Casserine (23 page)

Colonel Kowalski, who has consolidated our support on the Intrepid. You will follow orders Colonel, or I will have you relieved. Is that clear?”

On board the Intrepid, Taskaroff looked around the bridge with dawning comprehension. The Intrepid officers and crew on the bridge, returned his looks with what seemed clear to be a waiting attitude. Colonel Kowalski entered the bridge, having been monitoring the command channel, with a squad of Marines plucked from certain death on Bougainville during the first botched nest attacks. One look told the Intrepid Commander whom they owed allegiance to, and it was not him or Earth Command.

“I am at your command, General,” Taskoroff said finally. “My apologies, Sir.”

“You have chosen wisely,” Jake stated. “We will lose no more Marines on this mission through stupidity. We are on schedule. In about one hour, Colonel Tokoru will have the receiving station set up, and we can get the isolation signals going. The first order of business after that will be to get these men off Bougainville. I will load them up on Tennyson Drop Ships four and five. They will proceed to the Intrepid, where you will strip off the Epoxy tanks from my Drop Ships, and see to the Marines. I want my Drop Ships back stat, for my nest mission support. Any questions?”

“No Sir,” Taskoroff answered.

“Good. Jas, can you scan pretty well from where you are now? I want close support of the Tennyson and Intrepid from start to finish.”

“Yes Sir,” Peters replied. “I have a relay in place between myself and the other Command Wing Fighter. He’s out between us, and Omaha. We will be on everything from here to the far reaches of the Quadrant.”

“Outstanding,” Jake replied. “Would you send a contingent from the Tennyson’s Med Center to the Intrepid, Jan? We have a lot of casualties here.”

“Lieutenant Byers flew over with a staff already, Sir,” Stedman explained. “Our lab did a test run with the Intrepid, using the signal variation software Nick created. Everything is in place.”

“In that case, I will turn over running command to Yuri. He will direct all action from here on. You ready, Yuri?”

“We’re on line now, Jake,” Tokoru said. “Charlie says fifteen more minutes for the uplink. The Bugs are only just now arriving in mass from the two nests, so we hit them hard and fast this trip.”

“Okay then,” Jake acknowledged. “Let’s keep it smooth. I am switching off for now until I get the Bougainville garrison evacuated, and my nest crew ready. It’s all yours, Yuri, Matthews out.”

Jake took off his helmet, and continued circulating through the habitat Marines. He joked around with them as only another Marine could. The haunted look on their faces, he saw at first, had gradually dissipated. They looked at him with awe. Jake could tell they had been recruited with the promise of easy glory, and adventure. All the work, he and his Omaha veterans had done to document their missions, had been used to recruit a bunch of kids to again act as cannon fodder. His fists clenched in anger, and he visibly controlled his rage.

“Is anything wrong, Sir?” Major Kitchner asked in concern.

Jake shook his head. “No Major, I just hope you and your men know I had nothing to do with this travesty. We did everything we could to put together a plan of attack to prevent just what happened to you and your men. If I.”

“Sir,” Kitchner interrupted. “We know you had nothing to do with this. We all saw your operations, and thought General Zamudi was leading us on a mission, using your model. I was on the Intrepid Alpha Drop Ship when the Bugs exploded out from under us, and ripped through Zamudi and the men around him like they were sugar cubes.”

“I landed back here at the habitat, and we fought our way inside, because they lost their entire command structure here in the first wave. The Bugs came up so close to the habitat, we could not keep our perimeter clear, and I didn’t react quickly enough to secure our roof. They had just barely gotten the damaged walls repaired when they were attacked here. We couldn’t even get the wounded out.”

“Under the circumstances, Major, you and your men did magnificently,” Jake said sincerely. “You should have received more direction from the Intrepid, and a hell of a lot more help. No one will be screwed out here in some God forsaken hell again. I am supporting General Risling on Genoa as Military Governor for all military operations on the Colonies and Jump Gate. We would like you and your men to consider joining our small rebellion to make sure things like this never happen again.”

Kitchner snapped to attention. “For myself, it would be an honor, Sir. I will let my men know of your intentions.”

“At ease, Major,” Jake said with a smile. “There will be no pressure put on anyone to come in with us, and no retribution afterwards, no matter the outcome. We will not fight Earth Force Marines under any circumstances. General Risling will be trying to consolidate our support on Earth, and if he fails, he and I will take the rap for this protest.”

