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

by Thomas, Michael G.

  The column veered to the right, swerving to avoid dark shapes moving under cover of the night. Spartan instinctively aimed with his carbine, but then spotted the figures of Byotai. Most looked like civilians, and many bore small arms in their hands. They waved as they went past, and then chased behind the column, dodging in and out of the cover offered by the buildings. Spartan looked to Khan.

  "My friend, I think this might work. How far away is Olik?"

  Khan checked something on his overlay, spoke a few words, and then grinned, showing his gleaming teeth.

  "Eleven minutes."

  He rubbed his hands together.

  "This is going to be legendary!"

  "Agreed," said Spartan.

  The vehicle hit a bump, and for a short moment they were airborne. A single mistake could have crashed them into a nearby building, but not this time. The driver righted the vehicle, swerved past a wreck, and then headed to the final bend that led directly to the West gate of the capital buildings; the temporary stronghold of Nakoma's forces. As he looked back, dozens more guns opened fire, with some even striking his column. A group of enemy soldiers took aim from a nearby two-storey workshop, and their rifles punched holes in the thin sides of the transport.

  "Open fire!" Spartan yelled.

  The meaty roar of Thumpers filled the air, along with the crack of high-velocity rifle fire. More shots came in from the left. Twenty or more Red Scars rushed out, some only half armoured and from one of the better condition buildings. Next to them was a stationary crawler with a motorised gun platform turning around to face them. Another tried to block the heavily laden column of rebels. The first three vehicles steamed past, and the fourth slowed, allowing its passengers to unleash a full volley against the aggressors. Rockets crashed back and forth, but the mercenaries broke through, at a cost of three badly wounded.

  Spartan looked back at the burning vehicles in the street. More Red Scars were streaming out of the buildings that circled the defensive walls in Tanau. He'd assumed a large number would be stationed outside the walls, as he had little doubt Nakoma would want her loyal Spires warriors close to hand. Scores more shapes rushed out, but they were unable to attack the armoured column due to the arrival of multiple Byotai squads. Both sides were roughly matched in number and engaged in a brutal close-ranged firefight.

  "They can't hold for long. When the Red Scars are mobilised, they'll be crushed."

  Khan shook his head.

  "Then we will just have to do our job right."

  He looked back as their columned swerved along the road. The vehicles bristled with soldiers, all heavily armed and armoured and keen to get into action. Spartan moved back to Lahok.

  "The walls, Lahok. Remind me about the walls?"

  "Just the one concentric wall, two metres tall, with security gates at key points around the base of the one hill. It is not very secure, and more an old relic to match the style of the acropolis on Imperial worlds. Entire sections have fallen down over the last decade. I marked them on your mapping system."

  "I hope you're right."

  Spartan leaned back and activated the communications network. This time he made contact only with those forces within a kilometre of Tanau. Multiple units flashed up as they acknowledged his encoded request. Kornag showed at the entry point on the wall. Another seven units of militia also appeared, six on foot and already near the wall. The seventh was trapped on a small hill and fighting against two larger Red Scars units.

  "This is Spartan. All units congregate on the centre of Tanau. Do not let the enemy retake the district. Kornag and Khan will join me in a full-assault on the central basilica. Good luck."

  "There it is!" Khan shouted.

  Spartan looked ahead at the winding road and the ancient-looking buildings atop the small hill. It reminded him of the pictures of the ancient Acropolis in Greece, a place still standing today, after two thousand years of bloody war.

  "I see it."

  Lahok had been correct. All of the Eastern roads approached the low wall, and then entered via a series of broken arches. At each side of these ruined arches lay small towers. On top of these motorised weapon platforms were firing above the column and into the suburbs. One lay directly ahead, and off to his left Kornag and his column of captured vehicles was heading to another arch through gaps in the damaged buildings.

  "It is impressive, very impressive," said Khan.

