Orders, Shmorders

[2nd Lt JacobD 0]

"Report here on the double for extract," Lt Black barked over an open comm link.

 

2Lt Jacob Duncan looked around the dark room with the flashing lights from several different computer stations as he heard the order from Black.  Duncan had already isolated every crucial system on this planet and was going to target the specific systems used by the water reclamation plants for filtration.  As far as he knew, the virus was still being spread via the water and now a new strain was being spread via the air.  

 

The information on the new strain through the air was a little different.  Duncan could only naturally assume that anyone was not in Marine gear could potentially become infected with the virus, and without any type of protection it was starting to be easier to say that any other personnel still on the planet were potentially infected.

 

As Black was spouting off orders, he finally received a secured communication from the Colonel.  Luckily, the battle gear all carries an alternate encrypted communication system called the "Light" system.  Inside the helmet, there's a viewer ported just in front of one eye and a light similar to a laser, but not with the same properties, can beam information to you directly and the brain can decrypt the information carried by the light.  It's basically similar to ancient Earth communications among warships at sea using a large spotlight.

 

Duncan focused on the light long enough for the short message to come across.  "Duncan, I have located the doctors.  Belluewood has arrived at Tarawa.  Secure Tarawa.  No personnel leaves via that shuttle or the Belluewood unless under my direct order.  Bring company C to medical facility to begin facilitating possible evac. Quest out.

 

Lt Black had just finished barking an order to return to some shuttle somewhere for an extraction.

 

"Lt Black, your order has been noted.  I am under higher orders and will be staying on the planet until further notice. Duncan out," Duncan snapped back into the open UNSECURE comm link.

 

With that, after gaining access to the main power station and information on the colony's power systems, Duncan slapped his comm badge and closed the channel before Black had time to even blink.  He turned on his heel, secured the computer stations in the control room and strolled out of the building to meet up with his company.

 

Duncan had already sent the two squads, which was about 20 men back to Lt Black without really thinking about the fact that they were technically not under his order or command on this particular operation.  Colonel Quest had 2 squads with him and there was a squad guarding the Tarawa.  He resigned himself to fact that Black and Duncan were going to have it out, but today was not the day for that to happen.