by David Nash
“It is music to a warrior’s ear is it not” I say as I stand with the Herd Leader.
Broken from his private thoughts, Nessus looked at me and said, “The sights of such coordination do make me yearn for battle, General Davis.”
“A famous Earth warrior, named General Patton called us Musicians from Mars; he said that as each element learns to fight with the other branches it becomes and orchestra of synchronization. As your studs deliver their airstrikes, my legions deliver their cannon fire, and the ships overhead drop ordinance, it becomes a harmony.”
“So it seems, the idea has merit, the Herd is unused to such synchronization, they are used to fighting as massed individuals, the concept of combined arms is new to the herd.”
“Yes, but they have picked it up rather quickly. Your warriors are impressive.” Nessus had a command presence that few could match; he stood as a stately stallion unmoving and full of dignity. However, as much as he seemed to not show it, Nessus was unable to totally hide his pride in his herd. My comments pleased him greatly.
“Yes general, as are yours. Our status as allies brings honor to us both; I look forward to the coming battles with enthusiasm.”
“With such a display of martial skill, I believe the new armor and the concept of the Centaurus providing close air support is proven, what we now need to do is decide how best to incorporate your Herd into the Legion battle rhythm.” I say to the Herd Leader
“I have given this much thought General. I know that many of your officers would like to see a stud in each drop platoon to fight at the small unit level. I do not think this is possible.”
“I would like to hear your reasons, but more importantly, how do you envision the Centaurus warriors joining the battle?”
“General Davis, it shames me to say this, and I would kill a lessor man if he heard, but my warriors balk at the drop ships. They simply cannot stand dropping into battle alone.” Nessus says this with deadly seriousness, to his credit he looked me in the eye as he said it, I could see the pain the admission cost him, but he refused to allow shame to prevent him from working out the issue.
“Herd Leader, they are not alone, they would be in a platoon of 17 other warriors.”
“Yes, but not studs. They are afraid of the legion seeing their fear.”
“Herd Leader, I understand their hesitancy, I know the fear of battle, all warriors do, and it is the act of going into battle while afraid that makes them courageous. Yet, I respect your leadership in the Herd; I know that you would not trust me with your words if you did not have a solution. Tell me how you wish to ride into battle.”
“General, the herd has no cowards, we face our fear or never roam the grass sea again. However, they face the fear better in a herd. A platoon of legion is 16, with four platoons in a company. This number is close to the numbers of studs in a war band. My advisors and I have been studying the drop ships with some care. I suggest that each assault ship carries 8 drops ships of human legionnaires, and 2 drop ships of herd legionnaires. The drop ships would need to be reconfigured with the command post modules stripped to provide more room for our greater size. Upon landing we can then work as a form of air cavalry acting as a quick reaction force or air support as needed by the battalion they are attached to.”
I can’t tell him that this is exactly what Alan predicted, and is fully endorsed by my battalion commanders. “Herd Leader, this plan is most wise, and we will immediately begin planning its implementation. If you can provide a liaison to help my engineers discuss what should be stripped from the drop ships and a roster of names for assignments to the assault ships. I would like your war band leaders and their assistants to begin training with the battalions they will be attached to as soon as possible.”
“Thank you General, I am pleased to work with such a worthy ally. I must take leave to make the arrangements”
I watched Nessus trot off toward his advisors milling just down the rise we were standing on. I also have arrangements to make and signal Alan to pick me up in a shuttle.
29
New York Legion Headquarters
Admiral Aegeus asked for a meeting between the surviving Sangren and me. When everyone was settled, Aegeus, Asku, and 8 other Sangren I asked the Admiral to begin.
“Commandant Davis, as you are well aware, the Sangren embrace technology, and all are implanted.”
I nod and he continues, “While this has allowed for great technological progress, it has also allowed the Kernel to control the entire species, with the exception of the few in this room.
As we use cloning technology and are born fully developed, we have manipulated our genome to integrate more fully with our education technology. This means that we are even more susceptible to mind control. Even if freed, the Kernel is well aware of our failings and would attack again and again.”
“Then we will free your people again and again, at least until we destroy the Kernel!” I reply.
Slow head shakes from the gathered Sangren were not the result I anticipated.
“No General, you won’t. We have intelligence that suggests the Kernel has taken a more permanent step. We believe they have destroyed our cloning technology and irrevocably tainted our genetic source.”
“Admiral, you said irrevocably, can we not replicate the technology here on Earth and gather your genetic material and rebuild your population?’
“Sadly, it is not possible, we could rebuild the machines, but without the material they would be worthless. The sad fact is that our structure is a copy, and as such is not suitable for cloning. The end result would look and sound Sangren, but a copy of a copy loses something, it would not be a true Sangren, and the remainder of our species has decided that we will be the last. Our final wish as a species is to see the end of the Kernel. Not for revenge, but to ensure that they are no longer the scourge of the Galaxy that they have become. We wish to end the Confederation and see the Republic of Planets as the true voice in the known universe. As a token of respect we wish to give humanity our full knowledge bank so that the contributions of the Sangren will not be forgotten.”
