Preface
No one really remembers when the Invaders came, many of the
older ones have since died from the plagues they sent to wipe us out. No one
gave us any warning, we simply didn’t expect them. It all began in a moment of
unimaginable violence, our beautiful sky turned to the fierce blood red it is
today, the first to go were the fish and other smaller animals ... unable to
protect them from the heat of the Pacific Ocean boiling as if the furnace of
hell itself had opened up under the ocean floor. When the Americans sent a
submarine to destroy the massive fusion reactor that had been unceremoniously
dumped there from the invaders, it was the first sign to them that, since their
last visit some 4000 years ago, we had become more dangerous than they had
planned for.
Looking
back, in the instant the American torpedoes slammed into the huge structure, we
lost any edge we might have had, for although our post cold war armies were
mighty, theirs were mightier still. With technology the pentagon dreamed about
and artificial intelligence units driving the war machine on the ground we very
nearly were wiped into the history books of another civilisation.
That’s
when the world government was set up. Every county in the world rallied in the
United Nations to form a separate entity to police the world and the thin
borders of our atmosphere.
Called
the International arms direction committee. It set about confiscating the reins
of each nation’s leaders so as to provide a more effective command over our
terrestrial troops. Our combined effort spanning 30 years pushed the invaders
back to the edge of our solar system to lick their wounds.
When
the leaders of some of the smaller nations tried to resume control over their
governments the IADC refused citing that that the lower levels of government
still functioned adequately to serve the needs of its people, and the success
of its own program to push back the first wave of invasion had in a way united
the world. Although Wars were still being fought sporadically around the
planet, earth was the quietest it had been since the end of the 1800s. A small
rebel following consisting of mostly drug lords and ex dictators calling
themselves the ridiculous name of “The Welcomers” Formed around 2040 ( keeping
in mind that the IADC had now had total military control over the planet for 30
Years). These welcomers fuelled by black- market profits made during the 35
years of war intended to allow the invaders to fight us on a level that would
allow neither side to become victorious. Their claim was that war was good for
business and good for the human race as it promoted growth on a scientific
scale and on a evolutionary scale (pointing to the genome project headed by
private firms and funded by the IADC to create the perfect soldier).
Life
today 3 years after they left our orbit around the sun was much the same as it
was during the war, the IADC was putting the finishing touches to its
preliminary defence line and private firms now were restocking the mineral
deposits on earth from our solar systems asteroid belts. Captured technology
allowed us to reach easily into space and with a almost hesitant leap, scratch
the surface of the bodies within old sol. Moral was high and massive chemical
reclamation plants were slowly turning the sky blue again as they sucked the
meriicridiam deposits left there by the enormous troop carrying ships in 2005.
Things seemed pleasant ... Peaceful even. But the brass of the IADC knew
better. Long range radar was showing the sinister signature of the true body of
the invaders fleet only a month away from docking with their now broken initial
colonisation Army.
With a dull thud
Defense Admiral Bill Devolins suit docked with the outer airlock doors. Long
Articulated arms caught hold of his torso and started spinning him to match the
rotation of the living quarters.
Inside the airlock he clipped his suit
up to one of the long retracted cables that lined the floor. As the air was
pumped into the room the cables fed the latest security information into his
biomechanical suit that had gathered during the short time he spent between the
shuttle and his new home.
With the dull routine of quarantine over
the Airlock opened. With the reassuring feel of earth like gravity under his
feet he strolled into the command center of mankind’s greatest achievement.
Lines of computers and technicians surrounded him as he made his way to the
bridge.
Carrying his personal belongings under
his arm Devolin caught sight of the Station Captain.
"Bob,
how longs it been?"
St Capt. Bob Calder looked up from the
glowing screen in front of him "Jesus Bill, I knew you were arriving some
time this week security surrounding your movements is getting to the point of
you becoming a myth"
"Yeah well you can’t be too safe,
if the reports of the invaders human spy development program are correct then
perhaps you should be moving with a similar cloud of secrecy"
Chuckling "Bill I haven’t been off
this station for a year I really have no need for transit security!, With 100
per cent operational ability in three days, who would like to go home with such
an event so close!"
