Rise of the Phantoms (Special Missions Unit Book 1)

by Gary Beller

  Smiles and high fives went around the room, especially among the younger Marines. Allowing the whole team to take part in the recruitment process, creating a stressful testing program with the unit’s members as teachers and evaluators was unique to Special Missions Units. “Elite warriors know their own” was the motto used to describe the evolution.

  “Now, some shuffling of personnel.” Ben said. “Kate, front and center.”

  Kate stepped forward and snapped to attention. “Gunnery Sergeant McMillan reporting as ordered.”

  “Kate, you have served admirably as acting team leader, and as acting executive officer. Your leadership skills have always been exemplary, and the example you set should be an inspiration to all. In recognition for your contributions to our team, I hereby promote you to the rank of First Sergeant, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities inherent with your new rank and new post. Kate will permanently serve as my senior enlisted advisor, and as such now has the full legal authority to shoot you if you step out of line.” Ben was bluffing about the last part, but a huge smile spread across Kate’s face as she returned to her seat and he knew he had achieved his goal.

  “Kevin, step forward.” Ben said, gesturing for Bielema. Ashlie grabbed a camera from the back wall and started recording, so Kevin’s wife and daughter back home could see. “Staff Sergeant Kevin Bielema. You have displayed during recent operations outstanding leadership and exceptional personal courage. In light of this, it is my honor to promote you to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.” Ben snapped Bielema’s new rank insignia onto his uniform’s shoulder boards, and motioned for Ashlie to get an up close view. Kevin waved to the Camera, then blew a kiss. “I love you guys!” He said into the camera.

  Bielema sat down, and Ashlie stopped recording. As a general rule, only those Marines who had a family got their promotion or award presentations recorded. Things moved much quicker when only one or two of the presentations were slowed down by the camera’s need for close-ups and personal dialogue.

  “Ashlie.” Ben called, gesturing her up. She snapped to attention and reported in. “Hospital Corpsman Ashlie Adams…Where oh where do I begin with you, young lady?”

  “A dozen spankings would work.” Bielema said.

  “She’d like that,” Kate laughed.

  “No spanking, sorry Doc. First thing is that I need to inform you that Brigadier General Daniel Hardfighter has formally endorsed a recommendation made by Gunnery Sergeant Bielema for you to receive the Medal of Honor, for your actions on Tyrannia III. Particularly saving my life.” Everyone in the room stood and clapped. The idea of a living Medal of Honor recipient among them was huge.

  “Also, for your exceptional abilities and uncommon valor, I hereby promote you to the rate of Petty Officer First Class.” Ben removed the two-chevron pin from her left collar and replaced it with the three-chevron pin of her new rank. “Congratulations, Doc.”

  Ashlie sat down feeling on top of the world. Ben continued on with the meeting. “Now that we have the good news out of the way, the bad news. We are temporarily on stand down, pending a return to authorized strength.”

  Kate raised her hand next. “Sir, who will be taking our place while we’re inactive?”

  “2 SMU will fill in for us. They arrived this morning.” Ben replied. “Just because we are on stand down doesn’t mean we don’t train. First Sergeant McMillan is in charge of the training program, and she will throat punch anyone who tries slacking off. Anyone have anything else they’d like to add?”

  Ben looked around, and saw no one had their hand raised. “Okay. Dismissed.”

  Chapter 6

  Training was intense for the Phantoms. Kate put together a regimen that was challenging both physically and mentally. Ben participated where he could, but Dr. McQueen objected when he tried to take part in a three day field exercise.

  As word got around headquarters of the field problems being organized, the Division officers decided to get involved, and contributing units of varying sizes to the exercises. Division staff officers would be officiating, while brigade and battalion level officers used this as a chance to test their replacement Marines, especially at the platoon level.

  The exercise began early in the morning, about two hours before sunrise. The Operators loaded themselves onto a trio of light utility jumpers (often called flying minivans because of their resemblance to that type of vehicle.) The jumpers took them out into the Great Forest and deposited them in a clearing after three hours of seemingly pointless turns.

