by JR Handley
“I believe we must start inward and work our way out. There are many tasks to accomplish moving forward. Indeed, some of these missions will overlap with our final objective of destroying the New Order and reestablishing a link with the Human Legion in the system. We must regain Field Marshal Nhlappo’s command at Detroit City, finish clearing the Hardits out of Beta City, fortify the Serendine Orbital Elevator, and build Akoni City. I will take command of Akoni City. Once we have solidified our own footing we will obliterate the remaining New Order forces. Do you have any further suggestions, Field Marshal Nhlappo?”
Nhlappo stood from her seat and began pacing behind her command staff. Lance assumed movement must aid Nhlappo in formulating thought as she seemed to be the most eloquent when she was mobile.
“Akoni City should be our primary concern to start. I feel it should serve as the home base for all forces. We must focus on fortifying the orbital elevator because it is our link to the system and the rest of the Legion. If we lose it, we lose everything. Being severed from my larger command is largely what caused this mutiny in Detroit City – that, and a lack of food paired with a treacherous XO. From what we have been provided, you have a large compliment of iced Spacers but no Navy for them. My Jotun ship, the Indomitable, is scuttled and in pieces in orbit,” said Nhlappo.
Stopping mid-step, she looked to her Aimee and entered information. Schematics of the hulking Jotun ship materialized on the holo-display. Lance marveled at the size and beauty of the Indomitable. As the holo-display rotated slowly, Nhlappo continued.
“I recommend sending your Spacers up the orbital elevator to begin salvaging what they can. There will be supplies for them amongst the wreckage. While the Indomitable was hit with corrosive munitions, there is always the slimmest chance enough of it can be salvaged to rig a ship together capable of interstellar flight.”
When she finished the last sentence, Nhlappo pressed a button on her Aimee and the Indomitable broke into many pieces showing the projected damages. Lance scoffed when he saw what was remaining. Tizer looked at him and nodded his head in agreement. Lance was surprised when the commander spoke.
“Field Marshal Nhlappo, if I may. As your acting Naval Attaché, I feel it’s important to mention this salvage project is highly speculative. As Colonel Scipio non-verbally indicated, I too have doubts about the viability of salvaging a ship hit with corrosive munitions,” said Tizer. “Further, even when we take the ship building factories from the New Order, there is no promise we will find useable craft. While I am hopeful for a new and capable Navy, I must stress the importance of planetary defense. If, or when, the White Knights send someone to re-conquer us – we must be prepared.”
Nhlappo took this interruption in stride and shifted the conversation toward bolstering the forces they had. As Marchewka and Nhlappo talked to each other about injecting icers with nanites, providing them advanced tactical training, and how best to divide and conquer the continents afterwards, Lance stared at the pieces of the Indomitable floating in front of him.
I can hardly believe Hardits were capable of such destruction, Lance thought to himself. At least we are finally going to get some combat. Life was so much simpler when I just showed up and cracked skulls.
Hayley smacking his leg under the table interrupted his train of thought. Looking up he saw everyone was staring at him, again.
“Colonel Scipio, do you understand your mission of leading the 6907th TAC Regiment and clearing Beta City of any remaining Hardits?” growled Marchewka into his voice box.
“I do, Field Marshal. We’ll have it handled in no time.”
Lance cursed himself for daydreaming and took another large drink of the tea. More alert from the combination of tea and shock, Lance sat through the rest of the meeting. There were plans within plans, but it boiled down to three regional armies. Nhlappo would lead the New Detroit Regional Army, Grigonna would lead the Kalino Regional Army, and Marchewka would lead the Akoni Regional Army. Just as he hoped it was over, Marchewka swung his furry head toward him.
“Colonel Scipio, before we conclude, briefly explain your experience with my mother at the Battle of QEP 16 in the Rakasa System. I feel this would be of use to Field Marshal Nhlappo and the Legion.”
