Battle Beyond Earth: Retaliation Read online

  "Carry on."

  Nichols, the XO, couldn't believe his ears. He had been silent until now.

  "Colonel, we have a responsibility to protect those whose cannot protect themselves."

  Taylor understood Nichols was not being confrontational as he had been in the past. It was a sentiment shared throughout all around them. Jones' face had turned to stone. He knew the dilemma that Taylor faced, and exactly how he was going to handle it. Taylor was aware he had to explain himself, as nobody was moving to enact the orders he had already issued.

  "Don't think I like this any more than the rest of you. But you tell me Ulsan is vital to ship building, and that means it is vital to the war effort. If we do not protect those assets, then how many more will die as a result of having fewer ships in the sky? This is a numbers game. More ships, better chance we have. More fighting men and women, better chance we have. Now, Captain, plot a course to Ulsan, and let's do our jobs."

  Song agreed and began relaying the orders. No one questioned Taylor anymore, but it sickened them all. Jones leaned in close beside him as they watched and waited to arrive at Ulsan.

  "That is going to come back and bite us in the arse someday."

  "Yep, and I am not the one that's going to take the shit for that. If I had been given a fleet like we needed, then this wouldn't be a problem. As it stands, we have one ship to use, and we are going to put it to full effect."

  "Send a message back to Wright. Tell him what is happening here."

  "If he knew how bad things were, he'd be even less likely to send a single ship away from his precious station. No, we are on our own for now. Get our people ready. All shit is about to hit the fan."

  The engines began to spool up. It was an increasingly high-pitched whirling sound that caused vibrations through the entire hull. They jumped, a light flashed ahead, and then they appeared before the vast world of Ulsan. Far larger than Earth, its surface was covered in industrial cities and vast ships under construction. Their attention was soon turned to an explosive flash.

  Volleys of fire from several vessels were blowing one of the planetary defence barges apart. Another already lay in ruins, with escape pods being jettisoned several dozen at a time. Two intercept vessels were engaged with the enemy, but they were already being overrun.

  “We’ve got seven enemy vessels still active,” said Nichols.

  Song looked hesitant. The odds were not in their favour.

  “Launch fighters and drones. I want a firing solution on the nearest two vessels. Take us forward.”

  “You want to close with them?” Nichols queried the Captain.

  “Just do it!” she bellowed confidently.

  Their guns soon opened fire and quickly soared towards the enemy.

  “What is she doing?” Jones asked.

  Taylor smiled.

  “She’s taking us right into the middle, so we can bring all our batteries to bear and engage them in boarding actions.”

  “What? With one ship?”

  “This isn’t any ship!” Song answered.

  Jones was silenced.

  “The Guam is one of the greatest warships ever to sail, and she has many years left in her yet.

  Taylor appreciated her confidence and willpower, for he thought exactly the same.

  “Seven warships? Most of which we will have to deal with ourselves? I think you are getting a bit ahead of yourself,” said Nichols, “Colonel, I have learnt to appreciate that you are more of an officer and fighter than I ever gave you credit, but you cannot pluck victory from disaster without the resources to get the job done.”

  “Well, we’ll see about that. Captain, how many of these ships can you take on at range?”

  “Three, maybe.”

  “Then we’ll handle the rest.”

  “We cannot spare the Marines. If we are boarded, we will need to repel borders or all will be lost.”

  “You can keep your Marines. I have every faith that Capek will look after you.”

  “You have four platoons,” stated Nichols in amazement.

  “Yeah, and sometimes it isn’t always about the numbers.”

  Nichols was shaking his head, but Taylor was glad to see that Jones was with him.

  “God isn’t on the side of the big battalions,” Jones confirmed with a slight smile on his face.

  The quote was lost on Nichols. Taylor couldn’t remember the rest of it, but he remembered its meaning. It was something Charlie had said many times. It warmed his heart to hear it from the young Captain.

