Battle for Proxima (23 page)

“This is Captain Tobler, commander of the CCS Crusader. We have this under control. Proceed to the Assault Division and join the rest of the air support. They need your assistance. Good work, Wing Commander.”

Anders sighed to himself before turning from his attack. His first thought was disappointment that they were not needed and that their possible sacrifice had been so easily brushed aside. This thought was quickly tempered by his realisation that his group of fighters would have taken heavy casualties up against a well-armed light cruiser, and possibly faced complete annihilation. In reality, their craft were not designed for use in the middle of what was turning out to be slugfest.

“Abort attack run! Follow me, we have new orders!”

The fighters changed course and dropped down below the line of battling capital ships. Their thrusters allowed them to move quickly from danger. Weapons fire still rushed past them, but with their engines on full burn they were soon away from the larger ships and back in the vast open space between the planet and the battle. As Wing Commander Anders surveyed the scene, he was surprised by the calmness of space. It was hard to believe he had just been at the heart of an inferno where hundreds of men were dying from missiles, rockets and projectiles. He checked his computer and spotted the assembling vessels off near the planet.

“Listen up. The Assault Division is making its run on the planet. Reports indicate the enemy has stopped sending transports to the surface, but they have large numbers on the ground. If our guys are going to stand a chance they’ll need close air support, and fast!”

With a slight course change, the fighters hit their primary thrusters and hurtled towards the planet and the great hulks of the military transports. Their combat operation in the main battle might be over but from what he could see on his scanner, the assault on the planet might make the space battle seem easy.

“Gods. Have you see this?” asked his navigator in awe.

Anders looked up, tapping the magnification button to expand his main viewing window. The shapes of the assault ships filled his screen around the planet. Large numbers of transports lurked in orbit and scores of shuttles and landing craft were getting into position for their attack run.

“What?” asked Anders.

“Look at the tactical map of the spaceport.”

He pressed three buttons and examined the landing zones. The orbiting ships had already sent updated video feed data to the command ships and this had filtered down to the fighters.

“Is that what I think it is?”

“Yeah, recon estimates over a hundred anti-air defences are already in position around the landing zones. Do you think they know something we don’t?”

“Bastards. That, or somebody told them we were coming!”

* * *

Spartan waited patiently inside the landing craft. It was cramped, packed full of the Vanguard Marines, each of them strapped or clamped to the newly welded bulkhead mounts. The last thing any of them wanted was to be thrown about during the combat landing. From inside the safety of his armoured suit, he watched the unfolding battle on the internal monitors. The platoon had been split onto two landing craft. Marcus and Lovett were in the second craft along with 2
^nd
and 3
^rd
Squads. Teresa, his most trusted sergeant, was now alongside him, acting as Platoon Sergeant for the entire unit. A few marines from the Engineer Company accompanied them, each wearing the older and much more primitive CES armour.

Teresa turned towards him.

“Any news on the spaceport landing?”

“Good point, the figures coming in are showing heavy defences around the spaceport.”

Spartan checked his secure tactical display and hit a button. It sent the latest feed to the main video unit on the wall in the passenger section of the craft. All the assembled marines could see the unfolding battle in great detail. The main feed came from the camera units fitted to the Assault Carrier Ark Royal.

“Look at it!” Teresa said in awe.

The Ark Royal had dropped as low as it could manage, before the heat from skimming the atmosphere proved too much. From its position, the cameras could just about make out the details of the descending fighters and landing ships of different types. Wave after wave of Lightning bombers pounded air defences and other craft dashed at high speeds dropping guided bombs.

Streams of tracer fire arced upwards, some occasionally scraping one of the bombers or hitting a fighter. In the middle of the maelstrom, the first of the heavy landers and shuttles swept in to disgorge their infantry. One shuttle took multiple hits and spiralled down to the surface streaming smoke. Teresa groaned as she watched the vessel plummet to its death.

