Steel Breach

by Casey Calouette

  Tomi opened his eyes and tasted blood in his mouth. He tried to sit up and realized he was lying on his side. "Oh fuck!" He grabbed the controls and his viewscreen came to life. Light flooded into his eyes and he was staring right at the alien tank.

  "We're hit bad!" Mick yelled. "Ammo is ruptured, loader is down!"

  Apocalypse lay on its side next to the alien tank. Smoke poured out from a wound on the side of the alien tank. One of its cannons hung limp while the other pounded out one round after the next. It had nearly crawled up on top of Fearless, Commander Arap's tank.

  Then Tomi saw someone, a single soldier got up off the ground next to the gate with something in his hands. The gate charges detonated a moment later. The shaped charges went off in a small explosion and for a moment nothing happened.

  Then there was a sound like the shattering of a million windows followed by a thunderclap. The snow blasted back and the sky emptied. A shockwave rippled through the air and the crystalline carbon structure of the stargate collapsed into a million shards. The gateway to the other planet disappeared.

  "Pivot! Pivot right!" Nikov croaked.

  Tomi struggled to tear off his viewscreen. "Nikov!"

  "Do it!" she yelled. "I can't move the gun, you have to do it. Then get out. Get out."

  "What?"

  "Do it!"

  Tomi grasped the controls and punched them to turn right. The tracks struggled to turn and the tank shuddered and shook before it finally did. "You can't fire, the loader is down!"

  "The backup, remember the backup?" Nikov said. Her voice was wet as she struggled to cough.

  Tomi remembered the lecture about the secondary round storage on the side of the breech. One shot. They had one shot.

  Hands pulled at Tomi and he struggled to stay in his seat. "Go!"

  "C'mon! We need to get out!" Mick yelled.

  Tomi was pulled back and he caught one glimpse of Sergeant Nikov. She lay on her side with blood all over her face. One shoulder was raw and torn. But her eyes were clear, crystal clear.

  "Get out!" she yelled.

  Tomi struggled to get out. Mick pushed him ahead with Hutchins latched onto the other arm. Mueller followed right behind.

  Bulldog fired off a single round. The penetrator round blasted through the air and punched a single hole into the side of the alien tank. The round bored into the very heart of the tank and exploded. The body of the alien tank split open and blue light erupted.

  At the same moment the autoloading mechanism inside of Bulldog suffered a catastrophic failure. Ammunition poured out of the stowage and onto the floor. One round tumbled into the next before an explosive round finally detonated them all. A fireball surged through Bulldog.

  Tomi screamed and felt the heat on his face.

  "Come on!" Mick yelled. He ran ahead and grabbed Colonel Clarke and his escorts. More soldiers ran into the area along with the few remaining Vasilov tanks.

  Gunfire sounded in the distance. Transports rumbled just out of sight and it sounded like the rest of the Kadan line was coming.

  "Get under cover! We make our stand here!"

  The armor took cover behind wrecked hulls while the infantry setup wherever they could. The snow fell in waves of massive snowflakes that tumbled nearly straight down.

  A voice called out through the snow. "They're Vasilov!"

  Shapes appeared in the snow and a line of Vasilov soldiers ran into the area. Transports followed shortly after and hundreds of troops ran about and secured the area.

  Tomi leaned on Mick's arm and shivered in the cold. His flameproof suit was soaked through with sweat and wet snow. "Mick? Mick, what's happening?"

  Colonel Clarke spoke in a loud clear voice. "We've done it. We've ended this war."

  A Captain ran up to Colonel Clarke and saluted. The man grinned and stuck out his hand. "General Obstedt sends his regards."

  Tomi turned to where the gate once stood and then looked back at Bulldog. "Death before dismount," he mumbled.

  #

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  VASCOM - Court of Inquiry

  "Duke Krenshaw is quite insistent that he gave you a direct order," General Wallesly said.

  "He did," Colonel Clarke said. He leaned forward and rested his hands on the polished wood table. "And I chose to disobey it."

  The men sat in a small room with high windows. A dull gray light streamed in. The Vasilov flag hung on one wall.

  "Colonel," General Sako spoke next. "You have put us in a unique situation. You are, undoubtedly, a hero. However, Duke Krenshaw is pressing this matter."

  "There is a risk of war," General Mannheim said. "The old kind, one Duke against the next."

