Assault: The Globur Incursion Book 6, page 18
Vice Admiral Stukov killed the connection, and the holopresences of the two rear admirals at Gateway vanished. He looked out the viewport, drawing a deep breath. The brightest twinkling stars he could see were all the ships assembled for their assault on the Mongolia system.
Two task forces, each with 16 ships and the 16 Marine planetary assault transports. When they arrive at the Mongolia system, there will be 32 of our best warships, followed by those 16 Marine transports, Stukov thought. The 3 carriers can launch 24 squadrons. I wish we could have upgraded Rear Admiral Brown’s flagship Wallachia. It’s older, and can only launch 6 instead of nine. I hope it will be enough. It’s all we have, and we’re risking it all for political expediency.
Chapter 19
John Forest was not sure if he was more frustrated or angry. He had weekly sessions with the base head doctor. He had a title, but John had grown to dislike the man. His incessant probing and cajoling around John’s memory just reminded him of what he had lost.
I feel like half a person when I’m in here, John thought bitterly as he tried to relax in the chair. The most infuriating thing about Doctor Changsu was that he was immovably serene. He never seemed to show any emotion, and he was incredibly tenacious when questioning John.
Doctor Changsu’s demeanor was very relaxed as he and John sat in comfortable chairs that were slightly offset from each other. John was not exactly calm.
“Let’s go over this again, John,” Changsu started in his silky voice. “You are obviously a very gifted pilot, and you operate the heavy fighters here intuitively. Your service record shows you have logged a lot of hours, particularly in heavy fighters. These are familiar to you. Now think about the recent flights to test the quantum torpedo. It felt familiar?”
John took a deep breath and let it out. The base commander had personally let him know that these twice-weekly sessions were not optional and that his cooperation was expected. “Look, Doc, you know it felt familiar. I’ve been testing the quantum torpedoes incessantly, under all different conditions. I’ve flown dozens of mock missions. How could it not feel familiar?”
Changsu seemed satisfied, as if hearing the answer for the first time, which was far from the reality of the situation. “You must grab that memory, John, like an anchor and try to push your memory to the past. Do you see—remember—yourself operating a heavy fighter? You launched three quantum torpedoes at the Markus Nebula. Do you remember?”
John was already nodding, waiting for Changsu to finish the questions. “Yeah, I remember operating a heavy fighter. I remember being in combat. I remember the stims and the adrenaline. I remember fighters winking out like cinders in the dark as we went in for an attack. I remember a lot of general things, but nothing specific. I can jump in any craft here and pilot it just fine. I remember parts of flight training, too. I just do not remember anything specific.”
“Such as?” asked Changsu.
“Doc, we’ve been over this,” replied John, frustration thick in his voice.
“Indulge me, John,” Changsu replied airily.
“OK, Doc.” John grimaced and sighed. “I can’t remember things like what carrier I served on, who the battles were against, or even where I was based. Of course, this place is quite memorable,” John finished, rolling his eyes, hoping to get a rise out of Doctor Changsu. He paused, but it did not work. He continued, “I can’t remember going to the Markus Nebula. I can’t remember any names of anyone I served with. I don’t even remember much about my childhood, only flashes here and there. If someone didn’t tell me my name when I woke up, I wouldn’t even know that.”
“But you do remember how to use the equipment here at the base. You do understand how the Fleet runs. And you seem to have a very good grasp on your augmentation,” Chang observed, still unruffled.
“My augmentation? What do you mean by that?” demanded John.
“John, the augmentation, Project Armet, is still fairly new. The first person to be augmented was Lieutenant Commander Zenke, only just under two years ago, and then the project went forward for all Fleet personnel. As we move forward, new capabilities, new tweaks, are being discovered by users. It was only on a debrief that we learned that you use your augmentation in a different way than other pilots. For instance, you use the AI in the augmentation to give you a full view of the space around you, fully integrating the scanners and other instruments of the fighter.”
“That’s how I pilot, personal preference. Everyone has preferences,” replied John, bored and frustrated with the conversation that seemed to be unfolding like every other conversation had. “Besides, I am the only fighter pilot at this facility. It is not like I have been able to chew the fat with any other pilot since I got out of medical. The way I pilot just seems – right – natural.”
“Exactly, that is how you pilot. No other pilot was even aware that what you are doing was possible. Reports from the Fleet show that other pilots are simply using their link to pilot the fighter and relying on the virtual environment provided by the fighter to replicate the cockpit as a baseline that they customize.” Changsu gave one of his small, strained smiles. “Your level of sophistication with the augmentation is remarkable, considering you have only been augmented just shy of a year.”
“So, what, Doc?” John spat out. “I just do what I know how to do. And don’t ask me where I learned it or how I picked it up because I simply don’t know. I cannot remember.”
“It’s a shame that the AI in your augmentation was destroyed when you were wounded,” Changsu lamented. “Memories are such tricky things. These sessions are to help you try to recover some memories, John. I know it’s frustrating, but we must keep trying. We must help you rediscover these lost memories and that part of yourself.”
“Yeah, Doc, I know. It just seems like such a waste of time. We haven’t had much success,” replied John, grumpy now.
