“This is Green Team. We are hold up at the hotel at 5th and Jackson. We need immediate evac. We are running low on ammo. Oh dear god that was close. Please send help now.” The Warrant Officer pleaded over the communicational system.
“This is Yellow Team to Green Team we are in route via air support. ETA two minutes. Oh shit! We’re hit! Bird going down! Repeat bird going down!”
“This is Red Team we are currently moving to re-secure a location west of the city via air support. There are rumors that the contagion is trying to spread beyond the city limits. Moving to neutralize the contagion by any means necessary.”
“This is Blue Team to Red Team. That position was lost twenty-four minutes ago. We are currently tracking the infection. We need you to gun down anyone north-by-northwest of our position. A small group of infected individuals headed in that direction. At least three to four of them may have been in a motor vehicle. Be advise that they also have RPG’s with them. They are obviously headed to a small town in the area. The population is at least 1,500.”
“This is Master Chief Petty Officer Foster to Captain Iverson. I need you to torpedo my position. Or the infection will spread north of the city. God help us one and all.” The Master Chief pleaded with Iverson who promptly obeyed.
“This is Jameson. I’m at the police headquarters near the city center. We got hit hard by the infection. I believe that most if not all of the police officers are infected. I’m all alone.”
“The airport is lost! I need immediate artillery bombardment of the airport now! Hit everything at random! We can’t let them steal those planes!” The officer shouted over the communicational system. A few seconds later he was killed by an artillery strike.
Once the planes finally got to Silverton they had plenty of targets to choose from. For several hours they dropped napalm all over the city. They only stopped when they finally ran out of napalm. Golden Hyperion entire stock, which is enormous, was used on the city of Silverton and still it did not kill all of the infected. But it did had one single advantage.
“This is Chief Petty Officer Jameson. I have KGL in my custody and need evac for her. Also, what are my orders?” Jameson mentioned.
“Who’s KGL?” The communications officer asked.
“This is Captain Maxwell to communication officer. KGL is to be considered a high priority target. She is rumored to be the source of the contagion. Jameson, is she secure and ready for transport?”
“Yes sir. I wouldn’t have called if she wasn’t.”
“Good job Jameson.”
“Sir, I have no ammo. I’m separated from my team. I believe that they are trapped in the basement of the police station. I don’t know why but I can’t reach them. My position is not secure for I am in the lobby of the station. I was thinking about going to look for ammo, but it is risky.” Jameson mentioned. Out of all of Maxwell’s forces in the city who didn’t choose to get drunk, Jameson choose to remain sober while on duty. Yes Jameson does get drunk at times, but not like his comrades.
“Just how secure is your position?” Maxwell asked.
“The best weapon that I have sir, is both luck and time. And I do believe that I’m running out on that to.” Jameson responded.
“Understood. Your ride ETA is five minutes.”
“Sir I wanted you to know that the roof is safer for extraction.”
“Understood. One moment please.” Maxwell stated. A few moments later he responded, “I can only give you an extra three minutes Jameson.”
“Understood sir. Here’s the map of the police station in case I don’t make it.”
Chief Petty Officer Jameson did make it with his prisoner secured. He left the lobby with his prisoner and it wasn’t easy for him. Knowing that his prisoner can rejuvenate from her injuries he would slit her throat when the enemy was near. But that only happened twice. Nevertheless he found the ammo and he got the job done. He would later be rewarded with a promotion.
Although the capture of KGL was a small token victory for that world, it did give some hope to the people. Lenkov once said the following to the media after his victory on the Wol’ga’con home world, “The blood of hope causes the tree of liberty to shed it’s tears for the fallen.” And now the people of Golden Hyperion is learning the hard truth of what he meant. Liberty has no meaning if you are not willing to fight for it.
(4)
“Get him! Get that damn son-of-a-bitch. . . now!” The Warrant Officer yelled at the crew of the APC. They were chasing a bus loaded with infected people as it was heading towards a large city. Those in the bus had weapons and both sides were shooting at one another with very little effect. What they did not know was that they were dealing with the last infected people upon that world.
