by Sam Schall
“Talk it out, Ash. Let’s see if we’re on the same page,” Pawlak said.
“While they haven’t withdrawn their ground troops from the security and government complexes or the presidential palace after their air support was neutralized, they really haven’t pressed their cause in any of those locations either. They have dug in. It’s as if they are either waiting for reinforcements or orders to withdraw. Hell, sir, for all we know, they are waiting for us to kill them. They sure don’t have a way off-planet now.
“And let’s face it, despite the fact they took us completely by surprise and have used a variety of attack methods, they haven’t been very effective. None of the buildings have been taken. Yes, there have been casualties and even deaths, not to mention the property damage they’ve caused, but it’s nothing like what either of us have seen in battle before.
“But there’s more to it than that. Attacking the residential complex doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t follow what we – well, what I – know of Callusian tactics.” God, those two years in prison meant her knowledge of the enemy’s tactics were out of date. “When they attacked our outposts and allies during the war, they focused first on government and military targets. Take out the leadership and the ability to defend the planet. Then they moved in against soft targets. Has that changed?” She tried to keep the anger and bitterness out of her voice but it was hard.
“No. Not that they’ve done many direct attacks since the truce.” Pawlak spat out the word. Obviously he felt about the truce the same way Tremayne and Santiago did. “Most of their tactics have been masked as pirate attacks on commerce and remote trading posts.”
“Then this really doesn’t fit.” She closed her eyes and thought for a moment. “If I didn’t know better – and I don’t – it’s almost as if they came with specific targets in mind. Targets that are either human, tech or code. Targets worth risking a direct attack on the capital. More than that, whatever it is they are after, they can’t risk destroying it. Otherwise, they’d be more aggressive in getting into their target building or buildings.”
“Agreed.”
Once more she studied the tenant list for the residential complex. So many of the names were familiar and any of them could be a target. How were they supposed to narrow it down? And what if they were wrong?
And what if her parents were there instead of at their house outside of the capital?
“Sir, would you happen to know my mother’s current assignment?”
That would tell her a lot. Growing up, she’d learned quickly that they stayed at the house whenever her mother was on leave or when she was stationed off-planet. But if she had a duty station in the capital, they stayed in town. After she and her siblings were grown and out of the house, their parents sold the townhouse they’d owned and settled on the first of several apartments in town.
When Pawlak didn’t reply right away, Ashlyn looked at him in concern. His expression was enough to tell her she wasn’t going to like what he had to say.
“Ash, I’m sorry. I thought you knew.” He ran a hand over his face. “Ash, your mother’s been beached since shortly after your court-martial.”
For a moment Ashlyn stared at the man, sure she’d misunderstood. Then, seeing the truth reflected in his eyes, her lips pulled back in an almost feral sneer as anger, cold and hard, filled her. Wasn’t it bad enough they’d tried to ruin her and her unit? Hell, they’d almost killed them all. Those they hadn’t, they’d sent to Tarsus and all to cover the corruption and ineptitude of a couple of political appointees and a few officers who never should have made it out of the Academy.
“Who?” she ground out. Forgotten was the battle going on around them. Now she was simply a daughter wanting to avenge the wrong done her mother and who knew how many others. “Who, damn it?”
“No one who is still in the Corps or the military or our chain of command,” Pawlak said softly. “And no one who won’t feel the full force of our vengeance once we are done here and we have the rest of our people home from Tarsus. You have my word on that.”
She believed him, or at least thought she ought to. In all the years she’d known him, he’d never broken his word to her or lied to her. If he told her he’d do something, he did it. She had to be satisfied, for the moment at least, with his assurance that the wrongs done to her mother and others would be atoned for. She could trust him on that. Couldn’t she?
Breathing deeply, she fought for control. She couldn’t let her anger take away her focus. Not when enemy troops were just down the block. That not only could but would be disastrous. And that brought her back to the question of why they seemed so interested in the residential complex. There had to be someone in it they wanted. Someone or something. But who? Or what?
Or she could be completely wrong. Two years ago, she’d never have doubted her instincts. But that was before she’d been betrayed, before so many of her unit had been killed. She’d been on her own, not in a combat situation since then. Did she – did Pawlak – dare risk even considering her concerns?
“Let it go for now, Ash. I promise those responsible will pay,” Pawlak said softly. “But right now we have more immediate concerns and, as you said earlier, all this could be a feint to see how we respond and how long it takes us to do so.”
“A feint or a decoy.”
She looked again at her datapad. Nothing in the reports coming in from across the system seemed to indicate another attack was about to take place. Fortunately.
Of course, looking at the datapad reminded her of yet another major disadvantage she was operating under. When she’d been brought up on charges, her combat implants had been taken off-line. That meant she was no different from those civilians holding out against the enemy. There’d be no medical implants to control pain or enhance muscles and reaction times. No ocular implants to aid in sighting on the enemy. No communication or HUD implants to have instant access to data coming in real time. It was a handicap but one soldiers had lived with for centuries before the implants had been invented. She’d manage to now.
Hopefully.
