Battle for Proxima (16 page)

“I’m considering asking the Colonel permission to assemble a small team, perhaps a single company and a frigate, to head through the Anomaly to investigate. My guess is this faction is hiding under our noses, maybe just a single ship on the other side. If we could take out the Core, we would be left with a mess of an enemy with no clear leadership.”

“Surely they will have just general orders though, otherwise they would never be able to function, except with commands from elsewhere?” asked Teresa.

“Yes, that is true. But if we remove their top-level command structure, they will lose much of their ability to network and co-ordinate. It could give us the edge we need in this campaign and might even allow us the opportunity to take on their forces piecemeal. My question is, are you in? If I can get the go-ahead from the Colonel, I will need an ad-hoc company and I’d like your platoon to be part of the mission.”

Spartan looked to Teresa who was already nodding before looking back at the Captain.

“Of course. I trust your judgement. If you want my platoon, you have it. Don’t we already have ships on the way to the Anomaly? Can’t they send scouts to investigate?”

“They could, but that is not what I’m talking about. My plan is for a flexible strike team that can raid deep into the System, track the signal and disable it somehow.”

Teresa didn’t look particularly impressed with the idea.

“I don’t understand. We have the name and some pretty wild intel that suggests something on the other side of the Anomaly is sending signals. What if it is a battleship...or a moon? We could waste weeks getting our people through and for nothing. I get the impression this campaign will start in days. The mission wouldn’t even make it halfway to the Anomaly by then.”

“Nice to see you speaking your mind, Sergeant,” replied the Captain sarcastically and for a moment Spartan wasn’t quite sure he was serious.

“On our present course, we have already shaved almost a week off the route to the Anomaly. With hard acceleration, one ship could do the trip in a few weeks. Yes, the campaign will probably be well underway, but even if we hit it halfway in it could make a big difference.”

“Okay, I can see what you’re getting at. By all means start working on the mission, but in my opinion we should use the forces due to arrive in the next day or so and get them to scout ahead. If it is a small target, they can send fighters or frigates in to do the work. If it is bigger, then we’ll need more than a company anyway.”

“Fair enough. I’ll put the information on the Boss’ table and see what he thinks.”

“I’ll ensure they’re ready, whatever operation you have in mind. Good luck selling the idea to the Lieutenant Colonel. I’ve heard he is a real hard case and he isn’t the Vanguards’ biggest fan.”

Captain Daniels stood up and indicated to his NCOs that it was time for them to leave.

“Don’t worry about it, Spartan. I know you are the king of pissing people off. I’ll persuade him one way or the other!”

* * *

Admiral Jarvis left the briefing room first. A small group quickly followed her, including the new President and General Rivers. They walked briskly, moving fast to avoid the cadre of press and lower ranks waiting to ask a question. General Rivers pushed ahead until he was walking alongside her.

“General, the CiC, we have things to discuss,” she said curtly. It was in such a tone that he immediately knew that there was to be no further discussion until their arrival.

The corridors on the warship were quite narrow and big enough only for three people to move along at a time. The briefing room was only a hundred metres away from the CiC that was buried in the heart of the ship and behind the thickest armour. Contrary to what most people expected, it couldn’t be placed directly in the centre of the ship, as this would put them in an artificial gravity part of the vessel. Instead, the command sections of the ship were enclosed in a large rotating cylinder inside the triple-layered skin. The only visible difference on the exterior of the ship was that this part was slighter wider to accommodate the extra layers of armour.

The group approached an airlock seal that was being kept open by a marine guard. The Admiral stepped though first and turned immediately into the CiC. The command staff were already busy, as always. She marched in, walking directly to her strategic map in the middle of the open space. General Rivers and the rest of the group followed and stood around the map.

“Before I go over the details for the operation, there is one critical area we have to discuss.”

“The synthetic life technology?” asked Dr Hamis.

“Quite. The ability to create life, even that as crude as the Biomechs, could be the greatest gift and weapons ever bestowed on humanity.”

“I agree. With it, we have the ability to grow adults at an accelerated pace. To create warriors when needed, or even a completely functional labouring class for the Confederacy. The moral and ethical dilemmas created by this technology are unparalleled.”

“I take it you would rather I didn’t give the order to destroy all research or equipment then?” asked General Rivers.

They turned and looked at him, astounded by his comments, before realising his was being sarcastic.

“I suggest you secure the equipment and data and we will revisit this topic at the conclusion of Operation Perdition. Acceptable?” asked Dr Hamis.

General Rivers looked over to Admiral Jarvis who gave him the nod.

“Just remember, Mr President, if the war turns against us we might have to revisit this topic earlier than you intended.”

Dr Hamis nodded slowly in agreement.

“I understand. Let us hope for all our sakes that it will not be necessary.”

The Admiral turned back to the computer displays and brought up the latest, most detailed strategic map of the Proxima Sector. The planets, colonies, stations and fleets were all marked, as well as flashing yellow boxes on unknown data, such as the reports from the Rim.

“Mr President, are you one hundred percent sure on your intelligence? Your reports from Kerberos said Euryale was definitely the target and an attack is expected within the week?”

“Yes, Admiral. The planet is at the top of a list of targets and my intelligence team and agents were able to establish the names of three vessels out on the Rim that are already making their way to it. It isn’t a matter of if an attack is going to happen, it is simply when will it happen.”

“I understand.”

She turned to General Rivers.

“We can be at the planet in just under five days at present speed. Will that be sufficient time to assemble your forces for ground assault?”

“No problem. The Marines and most of the Army units are already prepared for combat. The only issue is the reinforcements on Prometheus. They can be on their way in less than twenty-four hours, but that means they will still arrive several days after the rest of our forces.”

