by Mark Wandrey
“We are in agreement,” the Akala commander said. “Our combat teams have been quietly moving through this unused Portal for three days and are deployed near the swamps awaiting your assault.”
“My forces require about two hours to transit the Portal. I will notify you when we're ready.”
The meeting completed, Gregg walked quickly back to his battalion commanders. The new tiger-striped jumpsuits with their symbolic red star logo, reminiscent of the Chosen stars, stood out distinctly from the black jumpsuits of the Scout commander and his team which waited nearby.
Now that the Scouts and Rangers were separate, distinct branches of the Chosen, a lot of the tension between the divisions was gone. But that didn't mean the Scouts liked the Rangers. Before Minu formed the combat branch, the Scouts were considered the glory hounds. You wanted action, you joined the Scouts. Now the Rangers held that mantel. In many ways the Scouts were searching for their heart. Gregg intended to use his old branch to their best ability.
“Good afternoon men,” he said as he approached.
They all nodded respectfully, even the three star in charge of the Scouts. Gregg wore a pair of blood red stars on his sleeve, not the symbolic black ones of most Rangers.
“The Akala are eager for us to do their fighting for them, so we better get ready.”
Everyone laughed at that, lessening the tension. His battalion commanders had their tablets out, ready to receive orders.
He turned to the Scout commander. “I'm hoping your people can give me some solid intel on the Leesa outposts.” The Scout commander grinned and nodded. Gregg kept the smile from his lips, glad he'd read the man correctly.
Two hours later he was watching the last support transport lumber through the Portal. The open framework machine was weighed down with the newest weapon the Rangers fielded. They were the chief reason Gregg settled on First Division for this deployment. It wasn't an easy call taking the main rapid response division off Bellatrix. It was the best equipped unit composed of some of the most experienced Rangers.
A kilometer from the Portal building, one thousand Rangers in four battalions were arrayed outside the small industrial building that held the secondary Portal. Thirty standard troop transports and ten shiny Lancer multi-role fighter/transports waited for the call to action.
“Begin deployment,” he ordered the battalion commanders. The three men and one woman nodded and ran towards their combat teams.
Of the four, the newest was Teresa Perez, the Kappa battalion commander or BatCom. He'd only signed off on her promotion a week ago, and largely based on her piloting ability and mastery of air operations. Naturally Kappa was home of the division’s ten Lancers, split into two wings of five.
In the more than a decade since Minu had first conceived of the hybrid fighter/transports, they'd been matured by the Chosen’s science branch into the most formidable small craft in use around the Concordia. They got far more offers to buy the craft then even to hire the Rangers.
Luckily, First Jacob had needed no convincing that the Lancers were an invaluable asset to humanity and should never be exported. The shock rifles were likewise considered sacrosanct, but that was mostly thanks to Minu's vehement insistence.
With a scream of gravitic impellers the Lancer squadron vaulted into the sky just as it began to pour warm rain from the skies. They broke into three elements, five moving to escort Beta and Delta battalions as their much slower transports took to the air. Two moved off to provide close air support to the Scouts who were afield verifying the enemy disposition, and the final three took up combat air patrol, or CAP, above the heads of the main force element.
All but the three on CAP carried a full platoon of Rangers, thus allowing them maximum flexibility in their multiple roles. With a full military complement aboard they would not be able to convert completely to fighters, but it was a compromise. Gregg's own Alpha Battalion and the remainder of the troops from Kappa remained at the temporary base around the Portal, ready to respond depending on how the battle developed.
“Human force commander,” the Akala contacted him over their secure radio link, “we have engaged the first Leesa firebase.”
Gregg acknowledged and checked his virtual battlefield. The map showed all twelve of the Leesa firebases scattered around the strategic points of the industrial complex with the Portal Spire almost dead center.
Minu would have called it a typically conservative Concordian defensive deployment. She'd nicknamed it 'The Spider' for its web-like appearance. She'd also taught them that its weakness was the way it spread out limited resources and led to the over-ease of strategic withdrawal. Conversely, the smaller firebases were open invitations for overruns.
Gregg checked with the Scout teams and got updated reports, adding further texture to the virtual battlefield. He was beginning to think there wouldn't be any surprises in this OP. Of course his hopes were premature.
As planned, the Akala engaged Leesa firebases designated Twelve and Nine. Both were within five kilometers of each other on the same compass heading. The enemy commander was expected to respond by reinforcing from firebases Four and Six, directly behind the two under attack.
Gregg watched data being fed from sensors deployed by the scouts anxiously. He was about to give up on the diversion when movement was detected. The snake-like forms of Leesa could be seen leaving firebases Four, Six, and the Portal Spire itself and slithering quickly towards the fighting. They were moving in a spread out squad size formations. He smiled and shook his head.
“Scout team leader to Ranger Command, do you see what I see?”
“Affirmative,” Gregg replied. “Please show them the error of their ways.”
Gregg could almost imagine the predatory grin on the faces of the five two-man scout teams as they brought their shock rifles into play.
