A Shifting Alliance (Galaxy Ascendant Book 3)

by Yakov Merkin

  “Conveniently you will get to claim the victory over the enemy fleet while I get to take out supply ships.”

  “Admiral, this isn’t the time for measuring egos, or anything else. We are working toward the same goal, and all that matters is that we get it done.”

  “Fine, fine. We’ll take care of it,” he said, then closed the channel.

  “Keep an eye on the Legion Navy ships,” Nayasar ordered, “and focus fire on that cruiser dead ahead.”

  She remained standing behind her command chair as the Felinar and its two escorts swept around enemy vessels, hitting them from all angles while they, in a more standard static formation, struggled to keep up with them and the other trios of capital ships constantly on the move, firing all the while. Darkclaw was currently working on a way to better coordinate these types of actions while still maintaining the unpredictability that made the tactic so effective. If they could pull that off, it would be a thing of beauty to see in action.

  “Grand Admiral, the Revittan fleet is breaking off. Should we pursue?”

  “Negative. We will deal with the ships we currently have at our mercy, and then begin hitting the shield to force the supply ships to rush right into the hands of the Legion navy.”

  “Um, Srei Felitzvah,” said Captain Eirsen a few moments later, “we might have a problem. All of the Legion Navy forces have been pulled off the line to pursue the fleeing ships.”

  “Seriously? Open a channel to the admiral.”

  “No response.”

  Nayasar muttered a curse. How could she work with these people when a damn admiral, of all people, let a stupid quest for fleeting glory outweigh tactical sense?

  “What is the status of those ships on the planet?”

  “Still under the shield. One more thing, Srei Felitzvah, due to the repositioning of the Legion Navy ships, several enemy battle groups have a new opening to escape.”

  Just great. In his zeal to pursue a secondary goal, the admiral managed to undermine that as well.

  “Show me,” Nayasar ordered, and moment later the ships in question were marked on the display. They appeared to be skirting as low as was safe to the atmosphere, and the shield, in order to slip away. Fortunately, it also gave Nayasar an idea.

  “Contact the squads nearest those ships, and have them focus fire on the cruiser I am marking,” Nayasar ordered as she denoted one flying particularly low, “and take us in, full speed.”

  “As you command.” Nayasar could hear that the captain wasn’t quite sure what she had planned, but he trusted her enough to carry out the orders immediately and without question. This would be a gamble, surely, as focusing more ships on this fleeing vessel would only leave more openings for others to try the same, but if it worked, at least their primary mission would succeed.

  “Are we in range?”

  “Coming into range… now.”

  “Open fire, all batteries, and forward torpedo launchers.” There would be a very short window in which this could work.

  Come on, come on, she said to herself as fire pounded the one beleaguered cruiser. Then, finally, explosions tore through it, and its starboard engines were taken out. Immediately, it began to drop into the atmosphere, and veered, out of control, into the energy shield over the Imperial depot.

  There was a massive explosion, and the shield flared bright blue for several long seconds, then winked out.

  “There, fire on the depot!” Nayasar ordered.

  “With pleasure,” Captain Eirsen replied.

  Within moments, the lightly armored ships and depot were reduced to rubble. “All supply ships confirmed disabled or destroyed?”

  “Every one, Srei Felitzvah. About a quarter of the Revittan defensive fleet made it out, but we have the rest. That was genius, by the way.”

  Nayasar smiled at him, then sat down in her command chair. “Order all ships to begin any repairs and retrievals necessary, and send word to Dorandor that we have completed our objective, despite… some issues.”

  “Speaking of issues, Grand Admiral,” said Lieutenant Tommir, “we are being hailed by the admiral.”

  “Let him wait a bit, Lieutenant. We have captured ships and personnel to secure.”

  ###

  A few hours later, Nayasar went over the intel recovered from some of the captured ships. For a mission where that had not been the objective, this was a gold mine. There were plans being drawn up for several large thrusts into Alliance space, including one targeting her own world, though there were no details as to the planned timing. If all went well, they would be able to end this before the enemy and their genius commander could have a chance to even make the attempt.

