One of the Jupiter Alliance cruisers exploded as some missiles caught up with it.
“We will have a small window for the shuttles,” Porter said.
“Use it. Do what you can. Help the Jupe Marines,” Sonya said hoping she would not regret the decision.
“Is that legal?” Fry asked.
“We are assisting a valuable intelligence asset, trying to help them survive,” Sonya said and Fry nodded. “I consider the risk acceptable.”
Fry nodded, apparently happy.
“Thank you,” Berry said.
“You will need to talk to Lieutenant Gray,” Sonya said. “Make sure our reinforcements are not shot down on approach.”
Berry winced.
“I’ll try ma’am,” she said turning to her board.
“We have a problem, ma’am,” Lieutenant Shelton said, one of Porter’s Marines. He was monitoring the Jupiter Marine communication traffic and situation.
“What?” Sonya said.
“The Major is ordering Lieutenant Gray’s platoon sergeant to kill her,” Shelton said.
“What?” Sonya and Berry echoed and Shelton put the conversation on the public system.
The Major’s voice came over the link.
“I don’t care,” the Major said. “I’m tired of that bitch holding up the attack. I have confidence you can do better and I don’t trust her. She is in league with the Namo’s and the Caliphate.”
“You want me to just shoot her down in front of everyone?” Sergeant Jackson asked.
“Isn’t that what I said?” Hansen said. “I need the attack to move forward.”
“I can’t sir,” Jackson said.
“You are disobeying a direct order to kill a traitor?” Hansen said, his voice ice cold. “This is for the greater good. Hard decisions must be made.”
“We are in combat sir and she is a critical part of our defense,” Jackson said.
“Dammit,” Hansen said. “I’ll deal with you later.”
“This is very bad,” Porter said looking at Sonya.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Things looking bad for Gray
“You need to advance,” Major Hansen said and Sarah wanted to scream at the bastard. She was losing people and the alien drones were hard to take down. All of her people needed energy and ammunition. The platoon was down to fewer than ten warbots and when the warbots were gone, she would take serious casualties. So far, she had lost four people. There were no reinforcements although the shuttles stranded in the landing bay had some resupply, they didn’t have warbots.
“We need more ammo,” Jones said.
Sarah noticed a communication link between Major Hansen and her platoon sergeant, which was a violation of military protocol and the chain of command. She wasn’t sure who had initiated the link, but it did not bode well. What was going on? Why was it occurring in such a serious battle?
Looking toward her platoon sergeant, hunkered down behind some machinery and piping, Sarah noted her platoon sergeant’s barrel moving in her direction but it stopped and moved back toward the drones just around the corner. Her platoon sergeant was shaking and seemed frustrated. What was going on?
“Lieutenant Gray,” Major Hansen said, opening a direct link to Sarah. “Report to my CP immediately. The platoon is now under the command of Sergeant Jackson.”
“Aye sir,” Sarah said confused and glancing at Jackson, wishing she could see her platoon sergeant’s face.
“I’ll hold position until you return,” Jackson said and Sarah nodded so Jackson could see her.
“I’ll get more ammo while I’m there,” Sarah said ducking down and moving back toward the corridor which led back to the hangar where the Major was. What did the major want? He had to know she was busy but then he was unlikely to call her back unless it was urgent.
Jackson nodded back.
The platoon could hold, she was sure, but they were unlikely to make any advances without support. Those Conglomerate drones couldn’t advance without being destroyed but so far, they seemed content to contain the Marines, not something Sarah appreciated.
An incoming personal link without an identifier flashed for attention.
“Kukri, this is Ninja One,” and a familiar voice came online, her display showed it was a direct link. It took Sarah a moment to remember she was Kukri.
“You have a problem,” Sonya said and Sarah felt her anger. She had been played and betrayed by the Namo’s.
“You bet I do,” Sarah said pausing to hold the conversation. How had the Namo’s created a secure link?
“Your platoon sergeant had orders to kill you,” Sonya said. “She refused and now it appears Major Hansen wants you to come to the CP so he can kill you.”