“On the contrary, John,” Changsu continued smoothly, “we’ve had some interesting discoveries, such as how you see things. People, places, even equipment, and you get the impression that they are somehow wrong.”
“So? I still don’t know what that means,” replied John, shrugging. “I’ve been cooped up here since I left the Albion system. Flying these missions for experimental weapons and upgrades is great, but I’d really like to get back into the action at the front.”
“We’ve discussed this,” Changsu replied. “Your service record is clear: you haven’t actually been in combat before, other than the Markus Nebula, and that was by chance.”
“You say my memories or flashes of being in combat are from the Markus Nebula, but I get that impression of wrongness when you say that. I really feel that I’ve been on the front line, and I need to get back to it. I can’t explain it. It’s not a memory. It’s a feeling!”
Changsu nodded. “Your memories are very jumbled. Your ability to form new memories is unimpaired, but your retrograde amnesia compounded with or caused by the trauma to your head, you don’t recall much before your injury. And those memories are not reliable. They lack a sense of time, place, and context.”
“I didn’t imagine all this stuff, Doc,” replied John, frowning. “These sessions just feel like they are going nowhere.”
“These sessions are for your recovery and mental wellbeing, John. Many are concerned for you, including some rather senior people in the Fleet.”
“Right, Doc. Hero of the Markus Nebula and all that. I’m just not seeing how I’m doing any good here. Especially when I see the reports coming in. Fighter losses are high. They always have been. They need good pilots, and, as you say, I am good.” John sighed. “Maybe check again on a transfer for me?”
“I can do that, John,” replied Changsu placidly. “But don’t forget your work here. You helped develop those weapons by testing them, and the final test at the Markus Nebula turned out to be the timeliest of interventions. Every one of the survivors of TF15 owes you their lives, and the empire owes you the greatest victory of the conflict with the Globur. But you’ve also helped by showing us new and better ways to use the augmentation, even if you don’t understand how you do it.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, Doc,” replied John relaxing a bit. “But I’m serious about the transfer. The quantum torpedoes are in production, and Doctor Umgabe thinks it’ll be a while before he can re-manufacture the other weapons on the fighter.”
John frowned as he thought. “It’s a damn shame we had the only prototypes, and they were mounted on that fighter. Doctor Umgabe seems so much more methodical than that. He’s a careful man. There was the time pressure to field the new weapons, though. Then again, who knew that we would end up being in a battle?”
“Please do remember to get your medical scan, John,” Changsu said as they wrapped up their session. “I know you think it’s a waste of time, but the brain can repair itself, and there’s still hope that your memories can be retrieved.”
“OK, Doc, OK,” yielded John. “You miss one appointment, and everyone is on your ass. “Do you have any idea how many people have reminded me to go?”
“I’m sure I won’t be the last,” pointed out Changsu. “In a few days then, John,” he said as he stood, indicating the session was over.”
John rose as well. “OK, Doc. It’s not like I have a choice. Nothing personal, but I really don’t like talking about the big holes in my memory.”
“That’s completely understandable,” replied Changsu, with another one of his tiny, forced smiles. “But our work must continue.”
John shrugged and walked out of the hatch. The truth was he did not really like Changsu, and he hated being poked and prodded physically and mentally twice a week. He did like his present work well enough, and he was proud of the work he had been part of to get the quantum torpedoes into production, but he knew he could do more.
John was deep in thought as the facility AI allowed him access through to the most classified parts of the base. He arrived at Doctor Umgabe’s lab to see the doctor once again poring over his wrecked fighter. He looked up when John arrived.
Umgabe smiled. “John, you will be happy to know that the analysis of the final tests on the quantum torpedoes is complete, and they are being loaded for shipment now. Soon these weapons will be available to the Fleet. Perhaps they may use them in their next operation.”
“Listen, Doc,” John began, “I know we’re doing some good work here, but this is starting to look like a multiyear sort of thing. When can I get out of here and into the fight? There are lots of pilots who could come here and help with testing.”
Umgabe frowned. “I had considered bringing at least one more pilot to the facility, since we will be increasing the tempo of our testing on various experimental systems. However, I don’t control the assignments of Fleet personnel. Perhaps you should speak to the base commander about this? Or his executive officer—is that the right person?”
“Come on, Doc,” John gently pleaded. “I know you have some pull in these things.”
“I’ll see what I can do, John,” replied Umgabe thoughtfully. “Now, I need your assistance with this.” Umgabe motioned at the wreckage that had been the fighter’s shield generator.
***
Vice Admiral Stukov was surprised by the report on John Forest. It was becoming apparent that he would not recover his memory. Not anytime soon, anyway. He was asking for a transfer to a task force carrier. His doctor actually thought that might jog his memory. Whether that something was useful or not was unclear.
The research facility was ramping up testing on advanced weapons and shields for the project. The facility commander had communicated to him that people were asking about leave, but Stukov knew that secrecy could only be maintained by keeping everyone at the facility. It would be a long time before that became a really big problem. The project staff knew they were there for the duration, and he could keep John Forest there almost indefinitely.
