Ilempir
Ilempir Solar System
Milky Way Galaxy
Two hours earlier, word had begun to trickle in from other areas of Lucian Alliance controlled space. If this word was to be believed, the Tau'ri were present in the Alliance home systems in large numbers. If true, this was the largest Tau'ri show of force and demonstration of strength yet seen by the Lucian Alliance. Thus far, Ilempir had yet to receive such a visitation. Filled with false hope, the Lucian Alliance members present on Ilempir believed the Tau'ri would not dare visit Ilempir, that is if they even knew of it.
Despite that false hope, the Lucian Alliance refused to sit on their laurels. An undercurrent of paranoia spread throughout Alliance ranks. Refusing to be seen as afraid, a single Ha'tak sat in orbit above this world. Ground forces present were placed on high alert, and sat ready to quickly respond should the Tau'ri attempt to put a single man on Ilempir soil. Weapons emplacements around the large capital city of Ilempir also sat ready to deter Tau'ri vessels attempting to enter orbit.
Several problems, both known and unknown, existed with the Lucian Alliance defenses. Of the four Ha'tak's present on Ilempir, only the one currently in orbit was capable of flight. The remaining three had long ago been rendered incapable of leaving the ground. Weaponry from these three decrepit Ha'tak's was no longer affixed to the vessels in question, having been removed to build up defensive weapons batteries on the ground. These three Ha'tak's also lacked defensive shielding, as it was seen as a waste of resources to repair these systems on vessels that would never again soar through the heavens. Compounding these problems was the fact that already, dissent was already spreading through the ranks of Ilempir manned ground units.
What these three grounded vessels retained were their sensors and communications suites. Long ago, the internal workings of these vessels had been cannibalized. This material had quickly been repurposed, to construct a command bunker one hundred feet below the soil the Ha'tak's sat upon. Within this command bunker, the sensor readings, communications capability, energy production for defensive weapons emplacements, and targeting capability sat. Centralized command can be seen as a force multiplier, but it can also weaken defensive ability. That was a lesson the Lucian Alliance would soon learn.
Sitting in orbit, the single flight capable Ha'tak sat. Sensors aboard, and those on the ground below, informed the Lucian Alliance watch keepers that this solar system was free of Tau'ri presence. How wrong they were. Under cloak, two Tau'ri vessels silently stalked their oblivious prey. Having arrived hours earlier, these two vessels were simply the opening act in the coming symphony of destruction.
These two vessels, belonging individually to Norway and Russia, were of the newest rendition of the 304 design. Called by the Tau'ri the Advanced Capabilities Daedalus Class, the only real similarity with the earlier examples of the Daedalus Class was their outside appearance. In many ways, these were two of the most dangerous vessels operated by Earth. As a testbed, the vessels of the Advanced Capabilities Daedalus were equipped with systems far more powerful than their Daedalus and Improved Daedalus cousins. While the flight bays were retained, these vessels carried no fighters or small craft. Instead, those repurposed flight bays were filled with added power generation equipment, as well as potent new weapons. Equipped with conformal shields, these vessels were not equipped with Asgard derived shielding, but instead Earth designed versions of Ancient shields. Should those conformal shields fail in combat, regenerative ablative armor would protect each crew.
The most frightening capability of these vessels was that they were the first vessels to possess the ability to fire weapons while cloaked and shielded. To achieve this, conformal shielding was key. Limits to this advantage did exist though. While short bursts of fire could be compensated for by the cloaking field surrounding the conformal shielding, sustained beam fire would quickly degrade the cloaking efforts, and leave the vessel detectable until firing ceased. Commanded by the very best attack skippers of Earth's now retired submarine fleets, the crews of these ships were very adept at remaining silent and deadly.
Shortly after the arrival of the Norwegian vessel Kobben and Russian vessel Vepr on the outskirts of the Ilempir solar system, the two had silently made their way towards the planet. As they powered through the solar system unseen, Kobben left a hyperspace window simulator in her wake. While other such devices were being employed as decoys to frighten the Lucian Alliance, this particular device was meant to lure in the sentinel standing guard in Ilempir orbit.
