Stand or Fall (The Omega War Book 4) Read online

  Stand or Fall

  Book Four of The Omega War

  By

  Kevin Ikenberry

  PUBLISHED BY: Seventh Seal Press

  Copyright © 2018 Kevin Ikenberry

  All Rights Reserved

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  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it wasn’t purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

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  Cover Art by Ricky Ryan

  Cover Design by Brenda Mihalko

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  For My Girls.

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  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Acknowledgements

  About Kevin Ikenberry

  Titles by Kevin Ikenberry

  Connect with Kevin Ikenberry Online

  Connect with Seventh Seal Press

  Excerpt from “Assassin:”

  Excerpt from “Wraithkin:”

  Excerpt from “The Replicant War:”

  * * * * *

  Chapter One

  New Persia

  Torgero System

  The MinSha fleet transitioned into the system and spread into battle positions. At the head of the wedge formation of six ships, the cruiser Shendil-ya powered up her weapons and sounded an approximation of general quarters on the orders of the group commander, Major General Drehnayl. Using wall-mounted grapple holds, she vaulted onto the bridge and clambered to the ceiling holds before pushing off and dropping into her specially-molded command chair. The mantis-like alien’s wide and unblinking compound eyes took in the scene. The command crew of eight hunched behind Tri-V screens and monitored the fleet’s transition from hyperspace to combat deployment.

  “Colonel Chee. Report.” Drehnayl activated her consoles, and the cluster of Tri-V displays came to life showing their target and a significant debris field approaching.

  “General,” her executive officer replied with a respectful bow of her head. “New Persia appears to be a standard planet capable of supporting Humans. It’s smaller than Earth and doesn’t have quite the same ecosystem. There are significant deserts and minimal fresh water resources on the surface. We’ve found—”

  “Where is Nigel Shirazi?” Drehnayl interrupted. “Have you located his ships?”

  “Negative. We sent a request for information to the gate master, but we’ve not heard a response.” Chee paused. “We are prepared to bribe them, as required.”

  “Get the information however you need to. If the gate master doesn’t respond, send an assault force to make my point known.” Drehnayl’s antennae vibrated slightly—a sign of annoyance—and her compound eyes studied the mission timer on her Tri-V. The strike force would not reach a tactical parking orbit for more than a Human hour. They could use this time for high-speed reconnaissance and preparation. “Launch the full remote sensor suite, Colonel. We need as much information as possible.”

  “Probes launched.” Chee looked up from her console. “There is the matter of the debris field bearing 120 mark 5, declination minus 15 degrees.”

  “Analysis?”

  “Debris pattern and type suggest MinSha vessels, General. A destroyer and a cruiser for certain. Possibly a gunnery frigate,” Chee said. “By the position and distribution of debris, we can assume the ships were lost attempting to transit to the gate, which would suggest Shirazi has indeed been here and fled. We’ll need the passage records from the gate master before we can confirm.”

  Drehnayl’s antennae sagged. Asbaran Solutions was a ground-focused mercenary unit of despicable Humans. That they, and not a true space-faring company like the Winged Hussars, could destroy several MinSha capital ships and successfully flee without significant casualties worried her. Humans were agile and capable fighters who could adapt and improvise much better than the collected Union believed. Since their first combat engagements, Humans had managed to inflict significant damage on technologically-superior species. Drehnayl and the immediate sisters in her clutch shared genes with some of the MinSha killed on Earth during what the Humans called First Contact. Like her sisters, Drehnayl’s hatred of the ugly, bipedal, furless things bordered on legendary.

  “Time to sensor engagement?”

  “Forty seconds. Long-range, preliminary scans are complete,” Chee replied. “Atmospheric readings suggest high levels of radiation consistent with multiple nuclear detonations. All settlements, except one, are destroyed. There is no artificial activity of any type on the electromagnetic spectrum. Debris patterns at all settlements are consistent with extremely high-yield nuclear devices.”

  Drehnayl perked up her head. “One settlement survived?”

  “A small settlement in the southern hemisphere known as Tal-al Badr. It lies near one of the planet’s natural, fresh water lakes. Union records show it as a long-term storage facility, what the Humans of North America call a boneyard. Sensors over Tal-al Badr show an active perimeter defense system, and the population is estimated to be 5,000 Humans.”

  Drehnayl’s head jerked back to Chee. “That’s not what Union census data shows.”

  “Affirmative. The data is inconclusive but appears to suggest 93 percent of this settlement are females.”