  Since Ben couldn’t participate, he took to sitting in Starbase Leatherneck’s operations’ center, located atop the 120 meter tall command tower at the center of the base. The field problem Kate and Ben had written had the Operators engaging in a prolonged series of raids. Each objective they hit led them to the next. For some raids, they could call in support from Marine raiding companies, while for others they had to go it alone or even split up the team.

  Ben took on the task of dispatching opposing forces to counter the Phantoms, while Colonel Marye from Brigade Headquarters acted as the controller for the Phantoms. It was a job she normally did during operations involving the whole brigade. Also involved in the operation was two squadrons from the 160th Composite Jumper Wing. The 160th was built to provide transport and fire support for Marine special operations units.

  The first day of the field exercise saw the Phantoms lead a quick raid on an artillery firebase, which was supposed to be giving 1st Marine Division a serious headache. In short order, the Operators made entry into the firebase, overwhelmed the base’s garrison and put the artillery pieces permanently out of commission.

  While looking through the Fire Direction Center, they found evidence of a massive troop buildup preparing to launch a flank attack on the 1st Division’s main battle line. Kate called in jumpers and requested additional personnel for an ambush, while also alerting higher authorities to the planned flank attack.

  The ambush was hastily planned with the intelligence they had gathered. In this scenario, timing was critical to prevent the Division’s flank from being attacked and overrun. Bravo and Charlie Squadrons from 1st Raiders Battalion, and Echo Company from 2nd Recon Battalion joined 1SMU in forming the ambush. Also participating was a pair of Jumper Gunships to provide additional fire support.

  The opposing force for this operation was in actually the 1st Brigade from 1st Marine Division. The fact that 1st Brigade was supposed to be outflanking itself in the scenario drew a hearty laugh from Brigadier General Tom Westover. “I’ve asked a lot of my Marines,” He told Ben later, “But being in two places at once, and attacking ourselves might just be the most memorable.”

  The first day ended with the ambush, which occurred an hour after sunset. Despite being outnumbered more than five to one by the attacking Marine Brigade, the special forces operators successfully drew the 1st Brigade into the kill zone and hit them with overlapping fields of fire, claymore mines, and the gunships.

  Kate ordered the team to set up camp three miles south of the base, and posted Kevin and Gene as the first night watch. She and D. J. would take the second, and Ashlie and Erica the third. The evening progressed uneventfully through the first watch, and halfway through the second.

  D. J. was patrolling near the south end of the camp when he saw flashing lights in the woods. He cued his comm and reported in. “Possible hostile contact, approximately 100 meters beyond the tree line.”

  “I’m coming,” Kate said, running across the small encampment. She brought her rifle up when she got to D. J.’s location and switched to night mode. “Get everyone awake….” Kate said, “We have company.”

  D. J. moved from tent to tent, waking up everyone, not caring if he was rude about it. Kate could have activated the loudspeaker she carried, but she apparently intended their resistance to the oncoming attack to be a surprise.

  The groggy Marines came out of their tents in shorts or skivvies and combat boots, most carrying their rifles and
strapping on their body armor. “Orders?” Gene West asked.

  “Move to the tree line north and west of camp.” She ordered. She counted by twos, taking half the team due north while the other half went with Gene and Kevin to the west. Slowly at first everyone moved quietly to their assigned positions. “Remember, light and noise discipline.” Kate ordered.

  The Phantoms got into position under cover as the attacking force broke through the southern tree line. Playing the Opposing Force this time was Alpha Company, 1st Recon Battalion. The recon Marines expected little resistance, so they came in with the flashlights on the front of their rifles lit up.

  “Stand By….” Kate said into her radio quietly. A double click indicated Kevin and Gene acknowledged. The Recon Marines were moving through the camp, looking for targets. It became obvious to Kate, using her night scope, that the Recon Marines were frustrated at the empty camp.

  “On my mark….” Kate ordered, tightening her grip on her rifle and bringing the crosshairs down on the Captain leading the company. She fired, the bright blue beam from her particle rifle reaching out and hitting the Captain on his chest plate. Lights on his helmet and armor began flashing. From this range, the sound of the alarm couldn’t be heard, but he raised his rifle over his head and walked off. The Recon Marines were surprised, looking around to find the source of the incoming fire.

