Chapter 94

"Give me a visual of the gate" ordered Ellis.

On the holographic display screen which appeared before them a visual of the ground below came into view. Columns of heavily armed men poured through the open wormhole in a never ending stream. Breaking the flow of men every twenty that passed through the event horizon was an armored vehicle similar to a half track used by Earth's military forces during World War Two. Each half track was a cargo truck styled vehicle, heavily armored, with a crew serves heavy machine gun on an elevated turret rising from the rear bed. This was the first time the Tauri had encountered Genii mechanized forces, and it had previously been believed that the Genii military was entirely composed of foot borne light infantry. Each half track passed through the gate trailing a field artillery piece in tow. Looking at the sight before them Frost and Ellis exchanged glances.

"That confirms it. We have an invasion in progress" stated Frost.

"We never knew they had vehicles before. This is a new development" replied Ellis.

"Whoever wrote the official estimate of Genii military capabilities didn't think outside of the box much at all. As a military society it's a natural assumption that they had mechanized forces" fumed Frost.

"Still want to put your men on the ground" asked Ellis.

"My boys are some of the best but I'm a realist. Put them up against four to one odds and they'll come home every time. I'm not putting those six men up against a standing army, no chance in hell" was Frost's reply.

From the forward window of the bridge the two 302's could be seen blazing through Dagan's atmosphere. Repeating a maneuver practiced many times the two craft entered the upper reaches of the atmosphere and transitioned into traditional flight. Slowing from many times the speed of sound the two diverged onto wholly separate flight paths, while activating their TARS pods.

The TARS system had been developed by the US Air Force to provide an organic, survivable, and responsive penetrating tactical reconnaissance system to collect photographic intelligence despite adverse weather and in all light conditions. Without such systems, tactical commanders would have been forced to operate without adequate knowledge of enemy strength, location, disposition, and intentions. TARS filled this role nicely, having been deployed in several conflicts since its development and deployment. The electro-optical camera systems contained in each pod activated, and began taking the first of the twelve thousand photos each pod's storage ch.i.p.s could store. An onboard data link further transmitted the photos to the orbiting Apollo.

"Apollo, this is Burglar Flight lead" said the flight leader.

"Burglar lead go for Apollo" replied the Apollo's communications officer.

"Collection run has commenced. Burglar 2 is also on assigned flight profile. I'm seeing fires rising from ground level. Request permission to descend to lower altitude at collection completion for a closer look" requested Burglar lead.

"Burglar lead, Apollo Six states permission granted to descend to lower altitude during RTB" responded the communications officer.

On the bridge Frost looked over the incoming sensor data. Population totals on the planet below were quickly tallied; vehicle numbers and placement were also noted.

"I'm estimating they are approaching at least multi-divisional strength in manpower. This is a bit like when Iraq invaded Kuwait in Gulf War One" stated Frost.

"Remember Colonel, this is just a recon mission" replied Ellis.

On the ground below a collection of farmers and their families were attempting to escape their pursuers. Genii forces had relentlessly herded the Daganian's into collection points for internment. The twenty four civilians below had no intention of allowing that fate to befall them. Leaving their possessions behind the men, women, and children ran as fast as their feet would carry them to freedom. Giving chase were three Genii vehicles. Knowing the Daganian's were a simple people the Genii toyed with their prey, prolonging the chase for their own amus.e.m.e.nt. To herd their prey away from wood lines where the vehicles could not follow mortar rounds were launched from the nearest half track. Dirt, dust, and rock were kicked up by each explosion. Children and women screamed with lungs fatigued from the chase. Above them at thirty five hundred feet of altitude a lone 302 caught view of the situation unfolding below.

"Apollo, this is Burglar Lead" began the mission commander.

"Go Burglar Lead" replied Apollo.

"I have visual of twenty four repeat two four civilians attempting to evade three armored vehicles. Vehicles are engaging civilians with mortar fire. Request immediate close air support and evacuation of friendlies. How copy" said Burglar Lead.

Before an answer could be provided anti aircraft fire erupted around Burglar Lead. Anti aircraft artillery shells exploded around the 302, buffeting it greatly but not striking the craft.

"Burglar Lead, air support is inbound. Estimate time on station in one zero minutes" responded Apollo.

"Apollo, Burglar Lead. Hostile forces have engaged me with anti aircraft fire. Advice incoming CAS to exercise extreme caution below five thousand feet" replied Burglar Lead while climbing in altitude to a higher orbit.

Listening in on the events unfolding on the planet below Captain Carlyle commander of the Delta team opened a channel on his radio earpiece. The men under his command seethed with anger at the thought of professional soldiers hunting unarmed civilians. Receiving his radio call was Colonel Frost on the Apollo's bridge.

"Wait one Captain" said Frost while signaling to Colonel Ellis.

"I'll prep the Marines for extraction of civilians" said Ellis.

"Put my radio traffic on the speakers for a moment Colonel" stated Frost.

The communications officer with a few key strokes intercepted the radio traffic and diverted it to the overhead speakers. With the task taken care of the communications officer gave Frost a nod of his head.

"Captain, I want you to repeat that request, and be very clear about it son" stated Frost.

"Sir, request permission to take my team to the surface to facilitate extraction of the civilians" requested Carlyle.

"Captain, we've got Marines onboard for that" replied Ellis.

"With all do respect Colonel, my men are better suited to the mission" countered Carlyle.

"He's right Ellis" stated Frost.

"In that case I guess I can't say no" responded Ellis.

"Captain Carlyle, you and your men have a go" responded Frost.