CHAPTER TWELVE
17, April 2454 Aboard the Tenacious 10:00 hours.
Rick Castle was in a good mood. He wanted to find out why Kate had been avoiding him, and if everything worked out, he was finally going to tell her how he felt.
He entered Sickbay, but his timing was terrible. Kate, Captain Wayne and Lanie were conferring. One of their patients was not doing well, and they were scared that they might lose her. Rick didn't realize it. His need to talk to Kate overrode his usual caution.
"Kate, I don't want to interrupt anything, but can you spare a few minutes?"
Kate didn't even look up.
"Can't you see that I'm busy? Come back later!" she snapped at him. Captain Wayne looked up as Rick spoke. There had been a slight smile on his face and his eyes had been dancing. She watched the smile falter and his eyes grow cold. Rick watched Kate for a second or two. His face might have been carved from granite. There was no expression at all.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low and tight.
"I think not, Commander." He spun on his heel and marched off.
Kate finished her comments on the chart then looked up.
"There, that should do it. We'll schedule her for surgery at 13:00." She looked startled at
Lanie 's raised eyebrows.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Lanie?"
Lanie just shook her head.
"I thought you said that you love him."
Kate 's brow furrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
"Rick, you ninny. He was just here, and he looked excited about something. You didn't even look at him when you sent him away. And after you've spent this time avoiding him, what is he supposed to think? I know what you said, and even I would be doubting it after that performance."
Kate replayed the conversation in her mind. She visibly paled as she realized what she had said and how she had sounded. Oh my God, oh no! She glanced up at the other two, her eyes wide.
"I was distracted."
Captain Wayne looked at her with pity.
"Kate, you do realize that while you saved your patient here, you just might have caused some serious damage to your relationship with Major Castle? You can't brush off a man like that. He's a very proud man. He has to be to do what he does and accomplish what he has, so young."
Tears were already forming in Kate 's eyes.
"I'm not just saying it, honestly, I do love him."
Captain Wayne sighed and placed her hand on Kate 's arm.
"Then you'd better try and salvage it. I know men like him. I've known them for years. He's not stupid and he's not cruel. But right now, he's confused by your avoidance, hurt at what you just did, and likely angry at the whole situation. Give him some time to cool down."
Kate nodded, Lanie coming up next to her and taking her hand consolingly. Captain Wayne continued.
"They're going into battle tomorrow. Tonight, the officers will have a traditional dinner. They'll drink a lot of toasts and pretend that they don't know that some of them won't come back. That will be your chance. Get out of that uniform. Put on something to remind them all that you're a woman. Beg him, if you have to." Now there were tears the captain's eyes.
"Years ago, I didn't do any of that. I was too proud. My Marcus was shot down. There are nights when I still cry myself to sleep."
17, April 2454 Marine operations center aboard the Tenacious 11:30 hours.
The Marine Corporal handed Del a disc. "Change of orders, sir, direct from the Major."
Del opened the disc and read the display. He didn't like what he saw.
"Hold the fort, Sergeant. I'm going to see the Major."
Del walked into Rick 's office and closed the door behind him. He glared at Rick.
"What in the bottom layer of the ten Hells is this?" he asked.
Rick looked at Del steadily and merely raised his eyebrows.
"It's a change of orders, what does it look like?"
A series of expressions chased themselves over Del's face: anger, fear, and frustration. Anger won out.
"Dammit, Rick, you can't do this!"
Rick rose to his feet. His brows lowered.
"Have you forgotten? I'm the commanding officer! I can do anything I damn well please as long as it's within regulations. This is! I'm commanding the assault. Carlson is moved to the follow-on; you'll take the battle direction center carrier and reserve."
Del clenched his fists.
"Why, Rick, Why? I'm your brother. You at least owe me an explanation."
Rick sighed and gestured at a chair.
"Sit down, Del. Look, Carlson has a wife. You're marrying Lairlene as soon as this mission is over. I'm not going to be the one that stands there with the chaplain and tells Lairlene or your mother that you're not coming home because I couldn't do my job."
Rick placed both hands on his desk. He stared at Del, his eyes intense and focused.
"It's my command, my risk to take!"
Del stood up and placed his hands on his hips.
"So, if you buy the farm on the assault, you'd leave me to tell Mother that you're not coming home? Or Julia, or Kate?
Rick crossed his arms; a set look on his face.
"Del, it's like this. If I buy the farm, it wouldn't be as bad for Rayene as if she lost her real son." Del began to speak, but Rick held up his hand. "Julia has been prepared for the possibility since I joined the corps. She's a Castle. She's a tough lady. And as for Kate, I just don't know that it matters as much to her." He scrubbed his face with his hands and dropped them to his sides. "For the last week she's been avoiding me. This morning she blew me off. I don't know what the deal with her is, but it's pretty obvious that I overestimated how much she cares."
Del shook his head.