“I know, but we can’t worry about that right now.” Pawlak paused and listened to the latest report from Captain Wilkinson. Wilkinson and his company were in place and ready to reinforce the troops at the security complex. Pawlak told him to stand ready. As soon as the Devil Dogs were at Target Delta, he’d give the word. “Your recommendations?”
“I’d take a small squad to the back, pick off the enemy stationed there before they can give the alert to their cohorts out front. Then that exit can be used to evacuate the civilians. Lieutenant Tsui’s people could oversee the evacuation while the DD’s clear the building of hostiles before making their way to strategic points near the front of the building to support the rest of our people as they commence the frontal assault.”
“Agreed.” Now Pawlak smiled. “Pick yourself six members of the DDs to accompany you, Captain. I figure you’ve more than earned the right to lead the infiltration team.”
For a moment, all Ashlyn could do was stare at the major. Doubt warred with relief. She wanted to lead the smaller party, knowing it was the one way she could be sure everything possible was being done to not only save her family but also the others who lived in that building. But there was that confidence shredding doubt, reminding her that she’d been on the sidelines for more than two years. Did she still have what it took to lead this sort of a mission?
More importantly, would any of the Devil Dogs follow her orders after everything that happened?
“Sir–“
“Ash, you can do this. All I want is your word that you won’t do something foolish like get yourself killed. Admiral Tremayne would have my hide and that doesn’t scare me nearly as much as what the Marines would do to me if anything else happened to you.”
“He’s right, ma’am,” Talbot put in. “With the major’s permission, I’d like to join you.”
“Thanks, Gunny.” Now she smiled slightly. She’d feel better
with Talbot at her side. “Major, I’ll leave the assignments to you. You know your team.” She closed her eyes for a brief moment and forced down the pain. There’d been a time when she’d known every Devil Dog. Maybe she would again, but she knew she didn’t dare let herself hope – not yet at least.
“I know my team well enough to know they’d all jump at a chance to follow you on this mission, Ash.” He grinned. “I’m sure the gunny can help you if you want. But be quick about it. I want you in place ASAP.”
“Understood, sir.”
Less than ten minutes later, Ashlyn held up her right fist, signaling for the others to come to a halt. Crouching, she peered around the corner of the building, checking first the streets and then the area ahead. They were less than two hundred meters from Target Delta. But it was a long two hundred meters with little cover. So they had to move carefully to avoid tipping off the enemy.
“Suggestions?” she asked Talbot as they crept back from the corner.
“Put Sievers up high. He can take out anyone who happens to look our way.”
“Sievers?” As she looked at the sniper, she wished she knew him. The other members of her squad were men and women she’d served with before. But Sievers was new to the Devil Dogs. Both the major and Talbot had assured her he was one of the best, but he was still an unknown.
The man inched forward and scanned the area. Then he moved to stand with Ashlyn and Talbot. Scratching his chin, he thought for a moment before speaking. “Cap’n, I reckon I could find myself a perch and keep an eye on things, make sure none of them bastards gets a bead on you or the others.”
“Do it. Comm me just as soon as you’re in position.” She didn’t like not knowing exactly what he had in mind but she reminded herself he was a member of one of the most elite units in the Corps. Pawlak’s Devil Dogs had made a name for themselves during the first war and almost any Marine who tried out for Special Forces wanted to be a member. That had to count for something where Sievers was concerned.
“Once Sievers is in place, we move. We go in fast and hard. Don’t give the enemy a chance to contact their companions at the front of the building. I’d like one of them to stay alive long enough for us to question him, but don’t risk yourselves or the civilians to do so. Understood?” She looked at the rest of the squad and waited as they each nodded in return.
“Understood, Cap,” Talbot said for the rest of them. “What about entry into the building?”
“Let’s hope the civilians really are monitoring the back door and let us in. Otherwise, Dumont, you’ll have to work your magic.”
“Aye, Cap,” the small demolitions expert replied. “Just give the word.”
She nodded and turned her attention back to their target. The residential complex was new, at least new to her. The briefing information Pawlak had downloaded to her datapad confirmed that the complex had opened to tenants and select merchants less than a year before. That worked in their favor because it meant they had accurate plans for each floor. Even more important, at least to Ashlyn's mind, was the fact that the complex had been built with the realities of war in mind. The structure was reinforced to withstand anything short of a direct hit from heavy ordinance. It was obvious the attackers hadn't taken all that into consideration.
"Cap'n, I'm in place," Sievers reported over her earbud.
"Stand ready." She turned her attention to Talbot. "Gunny, let's move."
Talbot nodded and motioned to their point man. Sergeant Yancy Puckett shouldered his rifle and crept forward. At the corner of the building he paused. Ashlyn watched as his gaze raked the area between their position and the target. Then he gave a nod and started off, moving quickly and silently despite his battle armor.
Ashlyn watched as Puckett's partner followed close on his heels. They moved almost as one, betraying not only the fact they'd trained long and hard together but that they'd also seen more than their fair share of battles together. There was something about having to rely on your partner to make sure you both returned safely at the end of a mission that no amount of training could teach.