“Why?” Sarah said, but it would explain Jackson’s actions now. Could it be true?
“They believe you are in league with the Caliphate and New Alamo,” Sonya said.
“Well, he knows part of it,” Sarah said. “Are you in league with the Caliphate?”
“No,” Sonya said. “We will try and get you reinforcements.”
“I think you have done enough,” Sarah said. “If we see any Namo forces, they will be shot. I don’t know how the Major knows, but it sounds like I will be shot.”
“Lieutenant,” another voice said. It was Staff Sergeant Berry. “Please. This is Essie. The Namo’s aren’t in league with the Caliphate. I’m onboard their ship right now. They have hacked into the Marine net and know what is going on. They are as confused as you are.”
Sarah leaned against a wall. Berry was alive? Were they making her say this? Was it a computer simulation?
“They can’t get you much,” Berry said. “But they will try and get at least a reinforced platoon to you. They want to help.”
“How can I trust you?” Sarah asked. Nearby a pair of engineers were trying to hack into a network line. They seemed to be having a hard time. Perhaps the Caliphate had already cut the links?
“Major Hansen wants you dead,” Berry said.
“We will shoot any non-Jupiter drones, shuttles or people we see,” Sarah said.
“Understood,” Berry said. “We don’t know how else to help you. The Namo’s have access to the Marine net, they don’t have access to the Caliphate. They are trying though.”
Sarah nodded even though she couldn’t be seen. Unless the Namo’s gave her actionable intelligence, they could not be trusted. Yet.
“How have you been treated?” Sarah asked.
“Good,” Berry said. “This is a large vessel and more advanced than anything I have ever seen. Their technology is amazing, but their warbots are more like ours than what you are fighting.”
“There is nothing I can do,” Sarah said, wondering how true that was. How could she explain Namo reinforcements to the other Marines? The Major wanted to kill her and if she tried to explain he wouldn’t give her the time.
“The Namo’s aren’t the enemy,” Berry said.
“You can’t prove it,” Sarah said and closed the connection.
Sarah pushed herself off the wall. She was so damned tired already. Why did the Major want her dead? That had to be a lie.
Entering the makeshift command post the Major was instantly identifiable in his Guard armor. Next to him stood first sergeant Dean Davis. A good Marine from the CRP according to her Marines, but Sarah didn’t know him well.
“Lieutenant Gray,” the Major said turning to face Sarah and broadcasting on the local net. His sidearm was drawn. “You are being accused of colluding with the New Alamo rebels and the Caliphate.”
The Major’s arm came up, and the barrel came to rest, pointing at Sarah’s face. Sarah couldn’t move, couldn’t believe what was happening.
“In a combat zone, you are hereby sentenced to death. Give me one reason I should let you live,” the Major said.
Sarah couldn’t think of anything to say as she looked at the barrel of the weapon. She already knew there was nothing she could say that would satisfy
the Major.
All around other Marines stared at the two. Sarah’s mouth was dry. She was going to die. She wouldn’t even have time to draw her weapon and defend herself and she couldn’t think of anything to say that might even remotely delay the inevitable.
“Very well then,” the Major said.
A shot rang out.
Sarah’s breath caught in her throat as she realized she was still alive. She hadn’t seen the flash from the barrel. Had the Major missed? Was she mortally injured and didn’t know it yet? She looked down. She hadn’t felt the impact, she didn’t feel numbness anywhere.
The Major sank to his knees and his arm dropped as First Sergeant Davis re-holstered his sidearm.
“Lieutenant,” Davis said. “With the Major’s unfortunate death, you are next in command.”
“What?” Sarah said. Still trying to process she was still alive.
“Marine Lieutenant Saunders was killed ten minutes ago,” Davis said. “Lieutenant Hubbard and Frazier are also dead. You are senior to Lieutenants Cheema and Estrada. That makes you senior in command. We do not have communication with any other Marine forces and that puts you in charge.”
