The most dangerous part of the operation was moving the group of miners the kilometer through the Chitin siege lines to the waiting landing craft. Jack watched the flanks as the miners came running. Then the spitz guns started up. With the miners and Cobra Company so close to the enemy, there was no way the Scorpio could lay down any supporting fire. Only the Marines with their pulse rifles could hold back the Chits.
As the last miner left the building, Navidi called in that the facility was clear.
Jack watched the rescue in operation. 1st and 2nd moved behind the running miners. Chits came on from both sides, their movements immediately detected by the meat suit’s sensors. The Chitin bodies were riddled with pulse rounds from a dozen well-trained and experienced Marines in seconds.
The fire from 3rd and 4th squads kept the Chits at bay as the miners ran through the narrow corridor of safety.
The first of the retreating miners came along side 5th squad. Stuart Laidlaw messaged Jack.
“Commander Forge, the miners are with me now. We’re rear guard now, sir.”
“Copy that, Stuart,” Jack said. “Hold those Chits and get your people to the tac boats as soon as you get my signal. Copy?”
“Copy that, sir.”
The miners came out of the dark, running toward Jack and 6th squad. The flashes of light from the pulse rifles and the plasma spears flickered over the dull, crusty surface of the asteroid.
“Okay, here they come, Sixth Squad,” Jack said. “You know what to do.”
Torent called out to 6th squad. “Spread out. Back to the landing craft. Make sure we have a clear path.”
Jack let 6th squad go ahead. He waited for the miners to come running. They were dressed in the heavy coats that protected them against the cold and they had breathing masks over their frightened faces. Hard, grizzled men, who had no fear of hard work in the harshest conditions, mining out the vital materials for the human’s war effort, but were now running for their lives from Chitin soldiers, looking like frightened children. Jack couldn’t blame them. Not once had Jack seen a Chitin soldier and not felt fear, or faced Chitin plasma spears and not wished to be somewhere else, anywhere else. Jack waved the miners past him toward the waiting landing craft that would take them up to the Scorpio.
“This is Laidlaw,” Jack heard the shouts from the squad leader of 5th. “They are coming on hard now. They can see we are running.”
Jack started walking toward the rear guard. He brought up his pulse rifle. He had the urge to run to Laidlaw and help fight off the Chits.
“This is Fourth Squad. We are in position to assist. Permission to assist the rear guard.”
Jack considered the request. 4th squad’s tac boat was close to that of 5th. They could hold the rear as the miners fled and could evac together. The miners were almost at the landing craft and a few minutes of support from 4th could save a few lives in 5th. But the decision was taken from his hands as the orders came down from Major Griff on the Scorpio.
“Negative, Fourth Squad. Hold them off as long as you can, Fifth. All other squads evac now.”
Jack looked at the data on his wrist holostage. The Chits were circling around 5th squad. They would be cut off from their tac boat any moment now. Jack watched the last of the miners with their 1st squad Marine guard go past. Navidi stopped in front of Jack.
“We’ve got them all out, sir. Get to your boat.”
“We need to assist fifth squad,” Jack said. “Second, make sure the miners make the landing craft. First Squad, you are with me. Okay, Joe?”
Joe Navidi was one of Cobra’s most experienced squad leaders and Jack would always be confident to have him alongside him in a fight.
Joe nodded. Jack saw the sudden spike in his heart rate as he prepared to go back in to battle.
“Commander Forge,” the voice of Major Griff came over Jack’s helmet communicator. “What are you doing on the field? Withdraw to your landing craft and bring those miners home. That is an order, Commander.”
Jack glanced at his wrist holostage. Laidlaw was in a fighting retreat, falling back to his tac boat. The engines of 4th squad’s tac boat flashed over the dark surface as it blasted off. The sudden flash attracted spitz cannon fire from a dozen locations.
Navidi looked at Jack for orders. Jack patted him on the shoulder. “Get to your tac boat, Joe.”
Navidi didn’t need a second instruction. He turned on his heel and ran, calling his squad to him as he went.