“I’m hit!” The gunner yelled out. He was manning the 50 cal. and although he was hit in the shoulder, he kept on going. Within ten seconds later he managed to pop the right rear tire. It actually made it far harder for those in the bus to shoot back.
“We got them!” The gunner shouted out when a round went into the front of the bus, hit the driver, and caused the bus to veer off and went into a ditch. The APC crew quickly got out, ran up to the bus, and threw some hand grenades. Any of the infected who tried to escape was quickly gunned down. The crew then torched everything. But it only convinced others that the infection was not over.
(5)
“I have some really great news for you.” Maxwell, who wasn’t drinking because his spirits was finally lifted, came into the lobby to inform Iverson.
“The fleet that attack mine is coming to this sector.” Iverson responded. He was at the bar drinking. Maxwell was in such good spirits that he didn’t want to drink.
“Well, both of us knew that they will come sooner or later. You’re just taking it too hard. Don’t you trust my team Xavier?”
“Of course I do. It’s just that. . .” Iverson was saying.
“You’re afraid that the fate of Mad Dawg will become your own.”
“Yes. What was it like at the Wol’ga’con home world?”
“You mean the space battle? I was actually quite nervous since it was my first. But it was Lenkov and his tactics, primarily with the training of the crew, that save the day. So don’t worry about victory, his crew and I knows how to win against a fleet.”
“So I take it that the infection has been crushed?”
“Yes. One more Dark Core member to take out and there will be total victory. You need to stop taking it too hard.”
ABK (Always Be Killing)
(1)
“Captain Iverson. . . this is Captain Wilcox. . . we have a major crisis on our hands. Our ETA is at least two hours.” The captain mentioned. Luis Wilcox is the captain of Ma Duce which is one of the ships that came after Iverson’s fleet.
“You go a lot of explaining to do. And why did you request to come over to my ship?” Iverson asked. He was upset by what he assumed was Wilcox lack of decorum. He was wrong and he was about to find out why.
“You mean to tell me you didn’t hear?” Wilcox asked a bit surprised.
“Hear what?”
“Dark Core mentioned that all those who didn’t support them, including all those who dare to call themselves neutral, is to be liquidated. And that includes our families.”
“Oh for the love of god! You know as well as I know it would never be enforced! It’s all talk meant to scare people into supporting them. It’s classic Skotadian tactics!”
“Then you should remember your training that suggested that those so-call tactics should be taken seriously! It’s not a question about what you or I think, but our crew!”
“And your crew? What do they think?” Iverson asked with a lump in his throat.
“They don’t know what to think. That’s why I need to get my bridge crew off of my ship and down on Golden Hyperion. It was the only way that I could prevent a mutiny.”
“Understood. And the rest of the fleet?”
“I have no idea. You are ju
st going to have to wait until they get here in order to find out.”
“Oh Jesus! So when will the others get here?” Iverson wasn’t ready for the response.
“I have no idea. All I know that they will arrive in the following order: Midnight Rock, Gray Serpent, and then Black Eagle.” Captain Wilcox mentioned. The nightmare just got worst for everyone. There will be no early going home for anyone.
“Look, I have a group that wants to go home and. . .” Iverson was saying.
“Doesn’t matter. My crew won’t let anyone leave this system if they suspect that they are not on the side of Dark Core. Please understand that I have lost control over my ship and crew. They only agree to let me and my bridge crew off the ship just to get us out of the way. I did not have enough control over my crew to ward off any further mutiny.”
“Shit!” Iverson responded. He just couldn’t believe the rotten luck that he had just been handed.
“I need to inform you Xavier that my crew will not tolerate anybody, other than me and my bridge crew, leaving this ship. They will not hesitate to attack if it is anybody else. Nor will they accept, and I do mean this, anybody coming to this ship.” Wilcox mentioned with a heavy heart. Iverson felt like he was about to cry. What could he do?
(2)
“This is the captain of Midnight Rock to Captain Iverson. I think that you were expecting us.” He said with a certain urgency.
