Storm' Fury: The Shenkar War (47 page)

“This could work but the attack would have to be quick as we would need to neutralize transmissions to the planet as well as any calls for assistance. The transmission part is key and while I believe your warriors are formidable I do not believe they could reach the command center before a call for help is sent.”

“Why not simply destroy the communications dish?” inquired General Leonid.

“Not possible, we would need to bring the Kraken into the system, target the dish and destroy it within seconds. Even if we knew where it was we would not be able to punch through the stations shields before a transmission was sent,” explained Captain Dunklin.

“Then we need to block any transmissions at the source with a dampening system,” stated Kelvin matter of factly.

With that statement, it dawned upon Liam, and he silently kicked himself for not thinking of it earlier. Steve had recently created a dampening system that blocked any long range transmissions within a given area. If he created one large enough to encompass the station they could block any transmission from being sent long enough to capture the station. The only drawback would be it also would block any transmissions to their own ships. Once the device was activated they would need to capture the command center to use the radar systems to see what was transpiring outside the station. Luckily the forces within the station would be able to communicate via tactical comms although the maximum distance could be hampered by the metal superstructure of the orbital station. Liam made a mental note to ask Steve if he could create a signal amplifier for the comm units.

“That, we can do. We have a device that we could smuggle aboard the station via one of the freighters that once activated would shutdown all long range transmissions. We just need to construct a device large enough to encompass such a large area. This is something we will need to ask Lieutenant Barrows as it is of his design,” Liam explained.

Everyone at the table turned their attention to Steve’s empty seat.

“Where is your Lieutenant Barrows?” inquired Betz.

“I believe the Lieutenant was not feeling well and he stepped out to use the facilities,” explained Captain Frozt.

Everyone seemed to accept this explanation and once again returned to the conversation of capturing the orbital station. Only Liam was bothered at the fact that Steve had not returned. He had noticed when Steve had left, noting the look of discomfort, but he should have returned by now. He knew the effects of the Turrin bites had already passed and any food that he might have ingested that could have potentially had any harmful effects would have been neutralized by his nanites so where was he.

His thoughts were momentarily distracted as Captain Dunklin addressed an outline of the plan.

“Once we insert the device onto the station we will need to launch the assault upon the station. There are two main points of this assault we will need to lock down as they are key. One, is the obvious capture of the command center, but I must also stress the need to capture the stations reactor room. If we do not secure the reactor room the Shenkar could potentially overload the system which would result in destruction of the station.

I recommend that a large portion of the group that takes the reactor be made up of Templars as they would be able to take the area quicker than our standard troops, no offense General, I am sure your men and woman are well trained,” Captain Dunklin explained, the latter part directed at General Leonid.

“None taken, Captain, while I have not seen them in action, beyond our young commander’s demonstration, I have heard the Templars are skilled beyond measure,” stated Leonid, as he nodded in respect towards Liam.

Liam returned the nod but otherwise said nothing.

“Once the assault is underway, a small force will accompany Commander Brennan and Admiral Kelvin to the surface of the planet where they will work to establish a dialogue with the Lykaans. We have pretty high hopes we can get them to see the Shenkar for what they are. If this fails we will need to take the manufacturing facility by force and destroy it which would be very problematic as I am sure the Shenkar have several communication stations on the planet that would be more than capable of transmitting a call for help,” continued Captain Dunklin.

“My team is ready; I will be taking almost all of Necro squadron as well as Lieutenants Groto, Claget and Bowmont from the Royal Razors. In addition to them I will also bring the elite squad of Praetorian Guard I have been training. Lieutenant Commander Maxis will remain behind to lead the rest of the Templars on the assault upon the station,” explained Liam.

“Excellent, Commander, let me know if you need anything else,” stated Captain Dunklin before he turned his attention to the Cathergons.

“I know you will lend your freighters in support but did you wish to have any of your soldiers partake in the seizure of the stations?”

All the Cathergons looked a little uncomfortable at this question as they looked at each other.

“Is there something wrong?” asked Kelvin.

“This is something I wish was possible but I must admit, while we presented a good front, we are not skilled in battle. To be honest, none of our race has ever partaken in military combat. This is something we have been forbidden from by the Shenkar and while our race certainly has fought amoungst ourselves in the past it has never been anything of substance,” Captain Wurr explained, looking a bit sheepish.

Captain Dunklin’s mouth grew tight momentarily before he spoke.

“This might be for the best as you would not be familiar with our tactics but I have to say before this is over your people will have to take a stand and choose to fight.”

“Yes, I know this and many are more than willing but I did not want to fill you with false hope of our support. In fact, I and the rest of our military leaders would like to accompany you aboard your warships in hopes of learning from you the ways of military combat. Captain Frozt said we could learn much from your people just on what he saw when you Commander Brennan defeated the Shenkar destroyer. He said the destroyer never got a shot off before it was over…is this true?” Captain Wurr explained, the latter question directed at Liam.

But it was not Liam who responded, instead Kelvin spoke up.

“I reviewed the footage of the battle, which I will make available to you if you wish, and have to say while we did defeat them rather quickly we did catch them by surprise. This was largely possible because we have technology they do not know of which certainly gave us an advantage. Not all of our battles have been so clear cut a victory, many of my people have already died in this short war. This is something your people will need to acknowledge….are they willing to fight and die for the freedom they seek.”