  “That bastard,” Drehnayl chittered in disgust. “Shirazi came here and recruited all the males capable of fighting. Our sisters came to stop him, but Asbaran Solutions managed to inflict great damage and get away. But why would he annihilate the other settlements?” She let the question die on her mouth. Shirazi was a decent mercenary commander, but he was Human enough that she did not believe him capable of such an atrocity against his own kind. Humans had certainly done so before, but a rebuke of any recruiting effort hardly called for nuclear retaliation.

  Unless someone else used nuclear weapons. There were certainly other mercenary commanders willing to take on a mission like Drehnayl’s and eliminate humanity from the outer settlements, but Chinayl had asked her privately and specifically. The idea that Chinayl believed she would fail and send others to ensure mission success left a horrible taste in Drehnayl’s maw; however, she was far from certain. There was nothing to suggest such a course of action from her commander, and Drehnayl
believed she held her clutch-sister’s trust.

  “Orders, General?” Chee asked.

  Drehnayl clasped her foreclaws together and stared at the image of the distant settlement. Though it was fuzzy, she could see Human figures moving through the streets and between dwellings. Annoyed, she snapped the display away from the destroyed MinSha ships and back to the debris field. Someone else had eliminated the major settlements on New Persia. Who it was didn’t matter—they’d failed. They had not completed the final job of cleansing the entire planet which left her forces to do the dirty work. Her anger rose quickly, and she did nothing to prevent its seeping to the surface. As it did, she had a convincing thought.

  The Four Horsemen had been reduced to scouring the galaxy for soldiers and equipment. Shirazi had made a grievous tactical error. In his quest to bolster his forces, he’d likely taken all the defensive capability of the planet. His belief that the MinSha debris field would deter additional attacks was presumptive and stupid. Unless he’d left ships behind, his gambit was foolish and surprisingly careless. The remaining Human settlement, prepared for battle as they seemed to be, had been left there, alone. Why? Was it needed for Human sustainment? Was it hiding something valuable?

  “Are there any ships in the system capable of mounting a defense?” Drehnayl looked at her operations officer, sitting across from Chee. The young MinSha turned her eyes to a curved Tri-V display for ten seconds before answering.

  “Negative, General,” Colonel Nyalla replied. She’d been appointed to the crew only six months before at the personal recommendation of General Peepo. To her credit, Drehnayl had never seen a better tactical officer.

  Drehnayl glanced again at the mission timer. Every second she gave the Humans was a second vital to her success. On her Tri-V screen, thick columns of smoke rose like pillars of obsidian from the shattered cities. Destruction on such a massive scale was simply impossible for a Human mercenary company. Shirazi had most certainly plucked the planet clean of capable soldiers, but he wasn’t the one who destroyed the cities. Nor were the destroyed MinSha ships near the gate to blame.

  Nigel Shirazi had been there, though. Sensors suggested the fires and destruction across the planet had raged for several days. Whoever the colonists were, they meant something to Shirazi. That was enough to justify their deaths. “What equipment sits unused at the depot, Chee?”

  “There is a significant amount of spare parts and useful debris, but I’ve been unable to ascertain what weapons they have in their possession.”

  “Worst case scenario?” Drehnayl asked.

  “If Shirazi came through, he’s likely taken everything useful from them. Whatever remains is probably colony defense turrets and the like,” Chee said.

  “I disagree,” Nyalla said. “Pardon my interruption, General, but I believe Shirazi would not have left the colony completely defenseless. I expect heavy resistance from stand-off distances. I also expect them to have at least a few armored vehicles and CASPers at their disposal. We will outnumber them, to be sure, but they remain capable of causing losses.”

  I detest humanity. Drehnayl seethed with anger. “Dispatch the Astriya to the gate. Get the records and find out when Shirazi was here.”

  Chee responded. “Affirmative. Recalling sensor platforms and—”

  “I did not order that, Colonel.” Drehnayl stressed Chee’s rank with pure disdain. “Did I?”

  “General, I presumed we would jump—”

  “We will, but only when I say so.” Drehnayl looked over the bridge. “Set battle conditions, load weapons platforms, and prepare the infantry for deployment.”

  A flurry of activity began, and Drehnayl could not help but notice Colonel Chee and Lieutenant Colonel Nyalla locking eyes across their consoles. “Is there a problem?”

  Nyalla turned to her. “No, General. Preparations are underway. Combat Level Alpha forecast in twenty-six minutes. Fueling landing vehicles has commenced.”

  The general turned her eyes to Chee, who stared back. The colonel’s antennae twitched in agitation. So, you’re the problem.

  “What is it, Colonel?”

  “General, these Humans are hardly worthy of an attack. From what we can see, women and children comprise the population. They have little fighting ability and minimal defenses. Shirazi and his mercenaries have taken everything they need to survive,” Chee said. “Attacking this settlement endangers recent progress. You’ve read the reports from Weqq. The Human Peacemaker defended—”

  “Enough!” Drehnayl screeched and stood, straining against the restraints holding her to the floor. “You will never mention that Human in my presence again, Colonel! I do not care about her or any of them! Do you understand?”

