Casserine

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  “Sir, we are next to dock in the Gallant. Major Peters wondered if you want the ships shut down, or prepped again for immediate redeployment.”

  “Tell him to shut down for now. We have some details to work out before we go back out.”

  “Aye, aye, Sir,” The young Lieutenant said before weaving back to the cockpit.

  “Get everyone off of here, Charlie. Make sure they all get fed and cleaned up before the civilians. No telling when we will have to take off again. The Colonists can rest when they get on board the Tennyson.”

  Mercer nodded his understanding as Alpha came to a stop inside the docking bay. “Want me to come along when you talk to Risling, Jake?”

  “No need, I’ll tell you if he says anything important. Get some sleep. I ain’t going back down without you, so just relax.”

  “I just don’t want you sneaking off into a galactic battle without me,” Mercer replied.

  “You overestimate my enthusiasm for being trapped in one of these things while someone’s blasting the crap out of it. I have some idea about what to do on land. I’d just get into trouble if I take off on a scouting trip, even with Jas piloting for me. We won’t go near their ship unless they come this way. I’m waiting for the fighters to get here. What the hell’s the use of having war class fighters if we’re going to take off looking for trouble in space with a glorified troop carrier.”

  “I see your point,” Mercer nodded, as he stood up and signaled the Marine companies to follow him.

  Jake saw Chief Dougherty approaching him with a big smile on his face. “Hello Chief, nice shootin’ down there.”

  “It’s sure not like the last time we were here, Sir,” Dougherty remarked. “When do we go back down?”

  “Get some rest, Chief, we have to find a way to get at the Queen without taking on the whole nest.”

  Dougherty nodded. “I talked to Major Peters. He flies Command Wing Fighters too. I’d sure like to go with him to find exactly who our buddies are out there.”

  “Woe there, Tim,” Jake admonished. “We have a lot of work to do right here on the colonies before checking out any other threats. If they wanted a piece of us, they’d already be here blasting away. I’m glad Major Peters is thinking ahead, but one mission at a time, huh? Now go get some rest.”

  Dougherty snapped to with a salute and a grin. “Aye, aye, Sir.”

  Instead of returning the salute, Jake pushed him towards the hatch. “Let’s go, smart ass.”

  Jake turned to Mendoza, who trailed him. “Bob, I won’t need you for a while. You go turn in and get some food too.”

  Mendoza nodded. “Just don’t forget me, Sir.”

  “Not likely.”

  Tokoru, and Stavros met Jake as he exited Drop Ship Alpha. “Any movement, Anton?”

  “No Sir,” Stavros said. “They’re just sitting out there. I doubt they even know we’re scanning them.”

  “Don’t take that for granted,” Jake replied. “We’d know if they scanned us, wouldn’t we?”

  “Well, yes, but,” Stavros began, “okay, I see your point. The Tennyson will be here shortly. Major Stedman says she picked up a Command Wing Fighter from the air base near the Tarawa Jump Gate.”

  “Outstanding, any luck with the blocking signal?”

  “Not yet,” Tokoru admitted, “but they’re very close. The trouble is you will have to test it out in person.”

  “No problem,” Jake replied. “The Bugs just wander around. We were surrounded in the nest when I killed the Queen. We walked out right past them.”

  “Good deal,” Tokoru acknowledged. “General Risling is anxious to speak to you. By the time you get to your quarters, I will have him on a secure line with you.”

  “Do you need any help with the Colonists until the Tennyson gets here,” Jake asked.

  “No Sir,” Tokoru smiled, “only the one you cold cocked.”

  “He’s lucky. I almost used him as a dead example.”

  “The bastard filed a complaint the moment he disembarked,” Colonel Stavros told Jake.

  “That was fast,” Jake admitted, shaking his head. “He won’t be alone by the time this operation ends. Well, I better go see how much heat General Risling’s taking.”

  “Well, Jake,” Risling greeted him. “It seems you were right again. I will have the Fighters to you in no time.”

