“Destroy them!” Huber shouted.
The Washington’s guns opened fire with a vicious burst, destroying one of the enemy transports in its first volley. The second damaged one of the others, but they had passed within the range of many of the guns. The Kittyhawk rushed to their aid and fired rapidly at the leading enemy craft, and with one concentrated burst, smashed it off course, causing its hull to twist into a burning wreck.
They all watched the remaining enemy ship that was already damaged, still hurtle towards them. It was larger than the transports they had faced at the gateway, and Taylor was already trying to estimate the number of Mechs it might carry. A couple of hundred was his best guess, but he prayed he was wrong.
“We must have something left? Shoot the bastards down!” ordered Huber.
“Sir, they have passed within range of our guns. There’s nothing more I can do.”
“God damn it! Taylor, have your marines ready to repel the breach!”
Mitch was about to leap into action when he caught a sign of movement out of the corner of his eye. He looked closer to the display screen.
“Admiral, look!”
Huber rushed to his side and looked down to see two of the Washington’s fighters swoop in on a sharp arc towards the transport, running its length and strafing as they went. The bursts of gunfire ripped into the hull, but it kept moving. As the fighters passed, they spun around and continued to pour fire into the transport, continuing at the same speeds backwards. At the last moment, they put their engines on full as they approached the carrier.
The enemy transport was a complete wreck, but it still smashed into the hull at a fair speed. At the bridge, they couldn’t feel the impact against the vast carrier, but they could see the hole it smashed into the lower decks. After tearing a huge gouge in the Washington, the ruined transport merely floated past. Huber sighed in relief.
“Have those decks sealed off and repair crews sent immediately! Taylor get some of your troops down there to protect the crews whilst they work.”
He looked back to the frontline and could see the enemy attack had been smashed over the defensive wall of the fleet. Many of the ships continued to fire out at the remaining enemy ships, but he could see that most had already begun to flee.
“Do we pursue them?” asked Vega.
“No, continue to lay down fire while they are in range, and redress our formation as our communications come back on line.”
“Sir, this may be our only chance to finish them.”
“Count ourselves lucky, Captain. We fought the enemy on their terms in their system, and we won. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Wouldn’t you agree, Major?”
Taylor didn’t like being put on the spot in opposition to the XO, but he certainly did agree with the Admiral from a tactical perspective.
“Yes, Sir, we should take the time to repair and restore what we have, and get to the aid of our forces on Red 1.”
Huber smiled at Mitch’s well-timed retort.
“Sir, communications are back online.”
“Do we have contact with the rest of the fleet?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Open up a channel.”
Huber took a deep breath, and after the nod from his XO, he began.
“This is Admiral Huber. I want to congratulate you all on a job well done, but before I go any further, let me ask you all to organise any assistance you can to our comrades. We have crippled ships, stranded personnel. Let’s look to our own.”
He waited briefly to see that Vega had already begun working to the order, and knew he could carry on with it already underway.
“We won a valuable victory here today. The enemy knew we were here, and that is what they sent to fight us. They underestimated you all. They underestimated your courage, your strength, and your fortitude. Thank you all. May we remember those who fell today, for as long as we live. Congratulations to you all. Huber out.”
He sighed deeply and sat down. Taylor could see the Admiral was utterly exhausted. The whole situation weighed heavily on their minds, and Taylor’s mind and body felt as if he’d been out there fighting them with his own hands.
“I don’t envy you,” Taylor said quietly.
“Nor I you,” he replied.
“Then we must be in the right jobs.”
Taylor laughed. He could tell his suggestion of supporting Red 1 passed the Admiral by. It was not that he was not listening, but that Huber was a rightfully cautious man. Taylor already knew he could do little to change his mind, but that would not stop him trying.
“Sir, may I have permission to attempt to break the siege of Red 1 and bring our people back?”
“I am sorry, Major, but you know our situation here. With the several thousand troops we have, we have too few to protect the ships of this fleet. It is not just this carrier that is in danger of boarding by the enemy. The enemy attack was repulsed, but not without cost. You can guarantee they will return in far greater number. You know this enemy. They will not quit because of their losses. They do not care for their losses. They will keep coming at us until they finish the job.”
“And so we just stay here and get slowly whittled away until there is nothing left?”
“General White has gone for reinforcements. The shipyards of Earth and the colonies are putting out new ships on a daily basis. Crews are prepared at the same speed, and ground troops are in plenty of supply to fill any transports sent this way. We will hold this location until they arrive. If we reach a position where we are confident of our defence here, then I will let you go to your Colonel’s aid.”
“And when will that be, when they are all dead and buried?”
“I am sorry, Major, but we cannot endanger the lives of all in this fleet for the few. Red 1 is a defensible position. If anyone can hold there, it is Colonel Chandra.”
“She is an incredible officer, Sir, but she is not a miracle worker. Their ammunition will not last forever, nor will their food. They are under siege.”
