Insurrection: Book 3 of Warner's World

by Dave O'Connor

  The only shot fired at the Chambers that day came from the third floor opposite. Bel lowered her rifle as the crowd stormed forward and the rebel soldiers fled.

  Kong kept Justine close as she and Silvio and his small staff entered the Chambers building behind a phalanx of civilians who charged headlong up the big wide stairs. When they reached the fifth floor, Justine, still with the megaphone in hand called out “Stop…stop this. This is our seat of Government. It deserves respect.” The frenzy abated. Some people continued to roam the floors in search of any rebels but most were glad to catch a breath after the rush.

  There was a group of people in a half circle staring at something on the floor as she entered the cabinet room. “Excuse me” said Justine out loud. When the crowd parted she could see the huge pool of blood soaking into the carpet under Omar’s body. His gun was still in his right hand. Alexis’ body was also soaked in blood but somehow his face looked more at ease.

  Justine imagined right about what had happened. She turned to Silvio. “Have this mess cleaned up and get the media in here. I want to address the people.”

  Chapter 11. Niku 1500, 23 May

  It was a relieved Pious who was assisted into the ambulance. He was so grateful the way things had turned out. It did wonders to lift his spirit.

  Earlier he had been overcome with emotion when he saw Justine on the broadcast in the middle of the crowd. He had felt so proud of her and yet he was very worried. Later when she rang him to say she was needed there, he graciously responded ‘Of course my dear’ yet he did feel a twinge of disappointment.

  ‘Julian Pious is made of sterner stuff’ he reminded himself and he resolved to accept the consequences of his prayers. His love was safe and he was recovering. He had no right to ask for more.

  When Sue told him that an ambulance was being sent to take him to hospital he had initially resisted but he had found Sue a hard person to ignore. When he finally relented she had given him a kiss on the cheek. He liked that. And so he now found himself sitting in the back of an ambulance with two other marines who he thought were more worthy of the medical attention.

  Meg Kenau had her head out of the hatch in Tango 3 waiting for the Ambulance driver to give her the go ahead. She would be escorting them to the hospital and also fulfilling a promise to visit Ken Shinto. She was a little apprehensive about that part, unsure whether he had lost his arm and what mood he would be in. But a promise was a promise and she honoured hers.

  Chapter 12. Assam 1600, 23 May

  Sue briefed Art on what happened in Niku during the day. He’d seen the media coverage and Justine’s impassioned speech and the bloodied remains of Omar and Alexis. It made a good spectacle.

  “Have the rogan left?” asked Art.

  “Not all” said Sue. “After the events at the Chambers we stepped up patrolling south from the spaceport. There’s a pocket of rogan resistance in the South East. I’ve deployed two droid platoons down there in a cordon. I’m still toying with mounting an attack. I’ve asked Jim to conduct some recon overnight. I’ll make a decision in the morning. So what about you? What’s the news?”

  “Not much really. Benson, the head of Alliance Intelligence here, has agents scouring the city but so far Bane hasn’t showed his face. Bit of a non-event really. We’ve been resting all afternoon.”

  “Good for you darling. Don’t be too keen to go in harm’s way. I miss you.”

  “Me too.”

  “They’re in there with you right now aren’t they?” asked Sue.

  “Afraid so.”

  “So no phone sex for us then?”

  “Sorry but rest assured I’ll be thinking about it.”

  “Me too. Ciao darling.”

  “Bye.” Art lent back against the wall with a smile, the first smile he had all day.

  Chapter 13. Resolute 2100, 23 May

  Dave was already in bed reading a book on his console. Rihan was checking her gear. They would be up again at 0300. Dave looked at the time and put the console to sleep. “Come on honey. Come to bed.”

  She crawled under the covers and lay on her back as Dave turned off the light. Her mind was focussed very much on tomorrow’s mission. It was going over each phase of the operation.

  Dave could sense the cogs in her mind working overtime. “Give me a cuddle honey” and he turned to receive her. They embraced briefly but when she tried to part Dave held fast with his grip around her back. “Just relax. Forget about what lies ahead. You are here right now with me.”

