Chapter 1
The crowds were still cheering from Taylor's triumphant and hopeful speech when warning lights flashed on several consoles across the bridge. The cheering quickly curtailed as the ensign yelled, "We've got multiple hull breaches, Sir!" Taylor rushed to the ensign's console to see the locations himself on a blueprint screen of the massive vessel.
"Are we under attack?" Huber asked bluntly.
Taylor looked up grimly. "Bet your ass. Those aren't random. We've got five breaches at least, and hard to tell how many more as your security systems falter. We've got unwelcome guests, lot's of 'em."
Huber opened a comms channel throughout the ship.
"This is the Admiral speaking. We..."
"Sir," the ensign interrupted, "We've lost all comms. Weapon systems are down, engines, too..."
"What the hell is going on?"
"They're dismantling your ship," replied Taylor.
"It'll be chaos. Few of the crew are armed and ready to fight those things."
"What emergency communication do you have?"
"Without power?" Huber asked, "Light beacons, that's it."
"Taylor turned to the comms officer."
"Put out this message."
The officer looked over to Huber for confirmation. The Admiral simply nodded for him to comply, but Taylor had already continued relaying the message.
"Enemy forces aboard. Do not approach or attempt to make contact in any way, and keep repeating it."
"We could call on some of the Marine ships for assistance?" Huber asked.
"Negative. We have no idea how bad this situation is for us or any other vessel in the fleet. We need to resolve this ourselves and quickly. Where is your officer of the watch?"
"Here!" a hesitant voice shouted.
Taylor looked around and found a young female officer. She was almost shaking in fear and shock.
"Your job is to put the word out. Send runners if you have to. Ensure all aboard know what to expect and are appropriately armed and prepared for it."
"What should they expect, Sir?" she asked.
"All hell to break loose. We've almost certainly got Mechs aboard and in some number. Get to it."
"Aye, aye, Sir," she replied.
The officer rushed off with the utmost urgency, now she had some task to work on. Huber had brought up a 3D projected model of the ship before them, with all known breaches marked.
"We've still got some power, then?" Taylor asked.
"Life support and basic systems, but that's about all," replied the ensign.
Taylor signalled for Jafar to step up beside them.
"What are they planning?"
He looked at the 3D map for just a few short seconds before replying bluntly, "Have they destroyed the ships weapon systems?"
"No," replied Huber, "Just disabled our power."
"Then they intend to seize the weapons for themselves."
"To what end?"
"Maximum destruction of the fleet."
"They've already got our guns. All they'd have to do is seize the bridge, and they'd manage it," Huber gasped.
"That's not gonna happen," Taylor said confidently.
He could tell Huber didn't look so confident.
"Parker!" Taylor roared.
Sergeant Eli Parker rushed up to him.
"You and your platoon are staying put. You stop any of those bastards getting in here? Got it?"
She nodded in agreement, rushing off to gather her unit.
"And get Dubois in here. You keep her safe now."
"Got it!" she yelled and she continued on.
He looked out at two-dozen of the Inter-Allied troops who had come aboard with him. They were laying about the entrance. He quickly noticed Corporal Robinson and was surprised to see he had made it.
"Corporal, amongst Jones' Company that came aboard, who is the most senior?"
He shrugged for a moment and then responded, "I guess I am."
"You've got about platoon strength. They're yours now. Do the Captain proud."
His face went blank in disbelief, but he accepted it in a dignified fashion.
"Platoon leaders, get your asses here now."
The remaining three, including Corporal Robinson stepped up and joined him and the Admiral. Lieutenants Matthews and Anders. Both men promoted up from the ranks that Taylor had gotten too little time to get to know as officers. All he knew was they were hardy enough fighters to have made it that far with him. Jafar still stood and listened in, and Morris joined them.
"What can I do?" asked the former MDF Captain.
Taylor had forgotten he was even still with them. He had blended into the grunts throughout the operation. Taylor knew the former Moon colonist had no idea if his people had made it out alive, and yet here he was doing everything he could to help.
"You stick with me," replied Taylor.
Morris did not protest. It was clear he was not going to wrestle for any kind of command or leadership capacity. Taylor pointed to the lower decks of the ship. "Anders, here. Matthews you'll take the port side. I'll sweep the starboard decks."
