Operation Hellfire (6 page)

"Our mission is to get you and your people out of here safely. By contacting units in this region, you may have brought in ships that could block our route home. You have endangered this..."

"No, Admiral. That is not correct."

General Honorious returned at just that point and moved alongside Prince Kratha. His understanding of human language was far more limited, and he spoke in his own tongue, leaving the Prince to translate.

"My esteemed General is saying that we have access to the live encoded data from the wide-area scanners. Using your ship's systems, and my Imperial authorisation as the new Imperator, will make it possible to see everything in this region, and a week away in every direction. We have already received a number of broken data packets. By all means look for yourself."

Captain Galanos signalled for her science officer to take the coded data from the Prince. The officers remained silent as he moved back to his system and launched a decryption of the data. In seconds, he had data to put up, and it showed fragmentary information for dozens of systems. Prince Kratha lowered his head again.

"This information is already a day old, but you can clearly see what is happening. There is a massed exodus heading through the Ararrh System and onwards to the Four Rifts. These are the end days for my people, and they have no hope or strategy."

He closed his eyes and paused for a brief moment. Both Captain Galanos and the distant Admiral Churchill could see he was about to say something important.

"We have to stop at Ararrh II."

"Really?" said Admiral Churchill.

The Byotai probably couldn't tell, but the Alliance officer's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"It is home to the only operational Imperial Communication Cortex, and it cannot be controlled remotely. But access to it would be worth our time."

His mouth widened into a forced smile.

"It is hardwired into the superstructure specifically to stop third parties from gaining control of the system. Believe me, gaining access to it would be beneficial to our mission."

The Admiral shook his head.

"I doubt that. My mission and yours appear to be very different. We will be in the area for hour at the most. I have no intention of staying inside this sector for a minute longer than I have to."

The Prince's expression altered almost immediately.

"Admiral. Give me thirty minutes once we arrive. That is all I need. Thirty minutes and I can send a signal to every single fleet base, shipyard, and dock in the Empire. Nothing will be able to stop the encoded data stream as it will use our hardened and secure data hierarchy

"And to what end?"

The Byotai opened his mouth and let out a long, slow hiss.

"I will announce my intention to form a Byotai government in exile, and call on all loyalists to rally to my colours...as you would say, at locations that are defensible. It is my intention to lead the fightback for my people. The Empire is broken, but we are not defeated."

He looked to his General who returned him a polite nod of agreement. The Admiral waited for several seconds, considering the young noble's words. His initial thoughts were to object, but then the words of Captain Galanos returned to him.

I suggest we pick a small number of key locations and send units to reinforce them.

He smiled to himself, especially when he recalled the expression of some of the other captains. Galanos was certainly one to speak her mind, and that was exactly why he'd asked her. He looked to the Prince and gave him a gentle nod of agreement.

"Very well, you will have your thirty minutes. There is one thing, though. We will formulate the message together. It's time for a strategy, and I think we might have a few ways to help you."

Prince Kratha signalled for his old advisor to approach. They spoke in Byotai for a few seconds before he looked back.

"General Honorius and I would be honoured to have your input."

Alliance Armoured Assault Ship 'ANS Relentless'

Nate's face reflected the energy from the three-dimensional model as it glowed brightly, its effect enhanced by the low-level lighting. He'd dreamed of seeing briefings like this since he was a little kid, and now he was there, sitting amongst the brightest and the best aboard Relentless. If anyone had bothered to look at him, they would probably have laughed. He looked like a child in a candy store.

This is a full fleet operation, and we're gonna be part of it!

Nate was terrified and exhilarated at the same time. They'd been in action already, and their actions to reach Prince Kratha, and to rescue his retinue had hardly been a minor event. This time they were entering a system with the entire fleet, and with multiple objectives, just like the simulated missions they'd conducted before. Capital ships were tasked with interdiction missions, while the fighters had multiple objectives. It was a large, complex affair, and he couldn't wait.

"Can you believe this?"

Ensign Hawkins shook his head and whispered back to him.

"It's just another mission, Nate. Knowing our luck, we'll miss all the action."

Nate would not be dissuaded and turned his attention back to the model. It showed a map of the entire border region, the Alliance to the bottom and four major provinces of the Star Empire at the top. From the left was the Anicinàbe Province, what remained of the vast swathe of territory ruled by the disparate tribes. Now it was just part of the Greater Star Empire. To the right the occupied Ninth and Eighth Quadrants, with only the Deadlands separating them from Alliance space. To the top of the mapping data was part of The Trinity, the three rich quadrants that formed the heart of the Old Byotai Empire. Jammed between the Ninth quadrant and the Anicinàbe Province was the disputed Tenth Quadrant, an area still involved in major fighting.

