Ranger24: I normally don't like updating two chapters for the same story in a row unless I'm really focusing on it but what the heck here it is folks.
Chapter 10: Calm before the Storm
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Battlestar Phoenix, Knights of Trope flagship, in geosynchronous orbit over Seattle Washington, 1042 hours military time, A day -2
Joe's muscle still ached as he sat in on of the comfortable leather arm chairs in the ships forward observation lounge. The lounge was a lot like a rewards members club at an airport. It had all the comforts one could want, comfortable chairs, full 1 G gravity, a great view, classy music, a minibar, and private communications link ups. The lounge doubled as the officers club aboard ship meaning you had to have an officers commission to enter, unless you were invited in.
The lounge's massive windows were located just a deck and some armor plating above the MAC guns. The windows thus where made of complex plasma glass reinforced to withstand the potential recoil. As a structural weakness the windows were equipped with shutters which would be lowered during combat. The Officers club would then be evacuated and depressurized.
After the hectic mission to lake crescent he desperately needed this break. Polonsky was still in medbay and the docs had suggested they might have to amputate his leg. Nikolai was no doubt getting drunk in the ships cantina and Ginei had joined him to hit on some of the entertainer. Xion worried him the most however.
According to Chief Medical Officer Zal'nak Xion had a sever concussion, in addition to existing injuries from her imprisonment. The Troll Doctor had reduced the swelling and dealt with the worst of her injuries but she had yet to awaken meaning they still had no idea of what she had found out.
"Contemplating your navel?" Ranger asked making him look away from the Earth.
"Funny," he replied dryly.
"Well I am afraid break times over," Ranger said motioning for him to get up. "The Powers that be want a full report on the situation."
Joe shook his head in annoyance.
"We get nuke and drone attacks and now they want a report?" He asked.
"Thats poloticians for you," Ranger replied. "Come on."
They made their way out of the lounge up to the communications deck. They entered a secure briefing room, the door to which was flanked by two fully armed and equipped Knights who saluted as they passed.
Inside it was dark and empty except for a long conference table with a few projectors attached to it. Ranger motioned for him to take a seat on the right while Ranger took his place at the head of the table. Ranger hit a single key on the board before him.
"Double D," Ranger said. "Open the channel."
"Aye Sir," Edd replied.
The room became even darker as the projectors hummed to life.
"Connecting to Mr. Campbell, Princess Tepes, Commander Ordo, and Mr. Wyern," Edd reported.
"We need to get an AI," Joe muttered.
"I heard that sir," Edd said dryly.
"No offense meant," Joe apologized.
"Locking down secure connection," Edd said.
The projectors burst to life projecting four figures in four of the other chairs. They took the forms of Campbell, Tal, and two others. The first was a young girl, probably no older than 10 with blonde hair and red eyes. She was dressed in a black Victorian style dress with a matching choker. The second was an old man, looking well over sixty years old with greying hair and a short beard that was well kept. He was dressed in a grey suit and oddly enough a short battered old cloak.
"Tal, Princess, Master. Thank you for responding to my request for a meeting on such short notice," Ranger greeted.
"This had better be worth it boy," the old man growled.
Joe knew instantly just who he was dealing with. Alan Wyren, CEO and majority share holder in the Wyren Conglomerate a trillion dollar company that was a major backer to the Knights of Trope. He also happened to be one of the last Twilight Warriors and one of the most powerful, definitely stronger than Ranger.
"I'm always willing to make time," the young girl said ignoring the old man. "This little war of yours is of great concern to the Bund."
And thus the girl's identity was revealed to Joe. Princess Mina Tepes, ruler of the Vampire Race and a direct descendant of Vlad Tepes. A wealthy woman who had enough money to pay off the national debt of industrialized nations like Japan in a single payment and still have trillions left over.
"Allow me to introduce General Joe Palmer," Ranger said motioning Joe to the two.
"Its a pleasure," Joe said politely.
Mina gave him a polite nod while Wyren sized him up.
"You look worth something," he commented. "Wish you'd been a Twilight warrior rather than the boy."
Mina gave a small laugh as did Tal. Ranger kept a straight face.
"We don't all hit the super power lottery jack pot sir," Joe replied.
"True enough," Wyren muttered.
"Moving on," Campbell said clearing his throat. "The UN has its concerns which need to be addressed."
Ranger nodded.
"Of course," he said. "Around 0101 hours military time this morning Twitard forces launched an orbit capable missile barrage, one of which was a low yield thermo nuclear missile. The missile caused modest damage to the Phoenix and downed communications."
Campbell leaned forward in his chair.
