Chapter 22 – The Battle of New Quantico

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He arose and struck the Philistines until his hand was weary and clung to the sword, and the LORD brought about a great victory that day…

2 Samuel 23:10

Leaning Forward in the Foxhole

The piercing wail of air raid sirens shattered the morning calm, sending a surge of adrenaline through Wade’s body. In an instant, the base erupted into organized chaos as Marines, Sailors, and Rangers scrambled to assemble with their units. Wade’s mind was on autopilot, months of training kicking in as he sprinted towards the barracks.

The company armorer was already in position, efficiently distributing weapons and ammunition to the arriving troops. Wade grabbed his pulse rifle, checking it with practiced ease before slinging it across his back. He paused for a moment, flexing his prosthetic hand as he loaded extra magazines into his tactical armor.

“Kovacs!” a voice called out. Wade turned to see Captain Hollister, his face a mask of grim determination. “Get to your squad. We’re establishing defensive positions.”

As Wade jogged to join his unit, he caught glimpses of the company COs huddled around the battalion commander, their voices low and urgent as they received their orders. The gravity of the situation was palpable, electric tension crackling through the air.

Captain Hollister’s voice cut through the din as he rallied the platoon leaders, then addressed the entire company. “Listen up, Marines! We’re moving to our pre-assigned defensive positions. Secure, fortify, and await further orders. This is not a drill. The enemy is coming, and we’re going to give them one heck of a welcome party!”

A chorus of “Oorah!” echoed across the assembly, but Wade’s mind momentarily drifted to Kristen. He wished he could contact her, make sure she was safe in the bunker. But he knew she was smart and well-trained – she would have already taken shelter. He had to trust in her abilities and focus on the task at hand.

Wade’s squad moved out, double-timing it to their assigned position overlooking the military prison two miles away. As they began to set up their heavy weapons, Wade’s gaze was drawn to the facility. It was a stark, fortified complex, currently housing the government officials implicated in the Skravak conspiracy. He couldn’t help but wonder if their presence made the base a priority target.

Wade’s squad leader barked out orders, his voice tense with urgency. “Kovacs! Take Keller and Rutherford. Set up motion detection and anti-armor mines 300 meters to our front. Move it!”

Nodding sharply, Wade gestured to the two privates. They quickly loaded the mines onto the Mule, a compact wheeled robot designed for such tasks. As they moved out, the weight of their mission pressed down on them. Being so far in front of their lines left them exposed and vulnerable.

The trio worked efficiently, their movements precise despite the nervous energy crackling between them. Wade’s prosthetic hand proved invaluable, allowing him to handle the delicate sensors with unexpected dexterity. Keller kept watch while Rutherford assisted with the placement.

“Last one,” Wade muttered, carefully positioning the final anti-armor mine. The Mule beeped softly, confirming the activation of the minefield’s network.

“Let’s get out of here,” Rutherford whispered, his eyes darting across the eerily quiet landscape.

They hustled back to their fighting position, relief washing over them as they rejoined their squad. Wade couldn’t shake the feeling that they’d just set up the first line of defense against an impending storm.

First Blood

Suddenly, the sky erupted in a dazzling, terrifying light show. Bright flashes illuminated the clouds as the Confederation Navy engaged the attacking ships just above the atmosphere. Wade’s heart swelled with pride, knowing that Mayumi’s intel from the Skravak ship had provided crucial information on the weaknesses of the AI-operated vessels. Their sacrifices and risks were already paying off.

“Here they come!” Bikram’s voice cut through the tense silence, drawing all eyes to the horizon.

Lieutenant Jordan, their platoon leader, steadied the troops with a calm command. “Easy, Marines. Pick your targets and aim for the neck. Make your shots count.”

Wade peered through his scope, tracking the incoming threats. His finger tensed on the trigger, ready to unleash plasma wrath. But before they could engage, a blinding flash and deafening roar shook the earth. Plasma rockets slammed into the prison, vaporizing the structure in an instant. The shockwave hit their position like a freight train, showering them with shrapnel, rocks, and dirt.

As the dust began to settle, Wade’s blood ran cold. The prison was gone, replaced by a smoldering crater. And descending through the clouds came a swarm of Skravak landing craft, disgorging hundreds of armored personnel carriers that began to advance on New Quantico.

