Chapter 7: Second Obviation

SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 MOON ORBIT. 2430 HOURS, THE SILVER ECLIPSE, TWELVE HOURS AND THIRTY MINUTES AFTER INVASION

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” Lyon rasped, he was pacing the around the briefing room hologram module, “Wolfe is on Red 420 right now with my regiment?”

“Was your Regiment and Lord Knight Wolfe only commands a division of the Lion’s Streaks,” Captain Hawkins corrected, “You demoted yourself, you should know by now that the Lion’s Streaks, even they’re named after you, are not your responsibility anymore.”

“I know that,” The Knight protested, “But why the hell they gave it to Wolfe anyway? You know he’s cursed.”

“Command does not share your superstitions Lyon,” Hawkins replied, “Anyway, Studying the surface scans and the photos taken, we have come to believe that Wolfe’s division has been hit hard and are holding out at the Io drop zone . And that’s the good news.”

“What’s the bad news?” Lion held his arms up in discontent, not happy with Hawkins calling Lion’s Streaks “Wolfe’s division”.

“The two other divisions that were dropped at Hanz and New Gettysburg have been completely wiped out--scan-wise.”

Lyon turned around to face the Captain, letting his arms drop. “We must take the moon hive as fast as possible then. Are the Haxes still active?”

“Yes, Wolfe hasn’t disabled any or enough G.E.O.M. Haxes to establish a stable transmission with the fleet. “ Hawkins confirmed.

“That idiot,” Lyon said, putting both his palm on top of the bridge hologram module, “All these scans happened during the sixteen minutes we were initiating Operation Moonglaive?” Hawkins nodded in answer.

Lyon was still mulling over for the sudden series of events when the hologram module hummed and glowed. Rita appeared being head locked by a woman wearing a suit worn by businesswomen during the millennial decade---Lyon’s head was through the A.I.’s holographic groin area.

“Like what you see Lyon?” Anna cooed, still virtually head locking the braided girl wearing a soviet-era winter uniform.

“If I could see anything,” Lyon retorted, still bathing half his face through Anna’s body, “Nothing but reflective light.”

Anna let go of Rita, causing the latter to fall flat on the hologram panel. “Well, sue my parent then.”

“This Electra complex is getting old,” Hawkins remarked; Anna stuck out her tongue in answer.

Lyon stepped away from the module and faced Anna, “The data Anna?”

Anna sighed, her holographic arms on her holographic hips, “I’m uploading it now sir.”

Lyon ignored Anna’s antagonizing and waited for the data to upload. Hawkins just shook his head and muttered something about A.I.’s being worse than real spoiled children.

A holographic display appeared in front of the two officers. The display showed a hollow rectangle slowly being filled with rectangular segments. As the Loading bar ticked away awkward silence filled the meeting room. Lyon shifted uneasily from one foot to another while Captain Hawkins maintained his military poise, his hands behind his back.

“So,” Anna snapped, breaking the silence, “See how boring life is without a little psychosexual competition, Howard.” Anna let Captain’s first name dangle at the end of her sentence.

If the Captain was irritated he did not show it. He just stood silently, waiting for the uploading data to finish. Lyon gave Anna a sharp look, which the latter returned with contempt.

“So,” Hawkins said icily, “How was Herodutus Lyon?”

“It’s almost the opposite of Red 420 my old friend.” Lyon replied, not taking his eyes off the loading screen, “We had some scattered GEOM resistance in space, a ruse to lure as further in. We were about to start deploying the landing crafts when Max got through to me. Anna was---malfunctioning too much to notice that there wasn’t a single Queen hive in Herodutus.”

“I heard that!” Anna exclaimed harrassing Rita again.

Lyon ignored Anna, “What we found inside the Moon hive was unlike anything we theorize of what a GEOM ship plant would be.” The data finally finished loading and templates of video recordings and pictures filled the screen. Lyon tapped on one of the templates, it enlarged and played a recorded feed from the Phoenix’ bow camera. It showed the rows of production lines and assembling stations from either banks of the purple-colored river.

“Sweet Jesus,” Captain Hawkins gasped, “What material is that?” he asked when he saw the part of the river was being sucked by tubes which led to the gigantic distribution tank in the middle of the cavern.

