She sighed, staring across the images, ‘It is imperative one of the Morgon warships is disabled or destroyed for us to continually support the surface effort. If this is not achieved, then the planet will simply be lost and we will have to withdraw and request further support...it will be a long time coming if at all.’ She ignored the lowering heads and strained expressions, turning to the admiral, ‘Have you anything to add?’ He shook his head, his hand raising slightly for her to continue.
The I.S. commander pointed to the next section of craft, the larger vessels also with the group, ‘This is the main attack force that will strike against the warship…over five hundred fighters and bombers as well as our capital ships.’ She smiled towards the Fahimians, nodding at Begum, ‘With an additional ship that apparently will join us as we attack…’
Begum giggled as the translation burbled into his ear, swinging his legs in embarrassment and glancing round, ‘We will appear!’ The small figure beamed with excitement, pointing to the hologram display, ‘All Morgons will die!’
Nervous chuckles spread across the room, the Fahimians smiling confidently as one senior officer raised his hand in curiosity, the intelligence service commander gesturing for him to speak, ‘Sir…there is one more section of craft…’ He indicated towards a lower set of small vessels, ‘These…about fifty vessels…are they the reserves?’
The female intelligence officer nodded readily, staring across at the Fahimians as the smaller figures lowered their heads, concealing grins. Chuckling, the slightly flustered admiral interjected, ‘Reserves…yes. Fahimian fighters and some of our craft…not many, but ready to reinforce when required…’ He glanced across the seated commanders, confident they all seemed satisfied, ‘Very well, that concludes the briefing…now are there any further questions?’
One hand rose, the commander of a smaller vessel, his face flushed with nervousness, ‘What will provoke a decision to withdraw admiral?’
The I.S. officer seemed thoughtful, ‘Interesting question. That decision will be made only as the battle develops. We understand virtually all Morgon fighters and dropships are within the earth’s atmosphere, fortuitously deployed to differing locations…as and when they are able to return may decide the battle if they are in overwhelming numbers.’ Her expression darkened, ‘If the weakened human forces are able to delay them along with our own escorting fighter and the Fahimians…we will have a chance of victory.’
The admiral hesitated, seeing all the commanders seemed satisfied, ‘Intelligence officers will be waiting for you at your personal transports…please return to your ships…the first infantry wave will be preparing to embark onto attack craft soon.’
Galactic Freedom Armoury Assembly
Tregan strode between the two lined companies and out before them, the soldiers behind staring at his figure expectantly, the paintings on the wall ahead showing a grim faced Trevakian marine crouched in one corner with a human trooper opposite, both brandishing the newly designed laser rifles, their uniforms identical to the assembled two companies. Spotlights glimmered across the two pictures, the surrounding uneven surface seeming to shine and sparkle as the soldiers looked up at the figures before them, a large red sign highlighted below the ceiling, ‘Freedom Battalion…home of the brave.’
Tregan turned on his heels, staring towards the crimson curtain across the rear wall, the snarling silver leopards face glinting in the illumination as he half smiled, raising his voice as the many eyes moved back to him, ‘Companies to attention!’
Six hundred pairs of boots slammed together in unison, Tregan stifling a smile at the lack of salute, the battalion now seeming fully trained…albeit if only in what had been his own personal objective, uniformed drill. Staring back at the curtain, he raised his voice once more, two doors behind sliding gradually open, ‘You will now collect your own weapons and energy packs. Zulu company to the left…Yankee company to the right…one platoon at a time, single file and at ease. Move!’
The first platoon leaders stepped forward, Tregan nodding as the uniformed and helmeted male and female soldiers passed, filing through their prospective doors slowly as murmurs and low conversations spread across the assembly area. The armourers beyond the doors issued the new laser rifles and high potency energy belts to each individual before indicating for the soldiers to progress further, engineers waiting to synchronise the weapons with the DNA of each soldier.
As each platoon filed past him, his eyes filled emotionally and with fondness, recalling his close comrade Mrin and how they had several times filed through similar doors together, laughing with the excitement of adventure, adrenalin rising in their chests for the missions to come. His jaw tightened as more soldiers passed, nodding to them in determination and forcing a weak smile, several returning the gesture with a grim exchange as he saw the sparkle of nervous adrenalin in their eyes.
Tregan stiffened as the second last lines passed by, his eyes moving to Debra Hardie, Riaz and Shino stood next to her as he nodded, turning on his heels to lead his own platoon, Debra stepping forward to approach his muscular figure.
Shino poked Riaz in the back as they queued, leaning forward to whisper, ‘Well, here goes…back to earth and heaven knows what. I just hope my Audi is okay…’
Riaz’s eyes strained, a smile forming on his face as his helmeted head turned to the side, ‘Audi? What about Aurelio…he is your boyfriend after all?’
Shino giggled self-consciously as they neared the open door, ‘He will be alright…my mother will look after him…she loves him loads. She will have fed him so much, he probably won’t be able to move now.’ She smiled fondly, recalling her long standing relationship, ‘My cousins will get him drunk every night…then make him sing karaoke…or challenge him to computer games.’ She giggled once more, ‘Aurelio hates that…they always cheat or