  “Weapons free!” Kate said. All along the line, the Phantoms let loose. The Recon Marines that weren’t eliminated in the initial volley scrambled for cover, and began returning fire. Initially one platoon was actually firing east and south, thinking they were totally surrounded.

  The simulated firefight didn’t last long. Kate ordered a trickle-off of the fire, making it look like fewer and fewer survivors remained shooting. When the Phantoms had stopped firing all together and hunkered down, the Recon Company’s remaining Marines cautiously began crossing the open field to the tree line.

  Kate found an officer and fired, setting off his hit alarm. The rest of the team unloaded into the Recon Marines. At the far end of the western flank, a steady stream of blue was lighting up Marines at a prodigious rate. That must have been Bielema. Gene West was identifiable by his far less frequent firing, but his shots were far more accurate. “Cease Fire Cease Fire!” yelled a Lieutenant from Recon. “We surrender!”

  Kate now used her loudspeaker. “Place your weapons on the deck at your feet, remove your helmets, and place your hands on your head. Anyone who does not comply with these orders will be treated as hostile.” Some of the marines looked at their Lieutenant, feeling betrayed, but when he did as Kate ordered, the rest followed suit. The Phantoms came out of the woods and took custody of their “Prisoners.”

  Out of the woods came Major General Isabelle Hale. She commanded 2nd Marine Division, and was acting as an official for these field exercises. “Very interesting.” She said. The “Dead” from both teams came out and everyone circled around the General.

  “Alpha Company,” She began, “I expect better of you. Anyone from 1 SMU tell me what gave them away?”

  D. J. snapped to attention and raised his hand. “Yes Staff Sergeant?”

  “Ma’am, Alpha Company displayed poor light discipline, using unfiltered flashlights to guide themselves through the woods. Use of a red filter or Night Observation Devices would have prevented them being identified.”

  “Very good. You were the sentry that identified them?”

  “Yes Ma’am.” D. J. said proudly.

  “Excellent work. Alpha Company gave away its advance, forfeiting the element of surprise. They had the cover of darkness, surprise, and overwhelming numbers. By using unfiltered flashlights, you gave the Phantoms the chance to rally to arms ahead of your arrival, and set their defense.”

  “Aye Ma’am,” their Commander said.

  “As a result, despite having a ten to one numerical advantage, you gave up sixty three killed, seventy wounded, and 17 captured.”

  “Understood Ma’am. We got our asses whooped.”

  “Precisely. 1st Special Missions Unit, Your sentries identified the incoming enemy, alerted the camp, and you managed to come up with a decisive battle plan on short notice. The enemy was ambushed and you inflicted heavy casualties upon him. The battle cost 4 killed and 2 wounded. Had the Phantoms been at full strength, I don’t know that anyone from Alpha Company would have survived long enough to surrender.”

  “Alpha Company,” the voice of an officer standing behind General Hale said. “I hope you took notes.” Colonel Jessica Marye stepped forward, admonishing the Recon Company. “The Phantoms were able to put on that clinic—at three quarters strength, and without an officer among their ranks. This is what elite units do. These Marines are battle hardened veterans with lots of combat experience. Learn from them, and you will do well in battle.”

  “I think that’s enough.” General Hale said, looking at her watch. “Two Thirty…Get some sleep everyone tomorrow is another grind.”

  Chapter 7

  After a short sleep, the Phantoms were up and moving, striking their camp as the sun rose over the Great Forest. The only real event that had occurred after the “raid” was that Ashlie had been required to shoot a G’Naura. G’Nauras were local predators, very similar in most respects to ancient Velociraptors that used to inhabit Earth.

  Kate was on the radio, awaiting orders for movements when a jumper landed in the middle of the clearing. Ben jumped out, along with one of Lieutenant General Hardfighter’s staff officers. Kate walked over and nodded. “Sirs. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

  “I need Doc Adams.” Ben said, waving to her as she examined the dead animal.

