The Phantom's Valor (Special Missions Unit Book 2)

by Gary Beller

  “We’re on the line, with Alpha One-Seven. Should we push up a bit?” Ben asked.

  “Negative, Phantom Six. Artillery and Mortar Presets extend from enemy’s main line in as close as 100 meters from our front. Hold position.”

  “Acknowledged, Phantom Six Out.”

  “So, we’re in with the regular grunts?” Rob asked.

  “Yes we are.”

  The line fell quiet as Marines and Soldiers checked their weapons, checked their fields of fire, and prepared to receive the inevitable. As the sun sat low on the horizon, a long, unearthly howl filled the air. The long shadows gave way to movement, as the Banor began their advance.

  CHAPTER 29

  The artillery rained down on the advancing enemy troops, but did not deter their advance. Tanks, Armored Vehicles, and Gun Trucks poured long range fire into the advancing enemy infantry as they closed within eight hundred meters. Kate and Gene had taken standing positions behind the line, using shooting sticks to stabilize their weapons. D. J. and Erica, using Designated Marksman Rifles, supplemented Kate and Gene in the long range shooting.

  At seven hundred meters, the infantry and remaining members of 1SMU opened up. Mortar rounds began falling, as well, adding their explosive punch to the fray. The Banor advance bogged down as they reached six hundred meters from the allied front. The howls of the wounded and the dying were drowned out by the sounds of explosions.

  As the Banor bogged down, they began finding shell craters and ruts in the ground for cover. Ben engaged in a protracted, long-range duel with one enemy soldier. “I can’t get this son of a bitch!” He yelled, frustration growing as he missed his target by inches. John swung his weapon around and waited for Ben to stop firing. When the Banor soldier popped up, he fired and cut the man down.

  “Thanks, John.”

  “No problem.” He said, turning back to his normal sector.

  The incoming fire was taking a toll. With so many Marines and Soldiers massed along a compact battle line, casualties couldn’t be avoided. Ashlie and Geoff found themselves helping the Corpsmen assigned to Alpha Company tend to wounded Marines. They stabilized one Lieutenant, and as he was moved to the rear, the same platoon’s Platoon Sergeant went down.

  “Talk to me Staff Sergeant!” Ashlie said.

  “Am I gonna be alright, Doc?” He asked as Geoff set the tourniquet on his leg.

  “You’re gonna be fine. Just a flesh wound.” Ashlie said.

  Once again, Ashlie and Geoff took the man to the rear, and passed him on to an ambulance. “Who the hell is in charge of this Platoon now?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Geoff found Captain Hussien, giving orders to his First Sergeant. “Captain!” Geoff said.

  “Yeah, Chief?”

  “Sir, Lieutenant Adouya and Staff Sergeant Xing were wounded from First Platoon, along with Sergeant Martinez and Corporal Davis.”

  “Surely you are mistaken, Doc.”

  “No, Sir. Petty Officer Woodson and Petty Officer Briley were killed. Petty Officer Adams and I have been assisting Chief Di Laurenten with the wounded in 1st Platoon.”

  Captain Hussien grabbed his radioman and followed Geoff and Ashlie back to where his First Platoon was. Throughout the campaign, First Platoon had taken heavy casualties, and the highest ranking NCO remaining was a newly-promoted Corporal. The Corporal looked to Captain Hussien with relief. “What’s the situation here, Sergeant Mulcahy?”

  “Ahh Corporal Mulcahy, Sir…” The young man corrected.

  “You’re a Sergeant now, Mulcahy. Give me a Sitrep.” Hussien said.

  “Our Squad Leaders, Platoon Sergeant and Platoon leader all went down, two of our three Corpsmen are dead, sir. I have twenty three Marines, and one Corpsman. Been getting help from those two Special Missions Unit Corpsmen with the wounded. We’re running out of everything but the enemy. Aside from that, we’re doing just fine, Sir.”

  Ashlie and Geoff looked at each other, and at Mulcahy. He couldn’t be much older than 19 or 20 years old, but seemed to have himself together. The Captain began issuing orders, realigning the platoon into a stronger defensive situation with their depleted manpower. “Chief Mason!” the Captain called.

  “Yes, Sir?” Geoff asked, taking a knee next to him, and firing at muzzle flashes in the twilight.

  “Get Colonel Pierce, ask if he can reinforce this platoon.”

