Battle for Karnak (Star Crusades: Mercenaries, Book 4)

by Thomas, Michael G.

  Incredible.

  When he looked at the Sergeant, he noticed him smiling back.

  "Nano-crystal paste. It's tough; believe me. In the siege it beat off so many shells, I honestly expected to find the wall entirely gone when I first arrived here. It must have been one hell of a battle. I'm kind of sad I missed it."

  He then leaned in closer as if about to share a great secret.

  "A few more warriors and I reckon we could have turned this battle into a final victory."

  He sounded as though he missed not seeing the battle, but as Lahok spotted the numerous dents and holes in the defensive curtain wall, he felt physically sick. It took all his effort to control himself, and then move through the doorway and into the city proper.

  "Melantias," said the Sergeant.

  It was far from impressive, and if he'd expected some kind of lavish capital, he would have been incredibly disappointed. Melantias was more like a bustling border station, with traders, engineers, and soldiers in equal numbers. One thing stood out more than any other, the activity. There were people in all directions, and each of them seemed busy. Then he saw something that stopped him in his tracks.

  "What..is...that!"

  Sergeant Tyler nearly reached for his weapons; so nervous the Byotai looked. As his head turned, he spotted what had unnerved Lahok so much. A group of five monstrous Jötnar, dressed in heavy looking and rather crude armour. Every piece had been carefully cut and modified to fit its user, giving them a strange look unlike anything Lahok had ever seen.

  "They are Jötnar, the creatures discovered in our first war with the Biomechs."

  "Ah," exclaimed Lahok, "The synthetic warriors?"

  Sergeant Tyler nodded in agreement.

  "Exactly."

  They walked on into the main street, being careful with each step to avoid moving into the path of the engineering teams. There were signs of blast damage and fires everywhere, although the inhabitants of the city seemed unaware of them.

  "This particular troupe is known as the Blood Pack, and they're a volunteer merc outfit from back home. You'll never find a more dangerous and violent group than them."

  The Jötnar marched past, and Lahok couldn't take his eyes off them. They were massive, perhaps two and a half, maybe even three metres tall, and armed to the teeth. The one at the front carried a club, adorned with a spiked metal sphere the size of Lahok's head. The next one carried a slung rifle that looked more like a double-barrelled cannon.

  "And these all came to help your IAB?"

  Tyler shook his head.

  "No, they answered the open calls for mercenaries."

  "Like you?"

  Sergeant Tyler shook his head again.

  "No, not me, Spartan and the others. The marines of the IAB are here at the request of your people. We are the vanguard of the Alliance military, and we'll stay until the job is done."

  For perhaps the hundredth time, Lahok looked confused.

  "Marines?"

  Sergeant Tyler smiled.

  "Oorah!"

  The Byotai did not understand what that meant and stepped back a fraction at the surprising sound from the Sergeant. The man grinned and nodded.

  "Marines. We're always first in and last out of every conflict. Eyes and ears of the fleet, and the only ones that can do the job."

  He moved closer to Lahok.

  "Are you ready to meet the leadership? I know they're keen to meet you."

  Lahok's brow tightened again.

  "Do they not want to debrief me first?"

  Sergeant Tyler pointed towards a heavily armoured set of curved doors that led inside a thick stone structure. They moved inside, and the doors slid shut behind them.

  "No need, they've already received my report. We are operating on a schedule here, and your input will be critical. You ready to play your part in winning this war?"

  As the translator did its job, and converted the tones of the Human into understandable Byotai, the alien opened his mouth in surprise. He assumed his information would be of some help, but not this.

  "Win? It is possible?"

  Sergeant Tyler laughed.

  "Are you kidding? We have Spartan with us, how can we lose?"

  CHAPTER SIX

  Free City of Melantias, Stone Teeth Hills, Northlands

  20 October 2472

  Spartan stopped pacing and looked at the assembled leaders of the city. The plans waited on the screen, while lists of military units confirmed what was available, and where. All it needed was for him to say yes, and after all this time, he was having doubts.

  "Postponing the assault on Montu is the right thing to do. Nakoma has the military forces to crush any attempt to move on the city. But this timetable..."

  He stopped mid-sentence and then continued to pace inside the large room buried deep below the surface, as he considered the question for the second time. He knew the strategic situation as well as the rest of them, and what both sides were capable of. He could give them the answer they wanted, but deep down he knew it meant death and destruction on a massive scale.

  "You ask me to complete my proposed mission in a fraction of the time I need."

  He looked to Khan who just stood there and shook his head.

  "It could take a year to complete, assuming everything goes to plan."

  The leader of the Exiles, Tenskwatawa lifted his hands to stop Spartan.

  "My people want this war to end. Your proposed campaign will take too long. Either you compromise, or I will launch a full-scale assault on Montu within the month."

  Spartan placed his head in his hands and muttered for a few moments. He then paced until stopping and shaking his head repeatedly. He then turned, looked at them, and watched as they stared back, impatient for his opinion. Then he looked away and continued to pace. One of the deputy Byotai commanders spoke into a translator, and just a single word emitted from the device.