"After all the time you spent with us, you still don't understand? To Mother you are her real son. If she loses you, it will tear at her heart just like Carnor. Maybe even more so, since she hasn't had you all that long, and she loves being a mother figure for you. And do you really think Julia's that tough? I don't. She puts on a brave face for you, but there's times, when we leave and I look back, well, there's just this look in her eyes. As for Kate, well, I honestly don't know what's going on between you two. I don't know why she's avoiding you either, but one thing I do know." He paused to make sure that Rick was listening to him.
"She cares about you. A lot. I've seen it. Maybe it even scares her, I don't know. You know how close I am to Celienne. I've seen the same look in her eyes when she feels strongly about someone that I see in Kate's. Just…give her a chance to try and explain herself. Don't make this decision based on anger."
Rick shook his head in negation. "It doesn't matter, Del, the reasons still stand anyway for Carlson and you. At least you both are sure about your relationships. Besides, the plan has already gone to the Admiral and come back approved. Let it go, it's time for lunch."
Del frowned, but had no choice but to follow Rick out.
17, April 2454 Officer's Mess, aboard the Tenacious, 18:00 hours.
Kate, Lanie and Captain Wayne sat together. Captain Rogers, Admiral Petrofsky and Captain Petrofsky sat at another table. Kate had taken Wayne's advice. She wore a deep green outfit that brought out her eyes. They all stood as they heard the sound of marching men.
The Marine officers entered as a group, all in dress blues, and all solemn and attentive.
Rick looked neither right nor left, nor did he say a word. He made a sharp left face and entered the section reserved for the Marines. He went to where a head table was set out.
"Gentlemen, take your places. Mr. Vice, you have the floor."
The toasts began, and continued through the Alpha Centauri Empire, the Emperor, the Fleet Marines, their own unit and finally the ladies. Rick then said;
"Gentlemen, I give you Montrose's toast: 'He either fears his fate too much or his rewards are small. Who dares not put it to the touch to win or lose it all!" Rick lifted his glass and drained it, then sat and said," Stewards, you may serve."
Kate was very worried. She bit her lip, trying to catch Rick 's eye, and then turned to Captain Wayne. "He hasn't even looked at me."
The captain was worried herself. "That may be the least of your problems. That toast he made? He means that he will win tomorrow or die trying." A moment later, Rick confirmed it. He stood.
"Gentlemen, tomorrow is our baptism of fire. The true test of our training and commitment. I want no man with me who is not ready to give it all, if he must. Remember the ancient Spartan words. Let us come with our shields, or on them! Gentlemen, charge your glasses. To victory!
All the officer's glasses raised and the toast was answered. "To Victory!"
Kate 's eyes went wide, and her glass sat untouched. But he promised me." She sounded close to tears, and then, she was. The tears flowed.
"I think that he's not thinking you really care about that promise," Captain Wayne said gently.
Kate sat up straight and clasped her hands together resolutely.
"I have to stop him. I'll go to him, right now." She made as if to stand up, only to have Captain Wayne grab her arm.
"No, not here, you'll make it worse. I meant what I said, but in private."
Rick finished his meal quickly, and then stood. "Gentlemen, enjoy your meal. Good night." He turned and marched out of the mess hall, but he couldn't help turning his head. Kate caught his gaze. He hesitated, briefly, but his eyes darkened and he kept going. Kate waited a few minutes, her heart pounding, and followed him. She turned into the corridor leading to Rick 's quarters and stopped.
A Marine sentry stood in the middle.
"I'm sorry, Commander, no one but Marine personnel are allowed beyond this point."
"I really need to see Major Castle."
"Sorry, ma'am, those are the Major's orders. Pre-mission security." Kate thought about arguing with him, but she didn't want to create a scene in the hallway. She returned to the mess hall, where her friends were waiting for her.
"What happened, Kate?" Lanie asked. She had taken one look at Kate 's dejected face and had hurried over. Kate looked at her and took a deep, ragged breath.
"I couldn't even get to see him! There was a Marine sentry blocking the corridor. What do I do now? What if he's killed? I can't leave things the way they are, Lanie, I can't. If he leaves and dies down there, it'll break my heart." Her words were laced with desperation and fear.
"He won't be killed. He's got more lives than 10 cats. Look, when he comes back, you'll get it sorted out, I know it," Lanie said.
Kate put a hand to her forehead. "I'm going to my quarters."
"Don't do that, Kate, you'll only brood. Let's go to Ten-Forward and get a drink."
"I don't want a drink."
"She's right, Commander," Captain Wayne said. "I'll go with you. We can talk this out." Reluctantly, Kate agreed.
They were sitting together, nursing their drinks, or in Kate 's case, staring into it, when Del Kevan walked in, his face like a storm cloud. Kate sprang up, ignoring Lanie 's hand, and approached him.
"Del, where is he?"
Del said nothing, debating internally. Finally, he spoke.
"He's in his quarters, preparing for tomorrow. Don't get your hopes up that he'd want to see you." Kate flinched at the obvious anger in Del's voice.
"Captain Kevan," Captain Wayne snapped, "watch your mouth."
