The Phantom's Valor (Special Missions Unit Book 2) Read online

  THE PHANTOM’S VALOR

  1st Special Missions Unit

  Book 2

  By Gary Beller

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information contact the author through his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/garybellerwrites

  First Electronic Edition: August, 2015

  Copyright © 2015 Gary Beller

  ISBN 978-1515394556

  Cover artwork by Gary Beller

  Cover photograph courtesy of Ruth Dean. Cover models are Corey Saltsider and Christine “Milsim Medic” Holthus

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  The Author would like to thank, in no particular order:

  My parents, Bob and Crystal, for their encouragement, suggestions, and editing (Dad edited Rise of the Phantoms, Mom volunteered herself for the lofty job of editing this book.), and for their many varied ways of supporting this effort.

  Jill Solomon, for her love, encouragement, and pushing me to keep going. While I am at it, I should also thank Jill’s family.

  Becky Denison, Who along with Jill has been exceptionally helpful on the Convention circuit, also for routinely checking up on me to make sure I keep writing.

  Annisa Swanson, My cousin and fellow author (Faith, Fat and other F-Words, available on Kindle and in paperback) for her help getting the word out about my continuing projects.

  Maddie and Marshall Blake, my sister and Brother-in- law, Maddie for her support, and Marshall for support and letting me pick his brain.

  Annette Johnson, for her sharp eyes in her editorial work.

  And to all my family and friends for their support and encouragement, and to the hundreds of you who bought Rise of the Phantoms!

  OTHER WORKS BY GARY BELLER

  Rise of the Phantoms

  Amazon Kindle and Createspace Publishing

  ISBN 978-1514332382

  For my parents,

  Bob and Crystal

  Without you this book probably doesn’t happen.

  MAJOR CHARACTORS

  The Players

  1st Special Missions Unit

  Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin “Ben” Pierce-Commanding Officer

  Major Summer Isabelle “Sid” Dawn-Executive Officer

  Captain Rob Grimes-Operations Officer, Linguist

  First Sergeant Kate McMillan-Lead Sniper, Senior Enlisted Advisor

  Master Sergeant Gene West-Sniper

  Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Bielema-Support Weapon Gunner

  Chief Petty Officer Geoff Mason-Lead Hospital Corpsman

  Staff Sergeant Danielle “Dani” Burk

  Staff Sergeant Jennifer “Jenny” Rickles

  Staff Sergeant Erica Martinez-Sniper Team spotter

  Staff Sergeant D. J. Smith-Sniper team spotter

  Petty Officer 1st Class Ashlie Adams-Corpsman

  Sergeant Johnathan “John” Roberts-Support Weapons Gunner

  Sergeant Carl Wainright

  Sergeant Troy Evans-Designated Marksman

  Sergeant Timothy “Wilkie” Wilkenson-Demolitions

  Coalition and Allied Personnel

  Lieutenant General Praxis Hardfighter, Commanding General, Expeditionary Corps Lima

  Major General Isabelle Hale, Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division

  Major General Allie Grant, Commanding General, 1st Marine Division

  Brigadier General Thomas Westover, Commanding General, 1st Marine Brigade

  Colonel Billy W. Williams IV, Commanding Officer, 7th Marine Regiment

  Colonel Kristen McQueen, Starfighter Group Commander

  Lieutenant Colonel Kay-Jay Wright, Commanding Officer, 2SMU

  PROLOGUE

  Forward Operating Base Ka-Bar, established by elements of Brigadier General Hardfighter’s Special Operations Brigade-Lima, has been operating for over a month. During that time, Operators deployed at Ka-Bar supported larger operations along the route of a major campaign launched by the Coalition Armed Forces, under the direction of Lieutenant General Praxis Hardfighter.

  The offensive was bolstered by a stunningly brilliant, but costly, Special Operations raid on the Banor Command, Control and Communications outpost on Firinda II. The assault dismantled the Banor’s ability to direct forces to counter the oncoming advance of allied warships and troops. In short order, five previously occupied worlds were liberated, and the Banor were pushed back a dozen light years.

