Free The Colony by John Davis Page A

the head.
    “I found out only days ago. On our way here,” Jack said. “I mean, they're searching for her entire group, but...”
    “ I understand.” the general replied.
    “ Do you?” Jack asked with a bit of zeal. “This was supposed to be a simple hop. Show up, remind you to change the batteries in your damn radios and then head back. Help them find my wife,” he added. “Instead I walk into this shit. Lose my entire group, only to end up inside of a war.”
    “ If it's of any comfort to you, I think you've done an amazing job here. I couldn't have done any better, not even in my younger days.” the general said with a bit of a smile.
    Finally prompting a return smile for Jack.
    “If you want my advice, stay the course. Right now, you're a soldier, but when this finished you become that concerned husband. Meanwhile, you use that grief...that emotion. You use that.” the general replied.
    Julia had heard a bulk of their conversation, having walked back to apologize. Instead, she paused to hear a story of a soldier hurting.
    “General, may I have a moment?” Julia asked.
    “ Of course.” the older man replied, quickly turning to leave her alone with Lieutenant Jack Strong.
    “ How much did you hear?” the lieutenant asked.
    “ Enough.” Julia replied softly.
    “ Great,” the soldier replied with embarrassment. “Just great.”
    “ Relax,” Julia said. “I came to apologize, not to judge you. Honestly, I think it's incredible that you could do anything outside of worry.”
    “ No choice,” Jack admitted, tears beginning to swell in his eyes a bit. “I'm just trying to get you guys to safety. Then, maybe,” he added. “Maybe I can search for my wife.”
    “ I'll not pretend to be your wife,” Julia said. “But I do think that she'd be proud of what you've done here.”
    “ What, lead my entire unit to the grave?” Jack asked.
    “ No. Keep us alive against unbelievable odds. There are also a lot of children that will hopefully lead incredible lives, all because of you.” Julia responded with sincerity.
    Boom.
    A loud popping sound echoed through the sky, followed by several others. Four total.
    “ What?” Julia asked. Though Lieutenant Jack Strong already knew the answer.
    “ Get everything together, we've got to move!” Jack replied.
    “ I don't understand?”
    “ Those are our birds. I'd know that sound anywhere. Best thing we can do now is become easy to find.” Jack replied.
    “ What about your friend?” Julia asked.
    “ He's knows his way around, and I promise you he recognized those birds coming in. With any luck we'll meet up at the finish line.” Jack replied.
    “ Ours?” the general asked, rushing over.
    “ Yea,” Jack replied. “Gear up, we need to move.”
    -
     
    “ Reading a transponder sir.” the pilot of the lead aircraft reported.
    “ Good, sit us down near the signal and advise our birds to do the same. We'll set up a defensive perimeter and with any luck – the stranded know what to do next.” the officer said.
    Just like Lieutenant Jack Strong, the officer was equally promoted. However, this officer wore a uniform of dress blue, which was a good indication that he usually worked from the black of space.
    As the first of four choppers touched down to the surface, several men sprinted from them, quickly assembling lazing guns. A common sight among their fleet, lazing guns were basically automated chain guns, which viewed the area in front of them with a small string of laser, which flowed red and projected nearly twenty feet ahead. Turning with the lazing gun – in turret fashion.
    Moments after setting it up and bringing it online, the lazing gun began ringing out short bursts of lead. Picking up movement beyond the conventional sight of soldering eyes.
    “Get a couple more set up, now!” the officer yelled. “And stay inside of the grid, locked and loaded.”
    Which they did. Each soldier laying to the ground near the chopper, rifles in hand.
    As