'Target that site and give a full volley!'
This time the entire platoon all fired HEAT rounds at the same point. Four shells arced through the air and impacted on the damaged section of the dome. The result was a larger damaged section, but no breakthrough.
'All platoons target that site and fire at will!'
Every tank opened fire, round after round. The impact site was lost in a sea of flame and smoke.
The tank assault lasted for barely two minutes, but in that time, each tank had fired an average of twenty rounds at the target site. The three battalions of tanks, which comprised Colonel Mike Jackson’s Brigade, provided forty-eight tanks. The targeted area of the dome had been hit by nearly a thousand rounds of anti-tank shells. There was a slight southerly wind blowing and the Colonel waited impatiently whist the smoke cleared. When it did, he was not disappointed. There was a hole in the side of the dome. It wasn't large by any means, certainly not for a tank or other vehicle, but it was large enough for people. Colonel Jackson could finally launch a military assault into the dome. He turned to his Lieutenant Colonel, who commanded the Brigade's Infantry Battalion.
'Steve, take your men and capture that dome!'
'Prisoners Sir?' Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Campbell asked his commanding officer, not wishing to make the decision himself.
'If you must.' Mike Jackson replied, allowing the Lieutenant Colonel to take any Sunarr as prisoners if they surrendered.
'Sir!' Steve saluted smartly and left to lead his men into combat.
Colonel Jackson turned to his communications officer. 'Contact General Colt and inform him that we have breached the dome and are preparing for an infantry assault.'
The communications officer contacted HQ and relayed the message; he then turned back to the Colonel. 'Sir, I have General Colt for you.'
Colonel Jackson took the headset from the officer. 'Jackson here. Yes sir. The HEAT rounds had absolutely no effect whilst the power was on. That's right sir, none. Without the power we have achieved penetration, but at a cost of a thousand HEAT. Yes sir, you did hear right. One thousand HEAT rounds and we can't even drive a tank through. That's why I have ordered an infantry assault. Yes sir, I'll keep you informed.'
12:08 10 November [18:08 10 November GMT]
Outside La Guitarra Mine, Nr. San Simon de Guerrero, 60 miles SW of Mexico City.
Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Campbell was not the first through the breach in the dome, there were others specially trained for the job, but he was with the first group inside. What greeted him wasn't anything he had expected. There in front of him was a large mound of earth. It rose about forty feet into the air and was at least three or four times that in width. He relayed an order to send three companies around each side, leaving him with one company who were going to scale the mound. The going was tough, the spill-off, or whatever it was, moved easily under foot so for every step up they took, they slid back down most of it. The steep angle didn't help either, forcing them to climb on all fours in order to make any progress.
The view from the top was a vision of hell. There were fires raging everywhere, thick clouds of smoke billowed up from the ground, condensing towards the top of the dome they fell like a shroud over the interior wall. The dark background gave an intensity to the scene before him that made him feel quite sick. Then he started to see the bodies. There were dozens and dozens of them, all over the place, the Sunarr were exterminating the prisoners. He saw a group of Sunarr amongst the buildings and the rage he felt was a living, breathing thing. It spoke for him.
'Open fire!’
The company responded as one man, firing at the Sunarr soldiers below. It clearly took them by surprise as they were concentrating on killing the prisoners. Several went down in the opening volley. The exchange and the unfamiliar sounds of earth weapons brought the attention of the other Sunarr soldiers around the mine who turned to fire at the figures on the mound. Steve ordered his two spotters to relay the positions of the Sunarr. The six companies, now at the edges of the mound, received the information and split into their constituent platoons. As they ran amongst the mine's buildings the first company continued to give covering fire. Now supported by four heavy machine-guns.
It was not exactly a rout, but with their tactical advantages of support and precise knowledge of the opposing forces, plus their far superior number, the battle didn't last long. In the end, Steve didn't have to worry about enemy prisoners, as the Sunarr didn't offer to surrender. He walked around the mine, amongst the dead and injured until he came upon the site of what had previously been another battle. The dead here were arranged around the base of another mound; upon its top were the remains of what appeared to be a Sunarr building, still smouldering. As he climbed towards the top, he stepped over another corpse. This one moaned. He called for a medic and then knelt down besides the man. His legs were shattered, his shirt bloody, but otherwise he appeared uninjured.
'What's your name fella?' Steve asked, trying to gauge whether his analysis of the man's injuries was accurate or not.
'Saeb...' the man replied, coughing a little blood up as he spoke, 'Saeb Tibi. Who are you?'
'I'm Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Campbell Commanding Officer of Third Brigade of the Second US Division of Unity.'
'Unity?' Saeb replied trying to comprehend its meaning, 'Sam Colt's boys?'
'Yes, that's right. General Colt is in charge of the Unity US Army.'
'Allah be praised.' Saeb lapsed back into unconsciousness.
13:15 10 November [18:15 10 November GMT]
FDR Drive, New York, USA.