“Hold on! While I will gladly share in your knowledge, and am a little miffed you have been holding back on me, I am not ready to throw in the towel. You have been to Kernel Prime, is it possible that they have an original Sangren among their ridden?”
Aegeus looks at his brothers for a moment, and then looks back at me. “It is time for the full truth. There are no ‘original Sangren’ we were cloned from the creator species in an attempt to make a biologic version of the Kernel. We were to be the caretakers of the Confederation, but we failed and the Creators made a second attempt with artificial life.”
“What! Now I am a lot ticked that you held THAT out on me! However, we will deal with that later, I know they have a ridden creator on Kernel Prime, you told me they had the creator of the Kernel under their control. If we got to him, could you use his DNA to recreate your species?”
The Sangren huddled excitedly, with Aegeus standing alone with a familiar blank look on his face that indicated he was listening through his implant. After a few moments the murmuring stopped and Aegeus looked back at me.
“General, what you suggest is possible; however, the Creator is a special pet of the Kernel Hive-mind. It is not probable that an attempt to collect him would be successful. We would wish no Legionnaires died due to our failure, especially when the odds against such a mission are astronomically against us.”
“A childhood role model of mine had a rule, never tell me the odds. I have lived quite successfully figuring out how to succeed against all odds.”
“General, your neglect of probability does not increase the chances of success, you do not beat the odds, and you have a way of finding solutions that build new probabilities. However, none of this changes the fact that Kernel Prime is a fortress that is capable of defending against the combined assault of all confederation powers.”
“Guys, if we can’t beat the Kernel in br
ute force in an all-out assault, then we will just have to do as you suggest.”
“What we suggest sir?”
“Yes Aegeus, we need to come up with a new set of probabilities. If you want to help, get back with the Republic research team and figure out a way to send a signal over the Kernel command signal. I want you to figure out a way to ride them. We’re gonna ride ‘till we can’t no more. If you cannot do that, figure out how to block the signal, send in a computer virus, or just blow them the hell up. You do that, I’ll handle the rest. Don’t tell me you can’t, you can’t tell me nothin’; we are going to get this done. Understood?”
“Yes General.”
30
That night while watching Bobby spread around his mashed potatoes to make it look like he ate them, Renata noticed that too was absentmindedly playing with my food.
“Tell, when are you going to stop keeping it all inside?” She asked.
“Do What Nah Huh….” Her question jarred me, not from my thoughts, but from the nothingness of being blanked out.
“I am sorry, can you say that again I was not listening babe.”
“I said: Tell when are you going to stop keeping it all inside.”
I take a slow deep breath. “Renata, I’m sorry, I haven’t been a good dinner date tonight. I just have a lot on my mind. Please forgive me.”
William Tell Davis, apologizing without changing is just manipulation. Don’t you dare patronize me. Also, this is not a date. If it is, then it is over and I am going home. Talk to me like a human being that shares a relationship with you or go back to drawing circles in your potatoes like a 5 year old.” Her exasperation is evident, but I know it is because she cares.
Truly apologetic I reply, ”Renata, this is more than just a date, and you know it. I have come to rely on you and your right I should tell you what is going on inside my head.”
She gets up and moves her chair beside me instead of across the table. As she puts her arm around me Bobby laughs and talks in a sing song voice “Tell and Nata sitting in a tree K, I, S, S, I, N, G. but noooo baby carriage!”
“No babies huh? Why not Bobby?” I ask
“Daad, first comes marriage ...’
“That’s right Bobby.” Says Renata she is reading me, but seeing I am outnumbered I change the subject.
“Renata, I think it’s too quiet.”
A lesser mind would think I was talking about our apartment, but Renata being a savvy political operative as well as a military officer knew exactly what I was saying.
“Is this a feeling, or do you have Intel?” She asked, efficiently disengaging from the playful toddler and giving me her full attention.
“I admit it is a hunch, However, the longer we stay focused on Earth the more time the Kernel has to consolidate their gains and come back at strength.”
“Do you we have the resources to take it to the enemy?” She asks.
“No, not if we leave enough to protect our own. “I have toyed with the idea of abandoning New Aubagne, McCall and Tabuts, and bringing everyone back here, but in the end, the more replicators the better.
After all Kernel Prime has to be completely developed, unless they cannibalize themselves, they will have to go elsewhere for mass, If we can take back the Barkun and Sangren worlds, I think we can blockade the Kernel back on their home-world.
My problem is figuring out how to do that without leaving Earth defenseless. The ring forts are a start, but they are not fully operational after the massive damage they took during the sneak attack.”
“What does your gut tell you?” She says rubbing her hand on my chest.
“My gut says that as soon as we leave Earth will be attacked gain, and by more than two hive minds. It also tells me that if we don’t leave soon we will be under siege in this system and unable to help as they pick off our other planets.”
