Week 20
Day 1
They don’t waste time.
Their first target was SWAMP and Outpost Six.
They came over in those HELI-PODS which can carry six personnel with one pilot. Each HELI-PODS carry four missiles and a twin cannon below the cockpit. There were three of them flying in low and over the river. There is also the amphibious vehicles which carry's eight excluding the pilot and co-pilot named Landing Sea Crafts or LSC for short. Each amphibious vehicles carries a twin mounted cannon on its top manned by the co-pilot. There was two of them on the river that hour.
A total invasion force of thirty four military personnels.
I got the distress call and I immediately deploy the Bubbles and all other personnels to mount the ATV and LTV for SWAMP. We also mounted five M-Bots on the ATV from different outpost. I was with the bikers and we were the first to arrive.
Special Report from Major Shaw, Air Wing, Outpost Six
Day 1 Week 20
0635hr
I was awakened by the red alert call and I put on my gears. I rushed out to the yard to see the HELI-PODS over us with the personnels rappeling down firing their weapons. The first shots took down Specialist Gintu Mos who coming of the Command Unit while firing back with his PH762. The mounted twin cannons were firing on the Command Unit and blew up the HELI-PODS but the invading army was already on the ground. I crouched down and fired the PH350 and then ran for the Bubble. I got in and start the Bubble to take off. Specialist Prasad also managed to run into his Bubble but he was shot at before he can take off. He died in his cockpit.
I took off and flew back at the invading army who was taking position to fire at the outpost command center. They have blown the mounted cannons with their grenade launchers and now are about bombard the outpost unit. I came in with my cannons firing and took the threat off. More personnels were joining from the Amphibious Launch. I had to swing the Bubble around and fire a missile into the LSC. The missiles hit the LSC and blew it up. I did another sweep on the personnels on the ground keeping them pinned down behind whatever shelter the can find. By then they have also destroyed the two Bubbles with grenades.
I was almost hit by the other HELI-PODS which came at me with their cannons firing. I pulled the stick to climb up and loop down on the HELI-PODS. By then it had fired its missiles at Command Unit Outpost Six. I saw the command unit blew up and I fired my missiles at the HELI-PODS. I blew it tail off and it went into a spiral before crashing into the river.
But they got a lucky shot on Bubble engine and I had to land. I did land near to the jungle and got off. I ran to the nearest unit and was met by Sargeant Mick, and other specialists. We returned fire from our position. We were outnumbered one to five of them. Ammo was getting low as our supplies was in the Command Unit.
But then they suddenly pulled out to the river where the LSC took them across.
Special Report from Lieutenant Carlos SWAMP
Day 1 Week 20
0631hr
I just moved out of the bunk and was looking at the river when I saw the HELI-PODS. I ran to the Comms and called for Red Alert. I then grabbed my gear and ran to the Command Console. I initiated Lockdown and armed the cannons to fire at Federation ships. We disabled that when we realized they are coming here earlier. The mounted cannons took down the HELI-PODS while it was trying to fly over our heads. It crashed into a section of SWAMP and destroyed the one storage unit and killed two of my personnels.
All my personnels was in their station and we were ready to defend SWAMP. I saw the scanners picked up two LSC but only one landed on the river banks. The other LSC was headed for SWAMP but later detour to the river bank. I saw on the scanners the other HELI-PODS but it was too near the Bubble, so we held back fire. But the Bubble took it down and we cheered. We then later saw the Bubble go down but we were not sure of the faith of the pilot. We got the cannons facing the Outpost Six to fire on the river banks and there was an exchange fo fire between the LSC and the SWAMP cannons.
After a while, the two LSC left the river bank. I looked out the viewer to see the LSC going over with its heavy load, but one LSC took on too many cannons shot start to sink en route. It never made it across and the personnels got out to swim. I counted eight jumping into the river but I saw only three climb out. There was a lot of fighting going in the river and the ones that got across was firing into the river. I think the reptiles found them in the water.
