Time War: Onslaught Read online

  Table of Contents

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  TIME WAR: ONSLAUGHT

  By Nick S. Thomas

  Copyright © 2015 by Nick S. Thomas

  Published by Swordworks Books

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  PROLOGUE

  In the year 2074 a great war raged that decimated the populations of most of the world. New chemical weapon technologies, genetically enhanced soldiers, and mutations changed the face of warfare. An embittered scientist and genius, Maximilian Villiers, leads the NAM forces in an attempt to destroy the Allies of the Free World (AFW). An elite AFW team of Augmented and Psychologically Enhanced Servicemen, A.P.E.S, tracked down this leader of the enemy, and it seemed as though victory was in sight. Led by their fearless leader, Sergeant Corwin Wyatt, the unit known as the Luckers undertook the mission that could end the war in a single day.

  But that was not to be. For Villiers had one last hand to play. In secret he had developed what seemed the most unlikely and unbelievable of devices - a time machine. Realising what was at stake, Wyatt and his team fought with everything they had to shut the device down, but they were too late. Having no other choice left for their survival and the freedom of the world, the twelve-strong squad of A.P.E.S followed the villain in to his time machine just moments before it was utterly destroyed, along with all evidence of its operation.

  Wyatt and his team are on their own now in an unfamiliar world they had only read about in history books. They are in the middle of a larger war than they could ever have imagined, World War II. Whether it was Villiers’ chosen time or not remains to be seen, but this is not the war they knew from the history books of their day. It is 1943, and the Axis forces seem stronger than anyone could have believed. They soon discover that the Soviet Union has already fallen, and hope of success for the Allies in the war seems increasingly in doubt. History has already been changed, and it is soon clear that Villiers arrived well before them, and he has already turned the tide of the war in Hitler's favour.

  The Luckers set out to hunt Villiers down and bring an end to the madness he created. He was turning Nazi Germany into the superpower Hitler had always envisaged. But they soon find themselves amongst a failed Allied invasion of the town of Dieppe. The chance of pursing Villiers seems impossible as they battle their way through German forces, only to be confronted by Allied troops who suspect them of being the enemy.

  Wyatt and his team had no choice but to surrender to the Allied forces, or risk having no friends in a dangerous and war-torn world. Interned in a prisoner of war camp, the Luckers superhuman skills are soon revealed when they utilise them to help defend the prison from a German raiding party, uncovering one of Villiers’ super soldiers in the process.

  Wyatt formed an uneasy alliance with local Allied officers, but few yet believe in their abilities or motivations, and they became increasingly torn between the search for Villiers and assisting newly found friends.

  Military officials in the Allied forces are as distrustful of the Luckers as they are of the Germans. Their knowledge, technology, and abilities led to a deep distrust of them. The fact they do not exist on record anywhere in the world, only further casts doubts over their origins. But there are a few who believe. A select few who Wyatt has shared the truth. Amongst them is Captain Hotwell. A British intelligence officer first sent to interrogate them, and now acting as their liaison officer.

  This support was not enough for the Luckers to get the resources they need. But when a German plot to assassinate Winston Churchill is uncovered, Wyatt saw an opportunity to save one of the most important leaders in the free world, and to gain a powerful ally. Despite Villiers’ best efforts, Wyatt saw his people to success and saved the life of the British Prime Minister.

  When hope seemed within grasp, one of Wyatt's own struck against them - Tano. A highly intelligent and manipulative meddler who would see Churchill dead so that they may seize power themselves. Even while the youngest of them is bleeding out from his wounds, they must confront this new problem. Tano is quickly overcome, but a doubt lingers over the group, and the platoon is divided and broken.

  CHAPTER 1

  "Think the kid will make it through?" Rane asked.

  Vi smiled as she saw the soft side of the hulking soldier sitting opposite her.

  "We can only hope," replied Corwin.

  He turned back to look out to sea as the small ship bobbed along. It was a bizarre experience. The sea was a variable he had rarely had to consider as they flew about the globe on highly advanced vehicles that could soar through the air with little resistance at all.

  It was clearly a small military vessel that had been disguised as a pleasure yacht. It was convincing enough from a distance. All weapons except small arms had been stripped, and the armour didn't look like it would hold up to much. As they rocked from side to side, Nylund finally rushed to the rails edge and threw up over the side of the vessel. Vi laughed aloud, and it even brought a smile to Corwin's face.

  "You know this mission is bullshit, right?"

  "They are just testing us, Porter," Beyett said calmly.

  "Testing us? Haven't we killed enough fucking Nazis for them to take us seriously?"

  "Why are you complaining about a chance to kill more?" asked Harland.

  "Why!" he yelled.

  He leapt up and pointed out at the sea around them, though there was little for them to see, as only the moon lit up the horizon.

