Arneb --- Part II

Continued from here


Dara retreated to her quarters. Too much social interaction, particularly large quantities confined to a small room, tended to give her a headache. She was curled up on a corner of her bunk, indulging in a rare treat in this day and age, a real paper-and-ink book. She ran her hands through the pages; over the binding. She loved the feel of an actual book and had been saving it for a special occasion; such as tonight.

Even as involved with the story as she was, Dara always kept part of her attention on her surroundings. That awareness heard the footsteps in the corridor, recognized that it was the fifth time in ten minutes that someone had walked past her door, and flagged it as unusual, given the time of night and the fact that her room was situated in a low-traffic portion of the ship. Slowly, Dara turned her concentration from the book and, with a wistful sigh, she got up and switched on her console, calling up the feed from the sensor outside her door.

Redding, the new Private, was pacing.

Unbidden, memories sprang to her mind from her first days in the squad. Everyone had been friendly enough, but never before had she felt so utterly alone. It had taken her nearly a month to get accustomed to the new people, a new ship, new jargon, and new routines that inevitably accompanied a transfer; and that had been with over a year’s experience in the military, experience that Redding, a fresh recruit, would not have.

The decision was not hard to make. Dara stood, tucked her precious book into its case and placed that in a duffel bag under bed, then pulled on her boots and a jacket. She waited until she heard the faint echo of footsteps approaching before opening the door, and feigned mild surprise when she saw Redding.

“Captain!” Redding snapped to rigid attention the minute his mind registered her rank. He was so stiff that Dara supposed if she pushed his shoulder slightly, he might just topple over. She resisted the temptation to try.

“Redding. At ease. And, please, when we’re not on duty, feel free to call me Dara.” She smiled warmly, and he relaxed. “A bit late for you to be up, isn’t it?”

He shifted his weight, as if uneasy under her scrutiny. “I didn’t think I could sleep yet, so I decided to take a look around. Is there a problem?” A trace of nervousness crept into his tone.

“Of course not, I was going to get something to drink from the mess. Care to keep me company?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She held up a hand. “Try that again, but say something more like, ‘That’d be great, Dara.’”

Redding grinned, and the slight change in his stance told her that he felt more comfortable. “That’d be great, Dara.”

She nodded, still smiling, and led the way to the mess hall. On the way, she kept up a steady stream of conversation, pointing out shortcuts and supplying bits of trivia about their squadmates.

The mess had a small corner devoted to keeping the very late and very early shifts awake in the form of a continuous supply of hot drinks. Dara poured two mugs of steaming liquid, handed one to Redding, and they both sat at a table.

“Considering that it is very late and neither of us have duty to stay awake for, I poured us some decaf tea. Ok with you?”

Redding nodded and lifted the cup to drink.

“So how was your first day?”

He hesitated before replying. “It was a bit… overwhelming.”

That prompted a sympathetic chuckle from Dara, “Completely understandable. Your first time on a ship?”

“No, but it is my first time stationed off-world, and my first time on a ship of this size. I guess I wasn’t expecting it to be so big.”

Dara chose not to tell him that the Liberty was only a mid-sized cruiser. “A new environment can be daunting. What do you think of your new squadmates?”

Redding shrugged. “I haven’t really had the chance to talk to anyone yet besides you, Lieutenant Noe and Major Rogue. But I do have a question, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

“What’s Colonel Athos like?”

Dara sat back in her chair, knowing that her response could set the tone for Redding’s expectations of the colonel. She didn’t want to give him the wrong impression, but she also didn’t want to make him think that life onboard an active ship would be completely lacking in military discipline.

“Commander Athos is unique. He encourages open communication among his squads, but will not tolerate grumbling or mutinous talk. He is a brilliant leader and is not afraid to lead in front. His strategies have saved all of our lives more times than we can count, and he has put his own life on the line more than once to save individual members of his command. He broke cover to pick off two snipers aiming for Major Rogue once, and, during a particularly nasty battle, he pulled me off the front line after I took a direct hit.” She paused, swirled her tea, then continued, “His ideas of leadership are more… flexible than other officers, but he still runs a tight ship. Athos encourages his squad leaders to take initiative and be creative. It’s his openness to suggestions and fierce commitment to his soldiers that inspires the loyalty he enjoys.”

Redding nodded, absorbing her words. “What of Major Rogue?”

“He won’t be a Major for long,” Dara said.

Redding looked startled. “What do you mean?”