  “Let’s go,” he ordered and rushed off the bridge towards the docking bays.

  “So we’re really going to do it, four platoons to take on four respectably sized warships?”

  “Nice to have a challenge, don’t you think?”

  Jones shook his head, knowing Taylor wasn’t joking.

  "Can you handle it from here?" Taylor called back to Song.

  She nodded confidently, though they could all see the fear in her eyes.

  "Remember what we are fighting for. All of you! I'll see you on the other side."

  He left at a jogging pace. It wasn't long before they felt enemy gunfire rocking the ship, but they were soon at the boats. He nodded to Jones as he split off to one of the other craft. He and Alita boarded another. She could rightfully command her own platoon now, but he was more than happy for her to remain his personal pilot.

  "I don't know why some doubt you will go through with these crazy plans," she said, slipping into the pilot’s seat.

  "Why's that?"

  "Because you're crazy enough to do it every time."

  He smiled as the loading ramp sealed shut and the engines powered up. The ship was rocked again by two heavy shots in quick succession, but the hull held firm. The docking bays rose before them, and they were met by the flashes of gunfire being exchanged. They were almost inline to come alongside the enemy craft now. Alita took a deep breath, knowing they were about to take a leap into the fire.

  "Do it," stated Taylor.

  She reached for the power, and in one swift burst of acceleration they were out of the doors. She descended below the hull of the enemy ship to stay out of the Guam's firing solution, putting down all the power she had to go on past it and towards the next ship.

  "Think the Guam can handle that much?"

  "Damn right I do, Alita. She's seen us through far worse."

  She ducked and weaved the bulbous and weighty craft. It was about as agile as a brick, and yet somehow she managed to avoid all but a few shots that were shrugged off by the heavy armour.

  "Making a pretty big assumption about these ships, aren't you?"

  They'd reached the halfway point.

  He shrugged.

  "Best we can do. They look like the Amitad vessels we have already encountered. No reason to think they are anything else. We know we can take them."

  "And if there is something else on board? Something far nastier?"

  "I guess we'll deal with that when we come to it, just like we always do."

  "I don't know where you find your confidence."

  She didn't doubt him, and he could tell she really meant it.

  "Sometimes when there is no other way, then being confident is all you can be."

  "I don't believe that. Not when I have seen other good men and women collapse and crawl into a hole and weep. No, I can’t believe it."

  He shrugged again. He had no more answers. He looked around at the team he had with him. He nodded towards Babacan, glad to have him back, despite the fact he was not one hundred percent, same as Alita.

  "When those bastards hit us, they do so with immense speed, in an attempt to overwhelm our ships and our stations. It's time we gave them a taste of their own material!" he yelled.

  A few grunted in approval, but they were too busy getting into the zone ready for combat to say anything more.

  "We aren't going in to take prisoners, nor take the ship. We don't have the firepower to take it on at range.
So we get on board and raise hell. We do whatever we have to, to destroy that ship and all aboard, and then get out. Not for our safety, but for all those who are depending on us. This ship is just the beginning."

  He turned back to Alita and her screens to see they were making their final approach. The enemy vessel was vast in comparison to their assault craft, and yet that did not seem to bother Taylor. She imagined he had become used to such things, but the truth was he had just learnt to hide his fears from those he led. Their craft was rocked by a burst of gunfire from the enemy ship, but it was not enough to stop them. They swooped in and came to an abrupt halt, smashing into the hull and bouncing slightly. Alita activated the clamps, and they were locked firmly in place on the ship's lower hull. She made to get up and join them, but Taylor held her down in her seat.

  "I need you to stay here."

  "Why? I can fight."

  "I know you can, but I need to know we have someone here ready to get us the hell out of this piece of junk when the time comes."

  She begrudgingly agreed, as he stood up ready to begin their mission.

  "Prepare to breach!"