The officers of the three squadrons aboard ANS Relentless, as well as the Marine Corps officers, sat in semicircle as they listened to Captain Cornwallis. A handful of other men and women sat further back and watched in silence.

"Since the collapse of the Imperium, this entire region has gone to hell."

It was a simple statement of fact, yet every one could see it was true.

"It's a complex environment with multiple factions, scores of star systems, and mercenaries on every side. At present, all that is of interest to us is what is happening here."

The Captain pointed to the right at the bottom of the Eight Quadrant, relatively close to the Deadlands and the border to Alliance space. At the centre was a series of three planets, and near one of them a blinking indicator marking the Spacebridge they would be arriving from. The Captain tapped the model, and the Spacebridge lit up.

"The Ararrh System is home to the most substantial military installation in this part of the Eighth Quadrant. Ararrh I is on the opposite side of the star right now, but Ararrh II and III are both within range of the Spacebridges."

The map pulled back and shifted Ararrh to the top of the display, giving up more space for the border.

"As you can see, we're mobilising all of the resources under Orion Command along the border. Helion ships have been reactivated from the reserve, and IAB fast response teams from Taxxu are assisting at Karnak, along with other units."

He leaned forward and took a glass of water from the podium. The officers were captivated by what they had seen, and unlike them, he knew what was coming next. A small sip later and he highlighted their destination.

"The Deadlands border the Alliance, and civilian and military forces loyal to the old regime are trying to escape through that desolate place. And here we are, right in the middle of it, as usual."

He almost laughed as he said this.

"It's a messy situation, for sure, but if we can get a team to the communications Cortex, we will be able to make secure contact with all remaining Byotai forces and put the Admiral's new strategy into action. It's risky, but it could turn this conflict upside down."

The Captain ran his hand across his chin as though considering his next words carefully.

"If we fail, the remnants of their military will be swallowed up in a matter of weeks, perhaps even days. And we will be left with a violent neighbour with substantially greater resources than us."

He scanned the eyes of those around him.

"It’s worse than that. These new militias have a hunger for the destruction of anything tainted by machinery, computers, or synthetics. They are perhaps an even greater threat than the Biomechs ever were, and are using this unholy crusade as an excuse to cleanse entire regions."

The mention of the almost mythical Biomech enemy of the past instantly changed the mood in the group. Captain Cornwallis let that sink in further before pointing at the model once more. The Byotai station lit up with a bright flash.

"Engineers aboard ANS Warlord have accessed the data broadcast from the networked systems aboard the Fleet Reserve Base. Using this, we now have detailed passive scans of the System, and what they show is not good."

Another object blinked green, marking the location of the orbital installation. Immediately after that, another series of blue lights flashed through the System, most converging in two large groups.

"This is what we've seen in the last three hours. The number of refugees has increased substantially, and they are getting desperate. Most are escaping The Trinity, and this is one of many main arteries out of the Empire."

The map shifted back to Ararrh.

"This is the last Spacebridge in this quadrant, and it leads directly to the area known as the Four Rifts, or the Fiorr Veej to the Byotai. This collapsed supernova is the home to routes throughout the Empire; as well directly back to Helios Prime. It is a crossroads, and it cannot be allowed to fall into the Star Empire's hands."

Another Spacebridge flashed on the display. This one was at the opposite end of the model and orbiting half an astronomical unit from the star.

"But there's a problem."

Multiple small groups of red triangles popped up, many of them mixed in amongst the hundreds of fleeing ships.

"There are looted spacecraft from a dozen different systems, and it looks like they are being crewed by Byotai revolutionaries. What we do know is that more than half are flying the colours of the Nozu-Kuba People's Militia. They are civilians out for blood and have already attacked a number of Byotai vessels. Based on their positions, they are maintaining a partial blockade. Some ships are making it out, but just as many are being forced back."

Nate spotted one of the bridge officers pointing towards the shape of the station.

"Yes," said Captain Cornwallis, "That's the key to the System. At the same time as the evacuation, a group of large passenger transports moved in around the station."

While the mapping imagery stayed the same, the model of the station increased in size to show much more detail of the vast military structure.

"Based on the damage sustained, and the broken messages coming from the area, it's clear that this so-called Nozu-Kuba People's Militia is planning on seizing the station. It would appear there are already militia on the facility, and Prince Kratha estimates no more than a platoon of Byotai soldiers and volunteers remain on board."

Lieutenant Commander Holder lifted her arm slightly above her right shoulder to get the Captain's attention.

