Interlude 2
Captured Scolux Lab Far side of Luna “Welcome back Platoon Leader Coron. Did you find any Scoluxers?” I hope he’s impressed with what I’ve found out. “We found no sign of Scoluxers on the next planet out or the asteroids. It’s unlikely that they’ll have a base on any of the moons of the gas giants but we’ll check them out anyway. Have you found anything more?” We need to send a report back home and it would be better if there’s some important information to send. “I’ve found several items that I think are important but there are more files that I have to figure out.” There should be many more files than there are. I should find out why there aren‘t enough files for almost 20 cycles of occupation.. “Make your report Squad Leader.” For a JILA of his age he’s getting sloppy. “First I found the names, at least I assume they’re names, of the natives from the planet who the Scoluxer used. They also have locating beacons implanted in their skin so we can find them if they are still alive.” “This is very important Tron. I need to send a message back home about what we’ve found in this system and the names of natives abused by the Scoluxers will be a very big coup in the war. The names will prove that the Scoluxers used planet bound natives in their research. What else have you found out about the plans the Scolux scientist had?” Names I couldn’t have asked for anything this big this soon in the investigation. “The names are the only facts I’ve figured out about the experiment, but that in itself is a problem. Only two subjects in an experiment this important? But Platoon Leader I think I also have proof that the rumors are true.” This information will impress him. “What rumor?” Why doesn’t he just give the entire report and let me decide what’s important? “The rumor that the Scoluxers have a transportation device.” “What proof do you have, Just knowing for sure that something like that really works would help our scientists in building one too.” If he knows what he’s talking about this could be the biggest victory in the war. “The Scoluxer stated that he beamed the subjects from the planet to this lab. What else could that mean?” I can’t think of anything else. “Nothing that I can think of. Have you found the device?” The scientists back home will go crazy. The military will be like pups with a new toy. “Not yet, there are rooms full of lab equipment in this Laboratory and most of it isn’t labeled. I’m hoping that as I translate more of the files there will be something to directly point out which machine he used to beam them here.” Maybe I’ll finally be promoted if I can figure out which machine it is and how to make it work. “Good work Tron, I’ll send the 2nd Squad back home with a full report. Keep working, but realize that the officials back home will probably send a new force to take over the operation. I’ll take the 1st Squad and make sure that the gas planet moons are Scoluxer free.” If this pans out then I’ll finally be promoted to a rank that will allow me to stay at home.