Conflicting Objectives I

John and Martin managed to reach their respective groups via PECs using strengthened signal, and - owing to the current state of the facility John's group took control over - established regular communication channel between the two.

With this event, everyone hoped things will become much easier for everyone from this moment on. Unfortunately, it did not go that well from the very beggining.

The main problem arose in relation to the chain of command. As the original chain broke due to emergency landing and the main group splitting into a number of smaller cells, every such sub-group ended up creating their own management.

Going by the book, upon merging the two groups, the person with the highest rank was none other than colonel Ryan McRae. While to both managing sides the rule was obvious and the choice could be only one, there were voices of discontent, especially from colonist groups, who already started establishing settlements in their current locations, despite it being against the original plan.

McRae was already aware of this issue due to recent events in his own sub-group, and granted the permission for certain party of people to stay where they currently were, however, as the numbers of such people could potentially grow with another group joining in, there was a risk of the whole expedition being too fragmented.

- I understand the opinion of colonists - he said during the talk with representatives from Martin's camp - They came to this planet to stay and start a new life, I respect that. Having said that, we don't have enough militarymen to secure every new settlement. We can let them stay, but the original plan was for us to stay with them until settlements grow independent and can defend on their own. Right now, we have no resources to do that so they will be on their own from the very beginning.

- We understand the risk we are taking by staying here - Hubert Dubois, representative of colonists from the second camp replied - We will be defending on our own.

- If that's the majority decision, I won't stop you, but I need a formal confirmation so we are not accountable anymore.

Hubert submitted the list of signatures soon after the talk he had with Ryan, and with that they were cleared to stay.

Sections other than colonists were instructed to prepare for leaving each of the camps and departing towards the original rally point, though they were first to meet at a temporary camp established by the scouting party John was with, and found another alien facility.

For now, the area was considered safe despite the events that happened before the communication within area was restored.

Marlow was not completely sure staying in the close distance to facilities relying on systems which functionality they did not understand was completely safe, but the report they submitted to colonel McRae did not provide a clear confirmation of the danger, so colonel decided on going with the original plan, just slightly adjusting the location of the camp.

- John, I get your point here, but we are going to stay here only temporarily, and scientists will have some additional time to investigate the area - Ryan was talking with him back in their camp as John returned with a part of the team - I know what I said before about taking risks, but your point about energy sources and potential threats to our mission are something I cannot leave be. I understand risk exists, but potential consequences of disregarding this may turn into a bigger problem in the future. If we can prevent something, let us better do that.

- You are aware that we already had one person die in there, Ryan? - Marlow was still not convinced - We know really little about that place, and honestly, I have no fucking idea how we managed to get out of there.

McRae scratched his head.

- Well, you said it was as if you were led outside, so maybe this system is not set to kill us? Do we even know how Jackie died?

Marlow shrugged.

- I didn't have much time to investigate, we had to run moments after I got footage. It seemed as if something cut him, and some parts were crashed. I'm thinking about this barrier system being related, but I'm not a specialist in cases of people's deaths.

Colonel nodded.

- Got it. We will involve medical personel then. Manuela is done with all necessary treatment now so she can be easily deployed. Not sure about Kate and her time due to investigation these Ghasts cases. Still, with both of them here, it can be delegated.

- So, you are not going to change your mind about this?

Ryan raised his eyebrows as he looked at John.

- C'mon, can you hear yourself? Between us two, you are the one who is supposed to be a scientist, and I would expect you to be the one to ask me to make it possible, and here you are the one acting 'reasonable'. John, be realistic, nothing's going according to plan since the moment we were forced in emergency landing. Heh, what I'm even saying? All these accidents, sabotage attempts on the way. All this shit changed the original plan many times already. If you told me that back when we were still at planning phase, I would surely agree with you and left this facility out there, avoiding it at all costs. However, as things are, we cannot make such a decision.

