Those carrying carbines continued to fire, but one of the specially trained marines stepped out from cover and took aim with an L48 rifle. This weapon had at one time been the standard issue firearm amongst the marines but now was only used in a supporting role. At 12.7mm, it was a large calibre weapon, and made use of intelligent projectiles that could explode at pre-set distances or using proximity sensors. The marine pointed the weapon at the barricade. A number marking the range as forty-six metres appeared on the display. Without thinking, the marine tapped the plus one mode, setting the range to forty-seven metres. The gun fired once and spat a high explosive smart round far off into the distance. Before it hit, the marine was back in cover and waiting.
Nate watched all of this with fascination. The L48 was still used as a primary weapon on many of the Vanguard armour systems, but was quite a rarity amongst the regular marines. He'd heard stories of them being used in the past, but this was his first look at the special features of such a simple, but effective weapon platform. He almost forgot he was involved in the mission and turned into little more than an observer inside his own spacecraft.
"Impressive."
Billy shook his head as the shell accelerated at subsonic speed down the corridor. The marine had actually aimed above the barricade and slightly behind it so that it was a metre behind the selected distance. The device activated at the exact moment it hit the pre-set distance and then exploded. By selecting an HE round, the firer had access to the largest blast, and it did its job beautifully. The flash filled the end of the corridor, and the concussive energy threw the enemy in all directions. So powerful was the blast, one even flew over the barricade and landed on his back in front of it.
"Advance!" Lieutenant Heiskell yelled.
Billy looked at Nate.
"Now that was pretty badass."
Just thinking of the marines moving through the station reminded him of those still on board. He indicated behind them and to the large cargo area inside the Mauler.
"Might be an idea to check on them."
Billy nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I'm on it."
His friend released his harnesses and twisted about to activate the series of armoured hatches. It took a moment until he could see the spacious interior of the Mauler. Inside was General Honorius, as well as the small unit of marines that had stayed behind.
"General, everything okay?"
The ancient Byotai looked up to Billy and spoke in his own tongue. For a second they looked at each other, and then the external translators kicked in.
"We are waiting."
Billy might have laughed, but he could not bring himself to do that, not in front of the famed warrior from the Empire. He gave them one last look and then returned to the cockpit and pulled on his harness. Even though they stayed on the pad, the engines rumbled gently, waiting for the moment they might be needed. Captain Cornwallis had suggested letting them cool, but Nate was not happy about leaving them off-line. Every minute they waited on the platform, the more nervous he became.
"We should be back on board Relentless by now."
Nate nodded in agreement, but his eyes were drawn to an incoming broadcast from Relentless. He listened carefully as the familiar voice of Commander Higgins sounded through the cockpit.
"Mongoose. I need an update fast. What is your status?"
Nate licked his dry lips before answering.
"Mongoose is active and waiting. Reports from the boarding parties show most of the lower decks have been secured. Lieutenant Heiskell is minutes from reaching the Cortex."
"Very well. Stay where you are. We have company."
Nate looked to Billy.
"Company, from where?"
The audio crackled.
"Check your external mapping. We have two Byotai, militia flagged, and heading our way. They just came through the Spacebridge and have their gun ports open."
"How long do we have?"
Again there was a short pause.
"They will be in range in forty-five minutes. Corsair Squadron is moving to delay them with Dragon long-range missiles. Thunder will stay with you at the station."
Billy pointed to the ceiling of the craft.
"Maybe it's time for the rest of the Knighthawks to launch now."
He hadn't meant for the Commander to hear, but the channel was still open.
"Not happening, Ensign. I want you back here in thirty minutes, not a second more."
Nate shook his head.
"But, Sir. It will take more than that for Lieutenant Heiskell and the marines to get back here. They are spread through the station, and according to reports from the other squads, they've located nearly twenty Byotai soldiers. Some are seriously wounded."
