making once we begin deceleration, so pay close attention. Once we enter the system, our Cruisers will split into four groups and maneuver toward one of these four gas giants. We are going to enter into the gas giants and use them as the launching point for the ambush. Terran sensors will not be able to penetrate the charged clouds of the gas giant, making the Alliance Fleet virtually invisible.”
Yen could see a number of hands raised throughout the room, but he ignored them as he continued.
“Once the Cruisers are in position, the fighters will deploy and take up positions around their vessels. Short distance communications will still be effective, so we’ll be able to maintain contact while inside the atmosphere of the planet. When we get the signal that the Terrans have entered the galaxy, the Cruisers will exit the planet and engage with salvos. The element of surprise will be with us, with the Terrans not even having time to deploy their fighters before the missiles are on their way.
“At that time, Teams One through Five will form up in spear formations and engage enemy fighters. Team Six and Seven will pick up missiles fired from the weapons platforms and begin maneuvering toward the enemy Destroyers.
Yen turned off the monitor behind him and looked at the multitude of raised hands. “Listen, nothing I’ve told you about the tactics of our Squadron is unique. These are tactics taught to every one of you in the Academy. The truth is, I thought about trying new strategies, but we just don’t have the time. The success of this mission will rely entirely on each of you being able to think on your feet and how well you can dodge enemy fire. Now, let’s get to questions.”
Pointing at some of the pilots in the back, Yen answered a series of mundane and routine questions about timetables and rates of fire for the larger salvos. While it was important information in order to time maneuvers so that the Squadron avoided the fire from the Cruisers behind, Yen knew it wasn’t the burning question that had yet to be asked. Knowing that Iana would be the one to ask, he intentionally avoided calling on her as long as possible. Finally, with the other questions exhausted, he pointed toward her.
“Sir,” she began hesitantly. “You mentioned that the Alliance Fleet would leave the cloud cover once the Terran Fleet enters the galaxy.”
“That is correct, Warrant Morven.”
“Sir, if the cloud cover will distort the Terran sensors to the point that they will not be able to detect us in the gas giants, won’t the clouds also wreak havoc on our own sensors?”
“Yes, they will,” he replied, edging her toward the question she wanted to ask.
“Then how do you propose we know when the Terran Fleet…” she stopped in mid sentence, the realization striking her. “The only way we’d know is if someone stayed outside the atmosphere and acted as a spotter.”
“The radio will still transmit between the spotter and the Fleet if they remain in a low orbit around the planet,” Yen explained.
“But the pilot won’t be protected from Terran sensors,” Gregario added. “The second he’s spotted, the Terrans will open fire and he’ll be destroyed. It’s a suicide mission!”
“I know that, Warrant Pelosi,” Yen said calmly. “That’s why I’m volunteering for it.”
CHAPTER 27:
“Security and medical teams to hangar bay alpha,” the intercom called throughout the
From within the darkened transports, revolutionaries flooded out of the two ships, firing into the surprised Terrans as they advanced. The front lines of security guards crumpled under the hail of gunfire. Medical personnel dropped med kits and stretchers and turned to run, only to be mowed down by automatic fire. The floor quickly grew slick with blood. A smaller group of remaining Terrans ran for the doors, attempting to escape into the maze of passages within the Destroyer. In the lead, one of the medics slapped the sensor to open the metal doors. Painfully slowly, the doors cracked open with a hiss, the oxygenated interior of the ship depressurizing to match that of the bay. As the doors slid open, the medic pulled in vain against the door, trying to pry it open. As he slid his head into the widening gap, a bullet caught him in the base of the neck, tearing through his spine and shattering his jaw before coating the far side of the doors with red gore. Slumping in the doorway, the others tried to climb over his body and escape.
Keryn stepped over a nearby body and adjusted her aim toward the second Terran fighting his way through the door. With only one path of escape, the security and medical personnel bunched into a tight group, making it easy to execute them one at a time. Beside her, Adam’s large bore rifle roared, catching a security guard in the chest and tossing his body into the side of their transport ship. As the other revolutionaries slaughtered the guards who stood and fought against the ambush, they turned their attention to the escaping Terrans. Their combined fire tore through those bunched at the door. Keryn could see a few escaping into the outer hallway, but she didn’t bother giving chase. She wanted a few to escape; she had no problem with them sending assault teams against her forces. It made it easier to clear the ship if they all came to her instead of her hunting for them.
As her troops gathered weapons from the dead Terrans, Keryn took a moment to examine the wide bay. The transports had landed unceremoniously in the middle of the bay instead of taking one of the docking alcoves along each wall. Though a number of the alcoves were empty from ships and bombers that had flown to the planet’s surface, more than two dozen fighters towered from their docks, their missile racks and forward rail guns gleaming wickedly in the strong overhead light. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply the combined smell of the hangar. Scents of oil and sweat assaulted her nostrils, the smells of crew chiefs and mechanics working diligently on ship repairs. Though many found the smells offensive, Keryn had always known that they were an essential part of her ability to fly. To a pilot, the smells of grease and labor were their own brand of pheromone.
“The bay is clear,” Adam said next to her, nudging a Terran body with the tip of his boot.
Keryn opened her eyes and smiled. The Voice knew there was much more fighting to be done and was growing excited. She turned to her gathered forces and started separating them into assault teams of twenty soldiers each. The Destroyer was enormous and it would take too long to clear if they stayed as a whole. Keeping Adam with her, she chose her combatants from the crowd. When the teams were identified, she began sending them into the hallway outside the bay, sending some off to the right toward the front of the ship and some off to the left, heading toward the engines and storage chambers. Though it pained her to do, she sent Alcent and his team to clear the bridge. She wanted that honor herself, but knew that motivation for her soldiers would come only if they saw her doing the same legwork that they were. And, if she was right, most of the resistance wouldn’t be at the bridge. Instead, she led her own team through the door and they set off to the left with a wave and wishes of good luck.
The wide, sterile metal hallways were decorated plainly, with gold and blue colored runners designating the royal colors of the Terran Empire tracing the curves of the walls. Side hallways split off regularly from the maze of passages and Keryn was suddenly aware that she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to find her way back to the hangar after they completed their mission. She couldn’t trace the way they came, but she kept on an undeviating path forward, constantly following the soft hum of the Destroyer’s engines. Occasionally, she paused, straining to decipher the true engine noises from the echoes which reverberated off the metal walls. Often, the ricocheting sound made it seem as though the engines were behind her, but she kept moving forward, not allowing herself or her men to get confused by the disorienting sounds.
Keryn could hear bursts of gunfire coming from ahead and knew that at least a few of her groups had encountered resistance. After passing a few more side passages, which her team now checked cautiously before advancing past, she began passing bodies lying in the hall. Terrans mixed with revolutionaries sprawled both dead
