Operation Hellfire (11 page)

"Makes sense, Sir," said Matilda, "We are the least experienced of the three squadrons on the ship."

Nate looked to her, but she kept her eyes facing ahead. He shook his head and then said exactly what the others were thinking. Commander Higgins nodded in agreement and then looked at each in turn before stopping at Nate.

"You disagree?"

Nate gulped and then answered. His voice was dry, and he coughed before continuing, "Sir, we've proven ourselves in the field. Our kill rate is higher than either Corsair or Thunder. Surely it's..."

The Commander cut him off midsentence.

"Son. You're not wrong. But Corsair is the senior squadron unit here, and it is right they take the lead. This is at the request of Lieutenant Commander Holder."

Commander Higgins paused once more and looked to the other pilots, assessing their mood.

"Don't forget, Knighthawk Squadron is an emergency unit to make use of every asset we can. The fact that you're even operational is simply down to our unique circumstances. In peacetime you'd all be sent back to Fleet HQ on Terra Nova. Instead, you're part of this ship, and as such you have an important role in the coming fight."

He lowered his sight and sighed.

"All three squadrons will be used, so don't worry, you'll get your chance, all of you will."

His eyes rose and met Rex's.

"Corsair Squadron has pilots with a decade's worth of experience and training on every platform we use. They will be in the first wave under the command of Lieutenant Commander Holder. Thunder will support them with their remaining fighters as usual."

He could see the dejected look on the nine members of the Squadron.

"You took a beating last time, and most of your birds are still being patched up. Knighthawks are being held back for close-protection."

He could see they were not happy, but he was not really interested in their grumbling.

"This is important, very important. With a path cleared, it will be your job to plug any gaps. Admiral Churchill himself asked for you to be held in reserve."

Several of the pilots muttered, but the officer continued. He raised his voice just a fraction, and it quickly deafened any dissent.

"You might see this as a demotion. But do you know why the Admiral wants you held back?"

He was greeted by silence, and that made him laugh.

"Knighthawk Squadron has a reputation for innovation and aggression. If anything goes wrong, he wants you to be there. Whatever you lack in combat experience, you more than make up for with your skills as a team."

The Foss brothers seemed to like this, and Jaren began to talk before being cut down by a hard stare from Commander Higgins.

"Half of Thunder Squadron will get the marines down to the landing zones. Once in position, you'll wait in the launch tubes, powerplants on-line and weapons hot. If it hits the fan, you'll be out there and mixing it up as usual. And I expect nothing less than gratuitous violence from you all!"

Rex started to speak, but a raised hand from the Commander stopped him in his tracks.

"So I don't want to hear any more grouching. You're not being benched. So stop acting like you are. This is a major achievement for you all, and for Relentless in general. This Battlegroup has more fighters than just those on our ship, yet we've been tasked with the single most significant part of the mission. The capture of this facility."

He then pointed, and for some reason his finger took aim squarely at Billy.

"This unit is still green, and you've got plenty of time to prove your mettle. Remember, it's about the fleet and the mission, not you."

His expression softened.

"Your job is no less important than anybody else's. You'll be using two formations of fighters for this one. I need speed and agility for this operation, so no gunships today. This is all about the Lightnings."

His face twitched, and he turned his attention to something off into the distance.

"Silence."

They all waited quietly as the entourage approached. First came the squad of marines and behind them three Byotai. Prince Kratha led the trio, and as usual wore his lavish clothing and body armour. Behind the Byotai moved another squad of marines.

"Prince Kratha, this way!" Lieutenant Heiskell called out, "We've got reports of heavy fighting on the station. We don't have a lot of time."

The Prince nodded but didn't seem to increase his speed. As he moved closer to the pilots, he actually slowed and then nodded slightly. He then moved on past them and towards the waiting Mauler where the Lieutenant waited patiently. At his side was the ever-present Sergeant Nál. The Prince stopped and spoke with the Lieutenant for a moment, while Sergeant Nál signalled to the rest of the marines.

"Pack 'em in!"

She leaned back and thumped the side of the Mauler, nicknamed Mongoose. The marines split off and moved at a jog to the Mauler. The ugly looking spacecraft could carry anything up to a full company into battle, and yet they were only taking a single platoon.

"Yes, I understand," said Prince Kratha, "There is fighting in the station, and my kin will not simply allow a fleet of ships to come too close." He placed his right hand against his chest, "Not until they understand that I am here and in charge. I must get to the station to speak with their officers."

The alien looked around and upon spotting the pilots moved to see them; Nate's eye widened in surprise as he moved in front of him.

"Ensign Lewis. I'm glad you're here. You are flying my transport, correct?"

Nate shook his head, and Commander Higgins pointed to the Mauler.

"Prince Kratha. We have experienced pilots from Thunder Squadron providing escort, and you will be landed by qualified Marine Corps pilots sent over by Admiral..."

The Prince scowled and snorted through his bony nostrils.

"No. Lewis is the one I want. He and his friends were the ones to pull us away from our deaths. I've studied the after action reports for Corsair, Thunder, and Knighthawk. I had no idea these pilots were the Knighthawks."

Nate looked to his friends and found that they were equally confused.

"He will take me to the station. I need a pilot that can do the unexpected, just like me!"

