Strat-4 Chpt-43

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==Strategos (A Great Captain Roberts Tale!!) - Part 4 - Chapter 43 - Showtime and Showdown==
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===The last line of defense===
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The defenders arrayed...
…A Lola III, two Essex IIs, two Essex Is, two damaged Pintos, and a collection of combat dropships formed into a rough, ragged formation. Some fighter formations spread between them, but not enough.
Billie could see the rest of the ships in the fleet weren't joining that formation.
Vicky could see it too. "That's… that's wrong." 
"No doubt. Dave?"
Foster pursed his lips. "Reserves maybe. I do not see how they would think that could win. Not against what we're bringing through the L1 point." He shook his head. "Transponders?"
"SLS Biringer in the lead…"
"That poor, brave son of a bitch…" Foster's tone had pity in it. "Distribute the rest of our formation to take out their reserves. Betty, Billie, Mina, Victoria, we're taking the only units that are moving to contact-we are going to give them battle, and we are going to crush those poor bastards. And blow a hole for Her Ladyship to make her landing assault."
“Wait? Helena is going through with her landing? I thought we agreed not until the area was secured!” Vicky complained.
"That's why Clan Snow Raven and the Hastati Sentinels are coming in behind us, Vicky." David stated. "Alpha Galaxy is dropping as soon as we have the orbitals, and Helena is landing with them."
“I still don’t like her going down until after they secure the surface.”
"The info from Kolossus was specific, there's a time crunch involved." Foster explained. "If the likely coup happens, the odds of the junta that takes over leaving either Katrin or Amanda alive go down the toilet. So she's going in to speed things up. Now focus on your sector. OUR job is to make sure she can make it down there and back out again!!"
“Fine. But if I have to use my plan B because if she gets killed, well, let’s just say my options for expressing my displeasure are limited.”
"If she gets killed, we are all ******. Al Crowe will lose his shit because I talked his Alphas into this by going around him. The Republic guys are leaning on your boss to get them through the defenses faster, and intact, so Stone won't be happy at all. And of course, President Avellar will be… complicated," Foster listed off. "So… we make it work and pray like hell god is not on the other side tonight."
“Why did she have to turn out to be such a firebrand… I’m sticking with you though, Foster. This could get rough.”
"It's going to be rough, alright, the Biringer's CO knows his business," Foster stated. "Not some amateur this time."
//”Attention forces of the Star League-in-Exile, also known as the Sons of Plunder. I am Helena Cameron. I have come here to correct a great many injustices. I implore all forces to stand down, heave to, and receive boarders so we can end this conflict without further bloodshed. I promise you will be treated fairly, and under the articles of war in the Star League Defense Force charter. I await your responses.”\\ Helena’s voice came over the open channels.
The answer was chaos, as weapons fire at extreme range and fighters launched from most of the ships, and some of the stations.
"Does that ever work?" Lori Crowe asked from Foster's side. The Evanescent was being ferried back.
"Sometimes," David commented. "Sometimes it works…"
“And it wouldn’t be Helena if she didn’t at least try.” Billie Hoel smiled.
In the darkness of space, 0330 AM Star League Universal Time, men and women began to die in darkness, silence, and FIRE.
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===Last act of defiance===
Betty Laffey…
…saw the formation moving. They weren’t going for the obvious Battleship. No, their vessels were far too frail to dare challenge that.
<Billie, they’ve figured you out. They’re coming right for you. Might I suggest letting Tabiranth or Sparks take over ATACs duty more often in the future?> Betty was emotionless as usual as she was cutting down enemy fighters and Dropships.
<I suppose I do have that bad habit. Too late to change it for this battle.> said Billie
<They’re really gunning for you, Billie.> Mina chimed in.
<Yeah. Keep formation, everyone. They’re starting to get really desperate.> Billie watched a Zero aerospace fighter blitz past the fighter screen and plow into her port quarter.
“Betty,” Kevin said from her CIC.
“Yeah, we see them. Those Destroyers are real tin cans, but they’re determined to get after Billie. We’re going to stop them.”
“Just us?” Kevin asked.
“We have fire support.”
