Star Crusader: Knighthawk Squadron

by Michael G. Thomas

"Knighthawk Squadron. Get your gear together and meet Lieutenant Heiskell in the training hall in ninety minutes. I cannot understate how important it is that you learn to work with your allocated Marine units. You must function as a single unit, and I have a scenario you need to practice."

  A pilot from Thunder Squadron said something that sent a ripple of laughter through the rest of his comrades. Billy couldn't have heard the exact words, but he still began to rise to his feet to answer back. It was clearly an insult of some kind to the members of Knighthawk Squadron. Commander Higgins silenced them with little more than a raised eyebrow.

  "Knighthawks will provide specialist assistance to Thunder Squadron as required. You will take a pair of Bullnose gunships and a pair of Hammerheads with a Marine engineer squad aboard each."

  The mood in the briefing room changed in an instant. Knighthawk Squadron had just been given a major role, and one that was far more complex than those given to the fighter squadrons.

  "Lieutenant Heiskell has one last scenario for you before we arrive. I need you to practice Hammerhead deployment and pickups again. Do not be late."

  Commander Higgins turned his gaze back to the entire group.

  "Thunder and Corsair, I want you in groups of six to the Fighter Control Suite. It's time to run through your drills again. This has to work like clockwork."

  That last comment wiped away any smiles on the faces of the Thunder Squadron's pilots. Commander Higgins could see the hostility between the three separate factions in front of him and shook his head in frustration.

  "Friendly rivalry is a good thing, but never, ever let it compromise our job. We will work together, or we will fail. There's no time for solo pilots out here. You're in the Alliance Navy now, and you will have to rely on your comrades, no matter the circumstances."

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Alliance Armoured Assault Ship 'ANS Relentless'

  Orion Battlegroup, the Trinity Sector

  6 Hours Later

  "Disperse!"

  Nate leapt out from the doorway into the training hall as though he'd just climbed out from the Bullnose Gunship. It was pitch dark to recreate the entry of a building or ship. Even the main passageway outside the small hall had been blocked off to cut out the light, and to give a little more space for training. A single marine knelt in front of him, and as he hit the ground, he moved close and placed his hand on the marine's shoulder.

  "Move in."

  The training scenario was almost identical to the one they'd practiced five times before. It was simple enough, but did require careful coordination from both parties. The Hammerheads were the same size as the Bullnose gunships, but lacked the extra turrets and weapon systems so that they could carry a single squad of marines. They practiced exits and recovery procedures, bump landings, and evacuation under fire. All of which were made more difficult by the cramped conditions.

  Do it right this time, Nate thought.

  Both moved from the doorway and up behind three crates piled on top of each other. This had been the scene for so many of their recent scenarios, and this time everything had been shifted around to give the impression they were in a partially built up passageway. It immediately reminded Nate of the many twists throughout the maze like interior of Relentless.

  "Get down!"

  Unlike the marines, Nate's PDS armour included only the most rudimentary scanning technology. What it didn't have was a latest model overlay unit that connected to the marine's ad-hoc digital data network. As the marines spotted targets, the details were passed on to the rest of the squad. Nate dropped to his knees just as the guns opened fire.

  Being shot at again. Great.

  Nate knew this was not real, and unlike the majority of his peers, he'd actually witnessed a battle. It was something he wanted to avoid as much as possible. There were add-ons to the Star Crusader game system that replicated parts of ground combat, but Nate had already learnt that close-combat was something he’d rather avoid as long as possible. When he heard a gun, he knew it was his job to get far away, and as quickly as was able. The marines, on the other hand, took it as a signal to close with the enemy.

  Get your gun and stay down.

  He reached for the sidearm, and this time managed to grab it quickly, and without having to look for it. On the previous two occasions he'd completely failed and ended up taking multiple simulated shots to the torso. The nearby enemy fired again, blasting away as they launched little more than heat and dust in his direction.

  "Advance!"

  Nate spotted the darkened shape of Sergeant Nál as she moved off to his right along with three more marines. Streaks of yellow hit near her, but that didn't stop the massive warrior. With each step she opened fire with her own customised weaponry.

  Up!

  Nate rose to his feet and took aim with his pistol. He'd seen these guns being used singlehandedly in simulations and in the movies, but every time he'd tried that he'd ended up completely missing his targets. Unlike in the games, he had to deal with the weight and recoil of the powerful M6 Navy pattern autorevolver. This was a heavy six-shot semi-automatic pistol designed for use in close-quarter firefights.

  Remember, stance, posture, and balance.

  This time he used the Isosceles shooting stance they had been taught by Sergeant Nál and positioned both hands on the weapon. It felt oversized and somewhat archaic in his hands, but he'd also seen the damage it could do on the firing range. With six 11.5mm precharged thermal slugs that dispersed at short ranges, the gun was able to inflict enough kinetic at close range that it could disable an enemy, even when wearing reinforced plate and body armour.

  There he is.

  Nate spotted the red outline just behind the thin metal plating of a storage unit. He took aim along the illuminated sight and fire. The gun kicked back hard and slammed a heavy slug into the target. The outline flashed and then vanished as the target hit the ground. At the same time the chamber mechanism slid back, rotated, and activated the next thermal charge.