  “Roger that, Sir.” Mason said. “Phantom Six, Fixer One. We have a request from Alpha Six Actual to reinforce Alpha Red.”

  “Phantom Six copies, is that where you two disappeared to?”

  “Yes, Sir. Alpha Red has taken heavy casualties, Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant, two Squad Leaders wounded, two Corpsmen dead.”

  “What do you need over there?” Ben asked.

  “Need a squad to reinforce this platoon, Sir.”

  “Roger that. Phantom Six out.” Ben closed the channel, and looked down the line. He could see Mason, 200 meters away trying to help get the platoon organized. “Roberts, Rickles, Grab four Marines and go reinforce that company.”

  “Aye, Sir.” Rickles said. She tapped four Marines near her and pulled them back, then moved along the lines to where Alpha’s First Platoon was. “Reinforcements incoming.” Rickles said.

  “I asked for a Squad.” Hussien said.

  “This is a squad, for us.” Roberts said.

  “Right, Small units. Every bit helps.” Hussien said.

  John set up his weapon on the lip of a fighting hole. Rickles dropped in the Operators along the edge. “Mulcahy,” Roberts said.

  “Yeah, Staff Sergeant?” Mulcahy said, sliding into John’s fighting hole.

  “Get people on those support guns, interlocking fields of fire.”

  “Aye Staff Sergeant!” Mulcahy stayed low and grabbed one gun, then directed two Marines into other weapons.

  “Switch to night vision!” Captain Hussien called.

  The Marines activated the night vision on their helmets, peeling away the darkness. For a moment, the artillery fire stopped. The Banor tried to surge forward, only to be pushed back as fighter squadrons rolled in and launched rocket and cannon attacks. Bombers made one last run, dropping 250 pound bombs that burst two meters above the ground.

  Before the Artillery could resume, the Banor pushed again. This time they closed the gap to four hundred meters before indirect fire halted them in their tracks. The Grenadiers added the weight of their grenades to the fight, lobbing them into the enemy lines.

  ***

  As the night wore on, Praxis’ patience wore thin. His truck was pockmarked from numerous hits, including several that nearly took out the general. Sergeant Armitage had given up the Driver’s seat, instead choosing a fighting position alongside the General. “We need to end this. Sergeant, you got any ideas?”

  “Just keep killing them, sir.” Armitage said.

  “These fuckers just won’t die fast enough.” Praxis said, letting loose a long volley from his gun.

  Billy Williams approached Praxis’ truck, firing his rifle from the hip. “Sir, we could advance forward under artillery cover, sweep the field of them.”

  “That option never left the table, Colonel, but I’d rather not if it can be avoided.”

  “Kinetic bombardment, Sir.”

  “Excellent choice.” Praxis said, radioing the order to the waiting battleships.

  Moments later, hundred-weight Tungsten rods came down along the enemy’s front lines, being targeted with unnerving precision from orbit. New Jersey, Chancellorsville, Teufelhund, Vasa and Atlantis took up a star formation and began a slow rotation as they fired, varying the angle of the attacks, negating any cover the enemy could find. Teufelhund and Atlantis both released 21,000 pound bombs, following a predesignated trajectory into the enemy’s rear. The bombs exploded in the air behind the enemy’s lines, far enough back to protect friendly troops but still cause as many casualties as possible to the Banor troops.

  CHAPTER 30

 
The morning broke to find the field in front of the allied troops littered with the broken bodies of thousands of enemy soldiers. During the night, some survivors had surrendered, although most of them were members of the Tyderian 53rd and 88th Sky Soldier Divisions.

  Praxis Hardfighter looked over the reports. Three thousand enemy combatants had surrendered to Allied forces, only five hundred twenty eight of which were Banor soldiers. Of those, most were conscripts and only forty were officers or non-commissioned officers.

  In the days following the battle, Army units began chasing down reports of isolated Banor pockets. The Coalition’s First Army relieved the Expeditionary units on the planet, sending Praxis’ entire Corps back to Starbase Leatherneck. They returned to base with nearly 7,500 Marines and Spacers killed in action, and another 11,000 suffering wounds of varying degrees. Total casualties for the Campaign were in excess of 65,000.

  ***

  One month after the battle, Commandant Williams came aboard Starbase Leatherneck. He visited 1SMU on the second day of his visit. “Colonel Pierce.” He said, shaking hands with Ben.

