FLEET MARINES
NEW COMMISSION
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Doctor's quarters, the Clara Barton, 02 October, 2452 20:00 hours.
Kate had just come from Lanie's quarters. Lanie was still deeply grieving Grenville's death. It seemed that the others, for some reason hadn't got to her. She'd been down, all day and after supper she'd repeated what she'd said last night.
"I was so mean to him. You weren't. "
"He just didn't get on my nerves and don't forget that you did make it up to him. You were nice to him, yesterday and the day before. Also don't forget that during the attack, he could have hidden with us. He didn't. He died, fighting. That's all that anyone will remember. The awkward, laughable little mandied yesterday. The hero who took on armed terrorists with nothing but a laser torch, will live forever! Lanie nodded sleepily as she lay down. Her face still streaked with tears. Kate covered her with a blanket, as the sedative took effect. Kate thought; I hope that you took this so hard because you knew him. If not, you're in serious trouble. We're going in as a forward area hospital. We're going to lose some of them maybe a lot of them. If you take each one personally, you're going to break down. Kate turned out the lights and left Lanie sleeping.
In her own quarters, Kate sat on her bunk, brushing her hair and thinking. The chance remark Grenville had made, about not having a chance with either of them, and his sudden death, had started a train of thought that she neither liked, nor was comfortable with. Except for her brother, there were no men in her personal life. Her beauty, her quick, incisive intellect, her ambition, high level of professional competence, combined with a sometimes-scathing wit, intimidated many men. Those who weren't were usually extremely self-centered and egotistical or domineering jock types. Neither of which appealed to her, at all. Grenville's death had shocked her into realizing how easily her life could be snuffed out.
A totally unbidden thought came to mind. The big Marine, Lieutenant Castle. The confident way he carried himself, the obvious command presence, his sheer physical size and an intellect that enabled him to hold his own against such a formidable man as Jake, suggested a man who could not be easily intimidated, if he could be at all.
That he was undeniably handsome, although he didn't flaunt it, added up to someone she could become very interested in, or more, if the circumstances were right. However, those circumstances would have to wait. Nonetheless, as she lay in bed, her hand slipped under her panties.
Aboard the Clara Barton, 03 October 2452, 09:00 hours.
Kate, Lanie and several other doctors sat in the main doctor's lounge watching the battle fleet prepare for deep space. The majestic warships leaving their docks and forming a gigantic globe formation. The reason for the delay became apparent. Three ships had joined the fleet. Two aerospace fighter carriers and a strange looking ship. It was a huge black globe with a long, slender fuselage stuck through it with a bridge on one end and four drive nacelles on the other. Kate knew that their repairs were complete and their squadron would lift tomorrow. As was customary, departure orders were broadcast to every ship on station. "All ships prepare for acceleration. Impulse engines, all ahead one third. Slowly, majestically, the formation began to move. Impulse engines, all ahead full. Prepare for fold operations, Moments later, the battle fleet disappeared
Aboard the Clara Barton, 04 October 09:00 hours
Kate was excited, she was in the main lounge, watching as their task force assembled. Kate felt safe. They were in the exact center of the formation orders were being relayed. The same as yesterday. On impulse engines, all ahead one third., all ahead full! After about an hour, the command was given. "Prepare for fold operations" Fold six, engage! The task force was finally under way.
Kate entered a turbo-lift. "Sick bay, deck four" She ordered." The preparations for a campaign had resulted in numerous minor injuries. Bruises, scrape, small cuts and the like. Most would not require more than cursory attention, but still must be seen by a doctor
Winthrop's planet was a medium size class M planet. Discovered two centuries before, it was almost perfect for human habitation. Its' orbital distance from its' sun was almost identical to Terra's, its day was thirty-six minutes longer than Terra's and its' year, three days longer. It had no sentient life form and no native life form larger than a small deer. It had predators, of course, but none were a threat to man. Quickly colonized, it became the central administration planet for the border reaches with the Gorrock Empire.
Gorrockian forces had violated the neutral zone and were attempting to seize the planet by force.
Long in dispute the planet had been colonized By Commonwealth settlers, but Gorrock had established a research center at about the same time. Both sides laid claim to the planet, though the Gorrockian claim was weak. The Gorrockians had decided to quit negotiating, after losing in a neutral inter-planetary court case.