  "Because it's taking so fucking long! Look at us. We're sitting around on some ancient piece of shit when we should be out there fighting."

  Beyett looked across to Corwin to intervene, but he had little motivation or incentive to do so. It weighed on him heavily that they were two men down. They hadn't even come close to tracking Villiers’ location, and already they had been reduced to a ten-man squad. He knew they couldn't afford those kinds of losses.

  "Do you know why they have sent us on this mission?" Beyett finally asked Harland as he paced back and forth angrily.

  "No, go on, educate me."

  "Because we are about to conduct a mission in a neutral country. They can't afford to have British or American forces involved in this. But us, we are something entirely unique."

  "Neutral country? Who gives two fucks about a neutral country? This is war."

  Beyett shook his head.

  "This is a different world we now live in. Wild and savage like our own, but in wholly different ways. Our world was like the Wild West compared to this."

  Harland grunted with frustration and slammed his fist into the cabin wall beside him, but the rest of them ignored him.

  "So this operation, Postmaster, know anything about it?" Corwin ask
ed Beyett.

  The intellect among them shook his head, and yet still managed to share more than any of them knew.

  "I am not familiar with the details, but I am pretty sure it was supposed to have been last year."

  Corwin shook his head.

  "Things have changed so much."

  "Yes, and I fear the time we came from would be unrecognisable to us now."

  "That a good or a bad thing?" asked Vi.

  Beyett shrugged. They could hear footsteps, and a tall and square jawed man approached Corwin. He wore non descript clothing that made him look more like a fisherman than a soldier. But the way he carried himself made it clear he was in charge.

  "Captain Corwin?"

  "Yeah," he replied casually.

  "I am Major Sykes-Gathany of the Small Scale Raiding Force."

  "Jesus that's a mouthful."

  Corwin shook his head, but the man was not perturbed and stepped forward to offer Corwin his hand.

  "You can call me Gus," he added.

  The man's confident and friendly manner pleased Corwin, and so he stood up to greet him properly and shake his hand. Though he could hear Harland sighing and muttering in the background.

  "Has your man got something to say?"

  "No, he's just being a little bitch."

  "You must excuse me, your American manners are a little alien to me."

  "Likewise," replied Corwin.

  "Yes, well, onto business. I can't say I much approve of this last minute addition to this mission. You see it is intended to be carried out in a covert manner, and you do not strike me as the sort of team that would know what that meant, let alone have any intention of carrying one out."

  It was hard to tell whether he was trying to insult them or just be honest, so they simply waited for him to go on.

  "We are going to the island of Fernando Po, just off the coast of West Africa. Our mission is to capture and recover three fully laden cargo vessels that are in port there. The resources would be of use to the war effort, but more than that, it would be a propaganda victory, and an outright insult to their man Hitler."

  "I am guessing those ships aren't lying about with no protection?"

  "Ah, Captain Corwin, now that is the crux of the matter. Also in port is a Jerry destroyer, and a flotilla of minesweepers in support. Our boys in the Navy can't attack them in the port. It belongs to the Spanish, and we have enough enemies in this world without bringing them into the fight."

  "You want to steal three ships?" Vi joined in, sounding none too pleased.

  The Major seemed a little embarrassed by the statement, for he knew it were true.

  "You want us to commit an act of piracy?" asked Beyett.

  Vi began to laugh. "Well, fuck, I'm in."

  "I appreciate your enthusiasm, I really do, but this is a mission that requires a delicate touch. We are going to slip in and out without firing a shot."

  "Oh, come on, this isn't what we're here for," Harland complained.

  "No, in fact I am not sure what your purpose is. If there comes a time when we need a heavy-handed approach, then well, what can the ten of you do? That destroyer is crewed by over three hundred hands. Half of those will likely be on board. If we are discovered while the vessel is still operational, then none of us will make it out alive."

  "This is bullshit," Harland protested and rushed towards the Major as if to get violent. Corwin put his hand out and stopped him in his tracks.

  "Sit down!" Corwin barked.

  Harland grunted angrily and walked away.

  "All right, so how are you getting anywhere near these ships?"

  We have an agent on the island that has convinced the destroyer's captain to host a lavish party on the island. Most officers and many of the crew of all the enemy vessels will be attending. He's seen to it that a surplus of alcohol has been laid on for the crews who remain. They should be weak, drunk, and arrogant."

  "They would be that stupid?"

  The Major nodded. "The Nazis are winning this war, or most of it at least. They are getting a little ahead of themselves, and taking chances no man in war should."

  "Seems like you are making an awful lot of assumptions. All it would take is one sentry to see what's happening, and we'll have all hell raining down on us."

  "So better make sure they don't, ey?"

  Gus carried about his business, and Corwin could see his team were even less content than they had been previously.

