“Savanna, this is Wolf One. I’m on your starboard side.” The green lights of the craft’s right dorsal fin bathed Cameron’s fighter. He looked up and saw a gunner flash his target strobe; a friendly taunt from the under-gunned ship. Crews of missile frigates knew that without an escort they were slag-in-waiting. Cameron lifted his wing and opened the munition doors, showing off his own assortment of toys. That earned another flash from the frigate. “Wolfpack, this is our rally point. Leash is thirty klicks.”
“I’m on your six, leader.” Ensign McLane’s battered fighter appeared in Cameron’s rear camera.
“I see you,” Cameron said. “Scan your sectors.”
George glided up alongside his wingman. “If I need to puke, can you cover me?”
“That’s it. You’re done with bourbon.”
“But I’m a good ol’ Kentucky boy. It’s in my blood to drink the brown water.”
Cameron laughed. “Nothing you just said was true.”
George was about to retort when the sky in front of them exploded. “Holy shit—what the hell is that?”
From the darker armada, a maelstrom of red energy—plasma bolts and missiles from the various ships—launched at the silvery craft. The dam burst, and the two formations exploded into attack. Silver craft roared at their enemies, firing salvos of green energy that blew holes clear through the dark armor. The carriers and cruisers deployed countermeasures to disrupt the incoming fire, but the heavier slugs passed right through and shattered hulls. From the surface of Earth, the light show was visible even in the daytime sky.
“Shields up, teeth out! It’s starting!”
Kronos
Josh knew something was wrong the moment he made the call. He and his platoon were holed up so he could call the FOB, or Forward Operating Base, to check in with the rest of Charlie. Normally, such a call would be answered by the RTO—radio telephone operator.
“Calico Six, this is One-Two,” Josh said. “Radio check?”
More static. Then a burst, what sounded like gunfire, and another moment of silence.
An angry voice finally spoke: “Who the hell is it?”
“This is One-Two,” Josh said. “Who is this?”
“Lieutenant Sandford. I’ve taken command at the FOB. Are you secure?”
Josh exchanged confused glances with Dax and Alexa. Sanford was pretty far down the rungs; that she’d taken command meant Charlie was getting clobbered. “Yes, ma’am. What’s the situation at the FOB?”
Over the radio, the unmistakable sound of a DaVinci’s barking echoed again and again. “Pretty well fucked, One-Two. Alpha’s got us pinned on all sides.”
“We can be there in twenty.” Josh gestured for Dax and Alexa to round up the troops. “We’re only twelve, but we’re fully armed up.”
“Negative, One-Two.” Sandford paused to return fire with her pistol. “We’re blown. I’m in the Alamo.” She took a deep breath. “Initiate Plan C.”
Holy shit! “Ma’am, I promise, we can get to you in time. The Alamo is damned secure. I should know. I helped set it up.”
“You’re a good man, Sergeant. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve already primed the charges. I’ll see you at Camp Noble, sooner or later.” The line ended as Sanford pulled the zero switch, burning the radio frequencies on her end. It would prevent anyone from using the equipment.
Josh dropped the radio and stumbled away. He shuffled aimlessly for a minute before ending up just outside the patrol base, on a low rise that faced the sunset. Eros had long ago dropped below the horizon, but New Eden’s many moons reflected the star’s light down onto Kronos.
“What now, Sarge?” Dax stayed back a few yards, but not to give his friend space. Someone his size was simply too easy a target on high ground.
Alexa went right over to Josh. She was almost two inches taller, but she made sure she remained eye level. “What did they say?”
Josh swallowed. “Plan C is in effect. We’re to zero out radios, burn the strip maps, and go to ground. If any Charlie elements make it through the next twenty-four, we’ll rendezvous with them in F-forty-one.”
A pillar of smoke rose four miles away, punctuated a moment later by a tremendous explosion. The ground shook. Josh pulled his helmet off and let it drop into the dirt. “The Alamo has fallen.”
“So what? We’re supposed to hide here for another day, then crawl to the rally point?” Alexa squeezed his arm. “We still have your plan.”
“It won’t work,” Josh said. “We need at least a platoon. We’re only twelve people.”
Alexa leaned in. “It’s still a plan.”
Dax lumbered closer. “We can do it. Take out Delta. At least get Charlie to second place.”
“No,” Josh said a little too forcefully. “We don’t have the manpower, we don’t have the firepower, and we don’t have any way to get into that base.” He slumped down on a large rock, dropping his head into his hands. “It’s not good enough. I’m not good enough.”
“Bullshit,” Alexa said.
Dax squirmed. “Language.”
Josh shook his head. “It won’t work.” He faced them, crestfallen. “I know I missed something. A small detail that won’t be obvious until we make some huge mistake. If the XO were here…”
“He’s not,” Alexa said. “He’s dead. Well, fake dead, but dead enough to us. We’ve got each other, we’ve got ammo enough for a big push, and we’ve got you.”
Dax joined his friends, placing a heavy hand on Josh’s shoulder. “Coach always said it’s better to make an okay move now than wait for a great move to come to you later.”
“Yeah, listen to Coach. That man won three rings for New Freeman.” Alexa seemed unfazed by the smoking ruin of her Company in the distance.
Josh pushed past his friends. “We’re not talking about the Grudge, where you’re evenly matched. This is us against two of the best Companies in the Battalion. Alpha and Delta always dominate the Crucible.”
“Sure,” Alexa said. “But this is the first time we’ve been through one. I think Charlie Company’s day is due.” She lost her smile when she saw Josh’s face. “But if you’re ready to throw it in, then fine. I’ll get my fire team to start digging trenches if we’re gonna be here long.” She stormed off down into the camp, bumping Josh’s shoulder as hard as she could.
Dax and Josh watched the dust settle at the Alamo. The charges were mostly powder and reactive salt. No one was hurt, but symbolically, that pillar meant the end of the safety net.
“If I messed up before, we always had the Company to bail us out.” Josh sighed. “Now it’s just us. We’re all alone.”
“Did I ever tell you about my first goal?” Dax pulled his large helmet off and slung it under his arm.
Josh smiled. “Yes. A dozen times.”
“Fine. But you’re missing out on a great story.”
“That I’ve heard before.”
“I’ve heard the gospel before. Doesn’t mean I don’t feel it every time.”
Josh