The Commander of the SLS Biringer knew his ship, and the abilities of the ones around them.
He was sacrificing the older Essex Is and damaged Pintos first. It was working. Despite crumpling quickly under the massed firepower arrayed against them, it bought the Essex IIs and Lola III enough time to get in and get revenge shots.
“******. Damage is starting to add up. Roll us.” Kevin noticed the readouts.
“Hang on.”
Biringer had successfully slipped in with the Essex IIs where they could fire on Victoria, Billie Hoel, Mina Siegel, and Betty Laffey at the same time. Well, as much as their cooling arrays could handle.
They would not last long against the return fire at that close range but they didn’t need to.
“Starboard AMS bays just went off line.” Kevin noted.
“Noted. That’s your cue to get out of here, Kevin. Rest of the crew too. They’re going to notice that soon, and I can’t stop all the canned sunshine that’ll come our way with those bays down.”
Betty Laffey watched what was left of her human crew evacuate.
As she predicted, the enemy noticed the sudden lack of AMS coverage.
Before the nuclear missiles tore into her starboard side, she pounded Biringer for everything she was worth. The Lola III absolutely crumpled under the barrage.
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“Damn. They really are playing for keeps, eh?” Dave Foster watched Betty Laffey’s hull shatter under multiple direct nuclear hits.
“Yes. Fortunately, the enemy’s will to fight seems to be already waning. Which is good. That Lola banged up my portside armor something good. I’m going to need lots of yard time after this,” Billie Hoel answered.
"Well, we're holding the door now," Foster stated.
Outside, allied dropships were beginning their landing assault approaches.
"Let us hope the enemy on the ground does not have somebody like the CO of the Biringer, or this can go bad fast."
“I’m not sure even Kolossus could stop Victoria and what she would do if Helena were to perish to enemy action.” Billie stepped next to Foster. “I do wish our remotes were more capable so we could go with her, at least. But with how much jamming is down there, and how limited in terms of independent processing power and memory storage they are, they’d be of little use and potentially a hazard to allied forces as well.”
"We are in the hardest part of these operations now, Billie." Foster said. "We have to wait."
“Fortunately, I can still direct air support. So there’s that for us.” Billie smiled.
"There is that." he agreed.
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===Through the clouds flak, you will not keep me back===
Once upon a time…
…in the Star League, someone said "I want to hit them with my BattleMech, but they're way the hell over there".
The result was the development of the Land-Air 'Mech, a compromise system that was unsatisfactory as a fighter, weak as a BattleMech, and ideal for only a very narrow role.
Pet theories and procurement being what it was in the late Terran Hegemony and early Star League eras, tens of thousands of them were built at incredible cost.
For the most part, the concept and designs failed the test of the First Succession War, and slowly died out over the intervening centuries.
"Saya, you're sure you can handle this?" Helena asked. "I know the Clans view the type as-"
"I can handle it. I started my Mechwarrior training before being transferred to Aero. And we Scorpions do have our fondness for Star League history. Keep your helmet on, and your hands away from anything that even LOOKS like a control, Director-General Helena Cameron."
The Phoenix Hawk LAM Her Majesty was about to ride in had been part of the complement captured when Bruno Unger surrendered his force. It had been in storage, waiting to be readied, and for some reason, the Director-General wanted it.
Well, really, for THIS reason.
“Okay let’s do something totally insane. Make sure we get a line in the remembrance for this, Saya.”
“Succeed or fail, I expect nothing less than a full stanza for what we are about to do,” Saya replied.
“Honestly, I was a bit surprised you agreed to do this. Lori was against this idea.” Helena said, strapping in.
“I almost did not agree. She was right. There is a difference between heroic and suicidal. But I am ultimately a Trueborn warrior of Clan Goliath Scorpion. This is the final act of a true and just war. I find myself sickened by what I used to play at, pretending our duels were some noble and honorable game. So why not make what is likely my last flight as a Warrior one for the ages, one that will be remembered by a great many people for a long time to come?”
“Last flight?”
“I find it incredibly unlikely there will be another just war in my career. Also, I am not sure it would be wise for me to return to my Clan. Could you imagine the upheaval that would cause if they properly learned about this? They are in a delicate enough situation without the lure of a true piece of Star League history that would divide them further.”
