Assault: The Globur Incursion Book 6, page 16
Tien nodded and consulted his link. “And what of TF14? Surely three task forces would give you an advantage?”
Medici felt a sigh escaping and immediately regretted it. “I’m not sure what you are proposing, Senator.”
Tien leaned forward, his politician’s smile giving him a malevolent air. “Why, Admiral, you are so focused on defense! You have lectured us about the need for bold action and taking the initiative. You seem to have the forces at your disposal to retake the Mongolia system. Why have you not suggested that?”
Medici found his hands balling into fists and willed them to straighten out. “Senator, the three task forces are the entirety of the Fleet’s combat assets at this time. We have no idea what is occurring on the planet Khan and even if we could take the system back, we may still lack the resources to suppress the Globur presence on Khan.”
Tien shook his head. “Now, it seems to me we heard some time ago that the Marines had built new planetary assault transports. You even reported that the Marines were training a new planetary assault division. Are you saying all that shipbuilding, recruiting, training, and equipment is not ready, not enough, even now?”
Medici shook his head. “Yes, Senator, the assault transports have been delivered. But the first planetary assault division is still in training. The situation on the planet is unknown. With this enemy, if we make even the slightest error, we can be sure we will pay a heavy price. An attempt to retake the Mongolia system will require virtually all our assets. If the attempt fails, it will leave the rim and the empire exposed. I would point out we still have no idea how large the Globur military forces actually are.”
Tien sat back, looking very smug. “So, you concede that taking the system back is possible and that you even have what you need. You are simply too cautious to act.” Tien shook his head convincingly, feigning disappointment. “What about the imperial citizens on Taht, in the Chard system? Isn’t the best way to defend the Chard system to attack the enemy in the Mongolia system?”
Medici shook his head. “Senator, attempting to assault a system is not something we have done in living memory. The enemy will see us coming and guess our purpose. Sending task forces out now, without the new quantum torpedoes, increases our disadvantage. We could fail. But even if we manage to prevail, our losses may be heavy. Heavy enough that we would still lose the Chard system if a second attack happened as quickly as in Mongolia. And it could be a month, or more, before we could field another task force.”
Tien just shrugged. “We have the ships to take the system back and the means to rescue millions of imperial citizens. This has never been the case before. We have given the Fleet what they have asked us for and still seen system after system lost. Now is the time to strike back and liberate the Mongolia system. Why would we delay? I move that the committee direct the Fleet to liberate the Mongolia system as soon as possible!”
Senator Alexander banged on the table in front of him. “Hear, hear!” The rest of Tien’s supporters joined in right away.
Senator Paasche allowed the senators their moment before speaking. “Grand Admiral Medici, to be clear—you have the means to assault the Mongolia system, but you do not recommend this course of action?”
“That is correct, Senator,” Medici replied in a voice completely devoid of emotion.
“It is unseemly for the oversight committee to give specific direction to the Fleet,” Paasche observed. “it would also violate the Fleet covenants that govern this committee and government as a whole.” Paasche sighed slightly. “However, the committee can pass a resolution expressing the wish of the committee and the Senate. Senator Tien, I would assume that is the intent of your motion?”
Tien smiled again. “It is,” he replied.
“A motion has been made,” observed Paasche. “The motion is that this committee resolves that the Fleet should liberate the Mongolia system as soon as possible.” Paasche paused. “Is there a second for the motion?”
Before Paasche finished asking, Senator Alexander shot his hand up. “I will second the motion.”
“Those for the motion?” Paasche asked.
The majority of the senators voted for the motion, and it was carried. Paasche looked apologetically at Medici. Technically the motion was a suggestion, but in reality, it was an edict that would be obeyed.
Now we have to throw everything we have been building at the enemy and hope for the best. Medici thought sourly. I’ll bet they won’t even let me wait for the quantum torpedoes to arrive.
Chapter 17
Sergeant Major Sanderson was feeling pleased with himself. The little talks he had with the platoon sergeants and shellacking the platoon commanders had gotten from James had paid off. The correct vernacular was called reading someone their horoscope. Telling them what the future held if they did not smarten up.
The platoon sergeants were sticking to the officers like glue on the net. Physically they were in different places, so they would not get hit by the same enemy fire simultaneously. But now, the lieutenants were listening and asking for advice on the command channel. After all, that was what it was for. Finally, they learned.
Now Alpha Company of the First Battalion of the First Marine Planetary Assault Division was looking a lot more businesslike. They had just executed an attack in a built-up area with lots of buildings and blind spots. It had gone like clockwork. Losses had been minimal. Even when Sanderson had sprung some surprises and small ambushes, the Marines had responded and pushed through.
The company passed through the exercise area that resembled a town. They assumed defensive positions on the edge of the town. Another lesson they had learned. Moving out into open ground would leave them exposed and open to attack.
Sanderson stood on top of the tallest thing in the town, an eleven-story building. It had been recorded as destroyed by an orbital strike called in by one of the platoon commanders. It gave Sanderson and the others a very good view of the assault. Their suit displays gave them real-time information on the entire company, but sometimes it was more gratifying to observe in person.