  “Major Stedman on the Tennyson brought in a Fighter from Tarawa. That should hold us for the time being. She arrived while I was on my way here. They’re prepping the Fighter as we speak. Our alien intruders probably know by now we’ve scanned them.”

  “Earth Civilian Command, who runs our Colony and mining missions, is howling bloody murder,” Risling said with a grin. “They want you down on the surface right now. They don’t care how many men you lose. They claim it is imperative you clean out this infestation right now.”

  “I’ll be happy to,” Jake replied, “just as soon as I can isolate the bitch, hatching monsters as fast as we can kill them.”

  “We sent what little the lab here on Genoa came up with,” Risling informed him. “They believe the Queen’s signal to be some form of electrochemical pulse in one of her glands. I will be relieved of duty if they order an attack on Omaha before we have the isolation signal, because I will refuse to relay it to you. You will be in danger of a court martial if you refuse to go down there, Jake, once my replacement takes over.”

  “I can solve your dilemma, General,” Jake offered. “How long do you think a disruption of communication could go on? You acknowledge the orders, and then try to relay them to me, but communications break down until I get my isolation signal.”

  “You are getting good at this, Jake,” Risling laughed. “How is it Lieutenant Byers always seems to get the upper hand?”

  “Very funny, Sir, Now what do you think?”

  “I think you will not be going down to Omaha until the isolation signal is perfected.”

  “I believe you have a firm grasp on the situation, Sir. We’ll be taking a chance anyway, even with the isolation signal. We have an unknown alien vessel on the outskirts of this quadrant. We suspect them of mass murder of our Colonists, and plotting to attack our Colonies. If they make a move while we’re down fooling around with the infestation they caused, things could get real interesting for us on the surface.”

  “All true, Jake,” Risling admitted. “The communications breakdown plan will only work on the short term. They will replace us both with people willing to get Omaha back at any cost. I doubt they could do it without you.”

  “The United States Military Command was sufficiently impressed with your recon on Bougainville, and subsequent rescue of the Colonists on Omaha to back you in any way, shape, or form. They understand the ramifications of losing thousands of men on the Colonies. After your vid feeds reached them of your missions on the two Colonies, they understood your reluctance to risk your men needlessly.”

  “The United States must be at least a little concerned about my theory on the Aliens planting deadly species in the midst of our Colonies, since they foot so much of the bill for everything going on out here,” Jake replied, trying to hold back his anger.

  “They care, Jake,” Risling stated. “Until we have things under control, and our colony mining operations back in full production, Command wants to do this one thing at a time. Without the mining production from our processing plants on Omaha, how long do you think we could carry on an intergalactic war? Our reserves on Casserine would dry up at a devastating rate.”

  “All the more reason to develop an isolation signal. We can clear both infestations in a matter of days without high casualties.”

  Risling nodded. “We’ll stall them, and if I can find someone with a backbone in the United States Military Command, we can take the case to the people. Those kids you have out there have family. I’ll work on it from that angle. Most of the troops originated either from the United States, or United States Colonists. All the hardware is theirs.”

/>   “It seems they would be the ones to appeal to, Sir. As you could see from your screen, these Marines deserve better than to get used as Bug fodder. I realize how delicate the balance of power can be between the damn Earth Command Military and Civilian Commands, but someone has to point out the downside of questioning a course of action that works. Besides, I’ve always believed they’re one and the same, when it comes to screwing us out here.”

  “We saw how you handled the Colonist unease on Omaha,” Risling chuckled. “You can imagine the civilian reaction to your demeanor during the rescue mission, after those two idiots were shot on Bougainville. No matter how this all comes out, we will be facing a tribunal when it’s over.”

  “Don’t we have any veterans in the Civilian Command?” Jake asked, irritation creeping into his voice. “It should be a law if you have never served, you should not be able to run for the higher posts in the Civilian Command.”

