Audacity (Warner's World Book 5)

by Dave O'Connor

  “Yeah, I can do that.”

  “Just hail him for now. I want you to stay here.”

  Li did so as James lined up the ship for the beam attack. Crystal turned to John ready to give him the command to fire the missiles at the frigates. His eyes were locked on hers. For the first time he could remember she actually smiled at him in the command centre. It took him aback.

  “Fire” commanded Crystal.

  John recovered quickly. “Beam firing…missiles away.”

  “Send” ordered Crystal to Jasmin.

  “Signals sent.”

  “We’ve ripped ‘em” announced John triumphantly “Bogey 1 breaking up.” He rapidly switched focus to the missiles. These were on track. Then he spotted the enemy response from the two frigates. “Enemy missiles 25 from Bogey 2 at our runners, 30 from Bogey 3 at our runners…second volley…25 from Bogey 2 at us…20 from Bogey 3 at us.” There was a pause while John configured his response. “Missiles away engaging incoming 2 for 1.”

  “Fighters climbing” cut in Chase.

  “Any from the surface?” asked Li loudly but in a controlled manner.

  “Negative” said John.

  “We can take them” said Li to Dave. Dave was keen to save ship missiles and having the fighters take them out using their missiles would achieve this. But he did not want to expose them to too much risk. Dave knew that once uncloaked outside the ship they were extremely vulnerable, and they would have to uncloak to engage the incoming. He checked the holo, saw that the frigates would probably be destroyed in the next couple of minutes and so he turned to Li and nodded.

  Li went to Chase’s terminal. Chase gave him his chair and Li input the instructions.

  Down on F deck the first flight of Lightnings spat out the hangar doors. Kat Holbrook, already in her cockpit, followed her flight leader, Rose Joslen onto the now vacated launchers. With a jolt her craft was propelled out into space. The sunlight was blinding. She darkened her visor. ‘That’s better’ she said to herself.

  “They’re splitting up” hailed Li. He was now firmly ensconced in Chase’s workstation. Surprisingly Chase was good natured about it. “Alpha flight target Bogey’s 4 and 5. Bravo flight you have 6 and 7. Engage at will” ordered Li calmly.

  “Follow me” ordered Rose and she accelerated down to close with her targets.

  “We have hits on Bogey 2” announced John in the command centre. “And now on 3.” He scanned back to the incoming enemy tracks, noted the results of the engagement with their intercepts and announced “Seven leakers heading our way. Firing missiles 2 for 1.”

  “Bravo 3 and 4 engage bogey 7, 2 for 1” ordered Rose. “Kat we’ve got 6.”

  “Affirmative” responded Kat. She was grateful that their fighter missiles had longer range than the enemy’s. “Away” she confirmed and pulled on the stick to affect the loop that would see her heading back away from the enemy. As her body wrestled with the G’s she could make out the tell-tale icons on her display, indicating the enemy had fired. “Incoming” she announced.

  “Shit” said Rose “they have fired their whole load at you and I Kat. All Bravo engage incoming with all you’ve got. Alpha we need help.”

  Li saw the destruction of bogeys 4 and 5. He also saw though that they had managed to get off their full load. So had bogeys 6 and 7 and they were now hightailing it back to the surface. There were twenty four enemy missiles bearing in on two of his fighters. It was too late to launch Charlie flight and have them engage those missiles. The ranges were now too short for that response. He saw that Alpha flight was also launching their remaining missiles to intercept the enemy’s but he knew even that would not be enough.

  “Still two leakers” announced John “engage cannon, brace for impact.”

  It all happened too quickly for Kat. She saw the incoming tracks disappear as they were taken out. She had fired off all her own and the only thing she could do now was to speed away. Her gut was aching. Her rib cage felt like it would cave in and her eyeballs felt like they were being ripped from inside. The first she realised she was hit was the loss of power. Her craft flipped and then tumbled over and over. The warning sound in her helmet forced her to focus. She hit the ejection control and was sure her neck was broken by the impact as the pilot’s enclosure ejected from the rest of the craft. Then everything went black.