“Commander Forge,” Griff’s voice came over the communicator again, harsher and angrier.
“Withdrawing now, sir,” Jack said. He turned his back on the mining facility and ran to the landing craft.
Jack ran, using his meat suit’s power assist to help him cover the distance. The light of a plasma spear flashing past his helmet spurred him on. Squad leaders reported in that they were aboard their boats and returning to the Scorpio. Only 5th was still fighting their way over the asteroid.
Another plasma spear flashed past Jack, and then another. One slammed into the ground at his feet. Then another and another. Jack realized he was being targeted. He didn’t dare turn around. All he could do was run.
The landing craft’s pulse laser sent out a rapid fire that held back the Chits on Jack’s tail. Jack grabbed a grenade and pulled the pin. He tossed it over his shoulder, and in the low gravity it traveled a hundred meters before coming down to the ground where it detonated.
The flash lit up the landing craft and the Marines of 6th squad who were lined up, pulse rifles raised and waiting to lay down a covering fire for their commander.
“Get on board!” Jack shouted as he came close.
“Sorry, Sir,” Torent said, “but I’m going to have to refuse that order.”
Jack looked over his shoulder and saw the ground behind him filled with Chits.
The moment Jack came to the line of 6th squad, the Marines’ pulse rifles burst into action. The pulse laser on the landing craft blasted away. The dull crust of the asteroid lit up with a sustained and rapid flashing. Jack turned and added his own rifle fire to the barrage. The Chits were closing in.
A tac boat leaving the surface called in. “5th squad away.”
Jack watched as the tac boat blasted upwards and then came around on a sweeping arc that took it over the heads of the Chitin soldiers advancing on Jack’s landing craft. The tac boat’s hail cannon blasted a swathe through the Chits.
“Get on board, Sixth Squad,” Jack ordered as he marched up the ramp to the passenger deck.
The ramp came up with Torent and Osho firing through the closing gap.
The acceleration hit hard as the craft powered away from the asteroid. The surface of the asteroid lit up with ground fire from the Chits. The return fire from the Scorpio soon put an end to the spitz cannons and the plasma spears.
The miners were strapped in to the seats that lined the passenger deck, while the Marines held on to whatever straps and handholds they could find, and there, strapped into a seat, Jack saw the meat suit that contained Bubble.
It was always going to be a dangerous rescue. Cobra Company was never going to come out of it unscathed. Jack looked at the faces of the miners. Tired, scared, relieved, grateful, and every one looking at Jack with gratitude and respect.
“This is Pretorius,” the captain’s voice came over Jack’s communicator. “Incoming Chitin craft. All craft, combat landing procedures. Strap yourselves in. This one is going to be close.”
2
Jack sat at the desk in his quarters and prepared the action report. Cobra had smashed their way through the Chitin lines and created a safe corridor for the miners to escape. There had been fatalities, but well below projections, and the mission was a success by all measures. But Jack was not happy.
He had sent his men into battle and sat at the rear, safe from the worst of the Chitin activity. All he had been doing was guarding the landing craft, and he’d lost a man.
Jack needed to blow off some aggression.
He had watched his company fight like the well-trained professionals that everyone expected them to be, but their commander had sat and watched.
Jack finished the report and filed it. He stood up and checked his uniform. He was wearing his formal jacket. There was a gathering in the officers’ lounge and he was required to attend.
The salutes from the crewmen and Marine guards who walked the corridors of the Scorpio were becoming routine. Jack hardly returned them anymore with anything other than a cursory salute. He entered the lounge. This didn’t feel very routine. He still felt like an outsider here. The officers were gathered to congratulate Griff and Matavesi, as both had been promoted, and both greeted Jack as he entered.
Griff had been promoted to major and given command of the Scorpio Battalion. He was a competent leader and a fierce Marine. Jack was happy to serve under him. Jack saluted him as he came over.
“As you were, Jack,” Griff said. “You are late. Do I need to set up a court martial?”
“Sorry, sir,” Jack said. “I needed to get that action report filed.” Jack was sure Griff was going to chew him out over his tardiness but knew Griff was joking about a court martial. Jack relaxed.