“This is going to be a massacre. If we don’t get to the city fast, they’ll turn their guns on us.”

Spartan hit the communication button in his suit to connect to Captain Daniels, who was observing the operation from the Marine Transport CCS Santa Cruz.

“Spartan. Everything okay?” he asked with dread in his voice.

“No problem here. We’re watching the spaceport landing. Have you seen what’s happening?”

“I know. The reports are coming in. Looks like they arrived earlier than expected. Multiple guns and missile platforms are on the hills and on the highways. They’ve left the centre of the spaceport clear, probably to tempt us to land.”

“Can’t we redirect to the city? What are the defences like there?”

“No chance. The city is in the valley surrounded by mountains. There are only a few open spaces, enough for small units like ours, but useless for landing anything more. Unless we take the spaceport, you’ll be on your own. Major Howard has contacted me to say his first battalions have landed and they are establishing a beachhead.”

“What is the point, if they can’t get to us? Can’t they bring some landers down into the open countryside instead?”

“It’s too late, Spartan. The battalions are already committed and by all account they’re making progress. My bird is still stuck here. You’re going to have to go without me. You’re the most experience Lieutenant in the Vanguards, you have my authority to take the lead over 2
^nd
Platoon in my absence.”

There was a crackle of static before another voice joined in.

“Captain, Lieutenant Weathers here.”

“Ah, good. I was just explaining to Lieutenant Spartan. My shuttle is delayed and you’re going to need to get going without me. Until I join you, Spartan will be taking the lead. He has more experience of the Vanguards. Understood?”

“No problem, Sir, Spartan’s reputation is well earned,” replied Lieutenant Weathers, with surprisingly little resentment.

“Thank you, I won’t let either of you down.”

Captain Daniels continued.

“I suggest you get the Vanguards into action immediately. I’ve requested the Ark Royal redirects three squadrons of fighters for your support. They will follow you in and then remain on standby. Two Lightning bomber squadrons are blocking the highways and routes to the city. Any forces trying to move back to the city will have to face running their gauntlet.”

Spartan turned to Teresa, who was listening in on the conversation. She shook her head is despair, evidently not impressed with the operation.

“I know this isn’t what we planned.”

“When is it ever?” replied Spartan.

“Too true,” he paused for a few seconds, “Just get your people on the ground. The quicker you get to the surface, the less danger you’ll be in. I’ll get on to Major Howard and see about forcing a breakthrough to link up with your forces.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Good luck, Lieutenant, I’m sure the Vanguards will do their job.”

“We always do. Spartan out.”

He looked back to Teresa. “We’re going in hot. You ready?”

“Would it matter if I wasn’t?”

“Check in with the squad commanders, I want them ready. We go now.”

She nodded and pressed a few buttons in her suit to connect to the rest of the company. Spartan meanwhile transferred his communication gear to the open unit channel.

“This is Lieutenant Spartan. The mission is a go. I repeat. The mission is a go. Get my people into the LZ as fast as you can.”

The pilots of the force responded quickly. In less than twenty seconds a rumble started to build up inside the landing craft as the engines powered up. Spartan could feel the changing g-forces and gravitation pull as they dropped in through the atmosphere. It wouldn’t take long for them to reach the surface. Once through, the craft could glide to the surface or use additional power from their engines to speed up the process.

“Sergeant Lovett, 2
^nd
Squad. I have reports of armour breaking through the city limits.”

Spartan tapped the intercom. “Yes, a small group are trying to break the bomber blockade. They must know we plan on hitting the city. Stick to the plan. We hit the plaza and then move as a unit to the shopping precinct and mall. There is underground storage and two primary tunnels at the same site. Is your squad ready?”

“No problem, LT, they are locked and loaded.”

“Good work, we hit the ground in twelve minutes. Do the final checks.”