  "Move!"

  The marine in front of him lurched ahead six steps and fired his carbine on the move. Gunshots rushed past, but the marine ignored them. Nate followed a short distance behind, but with his pistol at the ready. He had five shots ready, and he was not about to waste them.

  "Down!"

  One marine moving to the left flank of Sergeant Nál took a direct hit to the chest. Blue energy lashed about the armour as the seals locked up, and he dropped to the ground while still shaking. Each of them wore a similar pack that could lock their limbs when hit, or even completely freeze their armour, rendering them useless. He dropped down again, but unlike in the previous scenario, he actually kept his pistol raised and in the direction of the enemy. Then he saw them. The marines tagged the first seven, but there were more coming towards them.

  "Drop 'em!" Sergeant Nál yelled.

  Another marine fell, but the return fire from Sergeant Nál and the remainder of the boarding party was devastating. Nate fired off his remaining rounds and then ejected the spent circular magazine. It clattered to the ground, and in one fluid movement that would have even impressed Sergeant Nál, hulled a speedloader from his flank and moved it to the pistol. The unit was a compact, hexagonal cylinder that slid into the pistol with a reassuring clunking sound. Four enemy soldiers were knocked down.

  What left him with the real bruises had been the simulated combat when the crew exited the craft to assist the marines. Nate had practiced how to provide covering fire, to move and take cover with the marines, and how to help evacuate or patch up wounded marines. He smiled as he thought back to the words of the Lieutenant.

  "Pilot, gunner, or marine, all of you need to do the basics in combat. The enemy can get aboard, or you can be shot down. Sometimes you'll need to abandon your craft and join the fight. I don't believe in leaving crew out of my training. If you get in the fight, you need to be ready."

  * * *

  60 Minutes Later

  Nate finished with his
belt, and then reached for lightweight multilayered PDS gear next to his bunk. There were extra pilots on board the Mauler, as well as the gunships and the Hammerheads. If necessary, they could function as improvised marines, but for all the training, Nate prayed that wouldn't happen. He still ached from the bruising encounter with Lieutenant Heiskell's marines, but for all the discomfort, he'd actually found the joint training session to be something special. All of the Knighthawks, as they were now known, had paired up with marines and run through a series of armed and unarmed drills. It had been a much lighter training scenario than normal, and as Nate made the last few changes to his gear, he was thankful for that.

  "This is the Captain. We are on final approach to the deployment location. To your stations, pilots to the launch decks. All crew prepare for action!"

  Nate looked to his side where the rest of the squadron was busy getting ready. Cassandra was stripped to the waist and pulling on a close fitting under suit that would press closely to her skin. Matilda, though, was fully dressed, with her PDS Naval gear fitted and only her helmet in her hands. Billy spotted him and chuckled.

  "Reckon we'll run into trouble?"

  Nate shrugged.

  "Who knows? It's only supposed to be a shipping lane. Knowing our luck, we'll run into an entire fleet."

  Nate pulled the utility belt adjuster as he finished putting on his gear. This was not the first occasion he'd done it, but this time there was something very different. He paused for a second as though he'd just forgotten something.

  "What's up?" Billy asked.

  Nate remained silent for a second and then his face seemed to soften.

  "I only just realised. This is our first time as an operational squadron, on an actual mission. And it's not going to be the five of us. We're going with full squadrons this time."

  Billy laughed.

  "Hell, yeah!"

  A face appeared at the far end of the compartment and looked inside. It was Ensign Hawkins. Nate and Hawkins shared a courteous nod of acknowledgement.

  "On the deck in ten, Knighthawks, let's do this!"

  Nate finished with his belt. By the time the group were out of the room, the klaxon was singing its song. Emergency lighting marked out the routes through the ship, while crew, pilots, and marines rushed to their places. Nate thought back to the training with the marines, realising that he and his friends would be responsible not just for the marines, but also all fifteen Alliance ships in the battlegroup. It was enough to make him retch, and as he moved out into the corridor, he did and almost vomited onto the floor.

  Idiot, like they'll follow a leader who throws up when it gets real.

  He coughed twice and then looked back, thankful to see that his friends were not there. As he walked away, he didn't notice that Cassandra was at the opening to their quarters and watching him walk away.

  * * *

  Ensign Hawkins waited patiently at the port landing deck as the rest of the members of Knighthawk Squadron walked out to join him. He had been there for more than ten minutes and had positioned himself right between the noses of two Bullnose gunships. As the group made their way inside, he glanced at Nate, who like him now wore his full PDS Naval armour. He looked down to Nate's waist and grinned.

  "They still aren't letting you carry weapons, huh?"

  For a second Nate felt a bit stupid, but then he noticed it was the same for him.

  "Yeah. You, too?"

  Hawkins nodded reluctantly.

  "I pushed for sidearms, but the Captain is adamant that only regular units are to be armed."

  He beckoned towards the gunship at his left flank.

  "Still, each of the gunships has a weapons locker on board. Make sure your people have them unlocked as soon as we're released from Relentless."