  "Well?"

  Spartan laughed at the question and turned his gaze back to the command centre. During the siege, this underground site had been used to command the final fight. Now its purpose had increased in importance. Many of the old computer systems were gone, and it had received quite an upgrade to carry out its new role. With the city safe, it was now much more than just the last bastion of Byotai civilisation on Karnak. It was the command centre for the entire planet. Every part of the military campaign on Karnak would be planned and conducted from this place, and the well-protected room was the nerve centre, containing links to units across the planet. It was big enough to house a hundred people, but with so much equipment inside, even a dozen of them made it feel cramped. Again the officer questioned Spartan, and this time his tone became much sterner.

  "Can you do this, Major? Or must we turn to our own plans?"

  Spartan stopped and looked up at the alien leaders waiting nearby. Their voices were becoming increasingly frustrated, but that didn't concern him . This was a major decision, and they would know when he was ready. He passed by one of the technicians, and into the middle to check the many screens. The raised podium in the centre of the circular room gave the perfect position from which to view the myriad of computer screens. A mixture of their best people sat in front of the units; monitoring drones, combat teams, and more. Spartan's nostrils flared for a moment, but before he answered, he spoke quietly with Khan, waiting patiently at his side.

  "This is not going to be easy."

  Governor Nak Sekieki, the leader of the city cleared his voice, and Spartan merely lifted his hand to silence him. The Byotai noble snorted in irritation, but that did nothing to regain Spartan's attention. After what seemed like an age, he looked back at the others.

  "And you're giving me until the end of the year to succeed, right? That's just over two months, when I said I needed a year."

  Governor Nak Sekieki attempted to answer, but the mysterious Tenskwatawa spoke for him.

  "Yes. By your own information we cannot guarantee more time after that. Your scou
ts say the Anicinàbe clans are massing in this sector, and the last reports from General Makos confirm this. If we wait any longer, we will have no chance to attack the capital, and that must be our ultimate objective now."

  Spartan paused and then looked at the leader of the Exiles. The alien seemed calm, although there was something about him that left Spartan a little uneasy.

  "Makos? Why have I not heard this?"

  Governor Nak Sekieki spoke before Tenskwatawa could answer.

  "This is a Byotai operation, Major. Information comes to us all the time. We believe our data and yours confirms the Anicinàbe clans are mobilising in this area for a major intervention."

  Spartan laughed, now incapable of keeping quiet.

  "Intervention? Are you kidding me? There are already hundreds of thousands of rabid Anicinàbe across this wasteland you call a planet. I'm talking about survival, and you're talking about a victory in two months."

  Tenskwatawa sighed. His mixed features gave him the stature and arrogance of the Anicinàbe, yet the stern, humourless express of the reptilian Byotai.

  "For some of us, this is our home, Major. And yes, there are enough warriors here to make our lives untenable."

  He pointed to the sky.

  "But this new force, it will change the balance of power forever in the region. There is anything up to a quarter of a million migrants coming this way. And if they make if before we take the capital, we are done."

  Spartan shrugged, as though none of this was of much concern to him.

  "But you're willing to fight, aren't you?"

  Tenskwatawa and Governor Nak Sekieki's eye lit up as though small fires burned within them.

  "Yes," said Tenskwatawa, "But if we allow these reinforcements a free hand on this planet, the war will go on indefinitely. And I can promise no victory after that."

  "It would go badly, I would suggest," said Spartan.

  Tenskwatawa lowered his head, though Spartan couldn't tell if that was in agreement or not.

  "No matter what. I agree with your assessment that we have to weaken Nakoma, and bring out her mobile assets so we can take the city. With our combined forces in control, this planet will be too difficult to attack, and they may even pass us by, or simply leave a blockade."

  He pointed to Spartan.

  "Only you, with your military and tactical skills can make this happen."

  Anybody else might have been flattered by this, but not Spartan.

  "Yes, I know."

  Governor Nak Sekieki snarled in irritation at his arrogance, but Tenskwatawa appeared amused at his comments. Their gaze met across the command centre, and both looked hard, attempting to gauge the true thoughts of the other. There was no trust between them, but perhaps a grudging respect that both would do whatever needed to be done to achieve their personal aims.

  "Spartan, you must start a terrible and violent uprising in the South of the size that has never been seen before. Make it seem as though this is a singular aim on Karnak. We will hold all other ground while you do this, so that the South will become the battleground that decides the future of this world."

  "And then?" Khan asked, though he already knew the answer.

  Governor Nak Sekieki nodded excitedly and moved towards one of the many displays that hung from the ceiling.

  "In doing this, you will draw in Nakoma and bleed her, bleed her badly. We will mobilise all local forces here, in the city, and ready to strike."

  Spartan lifted his clenched fist to his chin and rubbed it gently as he considered his words. The mission would not be easy, especially with such limited resources. He was still surprised they had pulled away from the frontal assault idea, but even this idea appeared to border on suicidal, especially with such time constraints. What unnerved him more; was having to rely upon Tenskwatawa and his allies. He'd seen them work in combat, and though effective, they were far from elite warriors.

