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Checkpoint Bravo, Sura Forest, 60 Miles Outside Port Alexander, New Babylon, Babylon System, UEC Space
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Michelle couldn't be anymore right, Ben thought to himself sitting in the Cheetah's driving seat on a road between the forest, flickering through his UNICOM bored out of his mind. So far only one team had reached the second checkpoint over the past two hours, after receiving word from Checkpoint Alpha that all four teams had left and heading his way.
"What time is it now?" Sergeant Alex Hibbert asked standing in the unarmed turret section, peering out in the direction of the forest through a pair of electro-binoculars.
"Fourteen oh eight" Ben read from the timer on his wrist device.
"Wonder what's taking them so long" The Marine Corps Sergeant mused aloud still watching out for the late teams arrival. It had been nearly three days since they arrived at the Outer Colony of New Babylon and already Ben was not taking a liking to staying on the mining colony. It wasn't the world itself, quite the opposite the place was a gem however things didn't start off on the right foot before they even left Valhalla.
On the journey to the most populated Outer Colony of the UEC, some of the guys of his regiment did exactly what Captain Fisher advised them not to do and clashed with some of the marines. It wasn't anything serious other than exchange of verbal abuse and throwing a few objects at each other. All the same they received a firm warning from Captain Pires over their conduct.
Upon arrival they boarded Buzzard dropships who dropped them off at the local spaceport, to be greeted by officials of the local government. They were then lead to a makeshift base from an old factory district on the outskirts of the capital Port Alexander, which was to be their new home for God knows how long and not only that it was to be a shared between the 115th and a detachment of marines from the Amazon, much to the disgruntlement of his fellow soldiers.
Then it came to meeting the Colonial Militia and as expected the part timers didn't look a promising bunch. Most of them were miners, dock workers or police officers, the only ones who at least had some sense of discipline and respect to their superiors.
"So Howard, how long has that hybrid girl been in your regiment?"
"Just over a year, why?" He turned to him, giving a frown as he expected an offence comment like she had got from a number of marines on the trip here.
"No need to get defensive Corporal, I'm not discriminating against her unlike those idiots in A company. It's just the first time I've seen one not in a Cloven dominated unit" Hibbert glanced down briefly to him then back to the search.
"Her old man was Army and a big influence in her decision making. She could of followed in her mum's footsteps and joined the Cloven Commandos but said it wasn't to her liking" A loud whistle escaped from Hibbert's mouth at the mention of the most feared military unit of the UECAF.
"Damn, doesn't take long to know who wore the pants in her household" Ben gave short laugh at the joke then went back to his UNICOM, reading through the news reports on any further developments of the mysterious troubles on the Chimera's borders. So far there was nothing but speculation and guesswork on what the uglies were preoccupied with since they hadn't exactly been forthcoming.
Debates ranging from the more believable attacks from the Purists remnants to a possible invasion of the Commonwealth which Ben had a hard time believing. Whatever it was, it must be something bad for the Chimera not to so much as say a word about it.
"What about you Howard, you seem pretty relaxed to be around a leatherneck" Ben was pretty sure he was smirking behind the binoculars at the widely used nickname given to the Commonwealth Marine Corps.
"I can say the same to you Sarge"
"We may be rivals but at the end of the day, we all fight to keep humanity safe from the evils of the galaxy"
"My mum was a marine, so I know that not all of you are a bad bunch" He smirked as he thought of home, thinking momentarily of his last visit to Earth.
"Glad to know we're of the same mindset" The marine NCO said tinkering with the sights "Well, well, well"
"What?"
"See for yourself" Hibbert passed down the electro-binoculars, nodding over to the trees as Ben picked up the faint sound of voices. He took the binoculars and peered through to where the marine sergeant had indicated catching sight of seven people emerging from the trees in full kit except for their helmets, three of which he recognised with a mix of emotions on their faces.
All teams were a mix of soldiers, marines and militia participating in 'team building' exercise put together by Colonel Hall and head of the marine detachment Major Demir. The original plan was for to have four teams of seven to complete a four hour trek without the use of UNICOMs, helmet assistance or any digital device, using instead an paper map and compass like they did in the old days. So far it wasn't planning out to be a great idea.