* * *

Captain Daniels watched the groups of landing craft and their escorts heading to the surface, from his position in the landing bay of the Santa Cruz. His own armoured assault shuttle was still being prepped and wouldn’t be ready for another ten minutes. He paced about angrily, his Vanguard suit clanking on the metal flooring. One of the many upgrades to the Vanguard armour had been magnetic seals on the feet, so that they could walk in the zero-g areas that were equipped with compatible walkways.

“What’s the hold up?”

The pressure regulator has failed. We are bringing in another shuttle, she’ll be here shortly, Sir,” answered a frustrated deck chief, who moved away to the safety of the control booth as a new shuttle was moved into position.

All the crew and marines in this part of the ship were wearing sealed suits, as the section was open and fully exposed to the vacuum of space. From where Captain Daniels stood, he had a view to down to the planet. Visibility was poor, with thick clouds obliterating much of the detail. Only the advanced optics of the ships would allow him to see what was happening on the surface.

“Does it always look like this, Sir?” asked one of his marine bodyguards, also wearing Vanguard armour.

He looked out to the pane below, watching a pattern of clouds. He was about to speak, when two Lightning Bombers rushed past, making no sound. They must have been on their way to join the landing party. The large four-engine fighter-bombers looked massive at this close distance, but they were some of the smallest craft being used in this operation.

“It’s mainly down to the atmosphere generators on the surface. They throw up all kinds of crap. It’ll be decades before it clears up to anything like a normal sky.”

The shuttle moved over to the side and the replacement pulled along the gantry until it reached the party of waiting marines. From inside, a man in a sealed pilot suit waved for them to climb inside. Captain Daniels didn’t wait. He tapped the release button and pulled himself along, towards the door. The other three Vanguards followed him.

“Sir, we’re ready to go. Spartan and his team are twelve minutes from the surface.”

“Good. Come on people, let’s get moving!”

He was first inside and moved to the right of the craft where the magnetic clamps and seals were located. As soon as he stepped into the pre-allocated position, a light started to flash. He tapped the seal button and with a thud his boots and arms locked into place. He turned to his left to see the other marines inside and doing the same.

“Okay, Lieutenant, we’re in. Get us down to Spartan and his team as quickly as you can.”

“Aye, Sir, we’re good to go.”

The door slid shut and the shuttle moved slowly to the open hangar doors. It would take about a minute, for them to reach the release position to break and push away from the Santa Cruz. Halfway to the open door, he noticed a series of dull flashes down on the surface. Most appeared to be taking place, around the designated landing zones, on and around the spaceport.

“Check your weapons one last time, marines. If I know Spartan, he has a habit of attracting a lot of attention. You can guarantee we’ll land in a shitstorm!”

The men started laughing, but Captain Daniels looked down to the planet with an impassive stare. His men might find the idea amusing, he felt otherwise. He had absolutely no intention of being killed on some barely habitable rock during the first stages of the Confederate fight back.

“No, this is just the beginning,” he said to himself.

* * *

The landing craft shook hard as a series of flak bursts exploded nearby. For the last minute, the craft had been dropping at high speed, and the shaking and vibration was becoming alarming. More explosions blasted off to the side, followed by the whine of cannon shells streaking past. A large amount of thumping and shaking appeared to come from the front of the craft as it absorbed a number of heavy bullets. Teresa looked to Spartan.

“You think she can take much more of this?”

Spartan tried to shrug, but his arms were locked in the transport mounts to stop him falling about in the passenger area.

“You’ve seen what these birds can do. She has over a metre of metal on the bow, as well as ablative and reactive armour. Either she makes it or we burn, kind of out of our hands now.”

“You’re such a joy, Spartan.”

Three small holes appeared in the metal skin, followed by a much larger one as a piece of shrapnel lodged itself in the side of the craft. Luckily nothing managed to strike the marines or anything vital in the vessel.

“Bloody hell, that was close!” shouted Teresa.

Spartan nodded. “Yeah, too close.”

“What were you saying about the thickened armour on this thing?”