Battle for Earth
Page 7
Los Alamos, Organic Labworks. It’s odd that the bugs left the military satellites up for so long. We scanned to our hearts content. Perhaps they thought we only had optics. I don’t know. By the time they destroyed the local military birds we had hyper-scanned the freaking bugs right down to their DNA.
Within hours we were running bug DNA sequencing programs. A few days later CRISPR labs were churning out a wide variety of potential nastiness to combat the bugs. One lab already had early sequencing results and was working on a solution that could liquify a bug’s exoskeleton in a matter of minutes. That lab expected to have a weaponized system within a week.
We gathered all sorts of data. Some of us thought we would be talking “bug” within a couple of days, maybe a little longer since the language had some odd syntax. There was real hope of commjacking, some even thinking we’d be able to eavesdrop on their encrypted comms in less than a week. END TIMELINE DROP. +
***
+ BEGIN TIMELINE DROP. This is a Timeline Project drop.
NOTE: Solcom gave assent to the drop. This is an excerpt from a General Court Martial witness debriefing report.
Fort Bragg, Beats Tactical Sonic Lab. By the time the bugs took out the military satellites over Southern California our hyper-scans had provided enough data to design a program using Destabilizing Acoustics. On Day Five of the invasion we began to immerse every single bug nest ship on the planet with acoustics that would bend their very souls.
Did it work? Perhaps the levels were overdone a bit. We didn’t know, for example, of the berserker drugs forced on the bugs. They were already half-crazed much of the time. It is true, the level of bug atrocities began to increase. So did the number of tactical mistakes. Those mistakes likely cost the bugs their invasion.
I think the League Tribunals will acquit those who authorized the sonic attacks. It was a new kind of war. And, who could say the use of Acoustics didn’t help to save humanity?
Besides, the scanning data provided to the various labs was so redacted. The complete scanning record should have been much more broadly disbursed. Beats Lab knew all about the bug auditory systems. Amazing capabilities. Bugs can detect, mentally process, and develop actionable information from the most minute vibrations. But we weren’t allowed to share the information with other groups. It seems that information could have been used by others in the military. And Beats Lab would have benefited from a broader base of scanning data as well. END TIMELINE DROP. +
***
The Wolfpack fanned out and went high. A volley of hypes struck the bug ship but to no apparent affect. The crew of the bug ship seemed to ignore the attacking ships until a hype with a low yield nuke struck the ship. The yield was dialed too low to destroy a shielded bug ship outside of the atmosphere.
AWACS North Group captured filtered images of the ship being pummeled by the blast effect. The ship’s shielding shimmered and sparked after the detonation, even buckled to a point. Shielding or not, a lot of bugs must have died from the concussive impact. But the ship was intact.
The Bad-Ones coordinated their FLaSh attack with moderate success as satellite images revealed several ragged holes with small amounts of escaping atmosphere.
One of the DEW-Pulse Laser Canons from the bug ship activated. It was an order of magnitude more powerful than the relatively low power FLaSh system of the BAD-Ones. The BAD-Ones were the first to rupture and explode. All the remaining aircraft took evasive action. To no avail. It was a systematic slaughter as a second PLC from the bug ship joined in, firing directed energy moving at the speed of light.
Here’s some audio from a B-1R, high altitude interdiction force, operational tag Wolf Song. “We’ve lost our F22 and the avionics support. Let them all go John; we won’t make it through this.” Wolf Song ripple fired all munitions. The final two missiles were hypes with nukes. Those hit the bug ship shielding in a one, two punch. The ship disintegrated in a caustic plume.
High-pitched sirens started to whine from each of the remaining bug ships, a call for the marauding bug squads to return to their ships. Bad timing for the bugs. All that armor had rolled in from the high desert and taken position behind the hills within easy range of the nest ships.
As the bugs congregated in groups near their ships, an incredible bombardment of artillery shells and missiles rained down all around them. Some bugs headed back to human populated areas. Other bugs ran for their ships, though few of those made it. Much of the ordnance was decidedly anti-personnel. The satellites were down, but there were still plenty of eyes in the sky. The attacks were well coordinated. Bugs died by the score.
***
+ BEGIN TIMELINE DROP. This is a Timeline Project drop.
Source: Declassified paragraph of a debriefing report, from Angelic Response.