"They don't look happy"
"Mijn God, don't you ever shut up!" One of the marines of the group growled to Victor and a colonial militia private, who ignored him and carried on chin wagging.
"That's an understatement" Ben lowered the binoculars, tapping on his UNICOM at them as they closed in "You're late"
"No thanks to Columbus here" Michelle pointed to a militiaman holding the map and compass in his hands.
"We could of got here earlier if you went up that hill I suggested" The same militiaman threw back in defence.
"The same hill that so happens to be a abandoned mine prone to sinkholes?"
"Are you guys finished?" Hibbert spoke over the arguing squad "Did you get the first code from Checkpoint Alpha?" He feigned ignorance, already knowing full well that they had done so.
"All six numbers. Nat has them" Michelle nodded over to her, producing a note from one of her ammo pouches.
"Ok Howard, give them the next six digit code and then send 'em on their way"
"Can you keep these two with you Sarge" The same marine from before pleaded, receiving snorts from the offended pair.
"Sorry Vorm but if you all don't arrive back to base together, you fail the exercise" The marine sighed muttering curses in Dutch, getting a sympathetic look from Michelle who tapped his shoulder.
"Don't worry, I have few ideas that might shut the talkative couple up until we get back"
"Ready Nat?" She gave a nod placing the pen's tip on the paper note "Zero, five, three, seven, nine, two"
"Nine, two. Yep got it" She scribbled the numbers on the note packing it back into the pouch once she got the last number.
"Team one is ahead of you and most likely at Checkpoint Charlie by now. If you hurrying you might be able to catch up to them before reaching Checkpoint Delta"
"Let's get going then, see ya Corp" The team left them with mix enthusiasm, trudging their way back into the forest behind the Cheetah.
"I pity Vic and that private"
"Why's that Howard?" The Sarge turned raising a brow.
"Whatever Michelle has conjured for those two, you can guarantee will keep them as quiet as a mouse for the rest of the journey"
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Command Bridge, Marauder- class cruiser Amazon, New Babylon orbit
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Lieutenant commander Eiji Moto was reading the last bits of the report on the installation of anti ship batteries on the colony below, standing by the view window amidst the mundane activity on the Bridge. At first he was as curious as the rest of the crew when he saw the mass drivers being loading into the hangar bay before their departure, until Captain Fisher told them they were for the defence of the colony world their cruiser was currently on protection duty to.
The New Babylonian government had requested for the big guns and an extra military presence to be established on the planet because their Member of Parliament was one of the large group of MPs representing the Outer Colonies, voicing opposition at the apparent bias of protection given to the Inner Colonies. This was always a notion spoke about in the Commonwealth Parliament that had been ignored for years until recently, leading to much debate and rumours amongst the crew over the sudden change of heart of the UECAF high command to give the Colonies what they wanted.
Due to New Babylon being the most populated Outer Colony with over four million inhabitants, it was chosen to have the greatest defence out of the hundred or so worlds on the frontier of UEC space. Eiji gave the taskforce it's credit, it was an impressive force to come up against if somebody were to invade the system. Besides the soon to be operational surface anti ship batteries, a whole Army regiment and a battalion of Marines to fight a hypothetical ground war, a squadron of nine ships were assigned to patrol the Babylon system. More was supposedly on the way.
Along with the Amazon there was the two Geneva-class destroyers the Prague and the Canberra and six Scimitar-class frigates Fury, Knife's Edge, Shadow Fist, Grim Strike, Jumping Leaper and Dagger's Tip. The whole second fleet was split and spread out to different systems within close proximity to each other, an order that was unpopular but none the less obeyed.
Officially the Premier and the command board of the UECAF had come out stating it was a new strategical and tactical plan to prove it was capable of defending all of humanity's territories, unofficial however it was believed they were on high alert. The junior officers and shipmen and woman had guessed it was to do with whatever had got the Imperials spooked, explaining the increase of the military manoeuvring in all sectors.
Professionally Eiji distanced himself from all the gossip from the others, telling them not to listen to hearsay but deep down he was just as sceptical about their mission as they were. The sound of the doors to the Bridge opening up to changed his attention to the in walking Captain Fisher, making his way over to combat holo projector centred in the middle of the Bridge.