“Sir, Earth stands with you now. Truthfully, if Earth Command announced they were going to send an armed force to oppose you and General Risling, there would be hell to pay, and they know it.”

Mercer walked towards them with a big smile. “We are up and running gentlemen.”

Jake walked over to the front entrance in time to see Drop Ship’s one, two, and three lift off to allow the other two to land. Marines exited the two Drop Ships, and deployed with their comrades in front of the habitat. Jake motioned for the habitat Marines to begin exiting with their wounded. Major Kitchner directed the loading of his troops onto the ships, and then came back in to shake Jake’s hand.

“Good luck, Sir,” Kitchner said. “We will be with you in whatever you decide. Major Mercer, it’s been an honor meeting you.”

“Same here,” Mercer smiled, shaking his hand. “Take care of those boys. With all the uncertainty about this Alien incursion into this quadrant, we will probably need all the help we can get.”

“We’ll be ready,” Kitchner nodded.

Jake and Mercer watched him board Drop Ship Four. Those two ships then left to evacuate the wounded to the Intrepid. Alpha led the others back down to the landing zone, and the three ships began preparations for the nest assaults. Jake’s nest veterans jogged up to await their orders.

Jake put his helmet back on, and shouldered his particle beam rifle. “Well boys, let’s go cut up some Queens, so we can get the hell off this rock. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve seen, heard and tasted about all I ever care to of these damn Bugs.”

Chapter 22 

Complications

The two nest operations were completed inside of a twenty-four hour period without any surprises. Casualties amounted to only minor sprains. They hit the nests in rapid succession, not allowing the second Queen even the opportunity to vary her signal. Bug extermination began immediately after the second Queen died. All forces on Bougainville, including the Tennyson’s five Drop Ships, went on search and destroy missions until all traces of the things had been eradicated. Sensors were repaired and set up inside all mine tunnels as the Command Center scanned for any remaining movement. Jake and Mercer had returned from the second nest, and stripped off their armor inside the habitat. They sat with Colonel Tokoru, watching the mop up on the monitors set up inside the makeshift Command Center.

“I never get tired of watching the Bugs get cut up with particle beam fire,” Mercer sighed. “Would that qualify as easily entertained?”

Jake and Tokoru laughed in appreciation as Mercer leaned back with the cup of tea Jake had made him.

“I don’t know about the easy part, but I guess we’ve earned a little entertainment,” Jake agreed. “At least we’ve got samples from three different nests. If we run into these things again, we may come up with something between then and now, even more effective in eradicating them.”

“I don’t know if you can improve on these last two nest missions, Sir,” Tokoru commented.

“They did go smooth, and Jake here didn’t even get a taste,” Merceradded.

“General Risling has your Bougainville rescue and nest missions on a loop, beamed back to Earth and all the Colonies. He has the botched Earth Command operation play right before it, with his own taped over apologies to the relatives of the Marine casualties,” Tokoru said. “It’s horrific, but the message is getting out, in spite of Earth Command’s attempts at blocking it.”

Jake nodded thoughtfully, and took a sip of his own tea. “If we allow the Intrepid to return to Earth, those Marines and ship’s crew can really spread the word. It would be a gamble, putting a weapon like that in their hands, but we don’t intend on armed rebellion anyway. Did Risling mention whether he would be releasing the Intrepid?”

“Because of the casualties, he doesn’t feel he has any choice, Jake,” Tokoru replied. They will be leaving tomorrow. The Tennyson will have to go back to Genoa and pick up the Bougainville Colonists too.”

Jake sat up as if realizing something for the first time. “Yuri, can you patch me through to the Med lab on the Intrepid?”

“Sure Jake,” Yuri said, handing him a portable headset. “Put this on, and I’ll have you talking to your wife in a flash.”

“How.” Jake began, and then shut up as his two friends began laughing at his expense. A few moments later, Tokoru pointed at Jake.

“Tour ears only, Sir,” Tokoru informed him. “Lieutenant Byers is on a secure channel.”

Jake nodded his thanks, and walked away from the Center video display. “Hi Honey, how are you?”

“We’re swamped,” Adrian admitted tiredly, “as you probably know. How are you holding up, Jake? We saw the two missions go down live, one after another. Have you been able to rest at all?”

“Charlie, Yuri, and I are just winding down. I heard the Intrepid will be released to return to Earth tomorrow.”

“I’m going with them, Jake,” Adrian said, in answer to his unspoken question. “They need me here. Some of these guys may die if I don’t make the trip back with the Intrepid.”