"We also were attacked hours before that by a full company of Russian T-72 Main Battle Tanks at Forks we lost one hundred and forty-seven men before we could repel them," Ranger continued. "Further more, at the same time as the attack on the Phoenix a Predator drone intercepted General Palmer here, and nearly killing his whole squad."
"Where are they getting that kind of hardware from?" Campbell asked.
"We don't know," Ranger admitted. "Its obvious they didn't get these from the Washington State National Guard or Air Guard. This suggests they have some significant backer."
"Obvious enough," Mina said dismissively. "Buying from the black Market could get them the tanks, those things are a dime a dozen."
"That's not all," Tal suddenly said. "We found a lot of heavy weapons at their dockyard in the islands. I'm talking SAM's, anti tank weapons, assault rifles, body armor, even an AT-TE."
"You found what?" Ranger said alarmed.
"An old Republic AT-TE," Tal explained.
"I know what an AT-TE is," Ranger snapped.
"I didn't," Joe admitted.
"Why didn't you tell me this before now?" Ranger demanded.
"We only just unpacked it," Tal answered. "Its in full working order, practically fresh of the assembly line. This wasn't bought off the black market."
"So is the Empire backing the Twitards?" Mina asked.
"Not likely," Tal replied. "They're busy fighting the Rebel Alliance. No time for supporting a proxy war."
"Then who gave it to them?" Wyern asked.
"No idea," Tal replied. "The Empire controls all known factories that produce AT-TE's. Most of those have been converted to build newer vehicles for the Empire."
"So we've got nothing other than a lot of high tech weapons with no idea how the enemy got them," Ranger concluded.
"Indeed," Tal replied.
"This is going to be a hell of a debate," Campbell muttered.
"Are only option is to go forwards with the assault on Seattle," Ranger said punching up a map of the area surrounding Seattle. Several markers appeared to its immediate east. "The Twitards have fortified the city with a barricade wall and anti air defenses. I have several artillery units setting up on the cities outskirts to begin bombardment. Air units have been hammering the enemy since the fighting began."
"Casualties?" Mina asked.
"Twelve craft lost to hostile ground fire and three to enemy fighters," Ranger answered. "The enemy has fielded F-15C's looted from the Air Guard. Their pilots are pretty bad but they chase off our gunships pretty quick. Our Air forces will be dealing with them this afternoon."
"And your over all invasion plan?" Campbell asked.
Ranger hit another button and several unit markers appeared to the north and south of the city, cutting the main roads.
"Are ground forces are taking up positions to impose a siege on the city and lock it down," he reported before clicking again. Several arrow heads moved towards the city. "Special forces will infiltrate the city, soften up enemy defenses and secure civilian hostages for evacuation two hours prior to the attack."
He clicked again and the siege units began advancing.
"Our ground troops, under the command of General Palmer, will advance on the city from the north and south. They will breach the enemy defenses and relieve the special forces for ex-filtration." Ranger continued before clicking again. A dotted line came in through bay and hit the Docks. "Tal's forces will hit the docks and cut off the enemies final escape route. From their we go house to house if we have to until we find Cullen."
"What about possible further missile attacks?" Wyren asked.
"The Battlestars Revan and Kamina will be joining us with in a few hours and we'll form a proper battle group," Ranger explained. "Cullen won't escape by orbit."
Silence filled the confrence room as they sat taking it all in. Campbell was the first to speak.
"Since the Twitards have deployed nuclear ordinance then you officially have permission to utilize whatever force you dem necessary barring Weapons of Mass Destruction to defeat them and bring Cullen to justice." He stated grimly.
"I understand Mr. Campbell," Ranger replied with a nod.
"If this is everything then I believe we are done here," Wyren said straightening his collar. "Don't get yourself killed boy or I'll murder you."
With a flicker he vanished.
"I trust you will bring Cullen down Ranger," Mina said. "Otherwise I will be forced to take direct action."
"As you will Princess," Ranger said with another nod.
With that she vanished as well. Campbell soon followed her.
Now it was just the Knights of Trope in the room.
"Any other bits of contraband you found Tal?" Ranger asked.
"Nothing I didn't expect to find," Tal replied. "Don't you two worry, those Twitards won't know what hit them."
"Good luck man," Joe said.
"We'll all need it," Tal replied before vanishing.
Now it was just Ranger and Joe sitting alone in the dark conference room. The Twilight Warrior gave a yawn and leaned back in his chair.
"Long day?" Joe asked.
"Long week," Ranger replied. "Feels like this wars been going on for years. Its barely even been a week."
"I know what you mean man," Joe said. "I know what you mean."