  Even Spartan had to admit it looked the part. Unlike other urban areas of Karnak, this had style and sophistication that the others lacked. The administrative buildings lifted up on a walled pedestal, itself upon a low-lying rocky hill. Lights appeared all around the buildings, most at the rectangular basilica towering over the others. At the centre of the building was a single massive dome, and hanging from it the standard of the Spires Clan.

  "Okay, time to breach this wall!"

  The formation split apart and slowed as they made it to within a hundred metres of the arch. That was the point the defenders realised the danger was much closer. The tower guns ripped into Syala's vehicle, but it pushed on, sliding to halt metres from the shattered archway. Spartan's vehicle was next, and they slid to the left, creating a wall of metal the warriors could dismount from. He leapt from the back and looked up at the tower. It seemed much larger from here, and four or five Spires soldiers manned the weapons installation.

  "Hit them!"

  Spartan fired first, his carbine spitting white-hot blasts of plasma at the target. Holes appeared in the armoured sections and then vanished as the Blood Pack hit it with their Thumpers. More vehicles rushed up behind them, and to Spartan's surprise, several dozen Byotai civilians appeared from nearby buildings where they must have been sheltering.

  "It's time," said Khan.

  Spartan moved to the side of the vehicle, and on top of the ruined arch that lay shattered in the wide street. The badly damaged wall ran to the South and North, but he was only interested in the rocky hill two hundred metres away, now filling with light as its occupants woke to the sounds of battle.

  "With me! Attack!"

  Spartan broke into a run, and the mercenaries and militia joined him in a great wave of flesh and armour. They swept over the broken arch to the open ground of a great plaza before the low hill. That moment the great doors of the nearby buildings swung open, and out poured hundreds, upon hundreds of Spires soldiers; all ready and waiting, and armed for battle.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  12km West of Tanau District, Southern Depression

  12 November 2472

  It was pitch dark, the only light coming from the twinkling stars, and whatever lighting remained active on the ground. Olik fidgeted nervously inside the Jackal, and then checked the mapping data for what must have been the tenth time in the last minute. He was watching the many units fighting in the South, and so far didn’t like what he could see.

  "Sergeant, have you seen this?"

  Both looked at the flagged area on the Southern Depression.

  "Yeah, looks like Arana has started something big in Hyndla. Scans are showing a lot of traffic heading her way. She won't last more than a few hours against all that."

  "You can say that again."

  Olik checked Spartan's current position and then gulped at the flagged enemy units.

  "Spartan has been encircled at Tanau."

  "I see it," said Sergeant Tyler, "Look's like Nakoma is calling in reinforcements to cut him off from help."

  "Hold on," said the pilot, "We're dropping into the Depression in five...four...three."

  Olik tensed his body and instantly felt a pang of pain. His injuries should have crippled him, and though now back in armour and ready to fight, he still felt the damage. It would take many months to fully heal.

  "Now!"

  The lead formation of ten captured Abn'dak gunships dropped down first, boosting their engines as they moved into the infamous Southern Depression.

  Our turn.

  The Jackals did the same and
moved in close behind the vanguard screen of gunships. Olik licked his lips as the mapping data reported battles and causalities by the minute. The uprising had clearly started well, but already the Spires and Red Scars were retaking ground. He glanced backwards and checked the external cameras. There were another fifteen gunships behind him, plus four massive Ma'heen gunships. He nodded upon seeing the heavy shapes drop down behind them.

  "Thirty-seven aircraft, all packing ground forces and a lot of weapons. Have you ever seen such an assault?"

  Sergeant Tyler laughed.

  "Hell, no. This is one for the history books."

  Olik smiled and then connected to the pilot via the internal network.

  "Put me on with Tenskwatawa."

  "Sir."

  It took two seconds before the face of the Exiles leader appeared.

  "Captain, is your assault going to plan?"

  Olik nodded.

  "Yeah, we'll be in range in seconds."

  "Good, very good. My reports show Nakoma's forces are fully committed now. She has been pinned down and is vulnerable. Assist Spartan and end Nakoma...today!"