"Anyway
Bob I’ll have time to congratulate your fine effort later on right now I’m
buggered and need a rest I hope my early arrival hasn’t put you in a position
where you don’t have a sleeping berth for me."
With a smirk Bob Replied “For a world
Leader You seem awfully eager to put aside your duties… I guess we can find a
berth for you. ”
Calder’s implants began querying the
station database to check on Devolins arrival preparations.
“Ahhh yes just as I had instructed them
to do your dorm will be fabricated right next to mine. If you follow the
directions to my dorm yours will be on the left.”
Wearily Devolin made
his way through the mazes of corridors to his dorm and arrived just as the
worker bots had finished their job.
Placing his small pile
of belongings on the table he then inserted his personalization disk into the
consol; instantly images from home sprung up on the walls around him. Content
he turned the gravity off and fell asleep.
OK
Paul something is meant to happen in the first chapter but now it will happen
in the second. Or perhaps second part of the first chapter. I made a mistake
sending my main character to sleep perhaps this is
Note 2 I will be working on this as It gets better.
Chapter 2
Devolin woke to a thud; His Whole room
was shaking and the lights had gone red.
“One
bloody hour of sleep that’s all that I asked!”
Falling to the floor as
the gravity abruptly came on. He hit the ground running. Already his
biomechanics were telling him the directions back to the bridge and monitoring
the levels of hormones such as adrenalin in his system.
When he reached the bridge a floury of
ordered motion surrounded him. Out of the chaos Calder appeared by his side.
“Wonderful
isn’t it, almost like a perfectly well oiled machine”
“What
the hell happened!?” demanded Devolin.
“Our Previous guests
left some tricks behind after they left, and you are now witnessing one of
these. AI droids launched an attack to poison the atmosphere and we retaliated
and …”
A
white flash temporally blinded the two of them.
“Destroyed it! And we received almost no
damage whatsoever I see. Marvelous! Oh I received some news on Project
Shoemaker, Stage 2 has just started”
“Oh? That’s rather odd all
correspondence relating to that project should be sent through me.”
“Oh yes
however because we are the supplier of all the materials for the project we
occasionally get requests for more so they bypass the channels and go directly
to the source” smiled Calder.
“That’s awfully dangerous, in your next
communication I want a reprimand sent to Maj. Griffen asking him explain
himself, such an important project must not risk itself in such a way; I would
have thought the ambush in 2023 would have taught Maj. Griffen that much.
This is beginning to
worry me Bob we are supposed to the most disciplined people on the planet and
slips like this are happening more and more, Complacency sets in so easily and
destroys us just as fast, don’t they know that the bloody invaders are getting
ready to take a step forward again?”
“Well they don’t Bill
that’s the problem. The IADCs little secret about their return should be spilt
soon or we will see politics moving against us. A Great concern of mine however
is that we as a station know very little about the abilities of the enemy and
their ability to engage us or our new power shields, as you well know we don’t
think that the invaders have the shield technology and this may well be the
first major edge we have over them yet these little skirmishes are teaching the
invaders more about us then they are giving secrets about themselves in
return.”
Devolin Looked outside and saw a tug
bringing in the remains of the once aggressively hidden AI unit being hauled
back from Low earth
Orbit.
“How do we know that
they are not expecting us to bring in the remains?” He said.
“Well we don’t, however a preliminary
analysis is conducted in LEO and any power sources are disconnected from the
computers before we dare to bring it up here in High Earth Orbit, also we know
fairly well their explosive techniques so we can identify dangerous cargos and
we let them burn into the atmosphere. Sort of a chance to let the earth in its
own way have a chance at revenge after what they did to it.” said Calder.
“How many more of these surprises do you
expect there are?” Asked Devolin.
“Hard to say however, So far we haven’t
had any trouble destroying them” Said Calder
“Well
ensure you keep me informed” said Devolin.
With
that he turned and headed back toward his dorm.
Chapter 3
Ms Cummings
paced quickly along the long, grey corridor, head downcast as she scurried
along towards the IADC conference room, her hands full with the heavy folder.