  She did relax and he relaxed his grip. He kissed her gently on her forehead. She responded by lifting her head back. He kissed downward, on her eye, her nose, her cheek and finally her lips - each kiss a gentle touch. He let her lay back on her back and then massaged her arms and legs.

  “Thank you” she said “you’re a good man Dave Warner.”

  Dave knew by the subdued timber of her voice that she was falling asleep. He kissed her one more time on her shoulder and whispered “And you are a good woman Rihan Kabel.”

  Chapter 14. Resolute 0255, 24 May

  Dave and Rihan were both awake before the alarm was due. They rose and washed and sat for meditation together on the floor. Dave had to push away some of Rihan’s kit that she had left there but he didn’t say anything about it.

  Despite the fact that he was about to go and do battle with the enemy, Dave was in a good state. Despite the fact that his wife and soul mate was about to launch off into danger, he was in a good state. Despite the risks being taken and the magnitude of the possible consequences, Dave was in a good state. He glided into the void like a head sinks into a down pillow, penetrating quickly but with the surety of being supported. It was so tranquil he instinctively uttered “hum…hum.”

  Rihan heard his sound. She smiled. How she envied his quick glide in. Her mind was still throwing up thoughts and, yes, fears. But she didn’t give any energy to these thoughts nor resist or fight the fear. No she focussed on her breathing and sought refuge in repeating the mantra. She did not recall how long but she did become aware that her mind was now still. It was such a relief. ‘Thank you’ she uttered from within herself and then she was lost in peace.

  She was still there when Dave began chanting his opening mantras. She still hadn’t learnt them off by heart but she loved the way the melodic sound flowed and then when he stopped how the sudden absence of any sound would pull her back deep into the meditative state. It was often then that she got her greatest insights. But this morning there was no insight just peace.

  She felt Dave’s hand rest on her knee lightly and she reluctantly pulled her awareness back to the room. In the near darkness she knew that he was there beside her and she prayed that they would always be together like this.

  Chapter 15. Niku 0330, 24 May

  Sue couldn’t believe it was time already. She double tapped her phone and it went to sleep but not Sue. She forced herself to rise and in the dark pulled on her suit. She found her boots and her pistol belt and put these on too. Her mouth was dry and she needed to pee. So she made her way out of the room into the gate lounge and past the others asleep on the floor. She grunted some form of acknowledgement to Sgt Hakim Selassie, the intel clerk who was currently on watch and headed towards the toilets in the middle of the next corridor.

  It was pitch black in the toilets. She hit the light and wished she hadn’t. It felt like she was under an interrogation lamp. She instinctively put her hands up to protect her eyes. She pushed in the door to the cubicle and in a sequence of moves she had done a million times or more she ended up sitting on the toilet seat, grateful for the instant relief.

  A few minutes later she had washed her face and hands, combed her hair as best she could with her fingers and was staring into the mirror at the dark rings under her eyes. ‘Just as well I’m married’ she joked to herself.

  She looked at the time. ‘Right’ she said with a little exasperation. She made her way back into the gate lounge, passing Tammy heading to where sh
e had come from. “Morning Tammy.”

  “Maam” acknowledged Tammy who was behaving almost like a carbon copy of the earlier Sue. She saw Jim heading in the opposite direction for the Men’s toilet.

  “Darl” said Sue quietly as she shook Trooper Caputo. “Come on wakey wakey you have to set up the coms remember.”

  Darl opened one of her big blue eyes just enough to register who was shaking her. She nodded her head and though everything in her body opposed the move she flung off the cover and rolled out onto the floor. She ended up face down. But soon began doing pushups.

  Sue shook her head and walked on to where Tpr Elroy Ray was lying on his stomach. ‘By now he must have heard the noise’ thought Sue. “Elroy stop pretending. Up you get.”

  “Oh Maam. You don’t really need me, do you?”

  “Sure do Elroy. Come on.”

  “I need some privacy Maam.”

  “You gotta be kidding marine.”

  “It’s not for me Maam. I don’t want to shock you.”

