“General.” Olik moved closer and then nearly knocked the man to the ground. The two embraced and then turned to the Navy captain.
“You came,” said a bloodied and exhausted Navy officer.
The two approached the Captain and stopped before him. He almost dropped to his knees in relief.
“We thought you’d never come.”
He looked to his people, a tough and almost broken group of men and women.
“This is all that’s left of my crew. When the fighting started, we tried to knock out the dampening fields to reach you, to warn you to keep away. We made it to what we’re sure is their command centre when we were caught and attacked. We’ve been fighting a rear-guard for the last thirty minutes.”
He shook his head.
“If you’d been a few more seconds we’d all have been killed.”
General Rivers shook his head with sadness.
“I’m sorry it took us so long, Captain. Believe me, we’ve been up against it.”
“General?” said the stunned Captain, recognising the man’s voice, “You came here, for us?”
“Not just for you, Captain. We’re here to stop this ship. It’s pouring troops to the planet below.”
“Yes. We’ve been in hiding since we came aboard. But we’ve learnt a lot.”
“Anything that can help us?”
“Well, it’s their home, that much we’re sure of. It’s massive, filled with civilians and thousands of slaves.”
He wiped his lips before continuing.
“The Ski’ligs. There are less of them here than the slaves. We’ve been talking about this, and we’re sure they use the slaves to…”
“Captain. Save the anthropology for another time. How can I stop this ship?”
The Captain looked to the General, and then to the bloodied marines and Novas.
“It cannot be stopped. There must be more than a million Ski’ligs aboard, and as many slave workers and warriors. It would take an army to capture this place.”
“The command centre.” Valentine moved closer. Her voice was much sterner than normal, and when Alexis tried to hold her shoulder to keep her back, she simply pushed on, “Can we reach it?”
“What are you thinking?” General Rivers asked, “You’ve got something in mind?”
Valentine’s mind rushed as she tried to come up with a plan.
“I don’t know, General. We could try and move the ship away from the planet.”
“Impossible,” said Captain Zacharias, “Even if you succeeded, they would get to you eventually and bring the ship back. You would buy minutes, an hour if you’re lucky.”
“Then we destroy the ship,” said Captain Olik.
“How? If you try to overload the numerous power systems, they will simply shut them down at the source. It will take more than one to destroy this thing, let alone cripple it. My crew have already collected vast amounts of data on the ship, its systems, and its people. This is a colony, not a warship.”
“Okay. There’s one other option, but you’re not going to like this.”
All attention turned to General Rivers, the hero of a hundred battles. He might have a legendary reputation, but there was also a downside that went with it. He was known as a risk taker, and risks meant a high degree of losses.
“Surprise us,” said Captain Olik.
“We disable their primary thruster systems and then hold the command centre for as long as we can.”
“Why? That just stops them from leaving. How does that help us?”
Captain Zacharias was already smiling and nodded to himself repeatedly.
“Of course. This ship is in a lower orbit than normal to get troops to the surface without being intercepted by our fighters and ships. Disable the power systems, and the engines will stop.”
Olik still seemed confused, but Lieutenant Fletcher continued.
“And with no thrusters, this colony ship will be unable to escape the planet’s gravity well. It will pull us down.”
“You’re mad,” said Olik, “But I like it.”
Captain Zacharias wiped his face and pointed to several steps leading off into the distance. At the same time, he lifted his broken Secpad unit. In seconds, fresh data transferred to Captain Olik and then to Novas. Valentine could see passages, compartments, halls, and all kinds of internal structures. It was incomplete, but still an incredible piece of intelligence.
“Wow. You’ve been busy.”
“We recorded everything while we were here,” said the Captain’s engineer. The man was bloodied and wore a captured Ski’lig breastplate over his chest. He stumbled as he moved closer, and Tsarkov and Bandu, the last survivors of their half lance helped support his weight.
“I’ve recorded data streams, encoded traffic, plans of their systems and the ship, and physiological data for more than nine different species enslaved and trapped here.”
“We need that data,” said the General, “It could be even more important than winning this battle.”
“General Gun,” said Olik, “He still needs our help.”
“I can give you directions,” said Captain Zacharias, “But understand that the command centre is well guarded, and there are garrisons all around it. If you get inside, they will come for you. There is no escape.”
He then stepped closer.
“There are Ski’ligs in there, some sort of elder or leadership class. They’re bigger and stronger. We encountered one, and it killed fifteen of my people before we escaped.”
“Yeah,” said Valentine, “We’ve seen them before.”
“They are deadly warriors,” agreed Bandu, “But no enemy will stop us today.”
“I will show you the way,” he said to General Rivers.
“No,” said Olik, “The General needs to get you and your people off this ship, “You won’t survive the battle we’re heading for. And the intelligence you’ve collated, it has to be taken back to the fleet. If you all stay, we might lose everything.”
He reached out and grasped General Rivers’ arm. It was something nobody else would dare to try, but not him.
