The Ones We Forgot: Chapter One

As events on the Moon are in motion, further out into the reaches of space. The first true frontier world is about to experience a nightmare all of its own. For these are the ones we forgot.

The story so far: The Ones We Forgot begins close to when the Lazarus lockdown incident is triggered on the Moon. Posing as representatives for Logitek, the Black Knight squad prepares to land in one of the Mars base hangars after making contact with Traffic Control. The two manning the MTC are also concerned because they been out of contact with the Hermes communication centre, the primary means of maintaining contact between the Moon and Mars. As well allowing them to pass messages to Earth.

---

“Anything at all from Hermes?”

This was the third time in as many minutes that Ross had asked her this question, and each time, she had answered with a strong no. The communications centre at the heart of Lazarus, a city on the Moon, had seldom ever dropped out of contact, but this was getting close to half an hour with no word from anyone. The use of aether-based transmissions had made the tedious process of contacting the mother world considerably easier, but like with a lot of technology, it was prone to glitches. She had her doubts this time though. While her mind wandered, the screen on the console lit up and showed a new arrival had breached Mar’s atmosphere. Accompanying it was a transmission. They both put headsets on and prepared to receive contact.

“This is BK765, from Luna to Tower. Sending you the manifest now.”

“More supplies and building material. Even some Constructoids and parts. Identification checks out. It’s everything we asked for,” said Ross.

“This is Tower. BK765, you have clearance to land in Docking Bay Two. Once you’ve landed, ground control can handle you from there.”

“Good to hear we will maintain this altitude and orbit before beginning the final descent. There are no other departures planned?”

“This is Mars, dumbass. Get used to seeing red and not much else.”

Ross disengaged his mic and looked over at Anya. “Let’s hope they are good company at least.”

“Yeah, amen to that,” she huffed.

“I’m going to take my break. You good to hold the fort?”

“Nothing ever happens, Ross. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Ross laughed and stood up. He did a long stretch before heading downstairs. Anya waited until she was sure he was no longer in earshot. She opened a private channel to BK765.

“Black Knight, is that you, can you confirm?”

A different voice came through this time. “Is it just you?”

“For now, my colleague is on break. He won’t be gone long so we have to make it quick.”

“Good, then you know why we’re really here.”

A chill ran down her spine. It’s finally happening. We’re taking control of this operation. “Yes, I’ve waited a long time for this moment.”

“So have all in the Maxim Front. No one suspects anything either?”

“This is the first frontier world. The rules aren’t like those back home. It’s a dog-eat-dog world down here, Black Knight.”

“I bet. For now, you maintain your cover, and we will slowly take over this operation. If we’ve timed it right, in the next few hours, both the Moon and Mars will be in the hands of the Sov Imperium. It is by the Maxim that we obey - It is by the Maxim that we serve - It is by the Maxim that we thrive.”

Anya found herself subconsciously crossing her right fist over her heart. “Continue your landing, we’ll talk later.”

She disconnected the comms and soon heard heavy footfalls on the steps as Ross reappeared with two coffee cups. Upon coming into view, she dropped the gesture and tried to appear less tense. He smirked at her while handing over the still-steaming cup of coffee before returning to where he had been sitting.

“Something bothering you?”

“No,” she said. “Thanks for the coffee.”

He collapsed into his chair. “I can only hope that once things settle back home, we’ll start seeing more activity.”

“Well, if rumours are anything to go by.”

“It keeps getting worse, I know,” said Ross before taking a sip. “Whole of Earth is going to shit, and if it does get worse, what then? We’re as good as stranded out here.”

“Stop worrying so much, Ross. I’m sure everything will be just fine.”

“Man, I wish I had your optimism.”

---

“At least we know someone is on our side,” said Francis standing between the pilot and co-pilot’s chair of the cockpit.

The co-pilot, Pyotr, who had been managing their communications with the Mars base, looked at him. “For now at least, these people have been out here for a while, remember? There's no telling where their loyalties lie.”

He couldn’t disagree with that and even appreciated the irony of the man saying this. After all to him and the others from the Maxim Front, they were here under the impression that they were bringing glory to the Soviet Imperium. If only it were that simple. “Keep us updated, Pyotr. I’ll go let the others know of our warm welcome.”

Francis returned to the seating area of the transport ship, lit only by a set of red lights above, the other infiltrators sat in silence. Even if he couldn't see all their faces, he knew their nerves would be eating at them. Only some of those inside this flying casket were aware of the true mission. Francis reclaimed his seat opposite one of them, Charles, a fellow member of the Black Knight division of the Black Watch. Unfortunately, to get this far they had to cut some deals with some unsavoury types. On one side they had the Maxim Front, a nationalist Soviet Imperium militia group who believed they were taking over for the Imperium’s benefit. They had no idea they were being used. The other side of things had him more concerned. Charles’ cool expression showed a mutual understanding. The Aevetas would be the wild card in all this. Francis wasn't convinced he could trust them, but his bosses had insisted upon using the Deterrent here too.

From the moment they entered the Aether the plan to usurp the lunar city of Lazarus had already been set in motion. Now it was their turn to secure Mars for the benefit of the Black Conglomerate.

“Something tells me this won’t be as easy as we hope it will be,” said Charles.

“If we play the long game, we shouldn’t have to worry.”

“I know, Frank. Just once I would like things to go over smoothly.”

The voice of the pilot came over the comms. “This is Echo, we’re set to land in docking bay two. Let them unload the cargo and put it in storage. The weapons we brought will be transferred to the armoury too.”

“Surprised they authorised that,” said Eva, like Pyotr was a part of the Maxim Front. “I get you want to keep some element of authority but this type of firepower, makes you wonder if it’s for something more.”

“It’s for what’s beneath the Martian surface,” said Melina of the Aevetas. “Early planetary scans showed structures buried deep beneath the Martian surface. I'd hazard a guess the miners are trying to dig down to them.”

"Do you think they know?" asked Eva.

Melina looked shook her head. "Unlikely. Mars still has the promise of resources after all."

“Even now we're still chasing their legacy,” grumbled Charles.

"Would there still be those monsters inside?" Eva asked, struggling to hide the fear in her voice.

“You already know how it played out on Earth, Eva," Melina said looking over at fellow Aevetas member, Andrey. The two Mortans shared a knowing look.

"Yes, Mel, we all do," he said.

“Whatever waits for us down there, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” said Francis. “For now our focus is getting into the good graces of our Martian hosts. Remember, no funny business, don’t give them a reason to launch us out the base’s airlock.”