Chapter 7: Shock and Awe
1215 hrs, March 12th 2558 (Military Calendar)/
NAVSPECWAR Unit (India Squad)
Sigma Octanus System, Sigma Octanus IV
Master Chief Petty Officer Ken Billings and his squad were in the middle of an enemy encampment. 'Encampment' didn't really apply here, though. This place was set up like a large, fully functional military base. They even had Tiger-Class UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles); two of them had just taken off and headed off after the storm that had passed through and was now over the sea. All of this indicated that there was someone here with military experience, probable an ex-UNSC officer; the enemy base's layout was similar to standard UNSC bases.
Useful info was what Billings was after, not combat. Intel gathered here could mean the difference between victory or defeat. However, that didn't mean that they didn't have to ignore targets of opportunity. That was why two members of his squad were atop a building opposite of the enemies' battalion HQ equipped with an M172 Trebuchet Gauss Rifle. Billings was hidden in the back of an old wheel-less pickup covered in tarp with his other squadmate, Ann Harper. It appeared that the truck had been used to transport fruit, and hadn't been washed since. It was all he could do to not vomit in his helmet.
The sound of his COM crackling nearly made Billings piss his pants; he wasn't sure whether the Innies could detect secure lines. But the transmission came from Captain Garner on the Leningrad, so it couldn't be ignored. "India Lead, here," he whispered.
"India, two UCAVs just took off from the enemy base. Did you get a visual on them?"
"Affirmative."
"Listen closely, son. Those UCAVs are after a high-priority target. It is imperative that those UCAVs be taken out."
"We don't have the ordnance, sir." And even if they had, there was no way that a LAU-65D/SGM-151 Missile Pod could track and hit a fast moving Tiger UCAV.
"There's a radar controlling station located two miles east of your location. Take out the dish."
Billings was on the top of a hillside, like the streets of LA. He could see the target. The only problem was that once he took it out, India Squad's cover was gone. "We'll need a distraction."
"An AC709 is on station, codename THOR. They'll provide a distraction."
The AC709 Flamberge Gunship was a longer, broader variant of the C709 Fighter/Bomber. Instead of the 110mm and 120mm cannons used on the C709, the AC709's armament reflected its role as a close air support/air interdiction/force protection gunship. On each side, there was a battery consisting of a Mk44 Bushmaster IV 90mm cannons, a 25mm GAU-32 Rotary cannon, and a 105mm howitzer. It was also armed with two AGSM-10 missiles and four Scorpion anti-tank missiles. Designed during the Covenant war, it entered service in 2534 and was revered by UNSC ground forces. However, its strength was also its weakness; the heavy payloads it carried made it slow and clumsy to maneuver, so it was almost always escorted by FA/S117 fighters.
A squadron like that would undoubtedly attract attention. It was a good distraction. "Understood, sir," said Billings. He contacted the gunship. "THOR, this is India Lead. Request fire support. We'll be FOF tagged."
"We hear ya," said the pilot. "Crew, let's drop the hammer."
Even as air raid sirens started blaring, the first 105mm round blasted a hole in the ground. Then the Mk44 started firing at an impressive 250RPM. The ground trembled steadily. Anti-air guns started blazing, and Billings hoped that THOR would evade destruction. The radar station couldn't be targeted while Billing's squad was in the area, but the rounds were hitting close enough so that his sniper could use the Trebuchet rifle to take out the radar system…as long as he timed it with the explosions. Sure enough, the dish crumpled easily.
"India, this is THOR. Area's getting too hot. We're bugging out."
"Roger that," said Billings. "Leningrad, this is India Lead. Radar station destroyed."
"Good job, son. The ODSTs are beginning their attack. Link up with Golf Company and help them take the enemy HQ."
Billings assumed that the UCAVs would crash into the ocean upon the severing of contact with their controllers, but the Tigers actually had a back-up stand-alone system. Once contact was lost with control, the UCAVs would continue towards their last objective. That objective happened to be a cargo ship out in the middle of the ocean.
000
1217hrs, March 12th 2558 (Military Calendar)/
Insurrectionist Cargo Ship C472
Sigma Octanus System, Sigma Octanus
Most defensive actions pitted the commandos against vastly superior numbers. This time, however, the security detail on the ship weren't too keen on making an attack on soldiers three times as skilled as they were. It suited Niner just fine. He didn't have enough ammo to deal with all of them anyway; he was down to his DC-17s Sidearm and the PEP laser.