"And the centre?" Huber asked.
"Your people are gonna have to take up some of the slack. We're in communication blackout. For most of the crew that means they're on their own; mostly lightly equipped and probably unaware of the enemy presence. Lives are at stake here, and every second we waste will be more lives lost. Jafar, you stay here."
The alien looked surprised, but Taylor merely glared at him, and he did not protest. Taylor knew he was his strongest asset, and he needed that asset protecting the bridge.
"And me?" Silva asked.
"On me," he replied.
He fully intended to sweep quickly through the ship, and he wanted the Sergeant Major by his side. He looked around the bridge to see few of the crew knew what they could or should be doing. Most had little control over the systems they were tasked with monitoring. He leaned in close to Huber.
"You've got weapons lockers nearby?"
"Yes."
"Then draw everything you can. Get a gun in every one of their hands, and be ready for a fight."
Huber was taken aback. It was clear he had never had to fight with his own hands before, despite being a competent naval officer and commander.
"You can stop them, can't you?"
"We have to."
Taylor turned and headed for the door where Parker was now waiting with her platoon.
"Come on, let's move!"
He tapped Parker on the shoulder as he rushed past without a word and grabbed a shield that lay propped up with others at the entrance.
Here we go again, he thought.
"Any idea on their number?" Silva asked.
"No idea," he replied.
They quickly took a turn and headed for the start of the areas he had designated for his platoon.
"Lot of ship to cover," Silva commented.
"Sure is."
They carried onwards and stumbled across three crewmembers walking the decks as if it were any other day.
"We've been boarded. Get to cover," said Taylor. He wanted to yell at them but knew he had to keep his voice down. The three crew and stopped and looked at them in shock, but as they looked past Taylor to the line of marines at his back, they began to take his words more seriously and rushed off without another word.
"Think Kelly made it with us?" Taylor asked of Morris.
"Off Earth, or into wherever the hell we are now?"
Taylor shrugged. "Either, I guess."
"Commander Kelly believed in the Exodus, but it doesn't mean he wasn't stubborn enough to stay put and fight it out on Earth."
"You think he'd do that?"
"You nearly did."
Taylor nodded in agreement as they continued on. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Morris. They had all walked away from their lives, but most had brought at least some friends and family with them. What did Captain Morris have? He had evacuated his home for the second time, and probably left everyone he knew to an all but certain death.
"You want a job in the Regiment?" Taylor asked him.
He looked back to see Morris shrug.
"We're the closest thing you have got to family in...well, wherever we are. I know you are up to the task. Keep your rank. I need solid officers right now. What do you say?"
"I'm in. Just as long as you know it's only until such time I can get back to my own people."
"Sure."
Morris nodded in gratitude, and Taylor could see a little relief in his eyes, but there was no time to dwell on it. Gunfire erupted nearby, and they were not human weapons. Taylor rushed on to find an intersection, with pulses smashing into a position where three naval crewmembers were huddled back behind a few crates. The range was shortening as their attackers advanced on them. One of the crew put a pistol out from cover and fired a few blind shots, but they had little hope of doing damage even if they found a target.
The crew hadn't even noticed his arrival under the hail of gunfire. One had his head in his hands and was frozen solid in panic and shock. Taylor reached down for a grenade but found his webbing empty.
Shit, he thought to himself.
The gunfire was close now, and he had to act. He did the only thing he could think to do. He rushed out from the cover of their corridor and charged towards the source of the gunfire.
A few seconds later, he stormed past the crew who still hadn't noticed their presence over the noise of the impacts landing all about them. As the creatures came into view, he saw the nearest was one of the heavily armoured line breakers, but he did not have any option but to head right for it. Two pulses smashed into his shield, and he fired repeatedly as he advanced. Every single one of his shots was absorbed by the Mech’s heavy armour until finally he dropped his rifle and drew his Assegai.
Mitch hit the creature with his shield head on, and with all the power his body and exoskeleton suit would afford him. The creature slid back half a metre and then came to a dead stop.
Oh, shit!
