Trident Fury (The Kurgan War Book 3) (10 page)

At precisely nine o’clock, Captain Killam and Admiral Sheridan, accompanied by his aide, Commander Roy, walked into the room. Everyone stood and waited for the admiral to take his customary seat up front before sitting down themselves.

“Good morning, everyone,” said the admiral.

“Good morning, sir,” replied the group.

For the next hour, the section heads brought everyone in the room up to speed with what was happening. For Michael Sheridan, it was as much fun as having his teeth extracted. He knew it was important, but he figured some of the people in the room liked to hear the sound of their own voices. Thankfully, Killam would speed a person along if the presentation was starting to drag.
 

Just as Cole was beginning to rubberneck, Admiral Sheridan thanked everyone for their work and stood up. He moved over to a podium. Commander Roy reached for her tablet and activated the holographic projector. An image of the Titan system appeared.

“Ladies and gentlemen, for reasons of operational security, what I am about to divulge to you cannot leave this room,” said the admiral. “A stalemate has developed in the Titan system. Both sides are worn down. Our forces there are leery of starting another action which could further deplete their limited number of capital ships. Skirmishing and raids, however, do continue on a daily basis. Intelligence intercepts indicate that the Kurgans are in as bad a shape as we are and are also taking this pause to rebuild their strength.”

“Sir, would this not be the ideal time to strike the Kurgans while they are weak?” asked the captain in charge of the Sixth Fleet’s logistics.

Admiral Sheridan shook his head. “The forces there need to save their strength for another day. Only ours and the Fifth Fleet are in any shape to conduct offensive operations. Fleet headquarters has made it clear to me that until a new strategy can be found, we are to restrict ourselves to economy of force operations and avoid anything that could bring on a major fleet engagement.”

“Sir, what of the news that the Federation Council was deliberating a motion to begin exploratory talks with the Kurgans that could lead to a negotiated peace treaty?” asked another officer.

“Admiral Oshiro was called to the federation president’s office yesterday and told that if a bill was brought before the president asking him to authorize a peace mission that he would personally veto it. Even though there’s a war on, the political machinations back home never stop. We are about to go into an election year and the president wants some good news to give to the voters back home, and we are the people who will give it to him.”

A loud murmur ran through the room.

Admiral Sheridan raised his hands to quiet the room. “Folks, the president has authorized Admiral Oshiro to conduct a raid inside Kurgan territory. The reason for this action will become clear during Captain Killam’s presentation.”

Killam stood up and moved over to the podium while the admiral took his seat. An image of the Kurgan border was brought up for all to see.

“Ladies and gentlemen, approximately two weeks ago a Kurgan directive relating to the treatment of prisoners of war was intercepted by one of our long-range satellites deployed along the border. From now on military personnel taken in battle will no longer be sent to re-education camps. Instead, they will be flown directly to a prison on a planet called Klatt to mine perlinium. Until the planet was mentioned in the intercept, we had no idea that such a place existed.”

“Captain, I can’t find Klatt on the star map,” said one of the staff.

“That’s because until a few hours ago, we had no idea where the planet was located. During a recent investigation into a crashed Kurgan ship, a veritable treasure trove of information was discovered. It’s taken days to sift through everything, but we have been able to pinpoint the exact location of Klatt.”

A planet appeared on the chart.

“Sir, that planet is deep inside enemy space,” pointed out one of the chief petty officers sitting at the table.

“I know. That’s why logistics, not combat power, will make or break our attempt to free our personnel currently being held on Klatt.”

Michael Sheridan nearly fell off his chair when he heard the news. His heart began to race. After months of wondering where Tarina was and if she was still alive, he was being presented with a chance to find out. His transfer out of the fleet could wait. There was no way he was going to miss out on this mission.

“When are we planning to conduct this operation?” asked the fleet’s logistics officer.

Admiral Sheridan looked at the faces of his staff. “Ready or not, we go in five days’ time. I’d go earlier if I could, but we need that time to prepare ourselves. Don’t be under any illusions; there will be no one coming from Earth to help us. We go with what we have.”

“Sir, no one has ever penetrated into Kurgan space,” pointed out the Marine colonel. “What do we know about this prison?”
 

“Or the Kurgan strength in that sector,” added another officer.

“All valid concerns,” said the admiral. “That is why orders were issued last night for satellites to be positioned in orbit above Klatt.”

Michael knew that only one outfit in the fleet had the ships and the experience to pull it off. It would be Tarina’s friends flying into the unknown.

“Sir, how many prisoners are we looking at rescuing?” ask the Marine colonel.

“If the intercepted reports are correct, the prison population is just shy of fifty-two hundred.”

A commander leaned forward and looked over at Admiral Sheridan. “Sir, with all due respect, an operation like the one you are proposing will take weeks, not days, to plan and outfit properly. Why the rush?”

Captain Killam cleared his throat, telling everyone that the discussion was over. “If we had the time, Commander, we would take the time needed to plan this down to the last detail. However, time is not on our side. An additional piece of information recently fell into our laps that has forced our hand. It would appear that eleven days from now the Kurgans intend to use some of the prisoners during a
Kahtak
ritual.”

Michael bolted out of his seat. “Lord, no!”

The room turned silent as all eyes turned to look over at the younger Sheridan.

Admiral Sheridan shook his head. “Is there something you wish to add to the discussion, Mister Sheridan?”

Michael could feel his cheeks turning red. He had opened his mouth without thinking. All he wanted to do now was shrink back down onto his seat.

“Way to go, sir,” murmured Cole with a wink.

“Captain Sheridan, can you elaborate on the Kurgan
Kahtak
ritual?” asked Killam, giving the young officer an opportunity to make up for his outburst.

