Battle Beyond Earth: Retaliation

by Nick S. Thomas

  Isaacs led him to a podium where the press awaited them.

  “We are all very proud of you, Colonel. The Alliance needs a hero in a time like this, and you are without a doubt the man of the hour.”

  “Thank you, Sir, but I must ask, are we back in this fight? We are needed in this war.”

  The President laughed in surprise.

  “You most certainly are. There is much to be done, and tomorrow I will send for you, but today, this is your time.”

  The President led him to the podium and began some drawn out speech that became a blur to Taylor. He fell into a daydream until finally he was released from the formalities. He rushed to Alita’s arms and led the rest of them back to their beach bar. It was now roped off just for their use. Many stripped off their armour and clothing at the waterfront and rushed into the sea in a manic celebration.

  Taylor looked at Alita. She just shrugged and nodded. They ripped off their gear and followed the others in. The sun was setting as he embraced her in his arms in the warm sea, and he let all fears and thoughts of the next day vanish from his mind.

  * * *

  Taylor awoke with a massive hangover from no end of cocktails, but he soon found himself in a briefing room with the President projected at the head of the table. A week had passed since his victory, and still the celebrations had continued. He rubbed his sore head and regretted having necked all that Kai had thrown at him, but he felt more alive than ever.

  A number of Navy and Army officers sat around the table, but he didn’t know any of them, and they looked to him as if he were second only to the President.

  “Okay, Colonel,” began the President, “I am going to break this down simply. The Amitad attacks throughout the Alliance seemed entirely random, and our experts believe that is precisely what they were. However, the remnants of those forces have now gathered around one world.”

  “Okay, what’s the problem?”

  “Frankly, Colonel, their number is no small matter. We are talking almost fifty warships. They have no jump capability that we know of, and are simply staying put.”

  “A strategic withdrawal to try and rally their forces for one last push?” he asked.

  “That is what my military advisors think. However, Councillor Irala believes their intentions are rather more calculated and sinister than that.”

  That got Taylor’s attention, and he sat upright as he rubbed his eyes and tried to wake up fully.

  “Irala? What does he think those fuckers are doing?”

  The President looked uncomfortable with his bad language, but he made no apology for it, and Isaacs went on.

  “The Councillor believes they are assembling a device, a navigational aid that in theory could allow more of their kind to jump safely into the vicinity. Even without faster than light travel when they get here, that could present a real present danger. Who knows what else they could bring through? If the Councillor is correct, then we could face a threat from the enemy far sooner than we had planned for. The results of which could be… catastrophic.”

  “Okay, so send the Navy in and take those fuckers down,” he replied sternly.

  But the President looked decidedly uncomfortable.

  "What is it?"

  "The Navy assaulted the enemy target just two days ago and suffered a crushing defeat."

  "What? Why am I only just hearing about this now?"

  "Some information is starting to seep through. We've tried to keep it quiet, but it will be out soon enough."

  "Then why did you bother trying to hide it?"

  "Colonel, Earth seemed to be crumbling under the strain of all that we have had to go through. This was the last thing they needed to hear. It could have brought widespread rioting and a lot of people over to the PAAC cause."

  Taylor grunted as his head slumped and he rubbed his head. It was still throbbing, but this new danger was quickly waking him up. The fact that Irala had weighed in on it made him more concerned than anything.

  "What do we do?" asked the President.

  Taylor got up and paced around the room, trying to come up with some answers. His instincts told him to go forth and destroy them, but he didn't have the resources for it.

  "My advisors fear that if we ask the Navy to go back in, they will refuse."

  "You mean mutiny?"

  "Call it what you will, Colonel, but they are on edge. If you push them, they might just do that. That is a very dangerous situation to be in, and a very real possibility."

  Taylor looked past the President to where multiple news screens were projected without sound so that they could keep track of anything serious as it unfolded. Every screen was filled with terrified and morbid looking faces. He stopped and stared at them for a moment. Other scenes showed bodies being recovered from the sites of terrorist attacks across the world.

  "Look at them."

  Taylor pointed to the screens, and Isaacs turned around to see for himself.

  "They are divided. Weak. There is animosity and hatred. A recipe for absolute disaster."

  "This PAAC situation has caused no end of troubles. I think only time can heal those wounds.

  "No, time is the one thing we don't have. We have to have unity. We need a sign of strength, not just in the face of the enemy, but for them. Look at them! Their faith and confidence have been shattered. We are standing on a knife edge."

  "Okay, but how do we solve that? I am at a loss."

  "They have to have a victory, and to see that together we are strong and capable of dealing with anything that is thrown at us. We must take this enemy head on and defeat it, and be seen to be defeating it. And all those people out there who are working in the factories, the shipyards, and the mines, they all need to see that they have contributed. They have to be as one again. Something to celebrate, something to get rid of the bitterness and division that we have seen recently."

  "But how? There isn't the stomach for it, let alone the strength."