He felt his shield being yanked forward as the creature took a hold of it, lifted him up, and smashed him into the ceiling like a ragdoll. He winced in pain from the impact but managed to keep hold of his weapon. A moment later the Mech's massive spear-like weapon was driven up through his shield and pierced the ceiling. It just skimmed the flank of his armour. Gunfire rushed past beneath him, as Morris and the others fired under him to try and take the beast down. They had little effect, but it was enough to give him an opening.
He let go of the shield, for he had no chance of getting away from the alien's grasp, and rolled off behind the Mech. As he descended, he thrust his Assegai into its back. It penetrated deep into the armour; the Mech spasmed and straightened its back. He hit the ground and watched the Mech then become limp and collapse down before him. He turned just in time to see the barrel of a pulse cannon in his face. He rotated around and out of the way of the shot.
As he did so, he drew his pistol and fired three shots into the Mech, but they did little as they found the thickest of its armour. The alien pivoted the gun around for a second shot, but as it did, it was struck by a dozen Reitech rounds and killed where it stood. He looked back to Morris' position, in time to see a grenade fly past him, and he heard the words, "Get down!"
Mitch collapsed down to the deck, using the cover of the dead Mech to shield him. A moment later, a blinding flash ignited the corridor. He felt the blast rush past, and fragments striking his helmet and shoulder armour. From his position, he reached over for the Assegai in the dead Mech and drew it out in readiness. He kept his head down, as friendly gunfire raced overhead for almost half a minute, and then all went silent. He felt something touch his shoulder. He turned quickly in shock to see Silva was kneeling down beside him.
"Anyone ever told you you're a crazy son of a bitch, Sir?" he asked with a smile.
"Not recently."
The Sergeant Major helped him to his feet, and he picked up his shield that had been bent around his body, and still had the alien's spear embedded. He put his foot on the surface and pulled the shaft until the blade prised back out. He looked at the weapon for a moment. It was as he had first thought, little more than a double sized version of their Assegais. It was unwieldy compared to his, but felt like it could do wicked damage on impact from its sheer size and breadth alone.
Mitch laid his shield flat to look at the gaping hole which had nearly been his death. The steel had folded in and been penetrated like tin. Three leaves stuck up from where the metal had been forced apart and left a huge hole. He knew it wouldn't do to use it in that state. He turned the enemy spear around and smashed down at the shield where it was damaged; and hammered the damaged parts back down flat so that they almost touched one another once more.
It was a desperate measure, but he'd rather have a damaged shield than none at all. He threw the enemy weapon aside in disgust and looked up at the others who had been fixated on his bodge of a field repair.
"You find a better one along the way, you let me know," he said to them.
He remembered the Navy crew and pushed his way through to reach them. They hadn't moved from their cover. They were too terrified to do anything at all, and had nothing but a single sidearm between them.
"The ship is under attack. Either get somewhere safe or draw weapons and fight," he said to them, "Carry on like this, and you'll be dead before the day is out."
"What...what can we do against those things?" one of them stammered.
"What we have been doing since this began. Give them everything you've got. Now move!"
He grabbed one of them and hauled them out from cover, and the other two followed. "Go!" he yelled at them.
"You know they won't survive two seconds if they run into another Mech?" Morris asked.
"Yeah, and none of us will last much longer if we don't get this situation under control."
A Mech lying seemingly dead beside him began to move, but he quickly responded by kicking it back down and then driving his foot into the faceplate three times until it cracked, and he crushed the creature’s head inside.
"Next time you put one of these things down, you be sure to finish the job," he said to the Captain.
With that, he lifted his shield back up from the floor and continued onwards.
* * *
Parker stood at the entrance to the bridge, looking out to the improvised barricades her platoon had assembled a few metres out into the corridor. She knew the blast doors would seal the bridge for a while, but not forever. They had to be prepared to defend the main access corridor, should they come under attack. Her visor was up so that she could use the ship’s air supply rather than that of her suit. She could feel the sweat dripping down her face. The air conditioning systems were obviously running at minimal power, but it was stress and concern as much as the heat that made her perspire so much.
She knew Taylor would be fine. He always seemed to make it out okay. It was the rest of them she was concerned for. She turned back to look for Coco Dubois. Jones' wife sat propped up against one of the bridge consoles. She had a pistol in one hand resting in her lap. Her eyes wandered and she was in a daze. She had the look of absolute loss that Parker had seen so often in the war.
