++++Another chapter in our ongoing intergalactic soap opera is ready for you enjoyment. You might like it you might not, so leave me a review and let me know. Enjoy everyone and I'll work hard on the next installment++++
Apollo
Being on patrol in a nearby solar system Apollo had answered the call to return to Atlantis for mission reassignment quickly. During her hour long high speed dash to Lantea a ready reaction team of six 1st SFOD operators geared up for deployment. The highly trained men of the much famed but secretive direct action unit steeled themselves for any eventuality they may face. Beaming aboard Apollo the six operators along with Colonel Dean Frost set out to find out exactly what situation they would be facing. Ready for her intelligence gathering mission Apollo leaped into hyperspace.
Joining Apollo's commander on the bridge was Colonel Frost. Seeing the steely eyed warfighter in their midst the bridge crew of the Apollo treated him with a difference and respect normally reserved for someone much higher ranking. Seeing Frost enter Colonel Ellis rose from his seat and shook his opposite's hand.
"I don't have a full brief on what we're doing here. Can you fill me in Colonel" asked Ellis.
"At this point it's unconfirmed but we have intel to suggest Genii forces have overrun Dagan, and are holding many of the population by force. We're going to jump in quietly and verify that fact while gathering as much intel as possible. Trust but verify is a motto to live by" replied Frost.
"Will we be inserting the men you brought aboard with you" asked Ellis.
"At this time I'm going to say no, but that hinges on what the scene looks like upon our arrival. I would rather not send my boys in blind on something like this as I'm sure you can understand" answered Frost.
"When we exit hyperspace we'll move into low planetary orbit. Our sensors and other intelligence gathering systems should make sense of what's going on at ground level relatively quickly. Right now my people are primed for planet wide scanning, anything specific you need a closer look at please have the sensor operator's task in on" stated Ellis.
"For starters I'm going to need full spectrum photographic documentation of the larger structures, along with interior life sign and infrared scans. From there we can scan outlying structures and wilderness areas. I'll also need a full spectrum radio sweep to see what frequencies there are operating on" explained Frost.
"I'll have the sensor stations calibrated for that before we get there. We should exit hyperspace in about ninety minutes. That should give us enough time to outfit two of the 302's with Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System pods. The will give us a closer look at things, but it will announce our presence unless they stay above ten thousand feet at sub mach numbers" stated Ellis.
"Go ahead and make that happen. We're going to need all the intel we can get our hands on to present to the Pentagon. This one is going to go up the ladder quick I'm thinking. While you take care of your end I'll go see that my boys are prepped and ready if needed" finished Frost.
As Apollo blazed towards her target through hyperspace those aboard the vessel sprang into action. In the port side hanger bay crew chiefs went about attaching the TARS pods to the sleek interceptors, while others were prepped for an as needed air support mission. Pilots in the ready room were briefed on the coming mission objectives, and their preplanned mission profiles. Elsewhere aboard the vessel Frost saw to it that the six operators' that had accompanied him were ready. Weapons already cleaned were stripped and field cleaned, ceramic plates were added to body armor, and encrypted soldier to soldier radio links were tested. Ten minutes before exiting hyperspace all were ready. Pilots flying the reconnaissance mission sat in their cockpits with engines already idling. Four other pilots standing by in the alert aircraft sat with electronic systems already aligned in preparation for rapid startup and departure should the need arise.
Dropping out of hyperspace close to Dagan the Apollo quickly established low planetary orbit. Her powerful sensors and intelligence collections systems jumping into action Apollo began to vacuum up sensor data in vast amounts. In the hanger bay the TARS pod equipped 302's launched for their trip to the atmosphere below.
"I'm showing an active wormhole at this time. Sensors indicate a steady stream of life forms and material flowing from the gate" called out the sensor operator.
"Give me a visual of the gate" ordered Ellis.
On the holographic display screen which appeared before them a visual of the ground below came into view. Columns of heavily armed men poured through the open wormhole in a never ending stream. Breaking the flow of men every twenty that passed through the event horizon was an armored vehicle similar to a half track used by Earth's military forces during World War Two. Each half track was a cargo truck styled vehicle, heavily armored, with a crew serves heavy machine gun on an elevated turret rising from the rear bed. This was the first time the Tauri had encountered Genii mechanized forces, and it had previously been believed that the Genii military was entirely composed of foot borne light infantry. Each half track passed through the gate trailing a field artillery piece in tow. Looking at the sight before them Frost and Ellis exchanged glances.
