Rise of the Phantoms (Special Missions Unit Book 1) Read online

  Finally, after several cycles of chest compressions and breathing, Ben came around. His pulse was strong and he was breathing through the tube. “Damn it,” She whispered to herself, and to him, “You can’t do that to me…I love you too much.”

  Chapter 2

  It took only three minutes for Ashlie to save Ben’s life twice. In that time, Ramirez went down and two other Marines were hit. MacArthur was on the radio, calling for support. The Snipers were helping as much as they could, but MacArthur was rallying the gunships.

  “Phantom 605 to Control,” She said, directing her message to the combat controller on the light cruiser orbiting above the planet, “Need gunship or naval fire support and medevac for wounded and dead Marines.”

  “605, gunships inbound. Standby on medevac, situation is still hot. Fall back to a safer position.” came the voice of a controller aboard the light cruiser UCMCS Atlantis, sitting in low orbit overhead to provide support and serving as their transport.

  “Control, Scorpio 1-1, Entry team has too many wounded and dead to effect a retreat.” Kate McMillan said, trying to convince the officer that they needed emergency evacuation.

  “Acknowledged, Scorpio 1-1, but the landing zone is too hot.”

  “Control, 605, we are pinned down. Can you at least expedite those gunships?” MacArthur asked. A volley of green energy beams zipped past her head, causing her to duck first, then turn and return fire. She let loose with a rapid fire volley from her battle rifle, but over exposed herself. Four energy beams found her, hitting her in the chest.

  Ashlie, who along with Bielema had moved Ben out of the middle of the street, ran to MacArthur to tend to her, but it was too late. One of the beams had hit her squarely in the chest, burning past her sternum and hitting her heart. She had died before hitting the ground.

  “Control, 605 is KIA.” Bielema said into his comm system. Bielema looked over to the distant hill. “Scorpio 1-1, orders?”

  Kate took a deep breath and assessed the situation. She was now in command of the team. Before she could respond, the jumper gunships rumbled overhead and went into their signature pylon turn, firing into the enemy positions. “Sniper teams and gunships will provide cover. If at all possible, fall back one block and get out of that kill zone.”

  “Scorpio 1-1, Control, Jumpers are on route for extraction. Medivac will meet the ground team at their destination. Utility jumpers will be waiting at improvised LZ One.”

  Kate saw the medevac jumper. The sixteen meter long craft was capable of landing in places the larger utility jumpers couldn’t, enabling them to recover wounded and dead Marines even in relatively dangerous places. The medevac set down right where Control said it would. One of the gunships took up a hover near it, providing cover for the entry team to fall back.

  The Gunship’s 120 millimeter gauss rifle and three 40 millimeter particle cannons fired into the enemy’s central compound and its’ outer works. The remaining gunship continued its’ pylon turns over the enemy base, allowing the broadside-mounted weapons of the jumper to concentrate fire on enemy positions over a prolonged time frame.

  Ashlie and Kevin each held one of Ben’s arms, holding his head as steady as possible as they moved him. The few Marines who remained largely uninjured had the grizzly job of dragging the dead or helping the less critically wounded Marines to the medevac jumper.

  The sounds of explosions that now filled the air brought reassurance to the Marines, rather than dread, as the gunships tore apart the enemy compound and its defenders with a ruthless efficiency. The phantoms only had to move 150 meters, but it seemed like a mile under the circumstances.

  As they reached the intersection, six Navy combat rescuemen came running out to assist them. They had stretchers and body bags ready, and moved quickly to secure the casualties for transport. In just five short minutes, the Medivac jumper was airborne and on route to Atlantis, where the Cruiser’s emergency medical teams would be standing by.

  “What now?” Ashlie asked, looking for the senior Marine.

  “Now, we get the hell out of here.” Kevin said. Of the eight remaining members of the Entry team, Kevin had seniority by virtue of time in service, being equal in rank to two and senior to everyone else. “Scorpio 1-1, we are outbound.”

  “Scorpio 1-1 copies.” Kate said, grabbing her gear and heading down the hillside with D. J. in tow. Across the valley, Gene West and Erica Martinez ran to join them. The jumpers had landed at a point between the sniper teams and the entry team. Within eight minutes, the team had regrouped at the landing zone. “Is this everyone?” Kate asked Kevin as the entry team arrived.

