First Strike - An Earth@War Novel
Chapter 12

ESS London (SCV-7)

950 AMU from Omar

June 7, 2487, 0130 UT

Rear Admiral Frank Kilgallon could not sleep, so at 0045 he helped himself to some coffee and moved to the flag bridge to watch the stars. Despite all the years in the Navy, he was still captivated staring out in space from a ship. The number of stars appeared to be ten times what you could see from Earth. His thoughts drifted to Evelyn and then to his daughter who was due dot have a baby in just a few weeks. His daughter, Vanessa, was the first member of his family to be born on a planet other than Earth when Evelyn gave birth to her at the Naval Hospital on Kylar II. Now his grandchild would also be a native of Kylar.

The Task Force continued racing toward the Omar System, now at a speed of 30 AMU, Iwo Jima’s Chief Engineer somehow getting her to do two more AMUs than her rated speed. London would be able to launch spacecraft that could reach Omar IV at approximately 2300 tonight and Rear Admiral Kilgallon, like every other member of Task Force One, prayed that Omar IV could hold out that long. Waiting, Kilgallon had learned long ago, was the hardest part of serving in the military.

“Sir, I have a message from Fourth Fleet,” the Messenger of the Watch said as he came onto the Flag Bridge.

“Thank you,” the Rear Admiral said as he took the message.

070624870059U

From: Commander, Fourth Fleet

To: Commander, Task Force One

Subj: Enemy Ship Movement

1. Hawkeye One reports a large number of enemy ships

passing Icor, heading toward Omar at 23 AMU.

2. Recommend that Task Force One avoid contact with this

force due to numeric advantage and superior firepower of

the enemy force.

Frank closed his eyes. Icor was 1100 AMU or so from Omar. That meant that Task Force One had less than 24 hours once they arrived to do what they could.

Command Center

Naval Base Quebec, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 0508 Local, 0208 UT

Amber Harrington returned to the Command Center just after 0500 on June 7th after having left at 0130 for a few hours of sleep. Her red hair, normally perfectly arranged, was a mess. She looked and felt exhausted. Gathered at the Command Center was the Commanders of the Thirteenth Fighter Wing and the Fifteenth Attack Wing, who both looked as tired as Amber, and a new face, a Major representing the Third Regiment who looked fresh and unrattled. His appearance caused a pang of jealousy for Amber, though it certainly wasn’t the Major’s fault that she had lacked sleep.

“Report, gentlemen,” Captain Harrington said as she sat down at the conference table with a steaming cup of black coffee.

“Ma’am, my crews have managed to get two more craft repaired, so we have nineteen SA‑18s operational,” the Commander of the Fifteenth Attack Wing reported.

“I have only fourteen SF-112s ready, ma’am,” the Commander of the Thirteenth Fighter Wing reported. “We’re trying to get more up and running, but I’m not hopeful.”

“Third Regiment is at 65% strength, ma’am. They will be repositioning themselves shortly to compensate for losses and to better defend Zelerod,” the new Major reported.

“It’s not much, but we need to hold out. Task Force One is less than 24 hours away. Let’s do what we can with what we have,” Captain Harrington said.

And so, the Battle for Omar entered its second day.

Third Regiment/First Battalion/Company C/First Platoon

Five Miles West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 0536 Local, 0236 UT

A Corporal had shown up in the middle of the night assigned to take Sergeant Pachenko’s spot by the Commanding Officer of Company C. The Sergeant’s body, along with several others, had been removed hours earlier and transported to Naval Base Quebec. The Corporal had come by again at 0500 and told Phil and Dave to pack up and to be prepared to move out in a half an hour. At 0536, First Platoon rejoined the remainder of Company C and along with the rest of Third Regiment began to redeploy.

Dave and Phil walked along the road to Zelerod in silence. It was a cold morning with clouds covering the stars. Omar IV had no moon, but if it had one, the cloud cover was thick enough that it wouldn’t have been seen. The air was damp in a way that suggested that rain was coming.