He felt a swell of pride, seeing the assault go with a precision that had eluded the company until recently. Sanderson was not alone on top of the building. His company commander, Captain James, stood next to him, along with the battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Sante and his battalion sergeant major, one Karen Oxblood.
Four of the greatest living veterans in the Marine Corps watched Alpha Company run through the exercise. Every Marine on the ground knew who was watching, and they rose to the challenge. Sanderson keyed the company channel so he could talk to every Marine in Alpha Company. “Well, people, that did not totally suck!” he growled in his best sergeant-major manner.
The channel filled with laughter and jeers from the company.
“That was a very adequate assault,” Sanderson continued in his lavish praise. “It may be that you are Marines, after all, worthy to serve in my Corps.” Sanderson felt a huge smile spread across his face as he listened to the cacophony of yells and curses come back over the channel.
“You are worthy Marines,” confirmed Sanderson, his voice blanking out all others. “Welcome to the Alpha Company, First Battalion, First Marine Planetary Assault Division. The Blue Meanies!”
Sanderson felt his smile grow wider as he activated the command he had embedded in every suit in the company. He glanced left and saw the amorphous blue form with the snarling razor white teeth appear on the chest of his company commander’s suit.
Laughter filled the channel, and Sanderson was almost sure he heard Sergeant Major Oxblood and Lieutenant Colonel Sante laughing as well. They are not exactly ready, but they are definitely mine, though Sanderson with pride.
“That was an excellent company assault, Captain James. My compliments,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sante, using a private channel only the four of them could hear. “Aggression, precision, and speed. They thought on their feet. Well done.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied James. “They all came to us green. We had to work hard to get them to understand that the Globur are a cunning enemy. They get a suit and think they are indestructible. I couldn’t have done it without Sergeant Major Sanderson.”
“Been a while, Sanderson,” said Sante.
“Yeah, that’s the truth,” replied Sanderson. “We’ve seen a lot of action since the contact planet. Survived a lot. The Markus Nebula was some hairy stuff, but we came back. Oxblood saved my ass out there. These Marines, they don’t understand just what we face, but we’re making them ready.”
“Well, Sanderson, you made out alright,” said Oxblood. “Got my old slot and turning out some good Marines. We need more like you. You fought like a man possessed on Valkyrie at the Markus Nebula.”
“It was just like Ozu,” said Sante thoughtfully. “Except with the lights on. Fighting to survive in that old hulk, we barely made it out of that one either. At least at the Markus Nebula, the ships had working internal scanners, and we were able to cycle the gravity to keep the enemy off balance a bit.” Sante faced James. “Are you ever going to tell us what this Blue Meanie stuff is really all about?”
James let out a bark of laughter. “I told you, it’s Sanderson. There are dozens of references in system databases, but he won’t cough it up.”
“Sorry about that,” Sanderson interjected, almost sounding apologetic. “Inside joke mostly, but it does lend a certain pride to the unit.”
“Great,” replied Sante in a voice that let Sanderson hear his eyes rolling. “Do you have any idea how many times I get asked about that? And how do you get the image to appear on the armor? Some of the companies are doing the same thing—Delta Dogs and so on.”
“Shameless imitators,” replied Sanderson with disdain.
“Well, based on what I have seen here today, maybe the battalion is ready,” Sante said in a tone much more businesslike.”
“That sounds a bit ominous, sir,” replied James.
“It might be,” admitted Sante. “Orders came down though the division commander from General Pullman just over an hour ago. The entire division is now on 48 hours’ notice to move. You better give your people some time. It looks like we’re deploying. Official orders will be to you within the hour.”
“A planetary assault?” asked Sanderson. “That’s risky. We aren’t even done with the training cycle—the shortened training cycle we laid out.”
“It has to be the Mongolia system,” said James. “Khan—an assault on Khan.”
“The target is classified,” replied Sante. “We will be briefed once we’re underway. I would like to have more time, but we have our orders. All training is canceled. We wait for the word. Give the Marines some time off. But try to keep them at the Fleet yards. There have been too many incidents with civilians on Albion Prime.
“You know that stuff was not my fault,” said Sanderson, faking sincerity.
Oxblood chuckled. “That stuff is never your fault, Sanderson. Besides, it seems that the civilians, at least some, are offended by our augmentation. Some actually believe that People for Peace bullshit.”
“We do what we have to in order to survive and to save their sorry asses,” Sanderson said bitterly. “Maybe someone should knock that into their skulls. Everyone in the Fleet has made a personal sacrifice to get augmented, and they look at us like some sort of freaks.”
“That is the beauty of a volunteer Marine Corps and Fleet, Sanderson,” replied Oxblood, amused at the outburst. “We are here to defend the right of the citizens in a democracy, not to practice those rights. Make sure your Marines are ready. We don’t need any heroes out there.”
“You got it,” replied Sanderson. “I come back. We all keep coming back. We’re survivors. No heroes here.”
“Well said, Sanderson. Always,” Sante shot back.