Stukov had enough problems to deal with as TF16 and TF17 prepared to depart. TF14 was ready and standing by at Gateway. With Gateway being much closer to the rim, TF14 would leave well after TF16 and TF17 had departed. A rendezvous had been set, along with the attack plan. A second long-range reconnaissance of the system had managed to get within five light-days, and the latest intel showed two battlegroups still in the system. One looked to be on overwatch on the periphery of the system. It was the one with the most ships. After the battle with TF13, the Globur battlegroups were no longer neatly even. The second battlegroup was in orbit around Khan.
Another development had meant that none of the ships leaving the Albion system was equipped with quantum torpedoes. There was a possibility that TF14 would be able to take some on board before they left to rendezvous with the main force. That was uncertain. Stukov had also made provision for a freighter to take the torpedoes directly to the Mongolia system. The freighter would check in at the last Fleet relay to make sure that the Mongolia system was in imperial hands before the final leg of their journey. It was the best he could do.
There had been no communication with the Khanians since the Globur had invaded the system. The reconnaissance corvette had listened but picked up no signals. Stukov wondered absently what the Marines would find when they landed on the planet. If they land on the planet. This is a hell of a gamble.
Stukov stood up and left his office, making the short walk to the grand admiral’s office. It had become something of a tradition for the grand admiral to give a farewell message to new task forces as they departed for the rim.
Stukov saw that General Pullman was already with Medici. It was the first major deployment of Marines in force other than the Marine Expeditionary Forces that formed part of the Fleet task forces. Now 16 planetary assault transports were packed with the First Marine Planetary Assault Division.
The large formation of the Fleet ships could clearly be seen from the Albion yards. They formed their own constellation. Grand Admiral Medici stared out of the viewport with General Pullman by his side. A holodisplay showed that the ships were all checking in just prior to getting underway.
As Stukov joined the pair at the viewport, Medici said, “Let’s hope this force doesn’t come back to us in the same condition as TF15 did.”
“Indeed, sir,” replied Stukov formally, feeling the gravity of the moment. “This mission will leave the rim bare if we fail.”
“My Marines will give them hell,” grunted Pullman. “We just need to get to Khan.”
“The Globur don’t seem to have deployed any more ships to the system to replace what TF13 destroyed,” Medici pointed out. “Once again, Rear Admiral Pang has given us a chance at victory. It was TF13 that took a toll in the Ming system, too, resulting in a smaller enemy force in the Markus Nebula. One we could defeat, giving us our greatest victory.”
The holodisplay updated. All ships signaled they were ready to get underway. Medici linked to the system and gave his silent permission for the forces to depart. The three officers watched as the three groups of ships began to accelerate toward the quantum limit, where they could safely transition to quantum drive outside the system star’s gravitational interference.
The three officers watched in silence. The departing ships represented every available effective warship in the Albion system.
All ships signaled they were standing by and prepared to stream the grand admiral’s message.
Medici cleared his throat and keyed his comm. He appeared on every holodisplay in the two task forces and the Marine assault group. The feed showed him flanked by Vice Admiral Stukov and General Pullman.
“Today, we see a completely new phase of our conflict with the aliens known as the Globur,” Medici began solemnly. “For years now, we have been falling back, losing systems to these aliens. We have adapted. We have built these new ships with more powerful weapons and shields. We have changed our tactical doctrine, and we have met and defeated the Globur. We have, twice, been able to defend systems under threat. Since the Markus Nebula, we have shown we can defeat this enemy. That was not without great cost and sacrifice.”
Medici paused and took a deep breath. “Over a billion imperial citizens have been lost in the systems taken from us by the Globur. Now, that changes. Task forces 16 and 17 and the First Marine Planetary Assault Division will be joined by TF14 in an assault on the Mongolia system. The purpose of this operation has also given it its name: Operation Liberation. The imperial government will no longer stand by and see systems lost with their citizens' fates unknown. Operation Liberation will assault the Mongolia system and destroy the Globur forces there in order to facilitate the planetary assault by the Marine forces. You are the sword of humanity, and you will not fail. It is time to take back what is ours.”
Medici killed his comm.
Pullman nodded. “A fine sendoff, sir,” he observed in his gravelly voice.
“It’s up to them now,” Stukov said as they watched the ships move into the flat disk formation in preparation for Qdrive.
Chapter 20
Rear Admiral Jones was glad to be back in space aboard his new ship. The familiar hum of activity surrounded him on Valkyrie’s flag bridge. Saving the carrier had made TF17 possible. The carrier originally slated for TF17 was still under construction and weeks away from being ready for fitting out. The transition to quantum space had gone flawlessly as they left the Albion system and headed for their rendezvous with TF14.
Jones was glad to be away from Albion, with all its receptions and dinners attended by a seemingly endless stream of government functionaries. Despite that, he was filled with trepidation and doubt about what lay ahead. Intelligence said that there were two Globur battlegroups in the Mongolia system, and they would surely see the attack coming.
With three task forces, they would have an advantage in ships and weapons, but the Globur would be able to intercept them at close range. Their electron beams were always devastating at close range.
