Free Talosian Chronicles 6: Armageddon by Ben Winston

folks would be coming back here to build a new base. It seems they've told the UN that a huge battle is coming and they need to build defenses on the planet.' Seeing the look on his people's faces he shrugged. "Hey, that's what I was told. Anyway, since they actually showed up, our orders have changed.
    The group of captains and lieutenants grumbled but let the Major continue. “The real reason we are out here is because of this. We are to observe and try to capture or grab as much of their technology as we can for analysis. We are not to actively interfere with them, but getting their tech was stressed several times. Other than that, we are to secure the area and keep them from leaving. We are not to engage them; no shooting unless we are shot at first."
    He looked each of the men in the eye. “Gentlemen, I honestly have no idea what is really out there. We can only operate on what we are told by our superiors and execute the orders given us. I know you have questions about this, but I simply don’t have the answers to give you.” He sighed and turned to the map one of his staff had set up for him. Here’s what I want. Corporal Anderson placed our friends about here. Terrain won’t let us surround them, so I would like us to deploy in a line…” He continued to issue orders, finally having to move aside as his staff loaded his vehicle with its ammo. Orders issued, the commanders returned to their own units to set those orders in motion.
     
     
    Alan watched as the Bradley fighting vehicles spread out in a line formation. He was kind of glad this wasn’t the Marines he would be dealing with; they had a tendency to shoot first and apologize later; especially after what happened here during the battle.
    As they approached he watched them deploy their troops. He knew normal doctrine would have had them deploy their troops farther away, and advance slowly under cover from the powerful twenty-five millimeter cannons mounted on top the vehicles.
    In the center of the formation, and slightly behind, Alan could see the command vehicle. The only discerning features that identified it were its position and the number of radio antennas it had. Alan waited a few more minutes then walked slowly forward, hands lowered to his side, and open to indicate he was unarmed, but not surrendering. He made sure his armor’s shield was active as well. He knew the armor could withstand multiple hits from one of those cannons, but he really didn’t want to find out for sure.
    Cautiously, one platoon of soldiers crept forward, weapons trained on him and at the ready, to surround him in a semi circle. “Halt!” Alan was ordered. “By the authority of the United States government, I am placing you under arrest in connection with the events that took place here last year; lay down on the ground now!” The trooper said.
    Alan glanced at the soldier’s uniform before replying, “Sgt. Grant, I would like to speak to your commanding officer. I’ve set up a shelter from the sun to discuss this. You may accompany us to insure his safety.” Moving slowly, Alan tuned and began walking back to the shelter.
    “Get on the ground, now! Or I will be forced to fire!” The soldier replied.
    “No, you won’t. Your orders are to capture our technology and possibly detain us. Not to kill us. I’ve made no threatening moves against you or your men. Please pass along my request; I’m sure you guys are getting hot out here,” Alan said reasonably and continued to walk. The platoon followed him cautiously, never lowering their weapons.
    After Alan had returned to the small pavilion, he sat down on one of the chairs to wait. Shortly, another platoon moved to the command vehicle and prepared to escort what Alan assumed to be the force commander.
    Alan once again stood as they neared the pavilion. Making sure his armor was safe, he extended his hand. “Major Dentin, it’s nice to meet you. I am Colonel Alan Carlton, Special Operations branch of the