Chapter Three
THS Tarawa
Keid, Hegemony Protectorate
Federated Commonwealth
27 February 3058Colonel Bianca Mathews stood at the podium to the Assault Transport Tarawa’s mission briefing room. Assembled were all of the Battalion, Regimental and Brigade Commanders involved in the first wave. Brigadier General Michael Foster commanded the 173RD Jump Infantry Brigade and would have technically been in command of the mission. He would act as the overall strategic commander until Major General John Murray commander of the 3RD Division arrived to take command of operations. Colonel Bianca Mathews being the more experienced combat commander would act as the mission commander and General Murray the Task Force commander and would coordinate the reserve force.
“Good morning people, in twelve hours we will launch a counter invasion of the Terran System ahead of the 3RD Division and further follow-on forces.” Mathews began. “General Murray and I have discussed the concept of operations and agree that the 1ST Dragoons will make for the North American continent to reinforce Alpha and Beta Battalions of the 201ST Com Guard Division. 7TH Light Horse under Colonel Wilder will be prepared to reinforce the European Theater of Operations.”
Brigadier General John Murray stood from his seat and relieved Mathews to continue where she left off. “Thank you Colonel, alright people. With the exception of Colonel Henry’s Battlegroup, the rest of the Brigade will be on call to respond globally. Colonel Henry’s Battlegroup based off of the 503RD Jump Infantry Regiment supported by Captain Tomlinson’s BattleMech Company, an Attack Recon Troop from the 91ST Cavalry and two Batteries of artillery one of Air Mobile Guns and another of Air Defense vehicles.”
He looked around the room gaining the attention of all present. “Colonel Henry’s force will be responsible for securing Hilton Head and reinforcing the Primus’ Body Guard.” Murray stated. Several were shocked that we would go this far towards protecting Com Star. “I know some of you are wondering why we have chosen this course of action. Well there are three reasons for this. First we don’t want a three-way fight on the surface. Second it will give us much-needed infrastructure on the ground when we need it. Finally third, since the schism the secular Com Star has been trying to prove to the Inner Sphere that they are not up to their old ways. The Word of Blake is the old Com Star on steroids.” The commanders gathered all agreed with the assessment.
General Murray went to sit down and was replaced by Commodore Nathanial Banks captain of the Tarawa. “Commodore Banks, THS Tarawa.” He said on introduction. “I will be responsible for entry and approach to Terra for this operation. The Tarawa will have 173RD aboard along with the 2-5TH Marine Infantry Battalion all ready to respond as needed once we execute the drop of the 503RD.” He briefed. “Command has managed to get us a Naval Escort Squadron and we are now being renamed to the 1ST Assault Transport Group. We will jump in here.” Banks said as he pointed to a location on the holographic map.
“Once the initial space is clear we will bring in the remaining transports and begin our approach to Terra. Once the initial drop has been completed fighters from the Tarawa will join with the fighters from the Naval Escort Squadron to establish as much as a Barrier Combat Air Patrol as possible to keep Blakist reinforcements from reaching the surface.” Banks ended.
Mathews took her place at the podium once more. “Everyone has their assignments I suggest you go over them once more and hit on any last minute details before we jump. I want finale status updates at T- 1 hour.” With that the commanders all exited the briefing room and headed to the small craft bays for the trip back to their ships.
* * *
Terran Central Traffic Control
McKinley Station, Terran Orbit
Terran System
28 February 3058It was another boring day for Adept Cynthia Mountbatten as she commanded her shift in the Terran CTC. With the systems ability to feed itself there was not much interstellar traffic. What interstellar traffic there was on the other hand was selected imports for luxury items and Com Star supply ships returning from their far-off routes.
“Just once I would like something to happen.” Acolyte Hayaki Nakamura said breaking Cynthia out of here trance. She had lost focus and was staring out into space through the window watching the stars.
“If anything happened Nakamura, I assure you we wouldn’t live through it.” Mountbatten replied after gaining her composure.
“Oh come on, the Com Guard and the rest of the Defense Forces can keep things safe and we can get to the life boats before anything happens to this station.” Hayaki continued.
“Oh I doubt it. Lets just hope...” She trailed off as the proximity alert began going off. “We have an emergence buildup in vicitinity of…” She paused as she looked triangulated the source from the various sensor satellites located around Terra. “We have point source location at the Terra – Luna L2 LaGrange point.”