  Somehow Rose had survived but she felt her gut wrench when Kat’s icon disappeared. “Bravo 2 come in” she hailed.

  In the command centre Chase had just been hit by a sledgehammer. He had been standing behind Li when he saw Kat’s icon disappear on the screen. He tried to take hold of the back of Li’s chair to support himself. He caught sight of Ivan coming to him but couldn’t work out why.

  The close-in automated pulse cannons were flailing. Even inside the centre the noise was very loud. Chase would remember hearing John announcing that both leakers had been destroyed but it didn’t register as important. In the slow motion replay that he would experience later he was aware of being supported by Ivan and he could see Li turning to him and saying something. But his world was closing in.

  Whiskey 6 was launched. It engaged cloak and accelerated to intercept and then recover Kat’s pod. It was back within the protection of its mother ship inside of ten minutes. In fact it had been the last craft to recover on board. Li had cajoled his fighters back on board once he saw the launch of twelve enemy fighters from a base on the planet. They had no missiles left anyway and would need rearming.

  It was a reluctant Dave who ordered the firing of another 25 of his precious missiles to see off the fighters. Through all of this John had confirmed the destruction of both enemy frigates and their cap. It had been a resounding victory but it didn’t feel that way to most in the command centre.

  Chase recovered quickly and Dave excused him so he could head down to the medbay. Dave could see the dislocating effect that Kat’s near loss had had on his team in the centre.

  “OK folks” he said in a loud voice “We need to get a grip. The show is not over.”

  As if on cue John announced. “Incoming missiles from the surface. Shit forty.”

  “Warp away” ordered Dave.

  The pre-programmed response was committed and Crystal hailed to the entire ship “Warp in one.”

  The Resolute was long gone by the time the ground based missiles reached the location it had departed. They were aborted by frustrated rogan ground crew, knowing that they had fired precious missiles for no effect.

  Chapter 3. Resolute in Qwantum 1630, 14 August

  They were now back between Q3 and Q4. Dave was alone in his office taking stock. Yes he was annoyed at having to run away like that but he could not afford to stand and fight it out with ground based batteries. He just did not have enough missiles to do so.

  On reflection he had destroyed one cap, two frigates and 13 fighters (only three had limped back to the surface) for the loss of just one fighter. ‘But I’ve spent over half of my ship missiles and a quarter of my fighter missiles. Can’t afford another battle like that.’

  The knock on the door was annoying. “Yes” he reluctantly called out.

  Ivan poked his head in. “Mary ’s finished” he announced.

  “Right I’m coming” said Dave.

  He and Ivan made their way down to the med bay. Neither spoke. Dave was not looking forward to it. He recalled 1st Lt Mary Chernside’s face just before she closed the theatre doors. There wasn’t her usual bon ami.

  When they arrived Mary was entering something into her terminal. She looked tired but she also looked grim. It was a bad combination.

  She motioned for Dave and Ivan to take a seat. She swivelled her chair to face them. As she did she squirreled up her nose. The whole effect conveyed perplexity. Dave feared what she what about to tell him.

  “It’s not good Sir. She’s fractured her” said Mary but stopped mid-sentence as she realised the technical explanation would not do. “She has multiple fractures to the neck. One
of the vertebrae is so badly damaged I have had to fuse it. She’s never going to fly again – well other than as a passenger.”

  Dave bit his lip and nodded painfully. “Have you told her?”

  “No she’s still out and will be for hours yet.”

  “Have you told Chase?”

  “Yes just before you arrived. I don’t think it registered with him. I think he’s still in shock. Might be wise to excuse him duty for the next 24 hours.”

  Dave pondered this for a moment aware that if they were to return for the ground op he would need someone in the ops role. But he knew he would need someone with a clear head and right now that was debateable in regard to Chase. Then he recalled how well he had bounced back after his dressing down yesterday.

  “Let me talk to him” said Dave.

  “Can it wait?” asked Mary. Her eyes bored into Dave telling him ‘yes it can and it should.’