Taylor’s voice faded off. He knew it was useless to go on any further. He had already accepted the Admiral’s decision before he’d even started, but he had to try.
“Have your marines revert to watches and those not on duty get as much rest as they can. We all need to remain clearheaded and ready to do our jobs to the best of our abilities.”
The Admiral’s commanding voice echoed through his ears, and he quickly stood up and saluted, turning to go about his duties. He stepped out of the bridge to find Jafar and Parker awaiting him with her platoon.
“What are you doing here?” he asked her.
“You requested a platoon at your service.”
“And that just happened to be yours?” he asked with a smile.
“Is it true that we whopped ‘em?” she asked.
“Oh yes, well and truly, but they still came close to boarding the Washington. One of the destroyers was boarded during the fight but managed to hold out.”
“Of course, they did. Marines do their jobs.”
Sergeant Silva rushed around the corner to address Taylor.
“Sir, what are your orders?”
“Have the Company stand down. I want double strength watches of all districts.”
“The fight is really over, Sir?” he asked in surprise.
“We aren’t the only ones who are fighting this war, Sergeant. The Navy boys did some fine work today. We can rest for another day.”
“Some of us can.”
Taylor knew he was referring to those left on Red 1, but he didn’t have the heart to explain the situation. All he now thought about were those left behind, and all he wanted to do was go to their aid.
Chapter 10
Earth was a beautiful sight, which was a little different to human eyes after seeing the barren alien world and Mars. General White stood at the front of the bridge as they descended on his homeworld. He wondered every minute of every day how Admiral Huber was getting along. He was confident that with Tayl
or at his side things would work out.
“Landing in thirty minutes, Sir.”
“Thank you,” he replied.
The Earth defence grid they passed was an impressive sight. It had been little more than foundations when they departed for Tau Ceti. Three-dozen warships occupied the space above Earth, and more were joining them all the time. White could see that Earth was ready for the enemy. He just hoped they were ready to help those he left behind in alien lands.
The thirty minutes passed quickly. After days of waiting for this moment, the General was eager to make his point. As the representative of the fleet and Earth’s first ever journey into foreign systems, a large party had formed to greet him. Countries’ leaders and Generals lined the landing zone at his base, in eager anticipation of some news.
As the ramp of his ship lowered to the ground, he realised he was being greeted by not only the President of the United States, but Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings of a dozen or more countries. He sighed deeply.
“We’re in for a long day.”
“Incoming!”
Chandra’s feet had been propped up on an ammunition crate, and she had almost gotten a few minutes’ sleep when she was awoken. Her survival instinct kicked in, and she leapt to her feet. A second later, gunfire opened up from friendly forces nearby. Suarez rushed up to her with his rifle at the ready.
“They got the drop on us, and they’re trying to sneak in!”
“What?”
She was in shock. It wasn’t the sort of tactics she had ever seen or heard of being used by the enemy.
“Our scouts caught sight of them a minute ago!”
She lifted her rifle and rushed to the defensive wall. She’d stationed herself besides Warren and his commandos. The Major was already on top of the wall, taking carefully aimed shots.
“Give me an update!” she yelled.
“A few dozen lightly equipped hostiles breached the perimeter, nothing we have seen before. They’re agile, fast and sneaky.”
Tsengal jumped up beside them and had just heard the last few words.
“They’re cave people, primitive in their lifestyle but good hunters and faster than most. They lack much of the strength of my people, but they are well suited to many tasks.”
“Closest thing to scouts we have seen yet. That’s what we’ll call the bastards,” replied Chandra. “Have you killed any?”
Warren nodded.
“A few, but the rest of the sneaky bastards have taken cover amongst the rubble and bodies. We can advance and try to flush them out.”
Chandra looked to Tsengal for advice.
“I would not recommend it. They will lure you into traps and divide your number. The best defence against them is to stay strong in number behind these defences.”
“Alright. Warren, have this information and my orders passed down the line. I want sharpshooters present and active at all times. Maybe we can’t hunt them down, but we can sure knock a few heads off when they’re good enough to present them.”
‘Yes, Ma’am.”
Several shots rang out behind their position and she turned quickly to see one of the new enemies darting back behind cover. The shots skimmed the armour of a fallen creature, but the new one went unharmed.
“Hold your fire!”
The troops turned in surprise at their Colonel’s command.
“They’re baiting us. Trying our defences, expending ammunition. I want allocated sharp shooters only. The rest of you are to keep your eyes open and spot for future attacks! Pass the word!”
“Can I have a word?” Warren asked.
She nodded in agreement and gestured for him to follow her to a quiet spot around a corner towards the CP.
“What is it?” she asked hastily.
Warren could tell she was highly strung, but he could not wait any longer.
“They aren’t coming for us, are they? Not the fleet, not the General, not Major Taylor, we’re on our own, aren’t we?”
