Blood War 1: Last Stand of the Legion: Rift, page 1
Contents
Title Page
PROLOGUE
FLEET DESTROYER LYRE
FLEET DESTROYER LYRE
DESTROYER LYRE
FLEET DESTROYER LYRE
PATROL AREA BRAVO
PATROL AREA BRAVO
PLANET GAXOLA II
SOL STANDARD 11/09
2000 HOURS
PATROL AREA BRAVO
GAXOLA II
PLANET REFINERY VF 48
SOL STANDARD 11/10
2100 HOURS
REFERENCE POINT 77.89.67 EASTINGS
SOL STANDARD 11/10
1330 HOURS
REFERENCE POINT 78.65.98 EASTINGS
SOL STANDARD 11/10
2100 HOURS
CHOEM SYSTEM
REFERENCE POINT 83.73.20 EASTINGS
SOL STANDARD 11/11
0130 HOURS
GAXOLA II
FLEET DESTROYER LYRE
SOL STANDARD 12/2
0131 HOURS
GAXOLA II
FLEET DESTROYER LYRE
SOL STANDARD 11/13
1520 HOURS
Twenty-Five Years Later
LYTEN SYSTEM
ASTROID M51
LISTENING POST ALPHA
INDI WORMOLE ENTRANCE
SOL STANDARD 12/07
1200 HOURS
POST UNIFICATION YEAR 94
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
HEADQUARTERS
OFFICE OF THE COMMANDER
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
PLEIADES FLEET COMMAND CENTER
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
INTELLIGENCE SECTION
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
YUTY CITY
CIVILIAN SPACE PORT
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
VON FLEET CORPORATION
RIFT MAIN OFFICE
LYTEN SYSTEM
PLANETOID D50
FORWARD OUTPOST CHARLIE
LYTEN SYSTEM
SWIFT BOAT TS 111
HEADING 153.429
PATROL SECTOR ALPHA
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
PLEIADES FLEET COMPLEX
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
FLEET ADMIRAL RAURK OFFICE
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
ONE HUNDRED FLOORS BELOW GROUND
EMERGENCY COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
SWIFT BOAT TS 111
PATROL SECTOR ALPHA
RIFT
PLEIADES FLEET COMPLEX
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
FLEET ADMIRAL RAURK OFFICE
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
HIGH ORBIT
PLEIADES FLEET ANCHORAGE
HARBORMASTERS CONTROL CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET ANCHORAGE
BATTLESHIP ROW
BATTLESHIP PHOENIX
BRIDGE
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
TUBE TRANSPORT CAR
ENROUTE
ARMORED INFANTRY BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
VON FLEET CORPORATION
VF 1
The VISIONARY
THE CHAIRMAN'S PERSONAL VESSEL
LYTEN SYSTEM
SWIFT BOAT TS 111
PATROL SECTOR ALPHA
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET ANCHORAGE
BATTLESHIP ROW
DESTROYER CAPELLA
BRIDGE
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
PLEIDADES FLEET ANCHORAGE
BATTLESHIP PEREUS
BRIDGE
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET ANCHORAGE
BATTLESHIP ROW
BATTLESHIP PHOENIX
BRIDGE/DAMAGE CONTROL
FLEET ANCHORAGE
ANCHORAGE CHANNEL
DESTROYER CAPELLA
BRIDGE
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
PLEIADES FLEET ANCHORAGE
HARBOR MASTERS CONTROL CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
EMERGENCY COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
HEADQUARTERS
ARMORY
LYTEN SYSTEM
D50
SWIFT BOAT TS 111
LYTEN SYSTEM
FLEET ANCHORAGE
BATTLESHIP PHOENIX,
LEGIONNAIRE HANGER DECK
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
EMERGENCY COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
AREA OF RIFT
DESTROYER CAPELLA
BRIDGE
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
K.V. BARICCO SPACE PORT
TERMINAL 7
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
ENROUTE TO FLEET HEADQUARTERS
COMMAND GROUP
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
FIVE KILOMETERS FROM DESTINATION
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
EMERGENCY COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
SPACE PORT
TERMINAL 7
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
AREA OF RIFT
DESTROYER CAPELLA
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
BRIGADE COMMAND POST
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
COMMAND GROUP
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET ANCHORAGE
BATTLESHIP ROW
BATTLESHIP PHOENIX
RIFT
K.V. BARICCO SPACE PORT
PARKING GARAGE 7
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
BRIGADE COMMAND POST
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
COMMAND GROUP
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
EMERGENCY COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
REFERENCE POINT 109.703
BATTLESHIP
COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
K.V. BARICCO SPACE PORT
PARKING GARAGE 7
