by Saxon Andrew
“Hey Hotshot, that was some pretty good shooting.”
Josh smiled, “Thanks, Prissy. How are you doing?”
“I’ve taken out four targets but I was hit on all four attacks.”
“I think I’ve just discovered that it’s safer to stay low when escaping.”
“I saw that. Were you hit on the last run?”
“No, I think the computers have difficulty separating my plane from the other targets. The Gracken Heavy beams are about twenty feet tall and, if you stay lower than that, It’s almost impossible to distinguish me from the blasters.”
“Thanks, Josh. I’m going back down and take another shot.”
“See you at supper?”
“Count on it.”
Josh watched Prissy’s Warthog turn over and instantly disappear as it went to full speed toward the planet’s surface fifteen miles below. She was good. Actually, she might even be better than him. She was just so beautiful he found it hard to concentrate around her. He knew that every other male pilot in the squadron was really jealous of him. He couldn’t blame them.
He read the scanners and saw another thirty targets had been activated and moved into the exercise area. He picked out two that were rolling side-by-side and rolled the Hog over. He’d take them from behind. Josh didn’t know that the modifications done on the A-10s had changed the character of the warplane. It was now faster than the old Raptors and more maneuverable. The modifications done on the Raptors and 35’s made them incredible. They really were spaceships now and their weapons were deadly. The giant air intakes had been smoothed over and their speed in the atmosphere went up forty percent. The addition of modern Assembly thrusters made them Mach ten. Those aircraft were not flown by the youngsters; they were flown by experienced pilots that had to pass mental tests that revealed who could do three things at once.
Salter and the Assembly scientists were able to convert the air-to-air missiles to space capability by adding thrusters on the missile’s outer casing. The warhead was emptied of its ordinance and replaced by the Sliver explosive. The missiles were not as fast as a starship traveling at full speed but it was extremely dangerous at slower speeds.
The Raptors and 35’s lost the use of their weapon bays, which is what really made them formidable in air-to-ground combat. However, the Assembly scientists and Sparta’s manufacturers decided that if they were going to be used to attack starships, they would have to have a jump drive. The weapon’s bay was large enough to house one and the rotary missile launcher was lost. However, the hard points on the wings could carry ten missiles. The closing of the air intakes also allowed a larger pod for the 22 mm Gatling Guns. The belts could now carry fifteen hundred rounds in each pod and made the Raptor truly a formidable platform. Once the Raptors were converted, the Q ships were all converted to 120 mm cannons. The technology was old but would be devastating to anything without a force field not designed to stop physical objects.
Mike watched the progress and knew that something had to be done to determine where his forces were when matched up to the Gracken. He called in his Senior Military Advisors and former Military Leaders from Earth’s armies.
Mike looked around the table and said, “I think we need to send a force to raid a Gracken held city to see how we match up to them.”
Alex looked at Mike and glanced at Adams and saw his apprehension. He turned back to Mike and said, “Our support forces aren’t ready for that yet.”
“I know, but we don’t have any idea if what we’ve developed will work against real Gracken. I’m thinking about landing a Regiment with their tanks on a city and attempt to remove the Gracken.”
“You know that landing will be challenged by the forces on the planet.”
“They’ll go in with their carriers and after the raid they will lift and go back to their transports before the Gracken can respond.”
General Williamson shook his head, “There are a lot of unknowns in this, Mike.”
Mike blew out breath and nodded, “I know. But the Assembly tells me that the city’s force field is still operational. They blew up the entrance and turned them off without damaging them. We’ll drop in and take the force field generators. Once it’s turned on, we’ll have enough time to remove the Gracken.”
Armstrong stared at Mike for a moment and said, “Why are you dropping the tanks in with them?”
“The tanks will form up outside the city and take out any Gracken that try to escape. The city is on the ocean and there’s only one way out. We also need to see if the tanks can work together under combat conditions. This is a learning exercise for us.” Mike saw the group’s reluctance and shook his head, “What happens when we go to liberate those four planets?”
Adams said, “I’m not sure what you mean?”
Mike looked at Adams, “We’re going to have to go into those cities and remove the Gracken forces without killing the citizens. All of the attacks we’ve been facing in training have taken place outside of the cities. We have to find out if we’re able to remove them.”
General Armstrong leaned back in his chair, “And how are our carriers going to land safely with heavy blasters firing at them?”
“There are very few heavy blasters in the city. Even the Gracken know they’re overkill for a highly congested urban environment; they’re too big to move around. They do have small blasters but our carriers can withstand them long enough for our troops to remove them.”
Adams shook his head, “What about the Gracken Ships in orbit.”
Mike shrugged, “This entire exercise is based on removing them before we drop our warriors.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed, “Are you certain we’ll be able to do that?”
“We’re more comfortable with that than how our troops will do on the surface. If we don’t kill them, they will be forced to keep moving and won’t be able to bombard the surface. I suspect if we achieve the element of surprise, we’ll remove the ships in orbit.”
