by Ken Lozito
“But isn’t that their ultimate goal? Land their forces on the ground? They are hunting humans after all, sir,” Major Shelton said.
“Yes, but it won’t happen as fast as you might think,” Nathan said. “First they’ll need to assess the planet to find our cities, and that will take some time. All planetary broadcasts have been quiet since we first detected the Vemus presence. If the Vemus did somehow trace our communications, it would only lead them to communications satellites that have been powered down and put on standby. So it will take them some time to find Sierra and the other cities on the planet.”
“I think I understand better now, Colonel,” Major Shelton said.
“Also, if we strike at them while they’re focused on getting their invasion force to the ground, they’ll be even more vulnerable to attack,” Nathan said.
“I agree, but . . .” Major Shelton said and stopped.
Nathan understood all too well. His first instinct was to strike out at the enemy and try to stop them in their tracks, but the fact of the matter was that the CDF couldn’t prevent the Vemus Alpha from reaching New Earth. That became abundantly clear as the ship bludgeoned its way through Phoenix Station.
“Colonel, we’re getting active comms signals,” Sergeant Boers said.
Nathan looked over at the comms station. “From where?”
“Escape-pod frequency, Colonel,” Sergeant Boers said.
Nathan felt his insides go cold. “How many pods are there?” Nathan asked, fearing the answer.
“Seven hundred in total, Colonel,” Sergeant Boers said.
Nathan looked at the main holoscreen with the PRADIS output. It had been populated with the escape-pod broadcast signatures. Considering eight people to a pod, maximum, there could be over five thousand soldiers alive and in need of rescue.
“What are your orders, Colonel?” Lieutenant LaCroix asked from the tactical work area.
“Acknowledged receipt of escape-pod broadcast signatures. Dark-Star status will be maintained. Send no reply,” Nathan said.
“But, Colonel—” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
“You’ve heard Colonel Hayes. You have your orders, Lieutenant,” Major Shelton said sternly.
Nathan watched the main holodisplay grimly as the seven hundred escape-pod signatures were grayed out so they hardly had any impression on the display. Inwardly, Nathan was raging. He wanted to order a rescue mission and get those survivors to safety, but he knew it would be a foolish call.
“Colonel, one of the Vemus ships has broken away from the main group and is on an intercept heading with the escape pods,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
Nathan resisted the urge to rub his hands over his face. “Acknowledged,” he said, his voice sounding strained.
A grim silence settled throughout the CDF soldiers serving in the command area. They were being forced to do something that went contrary to basic human nature—abandoning those who needed their help. Though it was in service of the greater objective, that was a cold comfort and Nathan hated himself for it, even if the strategist in him knew it was the right thing to do. If he somehow managed to survive this, would he even be able to look at himself in the mirror?
Over the next few hours, the Vemus Alpha slowly approached New Earth as the news of Phoenix Station’s destruction spread throughout the base. Nathan had kept going through the data, hoping to find some indication that there were survivors other than those in the escape pods that had jettisoned. There wasn’t any. Phoenix Station was nothing more than a debris field. The escape pods had ceased broadcasting as the Vemus ship came within their vicinity, and Lunar Base couldn’t determine whether the Vemus had captured the seven hundred escape pods or simply destroyed them all. The only thing they knew for sure was that they had stopped broadcasting a signal.
Two ships broke away from the Vemus Alpha, heading toward New Earth’s moon.
“Passive scans show the ships are Cruiser-class vessels, Colonel,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
Lunar Base was still getting data feeds from robotic scanning platforms they had in orbit around the planet, and they’d been tracking the Vemus Alpha since it crossed Sagan’s line and then engaged Phoenix Station at the Lagrange point. The Vemus Alpha had decreased its acceleration, slowing its approach to the planet, while the Vemus cruisers were heading for the moon. The cruisers inserted themselves into a lunar synchronous orbit and were actively scanning the surface where the construction platforms had been.
