“Well maybe if you had spent a little more time considering before you act you would not have lost the combined fleet over Polaris.”
Meeka felt the stinging rebuke. His blood was boiling. He could feel a swell of rage rising within.
“We’re being hailed” announced the comms officer grateful to deflect the impending explosion.
“Who is it” bellowed Meeka.
“Ciantus Melnar.”
The name struck Meeka like a slap from an open hand. He leaned his head back while he hurried his mind to come to grips with the significance of the caller. Finally he nodded and opened the channel on his communicator. “Ciantus.”
“Well Meeka look what’s just happened” hailed Ciantus with a half mocking tone. “Couldn’t help yourself, hey? Just thought you would take it and now it’s all gone up in smoke in front of your eyes. I bet you feel a tad foolish right now, no?”
“If you’ve called just to gloat Ciantus then you’re wasting both our time.”
“Humour me Meeka. It would pay you to eat a bit of humble pie occasionally and especially right now if you still want to get your hands on a functioning device.” Ciantus paused to let the significance of what he had just said sink in. “You do still want it don’t you?”
“What do you want for it?”
“Well guess what, the supply side has taken a massive hit. Twice what I originally asked Meeka plus I want to be appointed Governor of Checklin when you finally get your act together and seize control and I want a contract to rebuild my facility.”
“How many devices?”
“Two that I am prepared to sell to you now.”
“What, you have more?”
“Let us just say that I will be keeping a little insurance.”
“Where are they?”
“I will tell you that when I see your payment.”
“There is no way I can raise that amount now.”
“Well Meeka, come back when you have it and if I haven’t found another buyer maybe we can do business then.”
“What about a part payment now and more to follow in one month.”
“Don’t take me for a fool. I’ve just sent you a contact number. Have a nice day Meeka.” Ciantus hung up with a big smile. It didn’t make up for the loss of his facility but it did help.
Not more than 200 kilometres away from where Ciantus sat, Arkimon Fetula rushed down to the comms room in the Lewista ISS HQ. He listened to the recording. “Definitely Melnar” he said to Salinta. “Where is he? Just find him. I need to call Draag.”
The news robbed Felis of the small pleasure and large relief he had experienced at the destruction of the Mintoslum facility. He was still worried about the situation at the Lewista spaceport. He had spent all his ground based missile stocks. His fighters had fought valiantly but there were only 36 left and they only had one loadout left. Everything depended on how the enemy reacted to the loss of the facility.
Back up on the Rogintinam, Meeka sat back into his chair and began to think of how he could lay his hands on the cash needed to pay for these devices. Haina looked on keen to know what was on his mind but reluctant to push Meeka any further than she had already. She was never one for patiently waiting on others. She began to fidget with her hands.
“Enough Haina” said Meeka, not with any trace of annoyance but rather with a soothing tone. A smile crept onto his face and Haina cocked her head away from Meeka and stared back at him as if the extra distance provided some added measure of protection.
Meeka turned to her and took her restless hands in his. “You were right my dear we need to consult before we act. We find ourselves temporarily stymied by bent of bad luck down on the surface. But as chance so often fluctuates a new door opens. We need to find some cash, a paltry amount in the great scheme of things, but a not too insignificant amount nonetheless. The good news is I know where we can lay our hands on some. All we need do is conduct a withdrawal from the Imperial Treasury in Lewista.”
Haina raised her eyebrow at this. “We don’t want to get bogged down in downtown Lewista.”
“Don’t worry my dear. Julsian’s had some practice in this line of work. It will be a quick break in, grab the loot and withdraw. With a bit of luck we can still wrap this up by tomorrow. Shall I call him now?” Haina nodded her approval.
Meeka hailed Maj Gen Julsian Dovorst, the commander of the 11th Endosian Division. He was currently outside the Mintoslum facility receiving a report on the casualties suffered when the demolition fired. He was not a happy rogan and not just because of the casualties. From where he stood this whole operation was going pear shaped.