  The floor of the craft had slid open and charges placed directly onto the enemy ship. A few seconds later they blew, and two of his platoon leapt through without hesitation. He was the fifth man to the breach and looked back briefly for a split second to make eye contact with Alita. He didn't need to say a word. That moment meant more than if they’d had a chance to speak.

  Lights flashed and two shots hit the bulkhead beside him as Taylor stepped aboard the enemy ship. Automatic gunfire was raging on both sides, but he was glad to see his people hadn't ground to a halt. They were moving ahead with shields held before them in an implacable advance. He powered up his own shield and stepped out onto their left flank to join in the slaughter. Three enemy bodies lay ahead, but many more were rushing at them in a manic charge. They fired wildly as they sprinted towards Taylor's platoon, and were gunned down almost as quickly.

  Dozens of rounds were thrown at them in a frantic attempt to stop Taylor and his people. For a moment the weight of it brought the front rank to a halt from a new wave of Amitad savages that had rushed to join the battle.

  "Keep moving!"

  He desperately wanted to know how the battle was unfolding, but he had to keep to the task at hand. He was firing bursts when he reached the front of the line and led the way. He dropped another two of the enemy when his magazine ran dry. He lowered it, slammed in another, keeping up the assault.

  "There’s so many of them!" Antos cried out in amazement.

  "Clear the way!" Babacan yelled.

  They stepped aside. He lifted his Hydra and immediately opened fire. The room lit up even brighter than before as hundreds of shots were hurled at the enemy. The rest of them watched for a few brief seconds before joining in with the slaughter. It wasn't satisfying, not since they had fought the Morohta themselves. These barbaric creatures seemed like nothing more than mindless drones thrown at them with no care or tactics at all. A hindrance that had to be dealt with before the real war began, and yet for all their weaknesses they were causing plenty of damage to the Alliance.

  "Mitch, we've got a problem!" Alita called over the comms.

  He ducked back two ranks so that he could listen better as the battle raged on.

  "What is it?"

  "The ship you are on. It hasn't stopped to engage the Guam."

  "Where are they taking us?"

  "To Ulsan, at full speed."

  Taylor frowned as he tried to understand their intentions.

  "What do you think their plan is?" he finally asked.

  "I...I don't know."

  "You think they are crazy enough to put us nose first into the ground?"

  She’d clearly thought it but didn't want to say it, hoping it was not true.

  "They seem to have no fear of death. To kill a platoon of our best, would it not be worth it?"

  They're crazy enough to do it.

  "I might be able...argh!" she screamed, and the line went dead.

  Taylor couldn't believe what he was hearing. He rushed to the back of the line and to the access point where they had breached. An inner door that was not previously closed sealed it.

  "Alita? Alita come in!"

  There was a long silence before she finally came through.

  "I'm all right!"

  He breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Can we blow this hulk and get the hell out of here?"

  "I got hit pretty hard. Landing gear and clamps are down. I can't dock with you now."

  It was dawning on Taylor how dire their situation had become in such a short space of time.

  "Can you slow us down?"

  "How? I have a fraction of the power of that ship. You'll have to get to the bridge and sort this yourself."

  "What if we blow the engines?"

  "I...I,"

  "Just tell me!"

  "If you cut them before we get too close to the atmosphere, maybe, if I can get a little extra help."

  "Then do it. We'll try and take the bridge and engines."

  "I still don't think..."

  "Don't worry. Stay calm, and we'll get through this. Contact Song and see if you can get some help. We may need it yet, Taylor out."

  The gunfire had almost completely died down. The last few shots rang out as he reached the front of their platoon.

  "Listen up! Time is not on our side. We're on course to crash on that planet at a speed none of us can hope to survive, but we aren't out of the game just yet. Sergeant Fry?"

  "Yes, Sir," he quickly replied.

  "Take two squads. Your job is to reach the engine bays, and be ready to blow them if you do not hear that the rest of us have taken the bridge."

  "Yes, Sir."

