Even with her shooting and the mass of fire, the ships continued to come down.
“We have forces breaking into the FOBs,” Trina said.
“Blow them if they get in too deep,” Dominguez ordered.
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Fuck the resources—just pull our people out now! We need to get off this rock and soon!”
“Understood. It will take twenty minutes,” Trina said, running the numbers.
“See to it! We don’t have long!”
Dominguez saw as a ship came over the base. It was cut down, turning to the side and slamming into a warren.
It went up in a massive explosion that shook even Dominguez.
“Pull back from the exterior defenses first!” Dominguez said. The drop-ship wings were coming down from the heavens, bringing their own version of pain with them.
“Fuckin’ show-offs! You might have the skies, but we have the ground!” Dominguez’s voice was sent to everyone in the base.
The troopers roared as they solidified their targets and dealt out as much destruction as possible.
The incoming forces were raked with artillery fire, missiles and cannon fire from above and from the bases as they bled, moving forward. There was still enough of them to gain an advantage and those on the ground were now getting into range.
Screamers tore through the slums and hit the Westerly Three Complex FOBs.
Weapons fire opened up on a rooftop on the main base, cutting down three as a higher roof moved in support, suppressing the enemy and pushing them back as the wounded and people on that roof evacuated back to a drop-ship.
They had less than ten thousand people in the main base now.
“Just ninety more drop-ships to go,” Dominguez said to herself as a missile rose out of nowhere. The sky defense system fired on it, but the shockwave tore at Dominguez and her weapon mount.
She was hurled against her straps. Feeling beaten, she started to check on the quad barrel anti-air cannon.
“System is no longer operational,” her NIAI helpfully informed her.
“Fuck.” Dominguez looked at the jacked-up angle she was at. “Fuck.”
She smacked the harness and tumbled out of the gun seat.
“Fucking ow!” She complained but got her ass up and checked on her rifle. She got into a half crouched, half running position and moved to one of the walls.
“Grab me an ammo box! I’m running low!” the gunner yelled, seeing someone nearby.
Dominguez slung her rifle and moved to a pile of ammunition, dragging two boxes back with her.
“Barrel change!” the gunner yelled.
Dominguez opened the ammunition box and dragged out the linked belt as the gunner cleared the gun and tossed the barrel to the side, grabbing another and slamming it into place before Dominguez fed the belt into the tray and slammed the tray cover down. They cocked the repulsor and started firing again.
“Back in!” they yelled.
A plume of dust shot up into the sky as one of the FOBs exploded. The charges that had been laid in the base blew the thing sky-high, taking out the bastards who tried to take it.
It wasn’t five minutes later that another FOB blew up.
Dominguez could see the forces advancing across the ground as more of the corporation ships did everything they could to drop their people off and then get the hell clear of the bases.
The drop-ships ruled the skies but they were fighting the outnumbering corporation ships and the quick moving wasps that they brought with them.
Screamers were now being used on the main base’s buildings and the wall.
“We’ve got breaches! Eight minutes!” Trina yelled.
“You on board a shuttle?” Dominguez asked.
“Getting on one!”
“Good!” Dominguez looked over the battlefield with her NIAI. There was just three thousand left, some thirty drop-ships’ worth of people.
“Get that artillery on automatic and get the fuck out of here,” Dominguez ordered the artillery captain.
“Yes, General!” they yelled back.
“Archibald, we’re going to need hot evacuations from these roofs soon,” Dominguez said, not trusting getting all the way into the underground base to attempt to escape Earth.
“Got it. Cutting new orders. Will need more drop-ships.”
“Copy!” Dominguez cut the channel and looked over the wall. Sighting in on targets that were making it through a breach in the main base’s walls, she fired on them, but still a few made it through.
She wanted to launch a grenade at them but they were too far. She could only switch her aim and start shooting at another group that had gained entrance to the base.
“They’re getting into the outer buildings!” one of the captains reported as another explosion rocked the Westerly Three Complex. A plume of red dust shot into the sky where another FOB had existed.
Drop-ships moved over the base, raking the combatants who were rushing the Westerly Three Complex main base.
Explosives went off as they started to gain entrance.
Dominguez was hit in the helmet by a stray round. She dropped to the ground. Her head buzzed as her implants pumped her with combat chemicals to get her up.
She felt the dent in the side of her helmet. Her shock turned to anger as she moved position and opened up on the little shit that fired on her. They weren’t too far away.
“Fuck head!” she yelled as the grenade exploded on the opposite roof.
She got back down behind the wall and reloaded her rifle. She kept on firing out on the enemy inside the wall who were making it a living hell for the people inside.
The last container-laden drop-ships had been fired off into the sky and drop-ships were coming in, flaring their engines and air flaps as they hovered behind the roofs. The troopers boarded them before they shot off and up away from the battlefield.
“Come on—faster, faster!” Dominguez turned and started firing on the enemy. They were everywhere now. She ducked back into cover and scurried away. Everyone was hunkered down, unable to fully suppress the enemy below.
