FLEET MARINES
NEW COMMISSION
CHAPTER SEVEN
Parade ground, Electorate Citadel 07 April 2451, 10:00 hours.
With a roll of drums, Hail to the Elector began, the Geldorian anthem was long, loud and complex. When it finally ended, the command to order arms was a relief to the Fleet Marines and the reconstituted Elector's Guard. The Geldorian Elector marched to the podium and looked out over the assembled troops and civilian authorities.
Rick Castle appraised the Geldorian ruler. He was younger than Rick expected, appearing to be in his early thirties. Trim and erect he wore the uniform of the Geldorian armed forces. A dark gold tunic over black trousers. A standing collar, with a golden nova on each side. Heavily gold braided shoulder boards with a larger version of the nova on them. Rick was surprised that the tunic wasn't loaded with medals and devices. Only two medals and a gold braided, white- leather sword belt, supporting a short, heavy cutlas type weapon on his left hip and a holstered pistol on his right. He began to speak.
"I do not like speeches, either giving them or listening to them, so, I shall keep this as brief as possible. I deeply regret the recent conflict between our peoples. As far as I am able, I hope to make amends. Both to my people and the citizens of the Commonwealth. Reparations are being paid to the Commonwealth government and to Commonwealth citizens who were victims or their families. To the Fleet Marines and to my own armed forces, I offer my sincere apologies.
We are here today to begin an era of close cooperation between our respective governments. In time, when we have regained your trust, I hope that Commonwealth citizens will again feel comfortable in the electorate and spend much time with us. The first two steps in the rehabilitation process go hand in hand. The restructuring of the Geldorian armed and police forces and capture or kill those rebel forces who continue to resist and refuse to accept the new situation Therefore, as of 10:30 hours this day, I, Roalthaun III do declare the Joint Operation Headquarters to be open and Joint forces Agreement to be in force. With profound gratitude to all those who have labored so mightily to make this a reality, I bid you good morning." He did a precise about face and returned to his seat. Rick found himself impressed by the words of the Elector and the fervor with which he spoke them. The command roared out;
"Joint forces, Atten-hut. Present Arms!" the band began to play the United Stars. At the conclusion of the anthem the two groups began to meet and mingle, hoping to forge new bonds between Geldor and the Commonwealth.
Bachelor Officer's Quarters, Joint Forces Base, Geldor. 15 May. 2451 19:00 hours.
The newly constructed building still smelled, faintly of fresh paint. Rick adjusted the collar of his dress uniform tunic. All correct, is not all comfortable. The damn collar insisted on doing its' best to choke him. He finally gave up the battle and checked his appearance in the mirror. The ball tonight was at the newly reopened Commonwealth embassy. The Seabees, had built a completely new one of a native granite-like stone in a ferro-concrete matrix. The whole exterior faced in a cream marble. The interior paneled in a native light hardwood. All glass was armor glass. Although joint operations duty had not been that hazardous of late, it had been eventful. Rick was glad of the chance of a little rest and recreation. He was looking forward to escorting Debra tonight. They had been able to spend several nights together in the past few months. Although they both knew that the affair was not going to be a permanent relationship, they had become good friends as well as lovers.
Debra had come through her ordeal with surprisingly little emotional damage. Mostly due to her own emotional strength but partly due to friendships she had made. Rick being the closest, but not the only one. Rick exited the BOQ, walked across the courtyard and hailed a taxi.
"The Commonwealth embassy, please."
"Aye my Lord." No matter how many times he'd told the civilians not to call him My Lord, they persisted in their own customs. The cab stopped and the door opened automatically. Rick stepped out and paid the driver. He turned and walked to the embassy gate. The Marine sentries presented arms. Rick returned the salute and handed his invitation to a Marine sergeant. The sergeant checked it. "Thank you, sir. The ballroom is the third room on the blue corridor."
"Thank you, Sergeant. He returned the sergeant's salute and proceeded down the corridor.
Rick handed his calling card to the orderly at the door. The man announced;
"Second Lieutenant Richard A. Castle, Fleet Marine Corps." An embassy staffer touched his arm. "MS DeSantis is waiting for you, this way please." He then turned and led Rick to a small private table. Debra stood as he approached. She wore a dress of midnight blue silk and a necklace of Centauran sapphires, that perfectly matched her eyes, a gift from the Elector for her work and a silent apology for what happened to her. She greeted Rick with a smile that could have melted a block of ice and a kiss. She said;
"I have some wonderful news. I've been appointed Charge de Affairs. It's a big promotion." With a twinkle in his eye, he said;
"Congratulations, Debra. Does that mean you have to arrange all the assignations around here?"