“Yes Meeka I know we’ve failed” blurted out Julsian.
“Oh don’t worry about that my old friend. A new opportunity presents. Has that rogue Malessium survived?”
“I believe so. Why?”
“I have a job for him.”
Chapter 22. Resolute over Cheklin 1510, 21 September
The surviving ships of the 17th Flotilla were in a low orbit on the far side of Cheklin. It was night time below them but the lights were burning bright in all four command centres. Ivan had called for options and had allowed all of the command staffs to participate. It was Crystal’s suggestion that surprised Ivan the most. It was not because of her strategy per se but because its nature was the last thing he had expected from Crystal given her recent mood after losing John.
“So it’s agreed then” hailed Ivan. “We head east, crest back into the near side, Tenacity and Spectre you will be taking Route Alpha up over the plane and then make your beam run on Bogey 7. Resolute and Phantom will follow Route Bravo below the plane and make our beam run on Bogey 8. The caps make the kill with their beamers, the frigates ride shotgun. Only fire missiles if needed defensively. Remember to break hard, re-engage stealth and return back here. We’ll then review and if it went OK rinse and repeat.”
“And what if our target has moved” asked Cmdr Shelly Cooper, the XO of the Tenacity.
“If it’s closed within the enemy caps missile range, then abort, otherwise adjust your approach as needed. Just remember chasing these frigates down is not worth risking damage or destruction to our ships.”
“Fair enough” responded Shelly.
“Any other questions?” asked Ivan. None came. “OK we go in ten…make that 1530. I’ll signal Neeblo Control once our attack has finished.”
When Ivan terminated the conference call he nodded to Jasmin re the signal. She replied with “On it!” Ivan could see Crystal busy setting up the beam attack profile. There was nothing more to do.
Cranky came into the command centre with one of the stewards. They each carried a tray with cups of coffee. “Thought you might need this Sir!”
Ivan gave him a welcoming tilt of his head as he took a mug “Magic man” he said to Cranky.
Cranky’s face lit up with the compliment. “Is it true Sir, about the Raptor?”
“Yeah she’s gone…many got off thankfully. Don’t worry we’ll avenge her.”
Chapter 23. Neeblo 1530, 21 September
“How can we fight this battle” exclaimed a frustrated Felis to Jeb “if we can’t coordinate actions with your ships?”
If the truth be known Jeb was just as much frustrated as Felis was but he knew he should not convey that, well not just yet anyway. “That’s the limitation with stealth operations” he managed to respond.
“What, so we get a report after they have done something unilaterally and then we have a minute or so to communicate before they cloak again? How is this an advantage?”
“I admit it can be difficult to coordinate. We need to agree on a course of action suitably in advance and broadcast it to them.”
“I thought we had done that but instead they bugged out to who knows where. This is not satisfactory. How am I supposed to exercise control over the battle?”
Jeb had always been a straight shooter and found it difficult to deflect from the true situation. Diplomacy, subtlety and
the art of indirection were not his forte and he knew it. His own frustration got the better of him and he blurted out “Well you don’t, that’s the thing.”
Felis looked askance but regained his composure quickly. “I’m not going to let the tail wag the dog – that is the right expression isn’t it?”
Jeb nodded his head partly in confirmation and partly in annoyance. “Let’s just work out now what we want them to do and have it ready to send as soon as they become detectable again.”
But before they could do so Felis was hailed by Dave. “Yes Commodore” responded Felis.
“We’re three clicks west of the facility, where do you want our force?” asked Dave.
“Shuttles and fighter’s launched” announced one of Felis’ staff.
“Wait Commodore” hailed Felis and then focussed on the holo. “How many?” he asked.
“Forty fighters and 10 shuttles…heading for Rowisus. Must be after the spaceport there.”
“Kraag how many?” asked Felis.
“Thirty two ready to go but this will be the last of our fighter missiles.”
