/ Duel Universe
/ Author: The Cowboy of Oklahoma
/ Ch 8: The Brethren pt1
/ word count: 2291
One month after the fall of Northface Base, the goo has moved across much of the northern Americas, only the border between Canada and the US remains. Experts calculate that it won't take more than two months to completely cover the planet.
"Since most of the planet is already under the goos influence, it is taking less time for it to make it's final push across the Americas." Someone had said.
Right now, the Baddeck, commanded by Commander Freeman, and the Gotango, commanded by Captain Riker, are currently heading south to the US, Mexico border. Ordered to overwatch duty of the new FOB setup just 50 miles north of the Alamo river. All remaining citizenry have already been moved south of the borders or off to one of the orbital platforms above the planet. All that remains on the ground are about 10,000 military personnel, a handful of animals for food for the remaining military personnel to use at their leisure, seven of the cruisers and, a couple dozen of the smaller transport craft, to eventually ferry the remaining personnel to the orbital platforms. Everything was going according to the master plan to try and save what was left of the planets populace from the ever growing threat of black goo. That was the official report, unofficially, there are only 5 cruisers and about two dozen transports remain below, with nearly 100,000 individuals still on the planet surface with roughly half of them trying to kill the other half for control of the remaining resources of the planet. The Brethren Collective was forced out of hiding when a report was made public with nearly 100 high ranking military officials, politicians, and wealthy financiers names were mentioned. Then three cruisers and a dozen transports disappeared without so much as a shot fired. 50,000 individuals, military personnel and civilians alike, all disappeared from different corners of the American continents. Then the bombs started to explode, first they weren't much more than just empty buildings, old rusty cars in empty lots, then the explosions started happening on empty and deserted bases not far from the current forward operations base, or FOB.
New Alamo:
"Rear Admiral, news just came from satellite reports and the orbital command structure." The young redheaded receptionist said. "Reports are that the Brethren are massing about 100 miles North of our location."
The Rear Admiral sighed. "Great, do they truly believe that they can just stay on Earth with that goo!?"
"No sir. It's reported that they plan on taking control of all remaining ground resources and then make a go for the main orbital platforms."
"But that's even more suicidal! They have more than 10 our current fire power already in orbit. The only thing that could turn the tide in that sort of battle is if they already have people up there to disable them first." He looked to his receptionist. "Are there any reports on known saboteurs possibly onboard any of the orbital platforms or carriers!?"
"Negative sir. All personnel were thoroughly check and there is limited access for all citizenry onboard those vessels. The probability of anyone being onboard and could cause any form of espionage, are remote." She finished.
"Well that's one headache I hope we won't have to worry about. How soon is it estimated that they would begin attacks against us?" He asked.
"At any moment sir. Satellite thermal imagery shows that all missing vessels and the numbers of the missing personnel and citizenry are all just 100 miles away, as of five minutes ago."
"Contact the Baddeck and the Gotango, I want both vessels here with their full complement of weapons loaded for bear! Begin moving all non-essential personnel, gear, tech, and resources off base and further south with any transports we still have. Anyone that doesn't need to be here for these fights are to leave, and that includes you as well Agatha."
The use of her name caught her off guard. "Sir?"
"Don't 'sir', me. You're a good receptionist, but you are not a fighter." His voice softened. "And I don't want my only living relative, my grandchild, to be harmed before we have a chance to get off this planet. You, all the young, need to survive, you need to be there to help rebuild a new world."
Tears formed in Agatha's eyes, but she kept her practiced posture. Her voice, however was cracking, "Grandpa.." she wiped the tears away. "But I want to stay with you. If you don't make it, who will I have?"
He stepped forward and wrapped her in a loving hug. "My dear sweet grandchild, I've had a time raising you by myself. Between that and trying to keep my career going. It was an adventure, for both of us." He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
"Ahaha, yeah." Nervous chuckling and sniffling. "We had our fights too. I remember when you grounded me from my prom after I skipped classes for a month."
"Still can't believe you were able to hide that from me. And your teachers! Boy when they caught you.." He couldn't resist the tears forming anymore. "You remind me so much of your mother, and grandmother. The women of this family have always been the cornerstones of our households."
Her tears were streaming, but she didn't wail into his chest, just lite sobbing. They stayed there for a few more moments, then Fleetfoot finally let go and told her to carry out her orders. She left the office but it took her another moment to clear the tears enough to complete her task.
A few hours prior, I was overseeing the final checklist of weapons maintenance and systems onboard what is now my vessel to command. The Baddeck has virtually been mine ever since it left the ground in Canada, and the Admiralty didn't see any reason to remove me from my position. Lieutenant Commander Carson was made my Executive Officer, upon my request. The prior XO, Lieutenant Michaels, was moved to the Gotango and he was given the rank of Lieutenant Commander for his service. I had just completed my rounds checking the Baddecks systems and making sure she was fully stocked with the required weapons and power source for the inevitable fight ahead.
"Captain." A southern bells voice chimed over the communicator.
"Yes XO." I answered.
"The Baddeck is 100% and ready to go at a moment's notice sir. Do we have time for dinner in the officers lounge?"
"I think so, meet you there, and gather all officers and department heads for debrief too." I ordered.
"Boy ya' really know how to kill a mood." She sounded deflated.
"And what mood is that?" I asked.
"...nevermind sir. We'll be there and ready for debrief asap."
"Copy that." As I deactivated the comm. "What's with that woman?"
Making my way through a few other departments, getting 'all ready' reports, with sailors and soldiers gearing for battle. Finally reaching the bridge, I found that the XO had placed the ship in the capable hands of Ensign Raven.
"Captain on deck!" She sounds off.