  Colonel Clarke looked at the board of inquiry and shook his head. In the few short months since they'd destroyed the stargate, the bickering had returned. At first he couldn't wait to get off Lishun Delta, but now he rather preferred dealing with an enemy he could shoot. He'd had enough of this.

  "What do you want?"

  General Wallesly looked at General Sako. "Your father has used his office to exert some pressure on the matter."

  "Which is why you are not being court-martialed," General Mannheim said.

  "My father be damned. Court-martial me if you would," Colonel Clarke said. "I did my duty!"

  "Which is why we have a rather unique conundrum, wouldn't you say, Colonel?" General Wallesly said. "How can everyone walk away, maybe not happy, but satisfied."

  "What do you want?"

  General Sako spoke quickly. "You could offer something to satisfy Duke Krenshaw. An Armored Cavalry Squadron worth of Sigg tanks, perhaps?"

  "You'd be duly compensated," General Wallesly said.

  "Your service is impeccable," General Mannheim said.

  General Sako said, "Lord Darcy is offering—"

  "Lord Darcy can go to hell. Court-martial me then." Colonel Clarke stood sharply and glared down at the Generals. He was about to raise his hand and salute and decided against it. They didn't deserve it. Instead he spun around and walked to the door.

  "Colonel, there is the matter of your soldiers," General Sako said.

  Colonel Clarke stopped. He clenched his fists. Blood rushed to his face. He slowly turned.

  "They will return to a penal battalion to serve out their terms."

  "They are heroes," Colonel Clarke said.

  "No," General Wallesley said. "They are criminals. However, should you quietly transfer your armor to Duke Krenshaw; we will allow them to remain under your command."

  "You bastards."

  General Mannheim stood. "What will it be, Colonel?"

  "Duke Krenshaw gets his armor," he said and marched out of the room.

  #

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Vasilov Prime - Pulaski Hotel

  Umi limped to the window of the hotel and stared out into the streets. He watched people scurry between buildings. The streets were still littered with the debris of celebration. Someone cried out a cheer in the distance.

  He watched the people go by and felt lost in it all. Was he a success or a failure? His bank account was quite flush, Riga had his bonus, and everyone was back safe. But what now?

  There was a knock on the door.

  "C'mon in," he yelled.

  Kelly Dell walked in on a set of crutches with Colonel Clarke behind.

  Umi smiled. "Colonel Clarke, esteemable war hero, come to buy me a drink?" Then he saw the look on Clarke's face and stopped smiling.

  "Hello, Umi, how about you buy me one?" Clarke said. He stood in the middle of the room and stared at the floor.

  "Kelly, would you get us a bottle?" Umi said.

  Kelly Dell hobbled out of the room and closed the door behind her.

  "What is it?" Umi asked.

  "Politics," Clarke spat. "They didn't have the courage to court-martial me for disobeying Krenshaw."

  "What?" Umi said. "But you ended the war!"

  "They were going to send my men back to a penal
battalion to finish their sentences."

  Umi was at a loss for words. His men had ended the war as heroes; he couldn't imagine how horrible it all must feel.

  "So I handed Krenshaw my tanks, but I got to keep the men from going back into the Penal Battalions."

  "Cole..."

  "They earned it. They earned more than that."

  The raindrops splattered on the windows and someone cheered again on the street.

  "I'm sorry Cole."

  Clarke nodded and sat down. He stared at the table with the look of a broken man.

  Kelly Dell hobbled in with the clinking of glass announcing her arrival. She set a bottle on the table along with three glasses.

  "Umi," Clarke said. He looked up at Umi with pleading eyes.

  "I, I know how it feels to be cast aside." He limped to the table and cracked open the bottle. He poured the oily looking whisky into the three glasses. "To new tanks."

  Clarke looked up with a twinkle in his eye. He raised up his glass. "To those who fell."

  "And to those who didn't," Umi replied.

  "What are you going to do now Umi?" Colonel Clarke said.

  "I've got a trip to make. I'm going to Terra to repay a promise."

  #

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Vasilov Prime - Wharf District Twelve - The Wholly Hole Tavern

  "Another round!" Tomi yelled. He tossed down a handful of credit chits and didn't worry that a few fell to the floor. With his other hand he squeezed Ekaterina tight.

  Ekaterina squealed and peeled herself out of his arms. "Tomi! You old tease. I was so worried about you!"

  Hutchins sat down hard at the table. Empty bottles clinked and fell over. He swept a bunch aside and laid down two mugs of beer.

  "Thanks!" Mick said. He reached out to grab one.

