Two other pilots volunteered. One was Luke DeJesus, a 22-year-old pilot. The other was Sylvia Vasquez, a 30-year-old pilot. She was a tall, beautiful woman with long flowing hair. Both of them were veterans in the Star Brigade.
Lane said, “Okay, we’re gonna need two mechanics in the ships with them.”
There were many volunteers for Lane to choose, but he chose two Iranians. They were the most experienced in making repairs while under duress. Then he chose himself as dispatcher.
Lane said, “The team needs to be ready by 0400 tomorrow. We need to take Rich by surprise.”
Lane walked out of the barracks and back to the office. The pilots and mechanics on the team started preparing for their mission, while the other Star Brigade members went on with their daily routine.
At 0400, Lane walked into the barracks and woke the pilots who would take part in the rescue mission. Luke and Sylvia got into the showers while the Iranians prayed. Then the Iranians got into the showers while the pilots got into their flight suits. Lane made his way to the control tower to wait for his pilots and mechanics to get to the ships.
When the team arrived at the ships, the mechanics inspected them while the pilots ran through their pre-flight checklists. Once the inspections were complete, two mechanics joined the pilots on the ships. The other two would join Lane in the control tower. The pilots started their engines and left to rescue their friend.
Lane watched the ships take off and then monitored them through the equipment in the tower. The mechanics with him also monitored the ships for any problems that they could instruct the mechanics on board to fix. The ships escaped the Martian atmosphere and headed for General Rich’s ship.
Lane told the mechanics, “Make sure to keep an eye on the engines as they enter that monstrosity. I want to make sure that Rich doesn’t try an E.M.P to disable our ships.”
One of the Iranians replied, “No chance of that. I’ve shielded those ships from electromagnetic interference.”
Lane asked, “How did you do that?”
The Iranian replied. “We were working on a way to shield ships back on Earth. We heard rumors that someone in America was working on shields for military planes and tanks, so we developed a counter shield technology.”
Lane asked, “It’s a good thing Jordan recruited you guys. You’re going to prove to be quite a valuable asset to our colony.”
The Iranian responded, “He didn’t recruit us. We begged him to take us with him. We knew who he was, and we wanted to escape Earth’s corruption.”
Lane said, “Well, I’m sure glad you did.”
The Iranian said, “We’ll also make sure the engines are quiet as we enter the General’s ship.”
Lane said, “You guys are amazing.”
The Star Brigade ships reached the Allied Earth command ship. They activated their stealth devices so Rich wouldn’t be able to see them enter his ship. They also activated the super quiet engines.
Sylvia radioed, “We’re entering the ship. The stealths are engaged.”
Lane replied, “Rich will still know someone entered his ship, but he won’t be able to see it’s you. The stealth only cloaks what you are. He’ll see something he can’t identify, so he’ll send a team to investigate.”
Sylvia replied, “So we still need to be quick. Will do.”
Lane said, “The pilot’s name is Jennifer. I just remembered. Her tracking device is showing that she’s on deck nine of that ship.”
Sylvia asked, “And what deck are we entering on?”
Lane replied, “One.”
Sylvia said, “Is there an elevator we can use without being noticed?”
Lane replied, “Did you remember to take your Allied Earth decoy suits with you?”
Luke said, “I didn’t know we had Allied Earth decoy suits.”
Sylvia said, “We don’t. That was sarcasm.”
Luke said, “That wasn’t cool.”
Sylvia radioed, “We don’t have decoy suits, and you know it.”
Lane said, “Then there’s not an elevator you can use without being noticed.”
Sylvia said, “You’re a smart ass.”
Lane said, “Yes, I am. Now get on with the mission. There’s a maintenance stair five meters to your left. Get on that and head up to the ninth deck.”
Sylvia said to Luke, “Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”
The pilots landed their ships and got out of them. The mechanics took the pilots’ seats to defend them in case Rich’s forces discovered them. Luke and Sylvia started climbing up the maintenance stairs while the mechanics were getting into position.
***
Rich said, “What’s this motion in the receiving bay?”
The helmsman said, “I thought it was just routine maintenance. I think we have some filters to change today.”
Rich asked, “Then why aren’t they wearing their identification tags? Everyone on this ship is required to wear a damn identification tag! Send a security team to investigate who the hell’s down there.”
The helmsman said, “Yes, sir,” and sent the order to the security team.
Rich said, “Whoever isn’t conforming to my regulations will be punished most severely. I don’t have time for ignorance of the rules.”
***
Sylvia and Luke reached deck nine. At the same time, Rich’s security team reached the receiving bay.
Lane radioed, “Sylvia and Luke, I need you to go fifty meters to the right. That’s the room that Jennifer’s identification implant is showing.”
The mechanic said, “We have a problem. The security team’s here. They’re looking for a problem.”
Lane said, “If they discover Sylvia and Luke, we’ll have a major problem. Don’t let them get to the stairs.”
The mechanic said, “Do you want us to kill them if they get close?”
Lane said, “We don’t have a choice.”