“Yes Captain Brunner. What is the status of your crew?” Iverson asked hoping for the best but fearing the worst.
“At least one third of my crew wants to leave this ship, including myself. The rest, it all depends upon the decision of both Gray Serpent and Black Eagle. I wished that I could, but I cannot provide anymore Intel on those crew. All I can tell you is that my crew wants all neutrals off of the ships and then to see where if goes from there. Please understand that anybody who stays upon your ship is considered the enemy. I also want you to understand that my crew is far too concerned about the fate of their families then to listen to reason. God help us one in all.” Brunner responded.
“Understood.” Iverson responded. Xavier felt as if though the rug was pulled out from under his feet and there was no way to stop any further collapse of authority.
(3)
“This is the captain of Gray Serpent. I do believe you know why I am here. I can’t talk more. I have to come over. . . now.” It was a recording and it was too demoralizing for everyone.
“Sir. . . I just detected both an escape pod and a dropship leaving Gray Serpent.” The bridge officer informed Captain Iverson.
“Under. . .” Iverson was saying as he saw the dropship blew up. Three minutes later the escape pod dock with Iverson’s ship with the captain of Gray Serpent on board.
“Sir. . . Captain Peterson is on board and is running to our bridge.” The bridge officer mentioned.
“What? Why don’t he just use a cellphone or something?” Iverson asked.
“Get this ship the fuck out of here!” Peterson shouted as soon as he got to the bridge.
“Wait! I’m not leaving until. . .!” Iverson was saying.
“Do it now captain! Now!” Peterson shouted. Iverson then nodded to the bridge officer who promptly complied. Maxwell, who was in the Conference Room eating, came out.
“What the hell is going on here?” Maxwell mentioned.
“That’s what I would like to know.” Iverson said as he looked at Peterson.
“My crew is beyond rebellious. . . they’re simply fanatical. Whitaker (captain of Black Eagle) wants all traitors, civilians included, killed.”
“What!? Is he mad or what?” Iverson asked.
“He’s a shameless opportunist who looking for a big fat promotion.” Captain Peterson mentioned.
“Fine. Looks like he’s gunning for a demotion in the eyes of those who server under Jason M. Idelle. It’s time to clip their wings.” Maxwell stated.
(4)
“This is Captain Whitaker. What is the status of the star system?”
“This is acting Captain Beltchev all former captains have left their ships, including all other traitors. There is no change on Golden Hyperion.” The acting captain of Midnight Rock responded.
“Sir, this is Harnett of Ma Duce.”
“Go ahead.” Whitaker responded.
“Dark Phoenix is still in the area. I believe that Captain Maxwell is on Iverson’s ship and that the traitors on our sister ships is currently on Golden Hyperion.”
“Sir this is Chaverou of Gray Serpent it is my duty to inform you that some of the traitors are still on board my ship. They are pathetically trying to sabotage my ship. But it’s nothing that me and my crew can’t handle.”
“Sir, what are your orders?” Harnett asked.
“Wait for my arrival. My ETA is four hours.” Whitaker responded.
(5)
“ABK! ABK! ABK!” Maxwell’s crew was shouting as they were remotely controlling the dropships loaded with as many torpedoes as they could cram into them.
“Are you sure that this will work?” Iverson asked Maxwell.
“You get to find out why the Hammer of Doom is a killer of fleets.” Maxwell responded. He was drinking and his eyes was shinning with the love of the tactics that was being employed. The comment also caused Maxwell’s crew who was taking charge of the ship’s system to chuckle. It had a sobering effect upon Iverson’s crew.
Each dropship was put into a position that could “hide it” (A ship sensor may detect it as either space junk or something else that is equally harmless.) within Ishtar rings. Nobody was concerned about the torpedoes that was being (wasted) used. They were far more concerned about the tactics being used. It had the most chilling effect upon everyone. How could they understand these tactics?