As she strode along, she glanced at her watch.
1:59…If
she was late, Fleet Admiral Hodges would have her head…
Hodges anxious face
glanced up from the table as the door slowly opened behind him and Ms Cummings’
head peeked into the room.
“At last” he muttered, snatching the
bulky folder and closing the door in her face. He dumped the folder on the
table and began leafing through the contents, searching for the briefing paper.
With a sigh of relief, he yanked it from the folder and placed it on the table.
Glancing towards the back of the large chair at the far end of the room, he saw
the hand extend from it and give him the assent to continue.
“Gentlemen, allow me to
update you on the latest details with our shield technology. Over the last 2
years, our scientists have been researching into developing a practical
shielding technology for our military. Recent tests have proven the success of
this project, as we are now able to install fully functional shields onto our
intergalactic Star Fleet. The trial vessel, the Interplanetary Battlecruiser
Redemption, utilised the technology to great effect during recent manoeuvres –
as I am sure our colleagues of the Star Marines would testify…eh General?”
Across the table, Marine General
Johannsen glowered angrily, but remained silent. Smirking, Hodges continued. “I
regret though that the bulkiness of the shield generators precludes us from
installing them onto any vehicle smaller than the Intergalactic Frigate
class…for the time being that is. I am confident that we will be able to
miniaturise the components within 6 months in order that we may have personal
shield generators for all our troops.”
Star Marine General
Johannsen cut in angrily. “This is all very well and good Hodges, but as you
know, we don’t have 6 months. We don’t even have 6 weeks. All reports indicate that
the Sathuli are massing on the outer reaches of our territory. Why even today,
I received a report from Devolin on one of our orbital defence stations of
Sathuli probes attempting to infiltrate our atmosphere. An attack is imminent
Hodges… and instead of stuffing around with shields we should be preparing
ourselves to resist the onslaught.”
“I would contend General, that the
development of shield technology is the ace up our sleeve with regards to
resisting a new onslaught. If we can surprise the aliens with it, we may very
well be able to throw them out, not just out of the Solar System, but out of
the galaxy entirely.”
A polite cough from the far end of the
room interrupted the debate. As Hodges and Johannsen resumed their seats, the
large chair swivelled around and the newly elected Supreme Chancellor of the
IADC, Wilhelm von Schirber faced the assembled group. “Gentlemen, the essential
question regarding the invasion is not how to stop them, but when. Our forces
are not yet at full operational status – we need more time. Our
barracks and repair
yards are working overtime to get our military back to full readiness, and yet
we are behind schedule. I have here two papers, one from the Joint Chiefs and
one from the Special Intelligence Bureau – Sathuli Division. The first states
that total time required to get our military ready to be able to repel a
full-scale invasion is 5 months and 3 weeks. The second states that the
Sathuli, against our current fleet could lay siege to earth within 2 months. We
are unready for war Gentlemen. Pure and simple. Our emergency mobilisation will
take time. However, there is an additional suggestion. The Intelligence
Bureau recommends that
by surrendering our facilities on Mars, it would take the Sathuli an additional
4 months to secure the planet, thus giving us time to prepare for the defence
of earth.”
“Normally I would agree Chancellor” said
Hodges, “but as you very well know, it is Mars that contains all the data on
Project Shoemaker. That project is of vital importance to us, even more so than
our research into shield technology. We cannot risk giving it up to the
Sathuli.”
“I realise this,” said Schirber, “and
have planned accordingly. We will evacuate the main computer immediately, along
with all the manufactured material thus far. However, we’ll keep it isolated on
board the
Redemption. We cannot risk bringing even
a single prototype to earth. The Redemption will maintain a position on the far
side of the moon. Its shields will keep it safe from anything bar a full scale
attack, and we’ll post some starfighters in the vicinity.”
Science Adviser
Grazitsky interrupted, shaking his head. “I will consent to the will of the
council, but I do not feel this is a wise course of action. The prototypes are
very fragile, and very susceptible to damage. Moving them could very well
destroy the last 2 years of research.”