We reached there after the raid. Outpost Six was in a total wiped out, and we lost ten personnels including three of the the Air Wing team, four Bubbles and one mounted cannon.
They taken casualties of three HELI-PODS and one LSC, with twenty three personnels dead, plus the five in the river. If not for the fast reaction of Lieutenant Carlos, we would had lost SWAMP too and the four remaining personnels. I stood there to look across the river.
Darned you, Federation. You had to bring the war here on New Pangaea.
‘Do we fight, Sir?’ That was Major Shaw who was wounded in the left arm.
‘No, we will not this time. We came here to live in peace and we will. But the next time they do this, we will fight back.’
‘Darned!’ That was the reaction of Major Shaw as she walked away.
But actually I lied that day. I am planning a surprise on the Federation.
We spent the whole day cleaning up Outpost Six and burning the dead, including the Federation’s. I had all the defenses system calibrated to include Federation markings in the ‘shoot first’ mode.
It was evening when EDS Earth called in. They are here at dawn tomorrow. I got ten personnels name tags for them to take back to Earth.
At 2134hr, I sent Corporal Pedro and Specialist Dukov over in the MSV to the Federation side with surprises.
Day 2
EDS Earth arrived as schedule on orbit. It send the supplies down by shuttle on the first flight and then the promised personnels on the second flight. We have two new Bubbles which can replaced the ones we lost. We got replenishment in ammo and weapons for the personnels and replacement parts . But most of all, I got my reinforcement; fifteen more specialist including a Major which is an intelligence officer to check on the Federation new colony plans and five more M-Bots. These intelligence officers are normally officers from Earth Council and they don’t work well with the military personnels. EDS Earth also left us four new twin mounted cannons which we can mount on the new Outpost Six.
But the trade off was my ten name tags.
The day was spent unloading the new containers and introducing the new arrivals to New Pangaea. The fifteen new personnels were assigned to Village Two to get familiarize while I planned the next action plans. The Chengs’ said they can repair the Bubble which Major Shaw flew but the others are going to be salvage parts.
Major Chavdar Damien was keen to introduce himself to me; a large built man standing over six feet in height with big stong limbs. He also wears a different uniform from us; its red heavy jacket over dark pants tucked into his high boots. I would think he is in his ceremonial dress but he tells that is his regular uniform. I felt its inappropriate here in this humid condition, but he is the dresser.
‘Major, welcome to New Pangaea. I trust you know where to find me if needed.’ I gave him my snide smile which I reserved for officers like him.
‘Commander Bent, I am pleased to serve under you. I read all your reports and I salute you for your bravery and commitment.’ But he did not hand me any medals, but his credentials. Its reads like the list of species of creatures I have here; a long list of notations and names. Major Chavdar is not an ordinary officer, but an esteemed one from generations of officers who served in the military and politics. He is well connected and also well decorated for a few outstanding events.
‘I am pleased to have you on board. Please feel free to sit if you want.’ He did without any delay. I understand how those long flights can exhaust any person, even though he is as fit as this Major. We went through some more pleasantries and then the unpleasantries like penal inmates escapes and raid by the Federation. The kind Major was silent most times and if he does answered; its short and brief. I like that mode. We parted company an hour later with his stack of reports for him to digest. I offered him accommodation at BASE but he preferred SWAMP where the action is.
As he was leaving, Major Shaw walked in.
‘Wow! They feed them well at Earth.’ I would had appreciate the wonders of human build but I am not a lady now.
‘And to what honor do I owe you, Major?’ I thought she would be still upset, but she was’t. She handed me a report on discovery of mines on the MSV just discovered. If we had used the MSV we would be mosasuars dinner. And another Bubble was saved with the salvaged parts. So now we have four Bubbles and one pilot.
I wonder how Pedro is doing there.
I think I got my answer at 2356hr; there was report of a major explosion across the river.
Day 3
The MSV picked up Dukov on receiving the planned signal at 0434hr off the other side of the river. I had his report on my console at 0645hr.
