It was a lot less formal that he would have expected, and from the noise, the groups of warriors were all familiar with each other. He tried to get a better look, but then an officer issued a command, and all of those around him focused their attention on the Lieutenant.
“You’ve all got jobs, so jump to it. We’ll be in combat very soon.”
They were quickly dismissed and turned to return to their duties.
“What was that?” Nate asked.
The marine looked to him and thumbed back in the direction of Spartan and the others. The crowd was now intermingled, and the sound of voices meshed together into a noise. Nate wished he could be closer, maybe even part of the group, but it was not to be. They were veterans, and probably friends of many years, almost a different breed to him.
“Those are the people that are gonna make our enemies scream. The one at the front, Colonel Gun, he’s a badass and the leader of all the Jötnar. Nobody, and I mean nobody gets in his way!”
“And him?”
Nate tried to be subtle, but couldn’t help but point off into the ship.
“The one next to Major Spartan?”
Nate nodded.
“That’s the Captain, he’s known as Khan. Second-in-command of 1st Battalion, and one tough…”
He muttered something under his breath, and Nate’s imagination filled with possibilities.
“Take it from me, kid. Khan’s the most dangerous of them all. Don’t mess around if you see him. Trust me. He’s the real deal.”
The marine moved away to join his unit, but Nate had one more question.
“The soldiers in black, who are they?”
The Private was already a number of metres away when he turned back.
“Oh, you like them, huh?”
Nate was confused.
“I…uh…”
“It’s okay.” The man laughed and then caught a rifle that one of the other marines tossed to him. He checked the feed and power coupling with a well-practiced movement. And then answered Nate, “They’re a merc outfit, go by the name Black Widows.”
Nate’s eyes opened wide. He’d heard of mercenary units being seconded to the IAB, but he’d never expected to see them.
“The Black Widows?”
“”Yeah,” said Private Hendrix, “And they make the Major seem soft. They’re rumoured to be an all-female unit from back home. Tough, heavily armoured, and they have all the best toys.”
He made to leave, and then added one last point, but this time in a hushed voice.
“They’re run by the sisters. The two are crazy, and I mean crazy. Wherever the Major is, you’ll find the two of them.”
He then winked and turned back to his comrades, leaving Nate alone and with his thoughts once more. The ship was a hive of activity, and he might have been enjoying himself, if it wasn’t for the never-ending feeling of doom that kept washing over him. He’d seen the plan so many times, and he was convinced they’d missed something. All of them had given their suggestions, yet for all that, the plan still seemed incredibly difficult. Their intelligence on the area was fragmented, and they had no idea of exactly what they would find. The mission was now totally dependent on their speed and brutality. They lacked time and numbers to be able to offer much more in a fight. Nate didn’t even noticed Valdis, with Svana and Lilija at her flanks. His eyes wandered along the group and stopped in the middle.
“Nate?” Valdis asked, feigning concern.
“Yes?”
“The Commander has sent the signal. Didn’t you hear it?”
Nate looked at his Secpad and shook his head when he saw the flashing device.
“I…uh…”
“Never mind,” said Valdis. She pointed to the most distant Jackal, and then to the space opposite where there were a number of control suites. The entire deck was divided up this way so that it was possible to conduct drone operations, even if part of the operations level was compromised.
“That’s our suite. Are you ready for this?”
Nate nodded, but something left him feeling small and insignificant as he watched the robotic Grunts, as well as smaller numbers of IAB Marines moving inside the Jackals. More shapes arrived, and this time it was Lieutenant Commander Holder, Matilda, and the rest of the Squadron. All wore their PDS gear, and they moved in silence towards Nate and the three Byotai. As they approached, Billy signalled for them to join in. Nate moved to the rear, and the Byotai did the same. The group moved on as though on an informal march along the deck.
“Now hear this,” said a thickly accented voice. Nate looked to Valdis.
“The General?”
She nodded but did not stop moving behind him. Nate looked to the front of the group and tried not to smile, as marines and crew separated to allow them through the ship. They passed two Jackals, finally stopping outside the control suite earmarked for their use.
“We will enter the Ctenosaura Rift in thirty minutes. Prepare for our arrival.”
The last word was barely understandable, and Nate was left wondering quite how the aged Byotai officer had been able to say so much in English in one go. He was an obstinate officer, and though he’d picked up on some of the Human’s language, he always relied on translators.
“Good hunting to you all.”
Lieutenant Commander Holder stepped aside and indicated for them to enter the suite. As Nate went through the arched entrance, he glanced back at the warship’s interior. There were hundreds of people in there, as well as machines, spacecraft, and weapons, and all of them were preparing for what could prove to be an impossible mission.
We can do this…can’t we?
Somebody spoke to the Lieutenant Commander, and that gave Nate just a moment’s respite. He watched as a dozen machines marched in perfect timing into a Jackal. Then came a marine, but this time the warrior was encased in a powerful Maverick suit. A large fully enclosed combat suit similar in stature to the JAS suits of the Jötnar; the major difference the much smaller torsos, thinner limbs, and great mass of antennas on the back and sunken head. The technicians on the ship had been cagey about their designs, but had at least confirmed they were used for the command and control of Grunts in battle.