“Unfortunately, as you can see, we were too busy to take samples of the alien material.” Lyon continued, “But from what these recordings it seems it is a GEOM developed fluid of some kind.” Lyon clicked another template and double tapped it to zoom in the picture, “As you can see, it is alive and has displayed patterns of a GEOM parasite.”

“Hey Lyon, don’t you think they are similar with the exoskeleton fragments we found on Hope,” Hawkins finally said.

“Wait. You mean?---,” Lyon stopped mid-sentence then began typing a series of commands on the display’s console and a new set of templates appeared on the screen. He then enlarged a picture with an entry named FOX29T38 then proceeded to compare the picture with the one they took from the moon hive raid, the zoomed photos’ secrets now revealed in high definition.

“We really have to get down there Howard,” Lyon said, his tone shaken.

“But we can’t go headfirst unless we clear the orbit space Lyon, you just told me this.” The Captain replied, “We have to finish Operation Moonglaive---and stop calling me Howard.”

“Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds but the debris field has drifted to your planned escape route Captain Howard.” Anna snapped. Rita’s hologram was nowhere to be seen.

“Anna, what did you do to Rita?” Lyon mockingly crooned.

“Don’t worry I didn’t delete her, not yet,” She answered with a mischievous virtual grin, “I sent her to the bridge, she is still this ship’s A.I. and from what I can see I don’t have time to take over.”

A puff of vapor bloomed beside Captain Hawkins causing him to avert his eyes and cover his nose and mouth. A second later, The Knight was nowhere to be found.

“Knight Lyon is already at the bridge Captain Howard.” Anna teased before disappearing from the hologram projector.

Captain Hawkins gritted his teeth and clenched his fists as he exited the briefing room, “I hate that A.I.”

Captain Hawkins entered the bridge elevator. The elevator reminded him about how he and his crew were almost killed on the Marshall’s bridge. He sighed, thinking that leaving the injured Marshall under Lieutenant Shizuka’s care was a good idea. Even though she is seemed responsible and level-headed, Lieutenant Shizuka’s social and communication skills are somewhat lacking. Captain Hawkins shook away the worrying thought---he knows he has to focus for the upcoming battle. The elevator doors parted and the illuminations of the bridge filled the elevator.

“What’s the problem Lyon?” The Captain asked as he entered the Silver Eclipse’s bridge.

“The GEOMs has deployed the rest of their fleet.” The Knight replied. He was standing next to a red-haired burly man. “Captain Hawkins, this is Rear-Admiral Ruslan Ivankov. I believe you two have met.”

“Err—yes,” Hawkins answered as he shook the Rear-Admiral’s hand, the Captain winced from the Vice-Admiral’s grip.

“Yes we have met comrade Lyon,” Ruslan said, “this Captain was—persuasive to come to your rescue.” He finished with a sadistic grin.

“Ruslan here is an old friend from Advent.” He said, “I was surprised that he let you boss him around.”

“Well, comrade Lyon.” The Rear-Admiral guffawed, his hands on his hips, “His persuasion greatly reminded me of you.” His distinctive guffaw filled the bridge, “And besides, he brought me a Russian A.I. to help us find you. Our Nordish A.I. is rather—squeamish as you people say.

“Haha—Ruslan let’s get down to business shall we?” Lyon quickly changing the topic, giving Ruslan a petrifying look. The Captain wondered what it was all about but thought not more of it as the sit-rep display appeared.

“As we can see comrades that the bestards set up a-nother blockade edded from the previous fighter set-up but they had their men bottle-sheps this time.” Ruslan said, the Rear-Admiral’s Russian decent betraying his speech, “This new blocked has effectively closed er initial eskep route.”

“Yes, yes.” Lyon muttered, cupping his mouth with his hand, “Ruslan, comrade, how much power does all of the Enigma ships still have?”

“Well, half just came from jump so they may have, say, sebenty percent? The rest are werking on foll power—more or less.”

“More or less?” Hawkins repeated, “What are you planning Lyon? We’re in perfect position to flank them now. They have at least six of those GEOM Flagships that destroyed the Eleventh USTF fleet.”

“Exactly Captain Hawkins,” Lyon replied, “At least Six. They may be hiding more and the only counters are either we have a successful full LS cannon salvo or if we can get close enough for our weapons to be more effective.”