Near the Tantalus system, 07 October, 2452, 17:00 hours.
The support task force came out of fold, and joined the battle fleet two astronomical units out from the Tantalus system, beyond detection range. Kate, Lanie and the other doctors were in the main doctor's lounge, watching a large viewscreen. Fleet Admiral Fletcher was about to address them.
"Good evening to the officers and enlisted personnel of the Fleet. Tomorrow morning, we depart for Winthrop's planet. All elements of the battle fleet will be prepared to commence hostile action against elements of Gorrock's fleet.
The drop the assault transports, along with repair and service vessels, as well as the hospital ship will remain eight hundred thousand kilometers out until all enemy fleet elements have been destroyed, surrendered or driven off. At thar point, the assault transports will begin operations. The Clara Barton will take station behind the larger moon along with the heavy cruisers Atlantis and Griffin the light cruisers Devastator and Draconis plus four destroyers. The Clara Barton will move into planetary orbit on command." He stopped to take a drink of water, then continued the briefing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, without a formal declaration of war, any warning or even provocation, forces of the Gorrock Empire attacked a Commonwealth member planet, inflicting severe causalities on both planetary defense forces and the civilian populace alike. Gorrockian forces have always displayed a merciless attitude in battle as well as a total disregard for compassion or even decency towards civilians. Female troops must avoid capture at all costs. Better to take your own life than be raped and beaten to death. If a Gorrock is surrendering use extreme caution in taking him prisoner, if he makes even the suggestion of a false move, shoot and shoot to kill.
If you see a severely wounded Gorrock if he is conscious, finish him off. If you don't, he'll try to take you with him.
Ship's captains and Marine commanders, you all have your orders. Commence your operational briefings immediately after we conclude here. There will be a non-denominational religious service at twenty hours, for those who wish to attend. Good luck to us all and may whatever deity you honor, if you do, bless you."
Kate and Lanie were sitting in the Lizard Lounge sipping their drinks and watching the preparations for tomorrow. Ensign Terry Toliver came to their table. He was one of the shuttle pilots.
"May I join you ladies?"
"Sure, grab a seat, T.T." Lanie said. He sat down. He was nice enough, if a little less charming than he thought he was. His type was a lot more appealing to Lanie, than to Kate.
"May I buy you ladies a drink?
"Kate shook her head. "Not for me Terry. This is my second. I'm good." Lanie smiled. "Yes, thank you." Terry got Lanie her drink and came back.
"Boy those Marines Are weird. I read that back in the twentieth century they used to call them Jarheads, I can sure see why."
"What are you babbling about, Terry?" Kate asked.
"Those Marines. They're one hundred per cent crazy!"
"Why do you say that?"
"I've been flying supply and transfer missions all afternoon. A security detachment was aboard here."
"Yes, we know!" Kate said with an edge of exasperation in her voice. Toliver didn't catch it.
"Well, I transferred them back aboard the Belleau Woods Those nutcases were laughing and joking about being back aboard. They may be dropping tomorrow. Instead of sitting here nice and safe, with good chow and beautiful women. Then, to make matters worse, I shuttled another company over here for ship security. They were complaining about being missing the action, like they were second class troops are something. Boy I'm glad I'm not dumb enough to be a Marine"
Surprising herself, Kate snapped.
"Maybe some people care more about duty than their personal safety! She downed her drink and in an icy voice said;
"Excuse me. I'm leaving!" Lanie jumped up to follow her friend, leaving a very embarrassed Toliver behind.
Kate and Lanie sat in the back of the main assembly bay, now a strictly temporary chapel. The senior chaplain spoke.
"I hope that you will al join me in prayer. As a prayer, I will use part of an ancient hymn from Terra. Eternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep its own appointed limits keep, oh hear us as we cry to thee, for those in peril on the sea.
We now sail a different sea, a sea of stars, yet brave men still sail fast ships in harm's way. So, I will add a new line: Eternal Father, grant thy grace to those in peril deep in space.
Our Marines will soon go in to battle, risking their lives for the freedom of others. So, I ask you to hear another prayer. Eternal Father, grant, we pray, to all Marines, both night and day, the courage, honor, strength, and skill, their land to serve, thy law fulfill; Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril to the Corps.