"That confirms it. We have an invasion in progress" stated Frost.
"We never knew they had vehicles before. This is a new development" replied Ellis.
"Whoever wrote the official estimate of Genii military capabilities didn't think outside of the box much at all. As a military society it's a natural assumption that they had mechanized forces" fumed Frost.
"Still want to put your men on the ground" asked Ellis.
"My boys are some of the best but I'm a realist. Put them up against four to one odds and they'll come home every time. I'm not putting those six men up against a standing army, no chance in hell" was Frost's reply.
From the forward window of the bridge the two 302's could be seen blazing through Dagan's atmosphere. Repeating a maneuver practiced many times the two craft entered the upper reaches of the atmosphere and transitioned into traditional flight. Slowing from many times the speed of sound the two diverged onto wholly separate flight paths, while activating their TARS pods.
The TARS system had been developed by the US Air Force to provide an organic, survivable, and responsive penetrating tactical reconnaissance system to collect photographic intelligence despite adverse weather and in all light conditions. Without such systems, tactical commanders would have been forced to operate without adequate knowledge of enemy strength, location, disposition, and intentions. TARS filled this role nicely, having been deployed in several conflicts since its development and deployment. The electro-optical camera systems contained in each pod activated, and began taking the first of the twelve thousand photos each pod's storage chips could store. An onboard data link further transmitted the photos to the orbiting Apollo.
"Apollo, this is Burglar Flight lead" said the flight leader.
"Burglar lead go for Apollo" replied the Apollo's communications officer.
"Collection run has commenced. Burglar 2 is also on assigned flight profile. I'm seeing fires rising from ground level. Request permission to descend to lower altitude at collection completion for a closer look" requested Burglar lead.
"Burglar lead, Apollo Six states permission granted to descend to lower altitude during RTB" responded the communications officer.
On the bridge Frost looked over the incoming sensor data. Population totals on the planet below were quickly tallied; vehicle numbers and placement were also noted.
"I'm estimating they are approaching at least multi-divisional strength in manpower. This is a bit like when Iraq invaded Kuwait in Gulf War One" stated Frost.
"Remember Colonel, this is just a recon mission" replied Ellis.
On the ground below a collection of farmers and their families were attempting to escape their pursuers. Genii forces had relentlessly herded the Daganian's into collection points for internment. The twenty four civilians below had no intention of allowing that fate to befall them. Leaving their possessions behind the men, women, and children ran as fast as their feet would carry them to freedom. Giving chase were three Genii vehicles. Knowing the Daganian's were a simple people the Genii toyed with their prey, prolonging the chase for their own amusement. To herd their prey away from wood lines where the vehicles could not follow mortar rounds were launched from the nearest half track. Dirt, dust, and rock were kicked up by each explosion. Children and women screamed with lungs fatigued from the chase. Above them at thirty five hundred feet of altitude a lone 302 caught view of the situation unfolding below.
"Apollo, this is Burglar Lead" began the mission commander.
"Go Burglar Lead" replied Apollo.
"I have visual of twenty four repeat two four civilians attempting to evade three armored vehicles. Vehicles are engaging civilians with mortar fire. Request immediate close air support and evacuation of friendlies. How copy" said Burglar Lead.
Before an answer could be provided anti aircraft fire erupted around Burglar Lead. Anti aircraft artillery shells exploded around the 302, buffeting it greatly but not striking the craft.
"Burglar Lead, air support is inbound. Estimate time on station in one zero minutes" responded Apollo.
"Apollo, Burglar Lead. Hostile forces have engaged me with anti aircraft fire. Advice incoming CAS to exercise extreme caution below five thousand feet" replied Burglar Lead while climbing in altitude to a higher orbit.
Listening in on the events unfolding on the planet below Captain Carlyle commander of the Delta team opened a channel on his radio earpiece. The men under his command seethed with anger at the thought of professional soldiers hunting unarmed civilians. Receiving his radio call was Colonel Frost on the Apollo's bridge.