“We must take that risk
Grazitsky. We need to trade Mars for time. Besides, once we have fully
developed our shield technology and project Shoemaker is online; we’ll
recapture the planet within weeks. Gentlemen
–
there are no further questions?” concluded Schirber.
“Excellent.
Good day, Gentlemen.”
***
Aboard his flagship, Hulius Sovanna,
High Chieftain of the Nova tribe, watched scornfully as his gigantic fleet came
within range of the tattered remnants of the colonisation force.
“I warned them” he muttered, speaking to
himself. “But the council wouldn’t listen. That arrogant fool Suleides and all
his talk of merciless victory swayed them. And now look at him. Barely a tenth
of his initial force left and nothing to show for it but that tiny rock the
earthlings call Pluto.”
Hulius turned away from the viewing
platform and faced the large video screen, as Timoz Suleides, leader of what
was left of the Centauri tribe appeared on the screen. He looks finished
thought Hulius.
“Hulius, good to see
you. As you’ve already heard no doubt, we copped a thrashing. These earthlings
proved tougher than we anticipated.”
“Yes,
so I heard Timoz. What’s your status?”
“Status is we’re
finished. Barely a quarter of my people escaped alive, and most of those are
badly wounded. We’ve begun establishing a base of operations on Pluto, but so
far its mainly just hospitals and repair yards. We haven’t had time for
anything else.”
“Very well. The Council of Chiefs has
placed me in overall command. Along with my tribe, the Pleiades and Mizar
tribes will be joining us within a week. The Cilphius tribe will remain in the
home galaxy for defence and reserves.”
Suleides made as if to argue, but
realisation he was in no position to force terms silenced him. “Very well. I’ll
return with my force to Pluto and keep going with setting things up. Do you
have those pre-fabricated structures I requested?”
“Yes, they’re inbound now. They should
exit hyperspace near Pluto in about 2 hours.”
“Very well. I’ll see you on Pluto.”
The video screen went black, and Hulius
went back to his study of Timoz’s fleet. How could the humans have come so far,
he wondered.
Evidently they would
prove to be more worthy opponents this time. Perhaps here, he would win the
military grandeur that had eluded him for almost 400 years. He had always
seemed to be in the wrong place – too late for the fighting, fighting only a
minor battle while the main combat occurred elsewhere – but this time would be
different. He was in command of the entire Sathuli Fleet and charged with the
subjugation, or failing that, the destruction of earth itself. Turning away
from the window, he gazed down on the vast array of fighting machines assembled
within the cavernous confines of his flagship. Now his tribe would prove their
supremacy in battle. But should the humans prove too successful…well, then they
would learn of the supremacy in science of the Sathuli tribes. Behind his
flagship, the Planetary Destruction Platform Armageddon, moved ponderously
through space.
Hulius
walked off the bridge, chuckling as he went.
Chapter 4
Mars
Military Station 6
Location : North Pole.
Outside the window of
Maj. Griffens Office things were starting to get Dangerous. Fierce winds
battered the exterior of the station and large gusts of hot wind and sand
continually tore at the thin layers of steel that separated the stations
personnel from their living quarters and the dangerous atmosphere outside.
Already this storm had destroyed 3 of the 4 Long range Radio antennas and
crippled the stations water mining truck. Its steel tank now glinting a fierce
red as the sand storm tore at its protective paint.
Ever since settling on Mars the
colonists soon discovered in their brief period on the blood red planet that
things were nothing like the early NASA probes had indicated. Mars was a planet
in constant change.
Unpredictable seasons, fierce sand and
Acid Rain storms around the poles regularly attacked the Struggling Colonists
Efforts. If the discovery of the bacteria that turned the sand into potable
water had not been discovered Mars would still be as barren today as it was
when the amphibians had taken their first step out of the oceans and onto the
land on Earth.
As it stood the planet had been divided
up by the different corporations that had sprung up during the first 30 years
war, the North Pole with its extensive supplies of Ice was entirely controlled
by the IADC. As such it was home to 6 vital stations, 5 of which were entirely
dedicated to research and the last to mining.