“Anti-armor teams, engage!” Lieutenant Jordan bellowed. Marines scrambled to ready their heavy weapons, sending streaks of plasma screaming towards the approaching APCs. Above them, the distinctive roar of Nova Eagles filled the air as close air support joined the fray, their precision strikes turning Skravak vehicles into twisted, burning husks.

The Nova Eagle strike aircraft was a marvel of human engineering, designed to dominate both atmospheric and low-orbit combat scenarios. Its sleek, delta-wing design was crafted from advanced metamaterials that could adapt to different atmospheric conditions, allowing for unprecedented maneuverability. Powered by a compact fusion reactor, the Nova Eagle could achieve hypersonic speeds with ease. Its arsenal included plasma-based weaponry, smart missiles with AI-driven targeting systems, and an electromagnetic pulse generator for disabling enemy electronics. The cockpit featured a neural interface, allowing navy pilots to control the aircraft with thought alone, while an advanced AI co-pilot managed complex systems and provided tactical support. With its ability to operate in space and rapidly deploy from orbital platforms, the Nova Eagle represented the pinnacle of the Confederation’s aerospace technology in the fight against the Skravak threat.

But for every APC they destroyed, it seemed two more took its place. The relentless advance of the Skravak forces was a terrifying sight, their armored vehicles grinding forward with mechanical precision.

Private Rutherford, his face streaked with dirt and sweat, let out a nervous laugh. “They’re in for a big surprise in about 50 more meters,” he said, his eyes fixed on the approaching enemy.

Wade nodded grimly, his grip tightening on his weapon. The air was thick with tension as they watched the Skravak forces draw closer to the minefield they had so carefully laid.

The Trap Sprung

Suddenly, the front erupted in a huge ball of fire making a towering mushroom smoke cloud. The first APC hit a motion-activated mine, triggering a massive explosion that rocked the ground beneath them. The vehicle’s front end disintegrated, sending shrapnel and alien body parts flying in all directions.

Before the dust could settle, more explosions followed in rapid succession. Anti-armor mines detonated with devastating effect, tearing through the Skravak vehicles like they were made of paper. The carefully placed pattern of explosives created a domino effect, each blast triggering the next in a symphony of destruction.

Skravak warriors caught in the blasts were vaporized instantly, while others were thrown from their vehicles, their chitinous bodies shattered by the force of the explosions. The air filled with acrid smoke and the agonized screeches of dying aliens.

The minefield had turned into a killing zone, halting the Skravak advance in its tracks. Burning wreckage and alien corpses littered the battlefield, creating a gruesome obstacle course for any survivors attempting to press forward.

Keller and Rutherford exchanged wide-eyed looks of disbelief before breaking into grins. They slapped each other’s hands in a triumphant high five, their earlier nervousness replaced by a surge of adrenaline-fueled excitement.

“Get down!” Wade’s sharp command cut through their moment of celebration. His prosthetic hand gripped Rutherford’s shoulder, yanking him back into cover as a stray plasma bolt sizzled overhead.

The sobering reality of their situation crashed back over them. The mines had bought them time and thinned the enemy’s numbers, but the battle was far from over. Wade’s stern gaze brought the two privates back to focus, reminding them that this was no time for celebration.

“Eyes front,” Wade ordered, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. “They’ll be looking for a way around. Be ready.”

The privates nodded, their expressions hardening as they readied their weapons. The brief moment of triumph faded, replaced by grim determination as they prepared to face the next wave of the Skravak assault.

The hillside was alive with explosions and weapons fire as Easy Company fought desperately to hold the line. Wade’s ears rang with the constant barrage, his nostrils filled with the acrid stench of ozone and burning metal.

To their left, Wade caught glimpses of Ranger units engaging the Skravak forces with terrifying efficiency. Their advanced weaponry and tactics were taking a heavy toll on the alien invaders, but still, the enemy pressed forward, their singular focus on breaching New Quantico’s defenses.

Clash of the Titans

Without warning, the APCs ground to a halt, their ramps slamming down to disgorge a nightmarish horde of Skravak Hunters. The aliens charged up the hill with inhuman speed, their chitinous bodies gleaming in the fire fight.

“Hold the line!” Jordan screamed, but it was a futile command. The Skravak warriors tore through their defenses like tissue paper, tossing Marine bodies left and right as if they were ragdolls.

A blood-curdling scream drew Wade’s attention. His heart stopped as he saw Bikram, lifted high by a massive Skravak Hunter, its mandibles tearing into his friend’s body. “No!” Wade roared, emptying his magazine into the creature, but it was too late.