"Wait one Captain" said Frost while signaling to Colonel Ellis.
"I'll prep the Marines for extraction of civilians" said Ellis.
"Put my radio traffic on the speakers for a moment Colonel" stated Frost.
The communications officer with a few key strokes intercepted the radio traffic and diverted it to the overhead speakers. With the task taken care of the communications officer gave Frost a nod of his head.
"Captain, I want you to repeat that request, and be very clear about it son" stated Frost.
"Sir, request permission to take my team to the surface to facilitate extraction of the civilians" requested Carlyle.
"Captain, we've got Marines onboard for that" replied Ellis.
"With all do respect Colonel, my men are better suited to the mission" countered Carlyle.
"He's right Ellis" stated Frost.
"In that case I guess I can't say no" responded Ellis.
"Captain Carlyle, you and your men have a go" responded Frost.
Bolting into action the six men divided into three individual fire teams. Each team boarded a separate jumper with pilots already manning the controls. Rising from the deck of the hanger bay the jumpers slipped through the protective energy field enclosing the bay and streaked towards the ground far below. Closing in on the target area with rapid speed the close air support element of alert 302's armed their rail guns. Unfortunately their normal load out of AIM-120's would do nothing to assist them in this mission.
"Burglar Lead this is Broadsword Lead" said the CAS flight leader.
"Broadsword Lead, Burglar Lead. The civilians appear to be cornered in a valley, high rock walls to the east. Hostile forces had stopped and are providing fire support for dismounted infantry. Recommend you make your approach north to south" replied Burglar Lead.
"Broadsword Lead copies. Maintain high orbit, we have jumpers inbound, Estimated time of arrival if four minutes" replied the CAS commander.
The civilians below were in a panic. Having cornered themselves in the valley they knew their capture or death could come at any moment. The vehicles pursuing them had stopped and were laying down sustained heavy fire all around them, while soldiers advanced towards them on foot. The message was clear; do not attempt to run. Children wailed in hysterics while woman gave prayers to the ancestors for rescue they didn't believe would come. The men hunkered over their families, trying to shield them from the attacks with their own bodies; sure that death could come in scant seconds.
In teams of two of four close air support 302's made their alternating attack runs. Doing it this way allowed for two aircraft to provide coving fire from their rail guns every sixty seconds. Never designed for the ground attack mission the 302's lacked the sophisticated air to ground targeting systems found on many aircraft in the Air Force. Knowing this inconvenient fact Broadsword Lead thought to himself that they were just going to have to wing it.
With grace and speed the first two aircraft closed on their targets, and unleashed a torrent of fire from their onboard rail guns. For the pilots time seems to slow to a crawl as they watched tremendous amounts of weapons fire advance on the ground, kicking up clouds of dirt with each impact, towards their selected target. Traveling at eleven thousand five hundred feet per second the dense tungsten rounds shredded two half tracks on impact. Moving at that speed the rounds fired by the rail gun negated the need for explosives as the impact of the dense material was more than enough to tear through even the heaviest of tank armor with ease. Terminating their firing run the first 302's banked sharply to the right to line up for their second gun run while the next par of aircraft rolled in for their attack.
"Broadsword two and four, recommend you concentrate your fire on dismounted infantry" stated Broadsword Lead.
As two and four began their attack runs three cloaked jumpers became visible, while setting down and opening their rear ramps. From within the jumpers the black clad Delta operators emerged, their Heckler and Koch HK 417 rifles spewing 7.62 mm rounds toward the approaching enemy that was now seeking cover. Three of the operators took knee down prone firing positions while their wingmen sprinted the forty feet to the cowering mass of civilians.
"Run to the jumpers now" barked Captain Carlyle.
"You're going to kill us" screamed one of the women.
"We're from Atlantis and here to rescue you, now run" ordered the Captain.
The continuous gun runs of the 302's made short work of the enemy vehicles, but the dismounted infantry posed a problem. Half of them, seeing their comrades shredded by the rail gun fire decided that safety lay in getting as close to the Lantean's as possible. Surely the Lantean's wouldn't fire on their own people.