“We need you, and the fleet needs you. I will take 1st Platoon to the target. Get everybody else back to the dropships, and draw away as many of the Ski’ligs as you can. Make one man seem like twenty.”
General Rivers smiled as he listened to his old friend.
“Spartan and Khan, they would be proud to see the leader you have become.”
A Marine Corps officer whistled, and they grabbed weapons, dog tags, and ammunition from the fallen before heading back to the breaches in the walls. As they moved away, the bloodied engineer stopped and moved back.
“I can’t go.”
“What?” Captain Zacharias said.
He grabbed the man’s arm and turned him around.
“Chief Engineer Thompson, we agreed that either we all stayed, or we all left.”
“It’s not that simple, Sir. Nobody knows the ship’s computer system like I do.”
“That’s why you have to come with us.”
“The system is complex, with arbitrary barriers that cannot be easily explained,” he said sadly, “Either I go with them, or they will have no chance.”
Captain Zacharias pulled him closer, holding him there for a moment. Finally, they separated, and the Captain kept shaking his head.
“I will take the data we recorded and make sure Command gets it. You…bring this ship down on their heads. Punish them.”
“I will.”
The two men then saluted and moved apart.
“Good luck to you all,” said General Rivers, “This day will be long remembered.”
He moved ahead of the mixed group of marines and navy crew.
“That is one hell of a man,” said Lieutenant Fletcher.
“Yes. That he is,” said Olik, “Now…”
He lifted his arm and checked the tactical data. It took a few seconds, and then he inhaled slowly.
“Let’s go.”
They moved from the hall and into a series of long passages, each darker than the next. Sometimes movement ahead forced them into the shadows, and other times a stray Ski’lig would be despatched with blades. As they moved deeper inside the ship, they left behind small trackers. Each was no bigger than a single dice and could scan for movement and changes in temperature. Valentine moved alongside the ship’s engineer and spoke quietly to him. He looked so puny next to her bloodied Rhino armour, but there was a look of sheer determination to him as well.
“You’re sure you can do this?”
He smiled.
“They’re a strong, powerful people. But their computer systems show an arrogance you might be surprised at. It took days to break their basic access codes, after that you’ve got privileged access.” He then laughed, “They clearly don’t expect people to come aboard.”
“That is a mistake we shall exploit.”
They continued ahead, passing more landing platforms filled with soldiers and waiting spacecraft. And as they moved away, they could hear the radio transmissions of the combat units now withdrawing from the ship. Clearly, there was heavy fighting, but eventually, they were so far away the dampening field blocked them out, leaving the last platoon of Novas separated from the outside world. After moving for almost fifteen minutes through the brutalist alien environment they came to a great arch, and beyond it a was a bright yellow light.
“This is the place,” said Chief Engineer Thompson, “We came here once. Up there, beyond the statues is their command centre.”
Valentine moved behind a curved bulkhead and checked her overlay. She could see the patterns from the other members of the platoon. They were down to thirty-one Novas split into three separate groups, and all heading to the same target.
“Captain,” said Lieutenant Fletcher, “We’ve got a problem.”
“What is it?”
“Trackers are showing movement behind us. Something is hunting us.”
“Then we must keep moving.”
They advanced further inside and reached a massive arched hall, like the interior of the greatest cathedral ever constructed. Tall pillars rose on each side, atop which was a strange warrior. Valentine looked with astonishment at multi-armed creatures, armoured warriors, and a host of others.
“What in the hell is this place?” Kallias asked.
“Who cares,” said Tsarkov, “Look.”
He pointed ahead to a massive opening, and beyond it the pale reddish hue of a vast chamber. It was all towers and curves, and with constantly moving lights inside.
“That is the place. And it is guarded by…”
He stopped and looked at the two massive creatures. They had looked like the other statues around them, but now it was clear they were representations of the elders, and standing there to ceremoniously block the entrance. Their great size made even Olik seem insignificant.
“There’s nobody here,” said Hawkins.
And then came movement from inside the command centre. Dark shadows in the red light.
“Back!” Olik ordered.
The Novas scattered to behind the columns and waited in the shadows.
“Those are the elders, the Ski’lig leadership caste. Last time we tried to get past them we lost many of our people.”
“Novas. Are you with me?” Olik demanded.
“We’re with you!” Valentine shouted, along with the others.
“We do not stop until we’re inside.”
Olik looked to Chief Engineer Thompson.
“Stay behind us. Once we’re inside, get to work.”
He nodded. Olik lifted his Thumper into position and then gave a nod.
“Silent advance behind smoke, have your bayonets ready. Smoke!”
Three Novas placed the smoke charges on the ground nearby, and then waited as they flashed, sending smoke all around them. Chief Engineer Thompson pulled his mask over his face and watched in horror as everything around him vanished.
“Stay close to me,” said Valentine, “And you’ll live.”