“I understand, many among my people do not want this war with the Shenkar but we believe this is largely due to they do not know of you humans. The Shenkar have gone to great lengths to supress any sign of weakness. We believe, as word reaches my people’s ears of a race with the abilities to defeat the Shenkar, they will join the fight. As our numbers swell we will be able to construct more warships to aid you in your coming campaign. Until then we would greatly appreciate knowledge you could bestow upon us in the ways of combat so we can slaughter these Shenkar,” explained Wurr, the last part said with ferocity as he clenched a fist infront of him.

Kelvin looked sideways at Dunklin before he slowly spoke.

“I think we need to get one thing clear if you wish to join our campaign and learn our ways. We do not like war and only partake in it as a necessary evil. We will not stand for outright slaughter of any race, even the Shenkar. In fact, we have it on good authority from our Shenkar representatives that many among their own people wish to overthrow the Shelecore and establish an open dialogue with their neighboring races. For this reason if a Shenkar surrenders or does not move to harm another then they should not be harmed, do I make myself clear?”

The look upon Wurr’s face made Liam believe his statement of slaughtering the Shenkar had been more bluster than truth as his face showed signs of relief at Kelvin’s words.

“We understand completely and I find comfort in your words that you humans seek to preserve life as well.”

Nodding Kelvin and the group once again delved into the plans of the upcoming campaign but Liam was once again distracted by Steve’s absence.

Looking to the empty spot that was Steve’s chair he frowned as he continued to wonder where Steve had gone to. It was now close to an hour since he had abruptly left the room and thoughts of foul play began to enter his thoughts.

              “Commander, is there something wrong?” whispered the voice of High Captain Betz, who was seated to his left.

              Liam turned his attention to him and smiled, he debated saying anything but figured that if Steve had encountered some trouble it better be addressed as soon as possible.

              “I was just wondering what might have come of my fellow knight, he has been gone from the room for close to an hour.”

              Betz frowned as he looked to the empty chair where Steve had been sitting.

              “Has it been that long already? Perhaps you and I better go and investigate. There are many places upon this outpost that can be dangerous to be in as well as my people are not accustomed to humans yet.

              As the pair excused themselves and stood to exit, a commotion drew everyones attention to the door. A bloody Cathergon priest, robes torn in several places, was shoved bodily into the room followed by Steve who limped into view.

Steve did not look that much better than the priest as his uniform shown with many tears and burn marks. He held his side as he walked; clear signs of almost dried blood covered his hand.

January 26
th
, 2014 6:42am EST

Cathergon Outpost

              “What is the meaning of this!” demanded one of the Cathergon high priests, who up until now, Liam had not heard speak. “Why has one of your men assaulted one of my priests?!”

              The sight of his disheveled priest clearly causing the high priest to become apoplectic.

              “I am sure the lieutenant has a good reason for this. Let’s stay calm and see what he has to say,” Captain Dunklin said hastily.

              Steve limped over to the table and tossed an object onto the table which slid a small distance.

              “Do any of you recognize this?” he asked of the Cathergons.

              It was High Captain Betz that spoke first.

              “It looks to be a relay beacon miners use to mark a spot in space, although it looks to be of a crude design. Typically scouts are sent out to survey asteroid fields and when a particularly rich mineral deposit is found they mark the spot with such beacons and transmit the broadcast frequency to the mining ships to follow.”

              “I noticed this one sneaking off during the meeting so I followed. He led me to an area that looked very much unused, deep within the astereroid, where he had a communications station set up. Your priest here, was using the station to communicate with a Shenkar overlord. He was preparing to inform the Shenkar of our presence as well as activate this beacon and divulge the location of this secret base of yours,” Steve explained with a grimaced as he shifted on his feet.

              Everyone looked at the disheveled Cathergon priest with surprise.

              “Is this true, Cert?” demanded High Captain Betz.

              The priest attempted to straighten and smooth out his robes with little success before he stood straight and leveled an indignant look at Betz.

              “We should not be conspiring to undermine the rule of the Shenkar Federation. We are their subjects, we follow their laws, without them we would be without protection.”

              Betz did bother to try and hide his look of disgust at what he thought of the priest’s statement.

              “Are you truly that blind to the ways of the Shenkar? They do not protect us, they enslave us!” exclaimed High Captain Wurr.

              The priest did not say anything further, only crossed his arms and stood defiantly.

              “Steve, are you all right? You look a bit worse for wear,” asked Captain Dunklin.

              Steve looked down at his bloody hand that was pressed to his side before he spoke.

              “When the priest was about to inform the Shenkar of our presence I knew I had to stop him so I activated the jamming beacon I had which interrupted the transmission. He was unaware of my presence so he began to tear apart the comm station in an attempt to find the reason for the blocked transmission. He was naturally making a lot of noise which was why I did not hear the Cathergons that snuck up behind me until it was too late. Next thing I knew, I had an energy pistol pressed to my back.”

              “You mentioned Cathergons? How many were there? Where are the rest?” asked Wurr as he looked about as if they would suddenly appear.

              “There were seven and I can take you to their bodies later. I would have liked to have taken them alive but they gave me little choice,” Steve explained as he indicated the many wounds over his body.