Fi, who was watching the deck below from Omega's perch on top of the bridge, was covering the deck with a BR55HB Battle Rifle. "Awww," he said. "Look at that. He's actually taking cover…behind a gas tank." He pulled the trigger, and the tank exploded. A charred man stood up, on fire and screaming, until Fi shot him. "How very stupid."
"I hope they're all that stupid," said Atin. "Makes it easier on us."
Darman was loading the prisoners onto the Pelican with the aid of a Marine crew chief. The Insurrectionist captain of the ship kicked Darman in the shins, but the commando did not react visibly. The captain, however, howled louder than the wind, he toe stubbed against the commando's armor. "All the cargo's loaded," Darman said. "Enemy aircrafts' ETA is less than a minute."
"Let's go, then." Niner contacted Lieutenant Price. "Sir, we've secured the prisoners."
There was flashes of gunfire on the deck of the ship, indicating Victor Squad's presence there. "Affirmative. Pick us up fast."
Niner hadn't even sat down when the Pelican took off. It was a testament to the skill of the Pelican pilot that he—or she—was able to hover above the deck in the howling wind and rain. Victor Squad fired blindly as they retreated, one by one boarding the dropship. Just before they lifted off, however, an Innie jumped on the ramp. Tearing the safety pin on a grenade, the crazed man shouted, "Die, you imperialist pigs!"
Time seemed to slow down. Niner wasn't close enough to kick him off, and he knew he wouldn't be able to whip out his pistol in time. It was unfair that they had managed an incredible intelligence coup by capturing three high ranking enemy individuals, and now they and everyone else on the Pelican were about to be turned into nerf strips.
Suddenly, the NAVSPECWAR trooper named Abbot hurled himself at the Innie. Together, the two men fell out of the Pelican and onto the deck. Seconds later, the grenade exploded.
"Shit!" said Price. "Abbot! Abbot! Can you hear me? Come on, boy; talk!"
"Ahhuuhh…ahhuuhhaagh…oh, God…"
"Bloody hell," said Price. "He's still alive." He looked at the crew chief. "Harper, get me a—"
Two missiles streaked out of the stormy dark; the Tiger UCAVs had arrived. The missiles ripped the cargo ship apart, and Abbot's limp form slid beneath the waves. He was still broadcasting, however, and all on the Pelican heard the unfortunate man's dying screams.
The Pelican pilot, in no mood to sit in one spot while enemy aircraft were in the area, closed the rear hatch and rocketed skywards. There was utter silence in the passenger area. Niner noticed that there was a slump in the forms of the Victor Squad's remaining men. He knew how they felt, remembered how his confidence had been severely dented by losing men in his squad.
Wallcroft broke the silence. "He…he was only nineteen. His first mission."
Price put a reassuring hand on Wallcroft's shoulder, but didn't say anything.
The commandos looked at each other. Fi felt especially horrified. He had leapt on a grenade before, but the armor had saved him. He knew it would. Abbot did the same thing, knowing his armor wouldn't protect him. He saved the mission at the cost of his own life. It wasn't supposed to be like that, on milk run missions like this. Everyone was supposed to get home, celebrate, make jokes.
On the Leningrad, the commandos went to their bunks, feeling much less happy about the success of the mission. The Insurrectionist captain had made a remark about Abbot's mother, and Darman had been forced to prevent Wallcroft from perforating the man with his knife. Niner felt that he should've been used to it; he'd seen hundreds of men die. But he realized that he never would. And he knew that he had to live with that knowledge, and go on with the next mission.
The next morning, Abbot's dress uniform was put in his stead in a glass capsule. The capsule was ejected into space as a band played something called 'Taps' and a military chaplain read out final rites. As the capsule disappeared into the darkness of space, the Leningrad fired her guns three times, mourning the passing of an unsung hero.
000
1500 hrs, March 12th 2558 (Military Calendar)/
UNSCEC Base, ONI HQ
Coruscant System, Coruscant
Captain Candice Takashi watched the HoloNet news. It was one of her rare breaks, and she made the most of it by watching the local networks.