“Do it.”
“Committed” acknowledged Kraag.
With his ground forces fighting around the Lewista spaceport, Felis was in a bind. The only non-engaged forces were the 3rd Brigade still marching to Lewista and Warner’s Battle Group (BG). The 3rd Brigade he knew was too far away to respond to this latest threat. So that left Warner’s BG but apart from their surviving battlewagons they were on foot and hence not able to get to Rowisus in time. He had no means of quickly deploying either by shuttle while the enemy controlled the skies. He knew it would be too risky to ask the 17th Flotilla to send down their shuttles.
“Rotina do we have enough ground transport to lift Warner’s Battlegroup and when can it get to them?”
Commodore Rotina Wislitus had been anticipating just such a request. “Yes we do but it will take them 30 minutes or so to get to them” she replied.
“Do it.”
“You do realise that they will most likely be detected” added Rotina. Felis just nodded. “Done” confirmed Rotina.
Felis turned to Jeb. “What we most need is for your ships to start attacking….”
“Bogey 7 destroyed” announced one of his staff. This was almost immediately followed by “and Bogey 8.”
“Like that” injected Jeb with a wry smile.
“Yes, like that” said Felis and he managed a smile for the first time in a while.
Chapter 24. Rogintinam over Cheklin 1535, 21 September
“Damm those stealth ships” exclaimed Meeka. He was even more frustrated when their icons banked sharply away from his main force. A minute later they disappeared from the screen to be replaced with a ghosted icon at their last known location.
“We need to pull in our pickets” advised Haina.
“Alright” said Meeka. He manipulated the controls on his work station and brought up an overlay for his cap’s missile envelope. “What’s the range of the enemy beam weapons?” he asked.
“At least 8K” replied one of Haina’s staff.
“Let’s make it 10K to be sure and we’ll add another 5K to allow for reaction.” Meeka created another range overlay that was 15K less than his missile envelope and positioned it over the centre of his force. Pointing to its outer edge, he directed “along this edge.”
That placed his new picket line 27K out from his main force. Meeka focussed long and hard on the holo display. He felt like the enemy was pinning him in. It did not sit well with his temperament. Addressing Haina he said “launch a set of probes to deploy to the far side. If they try this caper again we will know where they retreat to and then we can return the favour.”
That brought a smile to Haina’s face. She, like Meeka, was never happy on the defensive. “Malessium’s ready. Launch now?” she asked.
“No, best to wait some more. The more we wait the further we draw the enemy away.”
“Enemy fighters” advised their defensive specialist “engaging two for one. Enemy missiles away.” The specialist waited anxiously for his own fighters to fire defensively, which was the standard operating procedure (SOP). There was a slight delay because of the distance but finally he breathed easier and announced “Our fighters engaging. Enemy fighters withdrawing.”
Haina and Meeka both focussed in on the holo and could see that the enemy fighters had fired their full load offensively. The specialist was looking to Haina for authorisation to fire their missiles in defence. Reluctantly she agreed. “At this rate” she said to Meeka “we are going to be out of missiles a lot sooner than we had planned.”
“Stop worrying my dear” replied Meeka. “It won’t be long before we have those devices.”
Chapter 25. West of Mintoslum Facility 1558, 21 September
The truck column had pulled out all stops and reached Dave’s battlegroup ahead of schedule. They had clambered aboard in short order including the ISS detachment and were now barrelling down a dirt road towards the highway that would lead them to Rowisus.
Dave let Lizzy lead off. He was content to ride in the back of a truck midway in the column with Jim, Tammy and Chase. His left foot was caning him. He had begged some pain killers off Doc before climbing on board and now washed them down with a drink of water.
It had been hard yakka hobbling all that way and the exertion had raised his heart rate. Only now was it starting to come back down. “I’m getting too old for this shit” he remarked to Jim.