Special Report from Specialist Andre Dukov
Day 3 Week 20
0635hr
Corporal Pedro Mano and myself landed at the other side of river at 2134hr Day 1. We were carrying explosives and detonators. Our mission was recon and also to destroy their supplies. We moved into the jungle to approach the camp site. As Corporal Pedro was here before, he took the lead to the perimeter. When we reached there, the Corporal instructed me to climb up the tree with him. We climbed to a height which we can see over the wall. There are discarded containers on the outside of the wall and there is still five more intact ones. I can see the two LSC parked on the side of the wall near the intact containers.
However on the inside are the previous layout as reported by the Corporal Pedro. However Corporal Pedro confirmed that there are additional military personnels in the yard. The Corporal counted more than fifty of them there, and are fully armed. He thinks they could more in the units, but we are not sure. We watched the whole night and planned our demolition charges.
I slept the first half of the day while Corporal Pedro took watch. When I woke up, he was not there, so I checked the surroundings. We are still secured but I can’t see the Corporal. It was past noon when he came back. He did not say anything and took his rest on the tree while I kept watch. It was then I saw the senior officer walking in the yard. He holds the rank of Colonel and is commanding the troops to do routine training. He was walking with a limp and carrying a sword. His photo is attached here, taken by the long range lens on the viewer.
At 2013hr, Corporal Pedro gave me instruction to lay the charges at the containers on the outside wall. He said he will cover me from the tree for any guards. I did as per instruction; I went down the tree and crawl to the containers. I laid out the charges as per instruction focusing on the unopened containers. I came back to the tree and took cover fire for him while he sneak off. It was then I realized that he was planting charges at the wall. I saw him stepping and slinging over the charges like throwing balls at the yard. Its reckless but its was his plan. Then he started moving back, but there was a raptor in his path. He stood up to challenge it. Corporal Pedro was only armed with his PH350 and K2.
I took the shot on the Raptor but I missed the head and hit the side of the creature. Its shrieked out in pain and attracted the sentry on the nearby watch tower. The searchlight was turned on and I saw Corporal Pedro running for the trees. The sentry opened fire and I replied form my position. I killed the sentry but I could not see where the Corporal is. Meanwhile the gates opened up and the men were running out. It was also then the charges in the wall blew up as they are controlled by Corporal Pedro. Sections of the wall collapsed and the camp was in chaos.
The charges in the yard also went off adding in more commotions. My orders was to withdraw when this happened. I climbed down and ran for the rendezvous point. It took me an hour to reach the rendezvous point at 0024hr Day 3 and I waited for Corporal Pedro. We agreed to wait for one hour before we signaled the MSV.
At 0234hr, I still could not see Corporal Pedro. I signaled the MSV which will need about an hour to reach us in submerged condition. The MSV reached at 0324hrs and I boarded it. We waited for fifteen minutes before we sailed off.
As of 0345hr, Corporal Pedro Mano is assumed missing in action.
The photo of the Colonel was not Ras but a different one. So Colonel Ras could be dead or held prisoner again. I instructed the MSV to patrol the river for any signs of Corporal Pedro. And also for signs of any activity. I also send the Bubble up under Major Shaw to scout the jungle on this side.
The rain came in more intense again and we are forced to take cover the rest of the day. As usual, the creatures seek shelter on the plateau and we had a hard time chasing them off.
It was also the only time I regretted as Margaret Welch caught me at BASE. She actually waited for me before the rain and now I am with her. She started off her speech on the lack of facilities and came to the showstopper; ‘she want to elect a colonist representative’.
‘You want a people’s rep election when i am trying to form a colony and protect us from further attack? You are fragging mad. This is not Earth and I have no time for your dilly-wagging election.’
‘Commander, this is not Earth but we are binded by Earth’s constitution and its people needs the election. And there is no word like dilly-wagging.’ I know there is no expression for dilly wagging as its mine; its to mean the canine consenting behaviour.
‘I will advise when I am ready. And I am not ready.’
