“There is no time, Marcus,” said Cyprianus, sighing. “We are already on our way to Hadrian. We are under a communications blackout so that they do not know we are coming. If we broadcast, we risk alerting them.”
“Damn it!” bellowed Aurelius, leaping to his feet. “Garibaldi has signed all of our death warrants. Fabretti has no honor, whatsoever.”
Clenching his fists in anger, Aurelius shook with rage.
“Marcus, calm yourself,” said Cyprianus, holding up his hands.
Aurelius took a steadying breath and forced himself to regain control. Although his rage still swirled within him, he forced himself to relax and sit down.
“We cannot abort the mission,” said Aurelius after a long moment. “There is no honor in failure. We accepted the mission and we shall see it through to the end.”
“If the Legion drops onto Hadrian, they will not survive,” said Cyprianus, shaking his head. “No one has faced the T’kri’t’ek and survived to tell the tale.”
“There is no other choice,” replied Aurelius. “The Legion will drop. We will engage the T’kri’t’ek.”
“What of the other legions?” asked Cyprianus. “What of the dishonor of Fabretti?”
“Garibaldi has left us no other choice,” said Aurelius, his voice growing calm and soft.
“The Iron Legion will drop into Elysium,” said Cyprianus, shaking his head.
“There is one other option,” said Aurelius, downing the rest of his drink.
“What option is that, Marcus?” asked Cyprianus, cocking his head to the side quizzically.
“The only option left to us, father,” said Aurelius, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. “We defeat the T’kri’t’ek and rally the Legions to our banner.”
Chapter VIII
Arrival
“Accept the challenges so that you can
feel the exhilaration of victory.”
- General George S. Patton
“ETA to Hadrian system, twenty minutes,” said Cassia as her fingers flew over the helm controls, double checking her readings.
“Signal the Legion,” ordered Praetorian Octavius. “Board the dropships and standby for deployment.”
“Attention all Legion personnel,” said the communications officer into his headset. “ETA to Hadrian System is twenty minutes. Board the dropships and standby for deployment.”
“May the Gods be with you all,” whispered Octavius.
He knew all too well what was waiting for them on the surface of Hadrian. Turning to look back at the Legatus Legionis, he was surprised to find that his friend was not where he normally was during landing operations.
“Perhaps he cannot bear to witness this,” thought Octavius.
He glanced at the young Centurion at the helm. Octavius knew that Cassia was promised to Praefect Aurelius. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that the Iron Legion was dropping to their doom. Octavius wondered if he would be able to look in the mirror again, after giving the order that would send his legion to their deaths.
“When this is over,” he thought to himself, “I will retire and leave this behind. There will be no place for me without the Legion.”
Knowing what he knew about the T’kri’t’ek, he had no doubt that this was the last time he would witness the Iron Legion dropping into atmosphere, at least in this life.
“May the Gods be with us all,” he said, shaking his head.
*************
Nine decks down, the legion was boarding the dropships. Aurelius and Casca stood beside the door to the lead dropship, inspecting the cohorts as they filed inside. Casca checked suit readouts while Aurelius gave each soldier a nod or a pat on the shoulder as they filed past him. It was one of the things that made Aurelius beloved by his men.
“Room for one more,” said a voice from near the end of the line.
Aurelius looked up in surprise to see the Legatus Legionis himself in armor and moving towards the ship. The drop armor of the Legatus was like Aurelius’ own, but held more control systems. It was designed to allow the Legatus to coordinate the entire legion from the ground. Aurelius knew that every member of the Legion was trained on the armor, including the Legatus.
Cyprianus had trained on the simulators when the Hastati Armor was first given to the legions. He was fully rated on the weapons systems and in orbital deployment. Theoretically, the Legatus was as capable as anyone in the legion. The problem was that it had been years since Cyprianus had dropped into combat with the legion.
“Sir?” said Aurelius, clearly confused.
“I will not remain behind,” replied Cyprianus. “You of all people should understand why, my son.”
