“What was that?” Captain Marcus asked as three alarms activated simultaneously.
“Dorsal stabilizers,” said the Chief Engineer.
The man was one of the oldest, if not actually the oldest officer on the ship. He was short and bald, yet his voice pierced through the CIC like an angry sergeant major.
“It’s gonna get a little rough.”
He was right. No sooner had the alarms started, and the ship began to shudder. It started as a minor rumble but quickly became a constant vibration that ran from every direction. The view from the mainscreen was black and red with a mixture of flame and smoke, and then it cleared. Admiral Lewis almost staggered back at the view.
“Just look at that.”
They had already seen images of the surface of the world, but experiencing the hell that was Helios Prime truly was a sight to behold. The planet was known to be one massive city that spread across every landmass with clear warm skies. Now the planet looked like it was made from jagged rocks. Where once there had been mighty city blocks and towers that reached up into the clouds, there were just heaps of rubble. Skyscrapers vied for position amongst the destroyed overpasses and collapsed landing platforms.
“The General was right; this world has been burned to a crisp. How could anybody live down there?”
Captain Marcus nodded in agreement.
“The reports in the last weeks confirmed the orbital bombardment had destroyed all of the remaining infrastructure. Daniels and the rest have been in hiding or underground since the attack began.”
He looked away and might have spat on the floor if he’d been outdoors and on his own.
“This isn’t war. This is simple extermination.”
They both looked on at the vast pillars of smoke rising from every direction. The surface of the planet was almost impossible to make out in places. Both men had been on the surface before and had seen the jewel of the Helion League. Their planets and star systems were developed to a certain extent, but only the Helios System contained anything more than a single useable planet. Though they liked to boast of their five star systems, the reality was that they controlled a total of seven worlds, with three of them outside of Helios and barely functioning as colonies. It was true there were also small research and industrial sites on some of the moons like Eos, but in reality, only Helios Prime was fully functioning.
And now look at it.
Admiral Lewis looked on at the surface of the world and shook his head slowly. It was an image he knew he would never be able to remove from his mind.
“It really is a hell world down there.”
Captain Marcus pointed to one of thousands of fires that continued to burn. The color was much lighter at the base than he would have expected, and that could only mean that it was burning even hotter.
“I thought the fires would have stopped weeks ago. Our drone assessments showed the primary damage wasn’t caused by the Biomech bombardments; it’s the fires that have ruined Helios Prime.”
Admiral Lewis sighed, but he knew his executive officer was right. While the attack continued, it was almost impossible to go outside and attempt to fight, let alone stop fires, administer first aid, or provide any other assistance. It was a bitter, cruel way to fight a war.
“It’s true. What’s happening down there is little different to the Great Earthquake of San Francisco in 1906. The quake did considerable damage, but it was the damage to the water system that stopped their ability to put out the fires.”
He raised an eyebrow, recalling the article he’d read many years before.
“They lost something like eighty percent of the city in that fire. It went on for days, and thousands of people were killed. If they’d been able to fight the fires, a much larger amount could have been saved.”
Captain Marcus nodded in the direction of the mainscreen.
“Well, they didn’t have Biomech bombardments and aerial attacks to contend with. Frankly, I’m amazed this world hasn’t already been sterilized after all of this. Even if we secure the installation, this world is still a total loss.”
It was the tactical officer that spotted the first flight of Biomech craft racing across the ruined city at low-level. Mixed in among them were a much smaller number of Helion interceptors. Missiles and gunfire flickered between them as both sides took casualties. A single fighter broke in two, and the larger section fell to the ground in another column of smoke. The explosion added to the fires still burning and then vanished from view, obscured by the myriad of other disasters to befall the planet.
“How can anybody still be alive down there?”
He wasn’t really talking to any of the other officers. It was more a rhetorical question. He continued running ground and aerial scans to check for signs of trouble. With so much smoke, fire, and dust in the air, the sensors were having a hard time sifting through the data. The thick mixture of smoke and dust heavily obscured even the optics.
“What the hell was that?” demanded the XO.
The ship shuddered one more time and then began to settle as the inertial stabilizers began to take effect. At the same time another jolt shook the ship. He looked to the tactical officer who was feverishly checking systems. He stopped and looked to the mainscreen.
“There.”
One of the cameras showed an external view of a large metal plating section that had ripped off. Scorch marks ran nearby, but it was hard to tell if it was the heat from re-entry or combat damage that was the cause. The ship’s continuing decrease in forward velocity also assisted in the reduction of buffeting. More sensors blared, and this time it was the tactical officer’s turn to sound worried. He moved the imagery away and brought up a pair of images from two different sets of optics.
“I knew they’d be here. We have a Biomech warship on an intercept vector. Twenty degrees off the starboard bow. She’s a big one.”
