“What do we have left???” I shouted out.
“Nothing, that’s the last of them!” the leading officer replied. “What do we do now?”
All eyes were again on me. “How much time before the shaft becomes impassable?” I asked to the group.
“Less than fifteen minutes.” One answered.
“Slow the other flights’ approach to fifty percent.” I answered. “Buy me some time, I’m taking it out myself.” The officers issued the orders as I sprinted out of the room, slid down the stairs and ran over to the bay where my fighter waited. I picked up a rifle from the rack at the bay’s entrance before I climbed back into the ship.
I tucked the weapon in the recess beside the seat, powered up the engines and shot out of the bay with no time to lose. The acceleration pulled the blood from my head but my heart was racing far too much for it to change my focus. I put the nose straight down and dove through the collapsing channel to the surface. As I descended I saw multiple more bolts of lightning lighting up the air around me and even some which began to breach the hole. I knew I didn’t have much time left before the escape would be impossible.
I continued to gain speed and watched the ground get ever closer. The patch grew from the size of a pinhead up past the size of a dime in seconds and I gripped the controls ever tighter. As the atmosphere became thicker and I went faster, I could see flames build on the ship’s surface around me. Warnings, written in some alien script, flashed in the cabin but I continued to push the ship for all it was worth.
Through the gathering inferno I could still catch a glimpse of the surface. I pulled up as the storms cleared around me and the flames died out. I flew a massive arc, watching the last anti-air site vainly try to engage me. Fiery bolts of energy leapt forth from the cannons and I struggled to maintain my evasive maneuvers. The incoming fire paused for a moment so I pulled back further, went inverted and dropped straight down while releasing my first munition of the battle. The bomb landed square on top of the remaining battery that had been engaging me. I pulled out of the dive only a few hundred feet above the ground and felt the shock wave of the blast ignite behind me. My ship rocked violently and I saw the remnants of my vaporized target be thrown all through the sky around me. A burning crater was all that remained on the ground.
Next up was the command center. I spied a single massive structure in the middle of the base and lined up for an attack run. With every weapon on-board armed, I had enough firepower to level half of the city. And that is exactly what I did. With only a few meters left to go, I unloaded the entire arsenal at my disposal on the ground.
The strafing run completely obliterated the ingress and egress routes. Explosions and fires spread in all directions culminating in a gigantic mushroom cloud engulfing the command center and sending debris high into the air above me. I breathed a short sigh of relief as I flew away from the destruction and back to the narrow path through the atmosphere. I didn’t want to stick around any longer than I needed to.
“Targets neutralized.” I reported back to command. “We are Go for the mission. Continue the attack!”
“Grant, the order has been given.” The commander responded. “One more thing, we’ve got a single active emergency beacon on the ground. One pilot survived his crash landing. Can you find him?”
The last thing I wanted to do was stick around planetside. “Can’t you send a CSAR unit to get him; I’m not really equipped to go on foot.”
“Captain, there’s no time, you know that and you’re closer than anyone else. This is an order.”
I looked down at my rifle and back into the vacant seat behind me. “Will do.” I acknowledged. “Who was it?”
“Lieutenant Johnson. He had the first run on a defensive battery.”
My thoughts trailed back to the conversation I had shared with him the day before. I didn’t want to lose such a strong willed soldier but I had to admit that he may have gotten his wish.
I took a loop around the devastated city and spotted the emergency flare within a cloud of smoke by one of the burned-out defensive guns. The fighter had slammed hard into the ground, leaving a deep gouge in the planet’s surface. I circled closer like a bird of prey coming in for its kill. I could make out the Lieutenant on the ground crouched behind the burned up remains of his ship. Infantry units were approaching from all directions.
There was no time to spare. I knew Johnson had no chance of defending himself against so many of the aliens. Quickly switching my load-out to the light duty cannon, I performed a spiral strafe, blanketing half of the perimeter with explosive rounds. Before the enemies could react, I brought my ship in for a rough landing right beside the wreckage.
I kicked the windscreen back out of the way and drew my rifle as I climbed out of the cockpit. Instantly I drew fire from all directions. I crouched on the wing of the ship, firing into the lines of approaching soldiers. I switched the rifle to grenades and shot off rounds all around me. The ensuing blasts and smoke added to the confusion and I was able to climb down and find my target. He was seated down below the wing, firing with his sidearm into the approaching mass of aliens. I didn’t know the extent of his injuries but at this point couldn’t tend to them. Johnson raised one arm as I approached and grabbed my vest as I knelt to lift him up. More shells impacted around me and I hoisted him up over my back and struggled to get back to my ship. I could hear a muffled groan as the pilot struggled to stay conscious, but still he returned the enemy’s fire.
With my strength quickly fading, I got us up on the top of the fighter and sat him down in the navigator’s seat. I only fastened the center restraint around his chest, hoping that would be enough and not wanting to take any more time. I took a few more blind shots at the incoming enemies as I took my own seat. Dropping the screen, I dusted off and aimed the ship to zenith in the sky.
