Chapter 6 - A Sentinel In Silence (1/2)
A military red alert had been suddenly issued all over the moon base and PK-170 planet a few minutes ago. Immediately afterwards an emergency was declared over the moon base. The festive atmosphere that prevailed all morning had suddenly been replaced by a grim tone.
For the past two days, Salazar had been at the PK-170 military base disguised as a new private recruit. Since, Balthazar had contacted his grandfather, a bunch of people began to move in the shadows. Once, Salazar used to work for Balthazar's father, John Blyth, now he works under Max's father, Walter Blyth. Salazar owes a life debt to John and was his confidant. He became one of the Blyth family's secret members. He was one among the few who was not a Blyth, but cared about Balthazar. When, Balthazar left asklepian, he promised Walter that he wouldn't set foot in asklepian until Walter himself contacts him. Walter taught Bel many things after John's death and knew Balthazar wasn't one to break his promises for no good reason. When Walter came to know about Balthazar's message, he could only assume that he was in some kind of danger and Salazar was sent to PK-170 among a bunch of about 50 recruits on an interplanetary exchange program.
Entering a military base filled with fighters was almost a suicide mission for an assassin, especially if one's target is the someone like Balthazar. Balthazar was almost always surrounded by many personnel. Impersonating a recruit new to the base was the best kind of disguise an assassin like himself could ask for. He wouldn't be judged on losing his way in the base and he could also request and enter a few restricted areas portraying the attitude of diligent recruit interested in operations of the personnel. This allowed him to silently eke out the location of Balthazar most of the time without standing out.
The same disguise allowed him to get onto the moon base today. Many personnel from PK-170 went to the moon base to take part in the festivities and Salazar managed to get aboard one of the shuttles to the moon. When the emergency was declared, the situation at the base rapidly changed. All the regular personnel dashed to man their respective posts and the visitors either found their way to secure bunkers or found their way to the hangars to participate in the war.
As soon as the emergency was issued, Salazar messaged Walter of the situation and found his way to the largest hangar and docking station along with the rest of the recruits. By the time he reached the hangar, a fleet of about 30 warsh.i.p.s just took off.
”Anyone who is not a personnel posted on this base, please don't involve board any ship or shuttle. This is an emergency, any ship or shuttle which doesn't belong to the military flying above 2000 ft of surface level would be considered a hostile air craft during this time and the turret guns at the top of the buildings would auto target and shoot them out of the air,” sounded a voice from the speakers.
”Any military personnel who are visitors can either seek refugee or can request for land-based combat weapons, warframes and support our efforts. Our personnel at the west end of the hangar, near the supply station would allot you the associated tools and co-ordinate you efforts. Kindly don't try to go air-born as it will be extremely dangerous and also hamper our efforts,” continued the same voice. This was kept repeating for a few times before it stopped.
Hearing the message, Salazar with his group of recruits decided to join the resistance against the apes and went ahead to the supply station. The lieutenant charged with allotting and co-coordinating their efforts was at a table busy with a bunch of papers and computer.
”Kindly write your name, designation, technical skills and experience in less than 50 words and submit it. Once we verify your identity, we will allocate you firearms and commandeer your services as necessary,” said a fully armed and armored soldier handing out leaflets. ”Need mechanics urgently. If any person has experience in spacecraft maintenance and repair could immediately verify their identity and please stand to that side. You will soon be guided by one of our personnel,” he continued.
Being a bunch of new recruits sent recently to the moon, they could only provide their identity and provide it. ”Let them reinforce the hangar guards and our personnel here, we will be able to spare some of our men to other places,” he thought. Being a veteran who always was on the frontier for the past 4 years, he felt that his men could be of more use than babysitting a bunch of volunteers. He immediately assigned a few of them to verify the identities of the volunteers and others to guard around the hangar.
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PK-170-B command centre:
”Location of Lt. Col. Chang?” asked Balthazar to Daisuke.
”He was at the supply station by the hangar 1, Sir. On his way here,” replied Daisuke.
”No need. Direct him to the hangar. We recently brought a vanguard battleship to the hangar from the planet for the showcase today. Let him commandeer the vessel. It will provide great advantage against the aliens. They seem to have a similar vessel in their armada. Have the rest of his battalion board the destroyers and commence attack,” ordered Balthazar.
”Lt. Col. Jane has also come to the moon with me. Have her assist in securing the merchant vessel at the dock. A merchant vessel like that escaping such a large alien armada is extremely unconventional. There is a good chance that the armada managed to somehow reach very close to our territory. We need to know everything about them. Have Jane secure and detain them near the merchant ship in the hangar. Don't let them out of the docking station. Once, the situation has settled down a bit, I will also join the interrogation. The faster we would be able to counter-attack and patch any security issues we overlooked. We have several dignitaries and other higher officials we need to explain how this happened. Inform the rest of the military on the planet and Major General, Brixton also be aware of the incident,” continued Balthazar.
”Yes Sir, as you said we need to provide them with an explanation. Also they have brought many personnel along with them to provide them security. They have been contacting us and insisting that their men and sh.i.p.s support us in safeguarding the moon. These forces alone could add on a fleet of 30-40 sh.i.p.s on our side. I would suggest we send them to support and co-ordinate with Lt. Col. Chang Biming,” suggested Daisuke.
”Fine,” said Balthazar. ”Make note of all the personnel and let them join our efforts. Inform Lt. Col. Sophia to immediately prepare available forces from the planet to support Daisuke. Enable the shield-fire protocol to bolster our defence and announce that any non-military vessel will be fired upon. As we are including other personnel, let us also ask for volunteers from the visitors. It is best that we co-ordinate them than have random incidents. This would also enable our forces involved in repair, rescue and other operations on the surface.”
”Volunteers? Sir, asking for volunteer would put our reputation at stake. We have more than enough to defend the moon. It is unnecessary to take such drastic measures. Shouldn't we reconsider this?” asked Daisuke.
”No. It is best we ask for volunteers. The intent of this base is not just to establish a secure relay point but also to increase the alliance interstellar territories further. The enemies have trapped themselves trying to attack us here. We can defend the base for sure. But, we need to seize this chance. Moreover, our requests for reinforcements have always been delayed. An ask for volunteers would emphasize our cause and hopefully they would take our requests much more seriously,” replied Balthazar. ”As for repute among the rest of the alliance force. HAHAHA. I have been a colonel for only 4 months and it is my first time commanding a force of this size. I know many consider me to be inept and young. Our achievements today would speak for us. I care for my personnel and the safeguarding our territory not the my reputation. I have take under consideration your concerns and it would be noted, but relay the request for volunteers as my command.”
The battle at the moon which was supposed to be disadvantageous to the alliance forces from the start didn't go as planned. The alien forces which expected a mild resistance were bombarded by the citadel from the start and had great casualties. They couldn't get near the moon, being incinerated by the intense firepower of the various interstellar cannons and bombardment weapons affixed on the moon. They could only retreat in defeat but their return was being covered by the fleet from the moon and this hampered their safe return. Also these were only the forces from the moon. They would soon be reinforced by the fleet from the planet.