"Captain, what exactly are their motivations in this area? It looks like they are letting some ships leave. Are they trying to take control of the Ararrh System, or are they just trying to disrupt the evacuation?"

The senior officer nodded as he answered.

"That's a good question. You're correct about the ships. It seems they are letting some ships leave, but others are either attacked or boarded. Intelligence believes they are searching ships and taking anybody of use to their regime. Only the sick, wounded, and aged are being allowed to leave. Those that refuse to cooperate are being hit, and hit hard."

He pointed back to the station.

"A number of loyalists have retreated to the military base and are fighting to hold onto it alongside the Imperial Soldiers. Prince Kratha has made contact with those left and obtained information on the current position."

His expression looked much more serious.

"It's not good. The platforms have been booby-trapped, and they’ve set up a series of bastions inside. Their commander will not surrender, but it seems they have only a few hours to go. Soon it will be overrun, and according to Prince Kratha, any survivors sent back as traitors or killed."

He waited, perhaps uncertain as to whether say the next part.

"Their leader has rigged the station’s powerplants to detonate if their last barricades are breached. They will destroy the station, the Cortex, and the stored ammunition in a single blast."

That sent a chill through the group that lasted a number of seconds. With the station gone, there was nothing of value left in the System other than the two Spacebridges. Colonel Marsden, one of the bridge officers, pointed to the model.

"So, they leave us in the Alliance the burden of looking after the weak and sick, while taking the strong to join their own units. It's a smart move. And once they have the military facility, they will be able to put a stranglehold on this route to the Alliance and the rest of the quadrant."

"True," said Captain Cornwallis, "And that's why the Admiral and our captains, with the assistance of Prince Kratha, have formulated Operation Hellfire. A concerted plan to secure the critical Fiorr Veej territory and to help the civilian evacuation of the Ararrh System."

Another Naval officer, this time wearing the insignia of the science team caught the Captains' attention.

"And what of the Ararrh System? Are we going to hold it on behalf of the Byotai?" The man looked to his comrades and lifted his arms up in mock resignation, "Is this even something we can do with fifteen ships?"

Captain Cornwallis smiled.

"We will hold it if possible, and if not, we will ensure the destruction of the Byotai military facility and deny its use to the enemy."

Hawkins immediately lifted his hand and asked a question that must have been on many of their minds.

"Sir. Is the Star Empire now officially an enemy of the Alliance?"

Multiple heads turned around to look at him, several feigning mock surprise or horror at such a dull and obvious question.

"No, the Ensign is right to ask. It's a legitimate and important question," said Captain Cornwallis.

Even as he spoke, his eyes seemed to burn directly into Hawkins.

"We are not at war with anybody at present, but we are still part of an economic and military Alliance with the Byotai Empire. We have full, legal authority to operate inside Byotai space to protect Imperial assets and citizens."

Ensign Hawkins tilted his head, clearly a little confused.

"So...we can fight anybody that attacks the Byotai, and that includes the Star Empire?"

The Captain's eyebrows twitched.

"If they attack Byotai loyalists, yes. You've seen the ROE. Make sure they are adhered to."

He then pointed to the large, colourful projected model.

"The first phase of Operation Hellfire does not involve us. The Helions will enter from Fiorr Veej. They will be flying Alliance colours and demand the withdrawal of the enemy."

He said the words with a tone, looking to Ensign Hawkins as he said it.

"They will not leave, and once they engage the Helions, the fleet with move through the other side and hit them in a pincer movement."

Nate looked to Hawkins and grinned. He spoke as quietly as he could.

"This is going to be legendary."

Ensign Hawkins shook his head and looked back at the tactical plan.

"It's a battle, Nate, nothing more."

It took another five minutes of explanation before the Captain reached the part everybody in the room was waiting for, their own role.

"Now, with all of this going on, you might wonder about our part?"

A murmur of agreement easily answered his question.

"Our job is the station, and with it perhaps the single most significant part of the mission."

Nate couldn't stop himself, and from his lips came a sigh of pure excitement. Several of the other officers looked back at him, and he quickly lowered his head, trying to fade away into the background.

"You're as bad as Billy sometimes, you know that?" said Ensign Hawkins.

Nate barely heard him. All that was on his mind was the operation.

Ships from multiple regions converging here for a single major battle,
the Battle of Ararrh, and we will be part of it!

"Relentless has a single primary objective. No matter what happens, we must penetrate the blockade at the military space station and gain access to the communications Cortex. To do this we will need to take at least partial control of the station using ground forces. We will either reinforce the defences, or deny use of the station to the enemy, depending on their strength."