  Olik nodded.

  "I have also sent an additional thirty gunships to harass Montu."

  OIik's brows tightened a little at hearing that. Montu was heavily defended and a dangerous place to approach.

  "Montu?"

  Tenskwatawa nodded politely.

  "Yes, Montu. It is little more than a gentle diversion, but it might help pin down any reserves Nakoma may have."

  Olik looked back to his own local mapping data.

  "Very well. We will be on the ground in less than five minutes."

  "Excellent work, Captain. I will send word to my people to assist in the final assault. Your names will be forever remembered."

  The signal cut abruptly, and Olik was left feeling a little irritated by what he'd just heard. Tenskwatawa was no military strategist, and he suspected any action near Montu would end in additional deaths. He sighed and looked to Tyler.

  "Okay, it's time. Send the signal. I want the pre-planned bombardment sequence, and then create spaces for our landings. Jackals in first, then the gunships can provide supporting fire and extra troops as needed."

  Tyler seemed pleased with the news.

  "I'm on it."

  He then quickly added the one word he kept forgetting.

  "...Sir!"

  * * *

  The basilica rose from the rest of the administrative district like a great phantom, its tall flat walls now marked with gunshots and missile fire. Tracers moved back and forth, lighting up every square metre of its surface. It was a big building at nearly a hundred and thirty metres high at the top of the dome, and over two hundred metres long. The large dome at its centre spanned forty metres, and even after all this gunfire, still bore the standard of the Nakoma and her clan. Arched windows lay shattered on multiple levels and contained more warriors as they rushed to defend the structure.

  "Forward, my brothers!" Khan shouted.

  Khan lifted his Thumper high in the air and roared as the first line of Jötnar advanced, a wall of metal, blasting apart anything that moved. Around them moved small units of Byotai militia, desperate to avoid the return fire, and using the heavy armour of the Jötnar to shield their frail bodies.

  "Put down fire on the defences. Keep their heads down," said Spartan.

  Many small teams of Byotai moved up into cover and hit the buildings with carefully aimed rifle fire. The clatter of small arms continued as a long crackle, each doing their part in the massive battle.

  Khan remained at the front and winced as two heavy projectiles skimmed off his chest plate. The second tore off a section, and he groaned as several small pieces embedded in his chest. As always, Spartan was at his side and blasting away with his carbine. Upon seeing the wound, he looked over to his friend.

  "Khan, you okay?"

  Khan grunted.

  "It's a scratch. Keep moving!"

  Spartan clambered over two bodies, firing as he moved. The Jötnar kept moving as a broken line through the street. Scores more Spires soldiers fanned out in front. These new arrivals took cover behind what remained of the three large administrative buildings to the West side of the basilica. Hundreds of Spires bodies lay at the outer defences, ripped and mangled by the brutal assault of the Blood Pack and their allies. The survivors had withdrawn to the many low-lying buildings and sniped at the mercenaries as they inched closer to their objective, each shot slowing down their progress.

  Khan took aim at those sheltering ahead and emptied an entire box magazine. The explosive shells ripped rocks apart and showered the defenders in burning metal and flame. He glanced back at Spartan while slamming in yet another box. His face was hidden behind the metal plates, but Spartan could tell his old friend was enjoying himself.

  "Four more dead, double that wounded," said Khan, "But by hell, we made these clan warriors bleed for it."

  The Jötnar's voice was grim and uncompromising. He grunted and fired a short burst that cut two more Spires soldiers in half, covering their comrades in blood and gore. They moved through the heap of bodies as if pushing through snow, firing shots, or stabbing with blades if they found any survivors. The front line walked at a fast pace, while behind them the Khreenk and Helion mercenaries moved to the flanks.

  "Keep moving," said Spartan.

