by Will Crudge
There was no time for regret, Melvin concluded. He was ready to accept his fate, and he felt at peace. He was ready to die doing his duty.
He was read to die to save trillions!
“Ready to engage at your command, General.” Simon reported.
Melvin took one last look over at Chief Clemens. The man had taken the time to wipe his face clean. It was as if he wanted to die with dignity. The warrant officer rendered a crisp salute, and Melvin returned the gesture with one of his own.
“It’s been an honor, gentlemen!” Melvin said proudly as he remained at the position of attention. “Simon… Fire!”
Turkey Shoot
Location: UAHC Drone Dreadnaught, Broadsword, CIC
Date Time: Post Interstellar 08/04/4201 2124HRS UAHC Standard Zulu
System: Sol, Open Space
After transitioning to normal space-time, Wilkins made no effort to plot their current position. He knew that Howard was tracking it intimately. He decided all he needed was the proper bearing and range to jump back into action at Forge Station.
Satisfied with the data set, Wilkins made the appropriate attitude adjustments, and engaged the Slip-Space drive once more. Time and space melted away in a flash, and then moments later snapped back into normal once more. The short hop into slip-space was all he knew they needed to get back into the fight.
Checking their location, Wilkins was please to find that the hasty jump was more precise than he’d anticipated. They were within twenty three meters of their projections, and now they were lined up directly with the taxiway to Tangine. He knew the Unum forces were on the far-side of the station from where they were, but had no idea what they were dealing with.
Wilkins read it in a flash, and realized the time-stamp was several minutes earlier. He figured their line of sight limitations, and two FTL jumps had been the cause of the delay.
As if he was reading Olaf’s thoughts from beyond the cyber realm, a new order of battle materialized. They were going to wipe out anything that was threatening to make a run for it. Good! He thought to himself.
He reached out to the myriad of sensors that were feeding him data in real-time. The main body of the Broadsword Squadron was still leading the remaining Crimson Cruisers and two dreadnaughts into deep space, and away from the station. The lone surviving vessel of the Broadsword’s reactive armor onslaught was the lone dreadnaught known as the Maelstrom. But with the KEPL system out of play, it was nothing more than a large cruiser with a sub-standard crew at the helm. It was busy trying to sift through the wreckage of the two dozen other Crimson ships to pose any immediate threat.
The Broadsword would face another threat. Alone. Head-on.
The thrusters came to life at once and the ship quickly closed the twenty kilometer gap between them and their effective firing range. Moment later he zoomed in on the target. A lone battle carrier trying to make the final turn forty five degrees from the inner taxiway of the station, and outward within the taxiway to the Tangine hyper gate.
He noticed a trail of debris that seemed to be coming from the main thruster array. It only took a moment to realize that something had hit it, but with no effect.
Our Unum friends are doing their damnedest to pull their own weight! He thought to himself as he pulled up his own firing solution.
There was no time to debate economy of force. The weapon of choice would have to be the deadliest option. The solution processed itself, and his smiled when he read the data tag.
[Ninety Ton KEPL; Armored Piercing]
Without hesitation, and in accordance with the Admiral’s orders, Wilkins sent the fire command to the massive KEPL. In his disembodied form, he would not bear witness to the flickering of lights within the CIC, but he imagined what it would look like all the same.
The round was launched and the data read true. After a few agonizing seconds of time, the ninety ton round of steel, tungsten, and depleted uranium slammed into the starboard side of the carrier.
In a brilliant display of violently released energy, the carrier split in two, and the two separated section began to be torn apart by subsequent explosions. Wilkins could only guess as to what was triggering the secondary explosions, but he was confident that the stores of fuel and ordinance for the hundreds of fighters was to blame.
It was glorious carnage… glorious indeed.
End Game
Location: Forge Station, STC Tower
Date Time: Post Interstellar 08/04/4201 2042HRS Unum Standard Zulu
System: Forge Controlled Space
The final flight of stairs was unguarded. Surely these fuckers know what’s happened underneath their feet! Estrada thought to himself. It was obvious to him that there was little or no communication with their security forces down below. Either that or they had been taken out before word could be sent.
“I guess they were so confident of their booby traps, they didn’t see the need to post any guards!” The young female PFC noted.
“Perhaps.” Estrada said plainly as he pushed his way passed the Soldiers and stood in front of the door. “Now it’s time to show you young Soldiers that even a General isn’t too good to be the first one through the door!”