  "They are testing us," stated Beyett, "See if we can handle ourselves in an actual operation. That we can follow orders and work alongside other teams."

  "We are wasting our time," added Porter.

  "Not really," replied Corwin, "They want proof that we can do this, so let's give it to them. But we aren't gonna do that by sitting by idly and watch this mission pass us by."

  "You heard him. We are just backup."

  "What are you, Vi, scared of letting your little hands get a little dirty?"

  "Fuck you, Harland!"

  "You'd like to, wouldn't you?"

  She shook her head, but he would not let it go.

  "What's the matter? Can't handle a man?"

  She snapped and lashed out, but Corwin caught her strike before it could reach its target.

  "Enough, I'm sick of this shit. She's into women, and you're an asshole. Get over it," Corwin spat.

  "So what are we going to do, then?" Beyett asked.

  "We're going to come back with a prize of our own."

  They watched and waited as they made their way quietly through the night until finally three small vessels came alongside them. Gus appeared on deck once again with four other men all dressed similarly in a casual manner.

  "Remember, you are here if things go pear shaped. Don't attract any attention. Don't do anything unless all hell breaks loose," said Gus.

  Corwin nodded in agreement and watched as he and the others climbed down onto the small tugboats waiting for them.

  "Look at it," said Vi.

  They looked out into the distance at the destroyer. The lights of the port where the party was raging outlined its silhouette. They could just make out the shapes of the other vessels in the port.

  "They should have sent us in for this. What are the five of them going to do?" Vi asked.

  But nobody responded. They watched the tugs sail in for the port at what seemed a snail's pace and without any lights on at all. Corwin stepped to the doorway and called in his orders to the helm.

  "Take us in."

  He said it in such a calm and confident tone, but that still wasn't enough.

  "We have strict orders to stay put unless shots are fired."

  "I am in charge here now, and I can judge the situation for what it is as it unfolds. You see that torpedo boat out there."

  He pointed to a glimmer of movement just out of the port. It was nothing more than a shadow that neither of them could really make out. The Captain recoiled, for he had not seen it himself. Corwin knew the only reason he had noticed it was because Frasi had pointed it out to him, but he didn't tell the Captain that. The Captain took his word for it but still seemed uneasy.

  "Circumstances have changed. That boat could block their way out, if it doesn't discover them before they get that far. Get us moving and intercept that vessel."

  "I'm not sure..."

  "Just do it!" Corwin yelled.

  The Captain caved in and begrudgingly obliged as Corwin went back to his squad. It was clear they had all heard his conversation.

  "You know this will be the end of us if we screw up?"

  "Yeah, Beyett, and the making of us if we do this right."

  "The Major won't be happy either way. This is his mission, his baby. His chance to shine and you are attempting to upstage him."

  "Yeah, well this is war, and we have a little more to worry about than hurting a few feelings."

  He turned to Frasi.

  "Think you can handle that torpedo boat alone?"

  He nodded
confidently and headed to the aft. He pulled out a small one-man canoe. It was a crude looking craft, but it would be the only silent way of approaching that didn't involve freezing to death.

  "You don't seriously mean to take that ship, do you?" Nylund asked.

  "Why not?" Corwin answered sternly.

  "Yeah, why the hell not?" Vi added.

  "You've got to be crazy. You'll get us all killed."

  "Not necessarily," Beyett said.

  He could see the concentration in Corwin's eyes. This was not the plan of a fool, but of a determined mind.

  "Okay, so what’s the deal?"

  "Look at us. We're just a few lost sailors," he replied with a smile, "Anyone speak German?"

  Nobody responded.

  "Italian?"

  Still nothing.

  "What else do they speak around these parts?"

  "French, I think," said Beyett.

  "I can do that!"

  They were all as surprised as Corwin was.

  "For real, Lecia?" Vi asked.

  "If she says she can speak French, then she can speak French," replied Corwin in support.

  Vi shrugged but still didn't believe it.

  "All right, everyone else out of sight. Give me your rifle," he said to her.

  But she didn't look impressed.

  "You want to use those French skills of yours, or what?"

  She shrugged and reluctantly let go of the rifle.

  "And what do we do when we get aboard? If we get aboard that is," asked Nylund cynically.

  "We fuck some shit up," replied Harland.

  It was the first happy words to come out of his mouth since they came aboard.

  "I figure there can't be much more than a hundred crew left aboard that ship, and only a handful of them will be marines. They'll be spread out, not anticipating having to fight. They won't have many weapons to hand, and half of them will be pissed out of their skulls."

  "That's a lot of assumptions to make."

  "Yeah, Beyett, I know, but we have to rely on a few strokes of good luck and our own ingenuity. It’s the way we work, isn't it?"

  None of them could deny that.