A grenade went off in the stairwell, killing more of them.
They were in damn blade fighting range.
There were just a few hundred to go.
“Our ride is here! Come on!” a lieutenant yelled. There was no one behind in the floors below; it was just them now.
They pulled back to the drop-ship as fast as possible.
Dominguez waited at the ramp next to the lieutenant, checking everything on her NIAI.
“Let’s go, Lieutenant Ji!” She yelled over the sound of the drop-ship’s engines and jumped onto the ramp that hovered above the roof.
He turned and followed her.
They watched behind them as the ramp started to close and the engines went full throttle.
The base started to fade behind as they saw the different FOBs, their proud edifices now nothing more than plumes of red dust.
The drop-ships pulled away from the corporation and gang ships, heading into the skies. Signs of destruction covered the slums: downed craft, bodies, artillery craters.
The ramp closed as Dominguez connected to the sensors. Through her eyes, she saw out of the rear of the shuttle.
She saw as the main base continued firing its guns against the attackers who made it onto the tallest roofs in the base. They were firing wildly and some of them even at the leaving craft.
“Taste this, you sons of bitches.” Dominguez sent a final code to the base.
There was a rumbling noise at first, followed by the multiple charges in the underground base and the buildings above.
The base disintegrated into rubble, most of it falling down into the massive pit below that was nothing more than a big crater.
The ships around the base didn’t seem to know what to do as the forces moved higher and higher, climbing out of Earth’s atmosphere.
It wasn’t long until the muddy red atmosphere fell behind and
they were out into space.
Drop-ships were landing in massive containers as the freighters were starting their engines. Tugs moved the last of the containers into place as the drop-ships landed.
Their next stop: the Emarl system.
Chapter Forty-Two
Senator Rimateus’s Estate
Roma, Hellenic System
10/3556
“Their weapons were based off the cannons that the troopers had. Their missiles were using chemical warheads—not even nuclear. Drive systems were all to EHC spec. The drop-ships looked like they had upgraded weapons and missiles, and they were a little faster than our own gliders, but there wasn’t enough information on them or the wreckage that were recovered to know much more.” Atia looked up to Rimateus, who was overlooking his property through a tall window.
“Continue.” He waved his hand before returning it to behind his back.
“The weapons used by the Westerly Three Complex Crew were more advanced than before, but they were still using chemically backed rounds instead of rail guns. Their armor was stronger than we were expecting but again, we have no samples or information on it to be able to know what its true capabilities are.”
“So they have some new tech, but it isn’t reaching to the standards of the legion,” Rimateus summed up.
“From what we can see, yes, but there is no knowing if they are keeping more from us.” Atia kept her tone respectful and brusque.
“I understand your concern. We will need to make sure that they are dealt with once this is all over.” Rimateus’s voice was calm and easy. “We don’t want them becoming a problem in the future.”
“Yes, Senator. Before or after the operation at Emarl is carried out?”
“Afterward. It will be easier to hide it then.”
“Understood, Senator.” Atia bowed her head.
“How is the testing going with the second initiative?” Rimateus turned around, facing her straight on.
“There have still been some major issues. We have gained access to more testees. The problem is that the organic and cybernetic systems are hard to graft together. Most of the times, the subject is overpowered or they are turned into a vegetable before being able to change their bodies.” Atia couldn’t help but frown at her inability to carry out his orders.
“All will be okay with time. With Emarl, we should be able to gain much more information on the mergers and how they operate so that we can create our own that are loyal to our cause,” Rimateus said.
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Rimateus said.
A servant entered, bowing deeply. “Senator Kris, Benefactor Yi, and Senator Edav are here for your afternoon luncheon.”
“Very good. Show them in. That will be all, Atia.”
Rimateus moved toward the door as the servant disappeared. Moments later, they reappeared, opening the door for the three guests. Senator Kris was an older gentleman who seemed like a nicer old man, while Yi and Edav were beautiful women. For people in their position, it was easy enough to get a few modifications to look like world-class beauties.
Rimateus and Kris were from two different political parties, but both of them frequented the same underground kind of clubs that brought them closer together on their little secret.
Outside, they might fight with each other, but behind closed doors they were kindred spirits, politicians playing the great game.
“Rimateus, my old friend, I have heard great things are happening!” Senator Kris said as the two women smiled coyly. Being in their positions, they knew how to use their looks and power to entice others.
Rimateus was already past these minor tricks and treated them as just ploys of the great game. He was looking for someone to bring to his side, hopefully a person with power similar to his own, in order to gain greater control over the Union.
“Better than I have hoped.” Rimateus had known these people for a long time and he knew of their backgrounds and proclivities. They were stifled under the current emperor, in both business and their own practices. If Rimateus was to ascend, then they would benefit greatly.
“Emp—Senator Rimateus is indeed a formidable man.” Senator Edav covered her mouth over the minor slip-up.