  “Welcome, Sir.” He said.

  “Enjoying the perks of your promotion, Colonel?” The General said, referring to the three diamonds on Ben’s dress uniform shoulder boards.

  “Not trying to get too used to it, Sir. I was given to understand it was temporary, for the Chiodrick Campaign. I’ve been expecting orders returning me to my normal grade.”

  “They won’t be coming. Due to your conspicuous performance on Chiodrick III, I have decided to make your promotion to Colonel permanent.” Williams said.

  “Thank you, Sir.” Ben said.

  The Commandant went down the line, inspecting the Marines. He arrived at Kate and stopped. “Colonel Pierce, This Marine is out of uniform.”

  “Sir?” Kate said.

  “Begging the General’s pardon, sir, but First Sergeant McMillan’s uniform seems in order….”

  “Is it?” Williams said, taking a folder from his adjutant, and showing it to Ben. “You see, Colonel, it says here, She’s no longer authorized to wear First Sergeant’s insignia.”

  “Ah, I see now.” Ben said.

  “I don’t understand,” Kate said, her face betraying her confusion.

  “By order of the Commandant, That’d be me, Katherine McMillan is hereby promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major, with all the rights and responsibilities inherent thereto.” Williams said, handing the folder to Kate.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Williams went down the line, promoting Rob to Major, and Jenny Rickles and Dani Burke were both promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. The Commandant also passed out awards, ranging from Purple Hearts for wounds, to awarding John a Distinguished Service Star for his rescue of Forshaw.

  ***

  During the Commandant’s visit, he called General Hardfighter’s entire Corps together. With the entire Corps assembled, he issued awards to the various officers. Praxis received a Bronze Star; Tom Westover received a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. But the most surprising announcement came at the end.

  “For the last 20 months, Marines from this Corps have served on the front lines. Thousands of your brothers and sisters have given the last full measure of service to the Coalition, and many of you have suffered wounds in your service. With many more Marine units standing up to join the war every month, decisions were made to give long-deployed units a chance to refit, regroup, and recover off the front lines. In recognition of the stellar service provided these nearly 2 years by this Corps, it is the first major command that will rotate home. The newly formed Expeditionary Corps Oscar will report to Starbase Leatherneck within 2 weeks, relieving Expeditionary Corps Lima to return to Camp Pendleton.”

  The Marines and Spacers broke into applause. The Commandant called for quiet. “This rotation home is not permanent, however. As the needs of the war dictate, Expeditionary Corps Lima will be made available for future deployment once it has satisfactorily completed the refit cycle. But for now, enjoy your return home.”

  ***

  Two weeks went quickly. Bags were packed, barracks were cleaned, and on the final day, a ceremony was held. Praxis’ staff struck its colors, and was formally relieved by Lieutenant General Allie Grant’s new command.

  Arriving back in California was an emotional ride for the Marines. The Mayor of Los Angeles requested that the Corps return through Los Angeles Interstellar Spaceport, and held a parade in their honor.

  Ben tried to get his Marines to maintain their bearing, but he realized it was pointless. Confetti rained down on the Marines as they marched through the city, escorted by officers of the Los Angeles Police Department. Ashlie waved at her parents, who made the trip up from San Diego.

  Once the Marines arrived at Pendleton, Ben dismissed 1SMU. When he dismissed the team, they broke ranks to reunite with their families who came out to welcome them home. Jenny, Sid, and Rob found their children and spouses waiting for them. Ashlie found her parents. Ben and John shook hands and soaked it in. “Is this how it always feels?”

  “Yup.” Ben said, throwing his arm around his son. “Do me a favor.”

  “Yeah, Sure,”

  “We have leave coming up. Stay the fuck out of trouble.”

  “Yes, Sir.” John said, saluting his father.

  The Phantoms will return!

  About the Author

  Gary Beller is a long-time science fiction enthusiast. He began writing creatively in middle school, and was encouraged to continue his creative writings by several teachers. Gary is an avid fan of Star Wars and Star Trek. Outside of writing, his interests include Football, Baseball, and Airsoft.

  Gary lives in northeastern Illinois, where he spends his time working, writing, or chasing his two children, John and Summer. He is also the author of Rise of the Phantoms, available on Amazon Kindle.

  Follow Gary on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/garybellerwrites or on Twitter http://twitter.com/gary_beller