  Though great victories have been won, the war was still far from over. The Banor still occupied dozens of systems that formerly belonged to the Coalition and her Allies.

  CHAPTER 1

  Major Summer “Sid” Dawn looked over the field in front of her, surveying the defense. Her objective was seventy yards away. Between her and the objective, eleven hardened warriors were waiting.

  “Reaper Six is Mike!” She yelled, tapping Sergeant Wainright on the hip, and pointing at Lieutenant Colonel Kay Jay Wright. Behind Sid, Rob Grimes settled into a three-point stance, with Corpsman Ashlie Adams standing behind him, her hands on her knees.

  “Set, Go!” Sid yelled. Wainright snapped the football to her, moving forward to block the Operator for 2SMU, trying to get to the ball. Sid faked a hand-off to Ashlie, rolled to her left and set up. On one side, Kevin Bielema was blocking an Operator away from her, and in front of her, Gene West and John Roberts blocked the end man, before Roberts released and slanted towards the sideline. Deep down field, D. J. Smith and Erica Martinez crossed on their slant routes, but the coverage was good.

  Sid checked down, and then dumped the ball off to Rob, now moving up the sideline, past where Ben was yelling furiously. John turned back and blocked 2SMU’s executive officer, and Grimes hurtled his way past where D. J. and Erica now blocked. Rob sidestepped Kay Jay’s attempted tackle and dashed the last thirty yards into the end zone.

  “That’s game!” Danny called over a bullhorn, “Phantoms advance to the Semi-finals to face Alpha White.”

  “Good game, Kay Jay.” Ben said, shaking his opposite number’s hand.

  “Good luck the rest of the way,” She said disappointment obvious on her face that her team would not be winning the FOB Ka-Bar General’s Cup.

  ***

  Brigadier General Danny Hardfighter called officers from both Special Missions Units to Headquarters for a mission briefing. Also in the briefing room was the command staff from Delta Squadron. “We’ve analyzed the intelligence you guys brought back to us. We may finally be able to break the enemy’s encryption codes, but G2 still isn’t sure about it. They are setting up a couple of tests to see if they are reading it right. While they do, we have a new target.”

  Danny’s fingers worked over his control board and brought up the map. “This is the Regdal system: Binary star, three gas giants and two rocky planets. None of them are habitable. However, the fourth moon of Killiadore, the third planet, is habitable…barely.”

  “Barely sir?” Ben asked.

  “Average temperature year round is a balmy 35º degrees Fahrenheit, some liquid water around the equator, where it’s slightly warmer. Vegetation is mostly evergreens…Everything between the twenties north and south is cool and temperate, above that it varies from cold to really fucking cold. Naturally, the enemy built their base….”
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  “Please tell me in the temperate zone?” Kay Jay asked.

  Danny laughed. “We wish, don’t we? Nope, them snarky little fucks put it on a goddamned glacier. Sorry folks, we ain’t going to the tropics this time.”

  “Do we at least get AT-ATs?” Ben asked.

  “This ain’t the Galactic Empire, Colonel.” Danny shook his head, “Besides, it’d be our luck they have snowspeeders with harpoons and tow cables, so we can’t risk it.” The General took a more serious look, and brought up the reconnaissance photos. “This base is a forward outpost for their Naval Command. Strategically speaking, it does have some value as a fueling and arming point for warships, and because of that we may be able to gain some intelligence on this. But our primary mission is basically intimidation. This base is fairly far back from even the current front lines, we’re planning on showing them we can hit them where we want, when we want, and as hard as we want. Teufelhund will carry 1SMU, 2SMU and Delta Squadron in, as well as VMF-99. Atlantis and Chancellorsville will provide escort. Atlantis will break away and make a raid with elements of 1st Raiders Battalion in an adjacent system. Any questions?”

  “So, what’s the general plan? We arrive, blow up some shit, sift through the paperwork, and get the fuck out?” Ben inquired.