Del looked at her, his eyes narrowed.
"Why should I, Captain? You can't do anything worse to me than already has been done."
"What do you mean?"
"Because he got hurt and angry, I may lose my brother. You didn't know that, did you?
The Emperor declared Rick a son of Kevan house. Under our laws and within our family regard, he is my brother!"
He broke off and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he was noticeably calmer, but his eyes were dark and troubled.
"I don't know what happened this morning, exactly, but he was cheerful and said that he was going to see Commander Beckett about something. I know that he promised her earlier that he would be careful. When he came back, everything changed, and not for the better. He was…efficient, distant. He changed the order of battle. Originally, Captain Carlson was to lead the assault force, and I was supposed to lead the support force. He would direct from his command carrier. Now he's put Carlson in command of the support force, put me in command of the reserve and took the assault force for himself!"
Kate 's gasp was loud enough that several others looked over at the group curiously. Del grabbed her elbow and pulled her over to a quieter corner, Lanie and Wayne following. Del looked around briefly and continued.
"I challenged him on it. His exact words were 'You're getting married when the mission is over. I'm not going to be the one who tells Lairlene or your mother that you didn't come home, because I couldn't do my job.' Then he finished with 'It's my command, my risk to take.' I could hardly believe what he was saying. He also tried to say that Julia could handle his death. I reminded him that my mother considers him a son, and that Julia would NOT be fine with it. Then I asked him about you. And he said he thinks he overestimated how much you care. He may think that his death won't matter to you at all. I tried to tell him that wasn't the case, but I don't think he believed me."
Kate 's eyes widened in shock. "It won't matter to me? How can he say that? I love him!"
Del raised his eyebrows. He'd wondered…and now he knew. But if so, what had happened?
"I don't think he thinks that. What happened this morning? What changed? And what made you decide to avoid him this past week? That contributed too, you know." Kate dropped her face into her hands and began crying. Del was frankly baffled.
Captain Wayne stepped closer and laid her hand on Del's arm. "Captain Kevan, do you consider me an honorable woman?"
"I have no reason to believe otherwise, Captain."
"Then let Commander Beckett explain herself. She's not lying. I know that she loves him. She made some serious mistakes but it doesn't change the underlying truth."
Del turned back to Kate. "Well?"
Kate looked up, tears streaming down her face
. "I love him. I haven't had a date that meant anything since the night of my coming home party! It took me so long to realize it, but…I know that you may find this hard to believe, but I've already given my heart to him, even if he doesn't know it. For me, that's once in a lifetime."
She gulped and struggled to keep her voice steady. "If I lose Rick, I'll go on living, but my life will be a cold, empty thing. I will never hold the man I love. I will never hold our babies." In spite of herself, her voice dropped to a near whisper. "I was stupid this week. I knew what I felt, but I was so afraid that he wouldn't love me back that I avoided him. And this morning, I was distracted. I snapped at him. I sent him away. I didn't even realize it was him standing there until afterwards. Oh God, Del, please forgive me, please help me." Her hand caught his in a bruising grip.
Del softened.
"I wish I could, but I can't do anything now. He's already set things in motion and won't listen to anyone. I believe you, Kate. That's truth I hear in your voice." He took both of her hands. "I will do what I can to look out for him and let him know he was wrong about you. But I warn you, it may not be easy to get him to believe me."
"I don't care. Just…please try."
Captain Wayne checked the time. "You'd better get to your quarters, Kate, or I'll have Lieutenant Vernon take the trauma center in the morning."
Kate stood, brushing the tears off her cheeks.
"Let me have a few minutes in the chapel. Then I'll go. It's the only thing I can do, now." They nodded and left, Del pausing to squeeze her shoulder briefly. She took a minute to compose herself and headed out.
Kate walked to the holodeck and called up the program for her services. As the doors hissed open, she walked in and took a deep breath, looking around at the faithful representation of the stained-glass windows and simple pews of her childhood church. She knelt down at the altar, praying fervently for Rick 's safety. As she was leaving the chapel, Cristobol walked in. Kate looked at her in surprise.
Cristobol rolled her eyes.
"Don't look so shocked, Commander. I admitted to wanting Rick Castle, and not for the right reasons. He's handsome and smoking hot. I'm selfish and sometimes unethical but I'm not evil." Kate raised her eyebrows, and Cristobol shook her head, taking a step or two closers.
"I came here probably for the same reason you did. To pray for his safety. I'm not a very good Catholic but I am a Catholic. I realize, now, that I can't have him. But I still want him back safe. You and I will never be friends, but we can pray for the same thing.
Good night, Commander."
Not knowing what to say, Kate left Cristobol to her prayers and went to her quarters. A few minutes later, Lanie came in. Kate looked up at her with despair, her vibrant eyes almost the only color in her pale face.
"Oh Lanie, what have I done? I didn't tell him what he needed to know, and he's going out there and could get killed. He could die thinking that I don't really care!"
Lanie sat on the bed and held her friend as she cried.