"My what a dirty mind you have, my dear. She re-plied, laughing. The only one I have to arrange, is ours, as soon as we can get out of here." Rick chuckled at her comeback, agreeing heartily with the sentiment.
Debra rested her head on Ricks bare shoulder as his hand smoothed her tousled hair.
"A credit for your thoughts." She said.
"They're not worth a credit. I was just thinking that things have been going much too smoothly lately. A little hectic, but no real danger. The first couple of months we were all over the place, chasing down reports of rebel outposts, bandits and the like, but lately, it's been so quiet that it almost feels like garrison duty at home. I can't believe that we caught all the rebels, that quickly."
"Could they be waiting to strike at some symbolic time/"
"They might, but it doesn't make much sense. Every day, the Geldorian forces become that much stronger and rebel support erodes a little more. Right now, I have better things to think about than rebels." With that, he put his plan into action. Debra squealed as he pulled her flat on the bed.
Debra's apartment in the embassy, 30 May, 2451 21:00 hours.
Rick sat on the edge of Debra's bed. He took a box out of a bag. He touched Debra on the arm.
"Tomorrow's your birthday but I've got duty for twenty- four hours, starting at 07:00. So, I'll have to give this to you now." She reached over, took the box and opened it. Nestled on a blue velvet pad was a crystalline sculpture of a Geldorian dragon, perfect in every detail. Clutched in its' golden claws was an egg, carved from a blood-red ruby.
"Oh Rick, she gasped. This is exquisite, but I can't accept it, it's much too expensive."
"You can, and you will, I hope. The cost means nothing to me. The only reason to refuse it, is if you don't like it."
"If I don't like it? Are you crazy? I love it! But as I said, it's too much."
"And as I said, the cost is of no importance to me. Happy birthday. I've got to go." He slipped on his tunic before he could be tempted to stay.
Joint Forces Base, 01 June 2451, 03:00 hours.
Rick got up from his desk and went over to the arms locker, took out his helmet, weapons belt with side arm and put them on.
"What are you doing sir? The relief isn't due for another hour." The duty sergeant asked.
"I am well aware of the schedule, Sergeant, but my gut tells me that something is wrong. He paused, returned to the locker and took out a heavy sub-machine gun. He adjusted the magazine pouch. Arm yourself and stay alert. I'll be back, shortly." Sergeant Veneer stood up, went to the locker, took out his own arms and put on his body armor and helmet. He hadn't been serving with the lieutenant very long but had already learned that the young officer's tactical sense and judgement were seldom in error.
Rick could not explain what was bothering him, but he could sense that something was about to happen. As he walked the perimeter, he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary, but his premonition wouldn't leave him. He tapped his communicator.
"Blue Hawk Six to all Hawk nests, report in order." His command alerted the guard posts.
"Blue Hawk Six, this is nest one, all clear. This is nest two, all clear." When all ten posts had reported all clear, Rick still felt uneasy. He called the sergeant of the guard.
"Blue Hawk Five, this is Blue Hawk Six. Have all posts go to yellow alert and ready the stealth drones and meet me at nest central."
"Aye, Aye sir." Rick trotted to the control center. Sergeant Rolfe met him there.
"What's going on sir?"
"I'm not sure that anything is, but I've got ants crawling all over my neck. Let's go inside and discuss it. Sergeants Rolfe and Veneer stood facing Rick.
"I can't give you anything definitive, gentlemen but I'm sure that we're about to receive unpleasant news. Make that unwanted visitors. Sergeant Rolfe, I want half your half your men awake at all times. Two -hour rotation until first light. Sergeant Veneer, alert the reaction force commander, the same rotation. Alert mortars, five -minute reaction time. Tell Warrant Beane that I want his drones up, now. Three hundred-sixty- degree coverage. If I'm wrong, I'll take it in the shorts from the captain. I really hope I'm wrong."
About ten minutes later, Rick was just pouring himself a cup of coffee, when a report came in.
"Blue Hawk Six, this is Sneaky Bird three. I have what appears to be armed indigents about two kilometers out on vector ninety-two. Movi9ng slowly towards the base."
"Roger Sneaky, keep an eye on them."
"Blue Hawk Six, Nest seven. I have what appears a rebel troop unit, company strength coming from the west about a kilometer out. Before anymore reports could come in, the three men could hear the whine of the shield generators under heavy load. Rick looked out and could see three energy beams merging with the force field. He hit the general alarm button. A siren split the night.