His home for the past 2
Years Maj Griffen had still not gotten used to the harsh climate and cramped
conditions so necessary for the Shoemaker project. The blunt truth was that he
was tired; the last communiqué from Admiral Devolin only showed just how
fatigued he was. How he could have allowed such an obvious security breach to
have continued for so long was beyond him.
Unfortunately as the Terrans only expert
in Hyperspace transport there was no rest in sight.
The steps that had led
him to this lonely outpost of mankind could only be described as fate. During
the 30 years war he had been studying various natures of atoms in what remained
of Frances particle accelerator when a fallen Sathuli intersystem transport
ship had crashed to earth with its propulsion systems largely intact nearby. As
one of the first experts to venture into the wreckage he had quickly been
chosen to head the research efforts into hyperspace travel.
Now with that behind him and his hair
turning grey, what he was left with was the ambitious task of saving mankind
and destroying what was left of the worlds that the Sathuli were using to mine
and stage their invasion from.
Put simply he would deplete the Asteroid
belt of all sizable bodies and hurl them at the 6 major planets that the
Sathuli seemed to be rallying from.
However simply said does not necessary
mean that it would be at all easy. Research into hyperspace was still very
rudimentary and only 2 working prototypes had been produced so far. Powered by
the water
creating bacteria and fuelled by the
sands of mars they were still a while off stage three … the mounting of engines
to asteroides.
A sharp note barked at
him from his desk. Pressing the answer button on his vidphone he saw the
familiar face of Judy his secretary staring back at him.
“Sir,
a Mr Belviso is here to see you shall I bring him in” She asked.
“Yes and if you wouldn’t mind could you
bring in a cup of coffee for both of us” replied Griffen.
A moment later the door opened and a
short man of about 50 walked into the room following Judy. Placing the coffee
on the edge of the desk she left the two of them standing in silence facing
each other.
“So, how shall we begin Griffen, the
good news first or the bad?” offered Belviso.
Taking a seat Griffen
Grunted “Perhaps let’s get the bad out of the way first eh?”
With a worn hand gripping his cup
Belviso took a slow sip on the coffee.
“There is no way that
we are going to be able to deliver the units required to Devolin in time if you
continue to allow putting off the creation of the final version until we have
field tested a third prototype. All of the reports that I have received from
your men down in the work bay indicate that the system that we have will
adequately move sizeable objects directly into the atmosphere of the Sathuli
Rally points. I truly don’t understand your reasoning.”
Annoyed by this latest attack at his
leadership Griffen took a testing taste of the coffee Judy had brought in with
her. Belviso a Corporate man and the leading funding power behind shoemaker
found it his job to undermine his position. A Darwinian Capitalist at heart he
wanted Griffins job and the power awarded to him by the IADC. Single handedly
after his arrival only 2 months ago he had most of the stations hierarchy
turned against him. The few members that still supported
Griffen had suggested his actions were
similar to that of those Black faction The Welcomers that had taken over
Pakistan’s nuclear silos and fired them at what was left of India.
“So you propose that we prematurely show
our hand to the Sathuli and possibly be wiped out when the Engines fail.”
Offered Griffen.
“How do you know that they are going to
fail Griffen, if everyone else seems to think that they won’t? Perhaps you are
sabotaging this project, playing into the hands of Sathuli sympathisers. I
heard about your little security breach that had been going on, how do you know
that the Sathuli don’t already suspect what we are up to? Even more reason to
push the project ahead.” Said Belviso.
Shocked, Griffen
snapped back. “How dare you! These are wild accusations! Most of my academic
life is tied up with these engines and you dare to accuse me of sabotaging my
own work. When you came in I expected a civilised conversation and report,
Instead you continue to play your little power games against me perhaps it is
you that I should be reporting not myself.”
“What, report me?”
Grinning Belviso continued. “I’m simply doing my job to ensure that this
project remains on track. The ring of investors that wish to exploit the
destroyed Sathuli worlds are growing impatient
if it wasn’t for your expertise in
Hyperspace technology we would have had you removed from the project a long
time ago.”