“You. . .” Sarah said looking at the Major’s corpse.
“Lieutenant Gray,” Davis said sounding tired. “I’m tired of the Major killing Marines ma’am. He was an incompetent bastard and I will gladly stand trial for killing the prick. Staff Sergeant Berry said you were a damned good officer and I trust her more than I will ever trust some Guards officer with a stick up his ass and a vendetta against Marines.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said.
“You’re welcome ma’am,” Davis said. “Now I realize this might be traumatic and all, but the shit is hitting the fan and we need to do something besides killing each other. I trust that is what you will do?”
Sarah nodded as she sent the commands to the Marine net, she was authenticated as the senior Marine and she began to receive updates from all the Marines. She took a deep breath as she realized her platoon had suffered the fewest casualties. Going to work she tried to draw on all her knowledge from Marine Officer’s school. She had to make sure nobody got cut off and had enough ammo to hold their position. Simple things at first. There were eight firefights in progress and in four of those fights Marines were being forced to retreat or they would be overrun. She wouldn’t have time to catch her breath as she felt the pressure of command. Marines lives were depending on her and she didn’t even know what she was doing yet.
The unidentified link flashed, requesting a connection.
Sarah opened it with trepidation. She wasn’t sure why except to say it might give her a chance to think.
“Kukri this is Ninja One,” Sonya said. “I can’t say how relieved I am that you are okay. The shuttles will be there in four hours. Berry will be on one along with a large number of New Alamo warbots and Marines.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said.
“Hang in there,” Sonya said. “Help is on the way. Four hours is a long time but Berry believes in you and so do I.”
“Thank you,” Sarah said again.
“My Marine commander, Major Porter, will help if you allow it,” Sonya said. “He has a great deal of experience and he is already familiar with the situation since he has been spying on the Major.”
“Axe One here,” the Major said cutting off Sonya. “Sorry, but you don’t have a lot of time. Tell Cheema to get a squad over to corridor twelve to reinforce that team. If you haven’t seen what is happening, I have. There are five enemy drones massing there about to rush. Have that fire team pull back to the previous intersection. That will buy them time.”
Sarah nodded. Major Porter sounded calm and confident. He was also a Marine which made it easier, but she was still in charge and ultimately the responsibility was hers. She opened a link to Cheema.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Fleet Arrives in Sol and goes into stealth
“Jump zone is clear,” Halsey reported.
Luke nodded. He could see that, Halsey was just announcing it as a formality. Which was good. In less than an hour the rest of the fleet would enter the Sol system. Luke was more interested in what the sensors were collecting from the rest of the system. Was there already a Battle Singer fleet here?
“Amazon and Knight report all clear,” Halsey said. Luke glanced at Leonessa. She was staring at the screens.
“Is your brother here?” Luke asked Suresh who was sitting near Shum at an observation board.
“I don’t know,” Suresh said. “It does not appear there are any Battle Singer ships. They could be stealthed.”
“What if he isn’t here?” Luke asked.
“Then Suraf will come,” Suresh said.
“You sound sure,” Morals said.
Suresh nodded in a human manner.
“What are you not telling us?” Morals asked.
“A lot,” Suresh said. “But I am sure Suraf will come here. I am sure of it.”
“Why?” Morals asked.
Suresh gave Morals a smile.
“Because he knows I will come here,” Suresh said. “He will know humanity is a cornerstone and he will seek to control the human race.”
“As you have done?” Luke asked.
Suresh glanced at Luke.
“No,” Suresh said. “I have given you choices, allowed you to find your own destinies. Suraf will dictate your destinies. Suraf will manipulate and control through fear, violence and love as necessary. It is the song of battle that guides the disciples of Suraf, not the tapestry of life.”
“How do we know?” Morals asked.
“Tell me about the Caliphate,” Suresh said to the intelligence officer. “Why didn’t Suraf ally with the Jupiter Alliance?”
Morals scowled at the Topa.
“Do you understand now?” Suresh asked.