  “Basically. Cause as much trouble as you can. If the Banor resist too much, fall back and get out, then let the ships level the place from orbit.” Danny said.

  “Insertion method?” Kay Jay asked.

  “Jumper landing. They will get you right to the doors of the command center. 1st Platoon from Delta Squadron will provide security, while second and third platoons, along with both SMUs, make the raid in. The jumpers and fighters will make enough of a raucous for you guys to do your business and get out.”

  “Understood.” Ben said. “When do we go?”

  “5 hours.” Danny said.

  ***

  Back on the home front, Rachel Bielema was greeted by Carla and the girls. Carla took a moment to look the young woman over, dressed in her Academy Dress Blues. She wore the insignia of a Midshipman Lieutenant, a respectable rank for someone in their third year.

  “Sarah! You’re getting so big!” Rachel said, hugging her older niece. “Oh Hannah!” She said, kissing the baby. “Carla thanks for having me.” She said, hugging her sister-in-law.

  “It’s our pleasure, Rachel.” Carla said, “Kevin’s excited you’re here. We talked to him yesterday.”

  “How is my brother? I haven’t heard from him in over a month.” Rachel asked.

  “Busy, he says.” Carla laughed.

  ***

  Several hours out of FOB Ka-Bar, Chancellorsville led Teufelhund through a planned turn for a run into the target. “Time to destination, 15 minutes.” The navigator reported.

  Commander Ellie Grant, the ship’s Executive Officer, cued the ship wide comm. “All hands now hear this: 15 minutes to destination. Captain Blake to the bridge.”

  A moment later, Captain Dylan R. Blake stepped through the open hatch onto the cruiser’s bridge. “Captain on the bridge.” The Command Master Chief reported.

  “As you were. XO, what is our status?” Captain Blake asked, pulling his ball cap over his salt and pepper hair.

  “Captain, we are currently 13 minutes from our target destination, five minutes to long range sensor resolution.” Commander Grant reported.

  “Very well. Command Master Chief, sound General Quarters. All department heads to report to the bridge when ready.”

  “Aye, Captain.” The Master Chief said. He turned to a console on the bulkhead and sounded the alarm klaxon, then cued the ship wide again. “General Quarters, General Quarters, all hands man your battle stations. General Quarters General Quarters all hands man your battle stations. All department heads report status to the bridge. Condition Zebra will be set in five minutes.” As he finished, the klaxon blared again.

  Around the ship, and on Teufelhund, men and women scrambled from wherever they were to their battle stations. Particle cannons were powered, torpedo and missile tubes loaded, and crew members prepared themselves for whatever would come.

  Status reports flooded in to the bridge of the Chancellorsville. Engineering, Medical, Tactical systems, Damage Control, Flight Operations, and Deck Departments all reported ready. “Conn, CIC,” Came the voice of Lieutenant Commander James Smith, the ship’s Tactical Action Officer, “We have sensor resolution on the target. Two enemy warships, profile matches Foxbat type frigate.”

  “Five minutes to target.” The navigator reported.

  “CIC, Conn, ready forward weapons to engage.” Blake ordered, looking across the bridge to Commander Grant. “Here we go again.”

  “Yes sir.” She smiled.

  “Three minutes.” The Navigator said.

  “Conn, CIC, firing solution confirmed for Mk. 60.” Smith’s voice echoed over the bridge’s speakers.

  “Two minutes.”

  “We’re in range, Captain.” Grant reported.

  “Fire.” Blake ordered. At two minutes out, the ship was slowing from Faster than Light speed. The torpedoes streaked away from the ship, adjusted for spacial distortion going through the remaining warp field, and streaked in on their targets.

  The two frigates turned into the torpedoes, presenting a smaller target profile, and giving their forward defensive weapons a chance. The first frigate successfully employed its countermeasures, and shot down two of the torpedoes aimed at her. The other overshot, tricked by the countermeasures, and began to circle around. The second frigate wasn’t so lucky, taking three torpedoes on the nose. The weapons’ high rate of speed was devastating enough, but after burrowing into the ship’s hull, the weapons’ warheads exploded. The errant torpedo locked onto the explosion on its second approach and dealt the final blow, striking the already dying frigate in the fuel pods.

