The Final Act: Book III: The Settlement Chronicals

by W. J. Rydrych

  "Let me clarify," Admiral Lundblad continued, "we're going to turn this into an opportunity. This move against the islands makes no sense for anything but a diversion. I think it's to cover the dispersion of Gath troops and armor to the foothills that appears to be underway, which is the real danger. We had counted on pinning the Gath in their underground installations, but we're losing that opportunity fast.”

  “I spent some time earlier with General Green," Lundblad continued, "and the conclusion is inescapable. If the Gath take up strong defensive positions in the mountains or foothills rooting them out will result in horrendous losses; if we can succeed at all."

  Adding, "currently we estimate our 18,000 combat marines and roughly 50,000 first line reserves may be facing several hundred thousand Gath troops. The marines are good, and the first line reserves nearly as good, but that's asking a lot of them."

  Looking from face to face, "we're losing our window of opportunity."

  Turning to Admiral Collins, "I want the full fleet of attack ships, except those sent to support the colonists, to launch their attack on the Gath columns as soon as they leave their installations; and on the hangers supporting the island assault as well. I want those Gath ships isolated, but I also want any troop columns attempting to leave the installations decimated or driven back before they can reach cover. Keep their fighters from returning, and stop any more Gath units from moving into surface positions. I want everything we've got to hit the mainland now, including troop landings, and no more waiting.”

  Adding, "as soon as the air above the islands is cleared, send some of those ships to support the mainland campaign. We've got to gain control of the air and pin the Gath underground, and this may be the only opportunity we have or are likely to get."

  Then turning to General Green, "are all the landing plans in place?"

  Green nodded, "they can move on an hour notice. But we'll have to alter some of the landing sites and targets based on the new Gath surface positions."

  "Good," Admiral Lundblad responded, "I want the first wave of troops on the ground no later than sun-up, and the full division as soon as the shuttles allow. And the reserves,” he added, “I want all the underground installations sealed."

  “All the marines can be down tomorrow, and the first of the first-line reserves, but it’ll take a full two days or more to land the full 50,000. We’ll need to fully activate the backup reserve on all ships immediately," General Green answered, “but while the backup reserves can be ready to go in hours, bringing them down is limited by shuttle capacity.”

  "Don't plan on all the backup reserves for now; keep most of them on board and take only those necessary to support the marine division," Lundblad responded, then, turning back to the screen, Lundblad said quietly, "I'm sorry, Kevin. We can't miss this opportunity. It's going to be up to you to hold until the situation on the mainland is settled."

  Then, looking at General Green, "can we do what we have to with just the marines and the first line?"

  General Green looked thoughtfully back at Lundblad, before responding, "possibly; if we have control of the air. We need all available attack ships for about a day, and after that 500-600 should be enough.”

  “I know," he added, “from our earlier conversation that's all we can afford anyway.”

  Admiral Lundblad nodded, then looked back at the screen, "you'll have to hold, Kevin. We'll try to supplement the marines with some reserve units, but they'll have to come later after the mainland situation stabilizes. That's the best we can do."

  As the various commands were issued, Admiral Lundblad motioned for Admirals Collins, Sixkiller, Honecker, and General Green, Dr Foley, and Rocco Petri to follow him into the small conference room attached to the control room.

  "I don't want this information out, but I've made a decision on the strategy change we've been discussing. First, more information came in today from the scout ships in the belt that makes an immediate decision necessary. Briefly, since all installations on Beta 3 are below the surface, the surface is effectively barren except for some mining. This doesn't at all mean we think the population is low, in fact we think it numbers in the billions; its just that everything is subterranean; food and energy sources as well as their population."

  After a pause, "they are for all practical purposes invulnerable to attack. Even breaking into their installations with nuclear weapons, as we did for their moon base, would be of questionable effectiveness. We believe the installations are just too deep and too extensive; in fact the entire planet may be honeycombed.”