"Broadsword flight this is ground element" called Captain Carlyle into his radio.
"Go ahead ground" replied the flight leader.
"Enemy troops advancing on our position. Request danger close fire support" stated Carlyle.
"Ground element, we can't target fire with any type of accuracy. Confirm danger close request" responded Broadsword Lead.
"Ground element confirms danger close request. That means buster" replied Carlyle.
In the military the word buster carries with it a heavy emphasis on now, as in right now, this moment, I want it yesterday. The message came through loud and clear to the minds of the 302 pilots. Danger close airstrikes were reserved for times when friendly forces were being overrun; calling in those strikes literally on your own position. Knowing that their brothers in arms were in dire straights the 302 pilots broke into single ship elements to maintain an almost constant stream of fire on the approaching infantry. With reckless abandon the 302 pilots wrought carnage and destruction on the enemy forces that sought to harm their countrymen.
"Eight evacuees to a jumper. I don't care if you have to pick them up and throw them in their just get them onboard" thundered Carlyle.
The three operators that had provided cover fire for their teammates during their sprint to the civilians now broke the civilians into three groups and herded them in the waiting jumpers. The other three operators took a knee and began laying down a mad minute of automatic weapons fire. As each soldier ran out of ammunition calls of "loading" could be heard over and over again. Overhead the 302's continued to pound the soil near their fellow soldiers with enormous amounts of rail gun fire. From the many impacts a wall of dust and debris blanketed the air until visibility dropped to nothing more than a handful of feet in front of each man.
"Captain we're good to go, precious cargo is aboard" called out one of the Operators over his radio earpiece.
"Broadsword, the civilians are aboard and accounted for. Request cover fire for extraction" said Carlyle into the earpiece.
"Ground element, roger that. Depart to the north and engage cloaks" replied Broadsword Lead.
The three Operators quickly got to their feet and in a crouch sprinted towards the waiting jumpers. Once onboard the jumpers cloaked and quickly rose from the surface before speeding into orbit at high speed. Once their departure was confirmed the 302's of Broadsword flight broke off and set course for Apollo.
Minutes later the jumpers landed in the starboard hanger bay, to remain clear of the returning 302's in the port side bay. As the ramps lowered medical staff from the infirmary aboard Apollo swarmed over the civilians, quickly checking them over for any sign of injury. Behind the medical staff stood Colonel's Frost and Ellis. Stepping forward once the medics cleared out of the way Ellis approached the gathered group of frightened civilians.
"Welcome aboard the Apollo. You're safe now" began Ellis.
"Are you really from the city of the ancestors" one man demanded.
"If you mean Atlantis then yes" answered Ellis.
"You could just be saying that. How are we supposed to believe you" demanded another man.
"We're returning to Atlantis now, you'll be able to see for yourself. Your leader Allina is there under our protection. We should arrive in a few hours. Let's get you people cleaned up and fed in the mean time" replied Ellis while signaling several waiting crew members to show the new arrivals the mess hall.
As the frightened civilians exited the hanger bay the Delta operators exited the jumpers, while stripping off their body armor and emptying chambered rounds from weapons already with their safeties engaged.
"Great work men. You saved those people and should be proud" said Frost.
"All in a days work Colonel. I don't think that's the last time we'll see the Genii" replied Carlyle.
"You've got that Captain. Get your men cleaned up and fed. We'll debrief in forty five minutes" replied Frost.
Watching the six operators make their way out of the hanger bay Frost stood there and watched them go. A quote came to his mind from the great writer George Orwell. People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. The Colonel thought that never had truer words been spoken. The next time men under his command encountered the Genii violence would be visited upon these so called soldiers, of that he was certain.
The White House
Within the confines of the oval office sat Lt. Colonel Paul Davis, General Jack O'Neill, General Francis Maynard the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and President Henry Hayes. All eyes were fixed on the large plasma flat screen display. Playing out on the display was video of Allina describing Genii actions towards her, photographic intelligence collected by Apollo, and gun camera footage from Broadsword flight.
"Francis, what's your stance on this" asked Hayes.
