SS Antarctica
Draconis IX
February 26, 2500
1839 Hours
The entire Alpha Wing of the UPL Fleet emerged from hyperspace near Draconis IX. The capital ships along with their Valkyrie frigates and science vessels approached the planet. It was like a predator closing in for the kill.
The Antarctica hovered in front of the rest of the fleet. On the bridge, a rather pudgy, balding man with a gray colored beard sat in the command chair. He watched intently at the other ships in the planet’s orbit.
“Ensign Mauher, is that fleet UPL?” spoke McPhereson.
The skinny Ensign looked up from his seat. “They don’t have the UPL markings, and the ships are in prime condition, ready for battle. Want me to open a channel?”
“Do it,” replied the Admiral.
Mauher tapped a few buttons and the view screen popped up with an officer in a blue and black uniform. “This is Admiral Stern to UPL ships. You are in a neutral zone. This colony is under the protection of the ACP. Turn back now or suffer the consequences.”
McPhereson’s face remained cold and lifeless. He then spoke in a demanding tone to the ACP admiral. “I am Fleet Admiral McPhereson of Alpha Wing, UPL. We are here to investigate possible treason on the part of Draconis IX. The announcement of the ACP as neutral in this war has not been stated, and therefore you are to be considered an enemy for aiding traitors. Disperse your fleet now and I will forget we met.”
Admiral Stern raised an eyebrow, simply ignoring what McPhereson had said. “No,” he said without emotion.
***
McPhereson shrugged. “Give us a moment to consider our options.” He clicked off the channel. He then turned to Ensign Mauher. “Signal our fleet for a preemptive assault. Kill them all.”
“But sir—”
“Do it. Tell Colonel Henrikson to prepare his troops. Warn him the ACP will more than likely have forces on planet.”
“Yes sir!”
“Knight Squadron, fall into Delta Formation. Prepare for atmospheric entry,” announced Michael Smith over the squadron comm. The ten CF/A-17 Wraiths came together forming a somewhat odd triangle. They all flew as one into Draconis IX’s atmosphere.
Michael’s fighter rumbled greatly as gravity began to take control of the craft. The cockpit’s temperature rose several degrees due to the heat of reentry. He fought constantly to keep control of the joystick… or else he would veer off of course and break formation.
The clouds cleared and it turned into dawn. It was as beautiful as Earth on a clear, non-polluted day. However, once Knight Squadron commenced bombing of Corinth, the sky would be filled with smoke and gunfire. It was going to be a sad day for the UPL colony.
“All right, listen up! We’ll start from the east side of the city and head towards the City Hall. Once the buildings have been eradicated, we’ll continue west. Objections?” Michael waited, but there was no response. “Then forever hold your peace.”
Knight squadron broke formation, but stayed in the general area. Small round objects fell from the Wraiths’ warhead bays. They impacted creating explosions twice the size of a scorpion torpedo. Michael aimed for a building directly below him, the image popping up on his virtual view screen. He pressed the secondary fire, sending out two more warheads of destruction. They fell, picking up speed as they went. The first hit its mark obliterating the top of the building, he watched in horror as people, or pieces of them, flew from atop the ruined structure and plummeted to the ground. The second missed the building and fell further until it impacted upon the asphalt. A giant crater was formed, filled with parts of vehicles and the corpses of civilians.
A pair of Hellfire missiles zoomed by, barely missing the craft. He corkscrewed and brought his fighter down low and flew towards the source. A Goliath rounded the corner, its autocannons blazing. The high-velocity projectiles ripped up, but did not penetrate, the wraith’s outer armor. The Captain fired his only weapon, the burst cannon, since his Gemini payload had been taken away in favor of bomb space. The high-energy lasers burned up the outer armor of the goliath’s cockpit, but did not go through. Michael pulled up just as two more Hellfires were spit from the goliath.
Michael Smith brought his fighter around and aligned himself for a strafing run. The goliath again let loose with its autocannons. He managed to avoid a good bit of fire, but his armor was continuously being ripped off. When his wraith was just above the walker he triggered a bomb. The explosive pod fell from the fighter and exploded upon contact with the goliath sentry. Nothing but a charred crater remained.
There was no time for celebration as three Geminis streamed by Michael’s wraith. He switched the virtual view screen to his rear to discover at least six or seven fighters closing in. “Knight Squadron, I have confirmed six boogies approaching from the east. Engage cloak.”
“Roger that Knight Leader.”
Michael pressed the small blue button on his command panel, and the blue light above it lit up, flooding the cockpit with an azure glow. The ship now engaged a device that bent light around the craft, rendering it from view. He began to maneuver to engage a fighter when klaxons went off signaling he had just been locked on by another wraith. “Shit.”
