Operation Hellfire by Michael G. Thomas Page A
Authors: Michael G. Thomas
Tags: Science-Fiction, adventure, Fantasy, Military, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult, Superhero, Superheroes, alien invasion, Aliens, Galactic Empire, Space Fleet, Space Marine
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woman, smart, strong, and incredibly beautiful. He almost choked as he realised she was looking back at him.
Was that for me?
Nate stopped for a second, but then Private Valentine looked away, and he sighed with a mixture of disappointment and relief. He had little idea what to say to such a woman, and this was perhaps the worst possible place to try to speak.
"Come on, this way," said Rex.
They pushed through the group and reached Billy and the others who were all looking over to a set of four long tables. On top of them a line of weapons rested on a soft cloth to prevent them from sliding about on the flat surface. Sergeant Nál cleared her throat.
"You will be seated for this...presentation."
Nate looked about for a chair, but the others were already lowering themselves to the hard floor. It seemed a little barbaric to use the floor, but with the others doing the same he had little choice. He bent down and felt a slight pang of pain in his legs. He tried not to groan, but still managed to release a noise as he slumped down. A few of the other pilots looked around, saw him, and then looked back.
Great, and now they all think you're some kind of idiot weakling.
Lieutenant Heiskell moved from his position alongside his sergeant and looked out to the assembled pilots. There were at least two-dozen of them, plus a similar number of support crew.
"You're here today because a general order has been given throughout Orion Command, and it applies to every one of you on this ship, and in the fleet. Some of you have been briefed on the mission, so I'll keep it short."
There was silence, but as Nate sat there, he wondered why something so important was being explained inside the training hall and not the briefing room. He began to turn to Cassandra, but Lieutenant Heiskell continued talking.
"The Alliance has given its full backing to the legitimate Byotai colonies and citizens that consider themselves still loyal to Prince Kratha and his government. This message went live six hours ago, and it's spreading fast. As a consequence, an exodus has begun, one that is seeing hundreds of ships trying to escape to our own territory."
He waited for a moment and looked at the audience. None looked particularly surprised, and one or two almost began to clap but were quickly stopped by their comrades. Lieutenant Heiskell appeared amused at what he could see happening, and as he continued, the volume in the hall decreased instantly.
"Loyalists amongst the Byotai will be looking for safe havens along the border, or trying to reach the Prince and his personal military. That is why this fleet, along with all of Orion Command, is going into action once more."
His face broke out into a barely visible smile.
"And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, means we are moving to Alliance space and preparing for the start of this campaign."
The officer licked his lips.
"Now, how does any of this affect you? And what are you all doing in here? Well, that is all down to the Admiral and his plan. You are here for something simple, and something critical."
Nate nodded to himself in agreement with the man.
True. He's not wrong.
"Prince Kratha brought more than just troops and refugees to our ships. He brought a variety of weapons, as well as information on Byotai training and tactics."
Nate was sure he could feel somebody watching him, and as he looked away from the Sergeant, he found Private Valentine. She was staring right back at him, and her expression softened as their eyes met.
"The Byotai tech is very interesting indeed. As you all know, weapon familiarity is critical in battle. Knowing what you are facing will assist in your ability to counter any kind of threat. Each of you has made extensive use of L48 and L52 Alliance weapons, and all of our personnel, from deck hands and cooks through to gunners, marines, and pilots know the difference. An L48 will leave a hole the size of a fist in a target, but the L52 will punch through thicker armour and
Was that for me?
Nate stopped for a second, but then Private Valentine looked away, and he sighed with a mixture of disappointment and relief. He had little idea what to say to such a woman, and this was perhaps the worst possible place to try to speak.
"Come on, this way," said Rex.
They pushed through the group and reached Billy and the others who were all looking over to a set of four long tables. On top of them a line of weapons rested on a soft cloth to prevent them from sliding about on the flat surface. Sergeant Nál cleared her throat.
"You will be seated for this...presentation."
Nate looked about for a chair, but the others were already lowering themselves to the hard floor. It seemed a little barbaric to use the floor, but with the others doing the same he had little choice. He bent down and felt a slight pang of pain in his legs. He tried not to groan, but still managed to release a noise as he slumped down. A few of the other pilots looked around, saw him, and then looked back.
Great, and now they all think you're some kind of idiot weakling.
Lieutenant Heiskell moved from his position alongside his sergeant and looked out to the assembled pilots. There were at least two-dozen of them, plus a similar number of support crew.
"You're here today because a general order has been given throughout Orion Command, and it applies to every one of you on this ship, and in the fleet. Some of you have been briefed on the mission, so I'll keep it short."
There was silence, but as Nate sat there, he wondered why something so important was being explained inside the training hall and not the briefing room. He began to turn to Cassandra, but Lieutenant Heiskell continued talking.
"The Alliance has given its full backing to the legitimate Byotai colonies and citizens that consider themselves still loyal to Prince Kratha and his government. This message went live six hours ago, and it's spreading fast. As a consequence, an exodus has begun, one that is seeing hundreds of ships trying to escape to our own territory."
He waited for a moment and looked at the audience. None looked particularly surprised, and one or two almost began to clap but were quickly stopped by their comrades. Lieutenant Heiskell appeared amused at what he could see happening, and as he continued, the volume in the hall decreased instantly.
"Loyalists amongst the Byotai will be looking for safe havens along the border, or trying to reach the Prince and his personal military. That is why this fleet, along with all of Orion Command, is going into action once more."
His face broke out into a barely visible smile.
"And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, means we are moving to Alliance space and preparing for the start of this campaign."
The officer licked his lips.
"Now, how does any of this affect you? And what are you all doing in here? Well, that is all down to the Admiral and his plan. You are here for something simple, and something critical."
Nate nodded to himself in agreement with the man.
True. He's not wrong.
"Prince Kratha brought more than just troops and refugees to our ships. He brought a variety of weapons, as well as information on Byotai training and tactics."
Nate was sure he could feel somebody watching him, and as he looked away from the Sergeant, he found Private Valentine. She was staring right back at him, and her expression softened as their eyes met.
"The Byotai tech is very interesting indeed. As you all know, weapon familiarity is critical in battle. Knowing what you are facing will assist in your ability to counter any kind of threat. Each of you has made extensive use of L48 and L52 Alliance weapons, and all of our personnel, from deck hands and cooks through to gunners, marines, and pilots know the difference. An L48 will leave a hole the size of a fist in a target, but the L52 will punch through thicker armour and
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