When the two were ten meters away, Ashlyn looked at the gunny and nodded. Talbot nodded in return and signaled for the rest of the squad to move out. Without waiting for the gunny, Ashlyn shouldered her assault rifle and started out. She moved quickly and as quietly as possible across the open area. Her eyes were locked on the assault vehicle parked less than ten meters from the rear entrance to the building. Their readings indicated at least half a dozen enemy were in place around the armored vehicle. She’d guess at least one more was inside, monitoring communications. That meant they had to deal with the vehicle quickly, before whomever was inside managed to warn his companions or those attempting to breach the front of the building.
A single shot rang out from above and behind the half dozen armored Marines racing toward the residential complex. Ashlyn stopped for a split-second, her eyes sweeping first her people and then the enemy ahead. One corner of her mouth lifted slightly to see a light armored enemy trooper topple over ahead of her. Sievers was definitely as good as the gunny had said.
“Move!” she yelled as another head popped up from behind cover only to explode in a splash of red and grey as Sievers picked him off.
Idiots. You don’t come to a fight and not wear full armor.
“Take out that armored vehicle!” She watched as two of the squad peeled off. The lead man laid down suppressing fire for his partner as she zeroed in on the vehicle. The corporal shouldered her grenade launcher and fired. The sounds of the explosion filled the air and echoed off the surrounding buildings. If the poor sods inside the vehicle cried out before they died, no one heard.
Serves ‘em right. They should have kept better watch. Then they might not have been caught in that death trap.
As if suddenly alerted by the explosion that their position was compromised, the enemy turned away from the housing complex and began firing at the approaching Marines. The first two went down quickly, easy targets for Sievers and his sniper rifle. Another screamed in agony as Talbot swung his assault rifle in his direction and opened fire. Three more died quickly as the Marines continued moving forward, carefully choosing their shots.
Ashlyn held up a fist to stop her squad as the last enemy fighter dropped his rifle and started running away from them. Sievers’ voice came over her earbud, asking if she wanted him to take the coward down.
“No. He’s mine.”
She snugged her rifle against her shoulder and took aim at the retreating figure. The scope zeroed in on the target. Slowing her breath, she focused. Damn, what she’d give for her ocular implant to be online. For that matter, she’d really like to have been able to put in some target practice over the last two plus years. She hated relying on just the scope and her very rusty skills. But she had to do this. She had to be careful and hopefully she’d get lucky and they’d take him alive.
Her finger tightened on the trigger. There was a slight kick as she fired. She continued to watch through her scope. The fleeing soldier – if he really was a soldier and she was beginning to question whether the attackers were soldiers or mercenaries or even something else – staggered, his arms flailing. As if in slow motion, he took two more stumbling steps before falling face first to the pavement. A slight smile touched Ashlyn’s lips as she lowered her rifle. The shot might not have been as good as she’d have liked and it had taken her longer than it should have to get the aim, but she’d done it without her implants.
Not bad for her first shot in more than two years and with an unfamiliar weapon.
Before she could say anything, Talbot dispatched two of the squad to retrieve the fallen man. Then he signaled for the rest of them to get under cover. There was no guarantee more of the enemy might not come around the corner at any moment to try to re-secure the position.
Ashlyn knelt behind the remains of the armored vehicle and watched, her rifle at the ready, as the two Marines dragged the wounded man forward. As she did, she ‘
commed for a corpsman to join them. Then she keyed in the code for Pawlak.
“Major, we’re in position. I’m keeping Sievers up top to cover us,” she reported. “No casualties and we have one prisoner. Shot while trying to flee.” She glanced at Corporal Dumont who was kneeling next to the wounded man. The demolitions expert nodded, his mouth grim. “He should be able to answer questions if we get a medic here to patch him up so he doesn’t bleed out.”
“Lt. Tredennick is on her way to you now, Captain,” Pawlak said. “Can you make entry into the building?”
Before she could answer, the rear door slid open. The Marines moved as one in that direction, their weapons coming to bear. As far as they knew, the building hadn’t been breached but they weren’t taking any chances. Then, even before the door was open all the way, a white piece of cloth was shoved through. That ancient signal of truce might or might not be a trap. Since they had yet to see who had thrown it, Ashlyn wasn’t about to risk any of her squad.
But that didn’t mean she wasn’t above risking herself.
“Major, we have movement from inside. Someone just tossed out the proverbial white flag,” she reported.
“One of our people?”
“I don’t know, sir. I’ll report as soon as we have an answer for you.”
With that, she stood and stepped out from behind the wrecked armored vehicle sliding her assault rifle into its scabbard over her right shoulder. As she did, her left hand rested on the butt of the pistol at her left thigh. If it was a civilian trying to let them know it was safe to come in, she didn’t want to spook him into doing something foolish. But, if it was a trap, she wanted to be able to act before anyone got a lucky shot off at her.
“Step out so we can see you!” she called, motioning Talbot back when he started in her direction. “Gunny,” she said over the secure channel. “Stay there and keep me covered.”
“Captain, damn it, get back here!”