“Nah” responded Jim “it’s just your foot.” Dave gave him a look which conveyed serious doubt. “Well” continued Jim “I’m not prepared to admit that I have only a few years left if that’s OK with you.”
Dave chuckled. “Fair enough.”
“Any news on how many we are to expect?” asked Jim.
“Ten shuttles worth” proffered Tammy.
Jim looked at his console which had the current order of battle (OB) listed. “We’ve taken a pasting that’s for sure.”
“And ammo’s getting light” added Tammy.
“We’ll be alright” said Dave keen to lift that mood. “They haven’t got there yet.”
“True” acknowledged Jim.
Dave leaned back into the seat. It was a tight fit and he found it difficult to relax. He raised his left leg with the help of his arm and plonked it down on top of his backpack which was now on the floor. With his foot elevated he closed his eyes and began repeating his mantra to clear his mind.
Chapter 26. Rowisus 1600, 21 September
Huegu Chenokus, the ISS commander in Rowisus was harrying his ready response teams after getting the warning that the enemy were heading his way. He already had one column on the move to reinforce the security detachment permanently based at the spaceport. He assumed that would be their target. But he knew that the 22 lightly armed troops there would be no match for the enemy that would dismount from the ten enemy shuttles. Each of these could normally carry twenty heavily armed warriors.
As he climbed aboard the second of his three trucks, each with twelve troops, he knew it had been too long since he last had a good physical workout. His bones were too old for this activity. He cursed not heeding his wife earlier this year. She had wanted him to retire. But he had been obstinate then and oh how he wished he hadn’t.
He had to clamber over the equipment on the floor before he could swivel and fall back into the rear seat on the right hand side. The seats were in two columns each facing out to the side. The hard case canopy was locked down, making it relatively dark inside. The lighting in the back always struggled to cope – just one of the design shortcomings in this model of vehicle.
Huegu hit the control to close the rear hatch and hailed “OK let’s go.”
The vehicle lurched forward, its electric motor struggling to accelerate with the overloaded payload. The air conditioning also struggled to cope. The twelve bodies in the back were soon perspiring profusely and sweat mingled with the metallic and plastic remindin
g Huegu of exercises past. Only this was not an exercise.
Huegu scanned the faces. He knew most of them well and he wondered how many of them would survive. Until a relief force arrived they would be outnumbered four to one. That was not a good force ratio.
As the vehicles picked up speed and raced onto the Jangu freeway that ran to the spaceport, Huegu’s thoughts went to his wife. He had told her to seek shelter in the Plentix complex, an underground shopping mall not far from their inner city apartment. ‘No nukes, please no nukes’ he prayed.
Chapter 27. Neeblo 1605, 21 September
Jeb found himself glued to the main screen above the holo on the far wall. It was slaved to the forward camera of one of the Republican fighters piloted by a 2nd Lt Jenna Irranus. Her heavy breathing, a hissing sound from some internal oxy release and the tearing sound as the atmosphere was ripped by the fast flying craft were the only sound effects.
Jeb glanced down to the holo and could see Jenna’s fighter in the van of a flight of four fighters racing to intercept the enemy. The remaining enemy force of sixteen fighters and eight shuttles were flying in a tight formation. They had dived down rapidly before levelling out and were now flying nap of the earth a mere 20 metres above ground level.
Jenna’s craft was higher at 50 metres but even so it looked quite disconcerting to see the terrain flying by so quickly. The enemy were taking advantage of the terrain to mask their detection. A window within the camera view showed the pilots screen. The radar and ladar sensors were trying to get a lock on the enemy craft. But that was proving difficult as they weaved around hills and hugged the contours.
The four craft of Jenna’s flight were the only Republican fighters still in the hunt. The rest had either fired off all their missiles already or were one of the 13 unfortunates taken out by enemy missiles. The enemy had lost four fighters and two shuttles. Jenna knew that much depended on them stopping or at least reducing the number of enemy shuttles.
Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) Page 19