“I figured as much,” Jake replied softly. “You could be in some danger if they find out you’re my wife.”

“I’ll keep a low profile.”

“I love you.”

“I love.” Adrian’s voice broke a little before she regained control. “I love you too. I’ll be back as soon as I can. You stay out of trouble.”

“Aye, aye, Lieutenant,” Jake replied. “I’m going to miss you not being on the Tennyson for a quickie.”

Adrian laughed in delight. “I’ll remember that. I have to get back to the ward, General.”

“I know. Watch out back there, Hon.”

“I will. Remember, I can throw most of them around like a five pound bag of grain,” Adrian reminded him. “Take care, my love.”

The line went dead, and Jake took off the headset.

“You see, Colonel,” Mercer said, pointing at Jake as he returned to his seat. “Look at him. This is why I don’t get married. A married man talks to his wife, and when he gets done, he looks like someone just killed his dog.”

“Oh, kick the General when he’s down,” Jake said, shaking his head, and sighing, as his two fellow Marines laughed.

“Poor baby,” Mercer replied, putting an arm around Jake’s shoulders. “You want me to go get you a cup of Queen chamber juice to make you feel better?”

“Arrrrggh,” Jake grunted distastefully. “Come on, it’ll put hair on your chest,” Mercer continued. “You know,” Jake observed, “I’m beginning to understand why you spent more time in the brig than you did on duty.”

“Simple miscommunications,” Mercer retorted, to the great amusement of two fellow Marines who knew better.

“Man, do I wish the Tennyson would get back with the Colonists,” Mercer complained. “We’re officers, Jake. Hell, you’re the Commandant of this mission. It’s bad for morale to let the men under your command watch you do manual labor. I might as well be a damn PFC again. I’m sweating more now than I did in the four nests we destroyed.”

Jake, who held up the prefab sealed wall in place for Mercer to attach, chuckled as he shifted his grip. “You’ve been complaining for five days, Charlie. I don’t think you even stopped when you were sleeping. I think you’ve reached the undiscovered country of complaining.”

“Not quite,” Mercer replied, as he pulled back on the latch, which would draw the partition tight, acting as a clamp while the sealing mixture worked. “I didn’t want to say anything, you being a General and all; but Jake, you’re getting a little gamey.”

Jake burst into laughter, having once again played straight man to Mercer’s comedic wit. Lieutenant Mendez, who was standing on the other side of Mercer, with his own crew of Marine workmen, lost his grip on the partition he was holding. Between bouts of laughter, he told his crew, who were cursing him for losing his grip, what had caused it.

“I don’t know what you’re laughin’ at, Lieutenant,” Corporal Anson replied. “You smell worse than the friggin’ Queen on Omaha did.”

Soon, all order in the working party broke down, and Jake intervened. “Let’s call it a day. I was saving this announcement as a reward for completing this section; but thanks to Major Mercer, that will no longer be possible. Colonel Peters flew in from the Gallant today with a gift from the Omaha Colonists. It seems they make their own ale there. They sent enough with Colonel Peters to get all of Bougainville blitzed. It’s cooling in the galley. Cookie knows you are all to be issued no more than four mugs each. Dismissed.”

Jake and Mercer watched the young Marines racing noisily for thegalley.

“Did you have to tell those boot camps first?” Mercer complained, starting where he left off. “We’ll be lucky to get a sip.”

Jake put his arm around Mercer, guiding him towards the Command Center. “It just so happens, my undeserving friend, one of the Colonists gave me a personal gift of an old bottle of rum he brought with him from Earth. Yuri and Jas are awaiting us right now. I thought the four of us would sip a little nectar together.”

“I love you man,” Mercer said, pretending to cry.

The four men sat at the Command Center monitoring station, with their four seats pulled up so they could monitor the planet scanners, and keep an eye on the Marine detachment in the mess hall. Jake had the foresight to ask around for members of the detachment who did not drink under any circumstances. He found twelve men who agreed to act as monitors. Jake promised to take them off the duty roster for the next week.

“I hope we don’t get any visitors from space while we’re getting shit faced,” Mercer said, as he took another sip from his glass.

“No one will be getting shit faced, Charlie,” Jake assured him. “Cookie has standing orders to cut off the ale at four mugs. On the other hand, you do have a point on a more personal level. You’re such a lightweight, you probably got shit faced when Jas opened the bottle.”

This statement provoked much hilarity, and some sputtering from

Mercer.