Lance stood up and began the long walk around all the tables to center himself in front of Marchewka’s podium. Pulling his black metal sword from the sheath on his back he held it out in front of him for everyone to see. He explained the tragic battle, the loss of his brothers and sisters, the ships available in the system, and the warrior race who lived there. The NCOs and officers around him returned his words with their undivided attention, and Lance could see them starting to look at him differently after hearing his story. Hayley, his aide, looked particularly touched.
“I took this sword from a fallen enemy warrior,” said Lance. “It can cut through an ACE Combat Suit like it doesn’t exist. Trust me. I’ve seen it in action. The race that lives there hates the White Knights. If the Human Legion needs ships and formidable warriors to fight against our old overlords, then the Rakasa System might be a place to look.”
Lance walked over to Nhlappo and handed her the sword. Nhlappo’s armored hands gripped the hilt as she came to her feet. Turning she began slicing it through the air. Lance figured she was imagining cutting down this Spartika she had mentioned more than a few times already. After a few seconds of her staff uncomfortably shifting around in their seats as she murdered the air behind them, Nhlappo handed the sword back to Lance.
Marchewka began the process of winding down the briefing, and Lance walked back to his seat. Reverting to his Jotun traditions, Marchewka’s speech included much talk of honor and glory. While his commander spoke, Lance began thinking of the work needing to be done.
Soon, my sword will be killing more than imaginary foes.
* * *
OPERATION BREAKOUT
HUMAN LEGION MARINE CORPS
6907th TAC REGIMENT
Commanding Officer: Colonel Lance Scipio
Aide-de-Camp: Major Hayley Mason
Executive Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Charlotte “Wires” Rochambeau
Sergeant Major: Sergeant Major Caelius Thorn
~~ 5th Battalion ~~
CO: Lieutenant Colonel Moreland Vicker
XO: Major Cristal Thorn
Aide: Lieutenant Aeneas Bolvin
SGM: Sergeant Major Augustus Gillen
Companies: Cudgel, Dagger, Mace, Saber
~~ 6th Battalion ~~
CO: Lieutenant Colonel Mosi Okeke
XO: Major Teagan Quinn
Aide: Lieutenant Eric Lopez
SGM: Sergeant Major Juniper Catriona
Companies: Quantum, Ranger, Stalwart, Tango
~~ 7th Battalion ~~
CO: Lieutenant Colonel Tendaji Conteh
XO: Major Samantha Kothari
Aide: Lieutenant Dillon Ennis
SGM: Sergeant Major Kaden Vega
Companies: Able, Bravo, Charlie, Delta
~~ 8th Battalion ~~
CO: Lieutenant Colonel Isabella Mayer
XO: Major Meadow Trevino
Aide: Lieutenant Warren Batra
SGM: Sergeant Major Blayne Taulk
Companies: Echo, India, Whiskey, Yankee
— Chapter 42 —
Late Afternoon, Post-Revival Day 4
Command Module, Hardit Incubation Station, Serendine
Tranquility System Command Staff, New Order Army
Commander Zempi Milisyen-Hoia’s feet pulled up bits of moist dirt as she stalked through the subterranean tunnels deep within Mount Durior. Stopping to inspect an incubation tube filled with green fluid, she flashed a toothy smile. The adolescent Hardit floating in the slime was the future of the New Order. Once she had her way, this growing Janissary would serve her.
As she continued walking through the humid tunnel, her mind raced. The process of bringing the New Order Army from one continent to another took several trips. Having secured th
e incubation station made the time investment worth it. With so many Hardits neutered through the Janissary conversion process, the incubation station was critical to the continuation of the species.
Zempi walked the tunnel until it opened into a large cavern. Her command staff grunted and growled to each other as she entered. Looking down at them as she moved to the front of the assembled pack, and they bowed their bodies to her in respect.
“Sub-Commander Thebellen Chocie-Forto is in command, tasked with defending this station,” Zempi growled as she pointed her tail at the prostrating Thebellen. “I have bolstered the strength of Thebellen’s pack with supporting regiments. Look at the station defense command sheet and make it happen. Any nefnast foolish enough to approach this station will be crushed.”
