Free Giants Of Mars by Paul Alan Page B

it for their survival. With the Chameleon’s parts and supplies, she estimated they both could survive for an indefinite time or for at least enough time to hatch a plan on how to escape their situation. After checking Jason’s status, she set out to the crash site where the Chameleon remained incapacitated.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    C APTAIN H ARGROVE
     
     
                  “You’ll take a team through the Teserak, secure the Chameleon.”
                  “What is a Teserak? And what about Bjorn?” Learner stiffly asked.
                  “The Teserak is a Quantum Foam Generator, and you’ll kill Jason Bjorn with prejudice if he becomes a threat to the mission,” Captain Elena Hargrove smartly answered.
                  “Wait, this sounds way too risky!” Learner objected loudly, while shaking his head no. He continued, “You need a QFG at the end terminus. How do we know where he is or do we even know if Jason Bjorn is still alive?”
                 
    Albeit, Learner Rotterdam wasn’t under her command, the Devonian Officer’s face angrily turned bright red; she was not used to insubordinate behavior in her ranks.
     
    Elena Hargrove plaintively responded. “We’ll assume Bjorn is alive until further confirmation. Regarding the equipment, we were able to miniaturize a Quantum Foam Generator, and hide it aboard the Chameleon. Regarding time travel, we can send you through the Quantum Foam Generator to when they crashed. However, there are a few variables in the space-time fabric, so we have to surpass the variable time to make sure you don’t prematurely end up in outer space or in free fall over the Martian surface.”
    “Geez, that’s a load off my mind.” Learner sarcastically spoke.
                  “How much time are we talking about? Longcra sharply asked.
     
    Sergeant Longcra would direct any combat actions on the other end.
     
                  “They landed almost three weeks ago but your team will arrive three to five days after the crash,” Captain Elena Hargrove responded.
                  “He has a Synthetic,” Learner added.
                  “Your team will consist of two combat SYNs to help neutralize any threat.”
                  “We are going to need at least two more SYNs,” Learner insisted.
                  “The Teserak will only allow four to safely pass at any one time. Besides, Longcra and his two combat SYNs will suffice.”
                  “I disagree, Jason’s SYN is different. And what about his ship?”
                  “Our INTEL says otherwise. One combat SYN should be enough to handle a Synthetic Co-pilot.”
                  “I can handle one of those without a Combat SYN,” Longcra flippantly interjected.
                  “Listen, you want to drop us into an alien environment against Jason Bjorn in the seat of the Chameleon? You’re fucking crazy, Captain, because you could send in a battalion of Combat SYNs and he’ll sit back, blow them all to smithereens. I know Bjorn, and with that force multiplying bitch SYN of his, you’re going to need more fire power.”
                  “Seems like you’re yellow,” sneered Sergeant Longcra.
                  “No one has ever said that about me before,” Learner said defensively.
                  “You’re just worried about your own skin.”
                  “You bet I am; it covers my body.” Learner stood angrily, and faced Sergeant Longcra who sat calmly and confidently in the knowledge of his past combat experience.
    “At ease, both of you! Rotterdam, the situation is under control. We have neutralized the Chameleon. The ship is a dead stick; you will secure the ship and wait