18, April 2454 Launch bay, U.S.S. Tenacious 04:00 hours
Kate, Lanie, Captain Wayne stood on an observation platform, along with a number of others, watching as the Marine assault landing craft assembled. Kate 's eyes were red and swollen and she was trembling.
Rick 's voice came over the speakers.
"A little music while we wait, Gentlemen."
Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries blasted from the speakers.
A few minutes later the music cut off. "This is Landing operations; all assault craft are launched. Now Hear This: Away All Boats!"
18, April 2454. Ten kilometers outside Placida Star port. 05:30 hours.
Rick stood in the turret hatch of his command carrier, scanning the star port through computer enhanced binoculars and a down-loaded satellite image. Observation drones were orbiting the star port. "Artillery commander, do you have your initial targets locked in?"
"Yes Sir, down and tight."
"Give me a two-minute time on target barrage, followed by guided weapons. Commence firing."
Jagul Gull awakened to the crash of exploding artillery shells. He jumped out of bed but was immediately thrown to the floor by an impact directly on the command center.
The lights went out, replaced by dim emergency lighting. He struggled into his uniform and grabbed his weapons belt. He had to crawl through the partially collapsed doorway.
He made it to the emergency command bunker. "What is happening?" He asked the duty officer. "We are under attack, Sir."
"That is obvious. By whom?"
"We don't know, Sir."
"Get me a surface camera or sensor. Now!"
"Coming on viewer, Sir."
"Magnification 20." "Fleet Marines!" Rally the first regiment to meet them!
Have the second regiment man defensive positions. The artillery fire had let up and the Crovanian regulars were assembling, ready to move out. The few anti-air missile and disruptor batteries unmasked and began sweeping the skies with radar and lidar looking for attack aircraft. They made a critical mistake, ignoring the small slow flying recon drones.
The four heavy anti-vehicle batteries also unmasked. At this point, they had no targets, as all of the Marine's vehicles sat in a depression that put them below line of sight.
"Sir, drones have identified priority targets. Eight, all told." The Marine Artillery commander reported. "Very well, Captain, triple target each position. One guided weapon and two smart rounds each." Rick ordered.
"Targets identified and locked in, Sir."
"Commence firing, when ready."
"Fire!" Eight missiles streaked off their racks
Flying just two meters off the ground until they pitched up, went vertical, nosed over
Guidance locked and streaked down. The four artillery pieces fired two rounds, each in quick succession.
After the series of earth-shattering explosions, none of the heavy weapons emplacements survived. Rick consulted his pad. "Artillery cease fire. We want to keep as much of the infrastructure intact as possible. Reload with direct fire canister rounds.
Same location, 06:00 hours.
The Crovanian regular infantry moved out, in good order. They still hadn't seen the armored cavalry vehicles or the armored infantry carriers. Despite the pounding the star port had taken, they were confident that they could overwhelm a single light infantry battalion as the enemy couldn't use his artillery, danger close to his own troops.
They deployed into skirmish order and advanced. Rick was watching them, closely.
"First platoon of Alpha Company, let's bait the hook. Send out skirmishers.
Fire five rounds and fall back."
The lead Crovanian squads started taking fire. A few troops fell. They returned fire but the Marines were already falling back. The Crovanians had used ambush and booby traps so often, that it was part of their culture. They were told so often that they were the craftiest troops around that they never expected to have those tactics used against them.
The Crovanian commander ordered a full advance.
"They've passed the point of no return." Rick said. "All units advance. Cavalry, flank them! Alpha and Bravo companies dismount and advance as skirmishers. Carriers, advance in close support. The Marines began advancing in a series of leap frog maneuvers, one squad or platoon firing as the other advanced. The Crovanians outnumbered the Marines by more than three to one but while regulars, were not experienced combat troops. Many of the Marines were. The Crovanians were suffering casualties but so were the Marines. The Crovanians had spread out into a wide skirmish line, with eight companies forward and two back. "Guns Forward!" Rick commanded,
"Marines Prone! Now!"
The Artillery came up out of the depression. The Crovanians didn't even have time to react. "Fire!" It was like four huge shotguns firing in unison. The Crovanian ranks were swept by more than 30,000 high velocity projectiles.
"Charlie Company, advance and link up with Alpha and Bravo. Delta Company, advance to the depression and hold."
Rick stood in the commander's hatch of the command carrier, climbed out and jumped to the ground.
"Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Follow Me!"
It was nothing but carnage and confusion in the Crovanian ranks. Before they could even reorganize, Charlie company had joined the other two and all three were firing. The light automatic cannon on the carriers were also firing.
The Armored Cavalry Vehicles hit them from the flank. It was too much. What was left of the regiment broke and ran but shelter was too far away.
Realizing that every Crovanian who survived could fight another day, the marines poured fire in. finally a group of about 100 dropped their weapons, fell to their knees and surrendered, Of the more than 900 troops that marched out that morning, around 500 had been killed outright, another 100 seriously wounded and around 250 had minor wounds.