The questions continued for two more hours but at the end Alex said, “We can go on coming up with reasons not to do this until we have everything in place. What happens if what we’re building needs to be changed? I think I agree with Mike that we have a real need to see where we are. I think the risk is worth it.”
Adams looked at Alex and said, “Would you lead your troops into this?”
Alex smiled, “Yes, I would. What’s the matter, Seals don’t have the nerve?” Adams stared at Alex and he said, “I know how you want every detail accounted for and planned out in minute detail. We didn’t have that luxury and went in firing hoping for the best.”
Adams sighed, “You’re right. I just don’t like not knowing what they are going to face when they drop.”
Mike said, “How will we know what we’ll face until we do it? We’re operating in the dark. We have no real idea of what we’ll face or what armaments the Gracken have to use against us. I don’t want to find out in a major drop.”
Adams looked at General Williamson and said, “What do you think?”
“We sent our forces in and lost a lot of them in the past. You won’t know what you’re up against without taking a look.” He turned to Mike, “How long will it be before the support forces are ready?”
“At least six months.”
Williamson nodded and shrugged, “I say we go. They have their carriers and can make an escape if necessary.”
Mike looked around the table, “Let’s take a vote and see where we are. How many of you say to do this?” Twenty hands went up. Mike looked at Tilly and Jeanette, “You’re against this?”
Tilly frowned and shook her head, “I know it has to be done but I just can’t bring myself to vote to do it.”
Jeanette nodded, “I just don’t feel right about this.”
Adams nodded, “None of us do.”
Mike said, “The majority support doing this.” Mike looked at Adams and Alex, “Who should we send in?”
Alex looked at Adams as he said, “Col
onel Halley Briggs regiment is the furthest in their training.”
Adams shrugged, “None of my units have matched her scores.”
Mike nodded and said, “Alex, Notify General Daniels that we’ll be dropping her regiment on Fippen in two weeks.” Alex nodded and Mike closed the meeting.
Two hours later, Alex contacted Mike, “Sir, General Daniels says he is going in with her regiment.”
“I hope you told him we’d not allow him to do it.”
“Unfortunately, I did not.”
“Why not!?!”
“I told him that the drop would be pulled out at the first sign of trouble. He says that he has to see firsthand what his forces were going to have to face to be effective. If he’s not allowed to go he insists that a senior officer must go in to witness the drop. I couldn’t tell him it was too dangerous. At least not in good faith.” Mike stared at Alex and his anger was clear. “Mike, I think he loves Halley. Would you send Tilly in and not go yourself?”
Mike’s anger evaporated. “Who replaces him if things go wrong?”
“His XO, Brandon Hail.”
Mike nodded and shook his head, “I’m like Tilly; I don’t feel good about this. Derek is too valuable to lose.”
Alex tilted his head, “Even so, we have to do this now. We can’t wait.” Mike looked at him and Alex said, “You made a good argument. I think you’re right. We need to know what we’ll be facing when we go in force to remove them.” Mike nodded and ended the connection.
• • •
“Janet.”
“Yes.”
“I keep second guessing myself about mixing all the different nationalities here on Sparta. I worry about the bad blood between the Americans and Russians not to mention the Israelis and Middle Eastern populations. Everyone is armed now, did I make a mistake?”
Janet shrugged, “I guess time will tell but the initial results look promising.”
“How is that?”
Janet looked at Tilly and smiled, “The main problem between the ones sent here were nationalistic feelings for their home country. Americans and Russians looked at each other as enemies. The same can be said for numerous other communities.”
“Doesn’t that still exist?”
Janet shrugged, “It’s hard to maintain positive feelings for a country that forced you to leave at the end of a weapon and also forced your children to leave as well. The Americans and Russians both have choice things to say about their former countries. It is that commonality that brings them together. Everyone here, except those that chose to come, sees themselves as rejected by Earth. They are embracing this new world.”
“How are they getting along with each other?”
“No one has died yet. There have been some fights but nothing got out of hand. I think we need to choose a language to teach our children.”
Tilly smiled, “It appears the majority of the population is starting to learn Russian.”
“They are quite impressive. Perhaps we should issue a directive that all of our directives will be done in Russian.”
Tilly smiled, “I suspect most think English will be chosen as the official language.” Janet nodded. Tilly stood up and walked over and looked out of the window at the city that was growing around the Government Center. “English is not a good choice. There are just too many problems.”
Janet lowered her head, “Such as?”
“There, their; it’s, its; i before e except after c; do I need to go on?”
“Not really.”
Tilly thought a moment and said, “Send the directive and see what kind of push back we get.”
Janet smiled and turned to her board, “I’ll get Eric to write it and send it out. He’s much better than I am on that sort of thing.”
Tilly nodded, “Goose, Geese; Moose, Moose.”
Janet laughed, “Mouse, mice; house; hice?”
Tilly countered, “The bandage was wound around the wound.”