  "Don't doubt what you have. Above all else you must be strong. Because they need you to be, and through that strength they will gain the confidence they’re desperately crying out for."

  "All very admirable words, but that still doesn't resolve anything that we have discussed."

  "The Amitads, where are they? And how long does Irala think it will take for them to finish building whatever it is that they are doing?"

  "Alpha Centauri, and he was rather vague."

  "Yeah, he can be like that. What did he actually say?"

  "That if their calculations are correct, the Amitad construction could be ready in seven to twenty-one days."

  Taylor knew not to bother asking how they came to those conclusions.

  "Then the one thing I can say for certain is that we cannot wait that long. Where is Irala? He should be here."

  "I am not aware of the Councillor’s location at this time."

  "Well get hold of him. Serious shit is going down, and it is imperative that we know everything he does. Next thing, get us on air to the people, and I mean STAT."

  "To what end?"

  "To show the world and the Alliance that we are exactly that. Allied, strong, and of a single mind. PAAC has undermined us for too long. It's time we turned things around. Some people believe I butchered civilians in a callous decision in Reno. Others think your leadership is flaccid. We have to go out there together and show the kind of unity we are asking for. It's time for a new age to begin."

  "Okay, we can do that, but when?"

  "No time like the now. Is Sienna Mitchells still presenting for ANN?"

  "Yes, despite her horrifying experience, she has already continued her work."

  "Then get her. She is a face the people like. She will open a public address that we will make together from your press briefing room."

  "I will have it set up within the next three hours."

  Taylor was running scenarios through his head. He knew he was coming across confidently, but he still wasn't sure himself of how to mo
ve forward. All he did know was that they had to go forward together. He didn't want to go on TV any more than before, but things were getting dire and something had to be done about it.

  "Have your ship sent for me. We’ll do this in person."

  He stood up and left the room. He needed some fresh air to think this through, but the next two hours passed like a daydream. The craft put down, and once more he stepped out into the bunker complex where the President operated from. Alita was the only one of his team to have come with him.

  * * *

  "Hello, I am Sienna Mitchells, live from the Presidential Press Centre. I'd like to welcome President Isaacs who would like to say a few words to the citizens of the Alliance."

  It was all very abrupt, and she looked awkward, as if not knowing what she should do. But Isaacs soon stepped in to take over from her. It was clear she had never done anything like this before, but Taylor was aware how vital it was that the public had a friendly face to reach out to. The President took a deep breath. He looked confident and stately.

  "The fate of the civilised nations of the Alliance is in danger, a danger like we have never known before. Some men and women have made a stand and resisted this danger at all costs; sometimes at heavy costs, even in the face of betrayal and corruption. But I am not here today before you to make a speech. I am here to introduce a great friend of mine, a man who we all owe a great deal to, and whose reputation is as controversial as his history. That man is Colonel Mitch Taylor. But before the Colonel addresses you, the citizens of the Alliance, I want to remind you that we are where we are today because of him. Earth nearly descended into chaos because of the PAAC, and enemy infiltrators that backed it. Taylor is the man who set us free and will see us back on the right path, so get on up here!"

  No pressure! Taylor thought.

  He approached the podium and shook the President's hand. Isaacs then stepped down and left him up there all alone to address the world. It was dawning on him just how much pressure was now on him. He coughed to clear his throat and tried to remember the speech he had prepared, but his mind had drawn a blank. He started to panic, but tried to hide it. He just opened his mouth and started speaking, hoping for the best.

  "I...I come before you today not as a military leader, but as a man. That's right, a citizen of the Alliance, the same as every one of you out there who is watching today. A storm is coming, and we can't stop it. We have done everything we can to slow it down, and all we can do now is prepare ourselves as best as we can to weather it. But a thorn remains in our side. These attacks have plagued not just this world, but the whole Alliance. They are not over, not quite. One force of the enemy holds out. What exactly their intentions are remain unclear. But the one thing we can guarantee, is that they will attempt to harm the Alliance in any and all ways they can."

  He took a breath and a sip of water and could see the President smiling enthusiastically before he continued.

  "United we stand, divided we fall. I won't force any man or woman to fight. But I will ask that anyone who wants to go on living, that you support all that we are doing. The last remaining enemy have gathered at Alpha Centauri. Our fleets have already engaged them and suffered severe casualties. Those are losses that cannot be replaced. Our people are running scared, and we cannot win while we live in fear. I will not stand by and allow them to sit on our doorstep and continue their reign of terror. I am going back there, to Alpha Centauri. I will not order a single person to come with me, and I will go it alone if I must."

  He wished he could see what sort of response he was getting, but all he could see were a few dozen of the press and the President's staff waiting on his every word.

  "In six hours time I will be setting off from orbit aboard the Guam. I am asking for volunteers to come with me. I can promise you this. Every day that goes by that we let the enemy remain unopposed, only brings us one step closer to defeat. So those willing and capable, come with me, and let us put an end to these bastards!"