She walked over to Dubois and knelt down beside her, although she had no clue what, if any, words could consul her after all she had lost.
"How you doing?" It was all she could think to say.
Dubois shook her head, but it wasn't clear if that meant 'not well' or she simply didn't want to answer, but Parker waited for one anyway. She stared long enough that she finally got a response.
"Everything I have ever known is gone. My husband, my regiment, my country, everything."
Huber had heard, as well as several other of the crew. It was hard not to in the suspenseful silence which had overcome the bridge since Taylor had left.
"What is the point of this anymore?" she asked them, "What are we even doing here all huddled together, hoping we can live today and die another day not far from now?"
Parker was not at all surprised by her words, but she could see it was only serving to continue fuelling the fire of fear that all around them were feeling. She was finally overcome by anger as she thought of the bitter price they had paid, and her sympathy turned to disgust.
"Is that how you choose to remember Captain Jones?" she snapped.
Dubois looked at her in surprise with her mouth open and unable to respond.
"Is that how you choose to remember one of the greatest defenders of the human race? He died so that you, all of us, could live. And we are gonna bloody live! You think this is the first loss anyone has ever had? Nations have been defeated, peoples have been scattered to the winds before. This is life. This is our life! So quit feeling sorry for yourself and start acting like who you are; who we all are. We are fighters. Survivors. It doesn't matter what nation you're from, which army, navy. We're in this together, and we are the lucky few!"
Huber hadn't said a word to stop her; despite the fact, the Sergeant had ultimately addressed the entire bridge. Her words were humbling, and he could not help but listen and agree. Dubois looked sheepish and a little embarrassed, although Parker could see Dubois was just as angry with her as she was understanding. Finally, Huber stood up tall and added some words of his own.
"Listen to this Sergeant. She speaks the words we all need to hear! This is all a lot to take in. But we owe it to all those we lost and left behind to make this work. Even now, our people are fighting through this vessel to protect us. So we haven't got it so bad. I don't want to see any more tears. I don't want any more panic. This is the USS Washington, flagship of the fleet, and you are her crew. Start acting like it!"
As he finished, a voice shouted from the corridor, "Here they come!"
It was followed by gunshots as Parker's platoon began laying down fire, and she rushed to the doorway to see for herself. The crew looked to Huber, who was the only one of the bridge crew still standing defiantly and seemingly without regard for the danger. He picked up a rifle that lay on the operations table beside him.
"Don't fear them. They are nothing but an infection that must be cured. We've made it this far. Don't fall now. Pick yourselves up, and protect this ship and all aboard it with everything you've got. All that hatred and anger you feel, vent it at those things out there!"
He didn't get much of an enthusiastic response, but a few at least got up from the cover they had leapt to and stopped cowering down. Parker got to the barricade and could see Mechs advancing at them with breaching shields much like they carried. Their gunfire wasn't getting through in any sort of quantity.
Dozens of shots hit the heavy wall of shields and did little at all. Parker froze, trying to think of what to do. She knew she couldn't use grenades so close to the bridge and so many of the vital systems around them.
"Concentrate fire at their feet!" she shouted.
She was the first to do so, and the first few shots hit the deck and glanced off one of the creature’s shield, but one seemed to make it up and through. A few others followed suit, and the Mech was forced to lower its shield to cover its advance. Just as it did, and creating an opening to its head, Jafar took a well-aimed shot. It hit the Mech’s head, and two other shots followed it but neither penetrated.
"Their armour is too thick up front. We're gonna have to do this hand-to-hand!" Parker hollered.
She knew the Assegai was the most powerful weapon in their arsenal, for those who were both brave and unfortunate enough to be forced to use it. She let her rifle sling down at her side, drew out her Assegai in readiness, and continued to stay covered by their barricade. The sound of a Mech crashing down flat on the deck told her they had taken one down, but it was a small result for the amount of fire they had to lay down.
Parker stood up to look over the defences, but she realised too late that the first Mech was already on them. It struck the barriers without slowing down and smashed them aside. She ducked down just in time so that the creature barrelled over her rather than taking the force head on. As she got to one knee, the second line was already on her, and she had to deal with it, relying on those behind her to take on the first rank that had gone over the top of her.