Another group, this time led by Colonel Gun made for one of the many side ramps that moved off into the ship. Nate watched, wondering why he would be leaving the operations deck while still in full armour.
Surely he doesn’t intend on commanding the operation in tactical armour?
“Ensign Lewis!”
Nate turned around and swallowed uncomfortably. His friends were already in their seats, and the two technicians hurriedly installed the equipment. He hadn’t realised until now that one of them was a Thegn. They were rarely found outside of the IAB, that much he knew, but on this ship they were treated little differently to the other crew. He wanted to touch the naked skin and see if it truly was like he’d been told. Even this close, it still had the dull look of iron, yet twisted and stretched like flesh. The Thegn looked back at him and then spoke slowly.
“In chair…ready. Please.”
Nate smiled. Its face was a bizarre mixture of an expressionless machine and some terrifying creature. Though Humanoid, it was entirely hairless and lacked any discernible gender. Over its armoured skin it wore a stripped down version of the Naval PDS gear, adapted for use as a webbing system and open at the midriff and arms. It was bigger than Nate, but compared to somebody like the Major, it was thinner, while retaining strong limbs and a fierce looking face. For all that, when it spoke, it looked as pleasant as a pet dog.
“Three-Four-Two, at your service.”
Nate’s brow tightened in confusion.
“It’s his name, dumbass,” called out Cassandra, “They are named after the last part of their serial codes. Didn’t you read the brief?”
Nate became immediately flustered, but the Thegn helped him into his seat with no further conversation. It was comfortable, but when it placed the straps around his body, he immediately felt con
stricted. It was not as though he was being strapped in against his will. The buckles could be deactivated with a tap, but he knew that once the virtual presence technology activated, he’d be transported inside the fighter drones, and these straps would pin him in place to avoid injury and confusion. Lieutenant Commander Holder went to the centre of the room and looked at the group.
“This is it. All the control suites on the ship are fully occupied.”
A pair of marines nodded apologetically, and then moved to the final two vacant seating positions. The Thegn helped them into their gear, while the Lieutenant Commander waited for a moment, and then continued speaking.
“The drones are ready for combat. Eighty are loaded onto the Jackals, two per ship. Just as we planned it.”
Nate nodded to himself as he’d listened. During the briefing they’d discussed how the dropships could carry two of the drone fighters folded up in their mounts on the flank modules. They wouldn’t release the fighters until needed for a number of reasons, the most important being to keep their presence unknown for as long as possible.
“Another twenty are loaded in the launch tubes on the warships. These are your first charges, and you’ll use them alongside the selected pilots from the embarked marine unit.”
Nate looked around, relaxing when Billy and Valdis gave him a thumbs-up. Cassandra looked nervous, and as their eyes met, she tried her best to smile. It didn’t quite work out as she intended, and Nate was quickly reminded of seeing her vulnerable like this before.
She’s nervous. Join the club.
The other two Byotai pilots were all business and showed no interest in the other members of the unit. Each checked their straps manually, and then signalled for the Thegns to approach and attach their spider web head fittings.
“Once you lose your fighters, you’ll transfer to the first available drones on the Jackals. Remember, we have limited numbers of fighters. Most of you will have one or perhaps two replacements, and then that’s it. They’re not cheap either; so don’t go wasting them on a whim. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir!” came back the chorus.
“Good, interfaces on. Close your eyes, and begin the countdown. It’s time.”
She moved to her own seat, but Nate was already trying to calm himself with breathing exercises taught to him by Commander Higgins. On the simulators, they’d all been surprised by the speed and agility shown by these new drones, and if he wasn’t prepared, the effect could be very unsettling to both body and mind.
Here we go.
As before, Nate closed his eyes and began the short mental exercises he’d been taught. Thoughts of the ship and the people faded, and he turned to space, the region around them, and the mission. So hard was his concentration that when Commander Higgins spoke, he had no idea of the time.
“Pilots, you’re in play. Standby. Activate your systems.”
With just a single thought, Nate activated his drone, and soon every waiting X1 drone powered up. He took one more deep breath and then opened his eyes. He’d expected to see blackness from inside the warship, but to his surprise, the external doors were already open, and his drone ready and pointing away from the deck like a cannon barrel on a wooden ship.
Okay, then.
“We’re entering the Rift in thirty seconds. Check your systems and wait for my orders.”
Nate couldn’t believe what was happening. They were going into battle once more, but this time they were behind enemy lines and hitting their homeworld, perhaps the best defended location in the galaxy. His chest pounded, and he felt the adrenalin surging through his body. Without thinking, he ran through the standard checklist, making sure manoeuvring thrusters, boosters, navigation, control links, and guns were all functional.
Everything is green. Good.
He twisted his head to the left and looked out to the bulbous front of the massive Confederate Class warship. There was no vibration, and they might just as easily have been drifting in space without power. The engine systems on these ships were a closely guarded secret, known only to the scientists at Taxxu. Not even CTC had full access, due to the special measures established to ensure the Alliance military retained full control. At least that was what he’d been told. The reality was somewhat different. He’d seen the fast Star Empire ships already, and they seemed to have a similar, if more primitive version of the technology.