  "That's it. Let's get moving!"

  They all knew what they had to do, despite the few words he had shared with them.

  "I don't want to die on a stinking industrial planet like Ulsan," Antos said, keeping pace with Taylor.

  "I'd rather not die anywhere, so let's make all our dreams come true," replied Taylor with a slight grin.

  Antos couldn't believe he could stay so calm in the face of death, but he was glad to follow such a man.

  "Whatever you do, don't stop. We haven't got a second to waste!"

  They took a bend and came to a metal stairway ahead. Taylor rushed at it without any hesitation. He rushed up it three steps at a time. When he reached the top, he opened fire on the welcome party he found there. A dozen shots impacted on the surface of his shield as he closed with a party of the enemy hunkered down behind a hastily built barrier. It wasn't like them to fight in such defensive measures, but he understood precisely why they were doing it. Every second they could be delayed would increase the chance of killing him and his platoon. It was a race to survive that he had not foreseen. He was so used to the enemy standing their ground that this plan had rocked him.

  Taylor held down the trigger as he sprinted at the defensive line. He hit two in the head as dozens more rounds struck all round them. As the magazine ran dry, he let the rifle drop down by his side. He didn't have time to reload. He snatched his pistol from its holster and kept firing, but that too ran empty when he reached the defences. He took a running jump, and the shots continued to bounce from his shield. As he flew through the air, he holstered his pistol and drew his Assegai as he descended on the first of the enemy. The warrior collapsed under his weight, and he drove the Assegai deep so that it pinned the creature to the floor.

  A burst of fire struck him, and he felt one round penetrate the weak articulated armour plates on his neck. A single bullet passed through the side of his neck and went right through.

  That stung like hell, but it can’t have struck anything vital. I’m still breathing normally.

  He stood up and rushed on at his attacker, thrusting his Assegai deep into its torso. He forced it back against the sidewall, and Antos and Babacan piled in beside
him.

  He reached up and touched his neck. He felt a stinging sensation, and it caused his head to jolt back in pain. There was blood all over his glove. It wasn’t ideal, but he knew he could go on. The others hadn’t noticed his injury in the flurry of combat. He watched three of his team gun down five of the enemy from inside the barricade. Another two came rushing at them with swords held high over their heads and roaring their battle cry. But his people showed no mercy, just as he had told them to do.

  The noise of gunfire filled the room once more as the remaining enemy were mercilessly cut down. He pointed for Antos to lead the way, doing his best to go on and ignore the pain, and reloading his rifle and pistol on the move. With two others he was making such good headway that the gap between them began to open until gunshots rang out ahead. Antos ducked back for cover.

  “Looks like we found what we were looking for!” he shouted triumphantly.

  Taylor nodded in appreciation. He pulled out a grenade and armed it, throwing it without even checking for his targets.

  “Ready, Antos?”

  “Yes.”

  The charge ignited and echoed throughout the corridors. A second later Taylor was around the corner and running towards the bridge. It was a dust cloud ahead. He went to squeeze the trigger for covering fire, but before he could even fire a shot, a small steel javelin rushed towards him. He was too slow and distracted to move aside. The javelin penetrated his shield and into the gap between his shoulder spaulder and gorget. In the heat of the moment, and with his adrenaline up, he was able to go on as if nothing had happened. Deep down he knew he would soon pay the price for it.

  He opened fire with a long burst and broke through the smoke. A small artillery piece was set up ahead. It looked like a ballista. A weapon he was only familiar with because of Jones’ continuous ramblings. The javelins were in fact bolts fired from a high power weapon, and it was aimed right at him. Taylor leapt aside as it was fired, and it missed him by several centimetres. But he turned back to see Antos stagger into the room with the bolt protruding from his stomach. He dropped down onto one knee before defiantly standing and returning fire.

  “Motherfuckers!” Taylor screamed and joined in the action, gunning down the two crew of the weapon.