"This isn't so much an incursion as it's an invasion. Photographic intelligence points to manpower and vehicle strength approaching two of our armored divisions and rising. Men and material were transiting through the gate even as these photos were being collected. The Dagan's are a preindustrial farming society at best. Our estimates are that they lack the technological resources and military ability to form an effective resistance to Genii forces. Essentially the Genii have conquered the planet already" stated General Maynard.
"General O'Neill, anything to add" asked Hayes.
"I concur with General Maynard. These people don't have the ability to fight back with much more than pitchforks. The video shows us these are bad guys not afraid to put the blade to the weak as it were" added O'Neill.
"I'm really sick of hearing about the Genii. They've attacked us a number of times, used us to restructure their own political landscape, continually attacked the helpless, and even after the last episode here they are again. Clearly the Coalition didn't teach them enough of a lesson. Gentlemen, let me be clear; I hate bullies. The Genii stomp around the schoolyard like they own the place. It's not because they are the toughest kid on the schoolyard. It's because no one has ever punched them solidly in the nose and taught them to behave. They don't want to learn from the last episode? Fine by me, but it ends here. I'm authorizing any and all actions necessary to put an end to their ability to make war. What are our options" asked Hayes.
"As you know we reequipped the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment for situations just like this. Although they haven't had much time to acquaint themselves with the new systems to my liking they have been training with them nonstop. From what I'm seeing on the video the Genii lack the ability to stand up to what the 3rd ACR is capable of throwing at them in terms of ground and air power. I would feel more comfortable though if they could operate with 302's assigned to the vessels of the Pegasus Group in a ground support role" stated Maynard.
"We have more than enough 302's aboard the Athena class ships in Pegasus to provide continuous air cover. We will need to move air to ground munitions though, but that can be done via Midway station" added O'Neill.
"Let's get this moving then. I want them there ASAP" replied Hayes.
"Mr. President, the prepositioning ships carrying the regimental sets of equipment have not yet been moved to Pegasus. The ships don't have nearly the speed of the Athena's, so I asked Colonel Davis to call the Asgard" stated O'Neill.
"I spoke with Thor at the November Site, explained the situation, and inquired if they could assist. They agreed without hesitation. Using their vessels they will tow the prepositioning ships to Pegasus. That means we can have them there in a day instead of eighteen days. The Asgard have further pledged to send a number of ships along to cover the patrol sectors of any ships we divert to Dagan" said Davis.
"Always good to have friends. Any other concerns" asked Hayes.
"During the last situation with the Genii we removed the components needed for them to produce further nuclear weapons. The unknown variable is did any get away. It is possible that they do have nuclear weapons and based on their past deployment of these weapons I feel it a certainty they would not hesitate to use them against our forces on the ground" stated Maynard.
"I really thought the days of mutually assured destruction ended with the cold war. This is a sad state of affairs gentlemen. Should they deploy weapons of mass destruction against any Earth forces in the Pegasus galaxy we will respond with wmd's of our own. It's time we play ball by their rules. If they nuke a primitive society I authorize deployment of ours in kind on their home world. Is that clear enough for you" asked Hayes.
"Crystal clear Mr. President" responded Maynard.
"I hate to cut this short but I've got a one o'clock photo op with a Boy Scout troop from West Virginia. Go win us war" finished the President.
Cheyenne Mountain SGC
Ninety minutes later the deployment plan went out to the Asgard. With the war machine of the United States kicking into gear things began to happen very quickly. Streams of trucks from Peterson Air Force Base began to arrive and disgorge a large amount of air to ground ordinance. Cluster bomb units, anti tank missiles, laser guided small diameter bombs, the list went on and on. These weapons went directly to Midway Station, and from there would find their way to Atlantis and Borealis for distribution among the participating vessels of the Pegasus Group. In twenty four hours the men of the 3rd ACR would begin arriving to gate to both Atlantis and Borealis. Once the equipment laden vessels under tow by the Asgard arrived deployment to Dagan would begin. The thought of fifty seven hundred cavalry troopers passing through his highly classified instillation didn't exactly please General Landry, but he reminded himself that he retired soon anyway. With the first load of ordinance passed through the intergalactic gate bridge Operation Steady Scorpion had begun.