  “All personnel, dead and alive, have been accounted for.”

  “Let’s go home.” Kate said, and ushered everyone onto the jumpers. The trip back up to the orbiting warship was uneventful, but the whole operation left a sour note in everyone’s mind. “What the hell happened?” Ashlie asked.

  Kate looked sympathetically at the younger woman. “It was a set up. You guys walked right into an ambush. Intelligence didn’t vet the target properly, and we paid for it the hard way.”

  “It was a goddamned cluster fuck.” Kevin said, his face flushed with anger.

  “Class 1 Cluster fuck,” D. J. said, echoing both Kevin’s sentiment and visible anger. In just over 20 minutes, the Coalition Marine Corps’ premier Special Forces unit had been devastated.

  The Jumpers docked with the Atlantis and disembarked their passengers. Kate was summoned to the cruiser’s bridge, presumably to debrief with Colonel Jhardin. The rest of the team gathered in the mess decks, except for Ashlie. Being a Corpsman, she went to sickbay to make herself useful.

  In sickbay, the ship’s surgeon performed a patchwork surgery to remove the shrapnel from Ben’s neck and stabilize his condition. After that, he was placed in a medical stasis pod for the two day trip home, where he would receive more intensive medical care.

  Ashlie helped the ship’s corpsmen and nurses patch up the minor wounds and prepare Sergeant Jennie Rickles for surgery to remove shrapnel from her abdomen. Ashlie held Jennie’s hand as she was carried into the surgical ward, reassuring her that she was in good hands.

  Kate McMillan arrived on the bridge to see the star field ahead of the windows spinning, as the ship came about away from the cursed planet below. “Gunny,” Colonel Jhardin said, standing up from her seat at the center of the bridge. “Come with me.”

  Colonel Jhardin was an old friend to Kate and the rest of the Phantoms’ team, often being assigned to transport them to whatever target they were to hit. “What the hell happened down there?”

  Kate stood at attention as she gave her report. “It was a bad op, Colonel. The Entry team walked right into an ambush. The Banor set it up, drew us in, and were waiting. Set off a claymore then opened up on the survivors.”

  “How bad were you guys cut up?” Jhardin asked.

  “Six dead, six wounded. Some others have some bumps and bruises. Lieutenant Colonel Pierce was critically wounded, Major Cervantez and Captain Durand are dead, along with Doc Chuck, Felix, and Kara.”

  “Jeez.” Jhardin said, running both hands through her hair, and taking a deep breath. “Someone really screwed up. Your team did the best they could, Gunny, and you did well to get out with as many alive as you did.” She exhaled slowly. “Go below, be with your team. Keep ‘em together, don’t let them kick themselves to pieces over this. This isn’t any of your fault. Send me your summary and I’ll take care of the paperwork on this.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” Kate said. “Should I…” She choked up for a moment before regaining her bearing, “Should I write the families?”

  “Not your job, Gunny. You can if you want, but that’s best left to Jessica or Daniel.” Jhardin said, referring to the Special Operations Brigade’s two senior officers, Colonel Jessica Marye and Brigadier General Daniel Hardfighter.

  “Aye, Ma’am.”

  “Colonel, we have a nav solution plotted.” The Navigator reported.
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  “Very well. Engage for Starbase Leatherneck, Full Flank speed.” Beyond the viewports, the glowing dots of stars stretched into long lines and then blended into streaks of light as the ship accelerated to several hundred times the speed of light.

  Chapter 3.

  Ben woke up in the hospital on Starbase Leatherneck four days after the battle on Tyrannia III, only vaguely aware of the fate that had befallen his command. Colonel Marye and Brigadier General Hardfighter came by the check in on him, and the General informed him of the cost of the battle. As his old friend told him what happened, Ben found it difficult not to become overwhelmed with emotions. He had always prepared himself for the possibility that he might lose people, but to lose so many, so quickly, was a shock to the system.

  The one part of the narrative that stood out in Daniel’s telling of it was of Ashlie saving his life, dispite being an obvious target to the enemy. “Give the girl a medal, Danny.” Ben said.