As they marched, Dave noted a large open field on his right. Such fields were common on Omar IV where agriculture was the primary industry. The field was surrounded by a three-foot high stone wall. Company C was dispatched behind the eastern side of the wall. The company separated into platoons with First Platoon on the southernmost position. They setup defensively behind the wall facing west. Dave couldn’t help but be reminded of the wall the fireteam had encountered during bootcamp, when Max directed the fireteam during the exercise. As First Platoon was setting up, Dave noticed that they were down to twelve troopers. His hand and cheek wound hurt, but he didn’t complain as he set up his gear beside Phil.

Command Center

Naval Base Quebec, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 0618 Local, 0318 UT

Captain Harrington sat at the table working on her third cup of coffee already this morning, far exceeding what she normally drank. But coffee and adrenaline were the only two things that was keeping her going.

“Ma’am, we are getting reports that Tylan has been occupied by Batronian Forces,” a Communications Technician reported.

“Very well,” Amber replied. Running her hand through her long red hair, she studied the map of Omar V on the display on the table. With Tylan in enemy hands, Batron now controlled over half of the inhabited portion of the planet. Earth still held Zelerod and the strategically unimportant city of Akin, plus the Naval Base. Still the Batronians were moving faster than she liked. She knew she needed to replace a way to slow them down and that hope would have to rest with the Third Regiment.

Space Center

Naval Base Quebec, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 0710 Local, 0410 UT

The alert came as soon as the sensors detected the Batronian spacecraft and the Thirteenth Fighter Wing launched the remaining fourteen SF-112s. Bombs started falling on the space center and explosions rang out. A hanger was destroyed in the first minute of the bombing. Naval personnel fired the Batronians, while SF-112s launched their missiles and fired their 35-mm guns at the enemy.

Third Regiment/First Battalion/Company C/First Platoon

Three Miles West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 0712 Local, 0412 UT

Batronian attack craft also hit the Third Regiments new position in the early morning hours of June 7th. Dave and Phil pressed against the wall, flat on their bellies with their heads covered by their hands. The bombs were close and loud, pounding the human’s positions. 400-mm laser fire from the battleships joined the bombing showering dirt and debris on Dave and Phil once again.

I’m never going to get used to this, Dave thought as he tried to make himself as small as possible. A tremendous explosion came from a bomb hitting the wall just ten yards to the right of him. Searing heat, the sound of shrapnel falling and a concussive blast that rattled his bones followed.

“Damn!” he yelled. He looked over at Phil who was laying perfectly still. Dave reached over to his friend, tapping him on the shoulder. Phil didn’t move. Then Dave saw the blood, and a lot of it, coming from Phil’s waist. Panicking, Dave tried to pull Phil toward him. His upper body moved, but his lower body remained in position, separating from each other. Blood seeped from Phil’s opened eyes and mouth.

“Medic!” Dave yelled as tears began to flow. Bombs continued to fall around him, but all Dave could do was hold his friend’s body and weep almost unaware of the chaos occurring around him.

Home of Tony Fillmore

Village of Lansing, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 0814 Local, 0514 UT

“You’re right,” the 400-pound man said as he looked out the window using Jack Mitchell’s binoculars. “Most of them are gone.”

“All of the armored vehicles, too,” Jack said.

“Yeah,” Tony said after searching for a few minutes. “All of the vehicles are gone. I wonder where they went.”

“I’d guess they left only 20 or so soldiers here to hold the village. The rest are gone,” Jack said as he took the binoculars back and looked again. He studied the village carefully. “Listen, Tony, I have to call this in.”

“You know where the comm unit is,” Tony said.

“But, ‘T’ there’s a chance the Batronians could pick it up.”

“I know. Let’s just hope they don’t,” Tony replied looking over at Amy who nodded her head in agreement of her husband’s decision.

Command Center

Naval Base Quebec, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 0821 Local, 0521 UT

“Yes, Master Chief Mitchell?” Captain Harrington asked after being informed that Jack was back on the comm.

“I have to be quick Ma’am. The Batronian regiment that was here last night is gone except for twenty or so soldiers that they left here for security. I have no idea where they went,” Jack said.

“Thank you, Master Chief. Keep safe,” Amber replied.

“Aye, ma’am,” Jack said and the comm disconnected.