  “I agree wholeheartedly,” Risling agreed. “I can understand their reluctance to foster fears of a military coupe, but they need to realize the difficulties in running a military campaign light years from the action. Besides, I’m beginning to believe the same way as you about the supposedly separate Earth Civilian and Earth Military Commands. I’ve heard rumors the United States lost all of its influence on either of the two commands. Hang in there Jake. You’ve given me a few ideas to work on. We’ll update you on a regular basis with our progress on an isolation signal. Colonel Stavros has our labs patched together, and in constant contact with Earth research facilities.”

  “What would you think of a scouting party to check out our unknown observers?”

  “I would have to disavow any knowledge of it if something goeswrong.”

  “Of course,” Jake acknowledged with a grin. “Then I will leave you to your work,” Risling replied. “Keep me informed.”

  “Yes Sir.” “Good luck, Jake.”

  “As always, Sir, luck better have very little to do with it.”

  Jake heard the footsteps even as he gripped his sidearm. He kept his eyes closed.

  “I saw that, you sneaky prick,” Mercer called out. “If I were an unhappy civilian, sneaking into your quarters, you’d be dead.”

  Jake sat up without the blaster, and ran his hands over his face, turning the motion into a long stretch. “Hi Charlie. I tensed, didn’t I?”

  ‘Tea Boss, but I never even thought you’d hear me, so not bad my friend, not bad.”

  “Did I sleep at all?”

  “Five hours, Earth general time,” Mercer replied. “A millisecond in actual rest by the way you look.”

  “Oh thanks, the honeymoon’s over then, is it?”

  “Yea, my brother,” Mercer grinned. “You are one scarred up, nasty looking, pasty example of a Marine. I hope you can think better than you look.”

  “Yest me, wiseass.”

  “We have the prototype for the isolation signal generator loaded aboard Alpha. Tim wants to know if you want to try it out. Your weapons officer buddy from the Tennyson, Richardson, fitted it up an hour ago with Chief Russell’s help. He guarantees it to work. He doesn’t know if the signal will work, but he says the generator’s a cinch. It has enough amplitude to knock out both Queens for as long as you want.”

  “Man, that’s know how,” Jake marveled. “Risling and I won’t even have to risk getting locked in the brig. Hey, what about power, Charlie? Will the habitat have enough to sustain the signal for a while?”

  “Engineering on the Gallant came up with a way to supply the signal from here. The receivers on the habitat act as huge amplifiers, which require very little power,” Mercer replied. “All Marine Regiments are on alert to go down at your command, even Conger.”

  Jake laughed, remembering the Commander of Marine Regiment One. “I guess you two get along real good now?”

  “As well as can be expected. I did have a problem with authority,” Mercer admitted, “Which Conger took every opportunity to point out to me.”

  Jake nodded. “Load ‘em up, Charlie. I’ll be down shortly. I guess Colonel Tokoru has been a bit eager, huh?”

  “I had to bolt his ass to the deck,” Mercer laughed. “I think annoying would be a better way to describe what you think of as eagerness.”

  “He’s a first class Exec though, Charlie,” Jake said, as he dressed.

  “Hell, I know that,” Mercer retorted. “If not for him, you’d probably try and make me stay topside while you had all the fun.”

  “Someone has to clean up the Bugs,” Jake pointed out as he dressed. “If something happens to the signal, we will be in a world of shit.”

  “We’ll fry them critters all the way down and all the way back up,” Mercer promised fervently. “I want at least a running start.”

  “We get the Queen, we won’t need a running start.”

  “Did you decide to go after both Queens at once?” Mercer asked.

  “Nope,” Jake answered shortly. “If we have all five Drop Ships, and three of our Regiments, killing wandering Bugs, and keeping our escape route open, we take the least risk if the signal conks out.”

  “Good thinking.”

  “Actually, I planned on hitting both nests at once,” Jake admitted, “but a Marine Corporal in Bravo Company, Second Regiment suggested the plan I just told you.”

  “That would be the Bravo Company slated to go with me into the second nest, huh?”

  “How perceptive of you,” Jake laughed. “He still had a great point the way he explained it in the suggestion post he wrote.”

  ‘Tea, I guess so,” Mercer admitted. “I’ll go get the ball rolling. See you on Alpha. Tim said to not forget your lucky knife.”