"Sergeant Rolfe, pull in all your sentries except seven. Tell seven to lay low. Sergeant Veneer, contact Warrant Delacroix and tell him, on my orders to assemble the recon platoon at the command bunker. I'm going to meet Captain Romanov at the command bunker. On the double, sergeant."
Captain Romanov fastened the chin strap of his helmet.
"What are you, Mister Castle, a trouble magnet?" Whenever something happens, you're in the middle of it"
"Just lucky, I guess sir."
"Well I'm not picking you as my lucky charm."
"Sir, I'm crushed!
Sir, I want permission to take my platoon out now. There's a company of rebels about a kilometer west of post seven. They're holding position, I don't think that they realize that they have been spotted. My guess is that the northern attack Is a feint. the main attack will come from the East. When we deploy to meet it, this company will try to overrun post seven ad hit our headquarters from the rear. Trying to eliminate our senior officers." He projected a holo map.
"There's an old rail road cut, here. It's on their direct route and lets them out only one hundred fifty meters from the fence. If they bring the force field down, they can cut the fence. The cut has steep banks and is heavily wooded along the top. If I move my platoon out, now, we can ambush them."
"Won't they be expecting an ambush?"
"Maybe, but I doubt it. These are not experienced troops. They can't observe our route to the cut. I'll send my scouts in first. If they've occupied either bank, we'll fall back and reinforce post seven."
"It sounds like a good plan, Lieutenant, with one modification. I am going to ask Colonel Fedorov to detach one platoon from Alpha Company and attach it to you. Move your platoon out, Lieutenant. Rifles will meet you at the cut." Rick sketched a salute.'
"On my way, sir." Rick crouched behind a maintenance shack near the tracks. Another officer joined him.
"I'm Waverly from Alpha."
"Castle, Recon HHC."
"Where do you want us?"
"Wait one my scout squad leader is coming in. A compact, olive skinned man crouched next to Rick. "Both banks are clear sir, but they won't be much longer." Rick beckoned Sergeant O'Rourke and Warrant Officer Delacroix over.
"Delacroix, put your special ops people in the woods. Sergeant Trang and his scouts in the rocks. Take out the point and flankers, out, silently. Knives and garrotes. I'll deploy the rest of the platoon in all along the right flank, in the woods. Mister Waverly, I'll want one of your squads with me. Deploy the rest of your platoon along the top of the left flank. No one fires until I order it, unless fired upon. The signal to fire will be the firing of the grenade launchers. Whatever you do, keep your men out of the cut. Any questions? No? move out."
Rick moved position and lay flat under a bush that resembled a laurel. He scanned the cut, again. What is taking those rebels so long to move? The sounds of a major battle had been coming from the base for half an hour. The initial attack had come from the north, as Rick had surmised. It had flared, then died out to desultory fire, while the main attack came from the east. The firing was heavy and steady from that direction. He heard two clicks in his headphones. He cocked his sub-machine gun. The enemy scouts were moving into the cut. They were swarmed over and killed without firing a shot or getting a warning off. Their bodies were hauled into the rocks. Four loyal Geldorians had come with Rick's platoon. They took the place of the scouts and signaled the main body forward. The leading platoon was well into the cut, but Rick waited until the main body was as well. There were about ten Crovanians and two Kalians with the command group.
One of the command group carried an old-fashioned transceiver. Rick sighted on him with a borrowed grenade launcher and pulled the trigger.
"Commence firing." His grenade exploded right in front of the radioman. He was dead before he could fall. Glin Quan Dekat was very unhappy. Trudging through the night with a bunch of scraggly Geldorians was not something that a well-bred young Crovanian such as himself should be doing. And the sub-standard Crovanian operatives he'd been assigned, weren't much better. And those damned Kalians. Always squabbling about money. I was in the top third of my class at the academy. If it weren't for that scheming uncle of mine, I'd be on a good assignment, maybe Gul Zab Dookers' staff. Or at least in command of my own company of first line troops. But no, not me. Here I am advisor to a bunch of Geldorian rebels. When I do manage to get home, Uncle Tuvat is going to pay me a large sum of money or lose his balls. If he has any. He was dreaming of what he would do with the money, when his thoughts were abruptly brought back to the here and now. There seemed to be movement in the trees, and suddenly they were alive with weapons fire. He turned to the Geldorian captain.
"Captain, I…" That was as far as he got. A sudden explosion sent him sprawling He painfully turned to call the radioman, but he wasn't there. At least, not all in one piece.