Nakamura activated the hyper spectral imager focusing it on the location watching the buildup of thermal radiation preceding the arrival of a JumpShip. “I have the imager on those coordinates.” He reported.
Mountbatten activated the stations laser transmitter pointing the array at Hilton Head. “Aerospace defense command this is CTC we have a pending unscheduled arrival at the Terra – Luna L2. Request elevation of alert level launch of alert interceptors.”
“CTC, this is ADC. Launch authority granted threat level raised, scrambling further assets. Request identification of arrivals ASAP.” The duty officer at the Terran based command center reported.
“Roger ADC, we are scrambling alert fighters.” Mountbatten acknowledged.
“Adept, we have an emergence wave.” Nakamura reported.
“Standby ADC, we have an emergence wave.” Mountbatten reported. By now she thought the alert was spreading around the planet and soon would be beamed across the system by HPG to Mars, Venus and Titan.
The shape began to appear on imager. “Blake’s blood.” Nakamura whispered.
“What is it?” Mountbatten asked as she turned to look at his screen. Then she saw it. “ADC scramble everything, we have a warship inbound and what looks like several fully loaded Star Lord JumpShips. War book says the warship is a Robinson-class transport.”
There was a pause on the link with Aerospace Defense Command. “Confirmed CTC, we are watching your feed now and confirm your war book’s assessment. TDF is being alerted prepare yourselves.”
* * *
CSS Golden Light
Atmospheric Flight
North America, TerraPrecentor Lisa Koenigs-Cober sat in the ready room aboard the Golden Light her personnel DropShip. She was looking over the readiness reports of the 21ST Centuari Lancers based off of the assessment of Demi-Precentor Reginald Albertson her XO and Alpha Battalion commander in the 201ST. The Klaxon sounded and the ships captain came over the overhead speakers. “Battle Stations, Battle Stations, all hands man your Battle Stations. Launch fighters and all MechWarrior’s to your BattleMechs.”
Without thinking Lisa was on her feet and running to the bridge. As she crossed through the hatch leading onto the bridge the captain was already briefing her. “Precentor, we have reports of an in bound invasion force. Looks to be a few dozen DropShips escorted by a warship.”
Lisa had known Adept VII-Xi Paul Turner since assuming command of the 201ST and the TDF. Assigned from Com Star’s Periphery fleet. “What kind of Warship Paul?” She asked.
“That’s the thing, it’s a Robinson from what CTC has reported.” Turner said. “We lit off all of our sensors and have manned the weapons.” Right then a loud twang sounded along with a massive vibration followed by a second. “And we have just launched our fighters.”
Before Lisa could comment the sensor operator spoke up from his station. “Captain, we have a lance of fighters coming out of the storm to our north. They have targeting systems painting us and look to be on an attack approach.”
“Who are they?” Lisa demanded.
The young Acolyte without looking at his instruments reported. “They are squawking Lancer IFF codes Precentor.”
“Do they see our escorts?” Turner spoke up.
“No sir I don’t believe they do.”
“Tell our fighters to work in behind them and warn off the Lancer fighters.”
Lisa looked to Turner. “I’m going to my ‘Mech, get us back to Hilton Head.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Turner replied.
The two RGU-133LP Rouge fighters stalked the Lancer fighters as they raced in on the Golden Light. Acolyte VII-Pi Roman Garcia watched his HUD looking for the Lancer fighters on a blatant attack profile. Garcia was monitoring the guard frequency that all aircraft in the Inner Sphere were required to monitor.
“Lancer flight, Lancer flight, this is the Golden Light you are on an attack vector and are ordered to stand off and return to base by order of Precentor Koenigs-Cober. Terra is under an Invasion alert we have Warships in local space on approach.” Turner ordered as the Lancer fighters approached.
Garcia noticed there was no change in the approach of the Lancer fighters. Garcia adjusted his angle on the Lancer fighters bringing himself and his wingman’s fighters around for an optimal attack angle.
“Lancer flight, this is your finale warning. Return to Bowling Green or you will be considered hostile and fired upon.” Turner ordered again.
Garcia watched as the Lancer fighters increased speed the two Lightning fighters streaked in on the Golden Light. Garcia armed his fighter’s weapons knowing his wingman – Trevor Voss – had already done the same.