* * *
Incubation Station Defense
Commander: Sub-Commander Thebellen Chocie-Forto
1st Tranquility New Order Janissary RGT
1st Tranquility Artillery RGT
2nd Tranquility Artillery RGT
1st Tranquility GravTank RGT
2nd Tranquility GravTank RGT
1st-15th Tranquility Militia RGT
* * *
After two full minutes of ritualistic chanting and tail banging, an impatient Zempi howled to shut them up.
“The remainder will come with me, with the exception of the small detachment who will secure the orbital elevator. This detachment will be called Clubhouse Vengeance.”
Just as the pack was about to begin more howling and chanting, Zempi ripped the three-bladed war trophy from her hip with her tail. Knowing the sight of it would cause the pack to focus, she walked back and forth in front of them, throwing the blade into the air and catching it.
“You’ve all been given maps, study them. There are three objectives for our glorious army. First, defend the incubation station and breed more Janissaries. Second, secure the alien Makoni Ship Factory and speed up a full reactivation of its capabilities. I will personally oversee this. Our fleet’s crushing victory over the Jotun destroyer is just the beginning,” said Zempi with a long and low growl. “Last, we must capture the orbital elevator. First Proctor, Captain Vendar Crima-Murha will lead this slaughter.”
Zempi pointed the tri-blade toward Vendar as she continued speaking.
“You will be brevetted to sub-commander. As sub-commander of Clubhouse Vengeance, I want the 7th and 8th New Order Janissary Regiments under you. If you can stop killing humans for long enough, figure out what happened to the missing 6th Janissary Regiment.”
Throwing the tri-blade into the air with her tail and catching it with a clawed hand, Zempi stood tall and flexed every muscle in her body. Pointing the blade menacingly at the entire pack, she grew louder.
“Secure the objectives, massacre the nefnasts, and clamp your jaws down on victory! Do this, and we will begin implementing Supreme Commander Tawfiq’s ultimate plan of building an empire and conquering the galaxy for our species. Prepare to move out in five hours.”
— Chapter 43 —
Late Afternoon, Post-Revival Day 4
Outer Sally Ports, Beta City, Serendine
Commander, 6907th TAC RGT, Human Legion
The shock of his rapid rise from sergeant to colonel was profoundly disconcerting for Lance. He leaned back in his desk chair with his boots on his desk as he stared at a Digi-Pic of him as an unranked Marine with his home regiment. It felt like he was looking at ancient history. While he was processing his meteoric rise and brainstorming on how to clear the Hardits from Beta City, Thorn brazenly entered without knocking. The smell of coffee and weapon oil followed the first sergeant as he plopped down in the chair across from Lance.
“Evening, Bull, we need to–”
“Bull? What in Horden’s Bullocks is that?” said Lance.
“Sir, Bull is short for bullseye. That is how your new double dot rank insignia looks to snipers, like a beautiful target.”
Lance’s eyes widened at the thought that he was now a priority target. Yet, another side effect of his new rank. Thorn smiled as he took a swig of his coffee.
“Sir, we need to plan for the fight that’s coming. You haven’t picked your sergeant major, so until you do I can fill that role. We’ll have to use the hydrotube to come at the sally ports from the outside. Once a battalion is staged outside each sally port, we then clear the city a floor at a time. It’ll be bloody, but by hitting each entry point simultaneously, they’ll have nowhere to run.”
Deep in thought, staring into space, Lance began muttering to himself and writing on the air as if a Digi-Sheet was in front of him. Thorn looked at him like he’d lost his hold on reality.
“When I was a crècheling, the G-1 cadets snuck into the NCO Lounge and raided the grok. The sergeants decided to get payback rather than report it and lose standing in the Cull,” said Lance. “They locked the cadets in the Regimental Hall, and then released the city’s anti-riot gas. The cadets almost killed each other trying to get through those doors.”
Thorn’s laughter almost caused him to dump his coffee in his lap. As he chuckled, Lance continued.