Then the fliers, the flies, streamed from the nest ships. The nest ships aren’t all that large. They must stack the flies like cordwood. They poured from the bug ships by the hundreds. The look was like a cloud of gnats that suddenly disbursed with phenomenal acceleration. The carrier task group had moved in close by that time to provide support for that very situation.
They unlimbered their rail guns and LaWS platforms. As the flies came up over the hills the LaWS equipped tanks fired. Anti-aircraft guns opened up. F/A-18F Super Hornets took to the skies from the carriers to join the waves of squadron flights moving in from the north and east. The flies returned fire with real rail guns. They had real DEW systems, Pulse Laser Canons. Our guns were, just, pitiful by comparison. It wasn’t close to an even match. END TIMELINE DROP. +
***
+ BEGIN TIMELINE DROP. This is a Timeline Project drop.
Note: This is an excerpt from a Congressional Hearing investigating embedded journalism allowed during The Battle for Los Angeles.
There was only one instance of embedded journalism. That journalist was the nephew of an outspoken congressman who insisted the government provide more transparency in the prosecution of the war. He stated there was evidence government officials knew alien powers not of this Solar System had been watching Earth for many years. That sort of information, he said, should not be withheld from the people. END TIMELINE DROP. +
***
BURBANK TANK BATTALION TWO (NetToUs Embedded Reporting Live):
NetToUs. “This is Jonathan, embedded in a freaking Abrams M1A3 tank. Embedded is a good literal description too. It’s cramped in here. This version can have a three- or four- member crew. Since it has the auto-loader system, they gave me the fourth seat, and promised I wouldn’t have to load any shells.
“We are part of a platoon of four tanks. This tank is not lead on the mission, so I’m hoping the tank commander will have a few seconds to chat. With that, here I am, pulped in with the tank crew of a freaking Abrams, sharing the grind with three of the guys making this thing happen.
“And it is for sure happening. The tank is rocking as they pound the Burbank bug ship position. It’s a long shot, but not a problem with the tanks super-bore system. For this mission, the brass wanted all the fire power they could muster. Here’s the gojo.
“The bugs were out doing their evil ... stuff ... but got called back to their ship after our Air Force blew one of their mother ships to atomic dust. As the bugs have been scurrying back to their ships, these guys have ... been ... just ... whomping them.
“Sargent Hansen is driving. Sargent Riddley is the gunner. The tank commander is Lieutenant Murphy. He said I can call him Murph as long as we keep it our little secret. There’s only 20 million of us in on the secret, so keep it on the hushbye.
“So, Murph, what you hitting those evil &!t@#$
Lieutenant Murphy. “Well Jonathan, we’ve got the latest in the super-bore configuration, firing HVP, uhhh, hypervelocity projectiles, with anti-personnel ordnance. Those are cluster munitions that we normally wouldn’t use anywhere near a civilian zone. Heck, there are conventions and such, that, well. Uhhh, never mind.<
br />
“Let me assure our guests we’ll be doing a really thorough cleanup to find any UXO, uhhh, unexploded ordnance. You know, after this is done. Hold on Jonathan. What Riddley? Go to Bravo Charley and try that.”
NetToUs. “Thanks Murph. Yeah, it’s a mess out there. A lot of bugs are going down. You guys have good imaging in this thing. Folks in the audience, there are all sorts of scanning posts in the hills to keep an eye on the bugs, with all that data streamed live to the field. The displays are better than I remember from the videos I’ve seen. Uggg. A lot of gore.”
Lieutenant Murphy. “Listen up Hansen, we have some bugs on the hillside. You should have their position on screen ... now. Yeah, I know, the comms are bad, a lot of static. But- you got it? Okay, zoom in there. See those tubes? Probably a DEW firing position. Riddley, you got range? What about the 7.62? Okay, let’s light them up.”
NetToUs. “Folks, the tank crew has been tasked with killing a bug, I don’t know, a bug DEW nest. The bugs are setting up laser cannons. We’re rolling into position and they’re firing one of the main machine guns, maybe both, thousands of rounds.
Oh, mannequin. I’m hearing one of the bugs took a shot at us. Yes, I can feel the heat. I think we’re okay though. Yes. Near miss. Good, good. And. They’ve cleaned out the bug position. The bug nest ship is back up on the screens now. I think we’re going to rain some more hell down on it. Hey, what are those black shapes coming out of the ship?”
Lieutenant Murphy. “Oh $#i#
NetToUs. “Getting set up for some anti-aircraft shooting?”