Mayumi dove into the fighting position beside him, her eyes wide with terror. Wade grabbed her arm, steadying her as he shouted, “We’ve got to fall back!” Through the chaos, he could see the remnants of their unit rallying near the water tower, preparing for a last stand.

They sprinted towards their comrades, Keller and Rutherford followed, pulse rounds and plasma bolts crisscrossing the air around them. The Skravak force had been bloodied, but they still outnumbered the Marines significantly. As they reached the defensive circle, he knew in his heart that this might be their final moments.

But just as the Skravak warriors closed in for the kill, the battlefield erupted in a new cacophony of sound and fury. Ranger all-terrain hovercraft slammed into the alien’s flank, their weapons carving bloody swathes through the enemy.

The Ranger all terrain hovercraft, the Badger, is a rugged combat vehicle designed for rapid deployment and overwhelming firepower. Its sleek, low-profile design allows it to glide effortlessly over various terrains, from rough battlefield landscapes to water surfaces. The craft is propelled by advanced repulsor technology, creating a cushion of air that enables it to move swiftly and silently. Most notably, it features twin plasma chain guns mounted on its sides, capable of unleashing a devastating barrage of energy bolts that can shred through Skravak armor with ease. The hovercraft’s reinforced hull provides excellent protection for its operators, while its modular design allows for quick repairs and upgrades in the field. With its combination of speed, firepower, and versatility, the Ranger’s Badgers proved to be a game-changing asset in the battle against the alien invaders.

In their wake came figures that seemed to defy gravity – Rangers in exoskeleton suits, leaping impossibly high before crashing down onto the Hunters with devastating force. The Ranger’s exoskeleton suits are an advanced powered armor systems enhance the wearer’s strength, speed, and durability to superhuman levels. The suits are sleek and form-fitting, crafted from a combination of advanced alloys and reactive polymers that provide exceptional protection while maintaining flexibility. Servo-motors and hydraulics integrated into the exoskeleton multiply the user’s strength, allowing them to leap great distances, lift incredible weights, and deliver devastating blows in close combat. Advanced sensors and heads-up displays provide real-time battlefield information, while built-in weapon systems and energy shields further augment the Ranger’s combat capabilities. In action, Rangers in these exoskeletons move with inhuman grace and power, easily outmaneuvering and overpowering the Skravak warriors.

“Cease fire!” Wade yelled in order to prevent friendly fire as the Rangers maneuvered to their front. The tables turned in an instant. The Skravak charge faltered, then collapsed entirely as the Rangers tore into them with ruthless efficiency. Insectoid limbs and viscous black blood filled the air, creating a grotesque tableau of destruction.

The last of the Hunters fell, twitching, to the ground. The abrupt silence was almost as deafening as the battle had been.

Pursue and Rescue

But their reprieve was short-lived. Movement on the adjacent hill caught Wade’s eye – another Skravak assault force, this one moving with singular purpose towards the hospital five miles away. His heart plummeted as a single thought consumed him: Kristen.

Before he could voice his fears, a familiar gravelly voice cut through the post-battle haze. “On your feet, Marines!” Captain Venn bellowed, his Ranger armor scorched and dented but still imposing. “We’ve got more bugs to squash!”

Wade watched in disbelief as Captain Hollister seemed to shrink before Venn’s forceful presence, ceding control without argument. But he had no time to dwell on the shift in command dynamics.

Briggs and Alex, resplendent in their Ranger exoskeletons, appeared before him and Mayumi. “Marines, you’re with us,” Briggs growled. “Move!”

Without warning, Briggs grabbed Wade, his augmented strength easily lifting the Marine as if he weighed nothing. Alex did the same with Mayumi, and then they were off, bounding across the war torn landscape with inhuman speed.

Despite the awkward position, Wade and Mayumi managed to bring their weapons to bear, picking off Skravak stragglers as they raced to intercept the force threatening the hospital. The exoskeletons’ stabilizers compensated for much of the jarring motion, allowing them to land surprisingly accurate shots.

As they closed on the rear of the Skravak formation, Briggs and Alex released their passengers, immediately opening fire on the unsuspecting aliens. The Rangers tore into the enemy’s flank and rear, their advanced weaponry and augmented abilities giving them a decisive edge.

Wade and Mayumi sprinted towards the hospital’s reinforced bunker, their hearts pounding with fear and exertion. They rounded a corner to find a group of Hunters attempting to breach the bunker’s heavy doors.