  As much as he hated doing so Dave said “No, it can’t.”

  Mary threw her head back and shook it in obvious displeasure. She looked at Dave, testing his resolve. His held. Again she shook her head “All right then wait here.”

  A couple of minutes later Chase came out of the recovery ward. Dave stood up to meet him. Ivan did likewise. Chase looked a little ashen but not as bad as Dave had feared he might. Dave could see that he had obviously been crying but that must have been some time ago. “I’m so sorry Chase” said Dave.

  Chase managed to make eye contact and nodded. He just stood there quiet for a moment. His silence didn’t help Dave at all. Finally Dave spoke “We need to go back in Chase… for the ground op. “Will you be OK on ops.”

  “She’s going to be all right Sir. She’s going to survive.”

  “Yes Chase. That’s good.”

  “Oh… yes, I’m good for ops. How long have I?”

  Dave looked to Ivan who definitely did not appreciate being the one who would have to deliver the deadline. But he delivered it anyway “Thirty minutes.” He expressed it such that it sounded more like a question than a requirement.

  “OK I’ll see you then” said Chase. Dave nodded and Chase went back in to be with Kat.

  Mary rolled her eyes at Dave and Ivan. Dave ignored it. “Thank you Mary. Look after her.”

  “Oh I will” said Mary still annoyed. “You know you both need to improve your bedside manner.”

  Ivan felt a little hard done by here given his minor role but before he could respond Dave simply said “Yes we do. Thank you Mary” and he turned and left with Ivan in tow.

  Chapter 4. Resolute to Q2 1715, 14 August

  It had been a long day already and yet Dave knew there would be little rest for anyone tonight. If they were to secure the spaceport they had to do so now before any ship reinforcements arrived and before any ground forces below redeploy.

  The command centre was filled with the low hum of several conversations when Chase walked in. It went dead quiet. He noticed the change in the sound level and looked around to see all eyes on him. He gave a weak smile and headed for his terminal. The conversations started back up.

  When he sat down and logged in he could see that the original ground op plan was still in force. Part of his mind was still back in the recovery ward. The other part knew that he needed something to do. “Sir” he said out loud. Everyone stopped talking. Chase looked around and then back to Dave.

  “Yes” said Dave.

  “We should divert some attention to taking out that ground battery. Don’t you think?”

  “Do we have a good enough fix on its location?”

  “Yes we do.”

  “All right then” said Dave. He cottoned on to Chase’s need. “Can you work up a plan for that and let me know when it is ready for review?”

  “Yes Sir” said Chase. His mind was now focussing on concrete tasks. His training did the rest. Chase knew that he could not put his head in the sand about what had happened to Kat but she wouldn’t wake up from her opiates for another six hours or more and this was probably the most productive use of his time. He wouldn’t be able to rest anyway.

  Dave had a word in Ivan’s ear and Ivan got up from his chair and went over to Chase. “The boss wants Chen to lead that attack on the battery. One platoon only, Ginty’s.”

  Chase nodded and went back to work. This would require a bit of restructuring and reallocating responsibilities. He set to it. As he did so, Jim Bucknell stood behind Chase, leant forward and stared at the screen. He stood back upright and looked furious. He walked straight over to Dave. “Can I have a word Sir?” he asked in a tone which would not brook a negative answer.

  “In my office” said Dave and they walked out. Ivan guessed what was coming and he followed behind. He made sure the door to Dave’s office was closed behind him.

  Jim stood like a bull about to explode. “Are you out of your mind?” he questioned.

  “I don’t think so Jim. I take this is about Chen.”

  “Too right it is. I thought we’d agreed he was to be in charge of securing sector 4.” Jim was breathing rather heavily, his barrelled chest expanding and contracting as he did so.

  “He was not going to wear it” said Dave. He paused to form his next words, aware that he needed just the right ones. “Look he wants some glory, preferably a light flesh wound, and then we’ll be rid of him. The alternative is that he’s reinstated as XO and put in charge of the whole ground op. Is that what you want?”

