Page 103 of Star-Crossed Captive
Krispin spoke, voice hard. “We have only one chance to reclaimOrionand we need to move quickly. Our attack includes Captain Litka of theRebel,” he nodded to the woman on his right, “and Captain Ionadi of theMercenarywho will be joining us in two hours.”
Good.Ionadi was a hell of a captain. Mace wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of her weapons.
Krispin touched the holotable, and an image ofOrionrose at its center. The same two Guardians Mace had seen during their escape flanked the station. The CORE had cleared a larger path in the minefield, a corridor wide enough for warships to move easily. Two more Guardians protected the edge.
“These are the last updated positions we have of CORE forces defendingOrion—orObsidian Station, as they have renamed it. Two more Guardians, theAllianceand thePrestige, will be here in thirty hours.”
A rumble went through the group. Three Destroyers against four Guardians was doable. But six?
“Our siege will begin in twelve hours. Commodore Cache will be coordinating the infiltration team. Commodore…”
“Thank you, Admiral.” Cache touched the table’s surface and the minefield and the Guardians protecting it disappeared whileOrionenlarged, showing the inner workings of the station. “I’ll be leading a covert team of eight to infiltrateOrionto obtain control of her command center and fly her out of the system. We have apprehended a CORE freighter stocked with Marauders. We’ll use the freighter to bypass their security and gain access to the station.” She highlighted the docking bay in Section A. “The infiltration team, led by Commander Mace, will cut a short path to the command center.”
Mace raised an eyebrow, which she ignored. He would never shirk any mission given to him, but it would have been nice to get a heads up.
Cache continued, “I’ll also have a technical team with me. We’ll gain access to the main terminal and use the emergency systems to vent the atmosphere, clearing most of the station’s defenders in one maneuver.”
Mace frowned. It was an extremely risky operation with a lot of holes.
“What of the survivors on the station, sir?” This was asked by one of the sub-commanders at the far end of the table.
Admiral Krispin answered. “From what we understand from multiple sources, when they took the station, they used extreme prejudice. We’re expecting no survivors.” Hisses and growls rumbled through the group. “Which brings us to our frontal assault. I’ll be coordinating with Captain Litka and Captain Ionadi to destroy the Guardians protecting the corridor.” He touched the panel andOrionshrank, replaced by the image of the two Guardians, the mines columned on either side. “We will begin the attack once the freighter has landed. The frontal assault will serve as a distraction and aid the infiltration unit.”
“What of the two Guardians docked to the station?” Commander Sheefra asked. Beside her, Foley stood with his arms crossed over his chest. His hard eyes assessed as he stared at the images of the Guardians.
The Admiral enlarged the image ofOriononce again. “From our intel, we know the majority of their crews were deployed to the station, leaving skeleton crews aboard the docked ships. It’s unlikely the Guardians would undock and join the fight in the corridor in the time frame we’re implementing.
“However, they each have a full detail of Marauders at their disposal. That’s where our third prong comes in. Commanders Sheefra and Foley will launch Strix and lure their fighters into the minefield. Once Commodore Cache has control of the station’s systems, the technical team will be able to use the mines against the Marauders as well as the Guardians.”
“How do we know they don’t have control of the mines already, sir?” Foley asked.
The Admiral looked to Cache.
“We were able to lock key systems before evacuating,” she responded. “One of those was the remote mines. We don’t believe they were able to circumvent the override because they used a controlled detonation to create the corridor.” She paused a moment to enlargeOrion’scommand center. “Once in control of the station, my team will unlock those same systems and use them against the four CORE Guardians.”
Foley was still frowning. “And how do we know they won’t use the station’s weapons against us, sir?”
“The weapons were disabled by the virus implanted by the same traitors who blew the engine cores. Even then, as a precaution, we were able to lock the CORE’s ability to access the weapons.” Cache cocked her hip to the side. “Unfortunately, we were rushed and once we gain control it will take some time to getOrion’sdefenses up and running.”
“Some time, sir?” Foley asked with eyebrows raised.
Cache didn’t respond.
“Sir, what of the Marauders on the freighter? Can we use those?” Commander Sheefra asked.
“Unfortunately, no,” Cache answered. “We need the entire quantity so scans of the freighter won’t betray us. As well, we can’t exceed their crew compliment, eight in total. I have three on my technical support team. Commander Mace will have three others on the infiltration team.”
Krispin checked his vambrace, “The freighter will disembark in five hours, ten minutes. Be prepared to reclaimOrion. Dismissed.”
The group scattered, their voices punctuated with restless adrenaline. Admiral Krispin indicated he wanted to speak with both Mace and Cache. They walked through the departing warriors to the end of the table.
“Sir,” Mace said once he stopped in front of him.
“It’s good to see you Commander, even under the circumstances.” He extended his arm, and they clutched each other at the elbow briefly.
“You too, sir.” A close friend of his father’s and nearing his nineties, Krispin was war-weary. Mace knew he would much rather be with his wife, kids, and grandchildren than coordinating a high-risk offensive.
Krispin frowned at Cache. “There seem to be a few details left out of your plan. Are you prepared?”