Did they steal it from us? Maybe CTC gave it to them.
Then he remembered the derelict.
Is that what happened?
“Ironclads, we’re moving through now.”
Without warning, the Rift appeared and moved slowly towards them. A bizarre feeling, even though he knew they’d effectively slowed down were still not actually moving.
Travelling without moving. Weird, so weird.
The Rift, like all those he’d seen before was a crackling maelstrom of energy and fire. Had he not travelled through one before he might have been more worried, but it was the thing he least feared right now. The Rift surrounded them, and for a few seconds he watched lightning lash around the fleet. One particularly large arc of energy flashed along the hull of the second Confederate Class warship, and it left behind a long black mark from bow to stern.
Wow!
Then the Rift was gone, and they were in the domain of the enemy, the ancient homeworld of the defeated Byotai, and their target. Though still a good few hours away at conventional speeds, they were on the periphery of the planet’s gravitational field, and sensors on the drone detected the faint pull from the planet as it attempted to nudge them into orbit.
“Alert, prepare for battle!”
It was Commander Higgins, and he sounded nervous. Nate started to look to his left before spotting something rush past them, and right through the middle of the formation of ships.
What was that?
He watched the shape and gasped at seeing the shattered chunks of ship’s hull flying past them.
“Brace, we’ve got incoming debris.”
Nate tensed his body just as something slammed into ANS Victorious, shaking him to his very core.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Alliance Assault Carrier 'ANS Victorious', Behind Enemy Lines
28 December 2472
Commander Higgins turned from his display to the bank of three large screens. The bridge was silent for a few seconds as they cleared the Rift and emerged inside the Ctenosaura Star System. It was the most populous of the three core star systems of the old Byotai Empire, and he expected to see all kinds of space traffic. Although the Trinity of Systems represented less than a third of the total territory once the heart of the old regime, it was actually home to more than fifty worlds and colonies, and the overwhelming majority of the Byotai population.
What is that?
He’d expected to see the world of Ctenosaura Primus when the Interstellar Drives shut down, but this was something else. The worst case might be a warship or two if the enemy had any interest in defending the area. A great sea of material obscured the view of the most important planet in the new regime, circling it almost seventy thousand kilometres from the surface.
But Ctenosaura Primus doesn’t have rings.
He checked his screen, and the navigational data confirmed they’d arrived exactly as expected near the planet. He examined the known data on the planets of the Byotai Empire. In the generation they’d been in contact with the great reptilian civilisation, Alliance traders had travelled far and wide in this area. Much remained unexplored, but this world was not one of them. According to Alliance records, more than a thousand spacecraft a day had visited the planet since establishing the trade-free zone, and none had ever reported this debris field.
What is that?
Something large crashed into the flank of ANA Marathon. Higgins held his breath as the wreckage tore down the side and sliding off, narrowly avoiding the large ring nacelles at the stern. More chunks bounced off the armour, and then the cloud of broken flotsam vanished.
“I don’t like this,” said Colonel Gun, “The Star Empire ships, where are they? There has to be a fleet here, and I want to know where.”
“Out of range.”
The answer was almost instantaneous as Five-Seven, the ship’s executive officer, spoke with an emotionless voice, “Sensors confirm three patrol ships. They are eighteen hours’ travel from our current location.”
“Good. Too far away to be a problem. We get in fast, do our job, and leave before they know what’s hit them.”
He stomped about on the deck, his great metal form giving the look of a terrifying mythological beast. Then he stopped and stared at the screens. The shapes were moving completely differently to what he’d expected, and the computer began sending loud warnings throughout the ship. His expression changed from annoyance to surprise. He looked to his crew and bellowed loudly, his great roar filling the bridge.
“Brace for impact!”
Commander Higgins grabbed the handles next to the display just as the warship shuddered. It was a heavy impact, and for the briefest of moments, he thought they may have mistimed their approach and struck part of the Beithir Primus orbital facility. Alarms roared loudly, and as he spotted a number of cracks in a wall, something vented off in the rear where the CIC and planning room was located.
What’s going on? Are we under attack already?
He checked his screen and almost gave the order for his fighters to launch. Colonel Gun was not waiting for fighter cover, though. He activated the fleet-wide channel and bellowed to every crewman in the fleet.
“Open all gun ports. Activate all defensive systems. Defend the fleet!”
The last words came out faster and louder. Each ship carried large numbers of ground troops, crewed by less than twenty officers, mostly loyal Thegns, albeit it in the garb of the Alliance Navy. The response was instantaneous as streaks leapt out from the bow of ANS Victorious. Stern and flank positions joined in until the warship was surrounded by a curtain of gunfire. Many shells struck nearby shapes and exploded them into clouds of dust. Unlike older designs, these IAB vessels were well protected by massed numbers of Gatling gun turrets that covered the ship at every point. Commander Higgins’ eyes opened wide in surprise as every single ship in the small flotilla opened up around it. Wherever they were, and whatever was going on, the ships would deal with it. A few dozen drones would make little difference against this great storm.
Star Crusader: Battle Fleet Victorious Page 18