"Recall and rally" Rick ordered. "Medics forward, evacuate the seriously wounded to the forward trauma centers. Minor wounds will be treated in place. Move it! I want the casualty reports soonest. All personnel will recharge your magazines. Secure all enemy weapons. Enemy prisoners will move their dead and wounded into that clump of woods over there."
Set up force field generators in a perimeter. Set fields to lethal force."
18, April 2454 Base Camp, Placida 07:30 hours.
Kate Beckett, in one of the forward trauma centers was able to relax, a little.
The battle for the star port was in a lull phase and the Marine casualties had not been as bad as expected. The two trauma centers were full with eight seriously wounded men
They were in the process of being stabilized enough to transport them back to the ship. To her immediate relief, Rick Castle was unharmed. "Rick 's safe, she thought.
Now if he'll only stay that way until I can see him. I have to win him back. I have to!
Oh God, Baby, don't lead that final assault. You don't have to. Everyone knows that you're brave. I need you."
Placida star port, 07:30 hours.
Jagul Gull sat staring out, deep in shock. An entire regular regiment destroyed in less time than it took to write about it! He knew that if he lost this star port, his life was forfeit when he returned home. How was it possible? How did Commonwealth troops get here without warning? He'd never heard of a battalion size force having this kind of support.
He had one regiment left here in the port and only mercenaries, at that. One regiment destroyed, one out of touch and one unknown. He had to get at least one of the regiments back here. (It wouldn't happen in time) The Marines had put two regiments out of action, killed or captured. The third regiment had been split up to check on the various outposts.
Partisan units, newly armed and equipped were attacking and delaying the regiment.
The whole Crovanian mission had been poorly thought out. Originally planned as a planetary version of a smash and grab robbery they had only planned to stay long enough to steal some badly needed heavy metals, especially caladium ore. But as commercial interests had financed much of the mission, greed overcame common sense.
Consequently, the military had not prepared itself to deal with first line troops.
Their worst lack was in anti-armor missiles.
In addition to their unit support weapons, each Marine carried two anti-armor missiles in disposable launchers. Small, not capable of destroying an armored vehicle, they were intended to disable it long enough to bring heavier weapons into play. The Crovanians didn't even have those.
18, April 2454, Outside the Star port, 09:00 hours.
Rick checked his command. They had all eaten a ration packet, replenished ammunition and rested. Those lightly wounded men able to continue had been treated. The dead had been placed in body bags and sent to the rear. They would be taken back to the ship when and only when the whole battalion returned.
"Launch a message drone offering them a chance to surrender." Rick Commanded.
The Crovanians only reply was to shoot the drone down.
"Battalion, Advance." Rick ordered. The battalion advanced in an inverted wedge formation. Two Companies ahead, on line one to the rear. Delta Company had switched places with Bravo, with Bravo trailing 500 meters acting as the reserve, Del Kevan commanding the reserve.
The mercenaries defending the port weren't all Crovanians. In fact, most of them weren't. The ten companies of the regiment were made up from most of the races of the Alpha quadrant. Only one company was made up of Crovanians, most of them sub-standard soldiers kicked out of the army. The captain commanding it had been the one to shoot down the message drone.
The vast majority of the mercenaries were like mercenaries all over the galaxy and since earliest times. Hired guns, they were not even close to being first class troops.
They'd hired on, expecting to be bully boys or convoy guards, not to face Fleet Marines. Jagul Gull was appalled. The naked fear on the faces of the mercenaries did not bode well for the defense of the star port. The only ones he was sure he could count on were the Crovanians and a group of human renegades. The look on the faces of the humans was more desperation then discipline.
Gull looked out. The Marines were now in a line abreast formation, the infantry spread out behind their carriers, the armored cavalry on the flanks. The Marines had closed to 750 meters when the Crovanian company commander ordered his men to open fire.
The response was immediate. The automatic cannons of the carriers raked their position.
They had four mortars, also manned by Crovanians. They began dropping shells among the Marines. Unknown to the Crovanians, the Marines had very specialized carriers with them, fully tracked, not air cushion. These vehicles mounted 120 mm
mortars with tracking radar. They were stabilized and could fire on the move.
The Crovanian mortars only got 3 or 4 rounds off, apiece, before they drew devastating counter-battery fire. One of the 120 mm mortar bombs landed in one of the ammo stores.
The resulting explosion sprayed shrapnel across the back of one of the companies.
That's all it took. Panic began to spread. Two companies dropped their weapons and ran.
Others continued to fight but not very effectively, some of their men running while their squad mates fought on.
Gull and what were left of his Crovanian company retreated to the emergency command bunker, piling furniture, boxes, anything they could find in corridors.
The enemy fire was slacking off as the mercenaries either ran or sought better cover.
Rick halted his men 150 meters out. "Now comes the hard part. Rick thought. We've got to dig those rats out of their holes. It's classic urban warfare, fire and maneuver.
"Dismount, in echelon, by platoons advance. Use cover, remember your training. Advance!"