James lit up the company channel. “Marines! Prepare for pickup! We are headed back to base. Stow your suits and muster in 90 minutes.” She killed the company channel. “The Blue Meanies will be standing by, sir. Let’s hope the call to mobilize doesn’t come too soon.”
“I feel like we have a short fuse on this one,” replied Sante.
“Yeah,” Oxblood chimed in. “Lots of fur flying at Fleet headquarters. Everything points to a major mobilization. Those two task forces still don’t have all their ships commissioned. We aren’t the only ones being forced to move quickly.”
Shuttles were settling over Alpha Company and pulling the Marines up into their bays. It was time to go.
“Stand by for orders, Captain James.”
James shot back an, “Aye, sir.”
Sante turned and jumped off the roof, quickly followed by Oxblood. Their gravity fields slowed them, so they hit the ground with a soft thump. They jogged off the exercise range with the practiced ease of veterans with a lot of suit time.
***
The laboratory in the Fleet yard buzzed with excitement. The return of TF15 had brought them a lot more material to examine and analyze. Before, they only had pieces of some Globur corpses and the generic reconstruction that was done by the AI. They had been very careful with all the specimens and samples. Their rarity made them precious.
Mick Papaganis scanned the hive of activity that had been a very quiet lab with hushed conversations only a few weeks ago. The science team had returned from the Markus Nebula. Now they had complete Globur corpses, fluids, and even weapons to examine.
The science team had also brought back actual chucks of Globur warship hulls. And even some materials from inside the Globur ships.
The lab buzzed around Papaganis. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, refocusing on his console/computer/holodisplay and the report he was preparing.
Papaganis had spent many hours poring over the recordings Fleet ships made of the aliens breaching their hulls and then invading the ships. At first, it seemed like the Globur had a hive mentality, but he came to understand that they were all individuals of a highly collaborative and cooperative species. They were also very aggressive. It did not seem they had any aggression toward each other, but they did act quickly on whatever they decided to do.
The part that really fascinated Papaganis was that the aggression seemed based on a certain critical mass of numbers. During the fighting onboard ships in the Markus Nebula and in the Mongolia system during the first offensive, aggression seemed to fall off when the number of Globur dropped below about 30 or so in a single group. From the recordings, it seemed that even if there were many small groups that all totaled more than 30 overall, that the Globur individually were less aggressive. The Marines fighting them would probably disagree since less aggressive was a relative term, but the effect was scientifically observable.
Papaganis was finding similar results with every ship where scans were available. There were cases where Globur waited in ambush inside compartments or other spaces rather than launching into attack as soon as humans were near. It was odd behavior.
Every bench in the lab was busy, with scientists crowded around their work. Papaganis had to balance his time between being the head of the lab and doing his own work. He hated being in charge of other people, especially scientists who had more time to conduct experiments than he did.
He saw Lilly Veranze hunched over a hull fragment. It was a small piece obviously cut from a larger sample. She had a high voltage probe and was testing the material. Papaganis saved his work, stretched, and made his way over to her work area. Almost all the others in the lab were physicists or engineers. Lilly was a xenobotanist, but her insights into Globur technology had been important as their technology was part biological and, as Lilly had found out, very similar to some types of plants.
Lilly pulled the probe back from the sample. A high voltage arc formed, producing a loud snap, which made her jump a little. She looked up to Papaganis as he approached.
“I was right!” she exclaimed. “The Globur hull material is very similar to the armored suits they wear. It’s a remarkably tough substance, but it’s also highly dielectric. It doesn’t conduct electricity well at all, but it does conduct heat very well. The material actually radiates heat into space like a heat sink.”
Papaganis cocked an eyebrow. “The material is much less susceptible to lasers, then. That’s why the Fleet has difficulty inflicting serious damage on the Globur ships?”
Lilly nodded emphatically. “It’s not designed to defend against lasers, but it is very effective against them. The hull is made of this substance that quickly wicks away heat and radiates it back into the vacuum. That makes it effective against the heat generated by their own electron beams. The material is also an excellent insulator, so it won’t conduct an electric charge.”
“Our ships are highly conductive,” observed Papaganis. “The hulls, decks, everything. That’s why their beams are so devastating on our ships.”
“Globur ship power systems are very different from ours. There is power in the ship, and there are powerplants, but there are no power conduits or lines as we know them. Power is moved through the substrate of the hull material, but the material is so highly resistant to stray electrons that a Globur beam striking it is mostly dissipated.”
“So… It seems that the resistance to our lasers and the effectiveness of their beams against our shields and ships is only a coincidence? A result of their technology and not a purpose-built defense against the lasers, then?
“Exactly,” replied Lilly.
Papaganis mulled over the information. “They still have superior hull material and shields. Does the hull self-repair like the suits?”
“The hull is layered,” replied Lilly, pointing to a curious pattern on the cut side of the sample. “The suits have a simple repair function. The hull material has a more robust version. There are multiple layers that immediately begin growing new material when there is damage. Hull repair is automatic and looks to be fairly quick. It’s the same way most plants heal.”