  Jim looked frustrated. “There is another alternative.”

  Dave looked at him warily. “Yes?”

  “I take him out into the hanger shoot off a couple of fingers, doctor the head cam of some marine who can actually fight to make it look like he was there. I’ll write up the glowing report and proclaim it to anyone and everyone that Chen’s the hero of Q2.” Jim looked at Dave, his expression proclaiming ‘well what do you think of that?’

  “Tempting” said Dave “but it won’t fly.”

  “Why won’t it?”

  “Because Chen won’t agree to it, will he?”

  “Who gives a fuck! These pollies, you never see them till they want their moment of glory. They fuck us over and over again. How many good marines are going to die just so he can look good?”

  Ivan found the whole situation very unsavoury. He actually agreed with Jim but felt duty bound to support Dave. He was wrestling with his conscience about whether to say something when the door opened and Chen walked in unannounced.

  The shock effect of his entrance killed off the conversation.

  “I take it then this is about me” said Chen. “Perhaps I can make this easier on us all.” He paused, saw no opposition and continued. “I don’t wish to get anyone killed because of me. But I want my moment of glory. I’d be happy to have whatever officer you want to assign as my deputy to plan the op and I will heed their advice.”

  Jim looked to Dave and then Ivan. Ivan didn’t dare move. Dave scanned both of them ending up with Jim. Jim finally nodded. “That works for us” said Dave.

  Chen smiled. It surprised them all.

  Five minutes later Dave and Jim were down on G deck. They entered the 1st Platoon space and found 1st Lt Ginty Martell tying up her boot lace. She was surprised to see the Captain entering the area. She brought down her muscular right thigh as she transferred her foot from the chair to the floor and hurried to attention. The other marines nearby did likewise.

  “As you were” said Jim “Lieutenant can you join us.”

  Though the question was rhetorical, Ginty replied “Sure.” They moved to the briefing room and shut the door. Ginty was intrigued. Five minutes later after hearing what they said she was pissed. “Permission to speak frankly Sir?” Dave nodded. “Do you realise that in wet-nursing this...” she struggled for a name that was not a profanity “guy we’re putting our lives at risk?”

  Her eyes bored into Dave’s. He held her gaze and then responded in a measured tone. “Yes I do. But let’s be clear. We need to take out this battery with or
without Chen. Either way there is risk. With Chen I admit there is a degree more. The alternatives though would impose even more risk to every marine on this op. I’m asking you to bear this burden because I believe you to be best able to bear it. I need someone who will keep their head screwed on the whole time. Who will be strong enough to run the op while letting the good commander appear to be in charge. It will require strength but also tact.”

  Ginty scowled. “Yeah, nice words Sir but you’ve just put a turd in my helmet and asked me to wear it so he can come up smelling of roses.”

  Dave smiled. “Nice imagery there but you are missing the point. This is not about him. It’s about you and your troops. It’s about taking out this battery so we can get our shuttles in and out while not losing all your troops. He’s just there for the ride. It would be nice not to have him carried out in a body bag but if he wants to get himself killed then so be it. We don’t have a choice here. This comes from the very top…the Chief Minister.” Dave paused to let Ginty take it in. She was mulling it over. Dave continued. “Can I count on you to fulfil this mission?”

  “I’ll take out that battery Sir. I’ll do my best not to get him killed but I don’t want any flak over it if he does.”

  “Fair enough” said Dave. He’d had enough. He nodded, turned and paced out leaving Jim with his platoon commander. Jim shook his head at Ginty.

  “What?” said Ginty defensively. “I don’t know how you went along with it.”

  Jim cast a withering gaze at Ginty and blurted out “About the same shitty way you did.” He gave another shake of his head and walked out leaving Ginty fuming and frustrated.

  Chapter 5. Lewista 1730, 14 August

  “You should have woken me earlier” said an annoyed Felis as he entered the main living space.

  “It’s all right. There’s plenty of time” said Evie. She was packing away her things. “All we have to do is hike a kilometre towards the city. It’s not going to take an hour.”