Eventually, the platoon was summoned into a small common room filled with chairs, while Sergeant Reyes prepared a holo-display. Once the Rangers had all assembled, Lieutenant Akane stepped forward and the chatter quickly faded.
“Everyone excited to go to work in your civvies?” she asked with a smile.
Kayla laughed with the others, and felt a buzz of confidence. On the holo-display, the map of Rackeye appeared, divided into six highlighted zones. Reyes zoomed in on the easternmost zone, covering the starport and industrial area.
“This will be a very tough assignment,” Akane said, “but we’ve been training hard, and I know that everyone here is ready. Second platoon has been assigned to the part of the city you can see displayed, which contains three of Rayker’s mechanized walkers. Intel determined that they are positioned in these locations.”
Three sharp yellow dots appeared. One seemed to be in the starport itself, another was by the river’s barge terminal, and a third was inside a steel works.
“So, one squad per target. Unfortunately, they are all in very public places. The consensus from command is that Rayker wants to secure key logistical and industrial parts of the city, so that she can gain total control within minutes. So far, the intel team has determined that these weapon systems are entirely isolated, sealed in their containers, and not a threat. There are no armed patrols in these areas yet, though it looks like the VennZech security force is slowly expanding their manpower and upgrading their weaponry. So, on the plus side, whatever Rayker’s plans are, it looks like we are interrupting them in the early stages.”
Kes raised a hand. “Is she really expecting the galaxy to accept the corporate takeover of an independent colony?”
A video feed replaced the map on the holo-display. Some kind of aircraft was trailing smoke and nose-diving towards a busy highway before it impacted and exploded.
Kayla’s stomach tensed. She had been out of the loop of Calderan news during their intense training. What else had she missed?
Akane nodded solemnly. “Intel further determines that VennZech is conspiring to portray a terrorist threat to the capital, which would justify their takeover.”
Kayla’s hand shot up. “Is it possible that this whole thing is a ruse to portray us as the ‘terrorist threat’ in that scenario?”
“It’s possible,” Akane said, speaking to Kayla directly, “And in that case, there could be serious consequences to this operation. Unfortunately, Valkyrie’s mission statement is clear, and command has determined that we have no choice. All examples of Jotnar technology must be kept out of human hands and neutralized. We must act now before Rayker can make her position here even stronger.”
The mood in the room turned cold, and several Rangers exchanged glances. Kayla felt more than one hand touch her shoulder, but her temper only simmered. No matter how much she wanted to protect Caldera from the League, her responsibility right now was to the women around her.
“It’s important to remember that Rayker does not understand who we are,” Akane explained. “All she knows is that her moves are being shut down by an unknown faction, which she probably believes is a part of the Helvetic League’s shadow government.”
“Unless she was a Valkyrie,” another squad leader exclaimed loudly, provoking widespread agreement.
“The highest levels of the organization have confirmed that is not the case,” Akane said.
The Lieutenant ignored the skepticism, but even she didn’t look confident in the announcement.
“We are holding all the cards,” she continued. “We have civilian clothes and vehicles. Our weapons are stowed in hidden compartments which can pass a police inspection. The task force commanders will be watching how events unfold on the ground very carefully with several high altitude, stealth ISR drones. So, squad leaders, when you approach your target, use your judgement. If you don’t like what you see, back off and observe. If things go bad, vaporize your gear and follow your escape and evasion protocol. Raiders and ODTs will provide a roaming Quick Reaction Force, disguised as cops. If things go really bad—if you’re looking at capture—they will attempt a covert rescue. Worst case scenario—Alpha and Charlie companies are on standby outside of the city. Both the Sirène, and the Erinys are holding station in the system’s asteroid belt, with Urban battalion and, I’m told, a shit-ton of Shrikes for support.”
She sighed. “At the end of the day, we’re not here to protect Calderan independence. We will get the job done and get everyone home. That commitment was given to me and the rest of the officers in person by General Smyrna.”
Her eyes found Kayla again, who shrugged in resignation.
“Nobody here wants to play urban freedom fighter, do they?” Reyes cut in. “You aren’t about to start shooting up civilians and demanding the birth of the revolution. Wei, you got over your breakup, didn’t you? And Kes, you’re keeping Barnes on a leash, right?” Muted chuckles filled the room. “So, we are not playing into Rayker’s hands. If your targets are too heavily defended, or you sense a trap, you’ll walk away, and we’ll figure something else out.”
Kayla didn’t find the attempt at reassurance very encouraging. Their enemy was vastly more cunning than they gave her credit for.
Akane hefted a small metal object in her hand. “All you have to do is get close enough to slap on one of these nanitic charges. It will reduce the mech to dust in moments. Squad leaders have been provided intel packages for their assigned safe houses and targets, so study every detail. Starting from tonight, we will begin sending vehicle convoys to the city at random intervals. You’ll have two days for recon, so get out and have a look around.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
There were dozens of questions, mostly about the contingency options if they did meet resistance, and the briefing continued for two hours. Once it was finished, Kes gathered the squad back in their room and passed around the materials from their target package.
“We’ve got the steel works,” she explained, “It’s right on the edge of town. Memorize the surrounding streets and transportation options. Kayla drives vehicle one, Bibi vehicle two. The layout is close to the mockups we practiced, and we’re going in at night when it should be quiet.”
“This container is tucked beneath the gas silos,” Kayla pointed out. “There’s no way to get a closer look at the place beforehand. It’s right in the middle of all the buildings, and the ISR drones won’t help us see if anyone’s waiting inside.”
“Intel confirmed no unusual activity at the location,” Kes noted as she glanced at the report.