The security team walked around the receiving bay, looking for anything out of place. There were no lights on, so they didn’t notice the colors of the ships on the floor. They assumed they were Allied Earth ships.
Rich radioed, “Anyone down there?”
The security lead replied, “Just a couple of our ships, but I don’t see anyone in them.”
Rich said, “Did you check the stairwell?”
The security lead replied, “Not yet. Do you still want me to go up there?”
Rich said, “I don’t see anything there anymore. Just come back to the bridge. It must’ve been a false alarm.”
The security team left the receiving bay and returned to the bridge. The mechanics on the Star Brigade ships breathed a sigh of relief when they left. The mechanics didn’t want to kill anyone if it wasn’t necessary.
Lane radioed, “Sylvia, have you reached your target yet?”
Sylvia replied, “I’m just getting to the room.”
Luke tried the door. It wasn’t locked, so he readied his weapon. Sylvia readied her weapon and charged into the room. There were six nude Allied Earth soldiers in the room. In the middle of the room, Jennifer was naked, chained to a bed, and sedated. Another naked soldier was on top of her. There was a lot of laughter, so the Allied soldiers didn’t notice the Martian contingent in the room.
Sylvia radioed, “We have one hell of a problem here. They’re raping her.”
Luke fired his weapon at the man on top of Jennifer. Sylvia locked the door, and then shot the other five men in the groin. They fell to the ground in pain, and she took potshots at them. She deliberately didn’t kill them. She felt they didn’t deserve their pain to end. When they were all bent over on the ground and bleeding, she freed Jennifer.
Lane radioed, “Is the problem dead?”
Sylvia said, “I want them to suffer.”
Lane snapped, “We don’t’ do that. It’s not our way to make people suffer, no matter what they’ve done. We can’t risk them identifying you. Kill them.”
Luke killed the first three, and
Sylvia killed other two. Then they covered Jennifer and carried her to the stairwell. Luke carried her while Sylvia kept her weapon ready as they descended the stairs.
When they reached the receiving bay, they got into their ships and prepared to escape from The Capitalist. The mechanics took their seats in the back of the ships. Luke made sure Jennifer was covered and secured her to a seat. He reclaimed his pilot’s seat. Sylvia took her seat and flew toward the exit.
***
Rich said, “I see something leaving the ship. Send a team immediately!”
The security lead said, “I didn’t see anything when I went down there.”
Rich said, “Those ships you saw, how did they look?”
The security lead said, “I didn’t get a good look. It was dark.”
Rich said, “You’re going to the brig if they escape.”
The security lead ordered his team to capture or kill the enemy pilots. He was afraid for his life. The General was not a man to make angry.
A team of pilots scrambled to their ships as the Star Brigade pilots made their escape. The Space Force pilots were very well trained, but they couldn’t get to their ships before the Star Brigade ships were well out of range. They gave chase, trying to catch them. They followed them all the way to the Martian atmosphere. They never got close enough to get a clean shot at the Martian ships.
***
Lane anticipated Rich discovering the rescue mission. He sent a team of pilots to intercept the Space Force ships. When the Space Force pilots reached the Martian atmosphere, the Star Brigade pilots fired at will. They destroyed nine of the dozen ships that Rich sent. The other three fled and returned to The Capitalist.
Once the rescue team landed, they placed Jennifer in an ambulance and took her to the hospital in Freedom. Then the pilots went directly to Leona’s office to talk about what they saw.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Battle of Earth
Lane woke Jack early in the morning. Jack wasn’t happy to be deprived of sleep.
Jack asked, “What’s up?”
Lane replied, “The plan’s a go.”
Jack asked, “Do we have a team ready?”
Lane answered, “Of course we do. We’re going to attack with six ships.”
Jack said, “That might not be enough. We might need all the Star Brigade to take on one of Rich’s ships. It’ll work better if everyone heads out together.”
Jack knew for a while that he wouldn’t be able to take the whole Star Brigade. He told Jane they needed everyone because he had to go.
Lane said, “We can’t bring the house. That’ll leave us unprotected at home. We need to leave a strong force in case Rich decides to attack while we’re gone. I know you wanted to bring everyone, but that’s not in the cards. Besides, it’s hard to sneak a dozen ships off a planet.”
Jack asked, “That reminds me. How’re we going to avoid being seen when we leave?”
Lane answered, “We’ll leave while Jordan creates a diversion. He’s going to attack the base camp with the Army while we go to Earth.”
Jack thought about seeing Earth again. Part of him wanted to see his home world again, but his soul cried at the thought of returning to the corporate corruption.
Jack said, “So we’re going all the way to Earth now?”
Lane replied, “Of course not. It’s just easier to say than ‘just outside of the Earth’s gravitational pull.’ But we’re sticking to the original plan.”
Jack was relieved that they weren’t going all the way to Earth. He’d be close enough to see his home, but still far enough away to be safe from its influence.
Jack asked, “So when are we leaving?”
Lane answered, “In one hour, so get your ass out of that bed.”
Jack jumped out of his bed and stripped off his clothes. He took a quick shower and got dressed, making sure not to forget his life support equipment. Then he met the team of pilots on the tarmac and started the pre-flight procedures.