  “That’ll leave me without a corpsman, sir.” Kate stated, not happy.

  “Chief Mason is already on his way from Delta Squadron. He’s shortlisted anyways for the open corpsman spot, put him through his paces and report back to me.”

  “Understood, Sir.” Kate said, still unhappy. “Do I have orders?”

  “Same as always. Take no shit, give no quarter.” Ben said as Ashlie ran up. “On the birdie, Doc. Good luck, Kate.”

  Ben, Ashlie, and the Staff Officer boarded the Jumper and they were gone. “What’s this about, Sir?”

  “General Hardfighter wishes to speak to you,” The Staff Officer spoke finally. She recognized him as Colonel Huerta, the Corps’ personnel officer. “And some VIP is with him.”

  Ashlie looked nervous. “Fun…Do I have time for a shower?” She asked.

  “Unfortunately, no.” Colonel Huerta said. The Jumper landed near the headquarters building and disembarked its passengers. Colonel Huerta ushered them in through a side door reserved for high-ranking personnel, bypassing the main entry and its security checkpoints. Down the hall, they caught the elevator to the twelfth level, where the Corps staff offices were located.

  The Colonel led them around the hallway to a meeting room. The Colonel held for a moment for a retina scan and palm impression, before the door clicked open. Inside, Lieutenant General Praxis Hardfighter sat near the head of a long table, with his brother, Brigadier General Daniel Hardfighter, across from him. At the head of the table sat Senator Daiki, chairman of the Coalition Senate’s Armed Serves committee.

  “Colonel Huerta, Thank you.” Praxis said, “You’re dismissed. Colonel Pierce, Petty Officer Adams, please sit.” Huerta nodded, turned on his heel, and left the room, leaving Ashlie and Ben with the Generals and their dignitary.

  “Senator, allow me to introduce…” Praxis began, but was waved off by the Senator. “General, the pleasantries are not necessary. Colonel Pierce and Petty Officer Adams have distinguished themselves enough that such introductions would simply waste our time.” Praxis didn’t look thrilled, but Ben couldn’t figure out if his displeasure was from the Senator brushing him off, or just having to deal with a senior politician snooping around his command.

  “Good afternoon, Sir.” Ben said. Ashlie paused a moment, calming herself before speaking so she didn’t soun
d nervous. “A pleasure to meet you, Senator.” She said.

  “I presume you two both know why we’re here?” The Senator asked.

  “Because I have been nominated for a medal?” Ashlie asked, sitting up as straight as her body armor would allow.

  “Indeed, Petty Officer. It says in the reports from Gunnery Sergeant Bielema and First Sergeant McMillan that you exposed yourself to enemy fire to save Colonel Pierce’s life, twice. You performed a complex medical procedure under fire and without the aid of any sort of protective cover or concealment, and with little to no covering fire. Is that correct?”

  “If that’s what the reports say, Sir…” Ashlie said, trying to remember the battle. She didn’t really remember her surroundings much, just what she was doing. She did remember Ramirez going down, and the scalpel being shot out of her hand. “I was pretty focused on my patient at the time.” She glanced at Ben, the scar on his neck seeming to stand out so much more now.

  “Senator,” Brigadier General Hardfighter spoke up, “Corpsman Adams is perhaps the best corpsman in my Brigade, and she has shown time and again that her first priority is always to her patients, it may be difficult for her to remember specifics of her surroundings aside from the procedures she performed to save the Colonel’s life.”

  “Thank you, General.” The Senator said. “Colonel, after reading the reports your subordinates, you signed your affirmative endorsement on the recommendation for the Medal of Honor. Do you, personally believe that Corpsman Adams deserves the award?”

  “Sir,” Ben said, “Understand that I have very little recollection of the battle after my wounding. But I trust Gunny Bielema and First Sergeant McMillan implicitly. If they felt her actions warranted the Medal of Honor, than I believe the medal is well earned.”

  “Thank you, Colonel.” The Senator said. “Lieutenant General Hardfighter, do you concur with this sentiment?”