there!" Franco saluted, a sloppy salute which had seen him, during his military career, clean an inordinate number of industrial bean-bins. He eyed the woman up and down with a lustful leer, noting the two swords sheathed, criss-cross, on her back. "Well well well, what have we got here, pretty one?"
    Keenan choked. Pippa shook her head, sighing a sigh which said, Jesus, Franco, some things will never change.
    The red-haired woman stared at him. Hard. "My name is Fizzy. And you can wipe that filthy look off your face for a start. It's going to be a long mission and the last thing me and the girls need is some leering pervert as a Squad Captain."
    "The girls?" swooned Franco.
    Fizzy nodded, to where two more tall, athletic women were weaving their way through the bustling throng of military activity. She introduced them. "This is Shazza." Shazza was tall, voluptuous, brunette. "And Candy." Candy was tall, voluptuous and blonde. All three women eyed Franco with worrying distaste.
    Franco, eyes popping from his skull, looked up towards the