  However, her conversation with the admiral after the battle had been contentious, and there was no sign this internal conflict getting resolved quickly enough. What if something like this happened in that crucial battle? How could they expect to win a war when their allies were almost as troublesome as the enemy? She should call Felivas. Maybe he could pull off another miracle and make things work as required.

  CHAPTER 35

  The Alliance’s first serious ground engagement of the war, in the capital city of the key Revittan world of Elledas, had quickly degenerated from a battle into what Keeneye could only describe as a mess, one that the dark, cloudy sky seemed to accentuate.

  “Status,” he demanded from the Tyrannodon general that had been on the ground since the first wave had landed, several days earlier.

  “Progressing steadily, but slowly, Executor. The Imperial forces have prepared a formidable defense, and the locations we need to secure or destroy are located in heavily populated areas. There has already been a significant amount of collateral damage, despite our best efforts to minimize them.”

  Keeneye frowned, and looked at the holographic map display of the city that sat in the center of the command post. They still had three main targets in the area to subdue, in addition to several smaller ones elsewhere on the planet. There was the large military base, the communications and information hub, and the control center for the orbital defenses that were still engaging part of his attack force. The base they currently needed to destroy or otherwise subdue by whatever means necessary, while the other two targets would be much better captured intact. That was easier said than done, of course, and that was assuming that the Revittans didn’t destroy the facilities themselves to prevent their capture.

  Keeneye activated his multitool and checked the status of the situation in orbit. The Revittan fleet appeared to have been finally driven off, though, as previously noted, the static defenses were still firing. Apparently, even the alleged genius of Grand Admiral Sai’var had yet to develop a workable counter for the Alliance’s new tactic. Of course, the battles were still hard-fought, and there were plenty of losses, especially to the Legion Navy, but progress was being made. The real question at the moment was, however, how long they had to secure the planet’s key targets before enemy reinforcements arrived. Acting quickly would mean far more destruction and death planetside, but taking things slowly would risk the poorer position above them taking its toll on their ground-based forces.

  The cold mathematics of war made the decision simple. “Transmit to all planet-based forces. We are going to advance on all threats with full force and speed, with atmospheric air support. Avoid collateral damage if possible, but the priority remains taking the objective points.”

  “Acknowledged, Executor. We will be ready to proceed shortly. I can arrange for you to be given updates as we go.”

  Keeneye shook his head. “That will not be necessary. I will lead the assault myself.”

  “Are you certain, Executor?”

  “Completely. Inform me once everything is prepared.” If he was going to order a very messy attack, he had to commit himself to it as well. Additionally, a part of him still craved combat itself, and this was as fine an opportunity as any.

  As he waited, Keeneye used the time to don his helmet and ready his specialized
sniper rifle, lighter than normal, as its sighting mechanism was removed; Keeneye had no need for it. It really had been too long since he took full advantage of his abilities, and as much as he disliked the fact that they were at war, again, he could not deny feeling some excitement.

  When the ready notification came, Keeneye didn’t waste any time, boarding an armored personnel carrier and giving the attack order. “This is Executor Keeneye, and I am assuming command of all ground forces. Advance on all targets. Stop for nothing, and do not let the enemy pin us down.”

  The ride in the carrier was short, loud, and rough, but it made it through the enemy barrage. “Go, now!” Keeneye ordered the other Tyrannodons who had ridden with him, a full Wraith squad, and they charged out.

  Enemy fire immediately began to pepper their shields, and the carriers fired back as they repositioned to provide cover for the infantry as they advanced, with individual units breaking off to clear buildings from which Revittan fire was coming.

  Keeneye had no intention of doing that himself, however. The open field was where he belonged.

  As several enemies fired from a nearby building, Keeneye immediately sighted them, let his instincts make the necessary determinations, and in an instant fired upon three of them. They did not fire back.