“Colonel, they’re charging their weapons,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
“Acknowledged,” Nathan said. “Ops, confirm that those surface installations have been evacuated.”
“Zero life-signs, Colonel--,” Sergeant Martinez began. “Sir! I’m seeing activity at one of the smaller research and development facilities in sector twenty-seven.”
Nathan frowned. “Comms, are their systems still attached to the internal network?”
Sergeant Boers worked through her terminal and nodded. “Yes, Colonel. Comms channel is available.”
“Put me through,” Nathan said.
“R&D outpost eight. This is Dr. Kendra Robinson.”
“Dr. Robinson, you need to power down that outpost and head to your evacuation point immediately. We have two Vemus cruisers inbound,” Nathan said.
“Negative, Colonel. We’ve received a data communication from Dr. Walker’s salvage run that claims they’ve found critical information about the Vemus,” Dr. Robinson said, her voice sounding spotty from the low-powered comms channel.
Nathan watched the scope as it showed the Vemus cruisers inbound to the R&D outpost. They only stopped to fire their weapons at the surface installations. “Doctor, you need to listen to me and get your people out of there. The Vemus ships are doing a reconnaissance flyover. They’re taking out all surface installations.”
Nathan was waiting for a reply when Lieutenant LaCroix suddenly shifted in his seat. “Colonel, I have a surface gun battery being brought online.”
Nathan swore. “Find out who it is,” he said and then switched back to the R&D outpost comms channel. “Dr. Robinson, confirm that you’ve heard me.”
“We hear you, Colonel. Shutting down the outpost now,” Dr. Robinson said.
Nathan closed the channel and glanced at Major Shelton. “Can they make it to the nearby shelter?”
“If they hurry, they can, Colonel,” Major Shelton said.
Nathan swung his gaze toward Lieutenant LaCroix. “What’s the status of the gun battery?”
“Colonel, they’re refusing to shut it down. There’s a Lieutenant Robinson who won’t comply with your commands. He’s switched on the manual override,” Lieutenant LaCroix said.
Nathan frowned. “Robinson,” he repeated and then his eyes widened. “Ops, get a security detail over there ASAP.”
Nathan heard Sergeant Martinez begin speaking to a security detail in the area. He looked up at the screen. “Damn it, there’s no time. LaCroix, can you cut the power to that gun battery?”
Lieutenant LaCroix’s face became pale. “Sir, he’s defending his wife.”
“I know that, Lieutenant!” Nathan snapped. “It’s them or all of us. Now cut the damn power to that gun battery. Shut it down!”
Lieutenant LaCroix swung his flustered gaze toward his console, and his hands flew through the interface. “Power has been cut off to the gun battery. I’ve locked out the override and closed the doors.”
There was a bright flash on the main holoscreen video feed of the R&D outpost. One moment it was there and the next it was gone. Nathan’s mouth went dry and he checked the surface scanners. No one from the R&D outpost had escaped. They were all dead.
“Ops, any change in the cruiser’s flight pattern?” Nathan asked.
“Negative, Colonel. They’re maintaining speed and heading,” Sergeant Martinez said.
That was something at least.
“Ops, let me know when the security detail has Robinson in custody,” Nathan said.
<
br /> There were several surprised glances from the CDF soldiers in the command area. Nathan’s brows pulled together sternly. “Listen up. We’re at war. Anyone who fails to follow orders will be relieved of duty, brought up on charges of treason, and shot. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Colonel,” the CDF soldiers in the area answered.
Nathan nodded grimly and felt a sneer lift his upper lip. But what surprised him was that he would carry out his threat. This was what it meant to survive, and the thought sickened him to no end.
Chapter Twenty-One
Major Sean Quinn stood on the rooftop of the Colonial Defense Force Headquarters in Sierra. The sun shone brightly over the cradle of New Earth’s first colonial city as it stretched out around him. Over a hundred and fifty thousand people had lived here. What had started out as an encampment for a few thousand colonists was well on its way to becoming a full-blown metropolis. He glanced upward, remembering the Ark as it had been when it was orbiting their new home. One of humanity’s most ambitious efforts, the Ark had been the biggest ship he’d ever seen—so large, in fact, that it had been easily visible in New Earth’s night sky even with the planetary rings that surrounded the planet.