He dove for the closest building, pulling up at the last minute. His pursuing missiles exploded on the building. “Knight Squadron, they have detection, I repeat, they have detection.” A second after he completed his sentence a giant black object appeared from the clouds. It was science vessel, on that would compromise the mission. A squadron of fighters accompanied it. “Knight Squadron, concentrate fire on that science vessel!”
“Damn! That’s an ACP vessel. I don’t think we’re dealing with stupid militia here,” spoke Lieutenant Sarah Johnson over the squad comm.
Michael climbed vertically next to the vessel. He released several bombs at an angle so that they hit the ship. They exploded sure enough, some missing, but enough to cause heavy damage. He let loose his burst cannon and any antenna he saw. By zigzagging constantly any enemy missiles that were fired would hit the science vessel.
When the vessel was about to take its last hit, another one appeared from the clouds. Three Valkyries and at least two squadrons of fighters accompanied this one. It was a lost battle.
“This is Knight Leader to all Knights. Abort mission. I want you to return to the Tigershark, no objections. You will not be reprimanded for following the orders of your superior.” Michael watched as his fighters broke away and flew out into space, two of them being blasted to pieces as they went. Michael veered off and dived back towards the city, the opposite direction of his squadron. He noticed a UPL fighter following him. “Sarah, I told you to head back to the Tigershark.”
“What are you doing? A strafe at city hall… dying in the process? Martyrdom isn’t worth it you know.” Her voice sounded worried.
“That is not my intention.”
“Oh, you’re such a good pilot you’ll survive without a scratch.”
“Listen, during our travel here, my eyes were opened to something. I don’t believe it myself… but ever since I’ve been here I’ve felt it. It makes so much sense.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Are you sure you’re on the right side Sarah?”
“I’m on your side.”
“Then so be it.” Michael pressed a couple buttons and opened a new channel. “This is Captain Michael Smith of Knight Squadron, UPL. My wingman and I hereby surrender ourselves to your forces.”
***
Parker watched as the last of his platoon exited the dropships. His request for additional artillery had been approved, and he now had enough firepower to siege Corinth. The Colonel had also informed him that Knight Squadron would be available for an air strike, since they were already on planet.
Parker walked to the edge of the ramp and stared off into the city walls. Less than five years ago he was heading a company of militia here. He realized he would more than likely be killing people he knew, and it pained him to do it.
Parker paced himself over towards Lieutenant Davidson, who was piecing together his C-10 Canister rifle. “Lieutenant, I’d like you to take command of this platoon until I get back.”
Davidson looked up, then set his rifle down. “I’m not sure what you mean by that,” he said.
“I’ve got a little business to take care of on Antarctica. I want you to direct our forces while we begin the siege of the city.”
“Sergeant, sir… I’m a ghost. I work best alone using stealth. Commanding an army is not what I do.” Davidson picked up his rifle and slung it on his back.
“I’m not asking you to command an army, just a platoon. It is quite simple… analyze their defenses, and tell the troops what to do.”
Davidson hesitated, but then replied. “I’m not trained in military tactics.”
“Okay okay. Better yet, do not siege the city yet. Wait until I come back. If it’s not within an hour, then I want you to withdraw.”
“Right.”
Parker turned and headed back up the ramp of the dropship he had just left, which was already beginning to fire up its engines. He quickly ran through the empty bay and into the cockpit. The pilot was surprised.
“Take us to the Antarctica,” said Parker.
“Sir…?”
“Just do it!” Parker took a seat in the chair that was meant for a co-pilot, but on a simple drop they aren’t necessary. He buckled his harness as the ship fired up its thrusters and lifted off the ground. The ship lifted higher and higher until it was in the clouds.
The pilot locked the ship in autopilot and sent its authorization codes to the Antarctica. He turned and looked at Parker. “What is the meaning of this? My orders were to drop your platoon off and then return to the Tigershark.”
“Change of plans. After I get off this ship when we land in the hanger bay, you may return to your command ship.”
“Yessir,” said the Warrant Officer as the ship piloted itself through the vacuum shield and set itself down in the hanger of the Antarctica. Parker left his seat and went into the cargo bay. He took off his battle armor, and put on his regular uniform. He strapped a Colt Python loaded with .357 magnum rounds to his right thigh, and then he exited the dropship.
Parker walked hastily past the sentries that guarded the exit corridor. He ran down as fast as he could, ignoring the people watching. Entering the elevator, he mashed the button that sent the elevator to Deck 1, which contained the bridge.
