by CN Stoesen
Duncan removed her helmet and stared down the midshipman. The young officer quailed under her gaze. A door slid open, and a man rolled in on a wheelchair.
"Well done Duncan. Using hand signals to pass orders is a lost art around here. Too many folks like to hear the sound of their own voice. Just goes to show we all have something to learn."
The midshipman blushed deeply at the man's words. He popped open his mouth in surprise. He took a second to regain control and snap himself out of it.
"Thank you, sir," replied Duncan to Major Dunfries.
"Don't sir me, captain. I'm a lowly gunnery sergeant who forgot to duck once."
Both the man and Duncan shared a brief laugh. The wheelchair bound man had a major's rank insignia on his collar. A simple thing he ignored.
"Duncan, what is your assessment of the defense Midshipman Duff put up?"
"Sir, they appeared to be waiting for a specific type of attack. When it didn't present itself the way they expected, they didn't modify their plans to adapt to the situation as it unfolded. It was as if someone told them we were coming one way and that is what they prepared for. They relied on habit and took extreme losses because of it. There are so many ways of assaulting any position. They didn't have a good warning system to inform them of the approach of the attack. The barricade was well made, but offered no substantive protection. The men should have had on emergency gear in case of explosive decompression. If the grenade hadn't suppressed your defenders with the air-burst, the next round was set to puncture the wall and the hull beyond it."
The midshipman's face and those of his crew went pale. Duncan so casually spoke about one of their worst fears and that she was willing to cause it on purpose.
More marines and sailors filed into the room as the debriefing was going on. The major frowned thoughtfully and nodded. He turned to the young corporal who led the three man team that took the engine room.
"How did you prevent the engineers form disabling the ship?"
He came to attention and reported, "Sir, we blew a hole in the hull when we entered. With the magnetic boots, I figured we would be fine. We eliminated the threats and secured the engine room. The engines work with or without a pressurized space."
The midshipman stole a glance at the engine room crew. They all nodded their agreement as to what the corporal had done. The wheelchair bound major couldn't contain his laughter.
"This is why we need more cross training between marines, militia and the navy. No marine would have thought of that as a practical solution due to the extreme danger involved. They stopped using hand signals and relied on their secure radio nets. Basically, Duncan, your team violated most of the standard operating procedures because you were thinking of winning by inflicting the highest casualties in the most efficient way possible, which is what you doubtlessly did in ground combat. Our marines used to have very restrictive rules of engagement. I can't wait to see what you do to the enemy."
He turned to the midshipman, "Mr. Duff, this is a good lesson for you. Previously, you only encountered other sailors doing a boarding action by proscribed drill dictated by the rules of engagement. This is what happens when you deal with marines."
He gave the midshipman a lingering, evil smile that removed the last ounce of protest.
"You are dismissed Mr. Duff. Take your crew to the reviewing room and watch what happened. Learn from this. FUP marines will be just as cunning as Captain Duncan."
The sailors filed out of the room. The major was still smiling.
"Captain, well done. You did it the old way. Before the war, the navy tied our hands with restrictive rules of engagement that prevented us from breaching hulls. I'm glad they found a manual from before that time. Do you feel your platoon is ready?"
"Yes, sir. Every squad has been through the sims several times. They are all used to the armor now and all of us have passed the zero-G training. Including Barfo."
Gordo looked embarrassed when she called him out. He had thrown up in every revolution in zero-G he had done. He barely passed his training. The major chuckled as he wheeled over to the large gunner. He patted the man's knee.
"I took a while to get used to zero-G. Don't worry about it son. You will get used to it. It's amazing what your stomach can handle when under fire."
Duncan led her people to the second review room to critique their attack. They watched all the holographic footage several times through. In general, she was pleased with the attack, but had second thoughts on her own orders. In particular, she questioned her decision for the take down of the barricade outside of the bridge. She now thought she left Gordo too exposed by sending him in first. The grenade should have gone in and then he should lay down suppressive fire.
The computer simulation then gave her a critique of the operation. Even though the major had prepared her for it, it shocked her to get a failing grade. The sims were tied to pre-war rules of engagement. Major Dunfries told her to ignore the computer grading as those old rules no longer applied. Her men suffered zero casualties, and that was always a win in her book.
Chapter 13
Duncan and her platoon reported aboard the Q-Ship Saint Mary of Valencia. She was a large freighter with a huge number of containers linked to her hull. What made her different was that the cargo pods were false and concealed a warship underneath. The camouflage had allowed her to submit to three inspections without being discovered so far. Now Duncan's troops were being placed in their crew quarters.
The ship smelled new. The crisp smell of ozone was present as well as paint and the newness of the materials. This vessel had been custom-built for New Glasgow from another planet seeking reform within the FUP. They desired, as did New Glasgow, full membership for all colony planets and representation in the senate. It felt alien compared to the shuttles she had flown in previously. Then again, she had only been in two so far and the simulators.
They spent the day in orientation to learn the layout of the ship. She still couldn't believe they were out of their old dirty Militia fatigues and wearing new Marine duty uniforms. Her men looked proud and ready to serve. It was hard to believe that within the week, they would be attempting to counter-board an enemy vessel.
A few months ago, she wouldn't have believed this possible. She had felt her cause was lost. Now she was the point of the spear, leading a counteroffensive in the long war with the FUP.
Free Fall
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The New Glasgow War Series
There are plans for five books in this series.
Prequel: Free Fall - Available Now
Book 1: Out of the Ashes
Book 2: Counter Strike - To be released Shortly