“Since when were the investors in
control of the project? They knew fully well the ramifications of their
investment, not until I or Devolin give the go ahead shall we enact stage 3,
the fitting of engines to asteroids.” Said Griffen.
“I suggest then that if
the IADC wishes to continue receiving funds that they heed my advice I want to
see results in 48 hours Griffen”
With
that he stood up and proceeded to the door.
“Wait a second what
makes you think that I should do any thing you say, everything that you have
just said is treason and an arrestable offence. Your implications of the
investors supporting your actions allow the IADC to simply confiscate the
assets of all involved.” Smugly stated Griffen.
Defiantly Belviso said “Now Now settle
down Sir! You haven’t asked me the good news yet… “
“What
then Mr. Belviso is the good news” said Griffen
“Your family on Earth are perfectly safe
under the protection of my supporters, we are taking good care of them, you
should know that your son has just turned two and enjoyed a large party at our
expense.” Smiled Belviso.
“You bastard! You keep your hands off
them.” Reaching for the phone to security belvisos hand reached down and stoped
him.
“Not a real bright
fella for a physicist are you Griffen” said Belviso. “You might want to keep
your mouth shut don’t you think?”
The door opened and Judy walked in.
“What’s the matter Sir? I heard raised voices?”
“Nothing important Judy
Mr Belviso was just leaving please show him the way out.” Said Griffen.
***
Chapter 5 – Escape
With the restraints biting into his
chest, Ralph Hunt grimaced as the last of the ion cannon bursts raced past the
plexiglass and plunged into the Sathuli fleet. The men manning the cannons on
mars would be now strapping themselves into the large transport ships that he
and his wingman Chris Wales were now attempting to clear a path for.
Unshielded, and unarmoured their fighters were dangerous vessels, complex
computers and optical sensors reached far forward of their trajectory’s and
altered the courses of their flight in vain attempts to escape the certain death
that awaited either of them if they were to be hit even by a single blast.
Explosive percussion shells similar to the flak used in second world war rained
down all around them as the last of the atmosphere was left behind, going into
a spiralling climb Ralph reached for the targeting system as the first of the
Sathuli space munitions were launched against them. Intense heat clawed at his
face as the Sathuli batteries desperately attempted to get a fix on his erratic
course.
In front of him the first of the debris
from the enemy battle cruiser began to glance off his unshielded hull,
fingering his computer to select the second battle cruiser his lasers began to
etch deadly scars across the gun emplacements quickly silencing them.
With the first of
transports beginning to leave the gravity well of mars, it was a signal to the
Sathuli to launch swarms of their fighters, all that separated Chris and Ralph
from death was the deadly dance of skill and wit that they were now
orchestrating.
Suddenly from behind fierce red light
singed his rear view camera, a Sathuli ship must have just missed him, now
fighting a enemy blind Chris threw his ship into a corkscrewing dive in an
attempt to attract some of the enemy away from Ralph. Three fighters dove down
after him as Ralph pulled heavily on his stick hoping to loop around behind the
hopefully confused enemy. Feeling the g-forces pile down on his frail spacer
skeleton he noticed the star field in front of him begin to grey, gasping for
breath as the enemy craft swung into view he blasted the slow witted Sathuli
into oblivion.
Chris far down below him was having a
harder time of it and while attempting to do a similar manoeuvre he had
evidently
blacked out to only
come too seconds before flying into the debris from Ralph’s kill.
Pointing the nose down towards the fight
below he used the planets gravity to boost his speed. Targeting the three
fighters he launched a volley of rockets toward his foes. Two of the three
burst into molten wreckage and the third flew into the derelict hull of the
Battle cruiser in an attempt to loose the missile.
With the atmosphere
rapidly approaching Ralph lessened his decent and felt the rush of ionised air
buffet the hull of his fighter, with luck he would bounce off in the direction
of the heavily harassed transports with his new found velocity the heat/energy
generators were able to power his lasers enough for a large volley against the
swarms of fighters. Fingering his trigger he unleashed a fire of light upon the
enemy taking out half in the first shot. Quickly the generators refilled the
batteries as the second shot finished the last of them.