“How about the defences there? Can Prometheus hold?”

“Commander Anderson has really achieved a lot in a matter of weeks. The new route through the storms is now fully charted and can be navigated in three days. I have co-ordinated the construction teams from here to get the route mined and protected, should Union forces attempt an assault on the planet.”

“Good, we also have half a dozen frigates now on standby, plus the locals have put twice that number of private security vessels around the stations.”

“Yes, Anderson was telling me about them. They really don’t like to have military vessels poking about,” he said with a grin.

“I suppose the final point is what we do with the Jötnar Battalions?”

General Rivers looked a little uncomfortable before he answered.

“They are already aboard the heavy transport ship Yorkdale, as are the six Army battalions on their three transports. They have a small escort, as well as the Vengeance for heavy fire support. Anderson is still on Prometheus and working on the technology there as well as the Jötnar still in the tanks.”

“I understand he has been looking at converting part of the site into a medical centre?”

“Not just that, he has brought in civilian contractors from the stations to help repair and modify the shipyards. He is of the opinion that in six to eight weeks he will be able to restart equipment fabrication. He thinks it might be possible to even start small ship production.”

“Excellent. Prometheus is proving to be a surprisingly useful resource. I want all available forces sent to meet us at Euryale. Once the operation is completed, it is my intention to keep moving. We will follow your strategy of planet hopping until each planet is retaken. Please contact Commander Anderson and remind him that he will need to form agreements with the local contractors for additional security. I suggest the next batch of Jötnar might prove handy as base security.”

General Rivers nodded in agreement. The Admiral turned to the group, pushing her hands out in front as though she was about to make an impassioned plea.

“We start Operation Perdition today. Our first objective is Euryale, we will then move through Proxima until each and every colony is recovered. Please let your civilian vessels know they should either follow the Fleet or head to the outer marker at Prometheus so they can be directed through to the planet. We cannot guarantee their safety anywhere else.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

The golden age of exploration is often thought of as the colonisation of Earth’s Solar System. The first small base on the moon was quickly followed by substantial colonies on Titan and Mars. These were humanity’s first fragile steps into the unknown. Even when the mining of the asteroid belt began in earnest there was still peace. Minor private squabbles were extended when the harvesting of helium from Jupiter reached its peak. Even with commercial rivalries of many companies, Earth was able to maintain strict control of the System. That was until the day the new bases found they could manage without help. The decline of Earth started in parallel with the successes of the Mars and Titan bases and their transformation into the first colonies.

 
The Decline of Earth

Spartan was awake, he had been for the last hour. As he lay there he watched the gentle movement of Teresa as her body lifted ever so slightly with each gentle breath. It was the first real rest he’d had in months and he was still not used to it. Being an officer certainly had it perks, but he was finding the meetings, briefings and talking to be a chore and a real hindrance. The more he thought about it, the more he realised he needed to expend some energy and the more violent the better! He crawled out of bed and headed to the shower, moving as quietly as he could in the small space that was classed as his new home.

As he moved away, he looked back at Teresa who was still fast asleep, undisturbed by his movement. For a moment he considered waking her, she was needed in the training hall for a class, but he relented. She could use a few extra minutes. He went back to the doorway leading to the shared shower block for the officers. It was far nicer than the communal showers for the enlisted men and women, but still poor by any other standard. As the water started to flow, the internal speaker system whistled to indicate an impending announcement.

“This is the XO. We are now approximately twenty hours from Euryale. Scout drones indicate possible enemy presence in the area. All units are to conduct readiness drills under their commanders. Infantry units are now placed on a sixty-minute readiness roster. Get the birds ready and make sure combat units are fully effective prior to our arrival!”

Spartan continued washing, yet all the time thinking about the message. He’d been concerned about the campaign for days now. He might not have the details, but it was pretty obvious that wherever they were heading would require a blunt, full on assault. He’d already experienced that kind of fighting in multiple theatres and the results were always bloody. Not that he minded the fight, in fact he much preferred a full on fight than some of the more clandestine work he’d been involved with on Kerberos. There had been a total media and communication blackout in the Fleet as they made their way to what could be the largest operation of the war. He sprayed water onto his face, only to feel cold air. Turning quickly, he spotted the almost totally naked form of Teresa stood in front of him.

“Room in there for me?” she asked coyly.

Spartan shook the water out of his eyes and smiled at her.

“Of course, there’s always room in here for you. Come on, get over here!”

She stepped in, the water running down her. She stumbled slightly on the wet floor and almost crashed to the ground. Luckily, Spartan reached out and grabbed her around the waist just time to avert disaster. As she regained her balance, she leaned and kissed him firmly on the lips.

 “You heard the broadcast?” he asked.

“How could I not? Is that really what’s on your mind?” she asked, feigning insult.

Spartan turned her around and helped run the water along her neck and back. She relaxed and said nothing for a moment. She turned to him. The water seeped into her hair then down over her face and body. Spartan appeared transfixed.

“Hey!” she cried, running her finger along his face. Her clothes were now completely wet, making it skin-tight across her athletic form.

“What is your plan today? Doesn’t Daniels want to talk to you about something?”

Spartan continued looking at her, unable to take his eyes of her.

“Uh, yeah. I’m going to meet with the commanders of the platoon shortly. I just need to keep that bitch Hobbs out of my way.”

Teresa turned around and pulled off her now dripping clothing, leaving herself completely naked. She stood about a metre away from him, the water running along her skin.

“You want me to go and have words with the mean lady?” she said, and then threw herself at him, forcing him to the side of the shower.

“I have a few ideas to take your mind of it!” she said with a laugh.

* * *