Admiral Zenith had been in meetings ever since the shipyard had exploded, he was left with little answers and even more questions. Zenith realized that this attack had got everyone off guard even the intelligence community in the sector. He had a long list of suspects and the quick and dirty way appealed to Zenith when he issued the order for the Intel group to take out all the people on the suspect list. He did not care that most of these people most likely had nothing to do with the explosion but Zenith felt that getting rid of them would help clean up this sector.
Zenith now was able to go back to his quarters and read detailed reports of disaster above Polust. He read over the casualty report with his anger mounting, he thought that maybe he was being soft on these bastereds that planned the attack he thought that he should order the deaths of their families as well. Sixteen battlecruisers were destroyed as well as eight battlecruisers in production. Four frigates and ten escort ships were lost as well in the nuclear attack. At least ten thousand people were killed.
While the Polust commandoes dealt with the rebels, Zenith had to focus on the ongoing fight on the only infested planet in the sector. He had to get a victory plant side for the sake of moral after two sweeping victories by the Zerg; Terran morale was low to the point of breaking.
He saw the concentration of Zerg to the South around the huge fortress city which in a matter of days would be cut off and helpless. The only way to defeat the gathered Zerg was cut off its supply line that lay to the East of the commanding Celebrate. The only snag was it would have to be an air drop and there was no way that any forces could be pulled off the planet. This meant he would have to call men from other planets. Polust would provide the most men with Mackeron, and Deadterith providing at least one regiment a planet. Polust would provide at least three regiments of troops and one tank regiment. Now the fun part would be to convince the planets governors to give over that many men. Thought Zenith bitterly, he figured he could get at least one regiment from Polust but taking three would really deplete the garrison some.
He calmly sat in his overstuffed leather chair in his personal quarters and pressing a button bringing him a live connection to the Polustion governor. "What do you want" snapped the distraught governor who was at least fifty, balding and had been awake since the attack on the planets precious shipyard. "Well good afternoon to you to governor, I know you are busy so I'll get right down to business. As you may know the attack carried out on your shipyard was the work of the Zerg". "What the hell are you talking about? My sources tell me that it was carried out by a rebel faction thinking that the UED made up the Zerg threat in this sector, and I damn well know my source is reliable so don't try to tell me that this was a Zerg attack". Yelled the governor who was near the breaking point.
"By god man this attack was carried out by rebels but we have reason to believe that they were under the influence of the Zerg, and that key members may have been infested by the Zerg. Yelled Zenith right back at the poor distraught man.
"This is not the only reason why you called me is it Admiral?"
"No it is not, in light of recent events planet side I need more men and I am looking to your planet to provide six regiments of troops and three tank regiments. I have already asked the governors of Mackeron and Deadterith and they have agreed to provide two regiments already, and I feel if your people knew that the Zerg killed the loved ones, they will not hesitate to send more of the loved ones to combat this virus." Zenith could tell that he had broken down the governor.
The governor knew he was beaten by this Admiral, but he thought that maybe, just maybe he could send fewer men to die on foreign land. "Admiral after quick consideration I have decided to help your cause but without weakening my planets garrison too much. I have thought of a compromise, I will give you four regiments and one tank regiment. I am sorry if this will not be enough but this is all I can comfortable send away without risking my own planet".
"This is great governor, your help will be greatly appreciated, and with your men we shall now be guaranteed victory, I will not forget the sacrifice by your planet sir, Zenith out".
Zenith could not help but smile, not only had he tricked the Polustion governor into thinking that the attack on his shipyard had been the work of the Zerg but he had managed to secure one more regiment from Polust then he previously thought. Getting men from Mackeron and Deadterith would be easy, as one regiment was pocket change especially for a highly populated planet like Mackeron.
He pressed a green button on his command chair connecting him with the bridge, "Assemble high command in two hours aboard my ship, and tell them that I plan to launch another daring assault".
"We copy you admiral sending your message now". Replied the monotone voice of the communications officer who for Zenith was just another faceless solider fighting an equally faceless enemy. The troops had been assembled in high orbit all that they needed was a final draft of Zenith's plan and then they would land on the planets surface.
"Sir we should land the Deadterithiens first to clear the way, it will cost you most of them but after that you stand to only lose 40 of your landing party in the ensuing attack successfully cutting the Zerg supply line and smashing aside the Eastern defenses of the Celebrate". Said a by the book officer who had never fought on the front lines and his plan was quickly voted out by a vote of 10-1.
"Any other suggestions, there has to be someone in this room who can think of landing all these men at once and ripping apart not only the Eastern defenses but sweeping around the defenses surrounding the Celebrate and then landing a ghost team to kill it once and for all". Yelled the now frustrated Zenith who had his own plan out by a vote of 5-6.
"I think I have an idea sir, we begin with heavy orbital bombings of the whole celebrate defenses and then paste the AA structures with air bombings. What's ever is left is then destroyed by our landing forces, taking minimal losses in the air and on the ground, about 2 will die in the air with only 7 losses on the ground, bringing the total to just around 10 losses. If we can contact the forces in the fort maybe the can sally forth and breakout of the encirclement and join with our forces in a final push to kill the Zerg leader". Everyone in the room turned to look at the youngest and quietest general in the room who was the only surviving member of Zach's command and had been slowly learning what it took to be a general in operation planning.
Zenith was the first to speak, "Son I don't know where the hell you were before but if your numbers are correct, and then I can see this plan becoming a reality. Everyone vote on general Vadina's plan". The plan was passed with a vote of 9-2. General Vadina stood at the front of the room red with embarrassment as having his first plan chosen to become a mission, but not just an ordinary mission. This mission's outcome would dictate the course of the war on the planet's surface
Two hours later:
"I would like to thank everyone who voted for my plan and thank Admiral Zenith for actually allowing me to speak amongst you great men. Well getting down to business, the orbital bombardment should begin in two hours, with a six straight hour air bombing of remaining AA structures. In twenty four hours from now the landing shall start with the Polustion 3rd and 1st landing ten minutes ahead of the landing force, clearing a landing zone for the infantry. Ten minutes after the infantry land the tanks will land. After both elements have landed tank and man move as one smashing aside Zerg defenses. I have talked with Luxabordia and they agreed to send goliaths and infantry to clear the way and link up with the drop troops. Not only can we kill the Zerg leader we will also wipe out the Zerg in the south, leaving pockets of Zerg to the east and southeast of the capital city". The room was gripped in an awkward silence that lasted for a short period and was ended by everyone clapping as one, with the round of an applause Vadina took a shaky bow and sat down in his chair. The ship shuddered in unison with the whole fleet as it began the orbital bombardment.