‘Frag your readiness. This is in the constitution. I demand it. Anyone can stand for election.’
‘I know and I may stand for it, but I am not ready to stand down as military officer as this place needs me. So wait your turn out until I am ready to relinquish my post and stand for election in your people’s vote. And you got it right. I just declared martial law as of now under Article 144 to the Empire Covenant which permits the military to declared a state of emergency and suspend certain rights under the constitution. Its my right under the constitution in times of war threat. And we are at war status now.’ She walked out into the rain and was not seen for the day.
‘Can I see you, Commander?’ That was Doctor Leong and his timely interruptions.
‘Sure, but do you have a pet raptor I can borrowed? I want to removes some pesky candidates’ He did not understand my joke and I was not keen to explain myself. The good doctor explained to me that he is making headway with Junior on communication and they also uncover more things about Junior. He believes the apes are not really primates as in the same rank as the others, but a more intelligent creature. He thinks they could had evolved to be almost human like in thinking and using tools. But he is not able to conclude his studies as yet. He wants permission to stay with the apes for a period of time for scientific reasons.
I knew then he was going ’ape’s’ but I approved it subject to he is protected. He suggested Nixon for company. I wondered why but I am not speculating.
‘Two weeks period and you come back. Then we review and re-approved it need be.’ But the doctor was out running to his lab. No wonder the Gods shed tears for me; its a fragging mad day and my friend is out there alone.
Corporal Pedro has been missing for over twelve hours now.
Day 4
The declaration drew me flaks from the colonists but not all of them were against it. They heard the explosion and now the new additional military personnels. I addressed them all in the groups of hundred as I had to speak out without any speech equipment. I told them bluntly, we are at war again with the Federation and until that is over or a truce is called, there is no time for speech freedom or exercising citizen’s right. I am to ensure their survival as free people and that is what I will do. I think I bought them over to my side.
So did the inhabitants here. A herd of young Parasaurolophus was gathering at the New Eden walls and despite the moves by the colonists’ there to move them, they are not running. The numbers seems to be increasing so they called me. I stood there to see the accumulated numbers here; maybe fifty or more of them. They seems to shuffling at the wall and wanting to go in. I looked back at the farm and saw the crops are just spouting up. I told the colonists to open the wall gates and see what happens. They came in by the droves and ran to the irrigation canals to drink the water. Then they fed on the growing sprouts and lazed around.
‘Doctor Siva and Doctor Liam. Your theory please.’ They are my other zoologist besides Doctor Leong who is away studying apes.
‘I thinketh they wanted to come in here where its save and the food water is abundant.’ Doctor Siva conclude with Doctor Liam. I can only conclude we have our first breeding farm of herbivore and the illuminated lights of ‘Scott’s Meat’.
‘Doctors, perhaps you can show them how to coral these creatures and teach them how to take care of them. And good days to you all. I got an investment to protect. Sargeant Keefe, I want those wall fortified from nasty boys.’
‘Commander, we picked up Corporal Pedro.’
Special Report from Corporal Pedro Mano
Day 4 Week 20
1635hr
I crossed over with Specialist Andre Dukov for the recon and destroy mission. We camped on top of a tree and viewed the campsite. The number of containers in the yard remains the same but the number of military personnel has doubled to over fifty now. I sighted the wall and checked it for any openings but there was none. They have closed up all the tears and gaps in the wall.Its a fortified camp now with the four watch towers.
I instructed Specialist Dukov to rest while I stood guard. I saw some movements near the unopened containers so I went down to check on it. I peeked into the containers and note their contents. It was then I saw PP10287 Issac Bain also checking the containers as I sneaked up on him. I took the K2 onto his throat and dragged him to the trees. I left him there and scout the vicinity for the rest of the fugitives but there was no one. I saw some tracks leaving the place, so it could his accomplice who left when he saw the killing. I circled back to the tree and waited for dusk.