Listening to McRae's words, Marlow realized how much the experiences he got throughout the expedition up until now changed his view. Indeed, back in the past he would just aimed for storming in there to gain the credit for an important discovery, but back then it was never like someone he knew and cared about about died in the process. Personally seeing someone getting in pain or dying at job is way different than just seeing a report. He already learned how it is when there was an accident concerning the ship's engines, and now a person from his crew lost life because of curiosity.

Having said that, John was not really sure how the things could have turned out if he made different decisions prior these dreadful events. In case of the incident in the dock, they could have applied additional precautions, and if he had team investigate the facility in the bigger group from the beginning, the chances of Jackie going there alone would have been lower.

Maybe it was actually him trying to play things safe causing the backfire?

- Okay, you may be right here, Ryan - he finally agreed - I get a feeling I might have been too worried something may happen, and making bad decisions in the process.

Colonel McRae shook his head.

- Don't dwell on the past, John. All you can do is to use these experiences to avoid similar situations in future. However, I don't think you were making bad decisions throughout the whole expedition. Sure, some people died, some I and you knew, but do you honestly think that their fate was in your or my hands? We shouldn't overestimate ourselves, John, we are not gods. There are things we can and cannot control. And about that Jackie guy. In my opinion, it was his own fault for going there without support. If anything, everyone should be lectured about communication and importance of cooperation.

Marlow did not feel the same way.

- So, you are saying he brought this upon himself? Being curious is not a sin...

Ryan nodded.

- Of course, curiosity is what led humanity through centuries. Without it, we wouldn't be who we are now, but you should well know that while curiosity may not be a sin, it can lead you to hell.

John sighed - his colleague made a very valid point.

- Okay, you won, I'm not going to drag this conversation further. I still feel reluctant about the idea of investigating this underground at this moment, but I cannot deny that learning about how it functions may actually help us in future.

Colonel clapped his hands.

- Great, then we have this topic sorted out finally. I'm going to send the orders and organize the things for you.

Marlow, who just stood up, thinking it was the end of conversation, suddenly sat down.

- Wait, you mean you want me to go there?

Ryan McRae was already browsing on his PEC, so he reacted with a slight delay.

- Wasn't that clear for you from the beginning? After all, you were the one of few people who went there and managed to get outside. It's obvious that we need someone who saw what's inside, and you are well aware that one of the soldiers got wounded, and while he was treated, he still needs some time to fully recover, which leaves us with you, sergeant Krawczak and miss Evergate. Among the three of you, do you think I should send just miss Evergate? Obviously, I want you and Krawczak to go there.

John bit his lip hearing Ryan's explanation. He was afraid of going there, given how the last trip looked like, but - at the same time - he did not want to put Keira in the harm's way.

- Yeah, I didn't think this through. I would rather not go, but you have a point.

He stood up yet again, this time being sure it is the end of conversation, and got surprised by colonel McRae speaking again:

- By the way, I heard you finally had a chance to use the hand cyber. Can you share how's it doing?

Marlow did not expect this question, so - caught by surprise - he replied:

- Honestly? I'm scared of shaking hands now.

McRae bursted in laughter.

- C'mon, you are not living in Japan, so you can't just accidentally kill someone by patting their arm - he actually stood up and gave Marlow's left arm a pat, while saying that - Though, you get that saying something like that is a compliment for military-grade equipment?

By no means John could take it as a joke.

- Is it really that funny? Ryan, I can literally blow people up into pieces...

Colonel seemed to be in a really good mood, while completely disregarding major's complaints.

- Don't worry, with the amount of safeties it has, there should be no problem - he assured - You got the full documentation about both cybers you received, and this arm you have now is actually the one I was less worried about. The leg, on the other hand...

John recalled going through the files he received, and sighed remembering all of the notes in regards to his current right leg.

- I have no intention of using it, even if I was about to die - he actually felt bad after saying that, knowing how he saved other with his cyber hand not so long ago - Okay, maybe if I could save others, I would have to reconsider.

- Don't worry, John, you have my full support for this mission - Ryan assured him - You will get best people we have right now. I already have a list of names, but take your time to decide.