Sergeant Parker pressed the button and the doors to the bridge swished open. There in the center of the chamber stood Admiral McPhereson. He walked up towards him and the man turned around. “McPhereson…”
“What are you doing here…” he looked at Parker’s insignia on his uniform. “…Sergeant?”
Parker said nothing and quickly pulled his Colt Python from his holster. He aimed directly at the Admiral’s head. In less than three seconds, the seven fully armed and armored marines in the bridge surrounded Parker and had their rifles pointed at him.
“What is the meaning of this Sergeant!?”
“Shutup!” Parker looked around the bridge and announced to everyone: “This man isn’t human. He is infested with Zerg!”
Fleet Admiral McPhereson stiffened. “Nonsense. Guards, kill him.” They all hesitated.
Parker straightened his arm holding the magnum. “I can prove it to you. Just watch.” He pulled the trigger and loud bang of the .357 round filled the small room. The bullet sped straightforward and punched through McPhereson’s skull just above the eyes. It exited at the back of his head taking pieces of his brain with it.
Parker expected the marines to fire upon him, but they remained still. They were all staring at the dead Admiral… that was alive. McPhereson was standing straight and still, a smile formed on his face. Zergish tendrils creeped from his gaping wound and spread across his face… the marines discharged the rifles. The seven different gauss rifles turned the Admiral into a mess. His head was shattered, and then more fire decapitated what was left. The marines firing on his midsection caused him to be bisected. A bloody pulp was left.
***
The ACP marines shoved Michael and Sarah forward, pointing their rifles at the back of their heads. They were forced into a jeep, and only two of the marines climbed in after them. The vehicle’s engines started and they began to move down the road. Michael watched intently on the surroundings. There were ACP troops everywhere loading up the wounded and now homeless civilians into trucks to take them to relief camps. They passed by a woman crushed beneath a slab of concrete… it all made the pilot wish he had aborted the mission sooner.
The man in the passenger seat of the jeep in the front turned around to face the prisoners. “Good afternoon, Captain.” He smiled like an idiot. Michael noted his insignia was that of an ACP Major.
Michael attempted to scratch his head, the cuffs hindering him. “Who are you?”
“I am Major Williams, CO of this regiment.”
Michael looked up at the Major. “This may seem a bit odd… but could I see Governor Miller.”
The officer smiled broadly. “Why of course. That is where we’re heading. We’ve been expecting you”
Michael began to question, but decided to let it go. He relaxed then slouched in the rear seat of the jeep. He looked over to his wingman. Sarah simply shrugged, but he knew what she meant; what the hell are we doing?
Michael was sick of looking at the dead or wounded civilians they passed on the streets. He looked up into the sky; occasionally seeing bright flashes that indicated a cruiser in orbit went up in flames. This war shouldn’t be happening.
The jeep pulled up in front of a large building, which Michael instantly identified as the capitol building. Several missile turrets had been constructed around it; goliath sentries patrolled the area, causing quakes when each massive foot pounded on the ground. Knight Squadron would have probably been repelled if they had made it this far.
The marines shoved Michael and Sarah out of the vehicle. They were marched up the long wide staircase leading into the building. As they neared the entrance, a lone marine came running up the stairs behind them in battered battle-armor. He approached the Major and saluted.
What is it Sergeant?” demanded the Williams.
“Sir! Permission to speak freely… sir!” the shaky enlisted marine said.
“Granted Sergeant.”
“We’re fucked sir! They’ve broken our defenses and are currently plowing their way through the city.”
Williams sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I thought Commander DuGalle and his Wing would be here by now.
“A commander has his own fleet?” interjected Sarah.
Williams turned his attention to the First Lieutenant. “He was commanding the militia on Omega Prime before the colony seceded. He defended with great skill against pirates and raiders, and then enlisted in the ACP when the colony fought valiantly against the UPL for independence. DuGalle just hasn’t had an official promotion yet.”
Sarah shrugged, satisfied with the answer.
The Sergeant looked agitated. “Sir! There is a battalion coming here from the north. Luckily, the attackers from the west were repelled.”
Major Williams shook his head disapprovingly. “Did you request air support?”
“Sir… all our wraiths are engaged with the UPL fighters.”
“Then pray DuGalle gets here before it’s too late.”
Michael watched as the soldier jogged away. If the commander they spoke of didn’t arrive like they said, then the UPL might actually take Corinth. Although they would more than likely be repelled as more ACP forces arrived, it would be a serious blow to their morale.
Michael and Sarah were escorted to holding cells in a small building next to the capitol. There they were told the Governor would see Michael in a couple hours. Gunshots, explosions, and screams of the dying relentlessly bombarded the ears of the pilots.
