Chapter 125: Halthor Sector Campaign Episode III
A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while I've been busy setting up my Paetron account.
Which I am happy to say is now officially up and running. So check it out if you like my stories. For I will now be posting many of them there and here.
Anyway, enjoy this double chapter update readers.
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[Infinity, Hyperspace, En Route To Halthor System]
Sitting in one of the Infinity's conference rooms I patiently waited.
Tapping a finger from my left hand atop the table where I was seated.
Humming a tune to myself I stopped when the door to the conference and the person who I had been waiting for arrived.
A human male with short dark-hair, a five o'clock shadow, and brown eyes. Standing at 1.80 meters in height. He is currently wearing a GSA's officer uniform with the insignia of a major on his uniform shirt collar.
This man's name is Kaidan Alenko.
My second-in-command.
At least for this operation.
The reason we are meeting is to make finalizations, or in case needed small revisions, to the battle plan that had been developed for the ground forces that would be deployed on the planet Halthor itself once we arrived in-system and began our operation to free it and its residents from the rule Jcebi and his followers.
Because from what I have learned about the Rodian from reading the dossier the GSA Defense Forces had put together on him I know for a fact he will not simply surrender when we show up.
Which actually makes we a little happy.
Better to make that bastard suffer a bit before ending his pathetic existence.
Entering the conference room major Alenko headed straight for me. Seeing this I stood up and then when he reached me we shook hands for a few seconds before breaking it.
"Major Alenko, a pleasure to finally meet you face-to-face." I spoke.
Since this is the very first time the two of us are meeting.
Because while I had a hand in planning this operation I didn't have a hand in every detail of it. Including those I would be commanding in the ground forces.
Though I do think it is better this way.
Since I would hardly have a good idea of who to pick in regards to this situation. Maybe if I had a bit more experience under my belt, but right now I am basically wet behind the ears concerning such matters.
That's why I left such decisions up to those better equipped to handle it.
"The same to you Colonel Sunrider." He replied.
Once Alenko did so the two of us sat down and started going over our overall strategy in regards to the ground campaign we would employ in regards to Halthor.
Making any revisions we saw fit too.
Though not too many, since we didn't want the general operational plan to fall apart.
In no time at all we were finished.
Then once we were major Alenko and I brought our meeting to an end.
"I'll go and distribute this revised strategy to the commanders." Alenko told me.
"Yes, thank you." I replied. "Also major I have a request I wish to make of you."
"What might it be sir?" Alenko asked me.
"If when in battle to come you see me making or even think I am making a terrible mistake I want you to speak up or call me out on it without any hesitation." I told him seriously.
"I, are you sure colonel Sunrider?" Alenko asked me.
"I am." I replied. "Since I am not looking to get our soldiers killed unnecessarily. I am looking to complete our mission while bringing as many of them home alive as possible. So if you need to feel to smack around a bit to do that then so be it. I won't hold it against you in the slightest." I told Alenko.
Since to say I am not feeling pressure right now would be a lie.
I've fought in battles before, and during my time as the leader of Dominicus I led others into battle.
But this upcoming battle is a completely different ball game.
It is a military campaign.
Where I will have thousands under my command.
Not to mention this is the GSA Defense Forces first ever large-scale military operation which we are using to show the galaxy what we are all about.
The stakes are high, and if I mess up then its not just me who will suffer but others as well.
Just thinking about all that makes we wish Marcellus, Yennali, or any of the others were here right now so I could talk to them and voice my concerns. Hell, I'd even take HK to talk too.
Unfortunately all of them are busy with other things.
So it's just me.
'It'll be fine. You got this.' I thought to myself.
"Yes, I understand colonel Sunrider." Alenko replied to my words.
"Good. Thank you major." I spoke.
He nodded once at my words.
The moment after he did we both left the conference room and went our separate ways.
Me heading towards the Milano for some privacy so I could meditate to calm my nerves and ease my worries.
For if they are this bad now I can't imagine what they will be like once the battle begins.
I guess I'll know soon.
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[Halthor Sector, Halthor System]
In the void of space within the Halthor system everything was normal.
Then all of a sudden everything changed.
Courtesy of the GSA taskforce led by rear-admiral Dalinat.
Emerging from hyperspace they announced their presence without any hesitation.
The Infinity out in front, the supercarrier led the charge of the ships from the GSA Defense Forces. Followed by the other twelve that had been assigned to its taskforce.
Which were four Marathon-class heavy cruisers, three Orion-class assault cruisers, three Palisade-class cruisers, and finally two Charon-class light frigates.
Needless to say the small fleet was an impressive sight.
That would cause many to give up just by laying eyes on it.
However the people the taskforce were dealing with were not ordinary.
They were not simply pirates or slavers, but part of a former empire ruled by a warlord who had been occupying their target Halthor for years.
Which they were not about to give up without a fight.
Still, even knowing this might be the case the GSA were going to give them a way out.
Standing on the bridge of the Infinity, Pellaeon by her side, Dalinat held her hands behind her back folded together. A calm and serene expression on her face, despite the adrenaline-rush she was feeling.
But thanks to her training she was able to keep her actions under control.
"Comms, open a channel on all frequencies." Dalinat ordered.
So the comms personnel on the bridge at their stations did just that.
"It is done admiral." One of the comms officers told Dalinat.
Giving the officers a curt nod Dalinat then quickly focused on the open comm channels and began speaking.
"To Blolkic Jcebi and those working under his command, I am rear-admiral Dalinat Killest of the Galactic Systems Alliance Defense Forces. My taskforce has come to this system to liberate the planet Halthor from your rule. Given all the crimes you have committed against its inhabitants. The reason I am contacting you right now is simple. I am offering you this one chance to stand down and surrender. If you do I promise you will be treated humanely and fairly. Refuse, and me and my taskforce will show you no mercy. The choice is yours." Dalinat spoke.
She then raised her left hand and made a gesture.
When she did so the comms personnel closed all open comm channels on all frequencies.
Dalinat then began awaiting a response from Jcebi and his forces.
Though she didn't have to wait more than five minutes for an answer.
"Admiral, multiple ships and starfighters are on attack vectors with the fleet!" One of the bridge crew exclaimed.
"I see they have chosen then." Dalinat spoke. "So be it. Take the fleet to combat status, get me targeting solutions on those ships, inform the ground forces they are to begin preparing for deployment, and tell our own fighter corps to launch." She ordered.
"Yes, admiral!" The voices of the entire bridge rang out.
When they did so Dalinat simply nodded.
Her eyes focused on the holographic display the holotable in front of her was showing.
It was of the forces under her command, and the enemy forces.
The display was of the battlefield.
A battlefield which Dalinat told herself to claim complete and utter victory over.
Just thinking of doing so brought an unconscious grin to her face.
A grin her second-in-command Pellaeon couldn't help but slightly shiver upon seeing.
For he found it make his superior look like a devil in human form.
A statement Pallaeon would soon come to realize was closer to fact than fiction.