Aurelius locked eyes with Cyprianus. He could see the resolve in the older warrior’s eyes. Aurelius understood perfectly why Cyprianus wanted to drop with the legion. They both knew that it was likely to be the last time the Iron Legion dropped. They would either drop into the history books or into immortality. If the Iron Legion defeated the T’kri’t’ek, then there was nothing that they could not accomplish. They would challenge the might of Fabretti, itself.
“Are you certain, father?” said Aurelius, softly.
“I am,” replied Cyprianus.
For a long moment, neither man spoke. There were no words that needed to be said. They would march into death together. Win or lose, everyone was going to drop on this mission.
“Aut vincere, aut mori," said Aurelius, nodding gravely.
“I will assist the Legatus into his drop cradle,” said Casca.
“Thank you, Casca,” said Aurelius.
The two warriors entered the dropship while Aurelius took one last look around at the cohorts boarding their ships. Even if they won, Aurelius knew that many of these warriors would not be returning to the Agamemnon when the day was done. He knew that if things went wrong, then none of them would be returning.
Turning on his heel, he walked up the ramp and hit the button to secure the door behind him. Walking down the center of the ship, Aurelius nodded to his men as he passed. Despite his doubts, he did his best to project confidence. Battles were won or lost before the first round was fired, especially if the troops did not believe that they were going to win.
“Fratres!” Aurelius shouted into the comm. “Today we drop on the colony world of Hadrian III. This is no ordinary drop. Today, the Legatus Legionis himself is honoring us by dropping with us. I expect you all to show the Legatus you are worthy of the Iron Legion.”
Cheers rose and filled the COMM channels.
“Fratres!” called Aurelius, causing the COMM traffic to cease. “The colony only covers a small section of one continent. We will concentrate all our forces on the location of the settlements. It will be there that we will encounter the enemy. Because of this, we will not all be dropping at the same time. There will be two waves. Agamemnon, Aegis, Phalanx, Gladius, and Mars will form the first. The second will follow ten minutes behind. Wave two is Romulus, Remus, Pollux, Augustus, and Ceres. This time, everyone drops. Our reserves are the Felix Legion. We shall secure a beachhead for them to join us in battle.”
Aurelius waited while the Centurions on each ship relayed the orders. He wanted there to be no confusion.
“Once we have secured a landing zone,” said Aurelius, “Landing operations will begin, led by the Felix Legion. To the Iron Legion goes the honor of first engagement. Let us show our brothers and sisters of the Felix Legion that the blood of the legion flows in our veins.”
Aurelius knew that at this very moment, Praefect Cicero was having a similar conversation with his own men on board the Cruiser Alexandria.
“Adjust to Threat Level One,” instructed Aurelius. “Repeat, Threat Level One.”
Every Principes[14] in every Cohort knew what that meant. Threat Level One meant that this was going to be the fight of their lives. It was the highest threat rating that they measured and none of them had ever dropped into one, not even the Legatus.
“This changes nothi
ng,” said Aurelius. “We are the Iron Legion. We will emerge victorious. We will re-take the colony on Hadrian III and soon the Eagle of the Legio Ferrata will fly above this world.”
This time, there were no cheers. It was now a solemn occasion. Nervous glances passed between them, each wondering who would not survive the drop. Aurelius knew that something had to be done to restore the morale of the legion before they made the final drop. The last thing he wanted was for them to hit the ground expecting to lose. That was how battles were lost before they were even fought.
“Fratres, hear me!” he shouted into the COMM channel. “No doubt you all know that this may be the most dangerous drop that we have ever made together. We drop now into the Gates of Tartarus, itself. I do not ask you to go there alone. I will be with you every step of the way. I will lead you through those gates. I will fight and bleed beside you. And at the end of the day, I will bring you home. This I promise to you all. The Legio Ferrata will conquer our enemy this day.”