“Priorities, Jack. Command is all about priorities, isn’t it,” Griff said, nodding. “At least you are not too late to congratulate Major Matavesi.”
“Well done, sir,” Jack said. “The Taurus Battalion is lucky to have you.”
Matavesi grinned. “Sorry to leave you with all the work, Jack.”
Jack was now the only company commander of the Scorpio Battalion. With Matavesi’s promotion to major and transfer to the Taurus, and with Griff promoted to major, the Scorpio Battalion had lost its two best commanders. Jack was the least experienced company commander in the fleet. Now he was the only commander in a battalion short of two commanders.
“Jack,” Griff said, “I’m going to need you to suggest Marines you think are suitable to take over the roles of company commanders. I can’t see Fleet Command sending us any replacement officers. We are going to have to use the people we have. I’ll give you a week to make the assessments and send me a list of names. I will make the final choice.”
Jack could see he was getting even deeper into administrative work with every moment. First he was guarding a landing craft for an evacuation, next he was reviewing performance files and making staff performance reviews.
“Yes, sir,” Jack replied.
Matavesi slapped him on the back. “I think Jack is missing the heat of battle already.” She laughed. “Don’t make it too hard for him, Harry,” she said to Major Griff.
“He is a Marine,” Griff said. “He will take whatever is thrown at him.”
Jack nodded. “I will, sir, and I’ll find the best people for the commander roles, sir,” Jack said.
“I know you will.” Griff put an arm over Jack’s shoulder and walked him to the drinks cabinet. “But no need to think about it now. Have a drink and relax. You can find me the best of the bunch starting tomorrow. Copy?”
“Copy that, sir,” Jack said and took the tumbler of the sharp liquor the officers were drinking. He swirled the drink in the glass. He already knew who the best people in Cobra Company were. Jack had fought with them many times and he knew that every one of them was brave and fierce. True Marines every one.
But who would make company commander? Jack didn’t know if he wanted to inflict that on any of them. It was the hardest thing for a Marine, to sit at the back, or behind a desk and write up lists, lists of equipment, lists of training schedules, lists of battles…and lists of the dead.
After an hour and another stiff drink, the party was ready to see Matavesi off. The frigate that would take Major Matavesi to the Taurus had arrived and was flying in formation with the Scorpio. The officers formed a line with Captain Pretorius and Major Griff at the exit from the officers’ lounge. Matavesi walked along the line and received a pat on the back from her fellow officers and finally a handshake from Captain Pretorius and Major Griff.
“Give my regards to Captain Brent,” Pretorius said. “And good luck, Major.”
As Major Trace Matavesi left the officer’s deck, Jack finished his drink. It was time to head to his bunk. He had work in the morning, officer’s work.
The way from the officers’ lounge to Jack’s quarters was familiar, but Jack wasn’t at his quarters. He hadn’t gotten lost. He had walked on auto-pilot, and now stood outside the doors to the maintenance hangar. It was time to see some old friends.
“She’s out on a job,” Slim said, a coffee mug in his hands. “A job in the water treatment and recycling plant. She’ll be at it all night, I guess.”
Jack couldn’t even hang out with his girl now. “Maybe I’ll join you for a coffee.” Jack stepped toward the coffee machine, the strong familiar smell drifting over the dirt and grease of the maintenance hangar. “I could do with a strong drink.”
Slim put his mug down next to the other dirty mugs. “Help yourself, Jack.” Slim pulled a large pair of gloves on. “I’ve got to get this beam synchronizer installed by start of first watch or the captain will keel haul my ass.”
Slim picked up a heavy piece of equipment and placed it carefully on a drone cart.
“You need a hand?” Jack asked.
“No, Jack, I do not.” Slim powered up the drone cart. “I need you out of my way. This is a one-man job and I’ll bet you have never even seen inside a beam synchronizer.” Slim walked toward the maintenance hangar doors, the drone cart following. “And don’t bother Sarah either. She needs to get the work done and the last thing she needs is you getting in her way.” Slim paused and looked at Jack, suddenly looking unsure. “Sorry, I meant to say, sir.” Slim hesitated. “It’s always good to see you, but we really need to get this work done.”