  The damaged frigate exploded into a brilliant ball of fire and debris, some of which pummeled her sister ship. The two human ships slowed from superluminal to full sub light speed within gunnery range of the surviving enemy vessel. The frigate was outgunned, but still pressed on, splitting its particle cannon fire between the two cruisers. Chancellorsville adjusted her course and fired all twelve of her forward eight-inch particle cannons at the frigate. Bright blue beams streamed from the guns at a rate of twenty discharges per minute, per gun.

  The beams struck the frigate, first burning away reinforced hull plating, and then punching holes into the ship. Small fires burned around the vessel as its atmosphere and internal fittings caught fire. Teufelhund added the weight of her weapons to the fight, tracking fire up the centerline of the frigate to the bridge, cracking it open like an egg. The force of the air escaping pushed everything not bolted down out into space. Those who weren’t killed by the particle cannons directly died of exposure to space.

  Despite losing its bridge, the frigate continued fighting. Its smaller weapons did less damage, especially against the heavier armor of the Chancellorsville. Several shots directed towards the lighter protected Teufelhund resulted in minor hull penetration, but the damage was limited by the Submarine-like double hulls of the Human ships.

  On the bridge of the Chancellorsville, Captain Blake was growing frustrated. “Can we please be done with these assholes already?”

  “We have a firing solution for torpedoes, Captain.” Smith reported from CIC.

  “Torpedo launch from Teufelhund.” Commander Grant reported. Captain Blake watched as the torpedoes streaked away from the smaller ship, and slammed into the frigate, blowing the forward third of the ship away. The burning hulk of the ship began to drift. The aft weapons lashed out, one last attempt to avenge itself. “Finish them.” Blake ordered.

  Two torpedoes launched from the Chancellorsville and smashed into the frigate’s engine cluster, destroying the remaining half of the ship. “Escape pods?” Captain Blake asked.

  “No, sir.” A sensor Operator reported.

  “Their courage is commendable
, worthy of a better cause. Send a message to Colonel McMillan to begin to the ground operations. Helm, move us into a position to cover the Teufelhund.”

  CHAPTER 2

  The jumpers and fighters launched from Teufelhund and approached the planet’s atmosphere. Minor turbulence shook them as the resistance from the air increased. John kept looking through the window, back towards space,

  “Something wrong, kid?” Ben asked.

  “Nothing, sir. Just not used to being involved in a naval battle.” He said.

  “We weren’t really involved, Kid. More like just along for the ride.” Ben clarified.

  “The damage to Teufelhund doesn’t look too bad.” The jumper pilot said over his shoulder. “Three minutes.”

  Ben cued his comm. “3 Minutes. Reaper 6, Delta Actual, 3 minutes.”

  As promised, the jumpers came in and dropped 1SMU, 2SMU, and Delta 1st Platoon at the entrance to the command center. As the jumper door opened, Ben shuddered from a brief blast of cold air. “Evans, Pop the door.”

  Evans set the breaching charge and stepped back. Ben set his stack to the left of the door, with Sid’s squad to the right. The sniper teams stayed aboard the Jumpers to provide aerial cover for the blocking units. The small breaching charge blew, and as the door crashed to the floor, Ben tossed in a flash bang. He counted to three, heard the loud pop, and went in. Behind him, the Operators streamed in. Two startled guards in the sally port tried raising their weapons, only to be shot dead.

  One Banor officer saw the interior door come down and rushed up the stairs, yelling in a language that reminded Ben of his parents’ dogs howling. Ben, Sid and Rob simultaneously fired on the officer, and he fell mid-stride, rolling back down the stairwell. “Sid, hold the door. Blue team, on me.” Ben said. Half the team headed up the stairs. On the second floor, they met sporadic resistance, and worked their way around to link up with 2SMU. As they linked up, green energy beams hit the wall behind them.