Battle for Karnak (Star Crusades: Mercenaries, Book 4)

by Thomas, Michael G.

  "This is useful material. Now it's time to leave. Come with us."

  The alien didn't even bother to check if he wanted to follow, and to his surprise made for one of the few stone structures still standing. It was an old granary facility, a heavily reinforced structure that until recently held long-term stores for the city. The shape was almost fully circular and rose up into a short dome upon which sat multiple rusting antenna. It was a massive building, and though far from the tallest, had the largest internal space of anywhere outside of the starship's hangars that were now little more than heaps of rubble. One wall was ripped open, and Lahok could just make out a dark shape inside.

  "They'll find us if we stay here," he yelled.

  The Sergeant kept going until reaching the broken wall of the building before looking back.

  "We're leaving. Now get inside."

  He stepped through the rubble and hesitated upon seeing the strange craft. He'd not seen one before, but it was big. Before his eyes could adjust, a wild volley of fire struck nearby. Several rounds struck the stonework, but others hit the spacecraft, leaving black marks and flashes as they deflected from the armour.

  "This way!"

  The voice came from speakers fitted somewhere on the outside of the spacecraft. He looked for them and then spotted a modest oval doorway to its flank. A Human inside waved to him while pointing a firearm at the unseen enemy. It flashed, and Lahok felt the heat as the projectile hissed past him. It struck the approaching clan warriors.

  Sergeant Tyler and his comrade stepped back to the opening and took aim. Lahok moved further inside. He'd been in the granary before and still found the vast interior to be something incredible. Now there were holes in the walls and ceiling, yet none of the damage could take away the size of the place.

  "Drop 'em!" said the Sergeant.

  The Humans opened fired with great skill and precision. Their weapons fired in short bursts, sending green pulses of powerful energy against their assailants. Lahok was already at the door, hastened by the volume of fire striking the craft. He looked back and shook his head. It was an incredible scene, where the burning city formed the backdrop to the fearsome firefight.

  He lifted his own carbine and looked for targets. The bright flames turned the enemy soldiers into black spectres, cruel looking shapes with flowing robes and long rifles. Bullets struck around him, but for some reason the fear had melted from his body. Maybe he realised there was nothing else left for him to do. His enemies were all around him, and yet with these Humans he had a chance to hurt them.

  "Die! Die!"

  He screamed the words with each pull of the trigger. With every shot, the weapon became hotter, but unlike the Humans, Lahok was no soldier. He kept firing even when the overload warning howled on the integrated sighting system. As he tried to fire the thirty-second, the weapon malfunctioned. The aiming reticule turned red, and nothing happened.

  "What? Fire!"

  Lahok turned away to check the weapon the same time as two bullets struck the spacecraft’s armoured skin. Another punched through the soft fabric at his shoulder, narrowly missing his flesh and grazing him. He yelled, only to find arms grabbing at him from the spacecraft. He struggled, but caught by surprise they had little trouble yanking him inside. As he passed the doorway, he saw the ring-shaped turrets rotating about before blasting away with a terrible roar. The larger calibre cannons made a deafening sound as they added their fire to that of the two Humans.

  He looked inside the craft and was instantly confused by the vertical cradles, all of which were empty. The Human wore a much thinner set of armour and indicated for him to approach a cradle. She spoke, but the words were alien and unintelligible.

  "What about them?" he asked, pointing to the door.

  The Human shrugged, equally confused, and then hit a button. A harness arrangement moved around his body, clamping him safely in place. Seconds later, the two leapt inside, while gunshots continued to strike the craft. As the second made it in with the looted equipment, the crewmember hit the door button, and the hatch hissed shut in less than a second. Both Humans deactivated their visors, revealing their sweaty faces.

  "Hold on," said the Sergeant, "It's gonna get bumpy."

  Lahok's attention lay with the rugged computer system the one solder had removed from the crashed gunship. Even as the Human spacecraft started to move, he opened it and began tapping buttons.