“Gold-2, this is Golden Light. You are cleared to engage Lancer fighters. Be advised we will be maneuvering and engaging ourselves.” Turner reported.
“Golden Light, this is Gold-2. Confirmed that we are weapons free and moving to engage. Gold-2 out.” Garcia said breaking radio silence and switching over to his link with Voss. “3, this is 2. We are cleared to engage we will target the trail fighter first. Be advised Golden Light will be weapons free and maneuvering.”
Voss loosed up formation on Garcia’s wing. “Roger 2, copy weapons free.”
Garcia focused on targeting the trail fighter leaving the lead Lightning to the Golden Light. He watched his targeting reticle until it flashed red. As he watched the range close the reticle went from red to amber and Garcia caressed the primary target interlock firing his paired Large Pulse Lasers in the wings. The lasers flashed out and impacted the trail fighter flashing metal into liquid slag. Garcia smiled to himself as he fired again. More metal turned to slag and dripped off the Lancer fighter. Then he was in range of his Medium Pulse Lasers. Again he selected his secondary target interlock, watched the flashing reticle turn from red to amber and fired. The pair of medium pulse lasers tore into the Lightning engines exhaust port. The fighter sputtered and then fell out of the sky.
Garcia smiled to himself and tallied one kill in his head and was interrupted when his fighter shook from laser impacts of its own. “3, this is 2 what just hit me?” Garcia demanded to know.
“By the Word of Blake, you heretics will no longer contaminate this holy world any longer.” Voss said.
“What are you saying get up here and help me deal with this remaining Lancer.” Garcia ordered.
“I am going to deal with your treasonous actions Garcia. You will no longer defend that heretic and the corrupted. The only true Com Star is in the Word of Blake!” He shouted into the link between the fighters.
Garcia jinked avoiding a burst of his wingman’s pulse lasers. Switching channels he hailed the Turner. “Golden Light this is Gold-2, we have a situation. Gold-3 has gone rouge. He has fired upon me and began spewing some mantra about heretics. I think he’s a Blakist mole.”
The channel was open and he could hear impacts of autocannon fire against his hull from the remaining Lightning. “Garcia, we just received word that Salina was hit by fuel air bombs. The Lancers have gone rouge across the board. It is my opinion and that of the Precentor that the Word of Blake is invading and the Lancers are in their employ. Do what you can to cover us we are going to drop the Precentor and her escorts as soon as we can shake this fighter.”
“Roger sir, I will do what I can.” He continued to jink, dive and climb to avoid fire from his renegade wingman. “Alright Voss its time to deal with your traitorous ass.” He said over their shared link.
Maneuvering his fighter he brought his fighter back at Voss firing all of his weapons in his tertiary firing circuit. He washed his four pulse lasers across his former wingman’s cockpit slagging a lot of the Ferro-glass and armor protecting the pilot. Voss angled his fighter up and into Garcia’s path.
“For Blake!” He screamed into the link slamming his fighter into Garcia’s as he tried to maneuver clear.
“Sir, Gold-2 and 3 are down. They collided.” His sensor operator reported.
Turner shook his head, whispered a quick prayer to watch over Garcia and his family then turned his attention to the remaining Lancer. “Clear my sky guns.” He ordered.
“Aye sir.” The weapons officer reported.
The Golden Light, Leopard-class DropShip banked hard bringing its dorsal turret onto the remaining Lancer fighter. The gunner opened up damaging control surfaces before targeting the ship with its Long Range Missile Launchers. The volley of Artimes IV guided missiles streaked in on the Lancer fighter blotting it out of the sky.
“Last fighter is destroyed. The sky is clear sir.” Guns reported somberly.
Sensors took that moment to speak up. “Sir, more fighters are coming up from Bowling Green. We have another squadron inbound.”
Turner turned to his control panel and activated his link to the Lisa strapped into her BattleMech. “Precentor, its now or never.”
“I understand Paul. I hope Garcia didn’t die for nothing. Lets get my people on the ground and then you run. Head for orbit and get to the defense stations.” She ordered.
“Yes Ma’am.” Turner replied.