  “Staff Sergeant Bielema is trying to collect signatures for a Medal of Honor.” Daniel said, “If he can get his teammates to sign off on it, I will forward it with an enthusiastic endorsement.”

  Ben only vaguely remembered what happened after being wounded. He remembered seeing Ashlie over him, and an odd green glow around her. That, he figured, was probably enemy weapons’ fire that his brain couldn’t comprehend at the time. There was other things he couldn’t comprehend, but he wasn’t sure how much of that was drug induced.

  After Daniel and Jessica left, Ben’s doctor poked her head in. Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth McQueen was a tall, graceful woman. Her red hair fell to her collar, within regulations but only just. Doctor McQueen was one of the most respected Neurosurgeons within the Navy Medical Corps, and served as Chief of Surgery for Starbase Leatherneck’s Naval Medical Center.

  “Lieutenant Colonel Ben Pierce.” She said matter-of-factly, pretending to read his name from her tablet. “Good to see you somewhat conscious, Colonel.”

  “Thanks, Doc.” Ben said, forcing a smile.

  “How do you feel?” She asked.

  “My throat is sore, my neck hurts like hell, and my head is pounding.” He said. As he tried turning his head, he became aware of the cervical collar he was wearing.

  “Frankly, given the condition you were in when you reported to me, this is an improvement.” She said.

  “This is an improvement?” Ben asked.

  “Yes. When you came in, you had a fracture of your forth cervical vertebrae, a ruptured disk, and deep wounds to your throat, and a fairly substantial concussion. Naturally I put you back together, maybe even better than you were before. The addition of titanium to your spine will go well with those steely nerves of yours.” She smiled, sitting down on the edge of his bed. “So, tell me…And remember, this is strictly Doctor-Patient…”

  “Yes….”

  “What’s her deal?” Elizabeth said, gesturing subtly to a rather nervous looking Ashlie, waiting in the hallway. “She’s been here with you since you got here. Even holding your hand when you were in post-op recovering.”

  “Huh…” Ben said to himself, replaying the foggy events of the battle in his mind…”Not a clue, Doc.”

  “Just…seems a little odd. She didn’t spend all that much time with the other Marines…She did visit them, but you…I don’t know.”

  “She damned near got herself killed to save me,” Ben said, “Maybe she just wanted to see that it was worth it?”

  “Now that, I have seen…But this ain’t it, Benny. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the young lady has a crush.”

  “Really?” Ben asked. “But she’s so young.” Ben said. Ashlie was only 24, the youngest member of the team. At 41, Ben had been one of the oldest.

  “Maybe she likes older men…But be careful, that there is court martial grounds if you don’t tread lightly.”

  “I’ll be careful.” Ben said, with a smile.

  “Now, let’s see if we can’t stand you up.” Elizabeth said. She turned and waved to Ashlie. “Petty Officer, can you give me a hand?”

  Ashlie came in, and the Doctor motioned for her to stand next to Ben as he stood up. “Feeling okay?” She asked.

  “A little wobbly, but not bad.” Ben got his legs under him, then with a smile feigned a fall to Ashlie’s side. When both the Doctor and Corpsman panicked, Ben laughed hard enough to make his throat hurt.

  “You did that on purpose!” Ashlie accused.

  “Reflex check, Doc.” Ben smiled then turned to find that Elizabeth looked less than amused. “A problem, Doctor?”

  “You could break your neck with a stunt like that Colonel.” She said, her arms folded across her chest and anger on her face.

  “Well, lucky for me it’s been recently reinforced…And I have a very competent physician.”

  “Well, looks like you’re fit to be discharged,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll run the paperwork. Go ahead and get dressed, Colonel, and I will have Doc Adams run you home.”

  “Umm…Clothes?” Ben asked.

  Ashlie spun around and grabbed a bag from the guest table near his bed. “Here you go. I hope you don’t mind, sir, but Colonel McQueen and I raided your closet.”

  “Where’s my uniform…” Ben said, then realized he had probably had to be cut out of it on the Atlantis. Even if he hadn’t, it would be torn apart and bloodied, “Never mind.”