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
AREA OF RIFT
DESTROYER CAPELLA
BRIDGE
LYTEN SYSTEM
SWIFT BOAT TS 111
HEADING 234.556
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
SIRIUS
BRIGADE COMMAND POST
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
COMMAND GROUP
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
SPACE PORT
PARKING GARAGE 7
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
AREA OF RIFT
DESTROYER CAPELLA
BRIDGE
LYTEN SYSTEM
REFERENCE POINT 244.123
BATTLESHIP PEREUS
PILOTS READY ROOM
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
SPACE PORT
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
REACT 1
WOLF BUILDING
LYTEN SYSTEM
REFERENCE POINT 233.490
BATTLESHIP PEREUS
COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
RIFT
SPACE PORT
ALAMO
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
REFERENCE POINT 212.553
SWIFT BOAT TS 111
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
SIRIUS
BRIGADE COMMAND POST
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
COMMAND GROUP
LYTEN SYSTEM
REFERENCE POINT 256.230
BATTLESHIP PEREUS
COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
RIFT
SPACE PORT
ALAMO
CHARLIE COMPANY
WARDOGS
2ND PLATOON
FIRETEAM 3
LYTEN SYSTEM
REFERENCE POINT 267.555
BATTLESHIP PEREUS
COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
SIRIUS
BRIGADE COMM
ARMORED EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE
COMMAND GROUP
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
REFERENCE POINT 267.555
LYTEN SYSTEM
RIFT
FLEET HEADQUARTERS
EMERGENCY COMBAT INFORMATION CENTER
CETI SYSTEM
MAPIYA
VON FLEET CORPORATION
VF 1
The VISIONARY
Nine Months Later
SOL SYSTEM
PLANET EARTH
SOL STANDARD 6/6
POST COLLAPSE YEAR 1095
OFFICE OF ADMIRAL OF THE NAVY
USICHE RAURK
SOL SYSTEM
EARTH
CITY STATE NEW YORK
CONFEDERATION NAVAL HEADQUARTERS
OFFICE OF ADMIRAL TAMARA LULE
SOL SYSTEM
EARTH
CITY STATE NEW YORK
CONFEDERATION NAVAL HEADQUARTERS
FLEET NAVAL HOSPITAL
SOL SYSTEM
EARTH
CITY STATE NEW YORK
CONFEDERATION NAVAL HEADQUARTERS
AXEC AIJUBA'S QUARTERS
SOL SYSTEM
EARTH
CITY STATE OF NEW YORK
CONFEDERATION NAVAL HEADQUARTERS
OFFICE OF ADMIRAL OF THE NAVY
USICHE RAURK
SOL SYSTEM
EARTH
CITY STATE OF NEW YORK
CONFEDERATION NAVAL ACADEMY
GRADUATION CEREMONY
LAST STAND OF THE LEGION
RIFT
BOOK ONE OF
THE BLOOD WAR SERIES
By
Rod Carstens
Rift
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.
Copyright 2014 by Roger C. Huder
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.
Cover art by Roger C. Huder
PROLOGUE
FLEET DESTROYER LYRE
CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
PATROL AREA BRAVO
SOL STANDARD 11/09
1200 HOURS
POST UNIFICATION YEAR 69
When you are in command there are times that require decisions you will live with for the rest of your life. Right or wrong, people will die and the outcome is in doubt. Captain Tamara Lule was faced with such a decision. She knew what she was asking of the Legionnaires was essentially a suicide mission but it didn't matter, too much hung in the balance. If the wake-up or the patrol distance didn't kill them then the aliens would. Yet she couldn't stop thinking about the children. She would not have the children on her conscience again, not this time. She had to order the patrol even if there was no hard evidence. Even if there was only the slightest chance of success she had to give the order. She could feel them out there.
"Wake up the Meat."
The Lieutenant had never heard the Captain refer to the Legionnaires as Meat before. He had heard it from any number of other officers when referring to the Legionnaries but never the Captain. If you called a Legionnaire Meat to their face you were in for a fight, one that you would lose.
"But Captain, we just put them down."
Captain Tamara Lule knew the risks. Putting the Legionnaires into status before the rest of the crew was standard operating procedure before a wormhole transit. The naval crew would prepare the ship and then go into status. If you pulled people out of status too quickly, there were always physical consequences. Sometimes those consequences could be catastrophic. It was easier to think of someone as just Meat, instead of individuals when you were ordering them to their deaths. In spite of his discomfort, Lieutenant Byrne felt he had to press the issue.
"If we wake them this soon, we will have casualties," Lieutenant Byrne said.