“No,” Morals said and Suresh nodded.
“There is a major engagement occurring in the vicinity of Ceres,” Halsey said. “I’m picking up a large number of vessels. Including what appear to be four juggernaut class vessels.”
“Caliphate,” Luke said.
“That would be my guess as well Commander,” Halsey said. “Unless they are alien.”
The CIC was silent as more information came in.
“We have an uplink from the NAS Gallant,” Halsey said. “The juggernauts are Caliphate and the NAS Gallant is feeding us data.”
Luke nodded as he checked the screens and incoming feed calculating the strength of the Caliphate fleet.
“That is a lot of mass,” Leonessa said for Luke as they evaluated the juggernauts.
“But against Conglomerate technology like these battleships, they can be defeated,” Pavlis said.
“Unless they have Battle Singer technology,” Suresh said.
“They would have used that technology before now if they had it,” Morals said.
Suresh remained silent as he watched the feeds. Luke glanced at Suresh and saw he was already ignoring Morals.
“How long have you known about humans?” Morals asked but Suresh remained silent.
“They have advanced technology,” Halsey said. “Looks like Jupiter Alliance’s Eighth Fleet joined the Caliphate and attacked the Jupes Fifth Fleet. Fifth Fleet has been destroyed.”
“Fifth fleet is gone?” Morals said.
“They appear to have been destroyed by Eighth Fleet, which is now on station protecting the Caliphate juggernauts,” Halsey said.
“No,” Morals said, his voice a shallow whisper. “No. That’s not possible.”
“I’ve sent the logs to your console,” Halsey said to Morals. “The data was sent by a vessel named the NAS Cincinnatus. Obviously, I do not know the captain but I will trust any New Alamo captain.”
Morals didn’t seem to hear Halsey though.
“What’s wrong?” Luke asked.
Morals shook his head as if clearing it and Luke figured the Intelligence Agent was convincing himself of something.
“Nothing Admiral,” Morals said. “I just don’t understand the actions of Eighth fleet.”
“Looks like they joined the Caliphate,” Halsey said. “Turned on the Fifth Fleet.”
“No,” Morals said thoughtfully. “That’s not possible. I’m sure something else is going on. Eighth fleet is the most loyal fleet in the Jupiter Alliance.”
“Their alliance with the Caliphate against Fifth Fleet seems pretty cut and dry,” Halsey said, staring at Morals while Luke reviewed the battle.
“What makes Eighth fleet so loyal?” Luke asked but Morals remained silent for several seconds.
“I’m not at liberty to say Admiral,” Morals said. “But if they turned on Fifth Fleet, I’m sure they had their reasons.”
All sorts of alarm bells went off for Luke. What did Morals know?
“NAS Gallant reports the exit points are clear and secure,” Halsey reported.
Luke nodded. The fleet would be here soon. Where were the Battle Singers? It would be bad enough fighting the Caliphate but if the Battle Singers had many ships, their appearance would tip the balance in favor of the Caliphate.
“Wormhole transition,” Halsey reported drawing everyone’s attention to the main screen and the countdown that had reached zero.
Numerous warships of the Bronkaw Dominance, New Alamo, Athena and the Caleet poured through the wormhole into Sol.
The Armada had arrived and formed up into a wall of death. Battleships moving into the primary formations, cruisers and destroyers filling the gaps. The Bronkaw warships were the biggest and most frightening, and Luke hoped they would strike terror into the Caliphate hearts.
“Incoming transmission from the NAS Indomitable,” Halsey reported. “Admiral Day for Admiral Kishi.”
Luke nodded and received the feed.
“Task force Wakizashi,” Admiral Day said. “Form up and we will intercept the Caliphate Fleet attacking Ceres.”
“Aye, aye Admiral,” Luke said unsurprised. Everything was going according to the primary plan with the goal being the Caliphate fleet instead of Earth. The battleships that had been guarding the wormhole were assigned a place in formation.
New Empires: Conglomerate Series Book 3 Page 28