“I think I understand. But hey, don’t give up on the idea of flying just yet. It may not be glorious, but this area is about to become rife with people taking advantage. My sister could use a good pilot, and one trained by some of the Outworlds’ best to be a pretty good CAG from what I hear.”
“Perhaps. Time to get you to ‘prom’. An interesting choice for a landing site designation.”
“If you’re lucky Saya, you’ll find someone to settle down with and have a daughter. And when she turns 16, you’ll understand.” Helena chuckled.
“I am not sure what to say to that.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t pretend you and the good Captain I snagged from the Federated Suns aren’t becoming a couple.”
“Unlikely. He is a good partner, but we are not compatible long term. Plus, my shipmates seem quite keen on me and Phoenix becoming a couple. I must admit I am curious how it will be with an AI.”
“Oh boy. Better punch it before I break out in giggle fits.”
“Seyla.”
The burst of acceleration pushed the two women back in their seats.
The fighter cover and landing forces were on their way down with them.
Response was mixed to say the least. Sons of Plunder fighters were rising to meet them. Some turned on each other, others were clearly blocking others from taking off.
Puffs of flak and tracers from both airborne and surface guns started tracing the skies. The various hues of lasers added to the mix, giving the chaos almost a surreal beauty.
Saya worked the controls of the LAM to dodge incoming fire. Supporting fighters quickly cleared the enemy from the sky.
With no more immediate resistance around them, it became a largely quiet ride. Only the odd burst of AA fire disturbed them and shortly after the platforms revealed themselves fighters were vectored in and bombs dropped on them.
“This is almost too easy.” Saya complained.
“Blame Billie Hoel. Only reason they even get close is because of light delay.”
“Coming up on Prom in two minutes. Get ready.” Saya was mopey still.
“If it’ll make you feel better, when I tell the story I’ll be sure to talk up how you expertly dodged the hails of tracers and clouds of flak so thick you could walk on them.”
“Neg. It would not be worthy of either of us.”
“Spoilsport.”
“Hold on.” Saya wasn’t able to dodge another stream of tracers. “We are getting closer, so their aim is getting better.”
“We still good?” she asked
“Aff. Maybe I will accomplish something truly worthy of note after all on this flight.”
Helena could feel the cockpit shift in the machine as it changed form.
A puff from the jump jets gave a smooth landing.
“Welcome to Prom. I regret I do not have your corsage, nor a proper dress for the occasion. Though I do believe Mister Seron has those for you.” Saya said.
“You do understand! You held out on me!” Helena playfully punched Saya on the shoulder.
“Even by my Clan’s standards I am unusual. Hope you had a good flight, Director-General. I have some bonuses to go earn so I can afford that two bedroom, two bath on deck 22 of Port Orphan.”
“Someone is having ideas. Well good hunting, Saya. Hope to see you again when this is over.”
“Maybe. The future is boundless now. Good hunting to you too.”
Helena exited the LAM. A small army of Battle Armor equipped troopers rallied to her.
“Greetings, Director-General. Let’s get you changed into your dress.”
A nearby APC rolled up, opening its hatch to reveal techs and an empty GDL Scout suit.
Helena donned the Battle Armor with the help of the techs in short order.
“Your corsage.” Mister Seron handed Helena a Mauser 960 Rifle and a vibroblade. “I must admit this seems overly convoluted and complex. Why not just come down in armor with us? “
“Because my AIs never would have gone for that at all, and this way I got to have way more fun. Now let’s go get our girl!” Helena answered.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
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===Thus hunter becomes the hunted===
”You know…
…the Baselius had a good idea, just the wrong execution. You be a good little prisoner Amanda, and I’ll even let you have the honor of carrying my children yourself. It’s better that way, really. Behave poorly and, well, I can always have the Doctors harvest your ovum and find a compliant surrogate.” Lord Guffney’s voice made Amanda’s skin crawl.
“Go to hell you skeevy pervert!” Amanda hissed as she struggled with the restraints.