  He looked up as if expecting some response, but they were stunned and silenced. He couldn't tell if it were a good or a bad thing. A few excruciating moments went by when finally Isaacs himself began to clap. Others soon joined him and were followed by whistles and cheers as the room turned into a frenzy. It brought a smile to his face.

  Maybe there is hope after all!

  * * *

  Taylor watched the minutes tick down on his watch. He kept going between that and the scanner on Osborne's console. There were still just six vessels in their fleet. He knew it would be a suicidal run as things stood. But he couldn't back down.

  "It was a good speech, but maybe people just don't have the stomach for it anymore," said Jones.

  "Yeah, well, they better find it pretty fucking soon. This war is gonna get a whole lot worse before it gets better. We haven't even seen an invasion force yet, and already they are flagging. If this is how it's gonna be, then maybe we have already lost."

  "I thought you said losing wasn't an option?"

  "I can't force people to want to want to try and survive, Jones."

  "And what other alternative is there?"

  Taylor didn't like to admit it, but he had long conceived an idea for this eventuality.

  "We have left Earth before, and we were able to survive as a species because of that decision."

  "You can't seriously be considering it?"

  "I don't want to, but I can't make people do the right thing. I have told you so many times before."

  He looked down at his watch again. There were just five minutes left until they were to make their jump. Taylor was starting to lose hope when a light flashed and two-dozen Cholan vessels jumped in beside them. At their centre was the Nakbe. They couldn't believe what they were seeing.

  "We're being hailed," said Nichols in amazement.

  "Put them on screen!" Taylor yelled.

  Emperor Tuin appeared, but he was not dressed in the lavish attire of his status, but in a military uniform and armour.

  "Colonel Taylor. We are here to support you in this endeavour, if you will have us."

  Taylor could barely get his words out as a smile stretched across his face.

  "Tuin, you son of a bitch, I didn't think you'd ever come through when the time came."

  "Then you should have a little more faith, Colonel. You set our people on the correct course. You helped us when we needed it most, and now we are here to return that favour. You said to me that we must do this together, or not at all. We are at your disposal."

  Further flashes lit up the space around them as eight Krys vessels jumped in beside them, and almost twenty Human vessels on the far side.

  "The Navarin," said Jones with pride as he spotted it instantly.

  Osborne opened channels from two other incoming calls to find Sarik on one line and Lushkov on the other.

  "Gentlemen, I cannot begin to explain what it means to me personally that you are with me on this."

  "Jafar told me that if you die, he will hold me personally responsible, so you will not die," said Sarik.

  Taylor laughed, but he could see it wasn't meant as a joke.

  "Fleet's mine to do with as I please. Because of you I just got a promotion. It's good to have friends," said Lushkov with a smile.

  "Sir, I have another incoming call, it's from...the President," said Osborne.

  "Put him through."

  Isaacs was displayed for them all to see, including the other commanders.

  "Colonel Taylor, I am glad to inform you that your request for volunteers for this mission has yielded an overwhelming response. Most of the ships in the new Earth Defence Force fleet have put requests forward to assist you. Clearly we cannot spare them all, but I have allocated fifteen ships to come under your direct command. They are en route to your position now."

  "Thank you, Mr President."

  "Colonel, we couldn't have gotten this far without you, and you continue to inspire the citizens of the Alliance in a manner which none of us c
ould ever have foreseen. Good luck, and happy hunting."

  The signal ended, and all eyes were on Taylor. He felt unstoppable now at the head of the largest fleet he had ever commanded.

  "Prepare to jump to Alpha Centauri!" he barked.

  "You got much of a plan beyond turning up all guns blazing?"

  "Do I need anything more than that, Jones? We have little idea of what we are going to find there. We'll make it work as we go."

  "Winging it as usual?"

  "Pretty much."

  The countdown went quickly as various crew about the deck relayed orders and checked coordinates throughout the fleet.

  "You sure Irala was right?"

  "He's never been wrong before."

  "There's a first time for everything."

  "Preparing to make jump to Alpha Centauri in 10, nine, eight, seven..."

  Taylor took a deep breath. He'd fought long and hard to get to this point, and now he just had to hope he was doing the right thing, because he was well aware of the assets he was risking in the process.

  "Three, two, one, jump!"

  The light flashed before them, and the distortion that never failed to make Taylor's stomach turn hit once again. Finally, the light flashed again, and they were there at the planet. The enemy fleet was in full view ahead of them, still long out of weapons range.

  "Enemy contact, forty-six vessels in orbit and traces of contact on the surface," said Nichols.

  "Just as he said they would be," stated Taylor.

  "What are your orders?" Song asked.

  "Sweep and clear," he replied confidently.

  He looked across the video feeds showing their fleet. It was awe-inspiring, and he felt like he was on top of the world.

  "Drive them from the planet. Leave no survivors."

  "All vessels, advance on enemy fleet and engage."

  "Subtle tactics," whispered Jones.