"Eternal father we ask thee to protect all who go to battle and deal gently with those souls who return to thee. Amen."
All those present closed their eyes while the chaplain prayed, each of them thinking of home and family. Hoping that they would be able to tell them about the days to come.
Kate thought of her parents, who died in the explosion aboard their ship, so long ago. She felt certain, that wherever they were, they were watching over her.
The Clara Barton along with the support ships and assault transports was in a parking orbit behind the planet's larger moon. Most of the crew and hospital staff were in various bays watching the views relayed by the various scout ship's sensors. Empty space was suddenly filled by a massive battle fleet. Ten capital ships, twelve cruisers and fourteen destroyers and corvettes. Plus, one oddball. The huge black globe. It was the largest battle fleet that the Commonwealth had assembled in the last one hundred years.
Pointing at the globe, someone asked;
"What in the hell is that thing?" The chief engineer replied;
"That's a Hadley-Morten field generator ship. Any Gorrock ship in range will have its' cloaking device destroyed. Not negated, destroyed. The Gorrocks like to hide behind their cloaking devices, get in close and attack. Watch!"
"At first, nothing was visible to the naked eye. But within seconds, violet spheres of energy began appearing and in two seconds disappeared. At the center of each vanished sphere was a Gorrock fleet ship. The Gorrockian Flagship, a Vetassa class battleship, in fact, the Vetassa herself was the target of the massed batteries of both the Terra and the Mars. The Vetassa's shields failed in seconds and both energy beams and missiles struck home. The Gorrockian crew couldn't even get her batteries to bear. The once mighty vessel was now just an expanding ball of debris. The rest of the ships on either side were not idle. Various energy beams connected ships, like colored strings on a gigantic mobile. Torpedoes and other missiles crisscrossed space in a deadly, macabre dance. Kate watched, in horror, as a Normandie class heavy cruiser took a hit in her power crossover and two more in her starboard drive nacelle. She fell away, silent and dark. Destroyers and corvettes darted around, trying to find holes in the enemy's coverage, or, conversely, protect their own capital ship's flanks. A Commonwealth corvette and its' Gorrockian counterpart both streaked for the same sector of space. The battle was short and furious Both ships exploded.
The battle was over in half an hour. Space battles never lasted long. Of the four Gorrock battleships, the Vetassa was just a memory. Even salvage specialists like the Fougan couldn't find anything larger than the ship's chronometer. The Shenaara, lay dead in space. Even the most sensitive scans couldn't detect power or signs of life aboard her. The Rhoaana was under tow, both her drive nacelles gone Her surviving crew being picked up in life globes. The Coouran limped along, her crew in irons in the hold of one of the supply ships.
Of the other twenty ships of the Gorrockian battle fleet, fourteen had been destroyed outright, four had been captured. The remaining two destroyers set the most rapid pace possible, back to the home world.
The Commonwealth had not got away unscathed. The Neptune, one drive nacelle gone, the other open to space, her power room wrecked, would never sail again. Her survivors taken off, her scuttling charges set, she too would soon be a memory. Although still able to sail and fight, the frame of the Saturn had been so badly stressed that she would spend weeks, if not months in a space yard being refitted. The Velene would be destroyed by torpedoes. The Hood would be attended to by Jake's repair ships. The cruisers and destroyers had suffered similarly.
The Gorrockian support ships, deeper in the planet's gravity well than the battle group, tried to escape. A few made it. Most did not. The cruisers of the Commonwealth's support group, seeing no remaining threat didn't demand a surrender, not after the attack on the Clara Barton. They knew that one of the transports had dispatched the terrorists. They simply opened fire. One of the ships destroyed was the invasion group's command ship. Worse than that, for the ground forces, there would be no re-supply about half the supplies were still on board the luckless freighters.
Captain Merriweather and Lieutenant Castle, already in combat gear, watched the tail end of the space battle. Rick winced as a Commonwealth destroyer fall away, heavily damaged out of control.
"It won't be long now, Merriweather said. Are we ready to go?"
"Yes, sir. Third platoon and weapons platoon are embarked on their shuttles, company HQ is just waiting for you to board. First and second platoons are standing by their capsules, waiting to load."