Lieutenant Murphy. “No sir. Uhhh, the turret isn’t designed to raise that high. Not likely fast enough for follow-through anyway. But don’t you worry, you’re riding in a 60-ton monster.
“We got plenty of AA defense along too. Actual anti-aircraft guns and LaWS. And we got the Air Force and Navy fly guys about to cream these turds.”
Sargent Riddley. “You’ve seen the specs on those fly rail guns, haven’t you LT?”
Lieutenant Murphy. “Shut it Riddley. Let’s not worry Jonathan here. Or the folks at home. Hansen, I want to feel like we’re moving really fast, moving target like fast.”
Sargent Hansen. “They’re swarming all around us LT. It’s like a hundred ##@&
“Oh no, they got Hard Knock and Bluto. There goes a MOLaRS. Another one. Another one.”
NetToUs. “I’m not going to lie ladies and gentlemen. I am snapping-out in here. We... Oh, mannequin. What just happened? We got scrambled up real good. Felt like-
Lieutenant Murphy. “Hansen, we just get hit?”
Sargent Hansen. “Just a sec. Yeah, sort of. We got side-swiped by another Abrams. Comms problems. Hey, I think we’re back up with command.”
Lieutenant Murphy. “I’ll look into the air-cav situation.”
Sargent Riddley. “I think it got too hot overhead. Our own air defenses shooting at the flies.”
Lieutenant Murphy. “Okay, I’m hearing... Yeah, our guys are inbound. We’re to position for more nest ship work. Coordinates for fire coming in ... now.”
NetToUs. “Well folks, it sounds like- What was that? $#!#
“Medic! Dear Lord. I think everyone is dead. Blood all over. Holes, so many holes. I see the sky. Is everyone dead? Hello-”
***
* 06:02, COMMAND NOTE INTERNAL: Los Angeles Battle Command has lost comms with Military Satellite Communications Wing, Los Angeles. Switching to Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles. No lock. Switching to Space and Missile Systems Center, Kansas City. Lock, confirmation. AWACS has linked with Aegis Weapons System Control, 3rd Fleet, authorization Charley-Tango-Foxtrot-zero-seven-three-niner.
* 06:18, LOS ANGELES BATTLE COMMAND: Rise and shine AWACS North Group, you have theater control. Be advised, we’ve lost comms with Rolling Thunder. They’ve gone hot on the enemy flies. Airspace around Rolling Thunder is unsafe due to friendly fire, active air defenses. You will want to stay clear of Rolling Thunder until we restore situational control. Then just stay clear of Rolling Thunder’s theater ballistic track.
* 06:19, AWACS NORTH GROUP: Roger Command, we have airborne control. *BREAK* Attention, Angel Wings, this is AWACS North Group, with air and space theater command. All squadrons, continue inbound to target at reduced speed. Avoid Rolling Thunder airspace until they shut down their air defenses. Do not engage enemy flights at this time.
RUN FILE. The flies streamed up and over the hills, hugging the ground contour. Then they popped up to strafe the armored equipment with rail guns. Fly rail gun fire opened the armored equipment like a buzz saw. Flies have no shielding. The bug pilots showed some caution as air-blast ordnance detonated all around them. That, at least, slowed the outcome of the buzz saws. The flies were also equipped with downsize Pulse Laser Canons. A PLC strike from a fly in the Burbank Sector hit a MOLaRS, which resulted in a missile cook-off, and a tremendous explosion.
The bug pilots evidently liked that. They pulled up almost as a group and started targeting only the MOLaRS. That was unfortunate for Angelic Response. It was the only system that was having good success in bringing down flies. The flies were too fast, always jinking, the bugs able to withstand incredible G-forces. LaWS platforms couldn’t track and hold long enough to get a clean shot. Anti-aircraft guns were also struggling to pivot and fire with effect at such short range.
The flies had an automated defense system, effectively using rail gun and laser cannon to destroy missiles before impact. Yet some MOLaRS missile volleys met with success. Someone with Rolling Thunder finally figured out their comms had been down for several minutes. Their techs jumped on it and restored comms just as the last MOLaRS cooked-off. END FILE.
* 06:25, COMMAND NOTE INTERNAL: Los Angeles Battle Command has restored communication with Rolling Thunder. Comms linked, satellite feed from Kansas City.
* 06:25, LOS ANGELES BATTLE COMMAND: Rolling Thunder, this is LA Battle Command. Your defensive fire is ineffective. Directive. Halt aerial defensive fire. Friendly aircraft are inbound. You may continue offensive fire directed at the bug nest ships, on OPORD ballistic track only.