At 2010hr, I instructed Specialist Dukov to lay the charges at the containers area. I provided cover fire while he was out there. There was twice when the sentry on the watch tower could had seen him, but did not sound the alarm. On his return, I took my turn on the wall. I laid the charges on one section of the wall to bring it down. I then threw some over the wall but they did not register any attention from the sentries. I was crawling back when I bumped into the raptor. It stared at me and I took my K2 in my hand. I stood up and looked at it. It was then when Specialist Dukov shot the creature. Its shriek of pain alerted the sentry and they shone the light over. I by then had to duck for cover as the cannons shot came over. I ran into the jungle and detonated the charges.
The section of the wall came down. The charges in the yard blew up some commotion but it was mean to scare the personnels from pursuing me. I can hear the charges going off at the containers and it was a big explosion as those containers contain explosives and a HELI-PODS unassembled. I ran into the jungle and proceeded to the rendezvous point as agreed with dukov. But a stray shot caught me on my left leg and I had to find shelter to nursed it. I climbed up a tree and stayed there.
The Federation personnels were busy in fighting the fire and trying to repair the wall. So were the creatures attracted by the blood and sound. I had to shoot dead a raptor who smell my blood before it can climb up. I took a full load on my PH350 onto its open mouth to killed it. I climbed up higher and stayed there till dawn. Then I climbed down and moved to the river, but there were patrols around. I had to climbed up another tree to hide until dark again. This time I made my way to the river without any patrol or raptors. I lost my remote signal so I had to wait for dawn for the patrol.
Corporal Pedro survived another risky mission but he will walking with a limp now. I promoted him to Sargeant but he declined. He said in New Pangaea, it makes no difference in the ranking but the brotherhood counts.
Day 5
Outpost Six is now ready for operations. Its not fortified with a stone wall courtesy of the W-Bots and Heavy Metal and a moat. There is a rampart build on the wall and there they have two towers with the mounted cannons on it and two M-Bots patrolling the yard. The inner part of the Outpost is the remaining unit and a new two levels stone build unit that looks like a stone box like structure with windows opening. But its got a firepower with a twin counted cannon on top. There is the ATV parked next to the container unit. Sargeant Sharon will resumed commanding officer with five more specialist from the new batch. Sargeant Mick moved to Outpost Seven.
This time they are ready for any attacks.
‘Commander, Eden Two is ready for deployment.’ These are the miners group and they starting their camp near the mine. They been building their own units from he stones and woods from the jungle and had a fortified wall of wood and stones. There are twenty families with a headcount of eight nine people; both from Village One and Two. I had the needed supplies issued out and prayed hard for them.
As the first expedition for Doctor Leong was approved, now the geologist team wants to go out and play. They put forth a request to explore down south for minerals and other geological findings. I had to approved it or I would had a riot on my hand.
So four doctors; Doctor Stowe Elfrin, Biologist; Doctor Liam Lumley, Bio-chemist / Zoologist; Doctor Silvie Emmanuel, Chemist / Palentologist; Doctor Indra Silvia Pereira, Geologist/ Chemist left with four ex-penal guards in the ATV from BASE. They will be back in a week for more approvals. I gave them one M-Bots for safety.
My nesting getting empty by the week but I loved the extra private space. At least I don’t have to queue for my shower.
Then came Margaret Welch again. She put in a request to move to Village One since I would not arranged her visit to Micheal Bent before. I compromised by moving Micheal Bent to Village Two with Susan, but I thinketh Susan could had shot me there if she has a gun. I needed to move Micheal there as he is to help the village develop their infrastructure and their new turbine. The Four Horsemen are also planning a wooden mill to generate planks and beams. So I send off his team of horsemen to follow suit to Village Two. Then I took the opportunity to convert part of the village into a training camp for new village guards complete with obstacle course. A safer one though than the ones they ran outside in the jungle. I assigned the job to the new commander of village guards; Admiral Stokes.
I asked for a day of rest and it came.
We had several tremors throughout the day to Day 7. Everyone stayed put in their units or positions. I slept it through as I told the outpost commanders to take care of all issues by themselves.
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