She laughed. “I don’t mean he’s going to be demoted or court-martialed. I mean that he’s got a natural tendency towards command. He’s up for another promotion this next year, but you didn’t hear that from me. He’ll make Colonel someday, and he won’t stop there.”

“What about Jay’em?”

“Jay’em is the youngest demolitions expert we’ve ever heard of, and he knows it. He’s cocky, perpetually bored, and incredibly excellent at his job. If you catch him in the right mood, he’s also a lot of fun to be around.”

“And you?”

Dara wrapped her fingers around her cup. “Where Rogue goes, I’ll be at his back.”

Redding learned more about Rogue’s leadership qualities from that simple statement than anything Dara had said or could have said. It was also a glimpse into Dara’s own personality. He took another sip and glanced at the time. “It’s late, and I should probably try to get some sleep.”

Dara nodded agreement and stood. She shook Redding’s hand. “Goodnight, then.”

Redding watched her go, then drained his cup and stood. He set his empty cup on the table and glanced down, noting that her cup was still full. He looked back up and caught a glimpse of her as she walked out the door, realizing that she had not wanted a hot drink at all. Redding recognized that the first genuine gesture of friendship had just been made, and he suddenly felt much better about his assignment on the Liberty. He smiled and headed back to his quarters.


The next morning, Rogue sat at a table by himself in the same hall. A steaming cup of tea rested by his elbow and his attention was focused on the datapad in his hand. A rating brought a tray over and deposited it before him. He thanked the man, surveyed his breakfast order; pancakes with two slices of fried ham on the side.

Dara’s voice came from over his shoulder, “Always looks and smells so good doesn’t it sir?”

He chucked and picked up his fork. “You’d think that after all these years they’d have that lousy synthetic taste out of meats.”

Dara headed over to the counter, placed some fruit and bread on a tray, also got a mug of tea and returned to the table. Before she could say more, Jay’em stumbled in, his face dark. Both immediately turned their attention to their breakfasts, studiously ignoring him. He scanned the room through narrowed eyes; then made a beeline to the counter; filled a mug with coffee.

He came back to the table, started drinking. Dara glanced at him, “Is it safe to talk to you yet?”

“No. Need more caffeine.” She nodded and went back to her breakfast.

Redding entered. Rogue waved him over, directed him to the food counter. Then he sat down with his own coffee, “Good morning everyone.” Dara smiled at him and Rogue nodded. Jay’em said nothing. “You alright Lieutenant?” Redding asked. Jay’em's glare was so harsh Redding recoiled.

Dara leaned over and whispered, “Jay’em’s not a morning person Redding.”

Rogue chuckled. “That’s why I always try and send the unit into action as early as possible.”

“Buzz off. Sir,” Jay’em growled before finishing the cup and heading for a refill.

Redding turned to Rogue. “I didn’t get a chance to ask you last night sir, but what kind of strength does the Liberty’s Army detachment have?”

Without looking up from his datapad, Rogue responded, “The Liberty is home to one company of the Coalition Armed Forces. Ten divisions per company, five regiments per division, forty men per regiment, plus support staff.”

“Are we at full strength?”

“The Musketeers are. I honestly have no idea about the rest of the company. But,” he paused, leaned in and motioned the rest to as well, “after we talked last night I started doing a little digging around. Stuff is classified all over. So I tried the more round about approach. Nothing that someone of my security clearance couldn’t access normally mind you; and I did get a few clues.”

Dara asked, “Like what?”

“Well, I checked with Yofin, had her check the latest inventory of supplies for the Liberty as a whole and that was classified. Not that unexpected, so I asked her what she thought she could get and she sent me our inventory. Now as XO, that’s something I have access to anyway, I just normally leave it to her to let me know if we’re running short on anything so I can start ripping strips of skin off people. In the last month the Musketeers have received several large shipments and are currently supplied at three hundred percent recommended levels for a forward combat division. Yofin’s already checked with Quartermaster-Supply to make sure there hasn’t been a mix up, which there hasn’t. It stands to reason if we’re that overstocked by design, then so are the other regiments.” The others nodded. “In my mind, that leaves only one conclusion. Fleet Command expects this ship to be either out of range of regular resupply for some time, or involved in extremely heavy fighting.”

Jay’em whistled, “This is gonna be a big op.”

Rogue nodded, “Dara, do you remember Operation Tiger Claw? About three years back?”

She thought for second. “I remember hearing about it, I think. I was cooling my heels with an embassy guard at the time. Wasn’t that some big push where we took three whole sectors from the Dominion?”