"Captain-san" He greeted his superior, walking over to him.
"Eiji, anything to report?"
"The Canberra and the Shadow Fist have returned from their sweeps around the system. Chief Engineer Ivanov has reported the AS guns are near to completion and should be operational tomorrow" Eiji handed over the datapad he was reading to Fisher.
"Good, that should keep MP Donaldson off my back for now unless-"
"Captain, sensors picking up an anomaly by the third moon" An Ensign called over from her control screen.
"What kind of an anomaly?" They both made their way over to the reporting Ensign, Eiji observing the radar readings on her assigned screen.
"Unknown energy readings appeared a few seconds ago with a bogey signature before disappearing just now"
"Could be a glitch" The Captain suggested at the clear readings on her screen.
"There it is again sir" Eiji saw a red dot labelled unknown by the computer's inability to identify the strange object moving above the third moon, Adapa.
"Interesting. Silva do we have anyone out there?" Fisher turned to Lieutenant on the other side of the combat projector.
"The Prague is the closest sir, she's orbiting the first moon but hasn't reported sending any personnel or equipment out there"
"Request the Prague to send a couple of fighters to investigate"
"Yes Captain" He spoke into his headset relaying the Captain's orders to the destroyer. Eiji saw the Captain had formed a puzzling expression on his face, staring at the screen as if he was trying to work out a problem.
"Is there something wrong Captain-san?"
"You ever had one of those gut feelings when something unexpected is going to happen?"
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"That's the last of them" Hibbert announced as Ben watched the last team leave with the code and toddle off toward the forest again.
"Wonder if the others have reached Checkpoint Delta yet" He said climbing into the drive seat of the Cheetah and starting it up.
"Let's find out" The marine unhooked the wireless communicator from the radio set "This is Checkpoint Bravo to Checkpoint Delta, have you come into contact with any of the teams yet?, over"
"Checkpoint Delta to Checkpoint Charlie, teams one and two have arrived and racing to the finishing line as we speak, over"
"Hey Dan, is Victor still walking?" A chuckle came over the comm in response.
"Yeah but he hardly said a word. One of the colonial privates in their team said he and Modric kept walking into 'accidents' on the way here. It didn't take much figuring out who was responsible with the shit eating grins from Colton and some marine called Vorm"
"We're heading back to base, the last team is making their to Charlie now. See you guys when you get back, over and out" Cutting the link Hibbert put the communicator pack in the socket, so Ben began putting his foot on the peddle "Appears your friend kept to her promise"
"Get on Michelle's bad side and she can make you suffer. Modric isn't a bad guy, he just a bloody pain in the arse ninety five percent of the time"
"I can believe that, every unit has one of those types" He replied back as they drove back to base.
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Valkyrie 1, en route to Adapa moon, New Babylon
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Dodging a stray rock past the second moon, the pilot of Valkyrie 1 flew his Reaper Strike Fighter toward the co-ordinates of the reported suspicious activity picked up by the Amazon's sensors. Alongside him was Valkyrie 3 flying close by contacting him over the comm.
"Valkyrie 3 to Valkyrie 1, do you know what they have us searching for out here sir?"
"Sensors on the Amazon picked up a bogey moving around the third moon"
"So why hasn't the Prague picked it up as well?"
"They have, that's why we're investigating Valkyrie 3. Keep an eye on your scanners" The conversation ended there and the pilots went back to the duty of finding the cause of the anomaly. Both swept across the barren, rocky moon taking different flight paths, Valkyrie 1 going around the equator whilst Valkyrie 3 took the vertical flight from the moon's south pole to its north.
"Have your scans picked up anything?"
"Negative, nothing on the scopes" The three dimensional radar in his cockpit came up with the same results, nothing but rock formations and space dust filling the screen.
"Amazon control to Valkyrie flight, have you found the source of the anomaly yet?
"Negative Amazon, nothing out here but dirt and rock"
"Ok, finish your sweep then head back to-"
"This is Valkyrie 3 to Amazon control, an unknown ship has just left the moon's surface!. On intercept course" The shocked voice of his wingman shouted through the comm.