  Explosions began to boom a short time later as tanks and stationary artillery began to fire from further back. This was the most difficult to discriminate, and whole blocks were leveled, killing who knew how many non-combatants. At the moment, Keeneye did not care.

  As they continued to advance, Keeneye downing every target that presented itself, he briefly considered trying to take the base intact, but quickly decided it would not be worth the cost in lives. This was more a sacking than a true conquest, after all.

  “Incoming, from the air!” Shouted one of his soldiers just after Keeneye himself noticed them, insectoid aliens that Darkclaw had mentioned encountering on the hollow world, a species known as the Arthromic, they had since learned. They were not particularly fast, however, and quite exposed. Keeneye needed no help to eliminate them.

  Further up above, friendly atmospheric craft, and a handful of fighters shot by, engaging both the enemy’s aerial defenses and the base itself.

  “Continue advancing,” he ordered as he methodically killed several more Revittan troopers.

  A rhythm quickly developed in the battle; they would gradually advance, with supporting fire from above and the back line, the main infantry force with their carriers pushing forward in the open while individual units were sent to clear enemy strongpoints, with Keeneye all the while killing as many enemy combatants as the rest of his escorts combined, and he let himself get lost in it.

  Several hours later it was over, and Keeneye surveyed the scene around him as he brought up the post-battle reports from other sectors. They had succeeded, but at cost, both to their forces and to Revittan non-combatants. Keeneye gave orders for what spoils they had won to be taken up to the fleet, for the somehow still intact control system for the remaining orbital defenses to be secured, and for their forces to begin preparations for departure, then took a walk around the ruined base and the housing units that had been in the area.

  The first thing he found was a small group of Legion Navy soldiers, trapped inside a partially collapsed building. Keeneye freed them and moved on, finding the bodies of several soldiers, of both the Alliance and the Empire, no longer enemies in death.

  And further on, the smell of death led him to what could only have been non-combatants, crushed and half-buried in the rubble of what had likely been their homes, killed, most likely by air strikes or cannon fire from those following his orders. He could not help but remember the images he had seen of the Selban Massacre of Felinar. Somehow, their allied forces had avoided such scenes in the last war—at least once Darkclaw had begun to question his loyalty, and when the High Lord had not specifically ordered it done, as on Venariss II.

  Keeneye took a moment to still himself and offer silent thanks to the Omnipresent for Darkclaw’s decision that had saved him and all of his people from becoming monsters; like many of his fellow Tyrannodons, he felt a natural kinship to their first friends, the Felinaris, and when he had decided to seek a deity, a true one, not a self-styled one like the High Lord, theirs had been the natural choice.

  But despite all they had done, despite their best efforts, they, he, had still been forced to do this. He shook his head, removed his helmet, and tossed it to the ground, and tossed his rifle down as well with a snarl.

  After a moment of frustrated thought, Keeneye activated his armor’s multitool, after several seconds, a full-size image of Darkclaw was projected in front of him.

  “Executor,” Darkclaw said in greeting, “I presume, given your surroundings, that the fighting has concluded.”

  Keeneye nodded. “We are securing spoils, the orbital defenses, and preparing for departure as we speak.” He wanted to go on, voice his concerns, but in the moment, could not figure out how to do so.

  “Despite the victory, you seem troubled, my friend,” Darkclaw said, thankfully.

  “I have already spoken of my feelings regarding this war we find ourselves engaged in,” Keeneye began, “but the longer this goes on, the stronger that feeling gets, even while a part of me, the part the High Lord created, is exhilarated. You saved us from an eternity of warfare and killing, but yet here I stand, upon the bodies of non-combatants, killed because we had to win our battle quickly. Many of the others, clones included, have similar feelings.”

  “I understand, and sympathize,” Darkclaw replied as he looked around, likely taking more of the devastation in. “But you must remember that we did not ask for this war, and that the Revittan Empire has refused many attempts to resolve this in a peaceful manner. Until that changes, we must fight them, and one does not win a war by defending. Omnipresent willing, we will soon cut off the Empire’s head and end this. I wish I could do more to help, both us and them, but I cannot.”