The channel to space was nearly shut and I gunned the engines as hard as I could to get us out in time. We shot through the remaining thick air and began to be thrown about by the ever constant storms. Flickers of lightning began to approach in the upper atmosphere and I could tell that a strike was bound to happen sooner or later. If it had, there was little doubt that we would lose all of our systems and drop back to the ground like a rock.
I clenched my teeth and held on for dear life as we kept going through the ionosphere before finally blasting into the darkness of space. I had never been so relieved to see starlight in my life. I breathed a sigh, content that at least my battle was over and set my course back to our ship.
I was among the first to arrive back as the rest of the flights were still in combat. I roared back through the airlock into the bay and landed as close as I could to the waiting medical crew. Before I even disembarked they were on board, tending to my wounded copilot.
Commander Gray met me at the main entrance to the bridge. “Captain, the attack has been flawless around the planet. Thank God,” he reported.
“God nothing.” I replied and passed by him on my way upstairs.
25
I watched the rest of the battle from the screens on the bridge. The regular commanding officers had taken control and I let them do their job, content to supervise the action from the sideline. The attack had progressed as Gray had reported, with only a few other casualties. They called it a success and I could hardly disagree.
When the final ship returned to our docking bay, I took my leave and went back to meet the pilots in the aftermath. They all had a load off their shoulders and held a feeling of great accomplishment. I was glad to see them doing well and most expressed their thanks that I had taken out the first site. I returned their gratitude as much as I could muster, checked on the injured, and went back to my room.
I took about fifteen minutes to write a quick report of the events from my perspective and clean myself up. I had hardly stepped out of my shower before I felt the blood in my head rush to the side. It was our first jump and we were under way.
The next few hours of the jo
urney I spent on an isolated observation deck near the rear of the ship. Hyperspace was far different than I had ever imagined and felt no artist had ever done it justice. It wasn’t some fanciful light show, but rather near total blackness for ninety percent of the time. The show picked up as we slowed down to re-correct our course. Waves of plasma would briefly dance around the ship as we reentered real space, far more spectacular than the Aurora Borealis back home.
The deck itself was shaped like a small squashed heptagon, with a single molded piece of glass wrapped around all of the walls giving me a 360 degree view of space. A single massive pipe cut through at a medium angle, connecting the deck to the bridge above to the main body below. Around the edges, by the windows, sat several dozen pieces of furniture, tables, chairs and the like.
I had propped myself up against the guardrail, seated in a carved wooden chair now precariously balanced on two legs. I had my rifle across my lap but still maintained a firm grip on the stock. My wrists were burning from holding the weapon but I didn’t want to take the chance to put it down and possibly be caught unaware.
By this point earth seemed like nothing more than a distant fleeting memory. I couldn’t remember the smell of the air, the rolling hills surrounding my home… I clenched my teeth as my memory betrayed me and pulled back images of my family. I shook off the vision as quickly as I could but it always ended the same way: with their immolation. I stood up and snapped back to reality, gripping my rifle as hard as I could, hoping the pain would keep me focused.
My last stop was to see the good Lt that I had rescued from the wreckage. He was out of surgery and now recovering from multiple broken ribs and a severe concussion. I didn’t know if he would remember what happened but he instantly recognized me.
“Captain, I owe you one,” he said, straining to get the words out.
“You don’t owe me anything. I should have found a better way to conduct the battle. I should have gone with you on the first launch.”
“Don’t blame yourself. We all would have been lost without you.”
“Where’s Lt. Fortune?” I asked, hoping the answer was less morose than what I imagined.
Johnson frowned. “He didn’t make it back. He took a round while coming down from orbit. I saw his ship light up from a few meters away. There was nothing I could do; he hit the ground like a brick.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright; at least his problems are over.”
“That’s very true. How much longer do you have back here in the medical bay?” I asked.
“I’ve only got another day before they think I’ll be able to walk,” he replied. “Within three I should be back to my squadron.”
“Are you certain you want to return to the fight? You barely returned alive from this one, and who knows what will be next.”
“Hell yes I’m going back!” instantly the Lt snapped back to reality and stared directly into my eyes with a new found conviction. “I’d be out of here now if it weren’t for the meds. I can breathe, I know I can walk, and I’ll be dammed if they’re gonna stick me on the sideline for the rest of the war!”
“You really do have a death wish.” I stated bluntly.
“Better to die out here than go back home and rot for the next fifty years.”
I nodded in comprehension as I had before. “If something comes up in the future that requires your particular skill set, would you like me to get back in touch with you?”
“You need pilots for a suicide mission? Causing huge numbers of enemy casualties? I like the sound of that already.”
“Sorry to say it, but not yet. I’ll probably be going back for retraining here in the near term but the admiral left the option open for me to get into fighters full time.” I looked over my shoulder and saw a medic point at me from the doorway. “I need to go for a bit. Looks like your medic wants to start something.”
“Go for it. Just do what you can to keep me in the fight, please.”
“Will do.” I left Johnson alone and met the medic in the hallway beyond his room.
“What do you need?” I asked him when we were out of Johnson’s earshot.