Chris a fair way behind
him was now attempting the same manoeuvre in the opposite direction facing the
bulk of the capital ship fleet. With an excess of speed he targeted the flag
ship and let loose a continuous stream of heated energy at the bridge.
Hopelessly desperate the enemy ship focused all of its gun emplacements upon
Chris’s tiny vessel but were unable to successfully acquire him. Behind the
bridge of the menacing capitol ship the hull was beginning to glow white hot,
suddenly Chris’s beam punched through and the Capital ship began to break up.
Chris in his excitement
had failed to notice the speed that he was now travelling at and by holding on
the laser he had managed to burn away all the excess energy that was now
attacking his hull.
Ralph screamed as his life long friend
ceased firing his energ beam and his starfighter disintegrated.
Turning around and heading for earth
Ralph bit back tears as the terran force broke off contact with the Sathuli.
Mars was now theirs for the Sathuli to take.
Chapter
6 – The taking of Mars
“Battlecruiser Saratha reporting, Honorable
Leader.” “What is your status Saratha” demanded Sovanna, his face white with
rage.
“We’ve sustained severe
damage sir. The bridge has been virtually destroyed, and the hull surrounding
it compromised. We’ve managed to contain the damage, but we’re having to
control the ship from the alternate command post. Half of our turbolasers have
been disabled as well. We’ll get a more precise report to you as soon as we
examine the damage more carefully.”
“Very
well Saratha. Sovanna out.”
Turning
away from the transmitter, Sovanna strode over to the main display screen.
“Have our fighters finished the reconnaissance of Mars yet?” he asked his aide.
“Yes, honourable leader. They report
that the fleet bombardment has been almost totally successful. The prospective
landing area has been virtually wiped clean of all human defences.”
“Good.
Proceed with the landing.”
At Sovanna’s command, hundreds of tiny
dropships began detaching from the Sathuli Battlecruisers, falling out of the
debris-strewn sky like metal rain. Onboard each of the dropships were 50
heavily armed Sathuli warriors, determined to get their revenge on these
insolent humans. An occasional laser burst erupted around the dropships, but
the fleet had done its job well. Mars lay virtually undefended.
Beneath the oncoming onslaught, Major
Griffin watched with awe and fear at the size of the approaching force. “This
isn’t a raid” he muttered. “It’s an occupation force.” Around him the last
remaining undamaged turbolaser batteries spat defiance, but to little effect.
The dropships rained down inexorably, the troops inside ready and waiting.
“Ok lads that’s it! Time to get out of
here!” yelled Griffin, sprinting back towards the command installation. Behind
him the gunners kept firing, but survival soon overrode valour and one by one,
they abandoned the turbolasers, joining the exodus back towards the command
centre. Topside, the command centre had been virtually destroyed, with rubble
and debris littering the planet surface. Griffin headed downstairs though, into
the below ground levels. The bombardment had not touched this area, and it
remained undamaged. Behind him his troops followed,
strewn out along the corridors. Finally
they reached their destination – the underground hangar bay.
“Ok lads, spread out and get in an
escape shuttle. Good luck to you all. If we can get clear of the Sathuli fleet
we’ll rendezvous near the Gamma Asteroid Cluster.”
Climbing aboard his
personal shuttle, Griffin opened the hangar door in front of him, strapped
himself in and hit the ignition. The shuttle roared out of the hangar bay at
full blast, the surface of Mars rapidly receding below him. Below him the first
Sathuli dropships had hit the ground and the troops were rapidly fanning out
into the decimated command centre. Laser fire began bursting around him as the
shuttle raced towards the Sathuli blockade fleet. Switching off the automatic
pilot, Griffin seized the controls, sending the tiny shuttle scuttling through
space, moving through high-speed manoeuvres to try and throw the Sathuli aim.
It worked successfully, but the rest of his command were not so lucky. The
three shuttles that followed him out were all hit, exploding in bright orange
bursts that flickered and died almost as soon as they had begun. Regretfully
Griffin turned his craft towards earth. Suddenly the engine began whining and
losing power. Opening up the damage display on the screen, Griffin realised he
hadn’t got away scot free after all. The monitor was showing a large laser hole
through the main engine exhaust.