  Jake picked up the rough handled blade from the top of his equipment bag, and showed it to Mercer. “It’ll still slice and dice, but let’s you and me see if we can’t work it so it won’t have to.”

  “Amen to that, Boss.”

  The next visitor to Jake’s quarters came in the person of Major Jason Peters. Jake threw his pack over his shoulder, and opened his hatch door. He smiled and returned Peters’ salute. Motioning Mendoza, who stood outside the quarters in full battle gear to follow, Jake indicated Peters to walk alongside.

  “Hey Jas, you didn’t come to tell me you forgot how to fly the Wing Fighter, did you?”

  “I’m just not altogether sure you don’t need me down on the surface more,” Peters replied. “What am I going to do with a Fighter?”

  “You are going to take off when we do, and fly to a point well on the way to the bogey hanging around at the edge of the quadrant. If that son-of-a-bitch moves toward the Gallant or Omaha during this operation, you are under my direct order to blow the bastard to kingdom come.” Jake reached into his armored jacket and retrieved a scribed note with his command seal on the outside. He handed it to Peters.

  “You will run silent, but you will be on my command channel. No one countermands my standing order but me. Is that clear?”

  “Yes Sir,” Peters said enthusiastically. “I won’t let you down. I didn’t know you were worried about interference.”

  “I know the Gallant has enough fire power to lay waste to the galaxy, but I don’t want Colonel Stavros worrying about the bogey while trying to keep up the isolation signal to the surface. As I understand it, the Wing Fighter really packs some heat, even more than a Force Cruiser.”

  “You bet it does, Jake. I flew one against pirates at Tarawa. I took out three of their Cruiser Class rebel ships without breaking a sweat. It incorporates twice the armor of a Cruiser, with three times the weaponry. It just can’t out distance a Cruiser.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear, Jas,” Jake replied. “I’ll feel a lot better knowing I have you out there running interference for the Gallant. I heard it has a stealth mode too, so once you get set, it will be hard for them to scan your whereabouts.”

  “Yep, they’ll never know what hit ‘em,” Peters confirmed. “I guess you don’t want to try for prisoners, huh?�
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  “Can you do that, and be assured they can’t do something to throw a wrench in the works of our mission?”

  “I’d have to see what I’m shooting first. If Colonel Stavros scans their approach, he can give me a direct feed of information without alerting them to my position. By the time they get to my position, the Gallant’s scans may have supplied me with enough info to completely disable them without vaporizing their ship.”

  Jake stopped in the corridor, and tilted his head back, trying to visualize the downside to such a gamble. After a few moments, he started walking again. “Okay Jas, see how your situation is at the time. I’ll let you know how we’re doing down below. Good thinking.”

  “Good luck, Sir.”

  “Thanks Major,” Jake replied, shaking his outstretched hand. “Don’t forget, we still have another one of these Colony cleansing missions left.”

  “We’ll have enough Wing Fighters by then to enter into an interplanetary war. I sure hope your isolation signal works the way you want.”

  “From your lips to God’s ear, Jas. See you on the other side.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  With a little wave, Peters split off towards where the Wing Fighter had been prepped, while Jake and Mendoza headed to Drop Ship Alpha. Captain Corey and Major Mercer stood outside Alpha, waiting for Jake. Jake motioned Mendoza inside.

  “Save me a seat, Bob.”

  Mendoza laughed. “Yes Sir.”

  “Well boys and girls,” Jake said to Corey and Mercer with a grin. “It’s just like old times, on our way to the nest again. You want me to cut out a piece of the Queen for you, Sara?”

  “Tuck, Jake,” Corey replied, with a distasteful look on her face. “Just make sure she doesn’t cut you and Charlie up for snacks.”

  “You okay with calling the shots for the pilots on this mission?” Jake asked.

  “No problem,” Corey answered strongly. “Just make sure you two get out of there, because Alpha ain’t leaving until you do.”

  “You could come along, Sara, and watch our backs,” Mercer offered, giving Jake the high sign. “It’s cooler in the tunnels, right Jake?”