Slim was used to speaking plainly to Jack, and Jack liked that. He let Slim go on with his work. The maintenance department was the most overworked department on the Scorpio. The last thing they needed was Jack getting in the way.
The Marine bunkhouses were always lively. Jack passed the Adder Company bunks and the Boa Company bunks. He walked along the Cobra Company bunks and along to the bunkhouse for 6th squad. It was as familiar as any part of the ship. Jack walked in.
“Commander on deck,” Torent said the moment Jack walked in. He jumped up from his card game and stood at attention. The rest of 6th jumped up and stood rigid.
“At ease,” Jack said. He felt so distant from the squad now. He used to be one of them, now he was the company commander, their boss. The squad stood at ease. They relaxed their stance, but Jack knew as long as he was there, they wouldn’t be able to relax. This was their downtime. He was intruding. “Is there anything you need?” Jack asked. He saw the squad exchange glances.
“No, thank you, sir,” Torent said.
Jack stepped back to the door. “As you were, Sixth Squad,” he said.
The Marines went back to their activities in an uncertain manner. Jack knew they could not relax with the commander in their muster area.
Torent stepped over to Jack. “Is there anything I can do for you, sir?”
Jack walked to the exit. With a sideways nod of his head, he bid Torent to follow him.
Standing outside the bunkhouse in the corridor, Jack walked slowly along, Torent at his side.
“I didn’t do anything on that rescue mission, Sam.”
Torent stopped and turned to Jack. “You led the mission, Jack.”
Jack leaned against the wall. “I just wish I could have done more.”
“You rescued the miners. They say we need skilled people like that if we are going to beat those Chitin scum. You did your job.”
“But I was so far from the action. I don’t want to send Marines anywhere that I’m not prepared to go.”
“I know you will fight when you must, Jack.” Torent leaned on the wall opposite Jack. “But I for one was happy to be at the rear for a change. I could quite happily go my whole life without having
to face down a screaming horde of Chitin soldiers again. But you know something, Jack?”
“What’s that, Sam?”
“We are unlikely to go to the end of this war without facing those Chitin scum again, and when we do, I hope I’m standing next to the baddest, most fierce kravin Marine in the entire Fleet Marine Service.”
Jack nodded.
“You don’t know who I mean, do you?”
Jack shook his head. There were dozens of good Marines. As far as Jack was concerned, Torent was one of the best he had ever known.
Torent pushed himself off the wall. “I mean you, Jack. Now if you don’t mind getting the krav out of my squad area, sir…” Torent gave Jack a cheeky smile. “A commander in the area tends to make the guys nervous.”
Jack left the area and wandered the Scorpio. He had been on board the destroyer for just over a year and he knew every square meter of it. The only place he didn’t feel comfortable was his own quarters. It was small and isolated. Jack felt the biggest battle he had to face was dealing with the isolation and the burden of command. The hardest battle he would face would be to send good Marines like Sam Torent into battle and watch them do the work of shredding Chitin soldiers, putting their lives on the line every moment, never knowing if they would survive the next.
Jack dropped onto his bunk. He couldn’t call it sleep, it was little more than a fitful semi-consciousness, but the night watch hours passed and before he knew it, he was being roused by a message on his communicator. He was required on the command deck. Jack rolled out of his bunk, ready for another round of commander duty.
3
The command deck of the Scorpio was buzzing with activity when Jack joined the captain and Major Griff at the holostage.
“Fleet Command has located a Chitin flotilla.” Pretorius tapped the holostage and showed a blurry holoimage. “This is real time data. Fleet Intelligence thinks it is a Leviathan with around fifty other ships, mostly Hydras. They expect that some of these signals—” Pretorius pointed at the fuzzy Hydra-sized objects. “—are actually small squadrons of Krakens. It’s a large force, but we are going to intercept and engage.”
Jack Forge, Fleet Marine Boxed Set (Books 1 - 9) Page 38