“Blast! I’ve only got the auxilaries
now” he muttered to himself. “That’s never going to be enough to get me home.
I’ll have to sit up in the atmosphere and send out a distress call.”
Suddenly his transmitter crackled into
life. “Unidentified escape shuttle, this is Ralph Hunt of the Mars Defence
Force. Identify yourself.”
“This is Major David Griffin, commander
of Alpha Station Mars. Pleased to see you here Hunt.”
“Sir…this is an unexpected surprise. Do
you need assistance?”
“Yes – my main engine’s been damaged.
Can you pick us up, take us back to earth.”
“Can do sir – but it’s going to be a
slow trip. I can’t use sub-light speed while you’re attached, so it’ll take us
about a week to get there.”
“Better that we get there eventually
than not at all son. Let’s go home.”
Wilhelm Schirber glanced up from the
reports. “Are you certain of this gentlemen? To me, this reeks of panicky first
hand reports, the real damage magnified out of all proportion.”
“It may well be so sir, in some regards”
said Hodges. “But we are certain that Mars has fallen. A recent reconnaissance
flight shows the Sathuli have occupied all of our ground installations and are
maintaining a large fleet in high orbit above the planet.”
“What of Project Shoemaker?” barked
Grazitsky. “For once gentlemen, will you stop thinking of problems in military
matters! Shoemaker is far more important that Mars ever was! Mars was only ever
defended because of Shoemaker’s presence for god’s sakes!”
“Relax Grazitsky. All
the Shoemaker prototypes were transported off Mars when the fleet left for
refit two days ago.”
“Another
brilliant idea” muttered Grazitsky. “Which idiot failed to predict the Sathuli
attack and moved the fleet back to earth at the exact time we needed it?”
“I do have the answer
to that, my good Grazitsky” said Schirber. “The commanding officer, Major David
Griffin is to be held responsible for this disaster. The records show he
maintained no personnel on defence duties prior to the attack, indeed, much of
the planet’s defence infrastructure was not even working when the attack took
place, due to it not being maintained correctly. In addition he added his
recommendation that the fleet be sent back to earth as he predicted no attack
would be taking place in the near future. These faults cannot be overlooked.”
“Griffin,
yes I know him. Solid, boring type – but very professional. I find it
incredible that he could be so unprofessional at a time like this.”
“Inactivity breeds laziness, even in the
best men” Schirber replied. “As for his current whereabouts, we are tracking
his personal shuttle in transit between Mars and Earth. We’ve sent out a
frigate to retrieve him post-haste, in order that we may inquire into the
disaster as soon as possible.”
“Good
day gentlemen.”
That evening, Schirber sipped his
bourbon and relaxed behind his desk. Opposite him, Belviso finished his drink
and handed Schirber a sheaf of papers from his briefcase. “Ah excellent” said
Schirber as he leafed through them. “This is enough to make Griffin swing
beyond all doubt – Incompetence, Failure to abide by military procedure and to
an extent damn near bordering on treason!”
“Why didn’t you say you wanted that
Chancellor – another day or so and I could’ve fabricated that as well!”
They
both laughed.
“Now Chancellor, with Griffin out of the
way, we’ll be able to take Shoemaker beyond anything that sad bastard ever
dreamed of. Once we use it to dispatch the Sathuli, we can expand our
operations beyond anything we ever dreamed of.”
“Agreed, but patience my dear Belviso.
First things first. Once we get Griffin back, we’re going to have be ready with
our case. I want our best man ready to run the prosecution. The last thing I
want is that bastard to go down making noise. Quitely and quickly, Belviso, that’s
what I want.” “Whatever you say Chancellor.”
“Also, on your way out,
send this off to the Sathuli. It details the location and time of a resupply
operation taking place in the Lunata asteroid cluster. After our last message,
I think the Sathuli might be willing to trust us a bit more. We’ll keep feeding
them tidbits for now – the main course comes later. Silence is the watchword on
this Belviso.”
“Yes,
Chancellor.”
