Ghost Soldiers (33 page)

"Hold on, old friend. We're getting out of here."

* * *

IAS Titan, Sector Sixteen, T’Karan

Spartan sank back into the comfort of the seat on the bridge of the ship and watched the shrinking view of the derelict. At his side was Khan and Gun, both out of their massive suits of JAS armour and in their normal fatigues. Even so, both still managed to carry sections of extra armour about their bodies, giving them the look of a post apocalyptical warband. Khan, though scarred from the battle seemed to barely notice the damage he'd sustained, a quality Spartan wished he could obtain. He looked over to Gun and nodded thankfully.

"Dammed good timing, Gun. Another thirty minutes and we would have been fried. I owe you one."

More figures entered the bridge, Captain Delatorre, with Five-Seven and Kanjana behind him.

"We all owe you one, Colonel," said Captain Delatorre.

The man stopped in front of Gun and saluted smartly.

"I thought we were all dead out there."

He shook his head, still not believing what had happened. Five-Seven helped Kanjana who stumbled and almost lost her balance. The Thegn moved her closer to where Spartan had been sitting. Spartan indicated for Kanjana to take it. She lifted her hand to refuse and Spartan scowled.

"I insist, Major's prerogative."

Another figure moved from further back on the bridge, where he'd been speaking with the deck officers. He moved quickly, stopping before Spartan and Gun.

"I've seen the reports from the Klithi and yourselves. This Guardian, it is a machine of terrible power. The Klithi are, well, they are quite frankly stunned that you were able to survive the encounter, let alone destroy it. "

Spartan shrugged.

"Not all of us, Sir. It took a lot of good people with it."

General Black nodded and exhaled.

"Understood. A messy job, I know. Still, I'm glad some of you made it out of that hellhole. Nonetheless, based on what we achieved, the Klithi are keen to assist and promote the development of the IAB. They have pledged to fully fund us for another ten years, if we are able to provide a rapid response to similar problems in the future.”

He leaned in closer.

“And that means less reliance upon financing from CTC. At this rate we may prove capable of self-funding within six months, and based upon the Alliance budget cuts, this will be key to our operations. As our capabilities increase, so will their desire to use us.”

He moved back to his original position.

“The Alliance is going to need us...I'm going to need you, and soon. Get back and prepare the latest batch of marines. They are due to arrive from jungle training on Hyperion.”

Gun snarled as he listened.

“We are going to need more than new recruits. I want compensation from High Command. We dealt with this situation, with only the Red Watch to show for Alliance assistance.”

He scratched at his nose, and then continued.

“Get us something, General. Get me something.”

He looked at Spartan as he spoke.

“There’s one thing we want, and it will benefit everybody, especially the Alliance. It’s time for the IAB and our operation out here to be enlarged, and I have some ideas on how we can do that."

General Black raised his eyebrows.

“That’s a big ask, Gun. They cannot simply send more resources to us when we want them."

Gun snarled.

“We do what they cannot. If they want an independent unit that can go where they cannot, they will need to listen. We can finance ourselves with stipends from the Alliance, as well as agreement with the others. But we need more than a handful of ships and hundreds of marines. The other races have a lot to offer, so work something out. The Alliance owes us, and the Alliance needs us.”

He licked his mouth again.

“There's something else, as well. The others will never see as us independent if we are in the pockets of CTC. They are pushing harder and harder every day. I want them out of our business. It's time they knew their place.”

He pointed to his chest.

"On'Sarax and her people control the ancient knowledge out here, not CTC. If they push us, they can leave."

He then turned from the General who had the good sense to not push the conversation further. Gun had no doubt the General would fight their corner. He gave Spartan a quick wink.

“Well, then, it looks like we have to prepare for an operation, my friend.”

Something caught his eye, and he twisted about to glance at it.

"Look," said Gun.

Each of them looked to the mainscreen and the two dots marking IAS Euryale and the derelict. Both were obscured by a bright dot that expanded out at incredible speeds. It faded just as fast, leaving nothing in its wake. Gun looked back at them all.

"Well, there goes another successful mission."

Spartan and Khan both looked at him and laughed, but it was a laugh that hid the great loss they knew the unit had suffered, the kind of laugh one used to try and brush off the most awful of events. Spartan turned around to face the General. His eyebrows lifted in a questioning tone.

"Operation? You know the Brigade has been shattered by this action?"

The General's moustache seemed to twitch at the question.

"Indeed."

He then looked to Wictred. He had just arrived on the deck and was exchanging greetings with Khan, by striking each other.

“We’ve got a month to get the new transfers ready and bring the Brigade to full strength. You’ve got Alliance marines back from training on Hyperion, volunteer Helion soldiers, and even a few Khreenk mercenaries. Reckon you can get them into shape in time?”

Spartan was stunned, so the General continued.

“And to pull this one off, we'll need everything the IAB can muster, as well as a little help from our Jötnar friends."

Spartan lifted his right arm and immediately regretted it; the aching sensation sent a spasm through his battered body.

"If you are still in touch with Syala, Arana, and their Black Widows, I could make use of them, too."

Spartan's eyes glinted at the thought.