  Chee bowed her head respectfully. “Yes, General.”

  A green light appeared on Drehnayl’s Tri-V display. The automated sensor suites had reached the planet and were broadcasting. She leaned against her chair and calmly looked at Nyalla. “Scan for defenses as well as any operational garrisons or defensive positions. I want to know what these Humans have and what they might be hiding.”

  “Yes, General.” Nyalla looked up at Chee, who took over the report without glancing in the general’s direction.

  “Confirmation of the population estimate from earlier—there are five thousand, six hundred and thirty-eight Humans in the settlement. There are no other species represented. There are only six males in the settlement over the age of eighteen. We have a video feed.” Chee opened a display window from the distant probe.

  Over the settlements, low concrete-walled structures flew the flag of Asbaran Solutions which was all Drehnayl needed to see. “Commit attack forces at the earliest opportunity. We will raze that settlement and burn it for good measure.”

  Nyalla replied. “Combat forces confirm receipt of mission order. They are prepared to deploy in eighteen minutes.”

  A chime sounded over the bridge. Chee responded immediately. “Incoming transmission from the gate master.”

  Drehnayl tapped her console, and the gate master’s rumbling voice came through as clearly as if the Sumatozou was next to her.

  “General Drehnayl, my compliments. This is Akchtart, the Torgero Deputy Gate Master. Your cruiser has arrived and has threatened to destroy the gate should our office not cooperate.”

  Drehnayl chittered. “My compliments, Akchtart. Yes, my crew is prepared to do what I order them to do. You have a clear choice in the matter. Either give me the flight information plans for Asbaran Solutions, or my crew will specifically target the administrative areas of the gate and extinguish your light from the universe. You have thirty seconds to comply.”

  “Honored Drehnayl, certainly such information is worth something.”

  Greedy bastards, gatekeepers all. Drehnayl felt her anger rising. Her vision tightened as she spoke slowly and carefully. “Akchtart? I will spare your life for the information I demand. That is my offer.”

  “Firing on this gate is punishable under the agreements of—”

  “Do not quote agreements and treaties to me! I am under the orders of General Peepo, herself. Your guild has acquiesced, in full, to her demands. You will transmit said information now, or I will destroy you.”

  There was silence for ten seconds, then the transmission icon flashed twice and turned red. Data packets received. “Transmission complete,” the deputy gate master replied, defeat in his rumbling voice.

  “You chose well, Akchtart. You will receive my landing party now and turn over all other information they demand.”

  “But, I’ve given you the Asbaran flight plans. What else could you need?”

  “Besides your unwavering loyalty?” Drehnayl chittered. “Let’s just say I must plan for any eventuality. You will understand once my team arrives.” She terminated the transmission and glanced at Nyalla.

  “Combat forces at Condition Alpha. Reconnaissance elements prepared to deploy.”

  “Send them now. I want a clear picture of the enemy before we de
stroy them.”

  * * *

  New Persia

  3km NE of Tal-al Badr

  Captain Lurne glanced through her combat binoculars and ground her lower jaw. Below her, the Humans were blissfully unaware of the MinSha presence. There was no evidence of planetary sensors or defensive systems. The settlement teemed with activity, but she saw no weapons. Women and children in long, flowing robes worked in small gardens or hung laundry to dry in the light breeze. For a Human colony, it was almost idyllic. Among the low buildings stood several large, industrial facilities surrounded by equipment of different shapes and sizes—many things the infantry commander had never seen.

  Tal-al Badr was a maintenance and storage depot with the necessary harnesses and facilities to support work on two hundred mechs simultaneously. Humans called the things CASPers, and while Lurne couldn’t see any, she could see the cannibalized hulls of more than two dozen tanks in the center of a vast storage yard containing at least five thousand pieces of equipment. Lurne knew Humans sometimes stored combat implements in arid climates, and there were plenty of those facilities on Earth.

  Boneyards, she thought. Humans and their silly terms.

  Lurne tapped the communications specialist on the shoulder. The connection to the Shendil-ya activated, and she heard General Drehnayl’s voice. “Report.”

  “Confirmation of automated intel, General. No weapons or sensors observed. There is an active perimeter defense, but it looks soft.”

  “Understood,” Drehnayl said. “Set attack conditions. We have authorized landing at your position. Once the infantry offloads, wait for sub-orbital bombardment to complete before you sterilize the settlement.”

  Lurne twitched her head. “Say again, General? Sterilize the settlement?”