The six Soldiers all gave nods of approval and a few thumbs up. Estrada decided to take his showmanship to the next level, and he retracted his combat helmet. He sensed several sets of eyes on the back of his head as he faced the door, so he spoke over his shoulder. “I want these fuckers to see the face of their enemy… don’t think this means you can do dumb shit like me! Keep your helmets on until this place is secured, got it?”
Icons of acknowledgement were sent to his internal HUD. Satisfied, he reached for a fresh cigar out of a cargo compartment in the forearm, and daintily popped it in his mouth.
He picked up his right leg, and thrust it forward towards the door, but stopped his foot a few centimeters before impact. He put his foot down then cocked his head to one side.
“Is there a problem, Sir?” The PFC asked.
“No.” He shook his head but kept facing the door. “I figured it might be neat to try and use the doorknob first!” He said as he deployed nano-bots into the mechanism. Soon an n image emerged in his internal HUD, and he immediately began to share the feed to the other six soldiers.
Confident there wasn’t a trap built into the door, Estrada sent his nano-bots into the space beyond.
The STC tower personnel were frantically working away at their consoles, and not one of them seemed to have a clue that there were UAHC Soldiers only a few meters away. There was one Crimson commando casually pacing about. The commando’s relaxed posture and open palm resting on the back of his low-slung weapon detonated a lack of awareness.
He saw one more man in armor. This one seemed only armed with a pistol in a holster, and his helmet was retracted. This man appeared to hold a posture of an authority figure. His shoulders were squared up, and his arms were folded in front. He appeared to be focused on a display from a nearby console that was manned by a female in a flight suit.
This is going to be interesting! He thought as he reached for the doorknob.
***
Allyson watched in terror as the battle carrier was torn apart from the impact of the KEPL. Those ruthless bastards! She thought as she shook her head in dismay. The feelings of anger and dread flooded through her like a raging river.
“I see you’re dismayed, Allyson.” Tyler’s voice took her by surprise. She didn’t realize he had approached.
“The last carrier’s captain is signaling for surrender! Can’t you order him to retract it?” She said as she turned to look at him. Her eyes glossed over, and here forehead was wrinkled.
“No, I can’t.” Tyler said as he crossed his arms.
“But you have to! They have to
listen to you, don’t they? You’re in command on this station!” She desperately pleaded. She tried to subdue the well of frustration that was brewing deep inside, but it was taking control.
“I command agents on station… That’s it!” He said as he shook his head. “That captain has full authority to take whatever action he deems necessary. Even though it will mean his own execution. He’s sacrificing himself for his crew, and I can’t stop him from doing it.”
“That coward!” She shouted as she broke down in tears. Tyler didn’t say a word. She could feel his eyes on her as she wept into her hands. I hope these UAHC bastards pay after the fleet takes Sol!
A moment later she was startled by a load cracking noise followed by a subsequent thud. She looked up to see Tyler’s eyes were wide open, and his hands were in the air. She blinked away the tears and refocused her eyes to see seven UAHC Soldiers inside the tower.
Six of them wore dark camouflage battle armor, and the last had his head exposed. He was an older man with a dark complexion and streaks of grey in his otherwise black hair.
The older man held a ballistic rifle and was pointing it directly at Tyler’s face. With his right hand still on the trigger, his left hand reached up to reposition an unlit cigar that he was clenching between his teeth.
“I take it you’re going to surrender unconditionally?” The man said.
Tyler narrowed his eyes and let out a forced sigh. “I suppose I have no choice, do I?”
“No.” The older said.
“Coward!” Allyson yelled at Tyler as she reached for his side-arm.
“No!” Tyler yelled as she pulled the pistol and pointed it at the helmetless man. She squeezed the trigger with all of her might, but nothing happened. Shit! DNA encoded trigger! It was the last thing she thought before the world disappeared… and she knew no more.
That Was Close
Location: UDF Gunship, Slugger, CIC, Forge Station
Date Time: Post Interstellar 08/04/4201 2042HRS Unum Standard Zulu
System: Forge Controlled Space
Melvin closed his eyes and drew in one last breath after ordering the weapons fire. He knew it would be his last.
But the rapid decompression never came. “Simon?” He said as his eyes fluttered open.
“Yes, Sir?” Simon replied calmly.
“Did you fire the weapon?” Melvin asked plainly.
“I’m sorry, Sir. I didn’t hear you give the order.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! How in the hell does a ship’s AI not hear a direct order?” Melvin shouted. His emotions had gone from the peaceful acceptance of death, to that of rage.