The Byotai Prince attempted a smile, but like most facial expressions performed by the Byotai, it came out crooked and a little weird. He then turned and walked to the doors fitted alongside the flanks of the Mauler. Nate looked to Commander Higgins who was still shaking his head. Nate swallowed uncomfortably as he watched them move inside, including Valentine and her friends. He kept looking straight ahead and then tried to move just his eyes to watch. Instead of seeing her, he found Commander Higgins looking right back at him.

"Okay, then."

He considered his words for a brief moment.

Knighthawks will wait on the portside rails. Corsairs will launch as soon as we enter the system. Thunder will be next. Be ready to launch on my command. Jump to it."

The small group began to move, but Commander Higgins grabbed Nate and Billy with a hand on each of their shoulders.

"Lewis, Mitchell. Looks like you've got a friend in the Prince."

He leaned in close so both could hear him.

"Watch your backs. His loyalty is to his people and his Empire. He'll sacrifice you quicker than you can say expendable. Got that?"

He straightened up and waited for their answer.

"Yes, Sir!"

Higgins then indicated towards the Mauler where a pair of marines was already climbing out. One complained bitterly but was escorted away by a senior deck officer. Nate hadn't seen these pilots before and was surprised to see they wore Marine Corps insignia.

"Get inside, and fast. It's time."

Normally, they would have already been aboard, but Captain Cornwallis and General Honorious had requested that the officers, marines, and pilots were present upon the Prince's arrival on the deck. Nate and Billy made for the Mauler, the other seven ran for their fighters. Billy reached the front of the Mauler first, and one of the crew moved a wheeled ladder unit to help them climb inside. Billy leapt up and looked back to his friend.

"You ready for this?"

Nate smiled.

"Not like we haven't done this before, is it?"

As Nate extended his hand to Billy, he found any worries or concerns quickly fading from his thoughts. The mapping data, waypoints, and station schematics now filled his mind. Once inside, the deck crew sealed the door, and both moved to their seats. Until they activated the internal lights the spacecraft was hidden inside blackness. With no physical forward screen, it was impossible to see out. Nate adjusted his straps and then activated the onboard systems and computer. It took a moment for everything to start up, and he smiled as the large panels in front of them faded from black to show the forward view from the Mauler.

"Here we go again," said Billy.

Nate looked to his friend and found a happy, beaming face looking back at him.

"You're crazy, you know that?"

Billy chuckled.

"Yeah, but that's how I stay sane."

Nate's eyebrow's lifted, and he shook his head as he concentrated on the onboard system. At the same time, the status indicators began to arrive from the other pilots in the Squadron. With two of them in the Mauler, that left seven, and each had moved to the line of waiting Lightning IIA Fighter-Bombers. The first batch of angular looking spacecraft waited on their launch rails, the remainder waiting patiently nearby to be loaded onto the rails.

* * *

One Hour Later

The bridge of ANS Relentless was silent, as each member of the crew waited for the order. All of them were ready, and as the countdown continued to click to zero, the tension built. Most of the fleet were already through, and they had all seen the reports of the fighting. The Helions were heavily engaged, and the battlegroup commanded by Admiral Churchill was moving in to assist.

Now it's our turn,
thought Captain Galanos.

She licked her lips and focused her eyes on the Spacebridge, or Rift, as it was more commonly known.

"Helm, take us in!"

Captain Galanos watched in silence as the aged warship activated its engines and moved towards the Rift. At each flank sat the two hundred metre-long Liberty Class destroyers. Their engines glowed brightly as they pushed into the distortion in space-time and through to the Ararrh System. As they reappeared on the other side, the computers instantly tagged the station, as well as the nearby planet of Ararrh II that it orbited.

"There it is."

The Byotai military base was a massive structure that orbited a gas giant planet. Its dull metallic finish reflected the orange and yellow hues from the planet below. The biggest section was a spherical central structure broken up by discoloured panels and hundreds of pinpricks, each signifying a window or external lighting unit. Fitted around the equator of this artificial moon was a narrow metal ring embellished with lights and windows. From this single ring came six short extensions connected to circular landing platforms, each around half the diameter of the primary station's structure. Anchored to two of these platforms was a pair of large black vessels, their landing lights on and bathing the platforms with white light.

"Sir. The station shows sign of damage. Looks like there has been fighting," said her tactical officer.

"Indeed," said Captain Galanos, "Move us in on an intercept course, and ready the launch decks. Fighters will be ready on my mark."

The crew returned to their duties as the three ships made for the station. Any vessels capable of space-travel had already left for the distant planet of Ararrh III, where the forces of both sides were now embroiled in an epic space battle.

I don't like this, not at all.

The Captain brought up a closer view of the platforms and quickly found that the first appeared unharmed, but the second bore scars from a recent engagement, and flames still licked about several of its lower decks. A third platform contained the broken shape of a civilian ship, its back broken and large chunks twisted and badly distorted. This was the scene of extensive violence, and the ships and station bore the marks and damage of a major battle.

"Captain, contact from Prince Kratha. He wishes to send a signal to the station," said the communications officer.

The Captain nodded.

"Do it. We need to make contact with the defenders as fast as possible."

She spoke without taking her eyes off the station. Far off in the distance the station was slowly growing in size. At their current speed, they would soon be in range and able to engage anything in the immediate vicinity of the station with guns or fighters.

"Sir, they have fighter cover," said the tactical officer.

Captain Galanos grunted at hearing the news. With the active ships gone, she'd hoped the area would have been kept clear.

"Friendly, or hostile?"

The officer shook his head.