Colonization Protocols

A Tumultuous Start

Andros POV

As the first Lander arrived there was a little apprehension as our cameras observed a war party getting closer to the front gates. The sturdy entrance was finished just yesterday and closed but I had a pair of towers with one man in each. Ace to the left and Milo on the right keeping an eye out for unusual activity.

Milo informed me of the activities as seen through the long range cameras.

"That night before there was a long period of chanting and a flurry of drums that ended in some kind of sacrifice." Milo said.

"Animal sacrifice?"

"I don't know Sir. Not really an expert on these things. Whatever it was it seemed to scream out in pain."

"A scream you say? Sure it wasn't an animal sound."

"I'd call it a scream Sir. It sent shivers up my spine."

"OK but then nothing right?"

"It's been pretty quiet since then. I assume they're resting up ?"

"We'll see. Keep a few extra clips for the rifle on you when your up in the towers."

"Will do Sir." he replied.

Leopold was moving about in the skiff making a perimeter run every ten minutes or so. Word had gotten around and we were all a little antsy wondering when and if they'd attack.

Jason Barkley was watching everything from the high point up in the Exelon through a mounted periscope. He always had one of his 2 growing wolf pups nearby stroking its head gently whenever one came close as he scanned the forests for visual signs of Desotti war parties on the move.

I had Portsby and Anna by my side as the Colonists began disembarking. We put on our game faces and pretended everything was fine. A show of unconcern was always reassuring to others. Like all was well in the world.

I assumed it was best to put the Colonists at ease. Since most of them were civilians we didn't know if we could trust their reaction to an all out assault from the Desotti. They were primitive but their raw barbarity was beyond the imagination of most of the arriving people, of this I was fairly certain.

Supposedly they had all been briefed by Captain Drecher about the situation on the ground. But by the carefree attitude I was observing from the passengers I was beginning to wonder if that was true.

I shook hands with the prominent members of the incoming crew and nodded politely verbally welcoming everyone as they arrived.

My greeting was pretty standard. I repeated it to everyone with a smile.

"Welcome to Tau Ceti Prime! I'm Captain Andros Ziko. Please take a welcome packet from the pile. It will contain the location and information of all your basic needs and a temporary assignment roster. Any other questions can be directed to members of my crew. My crew will be wearing the dark brown Camo outfits. I hope you enjoy your new home planet."

Dexter and Durante began pointing out the areas where supplies should be stacked as they began unloading within the relative safety of Fort Comfort's walls.

Ace ,  Marcel and a few others had donned their exoskeletons to assist with the  movers. It was a slow process getting the heavy equipment out. They had enough supplies to last well over a year but there were endless cargo loads, building supplies, atmospheric converters, power generators, mechanical equipment and miscellaneous tools.

I had seen many Colonist over the years but this group looked especially fragile for the rigors they were about to face. Colony applicants used to have to meet strict physical and mental requirements, almost on par with the military services. But 5 years ago it seems the standards had to be lowered to accommodate the type of applicants they were getting and meet the numbers required to fill the cabins in the transports. Business was business and after all was said and done. It mattered that there was a profit factor in all of this.