  “Plus," he added, "we couldn't provide the ground forces necessary to force entry in any case, the opposition would be too great and the environment is too severe. We don’t have nearly enough troops, and those we have just couldn't function adequately in the heavy gravity burdened with other necessary equipment.”

  “That means," he said, "we can't defeat the Gath on Beta 3 by conventional means, and even if successful here on Alpha 2 they'll be a constant threat. Even nuclear devices wouldn’t function against an enemy without surface targets. Whether they send a relief fleet to Alpha 2 or not, the threat is such that we wouldn't dare move our fleet on to Sirius unless we also evacuate Alpha 2. This has been known for some time, although not discussed below command level."

  "However, we must assume the Gath are building a fleet to relieve or recapture Alpha 2. How big this force would be and when, if even if, they would launch we can’t be sure;’ but in any case the threat is there. We’ve estimated we have about a year before they're ready to launch, more likely two, but that's purely a guess.”

  “Originally," Lundblad continued, "the plan was to have the reconquest of Alpha 2 complete before they arrive, and use the fleet to defend against their relief force. Unfortunately, however," he added, "with what we know now, it’s very likely the relief force would be of such a magnitude that it would just push us aside, forcing us either to abandon Alpha 2 or face destruction. So, we need a different approach."

  Looking at Petri, "the change under discussion is to blockade Beta 3 and keep them from launching a relief effort. We believe if we can place our motherships in orbit around Beta 3 before their fleet is ready, we'll have the 'high ground' and can keep them pinned underground.”

  “But,” he added, “only if we control that high ground before they establish defensive measures in orbit could we hope to establish a blockage against the overwhelming force the Gath have at their disposal."

  Continuing, "since we felt we had a minimum of a year before they could launch a major attack on Alpha 2, and we could reach Beta 3 in six months, I’ve held off making a final decision until now. There was no reason to rush. Now there is."

  Rocco Petri, who had been watching Lundblad intently, finally asked, "it sounds like you have made the decision. What caused the move up?"

  Admiral Lundblad nodded, "yes, I have, and we don't have much time. Our ships posted in the asteroid belt report massive construction underway in orbit; not only what could be weapons platforms, but also either motherships or satellite hangers. If they get them operational they can service their fleet in orbit and we lose the advantage of the high ground. The only reason a blockage would work is their ships are particularly vulnerable when climbing into position, and we lose that advantage."

  Lundblad continued, "unless I hear 'compelling' reasons against it, by the end of next month I want a minimum of ten of our motherships, with their full complement of attack craft, on the way to Beta 3. Gert thinks we still are a six month to a year window before either motherships or orbital hangers could become operational, and since it would take us six months to get there, our time is short.”

  Looking around the table, “which means when the fleet leaves Alpha 2 may not be fully pacified."

  Noting the concerned looks, "most of the marine division and some attack ships, plus most of the shuttles and some of the motherships, would stay behind to complete the pacification, since we wouldn't be using ground troops o
n Beta 3 in any case. We'll decide later how many motherships remain here for the long-term; probably no more than one or two."

  “As to the attack ships, we have more than we have pilots qualified for air combat, which is what we face on Beta 3. By ‘qualified for air combat’ I mean qualified to use the liquid cockpit.”

  After a moment, “so the attack ships that remain will have to be retrofitted for normal cockpits; we have enough ‘washed out’ pilots to cover those. That should be fine for ground support operations.”

  Petri nodded thoughtfully, "well, most of that is a military matter. I understand why moving fast is critical, but I have a lot of questions. Primary is, once started, how does a blockage come to and end? Does the fleet ever go to Sirius?"

  When the discussion had petered out, Admiral Lundblad changed the subject to the problem at hand, the immediate problem they would face in the next few days or weeks.

  "I'd like a 'frank' assessment of the situation our troops and attack ships will be facing down below,” Admiral Lundblad began, “something that won't go beyond this room for now. Admiral Collins, you start," Lundblad said, glancing at his old friend.