It was far too distant to hear the sizzling crack of the deadly precise plasma weapons, but the sensors showed the alien squad members begin to fall. Their staggered and strung-out formation kept them from realizing right away that their rearmost members were under attack. By the time they noticed, half the reinforcements were already dead.
“Beta Company,” Gregg ordered, “take firebase Eleven.” The five platoons had deployed from the light transports almost a kilometer from their target and quickly moved into place without shields or electronics, all but invisible to modern Concordia technology.
They knew from past working experience that the Leesa depended heavily on technology to do the looking and fighting for them. The first two platoons of Rangers rushed as one, ninety-six men activating their shields as they ran. Before the defenders knew what was happening, they were over the ceramic concrete barricades and among them.
The Leesa resembled T'Chillen, but without their cousins’ size and formidable physical strength. They were more like the Rasa in build, and no real match for the humans. The firebase was overwhelmed in less than a minute, and no word of the attack got out. Gregg nodded and keyed his mike. “Leap frog, take firebase two.”
Two more platoons of Second Company raced past their brothers who were cleaning up firebase Eleven and streaked for the next one. The final reserve platoon and the company command moved up to cover them just past the newly conquered base. This time the Rangers only made it as far as when they activated their shields.
Trios of beamcaster fire lanced out, striking down a half dozen soldiers before the others had time to respond. Something about the configuration of the weapons fire made Gregg's blood run cold. But in the heat of the ambush, he couldn't put a finger on the specifics. The survivors took what cover they could find.
The reinforcement platoon responded instantly with heavy weapons beamcaster fire, just as they'd been trained. The withering fire against the pinned soldiers lessened, but did not abate despite the firebase’s structure (a dilapidated energy storage facility) being rapidly ablated of its superstructure.
“II Battalion, Fourth Company,” Gregg ordered, “abort second at
tack, move to reinforce I Battalion, Second Company, under heavy fire from firebase Two.” As the orders were being acknowledged he glanced at a status readout. His own I Battalion First Company wasn't finished setting up the new weapons system yet.
The already severely damaged building began coming apart at the seams as two companies of II Battalion, Fourth Company joined the fray. A second later the side of the building facing the pinned platoon of II Battalion, exploded outward as three massive robotic walkers crashed through.
Gregg cursed and slammed a fist on the table he'd been using in the CP. He should have recognized the three-beamcaster heavy weapon configuration. The three-legged squad walkers smashed through the remains of the building they'd been hiding in and advanced without hesitation on the pinned down platoons like rampaging monsters. Without Gregg having to say a thing every weapon in the field redirected their fire on the first of the three walkers.
“Close air support,” Gregg called to his combat controller then turned to the logistics coordinator. “All battalions, prepare to withdraw!” Gregg called out as the first walker was cut down, “I repeat, we are falling back.”
“What are you talking about?” demanded the Akala commander over their radio link. “We have a contract, human!”
“You have a contract for us to assist in removing Leesa elements, nothing was said about Mok-Tok shock troops!”
“Mok-Tok? There are no Mok-Tok on this world.”
Gregg's fingers worked across his virtual battlefield and a live feed of the second and third Mok-Tok shock troopers crashing forward just as two Lancers screamed in and stitched them from leg to head with beamcaster and shock rifle fire. “What the fuck is that, then?” As if to put an exclamation point on his statement, the broken walker disgorged a trio of the hulking hairy half-bigfoots that all raced with startling speed into the midst of his stunned soldiers. At least a dozen Rangers died before the massive aliens could be burned down, even at point blank range.
“Impossible!” the Akala complained. Another section of the virtual battlefield came alive, this one near the Akala's attack force. There wasn't enough data to be sure, but Gregg would be willing to bet a month’s pay that more Mok-Tok walkers were now chewing the shit of out the feckless Akala soldiers.
“You argue with the impossible if you want. The contract is terminated as void by action of a higher order species, and we're withdrawing. If you want to assist in an orderly withdrawal, I recommend you begin falling back to the Portal here quickly or you can deal with the Mok-Tok all by yourselves.”
He cut the connection and turned to his logistics coordinator. The Chosen stood waiting, the four green stars on his sleeves standing out against the black jumpsuit. “Begin retreating resources through the Portal immediately.
The Logistics Chosen turned towards the Portal building just over a kilometer away. He raised his radio link to his ear and froze. A line of brilliant blue light connected the building to the sky, seemingly bending back over their heads and off into the distance. A millisecond later the building was enveloped in pure actinic fire and fury.
Part IV
Chapter 32
April 19th, 534 AE (subjective)
Dervish Star system, Galactic Frontier
The Kaatan class starship dropped between the three stars, immersed in unimaginable forces surrounding them on all sides. The CIC was in silence as everyone watched in awe. Lilith had configured all the walls as displays, presenting the effect of the humans and Rasa floating unprotected through the maelstrom, instead of safely inside a powerfully shielded starship. They were flying through a battle between stars.
“Shields are approaching maximum dissipation,” Pip warned them.