Rimateus gave her an admonishing look. “I will do what is best for the Union, dear senator, no more and no less,” Rimateus said, even as a smile played on his lips. There was no anger or true reproach in his eyes.
“We would hope that Senator Rimateus keeps us in mind when moving to higher realms,” Benefactor Yi, who was the heiress to several large businesses that operated in the Union, said.
“Of course, my lady.” Rimateus reached out a hand to her. She placed her hand in his gently as he kissed it and looked up into her eyes. After all, she was one of his candidates for empress.
She blushed slightly, with heat in her eyes.
There was nothing more alluring than power in the Union.
“Come, let us have some food and drink.” Rimateus guided them through his home to a luxurious seating area with delicacies already laid out.
“It is indeed saddening that the Union and the Hellenic system itself is woefully low on foodstuffs after the betrayal of Legate Nerva,” Kris said with a saddened sigh as he sat and grabbed a ripe fruit with his hands.
“One can only be sad at the current state of affairs.” Rimateus sat back in his chair while the ladies helped themselves to wine. He tapped a button on his chair, turning on a signal and sound-blocking device.
“How goes the campaign with Luyten?” Edav asked, her demure features turning more business-like.
“The fleet is on their way. They should arrive in a few months. The military force that they left on Earth has escaped onto two mega freighters that are moving out of the system and gathering together their inter-system freighters. There is no need to worry. They will only arrive three months before and they’re taking a bunch of slum dwellers. If anything, it will only strain their resources more,” Rimateus said.
“What about the movements in Masoul and Osdal?” Yi asked.
Rimateus gave her an admiring glance. It seemed that she was not just a pretty face.
“The people from Masoul are a beaten group. While they’re taking people, they’re taking less resources. They already have a limited number of ships; upgrading them all and giving them weapons will be difficult. The ships that were in Sol system were using chemical missiles and not even rail cannons. They’re low on resources but they’re taking in more people like a bleeding heart campaign.” Rimateus shook his head.
Edav laughed, her tone dark and disdainful. “Immigrants—looks like they can deal with the problems and resource draw that they are.”
Rimateus nodded, taking a wine goblet.
“What I don’t like is the lack of information. There are all of these people going there but what are they doing?” Kris complained.
“We haven’t left the Luyten ships without anything. They might be converted freighters but they’ve got full complements of rail cannons, missiles with nuclear payloads, and a few with anti-matter payloads if necessary. They’ve also got some old fighters that we pulled out from storage.” Yi was one of the people who had dealt with the other corporations and businesses to drum up the support needed for these actions.
Rimateus looked at her over his goblet, pleased with the way that she affirmed his position and appeased the other two, who looked at each other, seeming to agree on something.
“As you know, my grandson is stationed with the space legion in the Endo system. It seems that recent changes with the legion have allowed him and some of his fellows to get together and make a truly fine unit,” Kris hinted.
“A few of my cousins have also expressed their interest in supporting the senator in trying to unite humanity at this time of need,” Edav said demurely. Her eyes slid to Rimateus as she sipped from her goblet.
“The senator knows that he has my support in whatever he needs.” Yi took a small frui
t and popped it into her mouth. A sly smile appeared on her lips as she looked to Rimateus.
Rimateus smiled and lifted his goblet. “To a more prosperous and greater Union that listens to its people’s wants and needs.”
“Hear hear!” Kris said. The others raised their glasses.
With their support, I now control fifteen more fleets that are close to the Hellenic system. It also looks like Admiral Hebbard is willing to step to the side to make sure that there isn’t a civil war. Oh Cassius, the days of your rule are coming to an end as you turtle up in your palace and try to pass down edicts.
The senate was starting to show their teeth as the majority supported Rimateus. They had active campaigns to talk of how the emperor was unable to do anything, that he was weak and he hadn’t served fully in the legion, downplaying his might.
All of this to change public opinion as they fought and delayed the actions he tried to carry out through the senate.
The senate’s power was great enough to hamstring him now. With the new threat from the Maraukians and the opportunities that came with Earth and Her Colonies, the senators didn’t want to just rule the Union; they wanted to rule everything. The threat of war and using that fear allowed them to push through policies that wouldn’t be allowed at other times. In their hands, it was a weapon to be used.
It wasn’t the first meeting of its kind to have taken place. As the senate saw Rimateus was making big moves, they started to go the way that allowed them to stay in power.
The military-serving members of the senate who truly sent their family into the front lines hadn’t been approached as they were still loyal to the legion and the emperor. Rimateus already had plans and scandals that he would make up to get rid of them when the time was right.
It looked as if everything was going according to plan.
Chapter Forty-Three
VCF Osdal
Emarl System
11/3556
Mark and Ava sparred together, working their way through a trying routine before Ava pushed him off and moved to lean on the wall, panting.
Enemies on All Sides (Maraukian War Book 4) Page 18