A spear was coming right for her. As she parried it aside, stepping out of much of the power of the blow, she noticed one of her own lying lifelessly at her feet, his neck snapped from the impact of the attack. It had distracted her long enough that the creature’s shield came hurtling towards her, losing her any opportunity she had to strike.
Parker barely managed to get her shield in front of her when she was struck by the door-like equivalent carried by the Mech. The energy lifted her off her feet and launched her back against the sidewall. It stopped her violently and shook her a little. As she tilted her shield aside to get a view of her attacker, she saw something dart out from the corner of her eye. It was Jafar launching himself onto her attacker. He drove his Assegai deep into the creature's lead arm, forcing it to drop its weapon.
The Mech responded by swinging its shield edge violently towards him, but the nimble alien ducked under and drove his weapon into its upper leg, dealing a finishing blow through a weak point in the joint under its right arm.
"Get down!" a voice roared.
Parker looked back at their line, and it was three deep, as if to fire like a musket salvo. She felt something grasp her back and knew it was Jafar pushing them both to the ground. The corridor lit up as the slaughter began, and gunfire soared over her head in a seemingly unbroken and continuous stream. After a few seconds, she turned to look at the Mechs being cut down one after the other. Only the first two ranks had been equipped with the heavy boarding equipment that had proven so difficult to damage.
She watched as they fell until ten Mechs lay dead before her and several behind. The sound of gunfire finally died down, and she got to her feet. She stood over the body of one of the creatures and stabbed down through its helmet, running her blade to the hilt. She then proceeded through the lines of bodies to do likewise. As she reached the last one, she looked back to the gun line and saw it was Huber who had ordered her down to cover. The Admiral himself was among them and reloaded his rifle as she approached.
"That was just one boarding party! Maybe even just one stick. Reload, and let's get this barricade back up!" she ordered.
Jafar dragged a Mech body to the line and stacked it up along with the crates they had been using. A few of the navy personnel looked in horror at the sight, but for the men and women of the Inter-Allied Regiment, it was a necessity of survival they had long come to accept as part of day-to-day life. He used the huge enemy shields to bolster the defence, and their bodies to hold them up either side, before once again taking up position behind them.
"So this is what it has come down to?" Huber asked, "Every single one of us fighting with our bare hands for one last gasp chance of survival. Is this what the end looks like?"
"This isn't the end. I say it isn't. I choose that it isn't, so don't let it be so," she replied.
* * *
A trail of blue drips followed Taylor as the enemy blood still poured from his boot. He carried on as if not even noticing.
"We're not far from the main weapon controls grid," he whispered.
As he said it, they saw the bodies of four marines ahead and several other of the navy crew scattered about them. Two Mechs lay dead amongst them. Taylor shook his head.
"Idiots, we can't afford those kind of losses."
"Looks like they put up a fight," replied Morris.
"Not much of one," he spat back, "If those are the kind of losses we can expect, then we might as well give up now."
Taylor increased his pace; knowing time was not on their side. A moment later, they heard the ship power up, and all remaining lighting come on. It revealed the extent of the bloodshed around them, but Taylor knew that didn't matter right now. He put a direct call through to the bridge.
"This is Taylor. Someone speak to me."
The response finally came, and it was far more casual than he had expected, but it was good to hear a voice.
"Taylor, how's it going out there?" Huber asked.
"We're not far from the weapons grid control point now. Looks like power is back up, and you?"
"Negative, nothing's changed our end."
"That's not good."
"What do you mean?"
"The Krys took out our power for a reason. If they've just returned it, then it must be because they've got what they wanted."
Over the comms channel Taylor could hear an alarm sound, and frantic voices followed.
"What's going on, Admiral?"
He had to wait for a response.
"Weapon systems are powering up. Oh, God! They could wipe out half the fleet. Colonel, you must get to them. Stop our weapon systems before they are ready to fire!"
"How long have I got?"
"The core reboot and calibration of weapons can take up to two minutes. That's all you have."
"Got it, Taylor out."
Shit!
"Two minutes until those bastards fire on our own. No time to play this cautious. Let's move!"
He leapt forward into a running pace and had to rush right over the top of fallen soldiers from both sides. He went forward now without a care for his own life. He well understood the thousands of lives that would be lost if he did not complete his mission. He took the bend up ahead and instantly spotted four Mechs standing guard at their final destination, but he did not stop or hesitate.