“Yes Comrade Lyon is right,” Ruslan second the motion, “We must wait for the beast to show all of its fangs.”

“I hope your second-in-command is competent Captain Hawkins,” Lyon said, “Unless you’d rather handle it yourself.”

SOLAR YEAR 2429, LEO SYSTEM, SECTOR ONE, PLANET RED 420 MOON ORBIT. 2442 HOURS, THE MARSHALL, TWELVE HOURS AND FORTY TWO MINUTES AFTER INVASION

“Lieutenant Shizuka what do we do?” Lieutenant Herrard asked, “Captain Hawkins hasn’t returned yet or communicated with us and the attack command has already been ordered.”

“We follow orders,” Shizuka sternly answered, “Ensign Amelia, confirm orders with Flagship Citadel. Lieutenant Herrard, please get us in formation.”

“Aye Ma’am!” Amelia cried. A meek, blonde haired girl tapped slowly on the communications console formerly held by the deceased Lieutenant Buhari.

“We are approaching cruising level with the Epitome and the Vasily Ma’am,” Herrard reported, “We have eighty percent maximum output on both main and auxiliary engines.”

“Good, Ensign Netta, Check weapon safeties and charge the LS cannons.” Shizuka commanded a similarly blonde-haired girl, who just nodded in reply.

“Ensign Netta did you get that?” Lieutenant Shizuka pressed.

“Yes Ma’am,” She finally cries.

The Lieutenant leaned back on the Captain’s chair and sighed. It was highly unusual for an ensign to be assigned at the bridge, let alone two. Lieutenant Shizuka Miyo had checked the backgrounds of the twin sisters when Captain Hawkins had the replacements allocated before supervising the Marshall’s repairs.

The De Borbon twins were from Royal French decent and are highly ranked on the potential chart. What was peculiar was that the sisters’ potentials were blacked out from their profiles aside from the grade S rank. Shizuka was definitely sure about how they’ve come to be assigned on the Marshall’s bridge, it was that either the De Borbon Royal family wanted to add military honors and glory to the twins’ profiles or Captain Hawkins has confirmed that the sisters really have S-rank potentials and assigned them to the Marshall when he had the chance. But the choices bodes a lot of questions, what stranglehold does the De Borbon family have if they had twisted the ensigns to such positions? Do they even have S rank potentials? If so, why weren’t the sisters assigned to be Knights? Whatever privileges the two Sisters may have to be assigned to such positions, Lieutenant Shizuka disdained them.

She had to work hard to get to where she was now. She had no Royal family background or any noteworthy background at all. She grew up in one of the slums in Mars and watched ships launch from the space ports every day. She dreamt taking command one of the ships and exploring the depths of space. When the shortage of USTF troops and naval personnel had caused the enlistment process to shorten and profile restrictions to be amended, Miyo took this chance to enlist for the USTF Navy and applied for naval officer school. When she had enlisted it was the first time she knew she had a potential level--a mere E-rank. Being able to bend a spoon or to lift a paper clip isn’t really Knighthood level. The Lieutenant sighed once more, thinking she might have overthought the situation knowing that it was her first moments of her hard fought dream.

“Ensign Amelia, can we hail the Enigma squadron?”

“No Ma’am,” The Ensign answered, “We are limited to short communications range Ma’am. Even if can communicate with them our shipped isn’t authorized to relay with them.”

“So we’ll know about them if they wanted to be known?”

“Exactly Ma’am.”

The remaining three ships of the Eleventh UTSF fleet positioned themselves just below the lead ship Citadel to form as a blocking force against a potential GEOM flank which the lacking speed of the three damaged ships won’t be a factor. The Citadel is massive, its shadow enveloping the three ships. It is one of the few surviving Angeion-class carriers, most of which were lost during the Battle for Humanity.

Lieutenant Shizuka watched the overhead camera feed. She remembered clearly the day Humanity’s last fleet left the ports of the first home worlds. The sky was full of every ship able to reach the first solar system’s southern quadrant. Cargo ships, Container ships, Ferries, Tankers, Tugs and sweepers joined the heavily depleted Navy. Lieutenant Shizuka remembered how the launching of the ships caused the ground to tremble and the smoke laden air caused her eyes to water. That was four years ago, the year when She was about to finish her officers training. A tear ran down the Lieutenants left eye, she quickly wiped it with the back her left sleeve.