“Oh yeah; he was too close to the door to close it.”
Tilly thought a moment and said, “The farm was used to produce produce.”
Thirty minutes later Eric walked in the control room and found them roaring out their laughter. “The Assembly is sending computers to download Russian into our inhabitant’s minds. The learning process should be easy to accomplish.”
Tilly stifled her laughter and said, “Well, at last something that’s not impossible.”
• • •
Derek watched Halley’s ten companies move into the training city and start taking out targets scattered among the buildings. He stood with his hands on his hips and shook his head, “I don’t like this, Halley.”
Halley looked at him, “I think they’re doing great. Did you see how fast they got out of the open and moved out into the buildings?”
“I’m not talking about them; I don’t like this mission.”
“You really shouldn’t be going, Derek.”
Derek looked at Halley and shook his head, “This will be our first combat mission. If I go on any, this is the one I should be on. You know that.” Halley looked back at her troops and nodded.
“What is it you don’t like? If things go bad, we’ll board our carriers and get out.”
Derek’s mouth tilted down on one side and he shook his head, “I just don’t think it will be that easy.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I don’t have anything to support that feeling…but you never know what will happen in a barroom fight or a military land battle. You just don’t know what, or who, might pile on.”
Halley smiled, “Wouldn’t you feel this way no matter what?”
The corner of Derek’s mouth went up and after a moment he blew out a breath, “I suppose you’re right. Let’s do this again. We have another ten days and I want the troops accustomed to using the heat sensors in their combat helmets.”
Halley nodded and pressed her communicator.
• • •
Three days later the drop was delayed another seven days. Halley called Derek to see what was going on. “Derek, why the delay?”
“It appears one of the Alliance scientists developed a program that links the combat helmets to the personal force fields. It allows the field to be modulated and shaped.”
“It does what?”
Derek sighed, “The field can be modulated into a foil. The troops can be dropped from the transport in orbit.”
“SAY WHAT?!?”
“I’ve watched the initial trial and it really works. The field spreads out and once the warrior reaches denser air, it slows the descent. As he falls further into the atmosphere, the field can be shaped into an airfoil and the trooper can glide into a target area.”
“Is it possible to learn this process in the time remaining?”
“We’re about to see.”
“What do you mean, we?”
“You and I are going to make a drop in three hours. You should report to Planetary Headquarters immediately to be briefed on how to do it.”
“I’m not going to do this.”
“Halley, we have to do it. Our men’s safety depends on the reliability of this new system and I won’t trust anyone else to make that determination. I also tend to think that this is a safer way to get our forces to the ground.”
Halley thought a moment and begrudgingly nodded, “If a carrier is shot down, hundreds of warriors could be killed.”
“Exactly; if the troops are scattered in the atmosphere and all come in from different directions, they’ll be hard to see or hit at night. The initial drop units can clear out a place for the tank’s carriers to land. I think this might be a good idea…if it works.”
“I’ll meet you in thirty minutes.”
• • •
Mike, Alex, and Adams stood on the ground and watched the carrier lift and move high into the sky. “Is this a good idea, Mike?”
“Alex, they refused to allow anyone else to trial this before they approved the technology. I
think they were hoping we would call it off and not risk losing them.”
Adams mumbled, “You should have.”
Mike scowled and said, “There are six Heavy Gracken Blasters in that city that can warm up and open fire on the carriers dropping out of orbit. We have to take them out before we can drop the heavy artillery.”
Adams shrugged and Alex said, “I’ve seen the trials and the system is really simple. You designate a spot on your combat helmet’s GPS and jump. The new chip will control the fall and take you to that exact spot.”
Adams looked at the ten foot wide red X painted on the ground in front of them and said, “And this is their landing coordinates?” Alex nodded. Adams began moving away from the huge X and after a moment, Alex and Mike moved with him. Adams smiled, “You’re not that sure are you?” Mike shrugged. They walked over to the console fifty feet from the X and saw the carrier on the display, “How high are they?”
The technician adjusted a dial and said, “They’re going to jump three miles up on this one.”
Adams quickly looked at the tech, “And the next one?”
“They’ll be jumping from a Q ship in orbit.”
Adams shook his head, “This should be interesting.” Mike scowled at him and looked back at the display just in time to see two armored bodies jump off the carrier.
• • •
Derek began falling at high speed and after ten seconds he felt something jerk him as he started gliding toward the landing coordinates. However, the glide was at an incredible speed. He wanted to yell to Halley to punch the failsafe on her system but he couldn’t catch his breath. He was flying in at the target at more than a hundred miles an hour and it was getting bigger by the moment. Suddenly, he saw it rushing toward him and he was slowed by something that brought him to a stop and deposit him in the middle of the X. He felt his feet touch and he sprinted ahead. Halley landed right behind him and she ran up beside him laughing, “That was fun. Let’s do it again.” Derek looked at her with shock on his face and, after a moment, smiled.