  Santa Clara, hours later . . . .

  The convoy of trucks, headlights off, ground slowly up the rutted dirt road as it wound its way through a tunnel of trees up into the low mountains that covered the interior of Santa Clara. Far behind they could see occasional flashes of light from the scattered settlements in the flatter terrain nearer the coast where the Gath were bombarding the now vacant buildings in preparation for a landing. Overhead a short 'flash' appeared as a friendly or Gath ship exploded.

  Dawn was nearly on them when the trucks, on a road which was now just a pair of ruts, entered a narrow defile bordered on each side by a steep boulder-strewn slope, which as they advanced changed to sheer cliffs. After some time the defile widened, and here the trucks pulled off the track, scattered, and parked in the partial cover of the cliffs. People began to dismount from the cabs and backs of the trucks, standing in groups in the half light.

  There was confusion, but with the shouted orders of those in charge the milling groups started toward the entrances to caves in the surrounding cliffs. Soon everyone had been routed into one of the shelters, the trucks covered with camouflage material, or in some cases moved into the shelter of a cave. To anyone observing from above the area again looked empty and undisturbed.

  Margie Moffa, gripping the canvas side of the interior of the truck, waited until everyone else had disembarked, then slowly made her way to the back, looking down for help. Amanda was waiting with two of the men to help assist her to climb down. With Amanda supporting one arm, and leaning on her cane, Margie made her way to the part of the cave assigned to them, where Amanda helped lower her to a set of cushions and blankets leaning against the wall. This quick evacuation, and the long, bumpy drive, had been tiring; her 87 years pressed down on her.

  "Feeling better now, Mom?" Amanda asked, kneeling down in front of Margie, "just lean back and rest. I'll see what they have to eat."

  Margie just nodded, and closed her eyes.

  In a few minutes Amanda returned with a sandwich and a glass of juice from a table near the center of the cave where several people were busy emptying boxes of food that had been prepared. Kneeling down and handing the sandwich and juice to Margie, Amanda said, "I have to leave for awhile. Kevin wants to get the headquarters set up and operating. I'll be back as soon as I can, but why don't you lay down and try to get some rest?"

  These shelters, scattered throughout the mountainous interior of Santa Clara, had been prepared and stocked years before following the earlier Gath attacks on the islands. The cave entrances were covered with a double set of canvas door covers, creating a space that allowed entrance or exit without light escaping from within. Enough food and water was stocked to last for several weeks.

  This particular location had been set up and equipped more completely than any of the others, and would serve as the new headquarters center. This largest of the caves served not only as a residence for key personnel, such as President Murphy and Colonel Lopez, but also as the control center for the resistance against the Gath. Amanda and her mother were assigned to the headquarters cave since Amanda's responsibility for coordination of the Torgai auxiliaries was key.

  At the well-lighted back of the cave Amanda joined Kevin, Colonel Lopez, and several others who made room for her at the map-covered table. Hath-Boc, headman of the Torgai, who was standing silently against the wall behind the others, signaled a greeting as Amanda entered.

  As Amanda edged up to the table Colonel Lopez had just finished saying, "make contact with the marines. Some are down already, and some of our units have made contact, but they'll need the Torgai scout contingents plus as many of the Torgai auxiliaries as we can spare as soon as possible."

  Turning to Amanda, "since Tom Ford is still with the fleet we have a real problem passing on orders to the Torgai scout units. Can you take that on for now in addition to your work with the auxiliaries?"

  Amanda nodded, "sure. I want to find someone, though, to help take care of my mother. I'll be so tied up here that's going to be a problem."

  Kevin answered, "I'll take care of it. I'm sure Annette would be glad to watch over her."

  When that was settled Lopez again turned to Amanda, "we have to get the Torgai over to help the marines as soon as possible; both for scouting and screening." Nodding toward the officer at his side, "work out the details here with Captain Metzen, and get the Torgai out to screen the refuges and search for any Gath activity. Work with Captain Metzen on that too."