Chandra took in a deep breath and looked away. She didn’t want to answer that. She didn’t want to have to tell him, nor admit their situation to herself. They were deep in the shit, and there seemed little to be done about it but fight for every minute of life they could.
“Maybe, maybe they’ll come, maybe we’re on our own. I just don’t know anymore.”
Her voice became shaky, and Warren could see she was close to tears, but they would never come, no matter how bad things got. She was too strong and too dignified to ever be seen crying, as much as her heart might want it.
“So yes, this might be the end for us. We may never leave this shithole planet ever again. How do you want to end, crawling on your hands and knees, or like a hero?” she asked.
He looked deep into her eyes and righted himself, realising she would not show an ounce of weakness. It was not in her. He stood twenty-five centimetres taller than the slight Colonel and substantially broader built. It made him feel a slither of shame that she never doubted them in their darkest hour.
“I’m not going anywhere, Colonel.”
“No, none of us are by the looks of things.”
“I’ll stand by you no matter the outcome, as will every one of the men and women under my command.”
“It was never in doubt. You’ve done sterling work under my command, just as I know you did through the first war. You were brought here for a reason, Major, because you’re a damn fine officer commanding some of our very best.”
Huber stood in a daze again as he looked at the wrecks floating in the space around the gateway. Engineers and repair ships were working hard to patch up the ships that could be saved. Taylor could tell he was not used to seeing such carnage. He had not borne witness to the epic bloody land battles that had plagued much of the world in the first war.
“Do you think General White will be successful in convincing the powers that be to support us?”
Huber shook his head.
“I don’t know anymore, Major. Maybe if they knew what had happened since he left the system. If they could know we have held this far. If they could see how bravely our people fought, then maybe.”
“We should at least send a messenger through the gate and update them on our situation.”
“We have strict orders not to use the gateway, except in need of complete withdrawal.”
“Sir, those orders have been given by people who are not here. They don’t know what we’ve seen, what we have faced. Information is key here. They need to know.”
Taylor could see that Huber was losing faith in their endeavour. Depression was overpowering the great officer, and Mitch felt it was the restraints placed on the Admiral that were reducing him to such a state.
“Why would they send us out here if they weren’t willing to support us?”
“Come with me.”
He led Taylor through to his quarters. Mitch had gotten used to loathing going into the room, as he knew it likely meant bad news that had to be concealed from the rest of the crew. He poured out two glasses of whiskey and sat down with the sigh of a physically and mentally exhausted man. He slid one of the glasses over to Taylor.
“No thank you, Sir,” Taylor said sternly.
“We live in such fearsome times. Humanity nearly reached its end before our very eyes, and now here we are, on the raggedy edge of a hostile system with our backs against the wall. I think a drink right now could go a long way to keeping a man from going mad.”
Taylor looked down at the glass and could feel his lips wet at the sight of it. He’d remained stone cold sober since they came through to Tau Ceti, but maybe the Admiral was right. He picked up the glass and took a sip of the smooth scotch. Huber smiled and finally began to address his questions.
“The honest truth is that few world leaders supported this endeavour. A committee of Army, Navy and Marine and Air Force officers, such as myself and White, petitioned to the President to allow us to come here.”
“Wow, you really pushed for this
?”
“It may not be a pleasant experience, but it was the right thing to do.”
Taylor was starting to understand what that meant for them all. They didn’t have even half the support he thought they would.
“Getting this fleet together was a massive undertaking, but we were not promised any additional troops. All of the senior officers in this fleet volunteered. They all knew the risks, and yet chose to follow me. General White is not so much going home to report our findings, but to plead for backup.”
“My God, we pushed into enemy territory with no support. No supply network, no hope of reinforcement?”
“No hope? Look at how far we have come, from the near end of the world to faraway lands.”
Taylor dipped his head into his left hand. Once again they were being pushed around like chess pieces, worth nothing more to the player than their moment in time.
“Do you believe White can get us the support we need?”
“I doubt it. None of the information he is taking back will make it anymore appealing to follow in our footsteps.”
“Then what the hell are we doing here?”
Huber smashed his glass down on the table.
“What are we doing here? The same as we have always been doing. Our duty. Just because some idiots in office won’t do what’s right, that doesn’t give the rest of us the excuse to bury our heads in the sand. This second war was coming whether we liked it or not. We’re making sure this time we fight it on our own terms.”
Taylor shook his head.
“I don’t buy it. There’s still more you aren’t telling me. You are too practical a man to risk the entire fleet on such an endeavour.”
“Yes. The honest truth is that enemy forces were already beginning to amass at the gateway in our system. You really think we had no intelligence on the area before we arrived there? Many of us could see what was coming. We were just weeks or months away from another invasion. The Earth defence grid and our fleets are well underway, but what hope could they have with the wolves at our door?”
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