  Nate nodded in agreement and then waited as the Squadron lined up in a loose, slightly staggered group. Nate looked at each of them and was surprised at how different the two groups actually were. It was not size, or even age, but more to do with demeanour and attitude. Nate's comrades were supremely confident in their abilities at the controls, but the others displayed confidence at all times. Ensign Hawkins placed his hands at his side and gave them all a grim smile. He opened his mouth to speak just as the tall figure of the young Lieutenant Commander Saffron Holder arrived on the deck. At her flanks was a pair of fighter pilots from Corsair Squadron.

  "Knighthawk Squadron. You've seen the briefing and you know the plan. I am still not convinced this is the right job for you. OTC cadets and videogamers are best suited to drone control in my opinion, but the mission has changed."

  She sighed in resignation.

  "The Commander is convinced you can do what is required, and I trust his judgement."

  She looked to Hawkins and Nate.

  "Keep it simple and follow the plan. This mission is more than a recon. It is to clear a way for the entire battlegroup. The only way we can reach our objective is to succeed here first."

  The Lieutenant Commander pointed at the small group of pilots.

  "One mistake, one chance for personal glory, and we lose everything. Real people with real lives are on the line today."

  With that, she walked away, but stopped after making it just a few metres.

  "My squadron has fought in more than thirty engagements for the Alliance. This will be your first, and most important. Don't let us down, and we'll do our part to keep you safe."

  The commander of Corsair Squadron left as quickly as she'd arrived, making her way to the elevators that would take her to the primary launch deck in the centre of the ship. Until now it had been permanently sealed, and this would be its first official test. She left, leaving the members of Knighthawk Squadron looked somewhat stunned on the deck. Nate glanced at Ensign Hawkins who merely shook his head.

  "Yeah, thanks for that, Lieutenant Commander."

  He said the words quietly and received a smirk from Nate. They then both looked back at their comrades.

  "Like the Lieutenant Commander said, this is Knighthawk's first mission. Forward drones have already been deployed and the most up-to-date maps are already encoded on your systems."

  He tapped his Secpad bracelet and enlarged the projected model so that it was almost the size of his own head. It showed the area of space relatively close to the Spacebridge where the fleet would be passing by.

  "The plan has altered slightly because of the Rift control station. According to the new data, there are four ships guarding the station, as well as a number of fighter squadrons. We cannot complete this mission with minimum forces deployed. That's why Relentless is taking the lead on this one."

  He glanced to Nate who gave him an encouraging series of nods.

  "The Admiral has decided to initiate a full response with all our available assets to be used."

  Billy's face lit up at this news.

  "We are putting out six birds, all fully loaded for combat. That's right. We are deploying the full squadron."

  That got quite a response from the other ten members of the squadron. He lifted his hand to silence them.

  "The Lieutenant Commander is not convinced we can do the job. She has requested additional support from the fleet, but the Admiral has refused. The enemy will have plenty of time to send for help before we could arrive. If they activate that Spacebridge, they can call for help, and then we'll be trapped out here."

  Nate then took over.

  "They will detect our presence twenty-six minutes before we arrive, and it takes only ten to twelve minutes to activate the Spacebridge from cold. That's why we will be using the civilian ore hauler we recently requisitioned."

  This brought a few nods and comments from the others. The civilian ship had given rise to many questions and discussion amongst both pilots and crew.

  "We will approach while broadcasting friendly IFF data given to us by Captain Dreuc. If this works, we should be able to convince them this is a conventional transport operation and nothing out of the ordinary."


  One of the Foss brothers said something, and another pilot laughed before being instantly silenced by the cold looks from Nate and Ensign Hawkins.

  "It will give us a small window to neutralise the Spacebridge and their ability to call for assistance."

  Nate was met by nothing but silence, and for a second he felt nervous.

  Stay cool, Nate, this is no different to the planning in the lobby before a simulated game. Just tell them the plan, and what they have to do.

  Nate felt small, almost childish with so many military personnel around. Yet right now, the only one treating him that way was himself. He closed his eyes for a second and then continued.

  "The mission has been modified with input from the Admiral. We will move towards the Rift station on board MV Tarandot and release both squadrons at the last minute. We cannot risk mobilising their forces against us."

  Matilda began shaking her head.

  "This won't work. It won't..."

  Nate lifted his hand to silence her.

  "Why won't it work?"

  Matilda moved towards him and pointed at the semicircular control station fitted in front of the entrance to the Spacebridge.

  "Our fighters will not have enough time to disable the entire system. It would take thirty minutes, maybe longer. Multiple layers of armour protect the power systems. The best we can manage is to disable it for a few minutes, and they will still get it back on-line to warn their people. "

  Ensign Hawkins now looked almost pleased.

  "Exactly. And that is exactly what Admiral Churchill said. That is why we are going to lead a strike team against the control station itself. At the same time as half of Thunder Squadron and all of Corsair Squadron keep the ships busy. Once the Spacebridge has been disabled, the fleet will arrive, and we will change course to the Nozu-Kuba Gas Mines."

  The two Foss brothers looked to each other and nodded in agreement at almost the exact same time.

  "Told you," said Jaren.

  His marginally shorter brother shook his head.