Jack asked Lane, “Do I have time to call Jane?”
Lane replied, “I’m not going to let anyone call anyone. This is supposed to be a surprise attack.”
Jack protested, “But she’ll be so worried.”
Lane said, “I’ll have Scout or Jordan tell her where you are. I just can’t risk information leaking to Rich.”
Jack said, “I’ll get going, then.”
One of the pilots asked Jack, “So how’re we going to get around that monstrosity in orbit?”
Jack said, “Jordan’s creating a diversion.”
The pilot asked, “When’s the diversion gonna happen?”
Jack replied, “I don’t know.”
Lane was walking past the pilots as they talked and overheard their conversation.
Lane said, “It’s happening right now. It won’t last forever, so we need to move while we have the chance. We’ve only got about a three hour window to get the hell off this rock and out of his range.”
The pilots hastily boarded their ships and ran through the checks. They took off one a time so the enemy’s sensors wouldn’t detect a mass exodus and react. Several individual ships would look like a simple training exercise or a routine patrol. They couldn’t afford to give up their opportunity. The ships left Mars and met in space one million kilometers toward Earth.
Lane was the last pilot to get in position. Once he arrived, he took lead of the group.
Lane radioed, “This’ll be the last radio transmission of this mission until we either accomplish it or fail. I’m calling for radio silence. All orders will be given by coded text. We can’t afford to have our plan intercepted.”
The pilots turned off their radios and replied via coded message. Everyone understood that any violation of this order would result in a catastrophic failure.
The next five weeks were very boring for the pilots. They flew through space at top speed, but it still took a month and a half to reach Earth. When they were at the designated coordinates, Lane ordered an all stop. The Earth wasn’t clearly visible from that distance, but it would come into clear view in three days. The fleet would slowly drift toward Earth until then. Lane had intelligence that the Allied Earth Forces were scheduled to launch reinforcements that day. He refused to say who gave him that information.
The pilots were conserving their supplies, so they only ate once per day. The meals were filling, but conservative. Lane only allowed them 1200 calories per day. They also had the life support turned to its minimum setting and set to recycle unused gases. They needed to extend the mission’s available time as long as possible. The only problem with this plan was it was incredibly boring. They couldn’t do anything that would exert too much energy because it would cause the life support system to deplete too quickly. They couldn’t eat when they were bored because they had limited food. They had to just sit or lie back in their seat and wait for the enemy ship to appear. Mostly, they slept while they waited. Sleeping takes almost no energy, and allows breathing to slow and conserve oxygen.
Earth appeared early the third morning. The sight of it made the pilots long for their prior home. They wished they could return to Earth and still have their new society. The life they were creating on Mars was much harder than life on Earth ever was, even if it was worth every sacrifice. They wanted to live on a world with familiar things, but that wasn’t possible. They had already been declared criminals, and even if they hadn’t, they couldn’t go back to the corporate control. They had freedom, and that was worth all the hardships in the universe.
The enemy ship appeared exactly when and where they expected it to appear. It was escorted by six Space Force ships, which took the Martian Star Brigade by surprise. They expected to just destroy the supply ship and return to Mars. Now they were about to be forced into a battle away from home. If they were defeated, they would either be killed or imprisoned on Earth as common criminals.
Lane ordered, “Let’s get that propaganda song playing on every frequency. It’ll dist
ract them, and it might convince some of them to join us.”
Join us today and improve your life.
Defect today and end your strife.
Surrender now, opportunity’s rife.
You don’t have to be a slave,
You don’t have to be afraid.
You can have a better end
You can get on the mend.
Just surrender yourself today.
The Allied pilots heard the song and wondered from where it came. They had their radios on secure channels, so they thought their communications would be safe.
The Allied Space Force ordered, “Let’s turn the radios off. We’ll have to beat them with visual orders.”
The Martian ships took up positions on both flanks of the Earth ship. As it approached them, Lane ordered a volley of metal bullets. The pilots received the order and each fired ten shots at the lights of the supply ship. They hit their targets and destroyed the lights that allowed the supply ship captain to see in space.
The captain of the Allied Earth ship was Lee Dickson, a middle-aged man from Amarillo, Texas. He volunteered for the mission when it was first suggested. He believed in the corporate system and thought the Martian settlers were insane.
Dickson ordered, “Activate the secret weapon. Keep silence as long as possible.”
The captain’s voice commanded respect. He’d seen a lot of combat on Earth during his covert missions. Various corporations employed him to “convince” those disagreed with the corporate philosophy. His crew knew what kind of man he was, so they obeyed without question, even if they didn’t agree with the orders.
However, not everyone agreed with him. In fact, there was a small group of Martian sympathizers on the ship. They followed orders, but made sure to sabotage the orders they were given without being too obvious about it. Some of the sympathizers were waiting for an opportunity to defect and join the Martians, but they couldn’t do that until they had an excuse to leave the ship.
Three of the Allied Earth battle ships turned on their lights and led the supply ship. The other three ships turned and fired on the Star Brigade ships.
MARS: Baroque Revolution Page 18