Both senior officers looked at him with a mixture of surprise and amusement showing on their faces. The use of such archaic navigational terms was rare these days, especially in the modern Alliance Navy. Yet being on another world, with enemy ships at close range, it seemed bizarrely the right thing to do. On any other day, Admiral Lewis might have taken pleasure in knowing he was in a combat situation not unlike one from Earth’s nineteenth century. Back then, entire fleets of wooden and metal ships had met in epic battles, each side squaring off to engage with solid shot. Not today though, he had more serious issues to concern himself with.
“What is she?”
Schematics and a live feed moved directly to the mainscreen. At first, a dark shape obscured the view, but then it pulled back and the focus altered. The shape distorted and then became clearer, even though it was still surrounded by smoke and haze. The ship was big, easily the size of a Crusader class, perhaps almost double the size. Helion fighters raced about it while the monstrous ship simply ignored them; like a dog ignoring a few insignificant fleas.
“It’s a Ravager variant, must be. The hull’s the same configuration, multiple gun turrets and quite a few hangars. Wait. She’s opening…”
“Brace, brace, brace!” shouted the XO over the intercom.
The officers in the CIC grabbed emergency handles or their buckles as they waited for the inevitable. Even the marines waiting near the main doorway grabbed the nearest handles that also doubled up as the way to move through the ship when in a zero gravity environment. Admiral Lewis watched the screen, and flashes of light appeared along the hull like hailstones.
“Here is comes.”
The first volley struck along the flank of the ship. Dozens and dozens of hardened projectiles slammed through the outer skin and into the layered armor. One by one they smashed, with only a small number actually missing the large Alliance warship.
“Sir, shall we intercept?”
Admiral Lewis shook his head.
“Hell, no. Pass the word; all ships will continue on their present course.”
“And the Biomech ship?”
“Damn them all to hell, Captain. Give them a passing broadside and concentrate on the task at hand. That ship is a distraction, nothing more. We will get to Daniels and give him the help he needs.”
The XO was already issuing orders to the tactical and communications officers. More junior officers quickly moved back and forth on the deck to get back to a safe location before the next shot hit. Admiral Lewis paused and then gave the XO a quick nod.
“It wouldn’t hurt to get birds in the air, though. It’s time for our fighter jocks to earn their pay, and I’ve got just the thing. I want a path cleared from here to the General. If anything comes within range, blast it. Once there, they can establish a security perimeter up to thirty kilometers in radius of our landing zone.”
The wedge formation of Alliance ships kept on course and opened fire with kinetic weapons. This far down into a planet’s atmosphere their direct-energy weapons were less than useless. It was common knowledge that particle beam weapons would dissipate at even short ranges. Instead, the power was used to boost the inertial stabilizers and good old-fashioned guns activated. Rapid-fire kinetic railguns joined with even older auto cannons to fill the sky with super-heated metal.
“Beautiful,” said the XO in a quiet, slightly somber tone.
The wedge formation of ships and their escort Maulers put down such a weight of fire that the entire flank and nose of the Biomech ship was wreathed in flame. By the time they had reached just a kilometer away, the Ravager was already losing height and heading for the city. A pack of six Maulers followed it down, blasting at the ship’s engines with merciless aggression. They barely made it away from the explosion as the capital ship crashed down into the city ruins.
“There it is,” said Admiral Lewis.
The mainscreen showed the close-up view of their objective, a distant and well-protected part of the city. Ground based weapon systems blasted up high into the sky, but from this far away it was almost impossible to tell if it was friendly or hostile weaponry. There were very few missiles being used this far into the orbital siege. The battle had come down to flak guns and gun turrets, all old but reliable technology. Indicators on each side of the mainscreen showed their current height and speed, both of which were still falling at a high rate.
“Sir, we’re on course for the weapon’s location. General Daniels’ forces have activated the tracking beacon. They are at the installation,” said Lieutenant Vitelli.
“Good, we might have a chance yet.”
He looked to the communications officer. He could quite easily send the signal electronically, a simple activation command, but this was no ordinary mission. He was about to order the bulk of his functioning vessels into what could quite easily be a suicide mission.
“Comms, put me on with our strike force. It’s time to get this operation into action.”
It took less than three seconds.
“You’re on, Sir.”
He wiped his brow while grabbing his seat harness. Even with the stabilizers at full power, the rocking had started to return, and stray rounds from the ever-increasing number of Biomech ships and fighters would only make it worse.
“This is Admiral Lewis. Operation Barndoor is a go. All of you have the target coordinates. Stick to the schedule. I don’t want any heroes today. If you go down, get underground fast and dig in for the long haul. This is a sweep and rescue operation, plain and simple. Good hunting to you all. See you on the top side.”
It was short and simple, no more than was necessary for such a careful, preplanned operation. He tried to keep it lighter than his last message, knowing full well how fear and nerves could spread and cripple an operation. They might have only the most slender of chances, but there was no reason why he needed to share that with anybody more than his immediate entourage. He deactivated the intercom and looked to Captain Marcus, who gave him the nod.