  “I understand the reality,” Keeneye replied. “When this war is over, I intend to resign my position.” The usually calm and collected Darkclaw displayed genuine shock, but Keeneye did not let him speak; protocol be damned. “I fear that at some point, if I keep fighting, that something will snap within me, and the part of me that enjoys this, that still holds the ideals of the High Lord, will take control. I cannot speak for any others worried about the same, but for my part, I plan to remove myself from that temptation once I am no longer needed—I would never abandon you in the middle of a fight.”

  “I… I understand, Keeneye. I would hate to lose you, but I am certain we will be able to find a way for you to help our people that does not involve warfare. We will certainly need to find a new drive for our people, and perhaps our new friends. Perhaps you will be able to help me find that new purpose, be it exploration, construction, or something else entirely.”

  “Yes, I would like that.” Exploration sounded ideal; he would remain on a starship, and there would certainly be some danger which could satisfy his more primal urges.

  “There is something else, High Executor,” Keeneye said. “This battle went almost too well, both on the planet and in space. If this Grand Admiral Sai’var was as intelligent as we have been led to believe, I cannot imagine that our new strategy could be so successful for as long as it has been. I do not have evidence of anything, but we must be very wary as we press onward.”

  “I agree. I will forward those concerns to the rest of Alliance command, and factor that into our planning. But do not worry overmuch, Executor. Omnipresent willing, this war will not last much longer, and one of us, at least, will be relieved of his burden.”

  “May it be so,” Keeneye replied with a salute, then ended the transmission.

  He looked around, sighed, retrieved his equipment, and began the long walk back to the landing zone.

  CHAPTER 36

  Into the line of fire, once again, with minimal backup.

  Felivas s
urveyed the new conference room, designed to allow for more meeting attendees, with a setup inspired by the Assembly chamber itself. He had volunteered for this, he reminded himself, though one could just as easily argue that he had not had a choice, since if he was not here Nayasar would be the only other worthy representative they could send, and he was not about to subject her to this again. He should remind her how fortunate it was that she had married him; were that not the case, his presence in her place could have been taken as an insult, but now, since he was part of the royal family, even the worst of the nitpickers could not make a reasonable case for that.

  Felivas deliberately did not engage with anyone; his only truly reliable allies, Executor Shadowpath, Supreme Warlord Sarkan, and the Daeris military attaché, were engaged in discussions, and the last thing he wanted was to get into an argument with some of the less friendly people here; there would be plenty of that once things properly began.

  Instead, he found his seat, and observed the most important people in the room, at least in relation to his goals, the Talvostan and Scion representatives. The power of the Scions was much reduced these days, but their opinion still held a great deal of weight within the Alliance. Relations had been positive with Dalcon’s handpicked replacement thus far, but it was not the same. And as for the Talvostans… Felivas wished that the Premier had come. He was very openly close with the “Tyrannodon bloc,” as some referred to those that had taken part in the Tyrannodon invasion, but he did not speak for all of his people, and if anything untoward did happen, their position would be crucial. He wasn’t familiar with the representative here at the moment.

  While he dreaded the inevitable arguments, Felivas did feel a sense of relief when the proceedings finally began a short time later.

  Executor Shadowpath spoke first, and began a presentation discussing the current state of the preparations for the major offensive. Things were progressing well, far better than they had for a time after the still-mysterious Sai’var had assumed command of the Revittan fleet. Felivas would have been lying if he claimed to not feel pride at having been the one to devise the tactic that was largely responsible for their better fortunes. However, at the same time, he shared the worries of many that things were almost proceeding too well right now. His small-unit tactic was not something so profound that an enemy as smart as Sai’var had proven to be could not devise a counter. On the other hand, there were those that were of the opinion that if things were going well, they should simply be happy and carry on.