* 06:25, ROLLING THUNDER COMMAND: Roger LA Command, Rolling Thunder acknowledges directive. Ceasing defensive fire. Hurry on the friendlies. We’re getting creamed down here.
* 06:26, LOS ANGELES BATTLE COMMAND: Copy Rolling Thunder. Air support is seconds away. *BREAK* AWAC North, this is LA Command. Skies clear of friendly fire. You are cleared to engage flies.
RUN FILE. The air defense guns of Rolling Thunder fell silent. Attention was re-directed to the bug nest ships over the hills. They opened fire with earnest along the approved battle trajectory. END FILE.
* 06:26, AWACS NORTH GROUP: Copy LA Command. Rolling Thunder has ceased aerial defensive fire. Angel Wings has green light to engage flies. *BREAK* All squadrons, attention, this is AWACS North Group. You are cleared to engage enemy flies. Flies have grouped in their own ship sector, and are engaging Rolling Thunder.
North Group, squadrons 1 through 6, you are cleared hot to engage Burbank Sector flies; squadrons 7 through 12, you have Rosemead flies. Eastern Group, squadrons 1 through 6, you have La Habra flies; squadrons 7 through 12, engage Santa Ana flies.
Be advised, the flies have not formed up. It’s chaos out there. We will call out a clearer picture if one develops. Good hunting.
* 06:27, N-3-1, SUMMER BREEZE, F22, North Group, Squadron Three, Aircraft One: November-three-three, this is November-three-one, we’re cleared hot John, fence in to engage. Our link shows green. You should be able to see my displays. I have main fire control. You and Randy ready for this?
* 06:27, N-3-3, BIG WHEEL, B-R1 missile truck, North Group, Squadron Three, Aircraft Three: Roger November-three-One. Affirmative displays. We’re hot to trot, Dillon. Let’s swat some bugs.
* 06:28, N-3-1, SUMMER BREEZE: That’s a good copy Big Wheel. Link pushed. Have at it. Speak of the devil. Contact! Fly coming my way. Missiles away, Fox 2. He’s fast! Trying cannon <20 mm auto-cannon>.
RUN FILE. N-3-1, Summer Breeze, launched two sidewinder missiles which were destroyed by enemy defensive rail fire. Summer Breeze switched to cannon fire. In the 2 second approach, Summer Breeze fired 200 rounds at the fly using his 20 mm cannon. The fly stuttered, veered to the right and impacted the ground. Splash! Dead bug. END FILE.
* 06:28, N-3-3, BIG WHEEL: Breeze, Big Wheel. Second fly on your six. Fire lock. Hypes away, ripple six.
RUN FILE. Big Wheel fired 6 hypervelocity missiles at a fly on an attack vector to engage Summer Breeze. The fly directed railgun fire at Summer Breeze, opening a fuel tank on the F22. The fuel ignited. Captain Dillon Harvey punched out as his F22 plummeted in a death spiral.
The bug seemed crazed. Imaging suggests the flier automated defense system continued to over-ride the bug pilot’s offensive fire to deal with the hypervelocity missiles from Big Wheel. He followed the F22 down, firing, even as the aircraft smoked and burned. Computer modeling indicates the bug pilot kept pulling back on his fast-aim control stick to redirect fire to the F22. Five of the hypervelocity missiles from Big Wheel were shot down by the computerized defenses. One hype got through, destroying the fly. Bugs have no means to eject. END FILE.
* 06:29, LOS ANGELES BATTLE COMMAND Side Channel: North Group, this is LA Battle Command. Picking up “music”, bugs must be jamming. Hearing the same? Source? Copy North Group. Quiet again. Whatever you did took care of it.
Say again? Comms feed from a fly? Sounded like it was laughing. Did you peg the source? Roger. On my screen now. Ohhhh, splashed by a hype. System shows hype was from N-3-3, Big Wheel. Hold. Noise again. Sounds like they’re singing. Roger North Group, lines are clear again.
* 06:30, AWACS NORTH GROUP: East Group, this is AWACS command. Alert! Be advised East Group Squadron six, swarm of flies approaching. Low, south, 9 o’clock.
* 06:31, E-6-1, BLAZING ONION, F22, East Group, Squadron 6, Aircraft One: Echo-six-two, this is Echo-six-one. Out of munitions. Winchester. Lost our link. Can’t see your levels, no fire control anyway.