"Just hours ago," said the male Twi'lek anchorman, "UNSC forces located and destroyed a major Insurrectionist base deep within their territory. The brief campaign was an immediate success, with few friendly casualties. Rumors that a GAR unit was also operating in the region were dismissed by senior military officials in both the GAR and the UNSC's HighCom."
Takashi frowned. Though it would never be publicly mentioned, one of the 'few casualties' was an extremely brave NAVSPECWAR trooper whose sacrifice had led to a literal explosion in leads against the enemy. Damn shame, she thought. Kid should get a full military funeral, twenty-one gun salute and all.
The reporter continued. "Diplomatic tension between the UN and the Hutts continue to grow as the UN increases pressure on the Hutt government to deal with the terrorist threat on Nal Hutta. UN Secretary General Ivan Kaganovich said today that "If the Hutts aren't willing to deal with the problem, then someone else should do it for them". The Hutts responded to this thinly veiled threat by stating, "The UNSC will regret taking any action against our system. We will not sit by idly while the Republic gives their ally carte blanche to act in any way they see fit". Chancellor Palpatine said—"
The news got boring real fast, even on this side of the galaxy. Takashi instead looked at the report that Kirkpatrick had gotten to her. Salje Tasha had given up only a little information before she died. But the plot involving Chancellor Valorum's death pointed to the man who was currently holding that office. Also interesting was the proposed assassination plot against Palpatine by the Insurrection and the CIS. Apart from drawing forces away from the vital Kashyyyk Theater, it would give the GAR a reason to operate in UNSC territory, something the Colonial Administration Authority was reluctant to do. The Chancellor would easily be able to insert a Covert Ops squad in UNSC space.
There were several hypotheses that Takashi could draw from this. One was the obvious fact that the CIS wanted Rear Admiral Miller's Twelfth Fleet out of the Kashyyyk System to relieve the pressure on their invasion. It would then only be a question as to how long the GAR's battered 41st and 501st Legions would hold out before the system fell firmly into Seperatist hands, thereby extending the war into the foreseeable future and, by extension, Palpatine's emergency tenure.
Another was that the Chancellor had somehow ordered the hit on himself to give the GAR a reason to conduct anti-Insurrection operations in UNSC territory. With Republic forces—and probably elite Covert Ops troopers—in easy reach of the UN's seat of power on Earth, Palpatine could exert considerable influence—and damage—if his goal was to become a dictator. That seemed entirely possible, considering the passage of the Sector Governance Decree; following a political scandal that involved a corrupt Senator and the loss of a planet called Duro, there had been calls from the Chancellor's supporters to give him greater power over the Republic's Sectors. The Decree gave him just that, transferring the control of these sectors to Governors and men with the ridiculous title of 'Moff' who answered directly to the Chancellor. As a matter of practicality, the Senate no longer had any power.
Yet another hypotheses was available, one that Takashi had special interest in. It was widely known that Jedi General and hero of the Republic Anakin Skywalker had a close relationship with Palpatine, almost like a father-son kind of thing. Skywalker was also reputed to be the 'Chosen One' by the Jedi. Takashi still didn't understand what precisely that meant, but she knew that Skywalker was an important and influential individual. Having such an individual at his side supporting him gave the Chancellor great influence over the Jedi, something they clearly did not like. The political climate surrounding the Jedi was also unfavorable.
Takashi took out her highly encrypted datapad and typed up her evaluations. This kind of information could be useful for her analysts on Event Horizon. After she had done that, she contacted the man watching Kal Skirata's rogue Null unit, Chief Petty Officer Frank Hartman.
"Hartman here."
"It's me," said Takashi. "I want you to initiate contact with Skirata."
"Is this for real?"
"Yes. Very."
Hartman sighed. "I'll do it, but I hope you know what you're doing." The line went dead.
000
2300 hrs, March 14th 2558 (Military Calendar)/
UNSC Event Horizon
(CLASSIFIED! BGX Directive), (CLASSIFIED! BGX Directive) System
Kal Skirata woke up groggily. He noticed his hands and feet were cuffed to a metal chair. On his right was Ordo, who was restrained in a similar fashion and whose armor was removed; the ARC only had his black body suit on. Ordo sported a bleeding forehead, and the sight of that wound brought back the memory of what had happened.