“We’re in position Ma’am,” Lieutenant Herrard reported.

Shizuka nodded, “Any new orders from the Citadel Amelia?”

“No, Ma’am.”

Shizuka’s anxious face betrayed the composure she held since the last battle. Are they trying to face the GEOM fleet head on again?

“Ensign Amelia, zoom in the GEOM blockades please.” As soon as Shizuka has said this, the bow camera feed homed in the lines of disfigured ships. The acting Captain saw the frightened faces of the bridge crew. There in front of them was tens of the Flagship-class ships that decimated the USTF Eleventh Fleet.

The Lieutenant calculated the odds. The Herodutus invasion fleet has a total of thirty five military grade ships and a dozen maintenance and logistics ships—the GEOMs have over fifty ships and a hundred single manned fighters. The Herodutus fleet had several carriers but Shizuka doubted they would have Ospreys half that number. The only advantage the USTF Shizuka could think of is that most of the GEOM captured USTF ships are older models.

“The new orders and firing solutions are in Ma’am,” Ensign Amelia said, “They are using us as a reserve force.”

“Okay, relay the solutions to Ensign Netta please.” Shizuka replied, “And enlarged the bow camera feed please.”

The zoomed display expanded, everyone at the bridge craned their necks to watch the battle that was about to start. Motes of light dotted the gap between the two battle lines--the fighters have already begun skirmishing. The sense of helplessness washed over the female officer, she gripped the arm edges of the Captain’s chair. The UTSF battle line was now moving forward --most likely to initiate a blank party. The disadvantage of having fewer fighters would lessen when the blank party starts which would follow into rushing the GEOM carriers and threatening the GEOM hive. The UTSF Galleons began their move.

The Galleons, named after the multi-decked ships used in the 16th to 18th centuries, were the modern battleships. True to their origin, the Galleons were enormous in size even compared with the Angeion-class carrier but also, contradicting to its historical background, they were largely unreliable in chases, skirmishes and are expensive to maintain; that’s why most were scrapped or salvaged but the few that remained prove their use in war against the GEOMs for space control with their capability to shore up damage and deal more firepower than other warships—perfect for close quarter GEOM combat.

The Herodutus fleet had five Galleons and all were strategically placed on one side of the USTF battle line to break open a gap in the GEOM blockade. The fleet comms erupted of reports of GEOM Hellcats trying to crash on the Galleons Poseidon and Deliverance. The GEOMs are known to sacrifice everything to take down threats or to protect crucial objectives. GEOMs aren’t known for their ingenuity and proactivity in tactics. The only time the GEOMs would have new maneuvering strategies is when a queen could get hold of high ranking officers—expressing the need for USTF officers to also have C5 microchips embedded in their brain cortex.

In the early years of the First Plague Wave, the GEOMs have gotten hold of several brilliant tacticians. One of which was Admiral Philip Garros. The signature moon shadow ambushes and heavily fighter laden tactics of the late Admiral Garros were consistently used by the GEOMs. It wasn’t until the Battle for Humanity that this theory of GEOM adaptation was confirmed when several knights had identified what was left of the Admiral’s remains at the GEOM hive in Pluto, absorbed inside the first encountered queen.

Shizuka was reminded of Captain Hawkins. He hurriedly left to board one of the Enigma cruisers earlier and left her in command of the Marshall. She wondered if the Captain intentionally left her in command knowing he could not return in time. She participated in several battles but not at this scale and certainly not commanding a ship.

The Citadel and her squadron of destroyers now began to move, the last maneuvering phase has started. The five Galleons have successfully lured most of the fighters and the GEOM Flagship-class ships to the left flank; it opened up the right flank which was through one section of the debris field. The USTF flagship squadron has moved in to take advantage of it with plans to stretch the GEOM line thin and attack the blockade from behind. The Eleventh USTF “fleet” was ordered to lag behind the Citadel in case they’re needed cover their retreat. Lieutenant Herrard boosted the engines to eighty percent and followed the Citadel who has now started to deploy some her fighters.

“Keep an eye out for GEOM ambushes, they’re not surprising us a second time.” Shizuka cautioned.

“I’ve got dots all over the place Ma’am,” Ensign Amelia said, “the debris field is interfering with our scanners.”