  "Both for me!" Hutchins said. He picked up one glass, emptied it down, then grabbed the other and did the same.

  Mick grinned and nudged Puck. "Ya know he can't get drunk. Impossible, he's too big. A scientific fact. Right Kall?"

  "Get fucked," Kallio said. She looked up from her glass and was completely and totally drunk.

  "See?" Mick grinned.

  Mueller sat and laid out two shot glasses, a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Then he carefully laid down a very expensive bottle of whisky with a burnt label. He didn't bother explaining before he stood and walked back into the crowd.

  "The Colonel's whisky," Puck said reverently.

  Waslinski helped Gous up from the opposite table and the two fell onto the floor in a heap of laughter.

  "The Colonel is sticking with us," Mick said. He tapped his finger on the table. "But we got no tanks."

  "We'll get some," Hutchins said.

  "What do we do 'til then? I bet we just sit on our ass and relax," Puck said. "Ya think, Tomi?"

  Tomi licked his lips. He glanced around the bar and saw those who'd saved his life. Then he looked over at Ekaterina's pouting face. "Well, I'd rather do the rest of my time with you guys and the Old Man then digging ditches somewhere and sleeping in a prison. How bad could it be? Can't get much worse than Lishun Delta, right?"

  A waitress showed up and set down a platter of empty shot glasses.

  Mick plucked each one and handed them out. He scooped up the blackened bottle of whisky and stared at it for a long moment. Then he filled each of the glasses.

  The troopers watched in silence.

  Mick raised the last glass into the air. "For Nikov. May she finally have found her peace."

  They all drank and were silent.

  Someone yelled and angry voices echoed out at the back of the tavern. Hess and Wellington backed away from a poker table. A half dozen men stood at the same time. One shook a billy club. "You cheated me! You two are counting cards!"

  "Well boys," Mick said. He stood and cracked his knuckles. "Shall we?"

  Tomi grinned. "I think we shall."

  #

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Kursikov III

  Karl squatted down and scooped up a handful of rich, moist soil. He sniffed it, not because he knew what to smell, but because he'd seen other farmers do it. It smelled like dirt to him.

  "Now if you choose, we can select this parcel as part of your title, Lieutenant Sigorski," the colonial broker said.

  "Baron-Lieutenant, if you don't mind."

  Sedan nudged Karl in the ribs.

  "Of course," the broker said dryly.

  "Water is good, yes?"

  "Sweet as a summer spring."

  "And the neighbors?"

  "Also veterans."

  "Snow, does it snow?"

  "Pardon?" the man asked. The smile drooped from his face.

  "Does it get cold enough to snow? A simple question."

  "We can handle a bit of snow," Sedan said.

  Karl looked at the man angrily. "You said no snow!"

  "It so rarely snows in this area," the man pleaded.

  "Bah!" Karl yelled. He stomped away from Sedan and the broker.

  Snow. Cold. Aliens. He wanted none of it. The only thing he wanted was his parcel to match his title and no snow.

  He stopped and looked around. It was beautiful country. The first leaves on the hybrid maples were just coming in. Farther off a river tumbled through and he could almost make out the sound of the rapids. A low mountain range braced the horizon. He liked it.

  "Does the ground freeze?"

  The broker rushed up and shook his head. "Of course not! When it snows it barely stays, just a bad memory. An excuse to, uh," the man smiled and elbowed Karl, "get with the missus."

  Karl glanced back at Sedan and nodded. "Very well. This will be my home."

  <<<<>>>>

  Hello Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed Steel Breach.

  This novel was a blast to write and I’m looking forward to getting to know the convicts much better in the future. They are a colorful lot, rife with tension, failure, regret, but also hope. Sometimes we all need second chances, or third, or fourth.

  As an author I love honest feedback. So, tell me what you loved or hated. You can write me at casey@caseycalouette.com or find me at http://caseycalouette.com

  Finally I need to ask a favor. If you’re so inclined, I’d love an honest review of Steel Breach. Loved it, hated it, - I’d just enjoy your feedback.

  As you may notice on my books reviews are hard to come by. You, the reader, have the power to make or break a book. If you have the time, here’s a link to my author page at Amazon. You can find a list of all of my books here : http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004IWHH8O

  I’d like to thank the Colonels. You guys have been an inspiration, a motivation, but most of all good friends.

  Thank you so much for reading Steel Breach and for spending your time with me.

  Graciously,

  Casey