“Because I was too busy watching the battle carrier disintegrate!” Simon said with a laugh. Melvin gasped and shot a look over to Clemens. The warrant officer looked confused as well, and didn’t seem to have anything to add.
Melvin jumped behind his command console and pulled up the visual feeds. What he saw was amazing.
The massive mega-ton carrier was split in two. Both the fore and aft portions were being shredded by a cascade of internal explosions as debris littered the taxiway.
“Sir!” Simon chimed in. “Looks like the War Master is hailing us again.”
Shit! Melvin had lost track of the War Master and his LRGS-110. Once the taxiway shielding had imploded, the following chaos had clouded his awareness. “On screen!”
The main holographic display revealed the image of the War Master standing next to a massive lion. Melvin’s could feel the blood course through his veins in response to what he was seeing. He’d always known about Zodiacs, and had even seen a few from a distance, but never one so huge… or majestic. The lion’s jowls were stained with fresh blood, and the War Master’s own armor had no shortage of it as well.
“Greeting War Master!” Melvin said with a broad smile.
“Greetings to you, general.” He said with a curt bow. “I’m sorry we got separated earlier, but it couldn’t have been avoided. I had to peel away from the first of many exploding carriers.”
“I suppose you did.”
“I was returning back to Forge Space when I saw your ship break off and try to engage the battle carrier. I figured you had the matter well controlled, so I sought to capture this one.” He said as he gestured his hand in a circle.
“Wait a second!” Melvin said as darted his scratched his head. “You’re onboard the second carrier?”
“Yes, but don’t take my word for it.” The War Master said with a wink. He then gestured for someone off screen to step into full view. A tall man with balding hair stepped into view. Melvin immediately recognized the Crimson dress uniform with captain’s insignia adorning the shoulder boards.
“I am General Melvin of the UDF. And who might you be?”
The man looked emotionally defeated. His slouched posture and deep frown spoke volumes. “I am Captain Ivan, general… and I am offering you my formal surrender.”
The Final Push
Location: UAHC Drone Dreadnaught, Broadsword, CIC
Date Time: Post Interstellar 08/04/4201 2124HRS UAHC Standard Zulu
System: Forge Controlled Space
Olaf sipped his coffee with extreme reverence. He closed his eyes and took in a long drag of the piping hot beverage. He felt its acidic goodness tickle his taste buds, and savored every tiny complexity of its flavor. After he swallowed, he went on to revel in delight as it warmly coated his throat.
“For the love of shit, Olaf!” Estrada’s voice chimed in. “Are you having a mouth-gasm over there?”
Olaf opened his eyes to see his friend standing in the CIC with his armor still on. Wilkins stood behind him holding his hand over his mouth. It was obvious that he was trying to hold back the laughter. “Good to see you too, old friend!” Olaf smiled.
“All of our folks, minus two companies of ground-pounders, are back onboard.” Estrada said as he held his soggy cigar in place.
“Unum personnel?” Olaf asked.
“They are keeping back about two hundred personnel and a handful of cutters to secure the station. General Melvin has sent a request for follow on forces to come in from Celeste System and take over. Our Soldiers with provide back up until then.”
“Excellent.” Olaf said as he stood up from the console. “I’ve reported everything to Consul Gerhardt, and he’s going to relay it to the Fleet Marshal at Tangine. The battle isn’t going well… at all.”
Estrada frowned. “I was afraid of that.”
“Orders, Sir?” Wilkins asked.
“Let General Melvin know we are departing for Tangine… and when we do, the Broadsword is going to kill anything that isn’t happy to see us!”
The End
The crew of the Broadsword aren’t finished yet! The broader storyline of the Humanity War Saga continues with Book 3: United Front. Be sure to like my page on Facebook for news, insights, and maybe the occasional funny meme.
Liked this book? Hated it? Either way, I invite you to submit an honest review on Amazon.
For those of you who have yet to read the previous saga installments, then I invite you to do so now. Read Book 1: Sovereign Protocol for only $.99!
Also feel free to check out:
Book 2: The Battle of Tangine
Kara’s Flight – A Humanity War Companion novella
On a final note… This work, along with the four others in this saga, took a tremendous amount of coffee drinking to pull off. I have limited funds to keep myself properly fueled up by the black Columbian super-bean elixir. So if you want to keep me primed and ready to produce more exciting tales, then please feel free to buy me a coffee! God bless!
-Will Crudge
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