Elsewhere in Lucian Alliance space, the Tau'ri Fleet was busily engaged in distracting the Lucian Alliance fleet. Not only were they distracting the enemy, but also disrupting any potential Lucian Alliance intervention in events to come. Communications intercepts showed that thus far the plan was working, and working well. Notification of Asgard interception of Kefflin and his flagship was the signal Kobben had been waiting for. Maneuvering away from Ilempir, Kobben charged towards the hyperspace window simulator in the distance. Giving the command, the hyperspace window discharged. As the energy wave came and went, Kobben came about, and oriented her nose towards Ilempir in the distance.
Sensors aboard the lone Ha'tak detected the signature of an opening and closing hyperspace window further out in the solar system. At the command of Sloviash's son, the Lucian Alliance commander within his underground bunker, this single Ha'tak powered its weapons and shields. Moments later, the Ha'tak broke orbit, to close on the clearly cloaked Tau'ri vessel that must be out there. In tail behind the Ha'tak was the Russian vessel Vepr.
Relaying word to Kobben, Vepr sent word to initiate the next step in the overall plan. Along the slender gooseneck of Kobben's forward hull, a single vertical launch cell sprang open. From this launch cell, a single cloaked cruise missile body emerged. Moving away on a preplanned route, this missile began to maneuver. As it did, it began to radiate a greatly enhanced energy signature of a Tau'ri vessel. This was no weapon, but instead a decoy. Known as the MOSS, or Mobile Ship Simulator, this device was meant to lure. Even in tests, with crews that should have known better, the MOSS had easily lured in hunters to their doom.
Aboard the Ha'tak, the energy signature of the MOSS was detected. As no vessel was visible, it stood to reason that the enemies cloak was ineffective in fully masking the vessels presence. This was an advantage the Ha'tak commander wished to exploit. Pouring on speed, the Ha'tak accelerated after the poorly cloaked vessel that thought itself hidden from detection. With smiles on their faces, the commanders of both Kobben and Vepr watched as the bait was taken in full.
Following the energy signature retreating away from Ilempir, the Ha'tak continued to close, while launching Death Gliders. Vepr and Kobben maneuvered below and behind the Lucian Alliance warship. As the decoy, with three vessels in trail, reached a point twenty six million kilometers from Ilempir, the tactical picture for the Lucian Alliance changed rapidly due to a single signal sent from Vepr transmitted into subspace.
Six hundred miles above Ilempir, in low planetary orbit, a single hyperspace window suddenly tore open. From this window, a single B-3 Chimera, belonging to the 7th Bomb Wing out of Dyess Air Force Base emerged. Instead of decelerating, the solitary Chimera maintained its speed. Rolling slightly, the Chimera angled its bomb bays at the landscape far below. In rapid succession, five objects were ejected from the open bomb bay. It's mission complete, the Chimera once more opened a hyperspace window, and made its escape.
Composed of tungsten boride, the five objects ejected were incredibly heavy, each weighing many tons. Two of these objects were long and slender, similar in shape to a javelin. The remaining three objects were spherical in shape, but equally heavy. Imbedded within each of these objects were systems borrowed from Ancient designed drones, as well as systems repurposed from other platforms. Around all five objects a protective energy shield formed. This was done to not only protect these objects from enemy weapons fire, but also to protect these objects from the intense heat and pressures of atmospheric reentry at speed.
Preprogrammed guidance systems, already aware of their targets location in time and space, calculated the path of travel necessary to accomplish their mission. Feeding commands to the repurposed drone propulsion systems of each object, these guidance systems commanded the objects forward. Already moving at the speed of the delivering platform, these objects quickly gained further speed as they aligned themselves for reentry.
Slicing through the upper atmosphere of Ilempir, the five objects traveled. Heat built up around the protective shield of each, as atmospheric friction and heating took hold. The long slender tungsten boride javelins quickly settled at a rate of decent of ten kilometers a second. The tungsten boride spheres, suffering a greater degree of atmospheric drag, fell at a rate of nearly nine kilometers a second. On the ground below, the Lucian Alliance and inhabitants of Ilempir took notice of the five blazing balls of fire plummeting from the heavens. To all in witness during the early morning hours before sunrise, these five trails looked like the fingers of an angry god, reaching out to smite those below.