They had less than two city blocks to go. Shiwanevar realised that they were close, but they were also in hostile territory now and she cursed these humans who seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. She realised that she had picked the right hostage. They were observed but not fired upon as they walked along the expressway. If I had taken the Secretary-General, she thought, then there would have been no one in authority to prevent us from being attacked. The daughter was less than cooperative though. She struggled with the soldiers every step of the way, slowing their escape considerably. That may be her intent, Shiwanevar thought; maybe she is trying to slow us down so the other humans can lay a trap for us.
She could see her ship, sitting there on the East River next to the UN building. If only I could contact them, they could send a scout vessel to pick us up or provide cover. Damn this communications loss! She wasn't used to being out of touch with her troops. It didn't sit well with her, not at all. She had always been in charge. Her thoughts were others commands and now she had to actually speak her commands it was so frustrating, so demeaning.
They passed Fifty-Third Street and were now less than a block from the ship. At Fifty-Second Street, a spotter from her ship saw their approach and dispatched two squads of soldiers to support them. Now she felt safer.
It was all something of a blur for Sameena. Snatched from the dinner party, she was still disorientated from the stun grenade attack. She knew that she was being kidnapped and guessed it was more for protection than ransom. That means once they are safe I am expendable, it was an unhappy thought, and it plagued her consciousness. It is unlikely that they will simply let me go. So, I am either dead or a captive. No way! She kicked and struggled with renewed vigour, but the grip of the two Sunarr soldiers never wavered, not for a second.
They were now on the grounds of the UN plaza, just a couple of hundred metres from the ship. She relaxed and concentrated on her breathing. She walked now with purpose, the struggle over. They neared the rear access to the ship, the ramp spanning out from the ship like a bridge over the river. They walked onto the ramp, the East River cold and brooding below. It's my only hope, Sameena realised. She threw herself to the ground with all her might. It worked, the soldiers lost their grip on her; she rolled over and over to her right, then sprang to her feet and ran.
Sameena found herself running in mid-air. It was a curious sensation, but it di
dn't last long as she plunged into the cold, dark waters below. She lost consciousness as she hit the water.
Shiwanevar looked over the edge. 'Forget her, get me aboard!' she boomed at the soldiers. The ramp withdrew behind her as she disappeared into the ship.
Sam looked around her. She was in a room. There were people there, shouting and cheering. Her father walked up to her and hugged her, which she thought rather odd, him being dead and all. The scene shifted outside and she looked into the air as a huge shadow passed overhead, again people were waving and cheering. There was a pram in front of her, the baby inside was hers, again she knew that she had never been pregnant. OK, I'm dreaming, she realised, let’s see where this goes, she relaxed and let herself go. Now she could feel lips pressing upon hers, but she could not see to whom they belonged. She tried closing her eyes in the dream but that didn't help, now she couldn't see anything at all. A voice called to her, it sounded urgent, but deep and resonate.
'Are you OK Miss?'
Sameena threw out a loud of water. She was suddenly aware of being wet and very, very cold. She was shivering, soaking wet and had no idea why.
'Are you OK?' Again the urgent, deep voice.
Sam opened her eyes, the man before her had no cap on, but his was clearly a policeman. He was bent over her, she reached out placing her hand upon his chest she pushed him gently backwards to give herself some room. The officer didn't resist.
'I'm alive?' Sam asked.
'Yes. You weren't when I pulled you out mind. But I did some CPR and here you are.' He smiled down at her. She could see he was much older than she was, but still attractive in the way an older man can be. It didn't hurt that he had apparently saved her life.
'CPR? You kissed me? Gave me the kiss of life?'
'Well we don't call it that anymore, but yes I did. In my defence you did need it.' He smiled as he placed his right hand over his heart to show that he was being honest.
'I guess I should thank you.' The words troubled her even as she spoke them, she corrected herself. 'I mean thank you, thank you so much.'
They were interrupted by a deep throbbing sound, so loud that it penetrated their bones making them resonate. They both turned and watched in awe as the Sunarr ship lifted off. It swung majestically through ninety degrees and then moved straight up. Neither of them spoke, but Sam just thought to herself, thank God I'm not on there.
28 Longbow
18:20 10 November [18:20 10 November GMT]
No.1 Carlton Gardens, Westminster, London, England.
The building is going to need a shit load of work doing, Jack reflected on the scene of devastation confronting him. It was amazing really. There were casualties, a few dead, others injured, mainly from the blast to the building. Nevertheless, overall they had been incredibly lucky. The ambassadors had been busy. Once the fighting had stopped and after being reassured that they were safe, they had calmed down enough to go about the business of getting in contact with their governments. First with their Embassies or Consulates, then speaking directly with their countries. The news was spreading fast. Two things were becoming very clear. The first was the palpable relief of the senior politicians and military officers at being freed from their virtual incarceration. The second was the pivotal role being played by Unity.