Rick knew that he shouldn't be where he was, but he wouldn't ask his men to do anything he wouldn't do himself. He positioned himself just behind the leading platoon's point squad and advanced with the assault element.
The Marines began taking fire, again and sustaining casualties. They gave far better than they got. Each time they found a strong point they pounded it with grenades. At one point an entire mercenary platoon took cover in what had been a repair station for vehicles. The Marines used their anti-armor missiles against it. One of the missiles hit a lubricating oil storage tank. The interior of the building became a raging inferno.
Except for the Crovanian company, the screaming of the burning mercenaries pretty much ended the resistance. All over the complex hands were raised and weapons discarded.
The Marine command group approached the bunker.
"In the bunker, the rest of your forces have surrendered. You are surrounded. You can't get out. I would prefer to avoid any further killing but that's up to you. You have fifteen minutes to decide. After that, we will blow the tunnels shut and destroy your power supply. Suffocating is not a good way to die."
About five minutes passed, then the bunker door slowly opened. A haggard looking Crovanian officer stepped out. "I am Jagul Gull. Do what you will with me, my life is forfeit at home, anyway. But spare my men. They were only following orders."
"That defense went out, a long time ago. You and your men will have to stand trial as terrorists or pirates but at least, under our laws you will have a fair chance to defend yourselves." Rick said.
18, January 2454 Placida Star port, 13:50 hours.
Rick sat on the turret of his command carrier eating a ration. It didn't taste like much but he needed the energy. The coffee that he was drinking, was another matter. Somehow, the Sergeant Major had procured some really good coffee.
Rick finished the coffee, jumped to the ground and put his helmet on. He walked toward Del's carrier.
"Come on Del, get your lazy butt out of there. I want to get the rest of the prisoners secured and get our men into the port and under cover. We can use the port facilities to give them hot meals and clean latrines."
Two human renegades lay on the roof of one building, underneath an overhang.
They both had hunting rifles. "There's their commander. If we shoot the son of a bitch, we can get away in the confusion."
Two shots rang out. Rick felt a heavy blow on his chest then everything went black.
"The two terrorists didn't know how good the Marine's detection gear was. The Sergeant Major yelled. "They shot the Major, after they surrendered. Get those sons of whores"
The renegades never made it off the roof. The whole roof was smothered in Marine fire.
The searchers could barely find enough of them left to bury.
18, January 2454, Sick bay, aboard the Tenacious 18:00 hours
Kate Beckett was finally able to relax. The last of the casualties had been treated and the critical cases brought aboard. The fighting at the star port was over. In just a few hours she'd be able to see Rick. She knew that she could patch things up.
"Kate?" Kate looked up. Lanie, white faced, was standing at the entrance.
"Lanie, what's wrong?"
"Kate, Rick 's been shot. They shot him after they surrendered." Kate collapsed back into her chair.
"Oh, Dear God! No, not again, how bad?"
"I don't know. Del's in command and he won't tell me anything. Captain Wayne tried.
He won't tell her anything either. Tactical security he claims."
Kate jumped up. "I'm going down! I have to know!"
As she got to her feet, Captain Wayne arrived.
"Stay where you are, Commander. There's nothing you can do, down there."
"What Can I do, Captain? I have to know, at least. Del will tell me, face to face, what he won't put out over the net."
"You will stay here, Commander. I will do one favor for you. I have to go down, anyway.
I will talk to Captain Kevan."
18, April 2454 Placida star port, 19:00 hours.
Rick woke up and tried to sit up. "Oh Damn! My head, what happened?"
Chief warrant Officer Jankowski put a restraining hand on Rick 's shoulder.
"Take it easy, Sir. You got hit, again."
"How bad?"
"Not bad, Sir. Two rounds. Fortunately for you, the Damn fools were using hunting rifles. One round hit your upper chest.
Your armor stopped the bullet but you got splinters from the interior in the pectoral muscle. They're out now. The second shattered your helmet and creased your skull.
It drew a little blood and gave you a mild concussion, enough for another cluster on your purple heart."
"How long was I out?"
"About six and a half hours. Eat some hot food and I'll give you a hypo analgesic. I'll certify you fit for duty, in the morning."
"Why not now?"
"You need the rest, Sir and we also need to get a new helmet for you, down from the ship."
Placida star port, 21:00 hours.
Captain Gloria Wayne approached the Marine's temporary headquarters.
She wanted to arrange to reopen and refurbish the star port's infirmary for use as a hospital for the civilians injured in the fighting and for a place for some of the Fleet personnel to recuperate, to ease crowding in sick bay. She also wanted to find out how badly Rick was injured.
She was stopped by a sentry. "Can I help you, Captain?"
"May I see the officer of the guard, please?"
A lieutenant approached. "Lieutenant Ryan, Ma'am. How may I be of service?"
"I'd like to see Captain Kevan please."
Del came out.
"What can I do for you, Captain? "
"Two things. I need to make an appointment with you and your quarter master, tomorrow, to survey the infirmary and an adjacent building for use as a hospital."