  Amanda motioned to Captain Metzen, and collecting Hath-Boc, the three of them went over to a quieter corner of the cave to work out the details.

  Dominica, early morning . . . .

  Eddie lay in the mud, his face pressed against the slime, forcing himself down until he became a part of the swamp itself. The odor of decaying vegetation and algae-covered water filled his nostrils; his mud-darkened clothes fit with his surroundings. There was no moon to light the darkness, which was the only thing that kept him from being seen. That, and the mist rising from the shallow water warmed by the rotting vegetation.

  He had fled into this swampy area when his unit, which had been trying to slow the Gath advance, had been driven from the roadblock outside the town. Without moving his head he could see, from the corner of his eye, the flickering glow from the town a distance away; a settlement that was now in flames. He kept his face pushed into the mud, willing himself to invisibility.

  Eddie was terrified. He could hear the Gath patrol crashing through the underbrush paralleling the road, passing within several meters of where he lay. He knew he was going to die; and he had just turned 19 and he hadn't lived. Just three days before he had hitched a ride on an outrigger from Santa Clara to Dominica to visit Carlie Sung, Amanda Moffa-Sung's daughter. Carlie's grandmother, Margie Moffa, and Eddie's grandfather, Colin Murphy, had both been with the original colony, and the families had always been close.

  Both he and Carlie had been born on Alpha 2, and as descendants of members of the original colony were a rarity. He and Carlie were best of friends, and in recent years had dated occasionally, at least when they could, since she spent most of her time on Dominica while he lived on Santa Clara with his father, Kevin Murphy, while attending school. The night before he had been routed out of bed at the Sung house by the news of the coming Gath assault and the orders to evacuate all the towns. Unable to return to his unit on Santa Clara, he had rushed with Carlie to her reserve unit and been assigned to help man one of the roadblocks. Carlie's squad was with a unit assigned to escort the civilians into the hills.

  The town had been successfully evacuated before the Gath arrived, and Eddie's squad, along with several others, had taken up a position guarding the narrow, dirt road out of the city toward the highlands. From there they could see the flashes of laser fire streaking down from the Gath ships, some into the city,
others into the forest when those defending or escaping from the settlements were detected. Further overhead the flashes of laser fire and streaks of missiles between Gath and Earth attack ships lit the sky. It was only about three hours since Gath aircraft carrying ground forces had arrived, many of which were destroyed by the outnumbered Earth attack ships.

  The local reserve troops had little chance of withstanding the heavily armed and armored Gath forces, and the roadblocks constructed in an attempt to slow the Gath advance were rapidly breached, sending the defenders into disorganized flight. Eddie's unit had been hit hard with many killed, the rest fleeing.

  Eddie had never been interested in the military life like his father who had been a professional soldier. He was more a throwback to the grandfather, Colin, whom he had never met, and who his father, Kevin, had not seen since he was six years old. It was Margie Moffa, Carlie's grandmother, who had known his grandfather well and often talked of him. Now, pressed into the muddy ground, these and other thoughts passed randomly through his mind in flashes mixed with his fear. He was sure that he was going to die at any moment.

  But he didn't. The noise from the Gath patrol passed, and the only sound was the wind in the trees. Eddie raised his head and looked around. He had to get away from the road. If another group of Gath passed he would be clearly visible and could not hope for a repeat of his luck in remaining undiscovered. Getting to his feet he walked as quietly as he could back further into the swamp, clutching the mud-covered laser rifle to his chest.

  Further inland Carlie leaned against a tree resting, the people in the group mostly sitting but some laying on the ground. They, along with most of the people from the town, had managed to retreat far into the hills before the Gath arrived. In fact, while they had heard the firing behind them there was no sign of the enemy. The lookouts had, however, reported seeing a glow from the burning settlement to the east. Carlie tried to close her eyes; soon she would have to relieve one of the soldiers currently on guard.