  Sue laughed and walked on back to her room. She took out her console and checked for any messages. They could all wait. She strode back out and headed for the tables they had setup to serve as their HQ office.

  “Elroy” said Jim in a loud voice “get your sorry arse out of there. We would like a brew pronto.”

  “Yes boss” he said and jumped out of his bedding stark naked. He moved quickly to put on his underpants.

  Jim just kept moving like it was a common occurrence of no import. He sat down with his console next to Sue. “Anytime now, hey?” he asked.

  “Yeah, anytime from now.”

  “Anything to report Hakim?” asked Jim.

  “Not really. There’s two patrol reports waiting for you but basically they confirm that the enemy have formed a defensive perimeter down south – two AFVs, 40 pers is the best estimate. They’re digging in. My best guess is they are waiting for reinforcements.”

  “Sounds like it. Thanks Hakim. You can go and get some rest. We’ll hold the fort for the next few hours.”

  “Thanks Sir” and the lanky Sgt with the deep dark eyes and long face. It was made longer by his vigil. He rose slowly, yawned and gave a bit of a stretch before walking to the Men’s loo.

  Darl was hurrying back from the Women’s loo. She quickly checked the comms terminal and went over to the window and checked that the antenna array was still there. She fired up the terminal, ran the standard diagnostics and confirmed that everything was as it should be. She then moved her seat a little and did the same with the radar system. “Nothing yet Maam” she said .

  “Is the package ready?”

  “Yep I just updated it with the latest op state. We’re good to go.”

  Sue sat back in her chair content that they were ready. At 0400 they would begin transmitting their encrypted ‘package’ which would contain the latest op plan and op state along with a report from Sue and Jim that had a synopsis of the developments and state of play.

  The key points were the opening summary which simply said ‘Niku is ours bar for small rogan force in SE. Est 2 AFV and 40 pers digging in. Alliance contesting Assam. Est rogan strength at 14 AFVs and 200 pers in Assam. India One in Assam after Bane. Pious and Packer free. Pious in hospital. Packer back in power. Marine strength 75%. Droid strength 65%. Marines now drawing on Alliance supply. Urgently need droid resup.’

  Tammy joined them. She felt incredibly tired despite the three hours’ sleep she had just had. She had drawn the short straw and ended up with the watch from 2200 to 2400. “Hurry up Elroy” she barked. “I need my coffee.”

  “Coming right up Maam” said a distant voice. Elroy was boiling water in the kitchenette. He came out with a tray of cups. He was still without a shirt but at least he was decent from the waist down. He plonked them on the table and they were quickly taken. “I’ll rustle up some breakfast. Alright if I head down below?”

  “Yeah Sure Elroy” said Jim “but don’t take too long.”

  Elroy headed off careful not to disturb the troops still sleeping in the next two gate lounges. Past the connecting corridor with the ground depot he found the elevator and took the one stop down to the kitchen and food hall.

  He found Cpl ‘Fuz’ Wallace and the real reason why he wanted to come down here Tpr Haruna Itou. They had been awake now for half an hour and as arranged were preparing breakfast. “Morning Haruna” said Elroy with a smile.

  “Good morning Elroy” said Haruna.

  “What have you got for me?”

  “Nothing for you big boy” said Fuz. He knew all too well what was going on here. He added “but you can take this tray up to the boss.”

  Haruna came over and placed some toast on the tray deliberately stroking Elroy’s forearm as she did. She gave him a smile which did a power of good for Elroy. He smiled back and said “Thank you.”

  By the time Elroy got back it was a few minutes before 0400.

  Chapter 16. Resolute 0355, 24 May

  There was a full complement in the Command Centre. Aubrey had the watch. Dave was in his chair. Both Crystal and John manned the battle system stations. Ivan and Jasmin would be kept busy with comms and intel. Chase was handling ops and he had the support of Sgt Jake Shriver because Aubrey was on watch.

  Rihan was not there, though. She was on G deck with her marines waiting for the word to launch. Plan A would not see them launch this insertion but if things have gone too far either way down on the planet then Dave may make the call to launch them now.

  “Is the transmission ready to go Ivan” asked Dave.

