by Ken Lozito
Lieutenant LaCroix’s face became pale. “Sir, he’s defending his wife.”
“I know that, Lieutenant!” Nathan snapped. “It’s them or all of us. Now cut the damn power to that gun battery. Shut it down!”
Lieutenant LaCroix swung his flustered gaze toward his console, and his hands flew through the interface. “Power has been cut off to the gun battery. I’ve locked out the override and closed the doors.”
There was a bright flash on the main holoscreen video feed of the R&D outpost. One moment it was there and the next it was gone. Nathan’s mouth went dry and he checked the surface scanners. No one from the R&D outpost had escaped. They were all dead.
“Ops, any change in the cruiser’s flight pattern?” Nathan asked.
“Negative, Colonel. They’re maintaining speed and heading,” Sergeant Martinez said.
That was something at least.
“Ops, let me know when the security detail has Robinson in custody,” Nathan said.
There were several surprised glances from the CDF soldiers in the command area. Nathan’s brows pulled together sternly. “Listen up. We’re at war. Anyone who fails to follow orders will be relieved of duty, brought up on charges of treason, and shot. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Colonel,” the CDF soldiers in the area answered.
Nathan nodded grimly and felt a sneer lift his upper lip. But what surprised him was that he would carry out his threat. This was what it meant to survive, and the thought sickened him to no end.
21
Major Sean Quinn stood on the rooftop of the Colonial Defense Force Headquarters in Sierra. The sun shone brightly over the cradle of New Earth’s first colonial city as it stretched out around him. Over a hundred and fifty thousand people had lived here. What had started out as an encampment for a few thousand colonists was well on its way to becoming a full-blown metropolis. He glanced upward, remembering the Ark as it had been when it was orbiting their new home. One of humanity’s most ambitious efforts, the Ark had been the biggest ship he’d ever seen—so large, in fact, that it had been easily visible in New Earth’s night sky even with the planetary rings that surrounded the planet.
He’d been among the first to be awakened after their two-hundred-year journey, and those early days of the colony seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had changed. Sean’s gaze sank back to the city. The Vemus Alpha dwarfed even the Ark. A shiver traveled up Sean’s spine, snapping him out of his reverie. He narrowed his gaze as he took in the city through the eyes of a defender. He saw the CDF soldiers setting up multiple defense installations in preparation for an invasion that was difficult for them to comprehend. Mostly, the installations were outfitted with RF mag-cannons whose mobile platforms not only allowed them to track targets in the sky but on the ground as well.
Connor had sent him back to New Earth with orders to defend Sierra. After reviewing their defenses and knowing the Vemus Alpha was on its way here, he wasn’t sure how long the city could be defended.
To say that his presence was a surprise was an understatement, but when he’d informed the colonial government of his orders, they were met with little enthusiasm. He’d expected as much.
The door to the rooftop opened and Sean glanced over. Captain Juan Diaz strode over to him and saluted.
“We’ve received news from Phoenix Station, Major. Please come with me,” Captain Diaz said.
“Last I checked, comlinks still worked,” Sean replied.
Captain Diaz chuckled. “But they lack that personal touch, sir.”
“Well, I better not keep them waiting,” Sean said and started walking toward the door.
“Connor thinks the world of you, you know,” Captain Diaz said.
Sean glanced at Diaz as they were heading back to the Command Center. “Becoming sentimental on me now?”
Captain Diaz chuckled. “It comes with being a father. And I remember seeing the look on Connor’s face when he found you in that storage crate.”
“He wouldn’t have let me come otherwise,” Sean replied, remembering how, seven years ago after being denied entry to the new Field Ops Search and Rescue team, he’d snuck into a storage crate bound for the remote training camp. He’d had no idea Connor intended to dump all the equipment and recruits out of the Hellcat transport for a low-altitude drop. Looking back on his actions, he realized how foolish a risk he’d taken. There were so many other ways he could have gotten to the training camp that wouldn’t have required the risk of life and limb. Regardless, his life had been forever changed because of it.
Captain Diaz stopped in front of the door to the Command Center and looked at him. He leaned in. “Connor sent you back here to lead,” Diaz said.
Sean frowned. “I know, but they aren’t listening,” he said.
“The CDF soldiers here will follow you. You just need to prove to the rest of them why they should listen to you. No one else here has faced the Vemus but you, sir,” Captain Diaz said.
Sean remembered Juan Diaz being his superior officer when he was a fresh-faced recruit. Things had changed. Diaz had always insisted that he was only good for command at a certain level, while people like Connor operated at another level entirely. One thing Connor had instilled in the CDF ranks was to respect the uniform. The person who had that rank and uniform had earned it, something those outside of the CDF had trouble understanding. They judged by what they saw, and what they saw was a very young man who had attained a very high rank.
Sean gave Diaz a nod and then entered the Command Center.
Damon Mills, Director of Field Ops and Security Operations, glanced over at him. “Major Quinn, Phoenix Station has been destroyed. Transmitting the latest information from the station’s data dump to you now.”