“Three days ago,” Ray grumbled. “This placement is such an obvious setup—there are so many spots to hide, and one wrong move would blow the silos sky high. I mean, here’s your terrorist attack.”
Kes nodded. “Okay, I’m going to push Akane to put us at the top of the list for convoy departure. That’ll give us more time to try a recon. Make sure you’re ready to leave immediately.”
Kes got her way, and the squad left the base in the first group on the half-day drive to Rackeye. While Kayla drove her vehicle, Jess, Ray and Bao spent their time planning movements through the extensive grounds of the steel works, discussing entry routes and exits. Avoiding the main road and entrance seemed obvious. Eventually, they suggested that they should get as close as they could through the side streets, then leave their vehicle and sneak the rest of the way. Kayla, listening to the discussion from the driver’s seat, agreed that it sounded good.
After a rest stop, Ray took over the wheel while Kayla checked over the planned routes. She took a nap like the others, and woke up to find they were already inside the city limits, approaching their safe house. Ray pulled into a small lumber warehouse behind Kes’ vehicle. Pallets of wood crowded the vehicles with a tight maze, while a forest scent filled the air. Lyna slapped trip-sensors wherever she could, and the others piled into the office to set up sleeping bags.
The squad shared plans over an evening meal of heated rations, and found that they had come to similar conclusions.
“One more thing though,” offered Lyna. “I wanted to suggest a drone recon tomorrow night to get a closer look. We wouldn’t have to get inside the compound and risk triggering an alarm.”
“But there’s no aerial view,” Kayla objected. “I was thinking about climbing up on the roofs, but I don’t see any angle.”
“A small drone can get inside the tight spaces,” Lyna said.
“If it got seen, it would alert them that something was going on,” Ray pointed out.
Lyna nodded. “I know, but a kit drone could be passed off as thieves casing the place, or hobbyists looking for a cool video for their feed.”
Ray cocked her head “And if another squad tries the same thing at their location?”
“Hmm,” Kes said as she thought it through. “It’s not a VennZech mill though, it’s independent. If there was a guard, he wouldn’t necessarily think it was the corporation’s business.”
“And if someone else is there,” Kayla added, “that would give us vital intelligence about what is going on in the city.”
“Or,” Ray countered, “they could have a remote camera on the place, with a team tucked away out of sight.”
There was a short silence
Lyna slapped her leg. “I could rig the drone to drop a small radius EMP charge. Any sensors would go offline, and they’d probably send someone to check it.”
“You know what,” Kes said with a smile, “I’m starting to feel good about this plan. Let me check it with Akane.”
To prepare themselves for nighttime activity, the squad stayed awake until the early hours, then slept once the sun was up. At Midday, Kayla and Tian took a hire car and drove through the city to get a feel for the roads. Bibi and Lyna did the same for public transport, while the others made contact with a group of ODTs who were already hanging out in the area and waiting for them. A stone-faced Jess was left behind in the warehouse to keep an eye on things.
The next night, once traffic had eased, Kayla drove Kes, Ray, and Lyna within a mile of their chosen recon position, and they walked the rest of the way. They clambered up onto a store-roof across the road from the steelwork’s fence, and sat out of sight behind a set of ventilators.
“Banshee overwatch, this is Viper-two-one actual,” Kes said into a discreet radio set. “Can you patch our drone’s control signal through one of your ISR assets?”
The stealthy gunship had taken up position behind Caldera’s moon to be extra cautious, and their conversation was relayed through satellites quietly deployed to orbit. Circling above the city were several stealth drones, equipped with powerful cameras and electromagnetic sensors. After a few seconds delay, a Banshee drone operator made the connection, and Lyna was able to use the aircraft as a signal booster for her own micro-copter.
“Be advised, Viper two-one,” the distant operator said “we are monitoring VennZech’s radio frequencies and security chatrooms for activity. Will let you know if I hear anything.”
“Appreciate it, Banshee,” Kes said.
“They even plugged into the chats?” Ray said as she shook her head. She nodded to Kayla. “Your friend is a machine.”
Kayla smiled tightly. Christie was a force to be reckoned with, but probably in a lot more danger than they were.
The little device had a single rotor and tail, and Lyna had even painted it with a dark, but stylish paintjob. Exactly what a stunt flyer might use to make trouble for a viral video. Even better, it was quiet. The thing had barely left the rooftop before Kayla realized she couldn’t hear a sound. Lyna steered through her headset, and kept up a running commentary as she explored.
“Stay high for now,” Kes cautioned.
“Got it,” Lyna said.
Kayla watched a tablet display showing the infra-red camera feed, and sighed when she saw that nobody seemed to be in the area of the container. Lyna dropped below the rooftops and released the coin-shaped EMP charge, then climbed away as Kes thumbed the remote detonator.
A few lights went out, and they waited while the drone returned to pick up a new power pack. Nobody showed up.
“Okay,” Kes said, “Get in there nice and close, but don’t go inside any buildings.”
“No problem,” Lyna replied. “If it loses signal, it’ll backtrack the whole flight path until it recovers.”
Kayla almost felt nauseous watching the drone’s display as it flew between the tight spaces of the steel mill and looped around gantries. Lyna was very skilled, and the machine danced through the maze of metal without a hitch. She got as close as she could to the plain-looking container that was their objective before dropping down and slowly sweeping the whole area. They saw nothing that looked unusual, or suspicious, and radioed back their findings to the Banshee operator, who would pass the information on to the task force commanders.
“Alright girls,” Kes said with a dark smile, as Lyna brought the drone back, “it looks like we are going to do this thing.”