"You came down for that? All you needed to do was contact the operations officer. I don't need to be there."
"I said two things, Captain Kevan. I need to know how Major Castle is. Commander Beckett is sick with worry. We couldn't get anything over TACCOM "
"Major Castle's orders, Ma'am. There are still active enemy troops out there. That information could have tactical value. I've been too busy to track it, other than he's alive. I'll have Warrant Officer Jankowski brief you. Now, if you'll excuse me, we're still actively patrolling, some of the enemy escaped."
"Warrant Officer Jankowski, reporting, Ma'am."
"What is Major Castle's status, Mr. Jankowski?"
"Per the Major's orders, I can't tell you that, other than he suffered head and chest wounds. He's sedated."
Wayne flared. "I'm a Fleet Captain!"
"Yes, Ma'am and you've been around, long enough to know that a staff officer cannot countermand a field officer's orders. I'm sorry Ma'am."
"Very well, Mr. Jankowski, I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's not your fault."
18, April 2454 aboard the Tenacious 22:30 hours.
Kate sat in the doctor's lounge, gripping her third cup of tea. Lanie sat with her, trying to comfort her friend. Captain Wayne walked in.
"I'm sorry, Commander, they wouldn't tell me much, either. Major Castle is alive but has sustained head and chest wounds. I don't know how serious they are."
"Thank you for trying Captain, I'm going to my quarters now." Kate took a sleeping pill, then curled up in her bunk and cried herself to sleep."
19, April 2454 at the star port, 08:00 hours. Rick Castle settled his new helmet on his head, ran a system check on it and on his new body armor. He checked his sidearm then said;
"Captain Kevan, I resume command."
"You have command, Sir."
"Okay Del, what do we know?"
"Somewhere between 150 and 200 of them escaped.
They stole a couple of busses and made it as far as the forest. What they have in the way of arms, equipment and supplies, we don't know but they didn't have the time to acquire much."
"That last regiment is still out there, Del and we still have to take the mining facility.
We'll get some of the ship's engineers down here to assist our men in making repairs and setting up defenses. Get the guns under cover and send the Cavalry out to patrol the forest. The Crovanians are supposed to have several aircraft. Contact flight ops and have them conduct sweeps. I want those aircraft destroyed."
Del looked Rick in the face and said;
"Look brother, you just got hit yesterday. Let me take it, you're pushing too hard."
Rick shook his head.
"I'm fine Del. I do know my own limitations and Jankowski cleared me. There's nothing to worry about."
Rick was lying through his teeth. He had a raging headache that the analgesics had done little to control.
"Then there is another subject I want to talk about.
"Rick, Captain Wayne was down here, last night; she wants to set up a hospital here at the port."
"Fine, have operations handle it."
"Kate knows that you were wounded. Wayne says she's worried sick. What do we do?"
Rick glared at Del
. "We don't do anything, because I don't believe it."
"Rick, that's not like you."
"Isn't it? I won't crawl for any woman."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Do you remember that in the past few weeks she and I spent quite a bit of time with each other then she started avoiding me? When I went to see her, she blew me off. She must have got herself a boyfriend. So, forget about her worrying about me. That's bullshit. Just drop it!"
Del glared right back.
"No, damn it, I won't drop it. I was thinking just like you when I went into Ten-forward. Mad as hell at Kate. But I learned the truth in there. She's no actress. The only man she wants is you.
She was in there with Lanie and Captain Wayne. I tore into her. She was crying like her heart was breaking. She was avoiding you because she was scared that you wouldn't love her. I remember how Celienne was. She loved you much more than you loved her.
She was scared all the time, too. That wasn't your fault; it's just the way it was.
When Kate blew you off, she was distracted, trying to save a patient. As I said, Celienne's pain wasn't your fault. If Kate 's heart is broken, it will be. Everyone who has seen you two together can see it. You are perfect together. Don't be a fool, brother; After all, the only things hurt are your pride and your ego. If you turn her away, it will be a cruel, evil act on your part. And a great lie, too. I'm your brother. I know that you love her. I've seen it in your face."
Rick sat down.
"Damn it Del, you're right. Thing is I do love her. But I can't think about her, right now, I can't be distracted. There are still damn cats and renegades out there.
This isn't over yet. I promise you that I'll deal with it, as soon as I can."
"That's not good enough. Granted, we have to end this first, then you don't "Deal with it"
You're going to tell her that you love her. If she tells you to go to hell, you'll deserve it but she won't do that."
22, April 2454, Placida star port 09:20 hours.
"Sir, scouts have located the enemy column, about 150 kilometers out, Northeast and headed this way. They're under pressure from partisans. They're not moving very fast, between 5 and 10 kilometers an hour."
Rick pulled up a map. "Officer's call, 5 minutes."
The battalion's commanders and staff gathered around a long table.
"Gentlemen, we have the opportunity to end the enemy's ability to operate in any strength, right now!
Their last regiment is trying to get back here, under heavy pressure from partisans.