"Valkyrie 1 to Valkyrie 3, hold up I'm on my way" Pulling on the throttle and maximising thrust he sped toward Valkyrie 3's position, which appeared to be racing away from the moon's orbit. When he caught up he saw the ship in question being tailed by Valkyrie 3 trying to fly away from them.
"Valkyrie flight, report"
"We currently trailing the unknown ship Amazon control. Loading camera optics now"
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CSFV Amazon, New Babylon orbit
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Eiji stood around the combat projector table next to Fisher, staring at the blue and white holo image of strange insect shaped spacecraft no bigger than a shuttle trying to outrun the two fighters. Everybody's eyes in room were now focused on the chase.
"To unknown ship, you are in UEC control space. Identify yourselves or you will be seized and taken in for questioning" The voice of Valkyrie 1 came through the speakers, sending a warning to the unidentified ship. No reply came back from the intruder.
"I repeat to unknown vessel, you are in-"
"Sir!, I'm picking up a high energy reading coming from the ship" The panicking voice of Valkyrie 3 came next, followed by the ship quickly vanishing from view.
"What the, where the hell did it go?"
"Did it jump to FTL?"
"I didn't see a FTL window open"
"Valkyrie Flight return to base, send all data to control" Fisher ordered the two bewildered pilots back, reversing back the recording of the strange ship. The holo projection rotated the vessel clockwise in the centre of the table abling them to have a more detailed look over it.
"I never seen a ship like that before" A Sub lieutenant said gazing at the rotating holo image.
"Could it be a new Purist design" Silva came up with a speculated answer over the visitor.
"Maybe, but the architecture of their ships is same as that of the Imperials. This is something completely different" Eiji mused getting a hum of from the Captain, who seemed to agree with his assessment.
"Question is what was it doing here?" He questioned out loud, examining the many possibilities to that answer.
"Uh sir?" The same Ensign who had first alerted them to the mysterious bogey called to the surrounding observers "I'm picking up more energy readings, a lot more" No sooner had her sentence finished new ships suddenly appeared around the Adapa moon. Eiji and everyone on the Bridge was taken aback by the new arrival of unknown ships that had came from nowhere, now positioning themselves into Adapa's orbit and moving their way toward the CSF ships.
By the Ancestors, the Second in command exclaimed to himself.
"Sir, bogeys are scanning us and closing in at three hundred thousand kilometres" Another voice near the control panels on the far end of the Bridge reported.
The holo projector was now lighting up the new arrivals counting up to 12 ships in total and in all different shapes and sizes. Six of them were semi-circular in design and had a spine sticking out at the back with wing like extensions on the side, only a couple of hundred metres shorter than a destroyer. The next ones Eiji studied were oddly shaped and looked as if somebody just through a pile of junk together and stuck some engines at the back, counting at least three of them and were the same length as a destroyer.
They surrounded a centre ship which Eiji guested to be the command vessel, their counterpart. It appeared similar to that of an old submarine but had two long spines at the back with what he best described as a 'beak' at the front. Behind all those was two other ships with horizontal domes attached to a centre support, showing no evidence of weapon emplacements unless they were hidden away.
"Moto, link all ships and tell them to ready battlestations just incase this goes tits up. Then send an alert to both to command, our forces on the ground and the New Babylon government" Fisher ordered him, not keeping his eyes off the unknown fleet.
"Yes sir" He pulled up a touch screen keyboard and screen from the projected, typing in the ordered alert message to the concerned parties.
"Ensign, establish a line to the lead ship"
"Yes Captain" A feminine acknowledged him, giving him a thumbs up a few seconds later.
"This it people. Keep quiet and let's hope this goes well" Fisher said aloud to everybody on the Bridge "To unidentified ships, you are in United Earth Commonwealth territory. Identify yourselves and state your business in this system" No reply came but the challenge had some effect as the new fleet halted their approach.
"They could be having trouble understanding us" Eiji reasoned for the lack of vocal response.
"Perhaps" Fisher was thinking over the likely explanation "I repeat to unidentified ships, you are in United Earth Commonwealth space. Identify yourselves and explain your presence in this system" A few more quiet seconds went by from Fisher's repeated warning with no response.
"Maybe-"
"This is Admiral Laden of the Separatist Alliance Navy, to whom am I speaking?"