At that moment, Chief Dougherty appeared from the side entrance to their makeshift center, dragging a chair with him. Mercer threw up his hands in disgust, gesturing at the smiling gunners mate.

“You asked this lush to join us?” Mercer said, blocking Tim’s way.

“Sorry Jake,” Dougherty apologized, sitting down on his chair, where his forward progress had been stopped. “I figured Charlie here would be six sheets into the wind by now.”

“Pay no attention to Major Whiner,” Jake laughed. “He’s been pissed ever since he saw the vid loop you had running in the mess hall of him tripping and falling flat on his face at the entrance to the last nest. When I bent over to help him up, I forgot my helmet cam would capture a less than flattering pose for posterity.”

“The string of profanity he spewed nearly melted the audio feed,” Tokoru added. “I bet.”

“Okay, okay,” Mercer put up his hands, “maybe I went a little too far, but we weren’t going to a family reunion. Imagine my shock when I go to the mess hall, and suddenly I’m staring at a one minute loop of my faux pas, with audio.”

“You were just mad you didn’t think of it,” Dougherty pointed out, accepting a small cup of amber liquid. “Besides, it was Lieutenant Mendoza’s idea.”

“What?!” Mercer said, jumping to his feet. “I’m going to find that shave-tail, and turn him inside out.”

“Sit down, Charlie,” Jake laughed, taking a sealed dispatch out, and handing it to Dougherty. “We need to congratulate our newest Lieutenant.”

Jake held up his glass as Dougherty read his promotion to Lieutenant JG. They all toasted to the newest officer.

“This doesn’t mean I have to stop working the deck gun, does it, Jake,” Dougherty asked, reading the dispatch carefully.

Jake produced another dispatch, which he handed to Dougherty. “This guarantees you the right to work the deck gun in any military mission you are a part of, if you can be spared from the chain of command. General Risling signed it right under my signature.”

“Thanks Jake, I appreciate that,” Dougherty replied.

“What the heck were you doing on a freighter like the Tennyson, Tim,” Major Peters asked. “I would have thought you’d be pulling your hair out on a duty station like that.”

“As Jake can tell you, there’s plenty of action on a freighter,” Dougherty explained. “It’s not as intense as the Colony deal at the Tarawa Jump Gate, or blowing the crap out of a billion Bugs, but we see our share of the action. Besides, there aren’t as many military on the Tennyson. I like the mix of military and civilian crew.”

“I see your point,” Peters allowed.

“By the way, Colonel Peters,” Tokoru said. “Before I forget, what if anything have you heard about our visitors, and did the Gallant have any luck finding the Jump Gate they used to get into this quadrant?”

“We mapped and scanned everything around where the alien ship had been watching us,” Peters replied, sipping his rum. “The Gallant is analyzing every particle trail in the quadrant, looking for some energy flux signifying a Jump Gate like Tarawa. I just hope we find them before they find us again.”

“Has Nick had any luck with developing something out of the Queen’s shielding material?” Jake asked Peters.

Peters nodded with a smile. “He’s obsessed, Jake. Nick’s really into the research on the materials you brought back from the nests. When he showed me how the stuff deflected particle beam fire, it started me thinking of what it would mean to our shielding technology. He’s not only working on shielding, but also on the solvent attributes in the contents of the Queen’s chamber fluid. Nick wants to make a load, which will first cut through any shielding an alien ship might have, and then fire a secondary timed burst which would obliterate the ship.”

“I’m glad he’s on our side,” Jake stated. “If he can bring that about, those suckers are in for a real bad day when they come calling. Jas, if things work out with this military governorship, what would you think about taking over command of the Intrepid?”

“I take it you do not like Colonel Taskoroff, huh?”

“Like has nothing to do with it, Jas,” Jake replied. “First off, I don’t trust him, and secondly, he hung those Marines out to dry when they needed him. I would have landed the damn Intrepid on the roof if that’s what it took. Instead, Taskaroff calls the screw up in to Risling, and then waits for relief. I don’t know what kind of commander leads like that, but if I’m in command, he ain’t leading anyone for me.”

“I love flying the Command Wing,” Peters admitted. “I’d jump at command of the Intrepid if not for having just had the chance to do an extended period of time in the fighter. They are magnificent, and if Nick arms it with what he has in mind, I want to be the first through the Jump Gate when they find it. I could scout out those pricks, and do onto them a little before hopping back through the gate with my report.”

“Maybe with a good Exec, you can do both,” Jake offered. “What would you think of taking Sara on as your Exec to take over if you ain’t as quick as you think?”