Amber looked at all the information that they had available. The Batronians were bombing the Space Center which kept the fighters busy there, while battleships and spacecraft bombed Third Regiment. And now, another regiment of Batronians was on the move. Amber knew what was happening. “Warn Colonel Nelson that the Batronians he engaged yesterday are about to be reinforced by at least one more regiment,” Amber ordered.

Third Regiment/First Battalion/Company C/First Platoon

Three Miles West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1213 Local, 0913 UT

The bombardment ended at just a little after noon. By then, the wall that Company C was using for protection was practically destroyed and the field was scorched earth. Company C retreated into a wooded area, once again giving Batron a little more territory. Dave knew that Batron didn’t have to move quickly. Gaining one inch at a time still meant that they would eventually control the planet.

A medic had arrived and removed Phil in a body bag fifteen minutes after he died. Despite being shell-shocked, Dave somehow pushed on. First Platoon was down to just seven troopers with four of those wounded. Yet the fight would have to continue.

Dave was now in the northernmost position of First Platoon and near Second Platoon which had suffered nearly as badly as First Platoon had. Dave looked up and saw the Corporal approaching.

“We are going to hold the line here. We have artillery support and we have barricaded the main road, so the Batronians will have to cross that field. With cover here, we’ll have an advantage,” the Corporal said as he handed Dave a bowl of chili and a bottle of water. Dave wished he had the Corporal’s confidence. Every time we push the enemy back, they come again, he thought.

“Okay,” Dave said. He was tired, dirty and sweating. He felt as if he couldn’t go on any further. Although the sky was overcast, the humidity was extremely high. Dave knew there was a storm coming.

Armored Vehicle

Three Miles West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1229 Local, 0929 UT

The rain started to fall as Colonel Nelson verified that he had another AWC-2 in the air. The news that another regiment of Batronian soldier on its way to reinforce the enemy troops filled the 44-year-old Colonel with dread. The problem was that he was low on everything: artillery, troops and even air support. He had armored vehicles, but only enough to move approximately half of his troopers. Lightning flashes followed by a rumble of thunder hit as the Colonel considered his options. There weren’t many.

Third Regiment/First Battalion/Company C/First Platoon

Three Miles West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1315 Local, 1015 UT

Dave was soaked despite the covering from the trees and having his poncho on. With the temperature dropping quickly into the mid-50s, the rain was bitterly cold. He looked across the field, the scorched earth now muddy with puddles of water. He thought he saw movement but he couldn’t be sure because of the pouring rain. Plus, his eyes stung from the smoke that managed to hang in the air from this morning’s bombing.

Dave raised his binoculars to his eyes. His L-29 was leaning against a tree beside him. Sure enough, he could see the Batronian soldiers approaching from the other side of the field. As he watched, he heard artillery rounds passing high over his head and seconds later exploding in front of the Batronians. Dave heard the enemy yell and then watched in shock as the Batronians ran full speed across the field screaming as they did. Batronian soldiers were stretched out as far as he could see, their shout being heard above the pouring rain. Mud splashed as the enemy advanced across the field. Dave reached over and grabbed his weapon. He pulled out four extra charge packs, set them on the ground beside him and knelt on the soft, wet ground as he brought his rifle to his shoulder using the tree for cover.

More artillery shells fell on the enemy, yet they continued to scream and run toward the humans. The rain seemed to pick up as the Batronians, still screaming reached the stone wall where Phil had died the previous evening. As they began to climb over the rubble, Dave opened fire. With his weapon on auto, he swept back and forth watching in pleasure as they enemy fell to his rounds. He changed his charge pack as the Batronians returned fire. Several rounds hit the tree and others flew past Dave as he finished loading the charge pack and brought his rifle back up. Bolts were flying in both directions as Dave emptied a second and then a third charge pack, rain running down his face. Artillery continued to be fired into enemy lines, but the Batronians continued to advance as they yelled and were now only fifty yards from First Platoon’s position.

Dave grabbed the remaining two charge packs, put one in his pocket and loaded the other. He moved, keeping his head low, retreating twenty yards to another tree and turned to fire. He saw that the Batronians had slowed as they approached the woods. Their yell was briefly drowned out when thunder roared after a bright flash of lightening. Dave knew that he needed to conserve his charge, so he switched his L-29 into single fire mode. He pulled out a grenade, pulled the pin and lobbed it toward the enemy. When the grenade went off, he moved again, this time fifty yards toward the main road.