“This is it, then. Daniels destroys the weapon, and we pickup whoever is left.”
Admiral Lewis tried to smile, but it was hard when he could see the look on his tactical officer’s face. His stomach lurched upon seeing that look, one that only ever happened when they were about to be punished.
“What is it?”
His tone was dulled, as though he’d just seen his own fleet blown apart. The man moved three smaller images onto the mainscreen. All of them showed an area of space near the enemy Ark.
“They must have detected what we’re doing, Sir. They already have ships on their way down from orbit.”
“What? How soon?”
Lieutenant Vitelli shook his head.
“At the current speed, they’ll pretty much be there the same time as us.”
He tightened his jaw and then pointed at their target.
“Accelerate. There’s no way in hell I’m leaving the General in the lurch. We end this, today!”
* * *
Underground highway, Helios Prime
The Bulldog left the ground for a brief moment as they hit a rough piece of rubble. When they came back down, the armored personnel carrier lurched to one side before the driver was able to recover their position and put down more power. The underground tunnel system was extremely wide, yet the constant bombardment over weeks had forced many vehicles underground, all of which had been subsequently abandoned. The Bulldog smashed a civilian transporter aside that had blocked the route and then pushed on. In the pitch darkness, only the large front-mounted lamps provided any kind of illumination.
“How long do we have?” General Daniels asked.
Captain Hammond checked the drone scans for what must have been the tenth time.
“They are coming in right now. Drones show their craft will be landing directly above the planetary defense installation.”
Daniels smacked his armored fist against the side of the vehicle.
“And they will be able to gain access before we even pop our heads out from under the ground.”
He was frustrated but not because the enemy was coming. His real annoyance was from the fact he’d been hiding on this planet for so long now, with almost nothing to do but wait and repair their defenses; all the while the enemy just sat in space and fired down on them. Now, when the time came for him to act, he was going to be late.
“If they take control of the complex, they’ll be able to block of this entire planet, perhaps the entire system.”
He then looked directly at the Captain.
“You know what that means, right?”
“Yes, Sir. They can shut down the Rifts to all other systems, including T’Karan. We’ll be trapped out here with only the ships we have left, and the enemy poised to enter through the Black Rift.”
He thought about his words as though unsure whether to speak.
“I don’t understand why we can’t just open the Black Rift ourselves, and then immediately collapse it.”
General Daniels laughed at the suggestion.
“That’s actually not a terrible idea, but neither the T’Kari or the Helions will go for it. After the last war, they have something of a genetic memory and fear of what might happen if it opens.”
They hit another bump, and if it hadn’t been for the mag-restraints, both would have struck their heads on the metalwork of the vehicle. The engine howled loudly as the driver put every ounce of horsepower into the drivetrain and pushed them onwards. Right behind them came enough vehicles to transport the entire combat company. Inside the armored vehicles waited just over a hundred volunteers, all experienced and all eager to finally get to grips with the enemy.
“General, we’re coming to the surface…now!”
The internal viewscreen showed the view from the top hatch as they moved out from the dark tunnel and back to the surface. The inferno all around the facility took even General Daniels by surprise. At the same time, an internal speaker burst into life.
“It’s Admiral Lewis,” said the Captain quietly.
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“Alliance landing craft will be with you in six minutes. I repeat; all Alliance forces are to withdraw underground or to the landing grounds around the weapon platform.”
One by one the Bulldogs raced out and moved in on the monstrous structure. The highway was half-filled with debris, but it was clear enough for them to wind their way through. Up ahead was the clamshell-shaped roof that covered the entire site. Around it were ten-meter tall walls that had been breached in a hundred places.
“Look at that,” said Captain Hammond.
His voice was dull, tinged with bitterness. General Daniels could hardly disagree though. The site was one of the most secretive on the entire planet and had been constructed well away from any urban centers. There were the remains of hundreds of industrial buildings, towers, and at least two military air bases. The lower level highway ran alongside one of the outer walls and was sunken nearly three meters below the ground level of the fortified walls. Overhead were smoke and vapor trails from a hundred aircraft. Biomech fighters tangled with Alliance Hammerheads and the ultra sleek Helion scout fighters. All of this paled with the dark shapes of a dozen or more Bioray landers that were only a short distance from the compound.
“Any word from the Helion garrison commander? His name is Kossl, I think.”
The Captain shook his head.
“There’s massive signal distortion around the site.”
“We’re going in, General,” said the driver.
The lead Bulldog swerved left and up the bank to crash through one of the large breaches in the wall. Another nine followed behind and did the same, each grinding the broken masonry to dust as they powered over the debris. The low clamshell roofing structure made the entire site look relatively modest in size. One of the four ramps leading down to great metal plated blast doors betrayed its more sinister purpose. That was where they spotted the first of the enemy.
Star Crusades Nexus: The Third Trilogy Page 41