Kal only remembered that they had both been running. He recalled the ground around their feet being peppered with bullets. At the time, he had thought whoever was chasing them had very bad aim, but now he realized they had been chivvying him and Ordo into a trap. The last memory he had was the impact of a dart in his thigh.
"They're awake, ma'am," said someone. Kal looked up, and saw that he was surrounded by no less than eight men in black armor and silver visors. Their assault rifles were pointed loosely in his direction, but half of them had Ordo firmly in their sights. Behind this screen of what had to be NAVSPECWAR troops was a woman in a black UNSC Navy uniform. The bars on her collar gave her the rank of Captain.
"I hope you aren't feeling too bad," she said.
"I've had worse," said Skirata. But he had never been caught that easily. "Didn't think your people would catch us like that."
"You could ask Lieutenant Bell here," she said. "It wasn't that easy. We would have caught you much faster if we'd sent Spartans, but then we'd have advertised our existence."
"Ah," said Skirata. "I understand now. You're a rogue unit."
"An ultra-secret unit," said the woman. "Pardon me, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Captain Takashi, ONI Section 1, Subsection Beta-7. I already know you and your…son."
Ordo was looking at the woman as if deciding which method he should use to kill her. The look wasn't lost on the NAVSPECWAR troopers, who flicked off their safeties and aimed at Ordo in an exaggerated manner.
"Why did you capture us?" asked Ordo.
"We know what you're investigating."
"I don't—"
Takashi shook her head. "Don't bullshit me, trooper. You do know what I'm talking about."
Kal knew. "Valorum."
"Yes."
"Still," said Ordo, "You haven't answered my question."
Takashi wasn't about to give him a straight answer. "In the past, many missions have been flunked because intelligence agencies weren't willing to cooperate with each other. They established 'turfs' and got pissy when someone else tread on their cases. The problem is that a lot of cases overlap, and it is inevitable that two agencies will end up working on the same case."
Kal was one to get to the point. "You want our help."
"We want you in Beta-7. You'll be our eyes in the GAR."
"Why would we spy on the Republic? That's treasonous."
"From what I see," said Takashi, "you don't give a rat's ass about the Republic. The only ones you care about are the troopers."
"Right." Fierfek, she's sharp.
"I'll give you an incentive to join us. Remember ARC Trooper Alpha-30? You might know him better as Sull."
Kal was silent, but Takashi knew from his expression that he did. "What about it?" asked Ordo.
"We have word that GAR Intelligence knows where he is. They've sent a Covert Ops team after him."
"You're lying," said Ordo. "No one knows—"
"Naboo," said Takashi simply. Ordo went white, but whether it was from anger or fear was hard to tell.
"What does Sull have to do with anything?" asked Skirata.
"Lieutenant Bell and his men can get him out. I can arrange things so that Sull is granted asylum by the Colonial Administration Authority and the UN. Our laws can protect him against any retaliation by the GAR, and ONI can hide him."
"And in return," said Kal, "we help you."
"Yes."
"What if the Republic goes after Sull anyway?"
"They won't find him," said Takashi confidently. "And if they try, my government will release all details that we have on the assassinations and other actions taken against AWOL clones by the GAR to the public media. That will make the Chancellor look very bad, considering the Covert Ops clones answer directly to his office." In fact, Takashi was hoping that the GAR would try to kill Sull for that very reason, but she didn't say that out loud.
"Alright," said Skirata, "we'll help, but on one condition."
"Shoot."
"We—that is, me and my boys—will have free reign. No control. I answer to you and no one else. And don't even think you can give me orders."
"Not this time," said Takashi. "You will obey my orders, or we'll release Sull out of our care. And if you go back on this or go rogue after he's safe, we'll do the GAR's job for them. You try to retaliate, and we will hunt you down. Am I clear, Sergeant?"
Kal was angry, but he couldn't do anything. He was most likely jammed here, so he couldn't contact any of the other Nulls. Takashi didn't look like the kind of woman who made false threats. And he was worried for Sull. For now, he would comply. "You win."
00000
A/N: Some of you may be asking, "Where the hell is the Master Chief?" He'll be here soon, I promise…after my exams.
Oh, and FraserMage, the CoD4 reference is not "ripped" as you claim, but is more of a tribute to that very impressive game. Besides, Price is fing awesome.