"Very good, Lieutenant. I'll establish company headquarters at point Zulu-three. As soon as you clear your capsule, rally your men and join the battalion scout platoon as the firepower element of a reconnaissance in fore. Once the battalion assembly area is scouted and secured, contact me on the battalion net and remain in place. Any questions?"
"No, sir."
"Very good, Lieutenant, move out and good luck."
Rick jogged down the line of men, giving a final visual check. He then commanded;
"Enter capsules, fasten restraints, power on, seal capsules. The platoon leaders walked the line checking each capsule to see that it was properly sealed, slapping each one in reassurance, then entered their own capsules and Rick did the same for them. He then entered his own capsule and sealed. The launch officer, a major, checked Rick's.
Rick turned on his com. "Leaders, check you men. Pause. Platoon leaders, Report!" When all was satisfactory Rick reported to the launch officer.
"Alpha one and two in the green, prepared for launch."
"Roger, Alpha, two minutes to go. One minute, seal faceplates, switch to internal power and internal oxygen. Thirty seconds, ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero. Launch!"
Rick felt the sharp down thrust as the capsule was ejected from the launch tube and then a kick from behind as the thrusters fired. He could see nothing but but his helmet readouts, as ablative plating covered the viewscreen sensors during reentry. The capsule began to buck and twist as it reached the upper edges of the planet's atmosphere. Almost as the ride smoothed out, Rick felt two jolts as first the stub wings then the stabilizers deployed. The ablative plating dropped away and Rick was looking down at a blue and white planet, much like Terra.
Kate, Lanie and much of the staff watched as the assault transports left the formation to begin the landings. The Ark Royal and the Yorktown had launched their aerospace fighters about fifteen minutes ago. Commander Wayne turned to her staff and said;
"In a couple of days, our real causalities are going to start coming in." She turned again and walked a few meters away.
"What did she mean by that? The battle only ended a little while ago." A nurse asked. A doctor said;
"Nurse, that's the nature of space battles. There are very few serious causalities. You either survive, or you die. The ship's sick bays can usually handle the ones they do have.
Kate stood near a view screen, in a perfect position to get an overview a combat drop. A "Dropship" moved into position. Its' main launch bay's doors opened and several predatory looking shuttle craft appeared, followed by what looked like standard shuttlecraft, except for a single gun turret and the mottled green and black color scheme. Finally, as the ship neared the edge of the atmosphere, the bottom of the hull seemed to blossom with tiny drive flares, followed by objects too small to be discerned at this distance.
She heard a quiet voice at her side. "Do you know what is happening, Lieutenant?"
She turned her head. A graying Commander, one of the ship's officers stood beside her.
"In general, sir, but not the details." He gestured with a prosthetic hand.
"They say Once a Marine, always a Marine. I guess it's true. I used to be one of them, till I got this. And my foot. I wish I were with them, right now." His voice was fierce, with a hint of bitterness in it.
He turned to face Kate, squarely.
"Would you like a full explanation, Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir, I would."
"The first two flights were close support shuttles, intended for the ground attack role. The remaining shuttles carried the main body of the regiment. That last burst of flares was drop capsules, carrying the advance skirmishers/ scout force. They will take and hold landing zones for the assault shuttles."
"Exactly what are drop capsules, sir?"
"They are small one-man aerospace craft. They are steerable but have no instruments other than a homing receiver and a radar altimeter. They home in on a pre-deployed beacon. They have an automatic retrievable system, but can be disposable."
Thank you, sir." As Kate started to turn away, she saw Commander Wayne standing by herself, her shoulders shaking, obviously crying. Kate started to walk over to her."
The Commander put a restraining hand on her shoulder.
"Let her be, Lieutenant, she gets' like this before any landing operation. She'll be okay in half an hour or so."
"What happened to her?" The commander passed a hand over his eyes.
"It was twenty-five years ago, during the Boshang border incident. She was about your age,on a forward area hospital ship She was an emergency room surgeon. Like you, it was her first active assignment. They brought in the first load of causalities from the assault on the citadel. A Marine Lieutenant died on the operating table, despite heroic efforts to save him. He was her twin brother!
"How do you know so much about it sir?"
"I was in the same operating room. They were giving me this. I was also his company commander."
Kate thanked God that nothing like that could ever happen to her. None of her brothers were Marines, or even assigned to combat ships. Her uncle Alex, briefly crossed her mind. But he was a general.
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