Sean’s lips pressed together in a white slash, and he used his neural implants to access the data. His internal smart lens projected the reports away from his eyes, so they were easily read by him, and the others around him couldn’t see them. Sean quickly went through the preliminary report. The Vemus Alpha’s primary weapon had been devastatingly effective.
“They were overwhelmed, but it looks like they did heavy damage as well,” Sean said. “Call an emergency session of the city defense committee.”
Director Mills relayed Sean’s commands. “We can use the conference room over here.”
Sean shook his head. “No need. We’ll have the call right here. This won’t take a lot of time.”
“Most of the committee members are already here, and the ones that aren’t can join in remotely,” Director Mills said.
Sean frowned and peered over at the conference room. He saw his father pacing while speaking with other civilians around the conference table. Sean gritted his teeth and walked over. Damon Mills followed him.
“Why has Lunar Base gone quiet? These reports show that it hasn’t used any of its weapons to engage that enemy ship,” Parish said.
“We’ve been over this. General Gates’ strategy was to keep Lunar Base in the dark to hide its presence from the enemy,” Sean’s father said.
“But with Phoenix Station—” Stanton Parish stopped speaking as Sean walked into the conference room. The committee members looked at Sean as if they weren’t quite sure what to make of him.
“I see you’ve heard about Phoenix Station,” Sean said.
“Yes, just a few minutes ago. We were just discussing it,” Tobias replied.
Sean glanced behind him. “Captain Diaz,” he said.
“Yes, Major,” Captain Diaz replied.
“From now on, all CDF communications stay within CDF channels unless I give my express permission for them to be shared,” Sean said.
Tobias frowned.
“This includes Field Ops and Security,” Sean said before anyone could protest.
“Right away, Major,” Captain Diaz said and left the room.
“What are you doing?” Tobias asked him.
“Yes, why cut us out?” Stanton asked.
Sean drew in a deep
breath. “Why don’t you all sit down,” he said and glanced back at Director Mills, who watched him warily. “You too, Director.”
The defense committee members looked at his father, who nodded for them to sit. He then regarded Sean for a moment before doing the same.
Sean looked at Stanton Parish. “You’re not being cut out. The comms officer didn’t follow protocol for CDF briefings. This lapse will be rectified.”
“What difference does it make if we read the same briefing that goes to the CDF?” Stanton asked.
“Because you’re not qualified to read them. There’s a reason that filter’s in place,” Sean said.
“I beg your pardon?” Stanton said, flustered.
“You heard me,” Sean replied crisply. “The status of Phoenix Station is a military matter and should have come to me first. I heard what you were saying when I walked in. Why didn’t Colonel Hayes at Lunar Base fire his weapons at the Vemus Alpha? That’s what you were pressing for, is that right?”
“It’s a valid question,” Stanton said.
“It’s not what General Gates ordered,” Sean replied.
“But he might be dead for all we know,” Stanton said.
“Phoenix Station is offline, and the status of CDF personnel is currently unknown,” Sean said.
His father cleared his throat. “Don’t you mean destroyed?”
Sean’s gaze hardened. “I meant offline. Destroyed implies that there are no survivors, which I don’t believe until we can do our own reconnaissance of the area. As you’re aware, I’ve been given operational authority for the CDF ground forces.” Sean looked over at Director Mills. “Since this is a wartime situation, this includes Field Operations and Security forces as well. I expect you to comply with these agreed-upon orders.”
Director Mills pressed his lips together. “When we made those laws, we assumed General Gates would be the person leading the CDF.”
Several heads were nodding in agreement.
“He still is leading the CDF,” Sean replied coolly.
“Sean,” his father said, “Phoenix Station is . . . offline. Colonel Savannah Cross is next in the chain of command.”
“Let me be crystal clear with all of you. General Gates assigned Colonel Cross to Sanctuary, and he assigned me to command our ground forces. I don’t require your agreement with the commands of my superiors in order to carry them out,” Sean said.
His father’s eyes widened. “What are you going to do? Arrest all of us?”
“No, but I will have you shipped out to Sanctuary on the next available transport. Civilians have no place in this fight. You’ll only get in the way of the soldiers,” Sean replied.
His father’s gaze narrowed angrily. “What about Director Mills? Are you going to remove him and anyone else who gets in your way?”
“Stop this right now!” Sean said, slamming his fist on the table. “I can’t afford to waste time convincing you who’s in charge. My job is to defend this city from the Vemus forces, not to waste precious time mincing words with all of you.”
His father started to speak again.
“I swear, if this is another protest, I’ll have a squad of my soldiers escort the lot of you out of here right now,” Sean said, glaring at his father.
Director Mills cleared his throat. “I think we all need to take a moment to calm down.”
His father took a steadying breath, and Sean looked at Director Mills.
“I’m not going to challenge your authority,” Director Mills said and then glanced at the other committee members. “We have laws we all agreed on. One thing I have absolute faith in is that General Gates does nothing without careful consideration. He’s sent Major Quinn here on his authority, and I will respect that.”
Tobias cleared his throat. “Can you tell us your strategy for defending the city?”