He’d been among the first to be awakened after their two-hundred-year journey, and those early days of the colony seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had changed. Sean’s gaze sank back to the city. The Vemus Alpha dwarfed even the Ark. A shiver traveled up Sean’s spine, snapping him out of his reverie. He narrowed his gaze as he took in the city through the eyes of a defender. He saw the CDF soldiers setting up multiple defense installations in preparation for an invasion that was difficult for them to comprehend. Mostly, the installations were outfitted with RF mag-cannons whose mobile platforms not only allowed them to track targets in the sky but on the ground as well.
Connor had sent him back to New Earth with orders to defend Sierra. After reviewing their defenses and knowing the Vemus Alpha was on its way here, he wasn’t sure how long the city could be defended.
To say that his presence was a surprise was an understatement, but when he’d informed the colonial government of his orders, they were met with little enthusiasm. He’d expected as much.
The door to the rooftop opened and Sean glanced over. Captain Juan Diaz strode over to him and saluted.
“We’ve received news from Phoenix Station, Major. Please come with me,” Captain Diaz said.
“Last I checked, comlinks still worked,” Sean replied.
Captain Diaz chuckled. “But they lack that personal touch, sir.”
“Well, I better not keep them waiting,” Sean said and started walking toward the door.
“Connor thinks the world of you, you know,” Captain Diaz said.
Sean glanced at Diaz as they were heading back to the Command Center. “Becoming sentimental on me now?”
Captain Diaz chuckled. “It comes with being a father. And I remember seeing the look on Connor’s face when he found you in that storage crate.”
“He wouldn’t have let me come otherwise,” Sean replied, remembering how, seven years ago after being denied entry to the new Field Ops Search and Rescue team, he’d snuck into a storage crate bound for the remote training camp. He’d had no idea Connor intended to dump all the equipment and recruits out of the Hellcat transport for a low-altitude drop. Looking back on his actions, he realized how foolish a risk he’d taken. There were so many other ways he could have gotten to the training camp that wouldn’t have required the risk of life and limb. Regardless, his life had been forever changed because of it.
Captain Diaz stopped in front of the door to the Command Center and looked at him. He leaned in. “Connor sent you back here to lead,” Diaz said.
Sean frowned. “I know, but they aren’t listening,” he said.
“The CDF soldiers here will follow you. You just need to prove to the rest of them why they should listen to you. No one else here has faced the Vemus but you, sir,” Captain Diaz said.
Sean remembered Juan Diaz being his superior officer when he was a fresh-faced recruit. Things had changed. Diaz had always insisted that he was only good for command at a certain level, while people like Connor operated at another level entirely. One thing Connor had instilled in the CDF ranks was to respect the uniform. The person who had that rank and uniform had earned it, something those outside of the CDF had trouble understanding. They judged by what they saw, and what they saw was a very young man who had attained a very high rank.
Sean gave Diaz a nod and then entered the Command Center.
Damon Mills, Director of Field Ops and Security Operations, glanced over at him. “Major Quinn, Phoenix Station has been destroyed. Transmitting the latest information from the station’s data dump to you now.”
Sean’s lips pressed together in a white slash, and he used his neural implants to access the data. His internal smart lens projected the reports away from his eyes, so they were easily read by him, and the others around him couldn’t see them. Sean quickly went through the preliminary report. The Vemus Alpha’s primary weapon had been devastatingly effective.
“They were overwhelmed, but it looks like they did heavy damage as well,” Sean said. “Call an emergency session of the city defense committee.”
Director Mills relayed Sean’s commands. “We can use the conference room over here.”
Sean shook his head. “No need. We’ll have the call right here. This won’t take a lot of time.”