“Do you want my opinion?” She asks gently.
“Is it the opinion of my partner or as a Major?”
“It is whosever opinion you need it to be.” She interjects in a more serious tone.
“I see no reason it can’t be both, you have my respect in both areas.”
She nods, “First, I think your gut instinct is more than a hunch, you have proven your abilities to beat the Kernel. If you think this is what their plan is, Earth will follow your lead.”
“And second?” I ask.
“Secondly, you don’t have to go it alone. Yes, you are the ultimate military authority, and the final decision will always rest on your shoulders, but you have entire planets of military officers, scientists, and strategists, whatever you need. Get their feedback and then make you decision.”
I could tell she had more to say, so I motioned for her to continue.
“Alright, if you’re going to wave your hand like I should finish I will tell you and be done. I think you should do it?”
“Do it?” I asked puzzled.
“William Tell Davis, you act like I don’t know you. You want to set up an ambush for the Kernel using Earth as bait. I think you should do it.”
“Renata Romero, as a major, I am going to have to ask you why? Give a good enough answer and I’ll promote you.”
“Stick your promotion up your ass …. Sir. However, as a major I will say that it is a sound plan. We have strategic advantages that the Kernel is unaware of. I am not only speaking of the decoded carrier wave, but the Oort cloud base. If they can jump in unannounced, we can take them unaware, plus any ships we destroy in orbit contribute to our building effort and take mass from the Kernel. While Earth keeps the Kernel busy, the rest of the Legion can liberate the Cecrops and the other Barkun non-implanted planets.”
“I think we are going to have to give you a reward after all, and since it is not a promotion….”
“Bobby, I think it is time for your bath, maybe Tell can read you a story before you go to sleep.” Renata says to the boy as she gives me a wink and walks out of the room with a little more sway than normal.
31
Operation Blue Harvest: Orbit over Cecrops
I don’t have much in the way of manpower. I cannot afford let the Kernel know about the modifications to the Orbital Fortresses, we did use the rail cannon once, but no kernel survived that was in the battle area at the time, so I believe our secret is still secure. The Kernel is making somewhat regular harassing attacks on the forts. All that aside; I, and my team feel we have to do something to help the beleaguered Barkun down on the surface of the planet. What the Kernel is doing to the Barkun is horrific to be sure, however, it is not just our morality that is threatened. If we don’t do something, our position will be overrun.
Luckily, with the Kernel carrier wave decoded, we can locate exactly where the signals are coming from the strongest. They have three nodes on the surface, but each of them is at the limit of our rail gun range. The 6 Orbital fortresses do cover 100% of the surface, but each Fort is only able to strike with enough force to penetrate into the planet in a small cone directly underneath the fort. The forts were designed to protect the planet from space based threats; therefore, they were built with only a limited ability to fire down on invaders.
Our new rail guns could potentially hit the signal nodes with enough force to destroy them, but at the angle of impact, much of the tractor trailer sized round would be burnt up in reentry, and it would ruin the surprise.
My team has been working on the problem almost to the deficit of our mission, but they think they have an answer. They took three shuttles and greatly increased the tractor beam capability. Their plan is to grab some of the derelict Kernel warships from our battles and use them as kinetic rounds. The problem is accuracy and staying away from the cloaked Kernel ships.
We know where the ships are, but we cannot afford to let them know we have broken their signals. If I had enough ships to ensure they were all taken out simultaneously using weapons they know we have, then it would not be a problem.
I have two companies of Legionnaire infantry
as well as the busses they came in on. They came in busses because that’s what we had, I was not supposed to use them offensively, but the Kernel was not supposed to be able to take over human beings without their consent.
After much deliberation between my command staff, it was decided to go old school. We would send a shuttle out to this system’s Lagrange point using minimum cloak, they idea would be to look like we were trying to leave. With any luck at all, this would draw fire from the small saucers we are tracking. There is a Punishment ship parked at the transit point. Our busses would target that. Unlike the “good old days” we doubt we can ram it, kill the captain, and control the Kernel. It is more likely the Kernel is in command. What we are going to try will look like that is out plan. We have a volunteer bus that will ram the bridge and keep the Kernel busy while a second and third team comes in from the lighter armored top. They will fight their way to the engineering spaces and plan a nuke at the reactor.
The plan is to buy time for our shuttles to latch on to the larger derelict ships in orbit and push them into the atmosphere of Cecrops. Using large ships as bullets will cause a lot of collateral damage to the planet, but to steal a line from gramps, better dead than red. I know, the correct word is ridden, but that doesn’t rhyme.
We execute our plan in 11 hours. Our fighters are being checked out, and final adjustments are being made. I have high confidence the plan will work. What comes after, well, I just don’t hold much hope. We still don’t have the ships or the soldiers to secure the transit points. I am afraid that after we liberate the Barkun home-world, it will just be attacked again.