"Carry on Ensign. I'll be in the officers lounge if needed." I said.
"Aye sir." She replied.
Then I made my way aft and entered the lounge. All stood and gave salutes. I saluted back and all sat again.
"Dig in ladies and gentlemen. This may be the last of our quiet meals for awhile. Hamburgers and fries, your idea I'm guessing Shelly" I said.
After the orders were given, the FOB, nicknamed New Alamo by personnel on the ground, was emptied of everything non-essential except for those prepared to do battle with the Brethren forces. Inside the command structure, a hand reached for the comms.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this may very well be the last ground assault of planet Earth." Admiral Fleetfoot's voice sounded across every speaker. "We are the only line of defense for all that lay behind us. Either they don't make it across this spot, or we don't leave this planet. It was an honor serving with you all."
The comms went silent, then every ship and armed personnel went weapons ready. External ports were opened and turrets moved into position, rifles were slung and shouldered, then everyone breathed to steady their nerves. In the distance, a small cloud of dust can be seen coming closer.
"Sir, Radar and satellite can only detect ground forces moving in. None of the cruisers or transports are in sight and estimated 2/3 of their numbers are what's coming." A Warrant Officer reported.
"Tell the Gotango and the Baddeck to fall back a few miles to the east and west in case of an ambush, but to stay within gun range in case we need their support."
"Aye sir." He answered.
The dust cloud grew bigger, then the land vehicles began to spread out, making the cloud grow.
"Wait till we can see the whites in their eyes!" Fleetfoot used the old war phrase.
"Sir! The comms are down!" An Ensign reported.
"What!?" Fleetfoot said surprised.
"They have a signal jammer active, we don't have any communication, not even satellite!" The Warrant Officer added in.
"Get on the roof and fire a flare! That will signal the cruisers to return!" He ordered.
"Aye sir!" The Ensign said, volunteering.
Going to the emergency kits, he grabbed a flare gun and made his way to the top of the short three story building. He stood on top of the building and loaded the flare, he raised an arm and was about to pull the trigger when there was a faint pinch of pain, then he suddenly felt too weak to stand. He looked down to see blood coming from his chest, his arm fell to his side, dropping the gun.
"Admira.." He said weakly, then fell over and was silenced.
The Gotango:
"Captain Riker, the enemy is getting closer to New Alamo. Orders?" Michaels asked.
"Our orders were to hold back until called apon. Are the weapons trained on the approaching forces?" Captain Riker asked.
"Aye sir. All weapons loaded and ready for an assault against the enemy." Michaels answered.
"Con, Comms." The communication officer chimed.
"Comms, Con. Go ahead."
"We're picking up a lot of static on all wavelengths. We've lost signal from New Alamo and everyone else." They reported.
Captain Riker sat and thought for a minute before answering.
"XO, make visual communication with New Alamo." He ordered.
"Aye sir." He turned to the intercom. "Get me a pair of binoculars and sniper team in the nest."
"Yes sir, on their way." Was the reply.
Michaels left the bridge and headed up to the nest. When he got there, the sniper and spotter were already looking in the direction of New Alamo.
"Get down sir!" The spotter suggested.
"What is it sailor?" Michaels asked.
"Marine sir, and there appears to be a few anomalies in the fields between us and New Alamo." He said.
"Anomalies?" Michaels questioned.
"Yes sir, some strange bushes that weren't there before. And we know because we trained in these fields just two days ago. There were a specific number of brush and potential sniper covers, now there are about a dozen more, and that's just what we can see from here."
As if to punctuate his words, the zing of a bullet and thunk of metal on metal was heard.
"Sniper!!" The Marine shouted.
"Get below deck now!" Michaels ordered.
Scrambling while hugging the deck, and they each slide into the hatch and closed it behind them. Michaels reported to the Captain.
"Sir, there are enemy snipers in the fields between us and New Alamo. There may be more positioned elsewhere."
Captain Riker thought for a second. "Maneuver in a wide arc towards the approaching forces in an intercept course. Battle speed! Weapons hot! And charge the mazer!" He ordered.
The Baddeck:
The crew was making weapons ready and getting ready to charge the mazer cannon. All hands were on deck and ready for the signal that the fighting was starting, but the word never came from New Alamo. Then the comms operator notified the captain of loss of communication.
"Con, Radar, what does your sensors tell you?" I asked.
"Radar, Con, my screen is completely clear." Was the reply.
"Clear? What about the approaching forces!?"
"Negative sir. I've got nothing."
I didn't wait a heartbeat. "Red alert! Weapons hot! Move the Baddeck back to New Alamo now!!" I ordered, since I've experienced this before.
"Con, nest, visual on the Gotango, it's moving towards the enemy forces!" They reported.
"Get us to New Alamo now XO! We're not going to wait here for any orders! I smell a trap!" I said.
Shelly turned and directed the pilots actions.
"Sir, weapons fire from below. Snipers!" Came the report from the nest.
"Guns, rake the ground from here to New Alamo! Fire!!" I ordered, then muttered under breath. "It's started."
We watched as the Gotango maneuvered to intercept the incoming forces and opened fire with the mazer first, devastating the first few dozen vehicles in a wide swipe of the weapons fire. We headed for New Alamo, the nest was pelted with sniper rounds the entire time.
"Thermals on all ground troops! I want to know who's where at all times!" I ordered. "Can we establish visual communication with New Alamo yet?"
The question went unanswered as the entire ship suddenly lurched from being hit by powerful weapons fire.
"Report!"
"Enemy energy weapons fire! To the west, port side, enemy cruiser closing in!" Came the report.
"Come about! Charge mazer! Weapons, give the approaching ground forces a taste of the starboard broad guns! Fire!!"
To be continued...