“If we get Xena to isolate those three levels and release the gas, the Hardits will come rushing out, and the battalions covering those five sally ports will slaughter them.” Looking grimly at Thorn, Lance offered a smile. “Hey, I’m more than just a pretty face. After all, just a few days ago, you wanted to kill some Hardits.”
Satisfied that the plan had been made, before any staff could be appointed or notified, Lance had Xena handle the logistics and sent each battalion a sally port to cover. With the 6907th down to three battalions, Lance know he would need to request reinforcements from Field Marshal Marchewka. He asked that the Aux Militia be given the privilege of covering two sally ports under the guidance of Colonel Cresil. When he got his approval, Lance sent out his orders and trusted that what was left of the regimental chain of command could handle the logistics.
Lance wasted no time in stripping naked so he could start getting into his combat suit.
My aide is supposed to help me get my armor on. I should’ve picked a male aide, Lance thought. Especially after her under the table antics at the big meeting with Nhlappo.
Locking his greaves into place, he called Hayley to assist him. As soon as he was suited up, Lance locked his sword onto his back and performed a quick function check on his weapons. Lance and Whiskey Company headed to one of Beta City’s secondary exits to use a hydrotube. When the watertight door slammed shut behind them and the space began filling with water, Lance accessed his comms.
“All right, Marines, the hydrotube will dump us near the shore of Scrofa Island. Once the pressure equalizes, the tube is going to belch us into the water. Just enjoy the ride. When you surface, I want noise and light discipline. We still have to tactically move to the sally ports to clear the Hardit frakkers out.”
The rounded double doors opened in a flurry of bubbles. Using the mag-locks on their boots the group let themselves get sucked into the hydrotube section by section. Lance unlocked his boots and allowed himself to go with the flow. Torpedoing down the tube, Lance closed his eyes and relaxed. When his helmet exploded through the surface of the water, he activated his thrusters and rocketed toward the shoreline.
Using debris and new growth to move tactically, and AI assisted routes to aid in navigation, Whiskey Company made their way toward their assigned sally port. Barricades dotted the area around the sally port, but Lance didn’t see any Hardits. There were more Marines than available cover. After silently surrounding the sally port in the best way feasible, Lance linked into the LBNet.
“Colonel Scipio here. Shake the ice out and let’s get to killing these frakkers. We have a limited supply of sabots, so pick your shots. If they are blinded, engage them in hand-to-hand combat. If your helmet strobe lights are functioning, turn them on as they rush out – Hardits have sensitive little eyes. If you’re lucky, the idiots will shoot at the lights, and your heads are a lot small
er than your body. Now, let’s turn the Hardit alarm clock on. They’ve slept in long enough.”
Satisfied they were ready, Lance had Xena start the riot-control gas on the third level and then work it up in ten minute increments until the entire section was filled with the noxious fumes. Billows of greenish, yellow smoke began pumping out of the sally port tunnel. Flashes of light from multiple helmets bounced off the growing haze.
Minutes later, the first Hardits burst through the smoke, running on all fours and coughing while fluids dripped from their gaping maws. The human NCOs ordered their small units to open fire. Consistent and accurate shots decimating the first wave of choking Hardits.
Lance smiled beneath his visor. This will be easier than I thought.
Another wave of Hardits began running from the sally port pulling wisps of smoke behind them. Lance watched as they took up positions behind the barricades. Blinded and choking, the Hardits raised weapons over the barricades with their tails and began returning inaccurate fire. Within moments, the Marines’ initiative was stalled as their exposed position made them vulnerable to the sheer volume of incoming sabots.
From a knee, Lance was trying to decide how to break through the line when he saw the body of two Marines from Whiskey Company hit the ground. Glancing over at the injured, he saw that the ever-argumentative Corporal Trevino had been shot in the leg. She tried to push one away as she slammed an autoinjector into the hole in her leg. Near where the medics were treating her was the body of another Marine, missing most of his head.