Cheers roared through the COMM channels and reverberated throughout the hulls of the dropships. Even the pilots and co-pilots cheered. Cyprianus gave Aurelius a nod of appreciation and Casca almost smiled.
“Bold words, Marcus,” said Cyprianus through the suit-to-suit channel. “But I believe that you will make good on them. These men will follow you till death.”
“I hope that it does not come to that,” answered Aurelius, softly. “I prefer to lead them to victory.”
“To whatever end, Praefect,” said Casca. “I will follow you into Elysium, if that is where you lead.”
“Thank you, Casca,” said Aurelius, smiling. “Either way, we will share a glass of wine tonight and toast this battle.”
“Agreed,” said Casca. “I have an old vintage that I have been saving. I can think of no better reason to drink it than a Level One Drop.”
“Two minutes until we drop out of slipstream,” announced the pilot.
“All cohorts showing green lights, Praefect,” said Casca.
Aurelius cleared his throat and tilted his head towards the Legatus. Casca caught the subtle inclination and realized his error. He was reporting to the second in command. He was not used to the Legatus dropping with the legion.
“My apologies,” said Casca. “All cohorts showing green lights, Legatus.”
“Please, Marcus,” said Cyprianus. “The legion is yours. I hold no illusions that it is you that they will follow in combat. I am an old warrior, but I fear that you will need every warrior you can muster. Lead your men, my son. I will follow you and watch your flank.”
It suddenly hit Aurelius why the Legatus was dropping with the legion. If this was to be a suicide run planned by Fabretti, then Cyprianus was going to die with them instead of waiting for the same sword to be delivered to him upon the death of another son. Cyprianus could not take the grief. It also occurred to Aurelius that Praetorian Octavius might not have any idea that the Legatus was here.
“I will honor you, father,” said Aurelius, nodding his respect. “But I do not plan on dying today or any other day soon.”
Cyprianus only returned the nod. Aurelius could see the moisture in his eyes. There were no more words to be said between them. Both understood perfectly. Even if they survived this battle, neither of the two proud warriors would ever speak of this moment again. Casca understood as well but had too much respect for them both to let on that he had heard the entire conversation.
“One minute until slipstream deactivation,” said the pilot, breaking the tension of the moment.
Aurelius took a moment to double check all the readings on his heads-up display. The data was there and ready. Every cohort on every dropship on every carrier was locked into their cradles and awaiting the launch command. Ten minutes might not seem like much, but it was going to feel like an eternity to the men who were listening to their brothers dropping into the unknown. It was going to feel even longer to the men on the ground awaiting the second wave to aid them in battle.
“Thirty seconds!” shouted the pilot.
“Standby for launch!” bellowed Aurelius into the comm.
Chapter IX
Hadrian
“Invincibility lies in the defense;
the possibility of victory in the attack.”
- Sun Tzu
“Deceleration from slipstream in three,” called Cassia, “Two. One!”
The screen instantly shifted from the streaking of stars to the sudden magnification of a planet in their path. It was distant, but they were closing fast.
“Hadrian orbit in six minutes,” added Cassia.
She felt a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach. It had been there for days but was now nearly inescapable. She knew that in less than six minutes, the man she loved would be dropping into the unknown, without much-needed intelligence or preparation. They were going in virtually blind.
“Have they scanned us?” asked Praetorian Octavius, leaning forward in his seat.
“No emanations of any kind are coming from the planet,” replied the sensor operator. “No scans, no communications, nothing.”
“Jam all communications, just in case,” said Octavius. “Let’s not give them the chance to call for reinforcements.”
“All known communication frequencies are jammed, sir,” said the engineer.
“Signal the dropships,” ordered Octavius. “Launch when ready.”
“Dropships confirmed launch orders,” replied the communications officer. “Awaiting legion acknowledgement.”
“Open a channel to Praefect Aurelius,” said Octavius.
“Channel open,” replied the communications officer.
“Launch when ready, Marcus,” said Octavius. “May the Gods be with you.”