Unity, in cooperation with the Russians, had helped to free countless countries. Ordinarily the arrival of a foreign armed force in their countries would have led to a serious diplomatic situation, if not an outright declaration of war. This is where Group 79 had played its own crucial role behind the scenes. Every country involved had at least one or two senior figures directed by Group 79. Some were full members, others had been recruited as agents in the past year. They were on hand when the forces arrived to smooth both the local politicians and the military. The situation had been fraught, but as they were freed, they came to see the bigger picture. Now with their ambassadors reporting in from around the world their anger and frustration was turning away from the friendly invasions by Unity and the Russians, to the object of the military conflict, the Sunarr.
The leaders of each country were briefed on the situation. Each in turn contacting their own military. The senior military officers, almost to a person, were ahead of their political masters. Alerts had gone out to divisional commanders; throw all you can against the Sunarr forces. Then, in most instances, they received their official orders calling for mass mobilisation. There were pitched battles in the streets as the Sunarr forces found themselves overwhelmed. The gold mines were a particular focus. As the Sunarr realised that their time on Earth had come to an end, they took what they could and boarded their scout ships. Most had a surprise waiting for them when they exited the domes. Thousands of frightened and angry troops who had been ordered to stop the Sunarr by all and any necessary means. The officers in command held nothing back. The scout ships, designed for use within an atmosphere were well armed, but unlike the domes, they didn't have the special shielding. They fought well, and took extreme punishment. About half fell to the strength and blind fury of the combined local and Unity forces. The rest made it away from the area to rendezvous with the Sunarr survey ship.
21:30 10 November [18:30 10 November GMT]
Kremlin, Moscow, Russia.
Nickolai Andreovich Petrov paused for a moment outside the command centre. He was not bringing his boss wholly good news and this worried him. He knocked rapidly on the door and entered. His boss, General Gregori Stephonovich Ivanskiy had his head down, absorbing information as it came in, displayed on the map table. The situation was good and getting better. He now had control over fully ninety per cent of Russia, including all the main military bases, the major cities and the nuclear arsenal. He looked up at his aide.
'What is it Nickolai Andreovich?'
Petrov took a deep breath, straightened his back, and looked his boss square in the eyes. He knew that Gregori Stephonovich appreciated directness.
'It’s Bondarenko, he has left town. It is reported that he is making for the Sunarr mining camp at Blagodatnoye.'
'I see. What do you propose I should do about it?'
'He should not be allowed to leave the Motherland General.' Nickolai Andreovich kept a firm eye on the General's reaction; he could see that it was positive.
'Very good, Nickolai Andreovich.' General Ivanskiy replied turning to his communications officer, 'Dispatch the 2nd Army Group's rapid reaction force.'
21:30 10 November [18:30 10 November GMT]
50 Km from Blagodatnoye near Svetlograd, Stavropol Krai, SW Russia.
General Bondarenko was well strapped into the Russian Mi-24 Hind troop carrying assault helicopter. He had been on this planet for long enough and had no wish to become a permanent resident. He cursed Ivanskiy and the fact that the Sunarr had rejected his suggestion to have Ivanskiy killed. If Ivanskiy were dead, I wouldn't have to be running like a common criminal. He consoled himself that it wouldn't matter in the end; this was only a temporary setback. A minor one at that, in the grand scheme of things. He was leaving today but he promised himself that he would be back. When he did he would see that dog Ivanskiy crushed, but not before he turned Ivanskiy's beloved Russia into a wasteland.
He looked around at his men, wondering idly about their fates. They will probably be shot for helping the enemy. Good, that will be six less to deal with later. He had never cared for his men, or anyone really. They were just a means to an end. True, there had been some that he had grown close to, but none for over a century now. Now they could burn, would burn for the greater glory.
His aide saw him smile, but the look was not pleasant. The general's face was contorted; it reminded him of when he was at school. There had been a boy who had the same look on his face as he had knelt on his chest after beating him to the ground, and fed him grass to eat. He shuddered at the memory and tried not to think about the thoughts going through his boss’s mind that generated such a look.
The helicopter was descending now, and they cou
ld see the battle raging at the mine below. The distinct shapes of the Russian tanks firing on the dome over the Blagodatnoye mine. As they came lower, a shape appeared out of the side of the dome, it moved quickly, dodging the artillery fire and soared into the air. Bondarenko shouted at the pilot.
'Follow that craft!'
The pilot hesitated, unsure as to what to do. He knew instinctively that the craft was Sunarr, he had served in the Russian forces for nearly thirty years and had never seen anything remotely close to it, and besides his comrades were raining fire down on it, which was a dead giveaway. The helicopter continued to hover and the General exploded.
'Follow that craft now or I'll have you shot for insubordination!'
The helicopter pitched forward as the pilot obeyed. It gained speed and closed on the craft. Bondarenko slipped his communications device out of his pocket and put it to his ear. He spoke into it in a language his aide did not recognise.
'Shoota hee nar fey, dorall te ney ve laripsocol!'
Almost instantly, the Sunarr craft descended towards the ground. The pilot needed no further order; he took the helicopter lower following the Sunarr craft in its descent. He landed within a couple of hundred feet from the Sunarr craft, but kept the rotor ticking over, his hand on the control.
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