"Captain, he croaked, help me." He stopped when he realized that no one in the command group or any of his Crovanians were moving. I need cover. Where? Those rocks! He started to crawl, but stopped when a searing pain raced up his left leg and up his back. Lines of red obscured his vision. My leg. He looked down, in horror. His leg was a bloody mess. Thankfully, he passed out.
Rick watched as the grenade exploded in the middle of the command group. Right on target. He fired a second grenade, then when the reload indicator glowed green, he fired an illumination round. The weapons squad's light (sixty millimeter) mortars also fired illumination rounds.
Despite the fact that the initial volley was accurate, deadly and the surprise complete and no officers were left the rebels were well disciplined and reacted rapidly under their NCO's, many of them former guardsmen. The ambush was too well laid to fight their way through and the walls too steep to charge the ambushers. The only thing the surviving rebels could do, was fall back.
The survivors of the initial fusillade were regrouping and retreating in good order, under the cover of a surprisingly accurate return fire. They took heavy causalities as they retreated and had to leave them where they fell. The Marines had taken no serious causalities but the enemy fire prevented an immediate pursuit from Ricki's position.
"Peregrine six, this is Blue Hawk Six, can you pursue?" Waverly responded.
"Roger, we can pursue, but not very far, we only brought our basic load."
"Only about half a platoon got away. Pursue them a kilometer. That should make them abandon their weapons and scatter. Collect any abandoned weapons and return to base."
"Roger that. Peregrine Six, out." Rick deployed the heavy weapons squad as security then took the rest of the platoon down into the cut to collect weapons, intel and any prisoners. He had the medics check the wounded. They would take the wounded able to walk back with them, do what they could to stabilize others and send Geldorian medics and stretcher teams back for them. Those too badly wounded to survive were overdosed with a sedative. Quan Dekat painfully opened his eyes. Every nerve ending in his body was relaying pain messages.
Thank the gods, I am not dead after all, but who is that but why do I hurt so much?
The human looking down at him, was a Fleet Marine. Quan slowly reached for a belt pouch.
In passable Crovanian the man said;
"Move that hand another centimeter and you'll lose that arm, up to your shoulder. Hey, Lieutenant I've got a live one over here." Another human, an officer came over.
"Well look what we've got here. An academy trained officer by the look of the ring on his hand."
"Get a medic over here." A medic trotted over and immediately hit Quan with a stunner.' He pried the Crovanians mouth open and looked inside. He reached inside and pulled something out.
"Poison pill sir. Standard for Crovanian operatives. Though from what I've heard very few actually use it." He then examined the Crovanian.
"He's painfully but not too seriously wounded sir."
"Rouse him and give him something for the pain, but not enough to knock him out." Bind his hands and get him on a litter. We have enough prisoners to carry the wounded." The medics had two self -inflating litters but the rest were improvised from tree branches and the prisoner's shirts or blankets. Rick looked at a now conscious Dekat.
"I know you speak standard, so, don't bother pretending otherwise. You were captured while involved in illegal operations against the legally constituted Geldorian government. And Commonwealth forces. You were armed and not in uniform. I can execute you, without trial as a spy or terrorist and that is what I will do if you make any attempt to escape. The poison pill was removed from your gums."
Quan Dekat froze in shock when he realized the position, he was in. The human continued.
"If you stay quiet and cause no problems, when we reach the base, your injuries will be treated and you will be turned over to fleet intelligence. Do you understand me?"
Dekat nodded "Yes, you have my word, lieutenant." Rick looked at him with contempt.
Your word means less to me than an empty ration pack, but as long as you understand, it is enough." Rick turned to his men.
"Tactical formation, platoon wedge. Here come the rifles. At route step, forward march!"
Just as they arrived on the base, a messenger ran up.
"The colonel needs you on the line, sir. They're still hitting us pretty hard."
"Very well. Where does the colonel want us?"
"Right in between Charley and Delta companies, sir." Rick turned his head.
"Come on Marines. Let's prove we're worthy of the uniforms we're wearing." Sergeant took up the age- old cry. "Come on you apes you want to live forever?"
Rick slid into the trench next to Captain Romanov.
"Glad you're here, Castle We need every man we've got. They're really pushing the attack, this time. How is the threat to our rear?
"Gone sir. We routed that company, only about two squads escaped, they're demoralized. If we get out of this sir, we brought back someone you'll really want to talk to."
"We have to get out of this first. Colonel Frasier is sending Delta out to flank them Attach your platoon to Delta, they need all the firepower they can get."
"Aye, Aye, sir, on our way." Captain Stamos of Delta Company was a short, muscular, swarthy man who looked more like a pirate than an officer. The bandage pad over one eye added to the effect. He lay on the edge of a gully and scanned the terrain ahead of him. He slid back down to the group of officers and NCO's gathered behind him.