  "I can make it work, with the right people and resources. It won't be pretty, and many people in the South will suffer."

  He then indicated towards the Governor.

  "But what about Melantias? It will take you weeks to position enough troops to take the city, and Nakoma will..."

  Tenskwatawa interrupted Spartan.

  "Nakoma no longer has satellite coverage over this world. Thanks to the fine work of your ship, and long-range missile strikes by Makos' fleet."

  Spartan remained expressionless as Tenskwatawa spoke. It was true; ANS Titan had launched devastating attacks as she travelled in high orbit over the planet. She could only have done so much damage, though, and he was dubious that Makos had the ships or the capabilities to finish that particular job.

  "You're telling me that reconnaissance is now only possible through the use of aircraft and drones?"

  Governor Nak Sekieki nodded.

  "Yes. Nakoma will be forced to choose where she sends her combat and reconnaissance assets to. If you do your part, it will guarantee us victory when we attack."

  Tenskwatawa pointed at another display that showed an aerial view of one of the numerous temporary vehicle pools. There were scores of ground transports, many of which still bore the marks of the Red Scars and Spires Clans on them.

  "We have the ground vehicles and partial air cover necessary to affect a major assault on Melantias. I have over twenty captured Red Scars gunships that my technicians are already working on. Between them, I can land two companies of infantry in the fight from the air, the rest coming by land."

  Spartan's eyes narrowed in surprise at this news.

  "Twenty? When did this happen? Last I saw, the Red Scars had crashed or burnt any remaining gunships in the area."

  Tenskwatawa ignored his question entirely and continued explaining his plan as though he'd never said a single word to him.

  "Using these gunships, I will have the ability to send in a strike team of my best warriors directly against their command centre. Civilian air transports will airlift in another five thousand, but only once the perimeter is already under attack."

  "No, that will never be enough to take down Nakoma. I've seen their defences, and you're gonna need a full-scale assault to take even the outer lines of defence. How can you get ground forces against their walls without being torn apart from the air?"

  Tenskwatawa lifted a finger, just like he'd seen the Humans do before.

  "My Exiles have spent years away from our kin, and to survive, we have been forced to become experts at moving without detection. There is a reason we avoided the wrath of our enemies on both sides for generations."

  Spartan's eyebrows lifted uncontrollably at hearing that. He'd assumed the Exiles were something recent. The implication was that they had lived this way for many decades.

  So, this is much deeper than we were ever told. Does that surprise me?

  Spartan was used to secrets, backstabbing, and betrayal, but each time something like this happened it always grated. Information was the lifeblood of any military operation, and not having access to information like this worried him. Tenskwatawa looked away from him and lifted his hands as though about to give a sermon to his people, even though only the senior officers were present.

  "Starting tonight, we will begin training the assault teams in techniques of long-distance travel and camouflage. When we finally make the journey to Montu, we will be ready. We can make the journey to the outer mountains, and then scatter our forces among the cover offered by the rock until the call is given to attack."

  Khan interrupted, and even when Tenskwatawa tried to speak, he simply increased the volume of his voice.

  "You still have to cover the open ground, and that will take you days. Nakoma will spot your dust trails and cut you apart with her gunships. You cannot act until the air cover problem is sorted out."

  He walked back to Spartan, shaking his head, but Tenskwatawa seemed unperturbed by his short outburst.

  "Using the darkness of night to move, and burying ourselves and covering the vehicles when enemy
aircraft are detected, we will be able to make the journey. It will take up to a month to fully train the soldiers I have available."

  He paused and gave the impression he was performing a complex calculation, even though Spartan remained convinced that Tenskwatawa knew exactly what was happening.

  "I estimate we can be at the outer mountains with several days to spare and will wait for news before commencing the assault."

  He turned his focus on Spartan.

  "But...we will be unable to move from the mountains and assault the city unless you can divert most of her air cover and mobile units. Leave Montu vulnerable, and I will do the rest. At speed, we can then reach the outer defences within twenty-four hours."

  Spartan shook his head repeatedly and then banged his fist on the large computer-generated map of Montu. It showed the capital city as it had been before the fighting. Even then, its position was strong.

  "Just look at the place."

  The city was large, but the great crater-like position it occupied made the place stand out. The city filled the centre, and the open land around it provided a deadly killing ground that would take time to cross. Next came several small hills, and then the curtains of mountains that surrounded it on all sides.

  "Even if you could position ten thousand soldiers in the mountains, you'd lose them all covering this open ground around the city. Nakoma's aircraft will kill every single one of you. If you intend on an assault, you have to give me the time to damage her forces, and I'll need most of your troops to do that."

  Tenskwatawa pulled back at hearing that.

  "No Exiles or militia," he said in a stern tone, "You will do this with mercenaries alone."

  Spartan turned to Khan. The monstrous warrior grunted in agreement.

  "All we can do is hurt her, but we cannot win without troops."

  Tenskwatawa signalled to the doorway where the tired looking engineer, Lahok, entered. He bowed politely and then spoke in his own tongue. Spartan waited for a second as the translators began to work.