Lightning and thunder increased adding to the confusion of the battle. For the rest of his life, he would never forget the sounds of the battle. The ground was muddy causing Dave to slip as he moved behind another tree. Dave knelt, rifle shouldered and scanned the woods for the enemy in the pouring rain. Four Batronians appeared from the woods just thirty yards from Dave’s position. They were moving quietly now, no longer screaming, as they searched for humans. Dave fired putting two rounds each into two of the four soldiers before the remaining two ducked behind a tree and returned fire. The rounds struck the tree that he was behind using for cover. He flinched and ducked instinctively. He recovered and brought his rifle up and fired six rounds blindly toward the enemy. A sudden explosion at the enemy’s position surprised him. He looked to his right and saw another private behind a tree just two feet from him. He recognized her, although he didn’t know her name. Apparently, she had just thrown a grenade at the Batronians who had pinned Dave down.

“Cover left! I’ll cover right!” she shouted over the pouring rain. Another bolt of lightening struck as Dave moved into position.

ESS London (SCV-7)

680 AMU from Omar

June 7, 2487, 1030 UT

Lieutenant Command Chris “C-Dog” Davenport and the rest of Charlie Flight, along with Alpha and Beta flights, sat in the Ready Room for the briefing of flight operations that would commence at approximately 2300.

“The plan is this,” the Commander of the Air Group (CAG) began. The CAG was overall command of the spacecraft on the carrier. “We have divided the fighters into four groups. Group One will include your flights. Alpha Flight Leader will have overall command of the group. You will escort and defend the SA-18s that will engage the enemy. Group Two will engage planet base targets. Groups Three and Four will be relieving you, launching as soon as you begin your return flight. We expect continuous operations for at least the next 24 hours, so get some sleep.”

While all the pilots tried to sleep, few actually did.

Third Regiment/First Battalion/Company C/First Platoon

Two Miles West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1335 Local, 1035 UT

The advance by the Batronians seemed to be slowing down as they apparently consolidated their position in the newly gained territory. Firefights were becoming sporadic and it had been several minutes since Dave had seen the enemy. Even the rain, though still heavy, seemed to be slowing down. Dave looked up and saw the female trooper making her way over to him.

“I’m Karen Baker,” the trooper said as she took cover behind the tree she now shared with Dave.

“Dave Roberts,” Dave replied, eyes still scanning the woods for the slightest movement. After several minutes, Karen sat with her back to the tree and drank from her canteen. Like Dave, she was drenched. She closed her eyes and appeared to rest for a couple of minutes.

“Get yourself a drink,’ Karen said as she picked up her L-29 and aimed into the woods, like Dave, scanning for movement. Dave did. As he sat and drank, Dave looked at her for the first time and noticed how attractive she was. Her blond hair was cut short, but still was feminine. She was in great physical shape from her training. She was shorter than Dave at 5’7”. As he looked at her, she turned towards him and he noticed her blue eyes. What the hell am I doing? Dave asked himself. We’re in a combat zone, not the base club. He took another drink to cover his staring at her and then moved back into position.

“How bad of shape is your platoon in?” Dave asked.

“Bad. Last I heard, we only had twelve troopers left.”

“We’re down to seven. We even lost our Sergeant.”

“Damn,” Karen said. Suddenly, she held a finger to her lips. Dave froze, watching her as the rain dripped down her face. She moved her finger, pointing into the woods. Dave looked where she was pointing and saw four Batronians approaching. Silently, Dave and Karen took aim. Dave shot the two on the left and Karen the two on the right before the Batronians even knew they were there.

“Nice shooting,” a voice behind them said. Dave spun around ready to fire, but hesitating just enough to not shoot the Sergeant.

“Damn it, Sergeant!” Dave said, his heart pounding. Adrenaline pumped through his body.

“Relax, Private. We’re moving back to the edge of the city,” the Sergeant said. Dave recognized him finally as the Sergeant from Second Platoon.

“I have to report to the First Platoon’s Corporal,” Dave said.