Pulses raced towards him from the creatures concentrating their fire. He fired his rifle as he closed the distance and killed one with a lucky shot, but two carried shields and firearms in the same way his own marines did. As he got halfway, he felt his shield buckle, and the heat transfer was becoming unbearable. He fought through it and kept going until the shield shattered into three parts and dropped from his arm.
As it did, Taylor leapt into a roll. Pulses flew overhead, and he came up to one knee in front of the first creature. With his left hand, he took hold of the barrel of its pulse cannon and held it up so that the shots dispersed into the roof above. He then raised his rifle and placed the barrel against the creatures' stomach, holding the trigger until the magazine was empty. He let go his firm grasp, and the Mech dropped dead before him. His glove was smoking from the burn on the heat shield of the weapon, and he could feel his skin cooking beneath the reinforced fabric.
A Mech spear came at him as he got to his feet. He could only step aside to avoid it and drew out his Assegai. The creature lunged at him again, but in doing so exposed its flank. Taylor's comrades took their opportunity and opened up with a devastating barrage of fire. The alien stumbled back against the frame of the doorway they were protecting and collapsed in front of the Colonel.
The final Mech turned to face the vicious salvo and absorb the impact with its shield, but now it was Taylor's chance. He jumped towards the alien, without it even noticing under the weight of fire and unable to move. He drove his Assegai deep into its flank. It reacted quickly by swinging its shield around to strike him. Taylor was quick to respond but didn't clear the distance quick enough.
The impact smashed his shoulder back and nearly tore it out of its socket. But as he winced in pain, he saw the creature spasm with the impact of a dozen shots riddling its body. He felt he's knees go a little weak until Silva's steady hold kept him up.
"Let's finish this."
Taylor nodded in response and turned to see two of his people placing charges on the door.
"Ready to breach, Sir."
"Do it."
He reached down and picked up a massive alien shield that was as tall as he was. The charges blew; their shaped charges being comparatively short and quiet, and blowing the door open in one. Taylor leapt ahead and was the first through the breach. He was propping the weighty shield up with his other hand that still carried his Assegai and sprinted forward.
The shield had transparency to a large upper section, allowing him to stay covered while advancing. He could see a pulse rushing to his head, but he continued at a rapid pace, under the assumption the shield would be defence enough against the alien weapons.
Taylor didn't break stride but hit the Mech full force at a sprinting pace. It lifted off its feet, smashing down on the deck, as he clumsily rolled over and landed the other side of the creature. From the floor, he reached back and drove his Assegai into its head before it could get back up, killing it with a single blow. As he drew it out, the blood sprayed across his armour, and he saw Silva and the rest rush past, guns blazing.
But then his heart almost stopped when he heard what he had prayed he would not. The Washington’s weapons batteries began firing, and they could be felt and heard throughout the entire ship. He didn't have to say a word. They all knew what was at stake. He jumped to his feet and followed on behind the cover of his platoon. They advanced on the main control panels where three Mechs now defended.
"Take them down! Take the f*ckers down!" he yelled.
One of the marines beside him was struck in the face by a pulse and dropped dead, but he didn't even get to see who it was. There was no time. As they approached, the sheer weight of fire was knocking the last few creatures back out of their cover. He saw his moment and pushed his way to the front, leaping on the nearest creature to end it quickly. He stabbed it five times into the abdomen until it collapsed towards him. He brushed it aside.
Taylor instantly turned to the consoles that Silva and Morris had managed to reach.
"I can't turn this off," said Morris.
"What do you mean, you can't?"
"They've programmed it with something. We're locked out."
"Who can unlock it?"
"Ship’s engineers, I guess, but it could take them hours."
"Not good enough!" Taylor shouted.
He thought for just a second before grabbing Morris and hauling him aside. As he did, he ripped the officer's rifle from his hands and took aim at the console with it. He didn't hesitate for a second before firing full auto into the computer console, and then turning to the other and fired until there was nothing left but twisted metal and burnt out components.
As his rifle went silent, they waited, listened, hoped, and then heard it. The weapons stopped. Morris gave out a sigh of relief.
"How did you know that would work?"
"I didn't."