Tamara whirled around. She towered over Byrne, only adding to his uneasiness.
"I didn't ask for your advice Lieutenant. I gave you an order. They are Legionnaires; they took the oath. Half of them took the opportunity to change their names, which means they are running from something. Many of the others had a choice between jail or the Legion. The rest joined knowing the risks involved. They've made their choice. Now see to it."
"With all due respect, the alarm is probably only a malfunction. We will be within sensor range within 24 hours. We could delay the decision until then. Gaxola is over an astronomical unit away that is at the very edge of the range of their ships. Their crystals will be pushed to the limit not to mention the physical toll on the Legionnaires."
"Lieutenant, I'm well aware of the numbers. I do not need a lecture on the capabilities of the fighters nor their pilots. I want the platoon leader in front of me within the hour."
"Yes, Captain." Lieutenant Byrne turned on his heel and left the Captain's quarters, the door dilating closed behind him. Captain Lule picked up the Gaxola report from communications. The paper instantly glowed a gentle green. She scrolled through the report again, pausing to examine the 3D image of Gaxola.
It could be nothing, just as the Lieutenant had said, but she had a hunch. Unless she put troops in the system soon it could be too late, just as they had been too late at Ixco. She was only a new mid-shipman at the time, but she would never forget what might have been had they launched sooner. She would not let that happen again, not as long as she was in command. As Captain of the destroyer Lyre, she only had one platoon of Legionnaires at her disposal. They would have to do; she had no choice but to wake them up.
Captain Lule had been on the frontiers now for many years, she had learned when to ride a hunch, even when it placed others at risk.
FLEET DESTROYER LYRE
PATROL AREA BRAVO
SOL STANDARD 11/09
LEGION QUARTERS
1310 HOURS
Lieutenant Dasan Daniel Sand staggered and almost fell against the bulkhead. He put out his hand to steady himself against the cold metal wall.
He felt as if he had not slept or eaten in days. His body was struggling to adjust to the sudden increase in his energy levels. Putting someone into status required a meticulous balance of minimum metabolic stores and bodily consumption. To wake someone suddenly threw the fundamental balance of your body off, and left you weakened and at risk of more serious consequences until that balance could be restored. The medics had a name for the syndrome, it was called Status Insult, and Dasan was in the throes of Status Insult.
Dasan had gone into Status thinking that he had made his last patrol. He had done his time. He would wake up a civilian. All he had left was a short jump and he would be out. A few weeks asleep, and he was a free man. Free to go home and to start over. Instead he faced another patrol. He could hardly bring himself to think about it. He leaned his forehead against the cold bulkhead; he was so tired of being cold.
Warmth had come to mean home to Dasan. No more of the cold dark emptiness of space. Instead he longed for the warm golden light of a Groombridge sunset on Isi coming through a window in a small house on a hill, the loving warmth of a wife in his bed each night. The comforts of a home and a life outside the Legion, instead of the Legion's Spartan life with just a metal walled compartment shared with another officer as your only respite. He had spent eight long years on the frontiers, and had nothing to show for it, except the loss of those years and the loneliness it left behind. The Breed and Unification wars were long over. All of the human breeds and their individual empires had been brought under one government, The Confederation of Independent Systems. There was little adventure to be had in the Legion now. All he wanted was to get out of the Legion and try to start a life.
Now, instead of a nice long jump sleep and a wake up, he was facing another patrol, another physical beating for his body. He thought he was finished with all of that. He wanted to run away. Go somewhere, anywhere, but there was nowhere to run on a destroyer class escort, on the edge of the known systems. There was only the cold black space outside.
He glanced at his own reflection in the smoked glass of the passageway. He was startled by his appearance. The blues and blacks of his service tattoos stood out sharply against the pale skin of his face. He looked ten years older. The blue and black teardrop tattoos started at the corner of his right eye, cascading down over his cheek and to his chin, his years of service marking his face. His irises were perfectly clear now, no pigment left in them. The years of flying in plasma had washed them completely out. He was becoming one of them, one of the lifers, the ones who stayed on the frontiers because they had nothing else. The Aijuba's of the Legion, the ones who spent their life out here; he could not, no he would not, it made no sense. There seemed to be no point to the endless sacrifice.
The Navy was different. Do your enlistment as an officer and you came out to good job offers from the corporations. Even the enlisted were snapped up for the technical skills they had acquired in the service. Former Naval personnel either found a good job within their home systems or went to work for one of the multi-system corporations. The Flag Officers usually ended up in politics or at the top of the pyramid of some corporation. Joining the Navy opened many doors for many people. The Legion was different.