“Understood,” Shizuka confirmed, “Ensign Netta prime all weapons.”

“Yes Ma’am!” the Ensign acknowledged.

“Ensign Amelia, ask the Citadel If she could spare us a few fighters, this debris field is a bit claustrophobic don’t you think?”

“Aye, Message away,” The Ensign said as she sent the message, “I hate enclosed spaces too Ma’am.”

There was an eerie silence at the Marshall’s bridge. Only the distinct beeping of the scanners and the hum of the ships machinery was to be heard as they waited for the fighters and the expected GEOM ambush. Two small eclipses appeared in the bow camera feed, two Ospreys were heading towards them--their afterburners were overshadowing their fuselages.

Shizuka felt a sense of relief; they badly needed fighters when they would be forced to fight in an immobile environment. Having only two is not the greatest but it’s better than nothing.

“This is Orange two-four, beginning escort pattern with Orange two-seven over.” One of the pilots reported in. The two Ospreys dispersed and positioned themselves on the cruiser’s starboard and port side respectively. As soon as the two fighters were in cruising speed, a loud blaring filled the bridge and red-lights started blinking.

“We got hostiles Ma’am! Coming from November-Whiskey-Zulu!” Ensign Amelia exclaimed.

There was a flash of light and the Marshall shuddered. Lieutenant Shizuka gripped the arms of her chair as the ship rocked. “Sit rep!” she shouted.

“No hulls or decks breached Ma’am!” Herrard Reported. Shizuka distinctly heard one of the bridge personnel swear. She looked up the displays and saw port camera feed, the Vasily was hit through its prow but It looked like the shot just grazed the ship.

“Flagship-classes incoming!” Shouted one of the Fighter pilots. Shizuka just noticed that the Citadel and her squadron of destroyers were now at the other side of the debris field.

“Herrard, get us facing the GEOMs! Charge the LS cannons!” Shizuka commanded.

The Marshall lurched towards the incoming threats followed by the Epitome and the Vasily. The Two flagship-class GEOM ships appeared in the bow feed.

“Shit.” The female Lieutenant murmured. It took more than a dozen ships to take out one now they were facing two with three damaged ships and two fighters. Red lights glowed from the GEOM ships—they were about to fire another salvo. She briefly thought of the saying, be careful what you wish for. She wondered if her first hour commanding a ship would be her last.

“Evasive Manuevers!” Shizuka commanded as the motes of red lights began to race towards them. The three ships dodge the shots cleanly. They were about to return fire when the two GEOM flagships exploded. The destructions of the GEOM ships surprised the Marshall’s bridge crew until Lieutenant Herrard began the series of hoorahs and triumphant cries, not caring what had hit the enemy ships.

They were safe for now.

Shizuka didn’t join the shouts of relief. She scanned the displays for anything resembling hostility.

This can’t be it.

They was an agonizing scream on the comms followed by three explosions rocked the Marshall. The two fighters had crashed into the cruiser; the third explosion came from the Marshall’s prow. Only with the Lieutenant Herrard’s skilled control prevented the ship from hurtling towards the Vasily.

“You got GEOMs all over you Marshall!” The static-filled communications from the Epitome blasted, “Stay clear of the junk pile!”

That’s when Shizuka saw it--they went too close with one of the bigger pieces in the debris field. It looked like it was part of a Tera-class cruiser. Shizuka couldn’t believe it, they were being boarded again.

“Ensign Netta! Get the doors down and get the fire teams to plug the holes!” Shizuka ordered, “We’re being boarded!”

The Lieutenant was too busy taking out orders to fend off the GEOMs boarding the Marshall that she failed to notice the shimmering ships appearing from the camera feeds. After a few minutes of barking commands, a puff of smoke erupted beside her. When the smoke dissipated Captain Hawkins and the Knight that rescued them earlier appeared beside her.

“De ja’vu” She heard the Knight murmured.

Still in shock, she turned to look at the Captain who placed his arm on her shoulder, “Good job Lieutenant, we’ll take it front here.”

“Y-y-yes sir!” She stammered, her bottled up emotions now beginning to show. The Captain nodded, patted her shoulder and stepped towards the bridge railing.

“We’ve got the moon boys! Now let’s get these bastards off our ship!”