“They’re asking for you on the bridge. A call came through from the admiral for you a few minutes ago...”
“I’ll take care of it.” I stated, cutting him off before I made the march back upstairs.
26
I can honestly say I was never more relieved to see the bulk of the capital ship emerge from the blackness of space than when we left our last hyperspace jump. I had been on edge for nearly every moment of the two day journey and the lack of rest had begun to take its toll on me. Even my time spent sitting alone on the rear deck provided little comfort compared to having some more defenses around me.
I stood ready at the very back of the bridge, prepared for a welcome break or more action, whichever came first. I paid the crew around me little mind but watched the scenery outside. We passed by a few of the other escort frigates as we made our way to our destination. The capital ship continued to grow on the screen and soon it dominated the entire view.
It didn’t take long for us to dock and I made sure to be the first person off. I picked out Admiral Heddings’ exec immediately and he rushed over. “Sir,” He began, “The admiral is waiting for you. I’ve been instructed to take you straight there.”
“Let’s go.” I responded and fell into a quick gait behind him.
Again I found myself face to face with Admiral Heddings, telling my adventure. With us were several other wing commanders and officials. I didn’t recognize any of them. I concluded and the admiral spoke first.
“Captain Grant,” he began and paused, staring into my eyes. “You have gone beyond the call of duty yet again. Still, one more time you have come back against all odds, the victor of a massive engagement. This is an incredible development and I want you to know that humanity owes you a great debt for your service.” I made no effort to reply. “The recording devices built into your suit corroborate well with your story, and while serving your official capacity there was never a moment when you failed to put the cause in front of your life.”
“It was all in service for the greater good of humanity.” I replied. “I never want to live my life regretting that I took the easy way out, gave up or did less than my duty.”
“What do you feel would make you fulfilled?” one of the others asked.
“I want a death in battle.” I replied. “I died years ago and the minute I left earth I knew I would never return alive. Everyone I know and care about is already gone. It’s only a matter of taking as many with me as I can.” The man leaned back in slight contemplation. I couldn’t make out the expression on his face. Maybe it was slightly vexed, perplexed, and then again maybe a hint of understanding.
Heddings spoke again. “I would urge you to rethink your opinion, but I have no real right to do so. You are becoming a strong leader of those you have come into contact with and I would hate to lose you. It doesn’t take a hero to win a war, but you give others the ability to do great things… even unto death.”
I was never one who could take a compliment, much less so when the lives of billions were on the line. He continued.
“I don’t believe any one of us have seen your true potential yet. With that in mind I am going to put you in command of the first Deep Strike Wing on their next mission. We have pinpointed the location of the planet you first landed on. You with the assistance of their current leader, Major Rob Kim, now hold the mission of its bombardment and subsequent eradication of all hostile forces.”
“Is there any more intel about the planet?” I asked.
“Yes, but you will get a full briefing with Commander Jones as soon as he arrives. We believe it to be the largest stronghold in the outer system. Your attack, coupled with several concurrent strikes on some very high value targets should be enough to remove them from the sector and push them back to their original system. If you are able to
complete this successfully, the war could be over in a matter of months.”
I didn’t let my expression change, nor did I get all giddy like many other commanders would. “As long as I get to take some more with me.” I replied.
“That you will.” Heddings answered. “Jones is out on a mission right now but he should be back in an hour. There was a task to be performed that needed his attention and that of his newly-upgraded, 30 ship wing. They all just got new long range weapons installed which I’m sure you’ll be able to make use of.”
I nodded in comprehension. “Where am I meeting him?” I asked.
“Downstairs in the main briefing room. We’re done here.”
I turned to leave. “Actually,” Heddings said, “one more thing,” he slid a small black box across his desk to me. “It seems your actions have made an impression back home.”
I took a step towards him and opened the leather-wrapped case. The deeply engraved medallion and royal blue ribbon were unmistakable. Even in the ship’s artificial light the field of stars glistened upon the fabric. “What the hell is this?” I asked, flipping the case around.
“That’s the Medal of Honor,” he picked up the accompanying citation printed on heavy beige parchment. Clearing his throat, he began to read. “For unwavering bravery, stalwart devotion, and selfless sacrifice, Captain Jefferson M. Grant is awarded the Medal of Honor on 30 June 2152. After excelling in training, Captain Grant landed with the first wave on Planet November, Sol Bravo. With the loss of every superior officer, and despite a lack of any officer’s training, then-corporal Grant alone distinguished himself by taking full command of the mission. His subsequent actions led him and his battalion to the destruction of an orbital defensive platform, the elimination of a heavily defended enemy base, the recovery of multiple high value artillery pieces, the destruction of the planet’s surface defensive system, leading to the fall of the planet with the help of Earth’s Space Corps. When faced with immanent mission failure, Captain Grant rallied his soldiers to fight the enemy off to the last man, buying enough time to detonate a nuclear device and disable the defenses…” The admiral’s voice trailed off and looked back at me. “I’d say you earned it.”
MissionSRX: Confessions of the First War Page 20