  A howling sound made him look up as flares and rockets streamed overhead. Some were intended to hit his force, but many slammed down into the suburbs or against the multiple forces now fighting all along the wall. Spartan's visor overlay showed Kornag had breached his part of the wall and was moving to hit the basilica from the North. Spartan’s forces were halfway to the low hill, forcing through the dust-filled streets to the target.

  "That hill is small, but it will slow us down," said Khan.

  Spartan twisted to the side, narrowly avoided a burst of fire. Without even thinking, he fired back in the same direction, blasting a head clean off a Spires' body.

  "Yeah, it looks about thirty metres in height and rough rock. And look, they've got more troops inside."

  Lights showed the many doors and windows opening along the Western face of the large structure. As more soldiers rushed to high positions to put down fire on the advancing mercenaries, Spartan wished he had access to heavier weapons.

  One tactical nuke, and I could end Nakoma right here and now.

  That reminded him.

  Olik!

  Thinking of their friend put a smile on Spartan's face. Another flurry of shots sent him moving for an upturned Byotai crawler. It was so old its metal had rusted away, leaving jagged sections and large holes. He reached it just in time to avoid the next burst. He leaned out, returned fire, and ducked back. Another group of militia ran up and joined them behind the cover offered by the wreckage. Lahok was there, with Kanjana at his side, plus another seven Byotai militia, each looking positively terrified by what was happening.

  "Is everybody ready?" Spartan asked.

  Kanjana looked to the North, ducking back as shots hit nearby. More Spires soldiers were spreading out to produce a defensive curtain around the basilica. More worryingly, twice that number was heading for the perimeter wall to block off their chance to retreat. She leaned back for an instant and took a careful aim with her rifle.

  "Time is turning against us, Spartan. Nakoma is mobilizing her reserve. And those are not just clan warriors."

  Spartan popped his head out, and three shots struck the metal wreckage centimetres from his face. Sparks covered him, forcing him back.

  "Yeah, I see that. They're flooding the area. I've got two hundred plus warriors at the basilica, same number on the hill, and a lot more moving around us."

  "Blood Pack are at three points, and ready to assault the Northwest and Western parts of that small hill."

  Spartan looked at the small groups of militia plodding through the debris.

  "And Syala."

  Khan laughed. />
  "She's there, to the South, in that warehouse structure. She hit it with all of her unit, and hit it hard."

  Spartan nodded and checked his overlay. It was partially complete, but missed data on Syala and two of the militia units. On the plus side, the timer for Olik was down to the last minute. Another squad of Spires broke out from cover and rushed South, trying to encircle Syala's team. Khan leaned out and opened fire, even as rifle fire glanced off his thick armour. The Thumper shuddered, obliterating two and sending the others off into a panic.

  "They are good but not good enough! When we charge, they will break."

  As he said the words, scores more clan warriors moved to the edge of the low hill and around the base of the basilica, the many balconies now filled with snipers and heavy weapons. The Jötnar could take most of the fire, but at least seven Byotai were cut to ribbons as they scattered for cover. With every second, the defensive fire from around the basilica increased.

  "Okay, it's time. Be ready. When the airstrikes are done, we go in."

  More squads of Byotai, with the surviving members of the mercenary units, joined up with the Blood Pack squads in a loose line around one side of the hill, shaped in a loose crescent. A quick glance on the tactical overlay showed his forces were close and poised for the final assault. He found it hard to swallow seeing how many had made it, though; less than four hundred to the ground at the base of the hill.

  He looked over his shoulder. Fighting had spread through the lower suburbs of Tanau, and both sides were heavily committed to the battle, a battle the Byotai would eventually lose. Kanjana saw him looking and called to him.

  "Spartan, they are doing their job, so we can do ours."

  Lahok was still there, but the battle must have finally broken him. He pushed himself as low as he could go against the wreckage. Spartan leaned down towards him.

  "Don't worry, son. One spot here is as good as the next. It will be over soon."

  Lahok shook his head.

  "The battle is lost."

  He pointed to the East while remaining hunkered down.