Admiral Karladen drew breath, seeing both officers nod meekly, their heads bowed as he continued, ‘I need staff I can trust…loyal Trevakians that do not doubt our conviction or course of action. Although I understand your motive, both of you have failed me in this endeavour…you are therefore reassigned until the situation changes, do you understand?’
Sky Commander Petaski grimaced, swallowing hard in regret as he stiffened, ‘Yes sir…I will proceed to the government bunker immediately.’ Their eyes met as he glanced up, ‘My apologies, Admiral…I…we have failed you…’
Karladen shook his head, glancing across at the female bridge officer, the woman’s head dropping further, ‘There is no time for that now…just ensure your hard work continues in these new roles. The British are expecting an escalation of the threat against them and the battles are still raging in other areas of the globe. We need to ensure the supply of weapons and armour are sufficient and of the quality for our allies needs…there will also be requirements to upgrade some of their training...’
Chapter Thirteen: Zaxon B: Ride of the Red Leopards
Alexion One:
Alexion One shuddered as the lower laser turrets fired out into space in unison, the high powered blasts searing through the upper atmosphere, lines of steam and ignited particles streaming behind in the wake of the high energy distortion. Passing below the geosynchronous orbiting field of rocks and destroyed vessel debris, the high powered energy surged onwards, entering the lower atmosphere and becoming visible from the planet’s surface.
Admiral Shadian glanced round, staring across his beleaguered bridge crew in curiosity, ‘Where is my second salvo?’
A female ensign glanced up from her screen, face flushing as she answered, ‘Not long admiral… first officer Archiad is down there now…he reports two more salvos will follow before we have to re-stabilise in higher orbit. He is currently re-calibrating trajectory and gravitational pull…apparently an asteroid is passing through the blast field.’
The admiral nodded in satisfaction, winking towards the Fahimian intelligence officer sat next to the ensign, ‘Good…you may launch your fighters…follow the agreed attack run and link up with our own fighter bombers from Morasat south of the valley.’
The small Fahimian grinned as the translation swept through his earpiece, tapping on the console before him, his eyes flashing with excitement.
In the two landing bay doors lower in Alexion One, figures ran from the side briefing rooms, a few Trevakian maintenance crews jogging from the slim crimson fighters to stand at the edges of the wide hangars, staring across the many hulls of the Fahimian fighter arm that were now garrisoned with them. The small charismatic pilots waved at their crews, completing last second checks as their black shining helmets with dramatic side markings moved from side to side viewing the instruments before them. Vivid lights began to pulse along the wings and sides of the fighters, the observing Trevakian mechanics shaking their heads and smiling at the flamboyant display, several staring at the differing animals displayed on the side of each fighter…indicating the personal preference of the pilot as a mascot.
Gradually the down thrust of engines swept any dust to the sides, the billowing force causing the Trevakians to strain their eyes, several donning scarves across their mouths as the crimson fighters gradually rose, their stands smoothly retracting as the vessels turned slowly to face the shimmering outer force field that protected the open bays. Lights pulsed across the landing hangars, the flashing wing illuminations alternating colour as the main engines engaged pulse power, the craft edging out towards space, the Trevakian crews behind stiffening to attention and in respect of the small flyers.
Then the engines glowed as the crimson fighters passed out through the glimmering shield, the vessels shooting forward and banking sharply downwards towards the glittering planet below, several of the maintenance crews lunging forward to stare after their pilots. Eyes strained as they looked through the flickering protective shield, staring out at the slim grey line that circled the edge of Zaxon B and the thick orbiting debris fields as flashing dots swept forward towards the planet and then seemingly across the outer atmosphere…twenty six fighters in all.
Alexion One shuddered once more, bright lights surging outwards as the crews stared on, the lower turret guns then firing again at a pre-determined target, first officer Archiad clicking his throat microphone to make communication with the bridge, the female ensign acknowledging immediately, ‘Archiad here…we have fired…you are free to re-plot our higher orbit. I will get back up to the upper turrets…we may not have long before the Morgons and their allies attempt to take advantage of our lack of fighter cover.’ He grinned with exhaustion, his stubbled face smeared with oil and dirt, ‘Please inform the admiral that he has his laser shield…not as standard as required, but adequate. We also have eighty percent of our flak guns operational and my crews are on high alert…’
Zaxon B: South of Contax Base
The first burst of laser fire from Alexion One surged through and into the lower atmosphere, the helmet visors of Red Leopard marines immediately dropping and darkening as they glanced upwards instinctively. The thin air crackled with static as the large blasts swept downwards before them, the bright light disappearing behind jagged rocks to the north before impacting into the earth to the south of Contax Base.
The ground shook violently as the potent laser blasts threw rocks, dust and debris into the air, the explosions surging outwards as the Morgon defences were obliterated, bodies torn under the ferocious energy, equipment and severed limbs tossed upwards with billowing fire and acrid smoke. Hoarse cheers rose from the Red Leopard positions, many of the marines behind rock formations and dug