“Five actually, though we ended up losing two of them to their counter offensive. I was a squad leader at the time with another division. Saw a lot of action; heavy, nasty stuff. Anyway, I checked the division’s records. Fortunately for us, the Musketeers were also part of Op TC. Just before it began, the records show they were stocked at four hundred percent recommended levels.”

Redding blinked. Dara and Jay’em both sat back with dazed looks on their faces. Rogue looked at each in turn. “We, folks, are about to be dumped into the biggest Coalition offensive since Tiger Claw.” He went back to his breakfast; the rest of the meal past in silence.

Several hours later, Dara, Jay’em and Redding entered the division’s briefing room. Rogue was at the front of the room in discussion with Athos and the seats were filling as other members of the division came in. Dara indicated three seats near the front and they walked over and sat down. At precisely ten hundred hours, Athos motioned for silence.

The room quieted and the lights darkened before a holo of the galaxy appeared in the air over Athos’ head. Coalition territory was shaded in blue; red for the Dominion. Contested areas were a light grey. The blue shade covered just over half the galaxy with the grey beginning just beyond the galactic core.

“For the past year, the war has been in a stalemate. Neither side has been able to make much headway into the other’s territory. Coalition High Command has decided that must change.” Athos paused for a moment. “As some of you may have already guessed,” he cast a quick glare at Rogue who gave a tight smile in return, “the Liberty will be taking part in our offensive. Right now the majority of the fighting has been along the central lines here,” he pressed a toggle on his podium and the grey area nearest the core began flashing. “High Command has decided to attempt a flanking assault here.” Another section began flashing, “The plan is to take as many sectors as we can successfully hold, advancing the lines while at the same time throwing the Dominion’s central lines off balance and open the door for our forces to advance there as well.”

A low buzz of chatter filled the room while everyone digested that. Athos let it continue for a few minutes before motioning for silence again. He pressed another toggle and the holo zoomed into, expanding the flashing section of grey. More detail appeared. Stars, rough estimates of the border lines and icons representing Coalition forces and suspected Dominion locations.

“The Liberty will be taking part in a sweep of this sector here. We drew the plum assignment. Our Company, as well as nine others, has been ordered to assault this planet,” he indicated it with a laser pointer; then zoomed the holo in. The planet looked quite similar to Earth. White cloud swaths, blue oceans, green and brown land masses though none appeared to be extremely large. “Arneb IV, before the war started, this planet was well within the Dominion borders. Its climate and vast island chains made it a choice vacation spot of the Dominion elite. It remains so, though many of its former clientele aren’t very keen on being this close to the front lines. Intelligence says it’ll be a cakewalk. Sparsely populated, largest settlement is less than two hundred thousand, and minimally garrisoned.”

A wave of muttered conversations swept the room. He allowed it to continue for a few minutes. “It gets better folks; we’re not even in the first wave. The Musketeers will be going in with orders to support the main line and clean out some of the more outlying outposts. Any questions?”

Rogue spoke up, “What kind of Fleet support can we count on?”

Athos replied, “During the landings and initial assault, we’ll have full support, both orbital and air. Intelligence suspects the Dominion will respond somewhat forcefully as Arneb is the playground of the rich and powerful. If/When that appears our orbital support will be reduced in response. We expect air support for the entire operation.” Another hand went up. “Yes Captain Mcejo?”

“What do you think about the battle plan sir?”

Though he smiled tightly, his voice was grim, “If Intelligence is correct; then we can do this in our sleep. But if they’re wrong on any part however, then we are in for a world of hurt. And when was the last time Intel Section was completely correct?”

The room quieted instantly. Athos glanced around again, “Ok. As you might have guessed, the Liberty is on complete comm blackout as of 2 hours ago. Landings commence in twenty-four hours. Once we have the planet secured, occupation and pacification forces will be moved in and we rejoin the main offensive. I want all equipment checks completed in four hours.” He reached over and toggled the hologram off. “I’ve always been upfront with you all and I am not about to begin sugarcoating it now. This could get nasty, if you have any letters or things you want to care of prior to zero hour, I suggest you do so. Make sure you get plenty of rest. We’ll need everyone at top efficiency for this. If at any time between now and when we leave that rock, if you have any ideas or suggestions, make them known to your superiors. Major Rogue dismiss the assembly.”

“Yes sir!” Rogue stood and bellowed, “Musketeers, dismissed!” The room emptied. They were all soldiers; they had a job to do.