  "What is it?" Lahok asked.

  The computerised translator built into the Sergeant's armour answered in a droll, monotonous tone.

  "Intelligence from the Spires Clan."

  He then smiled.

  "We'll use it to help win this war. Haven't you seen the broadcasts?"

  The Human might seem happy, but Lahok's thoughts were with the dead members of his squad. They had only met days before, but he considered each his brother. They trained together, ate together, and now all of them had died together, all apart from him.

  The spacecraft shook violently, and then the g-forces pushed his stomach and chest in. It was hard to breathe for a moment, and then all was calm. The clamps around the Sergeant released, and he moved over to speak with him.

  "Like I said, I'm Sergeant Tyler, of the IAB. I'm here at the request of your government in Melantias."

  Lahok's brow tightened, and the Human seemed intrigued by the bony structure of his face.

  "Government?"

  The Sergeant smiled.

  "The North is under the control of Governor Nak Sekieki. His militia have fully secured Melantias and the rest of the region."

  Lahok shook his head, and Sergeant Tyler seemed surprised that he'd not heard of the Byotai leader before.

  "Perhaps you know of Tenskwatawa? He's organising all that will fight for him and his banner. I wasn't sure, but he is having a real effect on the young."

  This time the look on Lahok's face changed to one of recognition.

  "Ah, you know him then. Even this far South?"

  Lahok opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. He appreciated being rescued, but now that he was safe, he realised he knew nothing about these people. He knew the Humans were their allies, but who was this IAB? Tenskwatawa had been whispered about during the occupation of the last months. He did not understand where the information originated, but the rumours were that he was something of a saviour who would bring a life of plenty, whether pure-blood or not.

  Rubbish. Always looking for the easy way out.

  Lahok didn't believe that for a moment, and the more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became. Even so, many of the younger Byotai, especially those that had turned away from the Empire for a new life, saw the idea of this cult to be enthralling.

  "Okay, buddy. You take it easy. We'll be back at HQ in a few hours. Maybe this will help."

  The Human walked to the side of the craft and tapped the wall a number of times. An entire panel flashed and then appeared transparent. He'd seen this kind of display technology before, but the engineering behind it vanished from his mind as he found himself looking at the great open plains of the South. He said the only words he could muster.

  "Thank you. I look forward to seeing the great city."

  The Sergeant grinned as he spoke.

  "Great, maybe before. Now, well, I think you'll be surprised at what it's become. You see..."

  The other Human interrupted him, and she signalled for him to approach. Sergeant Tyler examined the captured computer system for a moment, before standing up straight and shaking his head.

  "Is this accurate?"

  She whispered so that Lahok couldn't hear. This went on for nearly a minute before the Sergeant moved to the front of the passenger compartment. He pressed an intercom button, and an image of the pilots appeared. He'd clearly switched off his translator, as when he spoke, Lahok had no idea what they were saying. All apart from one word, a word he'd learnt somewhere over the last few months.

  Ships. Why are they so agitated about ships?


  Lahok looked away from the Humans, who were now only interested in whatever they had found from the captured Spires computer system. He could see the vast plains of the South moving away to his right as they continued on their route North. He'd travelled this far before but never in such a craft. The planet was not the prettiest of places, but it was a world where even a Byotai of relatively low social status could make riches. The star had now risen, and the darkness replaced by long shadows that shortened by the minute. Soon it would be morning, and another day would begin. He looked back at the two of them. They'd returned to their seats.

  What do they really want?

  They wore very advanced armour, and even now, he found it hard to forget the odd chameleon effect they’d had back in the city. That was something he'd never seen before, not even by the very small number of Imperial soldiers that fought and died months ago in the initial fighting.

  They aren't regular soldiers. They must be mercenaries, or something else.

  His eyes picked out the lettering of the IAB on their armour, and the additional plates that moved with their bodies.

