Traveller Manifesto
41. Aengland - 11th Century

Aengland – 11th Century

They had been running for over an hour and, as per their procedures, stopped for a systems check and rest.

Not that they were fatigued, for they were equipped with a variety of options to prevent the weariness that would normally affect soldiers in the field.

Sergeant Brendon Moran paused and checked his systems were operational. He had been extensively trained in the latest version of battlefield exoskeleton, officially called a Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit or TALOS, it was the latest version of Kinetic Operations Suits under development for a number of militaries. He was still becoming used to the liberation of wearing a system that carried a soldier’s pack and weapons. After all, he now carried over a hundred pounds of equipment, plus weapons and had barely worked up a sweat.

“Systems nominal,” confirmed his fellow Green Beret, Sid Mark. Both had been involved in the testing and field trials of the various versions of military exoskeletons that hugged their physiques. Adding speed and endurance to their legs and awesome strength to a soldier’s torso and arms, the lightweight, exotic carbon fibre and alloy 3D printed devices would offer any user advantages that would far exceed the abilities of any soldier, no matter how well-armed or trained they might be. What was most disconcerting to anyone who had never before seen the new systems was the helmet. The newest in modular ballistic helmets included built-in communications and heads up display that allowed the user to be deadly effective, day or night. The helmet included a mask that covered the face and had the appearance of a bulbous-eyed skull.

The third member of the squad was the only Brit, Sergeant Julian Woodbury of the SAS, who chuckled. Like the others, he had been trained in the new TALOS systems as a joint initiative between the corporate manufacturers, DARPA in the US, and the British military. There were rumours that this latest design was an amalgam of technical specs hacked from China, Russia and even Israel, for this latest addition to the Gods of War was assured to be the very best. They had trained extensively together in the harshest of terrains and conditions, from jungles to mountains to the wastes of Antarctica. There had also been those recon missions in North Korea and the patrols in Afghanistan, but this mission would undeniably cap off their field tests. Of their select team, only they were chosen for this most unusual mission. Once they succeeded in their objective, it was predicted that the TALOS systems would become standard for most Special Forces of the four nations involved.

Which was, of course, secret. The briefing had outlined their objectives. They should replace the task quite simple.

“Any signal?” asked Woodbury.

Mark, whose nickname was predictably ‘Skid’, shook his head, though the movement was almost imperceptible within the equipment. “Negative. The implant seems to be intermittent or damaged, so we can only proceed as orders dictate.”

Woodbury gave a snort and Moran nodded, another non-verbal communication that was lost. “Okay, let’s move out and head to Snotengaham. We know Hunter will be close. Hopefully we can catch the signal from there.”

Theirs was a live training exercise considered to be a true test of the TALOS systems under the most trying field conditions. Travel through Saxon Aengland and then evaluate whether to kill or capture Michael Hunter, the most famous Traveller on the globe. Moran knew better than to question why. Hunter must have pissed off the wrong people. All they had to do was make sure their mission was completed.

There were other objectives of course. They were to field-test the pharmaceuticals for increased performance, then test their personal UAV and weapons. Because it was a covert mission, it was preferred that they not be seen by locals, so they were to travel mainly at night and take shelter during daylight hours. They were able to maintain regular contact via their suit radios and, once the objective had been achieved, return to the Area of Convergence for Transport back to the 21st Century.

At Moran’s order, the other two stood. He looked to his companions and then jerked his head to the direction they were to travel. Anyone unused to their appearance would replace them difficult to see with their new camouflage system that had them blend into the forest. Though the man within the frame could be distinguished once one knew where to look, they were also armoured and, even to one used to the equipment, radiated an air of ominous threat. Without further comment, they turned and commenced their jogging pace, which was faster than any soldier could maintain. Though Skid was to navigate, Moran also checked the signal, but it was patchy at best. Once they reached the vicinity of Snotengaham, old Nottingham, they hoped to have a clue as to his direction.

It was then that they expected to detect a signal of workable intensity and complete their mission.

Yes, they would replace him.