“Very well. Put her back under. I would have preferred your cooperation, but really it isn’t necessary either way. Perhaps when you wake again you’ll find I’ve done both.” Lord Guffney smiled wickedly.
“Sir! Enemy troops have entered the facility. A large portion of the garrison are refusing to engage them. Another group is actively helping them. We’ve been locked out of the heavy weapons lockers. We’re working on opening them but…”
Crunch.
His attention was pulled back to the ICU bed.
"Didn't need those fingers anyway," she said over the struggling head of the orderly-who was struggling, because she'd wrapped IV tubing around his neck and was garroting him with a maimed right hand. "The Men in White at least had the intelligence to lie to me about their intent."
Some of her intestines splatted to the floor.
The color drained from Lord Guffney’s face as he pushed the young soldier out of his way and began running.
There was a scream-he didn't know whose, but before he reached the elevators, he heard a sing-song voice: o/~ "Oh, sixteen men on a dead-man's Chest! Yo Ho HO and a bottle of RUM!!" o/~ 
He frantically pushed the call button, over and over again. Praying the elevator would arrive before Amanda got to him.
He glanced back and saw her shadow on the corridor wall, as the doors opened on the lift, letting him escape.
At least, for now.
Higher, to the trams. He could get to the secure bunker that way without her forcing the doors open and sabotaging the lift so he would fall to his death.
The option of using Roberts was off the table. His only leverage now was Katrin's Children.
He slowed his breathing and straightened his uniform. "She'll bleed out before she escapes." he told himself.
But in his secret thoughts, he saw an undead abomination coming-some fusion of science and madness, singing sections from a Robert Louis Stevenson poem about pirates. "She'll bleed out."
Calming down though he noticed the wetness in his pants. “Damn it. I can deal with this in the bunker. While she bleeds out.”
Meanwhile, Amanda's body found surgical tape and the emergency packs, with their ample supply of medical plasma…
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===Penetrating the Fortress===
The guards were…
…wearing Nighthawk Power Armor. But that didn't mean they were up to the skills of the Privateers, never mind the Clan testdowns that came with Helena. "Seron, you're clear on your mission?"
"Crystal," Seron said. "I go down to the lower level and get Amanda out. You deal with the leadership in their secure bunker-both of which are through that armored door."
"I knew there was a reason I liked you." Helena nodded.
The assault team took out the guards in seconds, and it only took Simon a few more seconds to overcome the code-locks on the door.
“Wow. I’d have thought they’d have changed their override codes. This is incredibly sloppy.” Helena shook her head.
“They had no reason to. They had no idea the codes were spread beyond them.” Seron offered.
<No, this WAS sloppy,> Simon stated. <The encryption wasn't updated. It's like taping your password under your desk-mat!>
“You still change them periodically. It’s just good practice.” Helena shook her head.
“True. It is still stupid.” Seron agreed.
As they walked in, Simon shut down the automated gun positions covering the door and stood-down the antipersonnel mines in the first entry. Then he started accessing the internal security monitors.
“Wow. The IT guy at the pre-school I established on Lazarus had better cybersecurity practices than this place,” Helena marveled.
"He had reasons," Seron noted. "West elevator?"
"Yeah, that goes straight down to the Infirmary level… Better hurry, she's on her feet and killing people," Helena said. "I think Desmond's completely in charge right now."
“Almost makes me feel sorry for some of them. Almost.”
"Spend less time feeling sorry for them, and get a corpsman to her," Helena cautioned. "She's fighting hurt."
“Aye. Curfew is coming. Do not want things to go all pumpkin on us.” Seron and as many troops as the lift could handle started going down.
Helena steeled herself for HER part-capture the Basileus and bring this to an end.
“Now where would I put a rather inconvenient and ultimately expendable former ruler that I just deposed? Ah, there,” Helena said as a wire diagram of the base overlaid itself on her vision with a marker.
She pressed the call button for the other lift.
“Command bunker then cell blocks. Need to go up then back down for both.”
She entered the lift and pressed the button, breaking it.
“Oops. Been a minute since I’ve been in Battle Armor. God, what’s that sound? I thought they banned muzak in military base lifts!”
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