“He’s dead,” the Sergeant said. He was chewing tobacco and spat on the wet ground. Rain poured down on the spot he spit, breaking it up. “I’ve been given both First and Second Platoons, not that it’s much. Together, there are only fourteen of us left.”

Dave was shocked. Just fourteen troopers left out of the two platoons. That meant at least thirty-four dead between them.

“Wow,” Karen said, the shock evident on her face.

“Where are we forming up?” Dave asked.

“We’re not. I want you two to move north and east. When you see other troopers, link up and continue to move. I’ll catch up after I round up the rest. Breaks on the hour, no more often than that,” the Sergeant said, spitting again.

Dave and Karen moved out together just two minutes later.

Governor’s Office

Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1412 Local, 1112 UT

Colonel Nelson was sitting in the brightly painted Governor’s Office on the third floor of the capitol building in Zelerod, briefing the Governor of Omar IV about the operations to the west of Zelerod. The Governor had been in office only six months and was shocked by the invasion. Omar IV hadn’t ever been directly involved in a war, and the concept seemed foreign to the Governor. And from what the Colonel was telling him, he needed to start preparing for the worst.

“I sent an alert on the video stream warning the people here to move to emergency shelters,” the Governor said.

“Good. We’re trying to keep the fighting outside of the city, but if it does move into the city, I want to keep civilians as safe as possible,” Colonel Nelson said. He looked out of the window at the light rain that was falling.

“I want that, too,” the Governor said. “Are we going to win?”

’I don’t know,” Colonel Nelson admitted as he rose from his seat. “I’m doing everything I can.”

The Governor watched the Colonel leave the office, he took a deep breath and wondered what his next step should be. He didn’t have a clue, but the fear of being in Batron’s hands overwhelmed him.

Third Regiment/First Battalion/Company C/Combined Platoons

One-half Mile West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1702 Local, 1402 UT

The rain had slowed to a drizzle, though the ground was saturated and muddy when they stopped and set up for a break. So far, they had linked up with ten of the twelve other surviving members from First and Second Platoons. Dave and Karen sat together eating cold beans and drinking water.

“Where are you from?” Karen asked Dave.

“North Dakota, you?”

“Newport News, Virginia,” Karen said eating a spoonful of beans.

“That’s near the old American Naval Base, isn’t it?” Dave sked.

“Norfolk? Yeah, it is. Back then Newport News had a shipyard and built and serviced the Navy’s ships,” Karen said as Dave finished his beans. It turned out that Karen was Dave’s age and that she finished boot camp in April. Somehow, to Dave, she appeared more experienced than that. As they talked, Dave saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Eight Batronians rushed into the clearing where the troopers were eating, firing as they did. Karen turned toward the sound of the rifle fire instinctively to see what was happening. Dave grabbed her, pushing her down, as a bolt struck her arm. Dave grabbed his weapon, fired blindly and then drug Karen with him behind a tree.

“How bad?”” he asked as he fired at the Batronians.

“Just grazed me,” she answered as she shouldered her Ll-29 and began firing. Several troopers were down in the clearing either squirming and screaming in pain or, worse yet, laying silently and perfectly still. Dave and Karen fired as a team, covering for each other as charge packs were changed. Four Batronians were down. The other four had taken cover and were firing at the humans.

“Grenade!” Karen yelled. She dove as Dave did. The explosion rattled Dave’s teeth but he managed to dive clear of it. Now bolts from one of the Batronians were passing just inches above his head. Dave pressed his body to the ground trying to avoid getting hit. Karen fired a shot killing the Batronian that had Dave pinned down.

A few minutes later, the fight was over. All eight of the Batronians lie dead. But, it had cost the humans six more troopers. The six remaining troopers managed to make gurneys using tree branches and blankets. They placed two bodies on each gurney and carried them as they set off again.

One hour later, the troopers arrived at the road. Zelerod was only a quarter of a mile away. Second Platoon’s Sergeant had located the remaining two troopers from Second Platoon and had taken command of the fourteen troopers from Third Platoon. Altogether, there were only 22 survivors from Company C. As the rest of the regiment arrived, the troopers began to set up for one final stand.