"Understood. You need to be ready to leave. I'll contact Lieutenant Heiskell. He needs to get moving, standby."
"Yes, Sir."
Nate let out a long, slow breath just as Billy lurched forward in surprise.
"Watch out!" Billy shouted.
A massive section of metal came down metres ahead and crashed onto the platform. It shattered upon impact, but not before cutting a trench nearly a metre wide through the deck plating. Nate instantly tapped the comms while powering up the engines.
"Get aboard fast. We've got trouble!"
The first of the marines turned back and caught his foot on the ramp. He stumbled and then crashed down, face first. The second bent down, yanked his comrade to his feet, and both threw themselves in the side door. As soon as they were inside, General Honorius smashed his left fist into the security button and sealed the door. The ramp lifted, and the door slammed shut in a matter of three seconds, conveniently coinciding with when Nate pulled back on the controls.
"Hold on!"
Without time to grab onto the harnesses or to activate the magclamps, they were forced to use whatever grab handles were nearby until the panic was over. The four engines pulsed with power as they increased their thrust. These engines were designed to pushed the spacecraft up into space with a full complement of marines on board, so with such a light cargo, it was able to lift quickly. No sooner had the engines fired up, and they were surrounded by another thick cloud of smoke and dust.
"There's another chunk coming down," said Billy.
They looked ahead as multiple sections broke away from the inner structure. Nate swivelled one of the engines and moved away from the platform, but only enough to avoid the next impact.
"Relentless, what's going on out there?"
The next message stunned them.
"Mongoose, we've got an unidentified battleship class vessel, and it's coming right for us. They have launched multiple volleys of heavy torpedoes," replied Commander Higgins, "It looks like some kind of supercarrier."
His voice was cut off and replaced by Captain Cornwallis.
"Son, it's about to hit the fan. This ship is unlike anything we've seen before. They are targeting our escorts, and based on the specifications I'm looking at, it could cause us a lot of trouble. We'll do what we can, but time is short. You've got fifteen minutes to get aboard. After that, we're out of here! Captain Galanos says any longer and these enemy ships will be at the station."
His voice increased in volume, and Nate was certain he could sense fear in the officer's voice.
"Do whatever you have to, Ensign Lewis. Just get the Prince and our people out of there fast! Too long and we'll be nothing but molten slag!"
"Yes, Sir."
Nate looked to Billy and shook his head.
"If you've got any ideas, now would be the time."
"Alert! Alert!"
The tactical screen flashed red as multiple targets breached the defensive cordon around the station. Scores of hypersonic torpedoes rushed towards ANS New Berlin, doing their best to evade the clouds of chaff, gunfire, and counter missile fire. Many were downed, but at least three struck the craft amidships. The initial explosions were small, but seconds later were followed up by secondary blasts that tore sec
tions from the hull. Nate's eyes widened as one of them missed the ship and arced around for a second pass. At such speed there was no way for it to turn quickly enough, and it was heading right for them.
"No...we must!"
The weapon impacted on the station's hull with a devastating blast. Dozens of holes appeared in the outer hull, and a large section of the inner walls tore off and collapsed down onto the landing platform. A second later and the massive section of metal would have buried the nose of the landing craft. As the inner section was torn about, the low-levels of shielding failed, and any air remaining was quickly sucked out of this part of the station. The Mauler swung around due to the massive shift in direction and collided with a gantry. The chunk of metal scraped down the side of the craft, but mercifully failed to breach the armour, or worse to damage the engines.
"Come on. We need to get out of here," said Billy.
Nate nodded while spinning the Mauler about on its axis. The outer door twisted and split as more chunks of metal were sucked out until it was a tangle of wreckage.
"Easier said than done," said Nate.
Billy pointed ahead at the battered and damaged outer wall.
"Yeah?" Nate asked.
Billy's mouth lifted in a smile.
"We go through the wall."
"Ah, excellent, do it."