  "Sergeant?"

  The man looked over to him and nodded. With the visor deactivated, he could see the man's face. He wasn't old, but clearly a man of great experience.

  "What were you doing in my city?"

  Sergeant Tyler rubbed his chin before answering.

  "Tenskwatawa needs intelligence, and that's what we're doing. We're picking up the rest of our squad on the way home."

  Lahok thought about that for a few more seconds. It didn't really answer his question and actually raised far more.

  "Tell me, Sergeant. What is this IAB you are a member of? Is it part of the Alliance, or something else?"

  The man grinned, baring his teeth as he looked back at him.

  "Both. It's the Interstellar Assault Brigade, and we go where others dare to follow."

  As he said the words, the female Human laughed, but Lahok had no idea what was so funny.

  Humans, I'll never understand them.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Free City of Melantias, Stone Teeth Hills, Northlands

  20 October 2472

  The Byotai fortified city had changed little since the end of the great siege just weeks earlier. The victory brought about a massive change in the city's status, though. Now it was more than a bastion, or a last hold out for the rebels. Melantias was the new Byotai capital of Karnak, and in direct opposition to the old capital occupied by Nakoma and her clan warriors. Every day more people arrived, some having made the great trek across the wasteland from Caldos and further afield. More and more of the city had now been opened up, along with the vast number of underground facilities that had been barricaded for months.

  We did well, damned well, Spartan thought.

  He sniffed the warm air from his position atop the heavily damaged wall and closed his eyes for a moment. Spartan had little time to himself here, but this was one of the few short breaks he allowed himself, all in the name of assessing the Southern Wall. A Human mercenary spotted him from down on the ground and waved up to him.

  "Major. We have a new shipment of Helion armour. Just arrived from the trade column."

  The rank marked his position in the Interstellar Assault Brigade, and though he'd reached higher positions in the regular Marine Corps, he remained in the higher tiers of the IAB. His position as commander of the elite 1st Battalion was much more significant than it might suggest, as he formed part of the senior command that included Colonel Gun and the renowned Brigadier Black. Spartan looked at the man, and for a second his eyes glazed over. He tried to appear positive at the news but had little doubt that a few dozen more rifles would change much in the scheme of things.

  "Good work. Make sure they get to the arsenal, and let the master at arms know they've arrived. Small arms are in short supply."

  "Sir."

  The man walked off, and Spartan watched him with fascination. He was in his twenties, yet carried the air of superiority with him as he walked that betrayed months or perhaps years of rigorous training. There was more money to make in the private sector, and with all the fighting and uncertainty along the border, there had never been a better time for a mercenary.

  I know that swagger.

  Spartan's lip lifted at the corner as he recognised the man's attitude immediately. It was not just the way he walked, but his bearing and the way he held his body. It reminded him of his first year as a marine. His lip lifted in a smile as he recalled his training, his first use of military weapons, and of course, Teresa. Her face had already faded from his memory, but as he remembered the training hall, and the zero-g combat sessions, he found images of her coming back.

  You're not forgotten. Never forgotten.

  He closed his eyes and shook his head gently. Now more came back, the news of his estranged son killed in action, the death of Teresa, and so many more. Then came the deaths of those near to him, the great heroes and warriors of so many battles. Still he remained upright and alive, after being cut, shot, and even tortured by the machines.

  We can't afford another war like that one. Not again.

  The broken images of his torture and eventual indoctrination by the machines returned, but only fleetingly. Z'Kanthu, the leader of the rebel Biomechs had done his job well and removed their taint, but sadly, not the memories of the events. He could still feel their presence, and their orders for him to lead them to victory, but they had never been able to fully control him. Just thinking of that brought him right back to his killing of the Biomech rebel, his friend and ally. It had to be done, but the painful memory served as a never-ending reminder of what he had done, and why.