Command Vehicle

Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1839 Local, 1539 UT

The Usian River passed through the middle of Zelerod, flowing north to south. Colonel Nelson’s command vehicle was position in the middle of the bridge that crossed the river, looking through his binoculars at what remained of Third Regiment as they were setting up. He could hardly believe his eyes. The regiment had started with 648 troopers and he had just learned he was down to just 289. He pulled the binoculars down and pushed a button on the comm unit. “Eagle Eyes, this is Top Dog. Give me an estimate on the enemy’s strength”

“Top Dog, Eagle Eyes. Approximately 900 to 1000 enemy combatants,” the Communications Specialist onboard the EWC-2 reported. A three to one advantage, the Colonel thought before connecting to the Command Center.

“What can I do for you, Colonel?” Captain Harrington asked. She was two years senior to the Colonel, but right now she felt confined and that the Colonel was doing the real leading.

“Ma’am, I need every spacecraft that you have available. If we don’t stop them here, we won’t stop them at all,” Colonel Nelson said. There was a distinct pause as Harrington discussed it with the wing commanders.

“They’ll be there in ten minutes,” Amber said.

“Thank you, ma’am,” the Colonel said disconnecting. He lifted his binoculars to his eyes just as mortar rounds began falling on the capital.

Third Regiment/First Battalion/Company C/Combined Platoons

One-Quarter Mile West of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 1841 Local, 1541 UT

The mortar shells forced Company C and the rest of the remnant of the Third Regiment to seek cover. The explosions were powerful and continuous. The mortar rounds were soon joined by bombs from Batronian spacecraft and 400-mm laser fire from the orbiting battleships. The rain started falling again as troops sought shelter in water filled bunkers, foxholes and drainage ditches.

Several minutes into the attack, spacecraft from the Naval Base streaked over Zelerod and the Third Regiment. SA-18s bombed enemy positions as SF-112s engaged enemy spacecraft.

“We’re going to advance,” the Sergeant yelled to the troopers of Company C as bombs, mortars and 400-mm bolts continue to fall on them. By advancing toward the enemy, the Sergeant reasoned, the enemy could not continue to bombard the troopers without risking their own soldiers.

Dave and Karen advanced together and began firing near the maximum effective range of the L-29 or two hundred yards. Firing on fully automatic, the Third Regiment watched as enemy soldiers fell. But, the enemy was fighting just as effectively and slowly, the Third Regiment not only stopped advancing, but began to retreat.

At 1920, the Third Regiment entered Zelerod. The city seemed deserted with the residents hiding in bunkers. Several buildings were already burning. The buildings were not tall by Earth’s standards, but here they were Omar IV’s tallest. Two collapsed when they were struck by bombs from Batronian spacecraft. Third Regiment was in a fighting retreat, engaging the enemy for a few minutes and then retreating some through the city. They crossed the Usian River and blew up the bridge behind them attempting to slow down the Batronians.

As Dave fired across the river at the Batronians, a black dog crossed the street with its tail tucked between its legs. Dave nearly shouted at it. Despite all the troopers and Batronians dying around him, seeing the dog killed would have bothered Dave in a way that was impossible to explain. Bolts from both sides passed over the dog who made it across the street, while a man to the dog’s right fell over with a wound to his chest.

The retreat continued as the Batronians managed to somehow cross the river and at 2005 locally, the Third Regiment pulled out of Zelerod.

Governor’s Office

Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 2025 Local, 1725 UT

“Citizens of Omar,” the Governor began. Off camera stood ten Batronians soldiers, weapons in hand. They were led by an officer who spoke English and watched as the Governor spoke to the people of Omar IV. “Today, in response to Earth’s continuous interference in Batron’s affairs, Batronian forces have occupied major cities on Omar IV. Although, Earth’s Naval Forces opposed the peaceful forces of the Batronian Army, the Batronians have rightfully taken control of Omar IV. I urge all citizens to lay down their weapons and allow the Batronian soldiers to safely do their job. The Batronians government is pleased to welcome us as citizens of Batron.”

Remnant of Third Regiment

One Mile East of Zelerod, Omar IV

June 7, 2487, 2100 Local, 1800 UT

The 116 remaining troopers began the march toward Naval Base Quebec at 2100, exhausted and beaten.