“Most of the committee members are already here, and the ones that aren’t can join in remotely,” Director Mills said.
Sean frowned and peered over at the conference room. He saw his father pacing while speaking with other civilians around the conference table. Sean gritted his teeth and walked over. Damon Mills followed him.
“Why has Lunar Base gone quiet? These reports show that it hasn’t used any of its weapons to engage that enemy ship,” Parish said.
“We’ve been over this. General Gates’ strategy was to keep Lunar Base in the dark to hide its presence from the enemy,” Sean’s father said.
“But with Phoenix Station—” Stanton Parish stopped speaking as Sean walked into the conference room. The committee members looked at Sean as if they weren’t quite sure what to make of him.
“I see you’ve heard about Phoenix Station,” Sean said.
“Yes, just a few minutes ago. We were just discussing it,” Tobias replied.
Sean glanced behind him. “Captain Diaz,” he said.
“Yes, Major,” Captain Diaz replied.
“From now on, all CDF communications stay within CDF channels unless I give my express permission for them to be shared,” Sean said.
Tobias frowned.
“This includes Field Ops and Security,” Sean said before anyone could protest.
“Right away, Major,” Captain Diaz said and left the room.
“What are you doing?” Tobias asked him.
“Yes, why cut us out?” Stanton asked.
Sean drew in a deep breath. “Why don’t you all sit down,” he said and glanced back at Director Mills, who watched him warily. “You too, Director.”
The defense committee members looked at his father, who nodded for them to sit. He then regarded Sean for a moment before doing the same.
Sean looked at Stanton Parish. “You’re not being cut out. The comms officer didn’t follow protocol for CDF briefings. This lapse will be rectified.”
“What difference does it make if we read the same briefing that goes to the CDF?” Stanton asked.
“Because you’re not qualified to read them. There’s a reason that filter’s in place,” Sean said.
“I beg your pardon?” Stanton said, flustered.
“You heard me,” Sean replied crisply. “The status of Phoenix Station is a military matter and should have come to me first. I heard what you were saying when I walked in. Why didn’t Colonel Hayes at Lunar Base fire his weapons at the Vemus Alpha? That’s what you were pressing for,
is that right?”
“It’s a valid question,” Stanton said.
“It’s not what General Gates ordered,” Sean replied.
“But he might be dead for all we know,” Stanton said.
“Phoenix Station is offline, and the status of CDF personnel is currently unknown,” Sean said.
His father cleared his throat. “Don’t you mean destroyed?”
Sean’s gaze hardened. “I meant offline. Destroyed implies that there are no survivors, which I don’t believe until we can do our own reconnaissance of the area. As you’re aware, I’ve been given operational authority for the CDF ground forces.” Sean looked over at Director Mills. “Since this is a wartime situation, this includes Field Operations and Security forces as well. I expect you to comply with these agreed-upon orders.”
Director Mills pressed his lips together. “When we made those laws, we assumed General Gates would be the person leading the CDF.”
Several heads were nodding in agreement.
“He still is leading the CDF,” Sean replied coolly.
“Sean,” his father said, “Phoenix Station is . . . offline. Colonel Savannah Cross is next in the chain of command.”
“Let me be crystal clear with all of you. General Gates assigned Colonel Cross to Sanctuary, and he assigned me to command our ground forces. I don’t require your agreement with the commands of my superiors in order to carry them out,” Sean said.
His father’s eyes widened. “What are you going to do? Arrest all of us?”
“No, but I will have you shipped out to Sanctuary on the next available transport. Civilians have no place in this fight. You’ll only get in the way of the soldiers,” Sean replied.
His father’s gaze narrowed angrily. “What about Director Mills? Are you going to remove him and anyone else who gets in your way?”
“Stop this right now!” Sean said, slamming his fist on the table. “I can’t afford to waste time convincing you who’s in charge. My job is to defend this city from the Vemus forces, not to waste precious time mincing words with all of you.”