Nate pushed the nose of the Mauler down and began swivelling the engines ready for their escape. Billy rotated all four forward turrets and aimed at the point twenty-five metres from their current position.
"Hold on. This is gonna get heavy."
He depressed the trigger, and streams of gunfire hammered the outer hull from each corner of the Mauler. It would not have been easy to breach it under normal circumstances, but having sustained so much damage, it ripped apart with ease. Billy looked to Nate.
"There's your door. Punch it!"
Nate grinned as he pushed the engines to full. Great gouts of flames surged from the four engines, and the spacecraft moved forward. The shattered and damaged hull splintered apart as the Mauler blasted out into space. The metal may have been heavily fragmented, but even then, only the hardened nose and plating of the Mauler allowed it to make it in one piece. Tiny chunks spun around behind it, and then they were away, a bright comet followed by dust and flame.
"Mongoose to Relentless, we're clear of the debris," said Nate.
Another missile whooshed past them and impacted on one of the massive docking arms. It was unable to cause crippling damage but still sent debris out into space, making the area even harder to navigate.
"Okay, time for the new plan. I need to speak to the marines."
Billy tapped a few buttons and then moved his head back in surprise.
"Message from the General. He has an idea...apparently."
Nate nodded for him to connect to the transport section behind them, and they were quickly connected via the video system.
"Pilot, have you made contact with the Prince?"
Nate shook his head.
"Not yet."
The General remained expressionless.
"Very well. Make contact now. I know a way to get him and the others out, but it will not be easy."
Nate and Billy shared an uneasy look before Nate yanked on the control column. The Mauler rolled to the right, narrowly avoiding the wreckage of a Hawkmoth fighter.
"Phew," he explained, "That was too close."
They spun around the wreckage, and Nate breathed a sigh of relief as a pair of Lightning fighters formed up on their flanks. Both bore the insignia of thunder and lightning, immediately reminding him they were from the renowned Thunder Squadron. The craft to the left was the Kerberos pattern, just like those used by Knighthawk Squadron. The one to the left was a much older model, possibly a first generation, and had the graceful curves and lines now rarely seen on Alliance spacecraft.
"This is Mongoose. I need you guys to stay close."
"Acknowledged," answered Thunder Leader, "We're here as long as you need us."
"Awesome," said Billy.
Billy then tapped on his screen and enlarged the image of the General.
"Okay, we're clear now. What was your plan?"
The ancient Byotai opened his mouth wide, and though Billy wasn't completely sure, he was pretty convinced the General was laughing.
"We smash our way inside. Now tell me, where is Kratha?"
* * *
Lieutenant Heiskell stopped as he listened to the latest reports from Relentless. It didn't take long for him to receive the important points, and with each word his brow tightened further. He had no idea the Star Empire had access to this unheard of class of supercarrier. The very idea of them having such advanced warships made him feel uncomfortable. He had nothing but confidence in Captain Galanos, her crew, and the ship, but he was also well aware that Relentless was a far cry from a heavy ship of the line. While she could stand up to cruisers in battle, she would never be able to hold off a concerted assault from a battleship class vessel, and if they stayed too long, that was exactly what would happen.
"Understood, Relentless. We need to be ready for evac in twelve minutes."
He licked his lips as he looked back to their objective. They should have been there a long time ago, yet they were still working their way through the dark passageway. It was a grim, dreary place. The only respite offered was that of the bright white light off in the distance. And with each step it became stronger and stronger. He could see the other units as they inched through the station, but what really worried him were the tagged red units that had now vanished from their mapping data. He connected to the one person he knew he could trust implicitly to tell him what he needed to know.
"Sergeant Nál, what's happening down there?"
The Sergeant grunted, and Lieutenant Heiskell could tell she was injured.
"We've made contact with the Byotai. There are only eight of them left. Their commander is dead and half are badly wounded. I'm preparing to send them back to the Mauler."
Lieutenant Heiskell shook his head with irritation.