"The rebel assault battalion is formed up about three hundred meters head. We are on their right flank in an excellent position to enfilade their line when they jump off. They don't appear to have spotted us. This is my concept of the operation. All op-orders are verbal. We will deploy in a company line just below the lip of the gully. First platoon on the right flank, weapons on the left. Weapons, unmask and fire on my command. Mister Castle, attach your weapons squad and snipers to my weapons platoon. The rest of your platoon with me to act as my security and reserve. We will open fire as soon as they launch their assault. Weapons, I want four quick on target volleys. Snipers, concentrate on the command group We will commence our assault on the heels of the fourth volley. First platoon will provide initial suppression fire. Second and third maneuver. Move in twenty-five-meter increments Rally on that third ridge. Final assault from fifty meters. Any questions? Good, deploy!"
What are the rebels waiting for an engraved invitation? Just then, there was a guttural roar from the enemy.
"Here they come, Stamos shouted. Weapons, commence firing!" Rick heard the stuttering roar of the company's machine guns and the crump of the mortars firing "danger close".
The rebel position was in complete chaos. They had been expecting heavy defensive fire from the front. The sudden, unexpected attack on their flank was devastating. Although only a reinforced company in strength, the Marines were professionals. The rebels were not. Most of the command group were dead or wounded and the incoming fire was heavy and accurate. What was moments before a disciplined assault battalion, was now a panic-stricken mob. The return fire the Marines received was wildly inaccurate. By the time the Marines reached the rally point, they had taken only five causalities, none of them fatal. Stamos turned to his communications specialist.
"Tell regiment that we've turned the enemy's flank and they're milling around the base of hill 203. If they launch a full regimental assault, right now, we're in position to be the anvil. We can crush the rebellion, right here." He snapped out orders.
"Dig in, right here. Weapons, close up and did in."
Rick crouched behind a large boulder and flipped his magnifying viewer into place. The rebels were still confused, but someone was rallying them and getting them organized. Rick turned to Stamos.
"Sir, should we stop the assault now? Someone is rallying them."
"That's true, Lieutenant, but even confused, we don't have the numbers to overwhelm them. Wait for the regiment." A few minutes later, heavy ordnance began to rain don on the rebel position. The intense barrage only lasted a few minutes. In the silence that followed, the two officers heard the clear notes of a bugle.
"If you haven't heard it before, Lieutenant, that's the charge. Stamos aid. It won't be long, now."
Rick watched as a long lie of Marines came into view, firing as they came the rebels broke, and streamed to the rear, discarding weapons as they ran. Stamos stood up.
"Alright, Delta, lets go get them, Individual fire, targets of opportunity. Commence firing."
Rick turned to his platoon
"Recon, Platoon." He never finished the sentence. A thunderous explosion behind him, slammed him to the ground. He picked himself up, spitting dirt. "Captain." He never finished that sentence either. Captain Stamos and Lieutenant Durant had taken the full force of a rebel grenade. They would add both of their names to the regimental honor roll. Both bodies lay just a few meters away. Furious, Rick turned to the company.
"Delta Company, on my command, weapons platoon. Covering fire. First, second and third platoons, assault fire. Advance4 by platoons, follow me!" He led the assault, jaw clenched, firing from the hip, like any trooper.
A weary, filthy, Rick castle, rested against the wall of a burned- out building. Warrant Officer Delacroix and First Sergeant Schmidt, sprawled next to him. Rick felt a hand on his shoulder.
"How are you, Mister Castle?" Rick started to scramble to his feet.
"As you were, Mister Castle, relax." Colonel Frasier knelt next to him. How are you, Mister Castle?"
"I'm fine, sir. Just a little tired." Rick replied.
"You did a fine job, this morning, Lieutenant, taking over when Stamos was killed. Do you have the time, Lieutenant? I seem to have a little problem with my chrono."
"Frasier's left arm was bandaged from wrist to elbow.
"Yes, sir. Zero six forty, exactly."
"Then you have ten minutes seniority as First Lieutenant. It's a field promotion, but it will stick. Formal orders to follow within the week. Get a new insignia, later today. Warrant Officer Delacroix is now Lieutenant Delacroix. Turn your platoon over to him and report to Captain Romanov. You're now his exec. Lieutenant Reyes is promoted captain and will be taking over Delta Company."
"I don't know what to say, sir"
"Don't say anything, Lieutenant, except Aye, Aye sir and move out. We have a lot to accomplish, today."
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