They have only one good route. It has to come through this pass in the Dunn range.
That pass is less than a kilometer wide on the road. The walls are jumbled boulders, loose shale and thorn bush. We will establish a battalion ambush at that point.
I will have Alpha and half of Charlie on the right flank. Captain Kevan will have Delta and the other half of Charlie on the left.
Cavalry will block the road, directly. Bravo, guns and air will remain here, as the security force. Brief your men. We move out in one hour."
22, April 2454 Sick Bay, aboard the Tenacious 11:00 hours.
Kate Beckett was making her rounds, talking to the recovering men, trying desperately to keep her mind occupied and off her personal troubles. It wasn't working.
She'd had a miserable three days. Not a word from the surface. She finished her rounds and went to the lounge for a cup of coffee. The acidic brew didn't help her upset stomach.
Lanie Parrish came in, drew a cup and sat down beside Kate.
"Any word, yet?"
"No. All that's come in are routine reports."
"No news is good news, right?"
"Not right.
I need to know. What if he is alive but so angry that he'll never speak to me again?
What if the head wound is serious? What if he just does his thing and buys it?"
I'll never get over it." "Do you still have that line into TACCOM?"
"Yes, why?"
"Let's listen in. Maybe we can find something out." They moved to Kate 's quarters where she could use the more powerful com unit. They could hear a report coming in. "Snooper Six to Striker, road way and associated terrain clear all the way to Snake's head pass."
"Roger Snooper, Striker Six requests that you establish over watch. Report any hostile movement in or around pass. Striker Six estimates arrival your location, 14:00 hours. "Roger that, Landing now."
"They're moving, again. What are they up to now?" "Let's grab lunch and come back at 14:00."
"I'm not hungry, Lanie."
"Maybe not, but you have to eat. If you're going to fight to get him back, you'll need your strength."
22, April 2454. Snake head pass, Placida 14:07 Hours.
"All Striker units, report." "Striker 16, we are in position." "Sabers, we are in position."
"Snoopers, in position." "This is Striker Six. All units hold position. Maintain communications silence until enemy is sighted. Snoopers, alert us when they are two kilometers out."
Aboard the Tenacious, 14:10 hours.
"That was Rick 's voice. He's in command, again so at least I've got that much. He's alive and alert. Now if he just stays that way. Lanie, go cover for me. I have to see what happens."
Snake head pass, 14:33. Rick sat straighter as the signal blipped on his screen.
"All striker units lock and load. NO ONE fires before my command."
Gul (Colonel) Whelan Rango was a very worried Crovanian. His unit was in deep trouble and he knew it. Although he was Crovanian, as all the regimental commanders were, his unit was mostly non Crovanian mercenaries. The men of his guard company were all Crovanian but that was only about ten percent of his force. He had no communication with headquarters in over a week. Worse, he'd lost nearly a third of his force to partisans who were far better armed than they should have been. His column was all bunched up, due to the constant attacks from the flanks and rear.
The road through the canyon leading to the pass was so twisty that they couldn't see more than 20-30 meters ahead. It got to the point that he couldn't put out scouts because every scout he sent out got picked off.
Rango was riding in a commandeered air car. Most of his men were on foot.
A member of his advance guard came running back. "Sir, there are armored vehicles blocking the road!"
"Armored Vehicles? That's impossible, there are no…
A veritable storm of fire tore into his unit. Rifle and machine gun fire at first, followed by mortar bombs, some of which were smoke rounds. His men couldn't fight back, effectively, as the fire was coming from well concealed and covered troops. Caught on the open road, all they could do was die.
Rango was fortunate, in one respect. He wouldn't die a disgraceful death after trial.
One of the mortar rounds exploded in the passenger compartment just centimeters from him. His second in command, quickly ordered a surrender as mercenaries fight for pay, not honor.
Snake head pass, 14:55 hours
"Cease fire." Rick ordered. He walked to his command carrier and activated a loudspeaker. "Mercenaries, lay all weapons, including any sort of edged weapons on the ground. You will be scanned. Anyone attempting to conceal a weapon on his person will be executed without further warning."
The mercenaries were disarmed and herded into groups of 50. The leader of the partisans came up. "Acting Major Stan Wainwright Sir, 2nd Partisan Rangers."
"Pleased to meet you, Major. I'm Major Rick Castle, Fleet Marines. Do you have enough men to take charge of these prisoners?"
"Yes Sir." Good, then do so. We have more pressing matters to attend to."
22, April 2454 Placida star port, 19:00 hours.
Rick reclined in a steaming tub, letting the hot water soothe his tired body.
One of the advantages of having a modern star port as a base, he'd taken over one of the port hotels as a headquarters. The door to the bathroom opened and a young woman wearing white shorts and a white top walked in.
Rick 's head snapped around. "What in the Hell are you doing in here?"
"I'm Lena, Sir.
I'm a masseuse. Governor Cordell sent me over."
"Thank the governor, for me and get out of here. I don't need a massage."