“May they be with us all,” replied Aurelius. “We are ready to depart.”
Cassia bit her lip to avoid crying. She didn’t want the other officers on the bridge to see her lose control. Most, if not all, of them already knew that she and Aurelius were planning their betrothal ceremony. They were planning on making the formal announcement when he made it back from Hadrian. If he made it back. Despite her resistance, a single tear made its way down her cheek.
“Come back to me,” she whispered. “Please, come home to me.”
***************
“We are clear to launch,” said Aurelius, nodding at the Legatus and Casca.
“Then why delay the inevitable, Marcus?” asked Cyprianus. “Our fate is fixed. Waiting will not change our destinies. We will either conquer or die. What else is there for the legion?”
“Agreed,” said Casca. “Let us show the T’kri’t’ek what it means to be the Iron Legion.”
“Give the order, Marcus,” added Cyprianus. “The battle awaits us.”
Nodding grimly, Aurelius activated the command COMM frequency.
“First wave,” he bellowed, “Launch!”
Aurelius felt the lurch in the pit of his stomach before he heard the roar of the magnetic launch tube accelerating the dropships out into open space. The effects of the sudden gravity increase began to fade as he heard the massive thunder of the drive engines engaging. The heads-up display showed that they were already banking and heading for the planet, accelerating away from the bulk of the fleet.
The first wave of dropships would pass the second wave as they returned to the fleet. By the time the second wave dropped, the first wave would already be on the ground and engaging the enemy. If the Gods smiled on them, then they would already have done severe damage to the T’kri’t’ek before the second wave hit the ground. If not, then it was up to the second wave to reinforce or replace them, depending on how hard the T’kri’t’ek hit back.
“Thirty seconds to drop position!” announced the pilot.
“All cohorts, we are thirty seconds from orbital insertion,” said Casca. “Final systems check and green light for drop status.”
Aurelius had the sudden urge to reach over and disable the launch cradle for Legatus Cypr
ianus. Although he didn’t doubt the older warrior’s heart, he did doubt his ability. It had been more than a decade since the Legatus had seen actual combat. Hesitation in the face of the enemy could get him killed and Aurelius didn’t want to lose him. He’d already lost one father. He was determined not to lose another.
Aurelius watched as the heads-up display counted steadily down. His thoughts turned to Cassia and of coming back to her. Taking a moment, he used the optical motion sensors to activate the text pad. Quickly, he sent a text only message to Cassia’s terminal. It read simply, “I will always come back to you.”
“Optimal drop coordinates in five seconds,” called the pilot, breaking him from the thoughts of Cassia.
Aurelius had to force himself to bring his mind back to the task at hand. Now was not the time to be distracted. Now was the time to concentrate all his efforts on the success of the mission. He would come home to her and he was going to bring as many of his legionnaires with him as possible. He’d prefer to not have a single casualty, but that was unrealistic. In battle, men die.
Green indicator lights began to appear on his heads-up display as dropships reached their assigned coordinates. When the last green light appeared, Aurelius smiled. It was time to engage the T’kri’t’ek. The time for questioning and distractions was over.
“All cohorts!” he bellowed. “Drop!”
Without hesitation, he felt the sudden acceleration of the magnetic launch systems as they propelled him towards the upper atmosphere of Hadrian III. There was the familiar momentary sensation of weightlessness before the planet’s gravity took hold of them and freefall began. With the fall came the heat as the armor’s outer layers began to melt away. It was the ablative layers that protected the combat layers, allowing them to fight on the ground.
Below him, he could see lighting illuminating the cloud layer. They were going to drop through a massive thunderstorm. Although not ideal, the armor should have no problem with the electrical discharges. Their systems were designed to withstand much worse. There was no way of knowing what a direct hit from a lightning bolt would do to the armor’s systems, but the integrity of the armor should remain intact. Aurelius hoped that it wouldn’t knock precious systems offline and cause his men to burn up on entry.
Lost Legion- Blood and Honor Page 7