Without hesitation, Wade pulled a plasma grenade from his belt. “Grenade out!” he shouted, lobbing the device into the midst of the aliens. The resulting explosion turned three Hunters into a spray of ichor and chitin fragments.

The Rangers quickly mopped up the remaining threats, their efficiency almost clinical in its brutality. As the last Hunter fell, an eerie quiet once again descended over the battlefield.

Wade approached the bunker door, his hand shaking slightly as he input his override code. With a hiss of hydraulics, the massive portal swung open, revealing a crowd of frightened medical personnel and patients.

And there, in the center of it all, stood Kristen. Her eyes locked with Wade’s, and in an instant, she was in his arms, holding him tight as if she never wanted to let go.

“You came,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Wade pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, his prosthetic hand gently cupping her cheek. “Always,” he replied, the single word carrying the weight of a vow.

As Good as Dead

As Wade held Kristen, savoring the momentary respite from the chaos outside, a gruff voice cut through the air. “Corporal Kovacs!” he growled.

Wade turned to see Easy Company’s First Sergeant, his face etched with urgency. “They want to see you and Corporal Kato in the TOC pronto!”

Reluctantly, Wade released Kristen, exchanging a worried glance with Mayumi. “We’ll be back,” he promised, squeezing Kristen’s hand before following the First Sergeant out of the bunker.

They were led to a makeshift Tactical Operations Center near the hospital, a hive of activity as officers and NCOs coordinated the ongoing defense of New Quantico. In the center of it all stood Captains Venn and Hollister, deep in conversation with the Battalion Commander.

As Wade and Mayumi approached, the officers fell silent, their expressions grim. Captain Venn gestured for them to join the huddle.

“Corporal Kovacs, Corporal Kato,” the Battalion Commander began, his voice low and tense. “We’ve been analyzing the Skravak attack patterns. It’s become clear that they’re systematically targeting specific personnel and intelligence assets from our previous operations.”

Wade felt a chill run down his spine as the implications sank in. Captain Hollister continued, his usual bravado subdued. “We believe… you were the target.”

The words hit Wade like a physical blow. He glanced at Mayumi, seeing his own shock mirrored in her eyes.

“The prison was their first target,” Venn added, his voice heavy. “The Admiral and Senator were almost certainly killed in that initial strike.”

Wade’s mind reeled, remembering the blinding flash that had vaporized the prison complex. He thought of Bikram, torn apart by the Skravak Hunter, and felt a wave of nausea.

“Unfortunately, Corporal Singh was killed in action,” the Battalion Commander confirmed, as if reading Wade’s thoughts. “You two are the only survivors of the original team.”

Captain Venn leaned in, his voice dropping even lower. “Which is why, as of this moment, you’re both officially listed as KIA.”

“Sir?” Mayumi questioned, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“It’s the only way to throw the Skravaks off your trail,” Hollister explained. “You’ll be assigned to the carrier orbiting the planet until further orders can be given. In the meantime, absolutely no news feeds. As far as the world is concerned, you’re dead.”

Wade’s mind raced, trying to process the sudden shift in his reality. Then, like a bolt of lightning, a thought struck him. “Jay,” he blurted out, drawing curious looks from the officers. “My brother… he was with us on the Skravak ship and during our recon… he was on his way to Ranger School. Did the Skravaks intercept that information too?”

The officers exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Captain Venn spoke. “We can’t be certain, but we have to assume they might have. We’ll take precautions to ensure his safety.”

Wade nodded, a knot of worry forming in his gut. He thought of Kristen, of the brief moment of reunion they’d just shared. How could he leave her now, let her believe he was dead?

As if sensing his thoughts, the Battalion Commander placed a hand on Wade’s shoulder. “I know this is difficult, Corporal. But right now, your survival – and the information you carry – is crucial to turning the tide of this war. Can we count on you?”

Wade straightened, pushing aside his personal concerns. He met Mayumi’s gaze, seeing the same resolve reflected there. “Yes, sir,” they answered in unison.

“Good,” Venn nodded. “Prepare for immediate evac. And remember, from this moment on, Wade Kovacs and Mayumi Kato no longer exist.”

As they left the TOC stepping back into the aftermath of battle, Wade couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more than just a tactical retreat. His guts were churning as he thought of Kristen getting the news that he was …dead. 

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