As Black Eagle enter the star system all dropships that was left upon Iverson’s ship was used. Dark Phoenix had no more dropships to rely upon. Not even the escape pods were immune. They too were equip with explosives. These booby traps was placed in such a way that when they detonate, combine with the rocks, would significantly damage any ship that sprung the trap. And if that wasn’t enough, even space drones was used. But they weren’t placed among the rocks within Ishtar’s ring, instead they were kept in the ship. Maxwell’s crew worked so fast that it was truly amazing that they were able to get the job done.
“This is Captain Whitaker. All those who do not support Dark Core, civilians included, is dead. It is my orders to weed out all. . . “ He was saying. Dark Phoenix fired a torpedo at his ship and then slowly hid itself behind the rings of Ishtar.
“There’s no honor in a cowardly death. . . Whitaker.” Maxwell said over the ship-to-ship intercom system.
“Why don’t you come out and fight?” Whitaker responded.
“Because if I did then it will only spell your doom. B10U. B10U! For you are no more. For your doom draws near. For the Hammer of Doom falls upon you. You fucking pussy! Come and get me!” Maxwell responded in his drunken stupor with eyes shinning with the hope of conflict.
“So be it. Dead man.” Whitaker responded.
Dark Phoenix came out and fired a shot at Gray Serpent and then retreated back behind Ishtar’s rings. All four ships under Whitaker’s command promptly gave chase. They all (minus Maxwell and his crew whom seemed so detached from their environment or human suffering) wanted it to be over as soon as possible. But they knew that further bloodshed will be required in order to settle it.
“I got you!” Chaverou mentioned as she narrowly avoided being hit by the rear gun of Dark Phoenix. And before she had a chance to react, she fell into the trap that was led out by Maxwell’s crew. Her ship took a huge beating from, not only the explosions but also the rocks (some as big as a skyscraper) hitting her ship.
“Fucking hell! Are you alright!?” Beltchev asked her.
“Damage report coming in! Holy fucking shit!” Susan yelled out when she saw Dark Phoenix making a suicidal attack run.
Dark Phoenix fired multi
ple shots at Gray Serpent and then went under Ishtar’s south pole. Ma Duce was right behind her firing at any chance that it got. Midnight Rock stayed behind to protect her fallen sister ship. Black Eagle traveled to where it thought that Dark Phoenix would come out.
“Goddamn those sons-of-bitches!” Chaverou screamed out when she saw Dark Phoenix come out from Ishtar’s atmosphere (it was so crazy [suicidal is a better term] that nobody would ever expect that a ship and crew would be that crazy).
Gray Serpent took multiple hits as Dark Phoenix came by and then doing a 180 retreated back into Ishtar’s atmosphere. Gray Serpent at that time was trying to retreat into a defensive orbit so that her sister ships can have better chance at defending that sector. And now the ship is punch drunk.
“Sir this is Beltchev! Gray Serpent has lost all control over it’s altitude! It is spiraling out of control and I can’t reach them! What are your orders!?”
“Defend her! We can’t let them win. For our families!” Whitaker shouted over the intercom.
They kept on Dark Phoenix tail even it meant death. Everybody within Dark Phoenix watch as they felt the pull of Ishtar’s gravity pulling them towards the center of Ishtar’s core. Death was close and they all knew it. Only Ma Duce was crazy enough to go through Ishtar’s atmosphere. All in pursuit of her prey. (Neither Dark Phoenix nor Ma Duce went that deeply into Ishtar’s atmosphere. If they did they may have been pulled to the planet’s core. Instead they only went through the upper atmosphere.) Ma Duce was the tail to Dark Phoenix. Whereas Black Eagle was too cautious.
“This is. . . (static) . . .rou! My altitude is. . . (static) . . .rol! We’re. . . (static) . . .fight!” Susan mentioned from her punch drunk ship.
“I got you motherfucker! Watch the booby traps!” Harnett yelled out. Ma Duce had to go down (it almost went into the upper atmosphere) to avoid a booby trap. As it did so the booby trap detonated. It then saw Dark Phoenix come out of Ishtar’s atmosphere fired two shots and took five hits as it came directly at Black Eagle who was northwest of Ishtar’s north pole and above it’s rings.
2288: The Skotadian Experiment Page 35