“Standing by the tactical drive,” Lilith said, her voice cold and emotionless. She was the most like when they first met her when flying the ship in combat or danger. The more required of her as the ship’s mind, the less she had for her humanity.
Minu knew all too well how merciless her daughter could be when wrapped in the full throes of controlling the Kaatan. Minu glanced at Pip and saw the muscles working in his jaw. If Lilith was forced to abandon the station approach by using the tactical drive, he would be forced to again experience the timeless living hell he'd explained during his first trip through the nothingness with his implants still active.
“Prominence at five hundred kilometers, I'm attempting to avoid.”
The solar prominence was nearly as large as a planet, arching across their path towards the closing energy station and threatening to overload the already strained shields. As they'd planned, Aaron interfaced with his piloting controls and started working with Lilith to finesse their course around the prominence. For a minute they were navigating between thousand-kilometer thick filaments of star hot plasma. If any of them suddenly jumped to make contact against the ship's shields...
Then they were past and in the clear. Lilith began rapidly slowing as the station grew before them and its real scale became apparent. Lightning bolts of pure energy ricocheted between the filigree, collecting terawatts of power every second.
Now that they were through the danger, Pip was again working with his computer, studying the station intensely. The displays were highlighting and flashing as the station was examined until suddenly an area on one of the radial cylinders was enhanced to show a ring of docking bays. “We have our destination,” Lilith told them, and the Kaatan changed course.
“But what will we find inside?” Kal'at thought aloud.
* * *
The final approach to the station went without incident, further emphasizing the massiveness of their destination as they could see the dozen massive docking bays surrounding the hub, each easily big enough to accommodate three of the Kaatan class ships. The other two bays were visible but their interiors remained dark, providing no clue if there was anything hidden inside.
“The station's flight control has acknowledged our ID code,” Lilith told them. “We are automatically docking.” Invisible gravitic beams took hold of the pierced ball shape of the Kaatan and moved it gently into the brightly lit bay.
Numerous gantries and booms were retracted against the gleaming white walls, and as soon as they were past the outside wall the inside began to configure itself. In less than a minute a cradle had been constructed in which the ship nestled, safe and sound.
“That's handy,” Pip said as the ships drive systems began powering down.
“Atmosphere is established outside,” Aaron let them know. “No doors, must be forcefields.”
Minu got up from her station and looked around the room. “We know we're probably alone here, so let’s go out in force. Kal'at, leave a squad behind just to be safe.” She didn't want to say it, but leaving Lilith alone in the alien space station made her nervous, and she didn't know why.
A gangway was extended to the starboard port, another courtesy the station wordlessly provided. It was only the second time they'd ever used the egress, the first being when they had taken possession of the ship years ago in the Enigma Fire Base.
They marched down the gangway and through a pressure door into the station and found it different from the abandoned city on Atlantis. Where that city had been a ghost town, all but dead and inactive, this station throbbed with life and buzzed as bots of all types whizzed past the surprised visitors.
After observing for a moment Minu caught the look on Pip's face and scowled. “Don't go disappearing on me,” she warned him.
“I have a theory I want to confirm or deny,” he replied without looking at her.
“We're not here to indulge theories.”
“No, we're here to indulge you.” They stared at each other.
“Is that a problem?” Aaron asked. Pip turned to regard him, He was only a few centimeters taller than Pip but carried at least two dozen kilos of pure muscle. The lights of the station sparkled off the dualloy plate in Pip's skull, his eyes betraying no emotion as usual.
“I'm here, aren't I?” I
t was an accusation more than a question.
“Is something wrong?” Kal'at asked from behind the humans, two squads of his soldiers milling around checking their gear. As usual the tech-oriented Rasa was only armed with a sleek beamcaster pistol, but his belt held a plethora of scientific equipment. He glanced between Pip and Aaron without understanding the humans’ interplay taking place. Were two Rasa facing off, there would be hissing and bared claws.
“Nothing really,” Minu said, glaring at her husband and friend with equal venom.
The last thing she needed thousands of light-years from home was a pissing contest between these two guys. And with those words the two men nodded to each other and Minu led them into the station.
Eight hours later the team took a break in one of the station’s many operations offices. The chairs were the same as originally on the Kaatan, shaped well enough for a small-statured human but with a hole near the tailbone. They'd gathered in a small unconfigured room much like many on the Kaatan when they'd first come aboard, comparing notes on what they had found. All together it was a big nothing.
“The station is constructed from standardized modules,” Lilith was explaining to Minu through the gem in her ear. “These same modules are utilized for many purposes by the People and were manufactured in large quantities.”
“A sort of space building kit?”
“Exactly. Placed within a superstructure, they can make anything from a habitat on a hostile world to a starship such as the Kaatan.”
“So we have a problem. My father left something here, the question is where and how do we find it.”
“I will attempt to analyze the facility for probable cache locations.”
While Lilith worked, Minu also considered the problem. Chriso Alma had left clues scattered around the galaxy leading to code elements that would unlock more of his secret records on her tablet.