  “Ready Sir.”

  “Coming out of Warp in 5 minutes” announced Aubrey. She then went through her checklist with the command centre staff, fighter ops, grounds ops and droid ops. All were go.

  David opened his eyes after his little contemplation just as Aubrey announced “Coming out of warp in 1, activate cloaking.”

  “Activated” replied Ivan.

  “In 5, 4, 3, 2, 1”

  All eyes were on the holo except for Crystal’s and John’s. Theirs were on their respective stations “6 enemy caps, 6 lights” said Crystal.

  “No active radar detections” advised John. “Four enemy fighters.”

  “Receiving package from Chalker/Bucknell. On your screen now Sir” advised Ivan.

  “Still only two geo sats” said Crystal.

  “Confirm number of enemy lights?” queried Aubrey while Dave was reading the message.

  “Confirm 6” replied Crystal. “The other two could be on the blind side.”

  “Or they could be on Alpha Phi. Chase when are the Sydney and Washington due in to Alpha Phi?”

  “If the shuttle arrived on time they would be due in at 1030. Give me a moment.”

  Dave’s head was now up and focussing on the discussion initiated by Aubrey. He glanced over to Chase who he knew would be calculating the time they would have to warp away to get to Alpha Phi by 1030.

  “We’ll have to warp away by 0540 at the latest. Make that 0530 to be sure.”

  “Thanks Chase” said Aubrey. “Sir?”

  “Jasmin would you like to brief on the message?”

  “Of course Sir. Basically it’s good news from down below. Niku’s ours but Assam is contested. The Commodore and Packer have been freed. The Commodore is in hospital. Packer’s back running the show in Niku. We have a small enemy force digging in on the SE of Niku probably awaiting reinforcement. India One is in pursuit of Bane in Assam. Droids at 65%. Marines at 75% and drawing supplies from Alliance. Droids need resup asap.”

  “What would you recommend Chase?” asked Dave.

  “Stick with Plan Alpha but I would recommend despatching the Hotels with resup for the droids and retaining a bigger reserve of missiles for any encounter over Alpha Phi. If we launch the Hotels now they can be back in time for us to RV at Alpha Phi at …1015 Sir.”

  “Anyone have any better or different ideas?”

  Dave waited a few moments, could see no one
was going to pipe up, so he said “Make it so Chase. Aubrey, stand down Delta, Golf and Whiskey.”

  Dave waited till after the Hippos were launched. “Ivan, prepare transmission for Chalker/Bucknell. Brief them on our intended COA. Also prepare a transmission for Simons warning him not to underestimate Bane and add that I would rather see him and his team safe than Bane dead.”

  “Right Sir.”

  “Jasmin can you advise COA to Polaris HQ, Klaster Control, Sydney and Washington and for the latter two add warning about possible enemy frigates over Alpha Phi.”

  “Of course Sir.”

  Ivan and Jasmin had both anticipated these requirements and had already drafted the transmissions prior to coming out of warp. It took them no more than a minute to update and amend as needed. Jasmin looked at Ivan who nodded and together they both said “Done Sir.”

  Dave chuckled and gave them a big smile.

  “Warp settings locked in Sir” said Chase.

  “Crystal, John you guys ready with your targets?”

  “Roger that Sir” replied Crystal. We’ve got Bogey 1 and 2, the two closest locked on.”

  “So we’re all set. Very good everyone. You’ve done well.”

  “Sir” said Ivan who was focussing on some data on his workstation.

  “Yep.”

  “Have a look at this. Just copying to the main screen. See that signature for Bogey 3 well look at this one taken from our first encounter with the Rogan 10th Fleet over Chelora. That’s the flagship Kunter. I’d lay money on it.”

  “Yes I think you might be right. Crystal, what’s the additional running time to target Bogey 3?”

  “Wait one…an extra three minutes Sir” she replied.

  “That translates to an additional enemy intercept probability of 25%” chimed in John. “That means we’d lose an extra 19 missiles from our strike. That will probably mean the difference between a kill and a warp away. I’m not sure it’s worth the trade off.”