  Thoughts of that terrible conflict faded as quickly as they'd appeared, and in their place the more recent devastation. This Byotai city had sustained incredible damage, and only some of this had been patched so far. However, after such a success, most effort had turned to developing infrastructure and helping those affected by the ongoing crisis. A pair of brand new Maglev lines extended South and vanished off into the distance as the skilled engineers did what they did best. At the same time, temporary buildings grew up in over two-dozen locations behind the main wall.

  It's not fancy, but it is definitely a stronghold. What do we have here now, a quarter of a million people?

  His eyebrows rose as he considered that. The city had been almost deserted at the start of the siege, the defenders numbering in the tens of thousands. News of victory had encouraged many to return, including many skilled workers.

  We can win this.

  He looked out to the South and off to where the enemy controlled so much land. The rebels in the North had confirmed their position but much remained to be done. A map of Karnak's single continent filled his mind, and he shook his head, desperate for at least a moment’s respite. Spartan lowered his gaze and found a small group of Helions working with Byotai labourers. One noticed him looking and gave him a simple wave before turning back to the excavators and equipment.

  Good. At least somebody understands the need for preparation. They hit us once before, it can easily happen again.

  The other combat teams were gone, taking the supplies and prisoners with them. The clan warriors would prove especially useful, of that Spartan was certain. They had been taken inside for further examination and investigation. That was hours ago, and Spartan knew he had only a few more minutes before he'd have to head back inside. A distant crackle of lightning lit up the horizon, and he watched as the white flashes flickered off to the South, in the domain of the enemy.

  We're coming for you, Nakoma, soon.

  The commanders of the city, specifically Governor Nak Sekieki and, of course, the unusual yet enigmatic Tenskwatawa, leader of the Exiles; Spartan took in a long, slow breath and recalled their recent conversation. They had both sent him a message in the last twenty minutes asking to discuss their options, based on what they'd learned from the prisoners, and from Spartan and his team.
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  They only want to hear what they've already decided on.

  The mission off to the South had little to surprise him, though. In fact, it simply confirmed that the enemy intended on winning, and they were planning for the long haul. He'd never doubted Nakoma's resolve but was surprised to learn that help was on its way for her. That caused a problem. He spotted another of their junior officers walking along the dusty inner road with a case under his arm.

  So many officers, and so few warriors. They want to talk. Well, they can do that on their own time. Right now, I need to think.

  Spartan had already spoken to them all, and he was certain he'd taken everything of use from them. Karnak was aflame, but the war was far from a foregone conclusion. He shook his head and sighed.

  "What would I give for the IAB to be here in force, with a full division of marines to back us up? Hell, we'd end this war in a week!"

  He shook his head again and looked across to the unnamed flag, bearing two reptilian heads and fluttering gently overhead. It had appeared shortly after their victory, and now popped up on weapons, armour, and vehicles. It was not widespread, but as they moved closer to the final battle for the planet, so did the allure of this new iconography of the unified people of the Byotai and the disparate Anicinàbe clans.

  They are an odd people.

  For some ancient reason, the reptiles meant something to both factions, and Spartan recalled a long and rather boring speech from Tenskwatawa, the leader of the Exiles about it. He looked back through the gaps in the natural rocky walls where the new buildings lay. It was a strong position, yet no matter how long he spent on this planet, he could find no real attachment to the place. Down below, a pallet slid off a utility vehicle. Two Byotai rushed to stop it, alongside one of the infamous Exiles.

  At least they're working together for a change.

  He looked back to the South and scanned the horizon. The single star was already well past its zenith, and he estimated they had less than five hours remaining of daylight. Karnak had an odd day and night cycle, and his body still hadn't fully adjusted to it. Unusually for him, he was out of his armour and wearing his IAB fatigues, with a long robe hanging from his shoulder to protect him from the frequent clouds of dust. His head was bare, apart from a pair of old leather and glass dust goggles he'd found amongst the rubble. A low rumbling voice announced the arrival of his old friend.