"Scratch that idea, Sergeant. The Mauler has gone."
Lieutenant Heiskell paused as he considered his next actions. Even as they spoke, he had enlarged the tactical mapping data to show the two levels above and below. The information provided by Prince Kratha had proven invaluable and showed each level, as well as the many labyrinthine passages that ran throughout its structure.
"Sergeant Nál, you need to find a way off this place and quickly. Twelve minutes is all we have. Any longer and Relentless will be leaving us behind."
She began to answer but was immediately replaced by screaming, gunfire, and shouting. Lieutenant Heiskell tensed up as he tried to ignore the terrible sounds. On his mapping overlays he could see the tagged formations of psychotic Byotai hurling their bodies at the marines. This far away they were simply red outlines, yet they massively outnumbered the marines and seemed happy to die.
"Mongoose, do you read me? I need an evac, right now!"
The answer came much more quickly than expected.
"We're here, Sir. It's getting a bit hairy out here."
Lieutenant Heiskell immediately recognised the voice of Ensign Lewis. Ordinarily, he might have been concerned, but there was something about the teenager that was unusual. He'd seen him involved in multiple dogfights, but unlike the rest of his squadron, Ensign Lewis showed calm and collected behaviour.
"Son, you've arrived in the nick of time."
"Thank you, Sir. I have a location, but you will all need to climb five levels and wait near the ventilation platform. I'm tagging it on your mapping data now."
Lieutenant Heiskell shook his head as he found the location. As the Ensign had described it, the section was five levels up and on a wide-open crescent shaped platform that ran along one side.
"Okay, I see it. I can't find a way in, though. The outer hull is five compartments away, and there are no airlocks in sight."
"Don't wo
rry about that. Just get your people to the platform and hurry. We've got company out here."
"Understood. Sergeant Nál, did you hear that?"
There was still the sound of shouting, but for all the violence, the toughened Sergeant had little problem in answering.
"Affirmative. We're three levels from that point. It won't be easy, but we'll get there. You've got problems coming your way, too. Are you seeing this?"
He nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I see them. Two squads, upwards of fifty enemy, and they are working their way up to me."
"Yes," said Sergeant Nál, "There were triple that number waiting for us. We shattered their attacks, but a smaller contingent was able to escape and breach the emergency shafts to work their way down through the station."
She snorted, and several bursts of gunfire muted the sound.
"I lost a Vanguard trying to protect access to the shaft, but I cannot stop them reaching you. The emergency shaft travels well below you and opens up nearly eight levels below your current position. They will be with you in minutes."
"I see," said the Lieutenant, "Can you get to the ventilation platform in time?"
"Yes. There are still around seventy of the enemy here, though, and they are well defended with improvised explosives and booby traps. I have a squad trying to work their way to the top of the station. Apparently, there is a sealed evacuation hatch nearby."
"Forget that, Sergeant. Ensign Lewis has a plan, and he's not let us down yet. Redirect your efforts to their defences. Breach them and join us on the ventilation platform."
Sergeant Nál took a deep breath.
"The Byotai, Sir. I've never seen anything like it. They are enraged. It's as though they have been injected with something. Their bloodlust, it brings back memories of the War."
Lieutenant Heiskell visibly shook as he listened to his Sergeant. It wasn't the words that unnerved him. It was her tone. Nothing could shake or even worry a Jötnar when it came to war, yet something was wrong. Sergeant Nál was hesitating, and that terrified him more than anything else.
"Understood," he said, doing his very best to sound calm and in control, "We'll be ready for them, Sergeant."
There was silence on the communications system, and as he waited, he noticed a metal bridge moving out from near where they were waiting. Prince Kratha and his escort of Byotai moved along it and towards the vast communications subsystem. Only when Kratha reached the controls did the size of the system become apparent. The Byotai looked like insects underneath the boulder-sized Cortex.
Operation Hellfire Page 14