  Ashlie, along with Ben’s friend and Dr. McQueen’s cousin, Colonel Kristen McQueen, had packed him a pair of sneakers, shorts and a button-down shirt that would be fairly easy to get into with the neck brace on.

  Twenty minutes later, Ben had a bag full of his prescription medications in his hand and was walking with Ashlie back to his quarters. The evening air felt refreshing to Ben, even it if was warm and humid, the usual winter conditions on this part of the planet Koliath, where Starbase Leatherneck was situated.

  “You missed the memorial service…” Ashlie said quietly, trying to start some conversation.

  “How long was I out for?” Ben asked.

  “You were in stasis for the trip back, then they kept you sedated for two days to let your throat heal up a bit.” Ashlie said.

  “I wish I had been there, though.”

  “They would have understood, sir. The rest of the team understands. Honestly we’re just glad we’ll have you coming back.” She said. “I spoke to Rickles this morning.”

  “How is she doing?” Ben asked, concerned.

  “She’s going to be okay…but her wounds will keep her out of action for a long time. She won’t be returning to the unit.” Ashlie said, dejectedly. Within the team, Ashlie was close to only two people: Jenny Rickles and Kate McMillan. Now, one of her best friends was being sent home.

  “She’s a strong woman, Ashlie. I wouldn’t count her out in the long run.”

  “I know.” She said. They turned onto the block Ben’s townhome was located on and crossed the street. Ahead of them, Colonel Kristen McQueen and her wife, Major Lizzie Hansen, were sitting on their porch enjoying the evening with what appeared to be lemonade.

  “Good evening ladies.” Ben said, giving an overly formal bow.

  “Hey Ben.” Kristen said, standing up and heading down to meet him on the sidewalk. She moved with the same graceful ease as her cousin, but wasn’t quite as tall. Out of uniform, her long red hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. Lizzy stood an inch or two taller than Kristen, but easily six inches taller than Ashlie, with flowing blond hair, sun dress, and sunglasses, she looked like she belonged in Southern California, not the edge of a major war zone.

  “So, how goes things?” Ben asked.

  “New JAG officer moved in three doors south of us.” Kristen said with a shrug.

  “Well, there goes the neighborhood.” Ben said with a chuckle. “Everything been okay with you two?”

  “Oh, you know,” Lizzy said, “The usual. Fighter sweeps, bomber escorts, nothing really interesting happening.”

  “I wish I had your job.” Ash
lie said, “Flying a Starfighter would be so cool.”

  “No you don’t, Doc.” Lizzy said, leaning an arm on Ashlie’s shoulder. “It’s far too boring for an adrenaline junkie like you.”

  “I dunnow…those movies make being a fighter pilot look like it’s the greatest job in the universe,” Ashlie said with a smile, “But if I became a fighter pilot, I’d have to give up being a Corpsman, and all the free drinks you Marines buy us.”

  “It always comes back to free drinks.” Kristen said, rolling her eyes.

  “No….” Ashlie blushed. “I happen to like saving people, too. I mean, seeing this guy walking around means I did something right.”

  Lizzy threw her arm around Ashlie. “You did good, kid. We’re just giving you shit, but we love ya’, Doc.”

  “A little too much female bonding going on here for me.” Ben said, and headed up to the house.

  Ashlie went to chase after him, catching up to him before he climbed the steps so she could help him keep his balance. Lizzy looked to Kristen and smiled. “She’s such a good kid…”

  “Yes, yes she is.” Kristen smiled and turned back towards the porch. Lizzy looked after them for a long moment, then her eyes went wide. “Oh my…” She said giggling.

  “What?” Kristen asked, putting her arm around Lizzy and leading her back up to the porch.

  “Ashlie and Ben,” Lizzy said, “You want odds on it?”

  Kristen looked back across the lawn, “Sucker bet.” She laughed.

  Chapter 4

  Ashlie helped Ben up the stairs and into his house. Ben walked around the living room for a moment, seeming to enjoy being home. She hadn’t really taken the time to look around before when she’d helped Colonel McQueen get clothes for Ben, but now took the opportunity. The pictures on the wall showed Ben with his parents, or Ben with fellow Marines on various worlds.