“I think we’re forgetting the fact that Lunar Base is there with enough firepower to finish what Phoenix Station started,” Stanton said.
“They don’t have enough,” Sean said. “I was there. I saw what was coming for us. Colonel Hayes is following his orders.”
“But he could—” Stanton began.
“I know you’re scared and I’d be lying to you if I said things aren’t going to get any worse. The fact is, we can’t stop the Vemus from reaching New Earth. No matter what we do, we simply cannot,” Sean said and looked at the defense committee members, giving them a few moments for it to sink in.
Stanton drew in a breath to speak again.
“Enough, Stanton,” Tobias said. “We can’t defeat this enemy with clever arguments. General Gates doesn’t promote anyone who follows orders blindly. The CDF has seen the data and believe that keeping with General Gates’ original plan has the greatest chance of success. Let’s move on. Major, you were about to tell us about your strategy for defending this city.”
Sean swallowed hard. “I’ve reviewed what’s been done to bolster the city’s defense here and also in the other settlements. None of you will like what I’m about to tell you.”
An ominous silence took hold of the defense committee.
“We’ve been preparing for the worst. Why don’t you tell us what you have in mind?” Director Mills said.
“We can’t hold this city,” Sean said.
The committee members divided their gazes between Sean’s father and Director Mills.
“I don’t believe this. After all the work we put in to make the city as defensible as possible, you come in here and say we’ve wasted our time?” Stanton said.
Sean shook his head. “I didn’t say that. And the work that went into the defense of this city wasn’t a waste of time. We’ll use that against our enemy. I’ve faced the Vemus aboard one of their own ships. No doubt you’re all familiar with the reports from that engagement. We don’t have the numbers to meet this invasion force head-on. Connor knew it, and he often said that for all the Vemus’s strengths, they aren’t the most imaginative fighting force he’d ever encountered. They’re powerful and can adapt, but in other respects they’re slow to react. In essence, we need to outthink our enemy and be willing to sacrifice everything we’ve built in order to survive. Anything less won’t be enough.”
“You have our attention. Now share with us the rest of your plan,” Tobias said.
Sean spent the next twenty minutes giving the defense committee the overview of his plan. To their credit, they listened quietly while he laid it out. During that time, Captain Diaz returned and Sean noticed the increased CDF presence in the Command Center. He hadn’t wanted to resort to the use of force in order to take command of the city, but he would if he had to.
“Your plan doesn’t include the colonial militia,” Director Mills said.
“They’re not soldiers. I’m not sure if using them in any capacity is going to help,” Sean said.
“People have a right to help defend their homes,” Director Mills said.
Sean frowned while he considered. “They do, but I cannot risk the lives of my soldiers on rescuing the militia if they find themselves in trouble. Do they understand the danger involved? At least CDF soldiers have been trained.”
“How about as a compromise I suggest spreading the militia amongst Field Ops teams? There aren’t enough CDF soldiers to be everywhere. We won’t interfere with the work your soldiers are doing, but we need the militia’s help,” Director Mills said.
Sean knew Mills was right. He needed every able-bodied person who could hold a rifle. He’d love it if they were all trained like the CDF soldiers had been.
“You’re right,” Sean said, finally. “I just want it emphasized to anyone who remains that there will be no guarantee once the attack begins that we’ll be able to get them away from the city. All the bunkers, as well as Sanctuary, will be closed to them. I won’t risk sending another transport to any of those locations when the Vemus arrive,” Sean said and looked at the others. “Now, this is all I have time for. I can be reached through CDF channels.”
Sean really did need to go. “What is it?”
“Lunar Base. You didn’t say how they’ll figure into your plan,” Stanton said.
“Colonel Hayes has been receiving the same updates we have here, and he’ll assess the enemy forces and coordinate a strike against them. None of that will affect what we have to do here on the ground. In essence, we’re hoping Colonel Hayes will find a way to blindside the enemy. Maintaining communications blackout with Lunar Base is essential in order for that effort to succeed. So, our job is to hold out as long as we can,” Sean said.
His answer seemed to satisfy the former governor, and the committee members all left, except for his father.
“I know you have to go, but I need to talk to you,” his father said.
“I’ll be right outside, Major,” Captain Diaz said and left, closing the door.
Sean looked at his father. They were alone. “Where’s Mom?”
“She’s helping to organize field hospitals throughout the city,” his father said.
“There won’t be many wounded. The Vemus aren’t keen on taking prisoners or wounding us,” Sean replied and glanced over at the door.
Tobias came to stand in front of him and put his hand on Sean’s shoulder.
“It’s been difficult for me watching you grow up. You’re making your own decisions, and me questioning them is almost second nature. It comes with being a father. It’s an old habit and I’m sorry,” his father said.
“We can’t be father and son in rooms like this. Not anymore,” Sean said.
“I realize that. You’re in command. I acknowledge that and promise to do my best not to interfere with it again,” his father said.
Sean felt the edges of his lips lift. He hadn’t realized it but there was still part of him that craved his father’s approval and acknowledgment of the man he’d become.
“I have a request,” his father said.
Sean pressed his lips together and frowned. “What do you need?”