The man tried to look confident, but it wasn’t easy, being in a place surrounded by death and facing off against not one, but two of the almost demonic entities any of them had ever seen. And this time they were expected not just to survive, but to prevail.
“Advance,” said Olik.
They moved close to the sides of the massive hall, all while the smoke continued to waft around the areas. Valentine looked up at the massive statues and pillars.
“A place as majestic as this, and at the foot of it all, a heap of corpses and slaves. It’s like the universe lacks any imagination.”
Chief Engineer Thompson looked back at her, and she could tell he must have been utterly dumbfounded by her conversation.
“I…uh…”
Valentine chuckled to herself. “It’s okay. Are you ready?”
He nodded.
“Good.”
“Now!” Olik shouted.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Ski’lig Flagship, Ekati Alpha
The Novas moved out from cover and broke into a run. They made it to within twenty metres of the statues of the creatures when a line of six Ski’lig guards blocked the entrance with their bodies. They carried different weapons to normal. At first glance, they were rifles connected via cables to their bodies, yet under the muzzle was long stabbing blade, like the tip of a boar spear.
“Get back!” Bandu grunted as the alien warriors took aim and fired. Streaks of energy lanced out at the advancing Novas. Bandu exploded directly in front of Valentine, showering her with shattered metal and broken flesh. She lifted her shield and braced herself for the next shot.
“Bastards! Bandu is gone.”
“Gun them down!” Olik howled.
Valentine didn’t even aim and simply opened fire with her rifle. Tex blasted away with the cannon, and on they went. One enemy split apart, but another stepped up to take its place. The Novas unleashed a wall of fire that obliterated columns, sculptures, and anything else in the way.
“More grenades!” Lieutenant Fletcher shouted, “We need smoke!”
Smoke charges flashed one after the other, and then all Valentine could see was two enemies in front, and behind them the red glow of the command centre. She charged at them and threw them back, creating a gap for the others.
“Go, go, go!” screamed another as one Nova after another broke through.
Valentine lifted herself back up and smiled. She started to speak as a blade slammed into her shoulder. The impact sent her flying to the side and into a column. Parts of the upper section split away and crashed around her, but that didn’t stop the enemy. Chief Engineer Thompson was already at the entrance and looked back at her.
“Run!” she screamed, “Get it done!”
She rose to her feet and shook her head. The Ski’lig took aim and never even saw Olik thundering from the left. He barged through the alien as though he was a skittle, and behind him came the other Novas.
“Inside!” he yelled.
Valentine groaned in discomfort, limping up the steps and through the opening. Once inside she gasped in astonishment. Fifteen or sixteen aerial Ski’ligs plus various others were firing back. Two rounds hit Valentine, and then she returned fire. It was a short, brutal firefight that left another Nova dead and four more badly injured.
“Chief Engineer Thompson!” Olik shouted as the smoke continued circling around them.
“I’m here.”
He moved closer and stopped in front of a series of large, curved images. Olik then looked to the surviving warriors.
“Novas. Seal the entry points. I want this area locked down.”
“Captain,” said Lieutenant Fletcher, “The main entry point, it’s split right open.”
He pointed to the half-shattered arch that was wide enough to drive a tank through, and the steps leading down to the hall. As he pointed to it, shapes started to circle from above, and then fire rained down on those inside the co
mmand centre itself.
Some of the Novas returned fire, while others shielded Chief Engineer Thompson with their bodies as the shots crashed down.
“Protect this level,” said Olik, “3rd Lance, secure that entrance!”
Valentine nodded and moved back in the direction she’d come in from. Tsarkov, Alexis, Hawkins, Kallias were also there, as well as a panting Sergeant Jablonsky. Lieutenant Fletcher was right behind them, and he looked in pain as he struggled to the opening. He started to speak and then gasped.
“What is it?” Alexis asked.
We’ve got a problem. A big problem! Tex said.
Valentine moved beside him, ducking back as something moved in the smoke.
“What was that?”
“Check your tactical data,” said Lieutenant Fletcher, “They’re coming for us.”
She looked to the fresh data accumulating in front of her eyes. Tex added everything to present a vivid picture of the threat facing them. Valentine’s eyes moved back and forth as she found a dozen separate groups all moving in towards them.
“Are you seeing this?” Tsarkov asked, “There must be hundreds of them.”
The ground began to vibrate slightly. Valentine leaned out from the arch and looked down into the half-destroyed hall. Shapes were already moving inside, and then she saw the large burning hot beasts coming behind them. It was like a tidal wave of death coming right towards them.
“They’re coming this way.”
“How many?”
She laughed as she checked the loading feed on her rifle.
“I think all of them.”
At the same time, a great moan filled the interior of the ship. Valentine looked around her, half expecting to see the ship falling apart, but there was no obvious change. She looked towards Olik who was busily blasting away at the creatures circling in the upper levels of the command centre.
Star Crusades Page 27