[EDIT]* * *
THS Painted Horse
Orbital Assault Vector
Terra, Terran SystemColonel Bianca Mathews sat strapped in to the cockpit of her IMP-1A Imp, double and triple checking her systems. She had been sealed in her BattleMech since before the jump into Terran Space. She was watching the feed from the Painted Horse’s sensors. Colonel Mathews was well aware of the swarm of aerospace fighters rushing up to meet them from the planets surface and from orbital stations. Soon General Murray would be addressing the system as to the purpose of our arrival.
“Colonel, fifteen minutes until we are in drop position. Com Star Aerospace fighters five minutes until they shoot us out of the sky.” The voice of the ships captain reported.
“Thank you Captain Garza, I will keep that in mind. Now if you would please. Patch me into the fleet COMNET.” Mathews ordered.
“As you wish Ma’am.” Captain Garza said laughing.
It took a moment before Mathews began hearing the chatter between the DropShips, escorting fighters and the Tarawa herself as she coordinated the flotilla bound for Terra. A loud tone sounded and Mathews could tell she was being switched to the guard net as Murray began his broadcast.
“Attention all Com Star personnel and Citizens of Terra. A grave situation is upon you at this time. Word of Blake ground forces have infiltrated you. Already they are on the move from their bases at Bowling Green Kentucky. Already have they tried to kill Precentor Koenigs-Cober. We have been monitoring your communications and have been trying to get here before these Shadow Lancers were able to arrive in the first place. Alas we are too late. Fighting has already begun on your world. Fighting I hope we can bring to a quick close. The 21ST Centuari Lancers are not on your world. Their dependents have been captured and the Lancers blackmailed into staying quiet.
“In ten minutes the decedents of the Terran Hegemony-in-Exile will return home. I bring with me enough troops to reinforce the Com Guard garrison. The Word of Blake are monsters. They care nothing for the people of Earth. Yes Earth. The ancient name of our home world.
“I am Brigadier General John Murray commander of the 173RD Royal Jump Infantry Brigade. I am bringing with me the 1ST Royal Dragoons and 7TH Royal Light Horse regiments. We are not alone. You are not alone. It is darkest before the dawn and the dawn is upon us all. Stay home, keep out of the streets. We drop in ten minutes over the Central American plains with the intent of destroying the Word of Blake infection that has begun to fester upon the Earth.
“We are the Legion, we are the Hegemony, and we are coming home.” Murray killed the connection and Mathews was automatically switched back to the Fleet COMNET.
Smiling to herself she didn’t think John had it in him. She continued to listen to the general chatter. A swarm of fighters was still coming up from the surface but SIGINT was already detecting a lot of traffic. Her COM system beeped and switched back over to the ships intercom. “Ma’am we have just been informed that the Primus is in contact with General Murray.”
Mathews thought about that for a moment. “Well Captain, what prey tell are they talking about.”
“That I don’t know but let’s just say the Primus is concerned that she has not been able to contact Precentor Koenigs-Cober since we entered the system and the 201ST Divisions command is unreachable at Salinas. Reports are filtering in that fighting has broken out on the Great Plains as well.” Garza reported.
“I want our drop adjusted. Find me the survivors of the 201ST and land us near them. I want to take the Shadow Lancers out fast.” She looked over the deployment maps as they scrolled across the command console of her Imp. Then she saw it. “Captain pass to the rest of the Black Hawks. I want us to land in this formation and sequence. Get our artillery down fast in these locations.” She said highlighting several positions.
“Yes Ma’am, I think I see what you are going for.” Garza agreed.
“Good pattern drop BattleMechs along with our armored infantry platoons. Once we are down we can move onto the Lancers quickly as our armor is assembled. I want them to land behind the Lancers as our ‘Mech’s and armored infantry drive them back.” Mathews continued. “Then we can encircle them and grind them out with the help of the Com Guardsmen.”
“Aye Ma’am. I will alert the rest of the Squadron to our plans.” Garza replied.
Mathew watched the feed from the Fleet Data Net as it was collected from the various ships in the strike forces and distributed around the fleet to assist with planning and coordination. This would be the first major military action on Terra in centuries and the Legion was doing it on a shoestring budget. She hopped the Word of Blake would take the arrival of the Legion and the destruction of the Shadow Lancers as a sign and leave Terra alone. If not they would be in for surprise when 3RD Division and other follow on support would arrive with reinforcements.
The days of the Legions neutrality were over. May the Gods of whoever crossed their path look over them, as the Legion was not going to fade back into the nether world and vanish as if a bad dream for some. They were here to stay…
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