“Yes, sir, I can,” replied Michael. “
Kahtak
is the ritual by which a young Imperial Guard warrior moves from the ranks of the Young Guard to the Old Guard. It is a bloodletting ceremony in which a soldier thrusts his knife deep into the bowels of his enemy, killing him. No one can gain admittance to the Old Guard without performing this ritual. In the past, this was a conducted right after a battle. The prisoners would be rounded up and brought for execution by those young warriors chosen for their bravery in battle or by family connection to join the Old Guard.”

“Thank you, Captain. That was succinct and informative,” said Killam.

Michael took his seat.

Cole shook his head. Under his breath, he said, “Good thing you went to school or you’d look really foolish right now.”

Killam continued. “As you can see, if we don’t launch in five days’ time, we will arrive too late to help the thousands of men and women who will be slaughtered by the Kurgans. This operation will be known as Trident Fury. Trident for the fleet component, and Fury for the ground forces involved.”

Admiral Sheridan said, “Captain Killam will be forming a tiger team to help him plan the operation. If he asks you for one of your people, you give him or her to Killam or you’ll be hearing from me. To mask our true intentions, I want a training exercise to be planned for the fleet. It will commence six days from now. Commander Thomas, from the plans section, will take the lead on this. I can’t stress enough the need for secrecy to be maintained throughout the fleet. If anyone asks what is going on, refer them to Commander Thomas’ section.”

With that, the meeting ended. People rushed from the room to put in motion the subterfuge. Admiral Sheridan tapped Killam on the shoulder before steering him to the back of the room where his son and Cole were standing.

“I see the Academy’s history lessons weren’t wasted on you,” said Admiral Sheridan to his son.

“I wish I had kept my mouth shut,” replied Michael.

“Nonsense,” said Killam. “Your concern will undoubtedly motivate the staff to move heaven and earth to see that this mission succeeds.”

“Sir, how did you learn the date of the ritual?” asked Cole.

“I can answer that,” Killam said. “It was in the personal tablet found on the dead Kurgan officer at the crash site. All his personal information was on there, including a note to himself to be back inside Kurgan space in time to take part in the ritual. A major security infraction on his behalf and an intelligence coup on ours.”

“Sir, I don’t want to be a pain, but has anyone considered that the information found on the tablet is false?” said Michael.

“I did, but there are too many other pieces of the puzzle that have also fallen into place for it to be a ruse,” replied Killam. “No, it’s the genuine article.”

“I take it you no longer want that transfer out of the fleet?” said the admiral to his son.

“No, he doesn’t,” answered Cole. “If there’s going to be a rescue mission to help free our friends, then we both want in on it, sir.”

Killam smiled. “I knew you two would feel that way. The instant we start to receive live feed from the satellites soon to be in orbit above the prison, I’m going to dispatch you with a reconnaissance team to the planet. An eye in the sky is fine, but nothing beats having someone on the ground who can scout out the terrain and help guide in the ground forces when they arrive.”

“You can count on us,” said Michael.

“I’m starting my mission estimate here in this room in one hour. I’d like you both to come in and give me your wish list for the task. Remember you can only use what we have on hand.”

“Yes, sir.”

Admiral Sheridan nodded his concurrence. He masked his fear for his son’s life behind his eyes. Once more he was sending his son into battle with only the slimmest hope for survival. Nevertheless, he could not think a better pairing than the two men standing before him. If anyone could pull it off, it was them.

When Sheridan and Cole returned an hour later, the briefing room looked as if a tornado had plowed right through it. Maps, books, charts, laptops, and tablets were strewn everywhere. People were huddled in small groups trying to work out what was needed for the mission. Sheridan saw Killam talking to a short Marine lieutenant colonel with a bald head. He walked over and introduced himself and Cole.

“Good day to you, too. My name is Lieutenant Colonel Kimura,” said the officer. “I have been tasked by General Denisov to help plan the ground force composition for the raid. I’ve heard good things about you two from the general. I understand that you will be leading a reconnaissance team to Klatt ahead of the main body.”

“That is correct, sir,” replied Sheridan.

“Do you have your wish list figured out?” Killam asked.

“Yes, sir. If the admiral’s shuttle crew is available, I’d like to use them again.”

 
“We figured you’d ask for them. They’re busy getting the shuttle craft reconfigured for the long jump into Kurgan space.”

“Also we’d like to keep the team small,” said Cole. “The fewer people we have bumbling around on a Kurgan planet, the better.”

“I’d like you to take a fire effects as well as an aerospace control officer with you,” said Kimura. “They’ll be invaluable to the ground force once it begins its drop to the planet’s surface.”

Sheridan handed a note to Kimura. “Sir, we thought of that too. In total, the team we need will consist of only ten personnel. The two officers you’ve mentioned, along with two communications specialists, and four other Marines for close protection are all we require.”

Kimura raised an eyebrow. “This is an awfully small team. I can round up more if you need them.”

Sheridan shook his head. “This will be plenty. If you can find any who speak Kurgan that would be a bonus. One other thing, before I forget, sir. Master Sergeant Cole and I read over the Kurgan intercepts. The people going with us need to be prepared to work on a harsh desert planet that gets as high as fifty degrees Celsius during the day and below freezing at night.”

“I’m sure I can find suitable volunteers for you from the forces on Illum Prime.”

“Thanks, sir.”

“When do you need them?”

“The sooner they get here, the sooner we can begin training.”

Kimura nodded. “Well, it looks like you two know your jobs. I’ll make that call to Denisov’s staff right away.”

Killam said, “I hope all of our other concerns are solved that quickly. Somehow I doubt it.”