Weapons fire, from individual weapons batteries scattered outside of the capital city of Ilempir began to belch in the direction of the five objects. Due to the speed at which the objects moved, and the decentralized method of targeting, this fire missed by a wide margin. Long tendrils of roiled air followed each object as they continued their decent at a steep angle. Despite their inability to hit any of these objects with their weapons fire, Lucian Alliance gun crews continued to pour weapons fire into the air. As they did, thunderous sonic booms resounded across the Ilempiri landscape.
Reaching ground level at a spot one hundred yards behind the decrepit Ha'tak's sitting on Ilempir, the tungsten boride javelins pierced the soil. Cleaving their way through rock and coil, these javelins bored into Ilempir with ease. A microsecond later, these two javelins sliced through the subterranean Lucian Alliance command bunker. Kinetic energy, transmitted through the subterranean structure, shattering the metallic ceilings and walls. Before the structure could collapse into itself, energy cells powering the shielding, propulsion, and guidance of the javelins overloaded and exploded. All within the command bunker, to include Sloviash's son, died in a violent explosion. Seconds later, the structure of the bunker collapsed, and forever entombed those already dead.
Soil gave way as the command bunker collapsed into itself. As a sinkhole began to form around the Ha'tak's anchored to the ground, the three plummeting spheres reached their own targets. Colliding bodily with each Ha'tak, the three tungsten boride spheres each unleashed kinetic energy equal to a low yield nuclear weapon. Outer hull plating vaporized on contact, as the spheres tore into their targets. Overloading their own power cells, these three spheres reduced the Ha'tak hulls to pea sized ejecta, which hurled upwards into the dark night sky. At one fell swoop, Ilempir was rendered defenseless, as all defensive systems were networked into powered by, and targeted with this now destroyed facility. Roiling clouds of ejecta, along with the rolling thunder of impact served as the only marker to the destruction contained under and within the forming sinkhole. In another corner of the universe, trapped within his virtual prison, Sloviash screamed in rage at the violent death of his son.
As the cataclysm of destruction unfolded, a horrible sense of foreboding ran through each crew member aboard the Lucian Alliance Ha'tak. The Tau'ri had simply lured them away, in order to remove the only obstacle standing in the way of their attack. Fear turned to rage, as long range sensors showed levels of destruction unsurvivable to any within the underground command bunker. Sending signal to the assembled Death Glider pilots, the Ha'tak commander ordered each to open fire in the direction of the detected Tau'ri vessel ahead. Hoping to double his odds of killing the enemy, he further ordered the Ha'tak's weapons to open fire on the contact ahead.
Lethal orbs of orange weapons fire streamed from the Ha'tak. To this was added the cannon fire from Death Gliders. Oblivious to the destructive forces swirling about its, the MOSS continued on along its preprogramed course. Maneuvering to new vantage points, Vepr and Kobben took station behind the Ha'tak, at forty five degree angles astern. In tandem, the two Tau'ri vessels brought their offensive systems fully online. Both Tau'ri vessels exchanged discreet data bursts as the MOSS met its violent end. Assaulted by a storm of cannon fire, the MOSS exploded.
Due to the size of the explosion from the MOSS, both the Glider pilots and Ha'tak crew knew they had not destroyed the Tau'ri vessel in their midst. Believing their target damaged and perhaps crippled, the Lucian Alliance fighters redoubled their effort. Pouring further amounts of fire into the space surrounding the small explosion, they hoped to visit death upon their enemy.
Aboard Kobben, in both repurposed hanger bays, neutrino ion generators poured power into energy buffers. Simultaneously, forward facing octagon shaped emitters, mounted together much like a sectional mirror, locked into position for discharge. Computers controlling these weapons tuned each emitter for maximum effect. When done, the most powerful free electron laser array every built was ready to fire. Kobben was not to fire first though.
While the crew of the Ha'tak concentrated on pouring fire into the area where they thought their target to be, Vepr sprang into action. On the bridge of the Russian warship, targeting information was fed directly into missile systems aboard. Giving the command to launch the weapon, the Russian ships commander prayed that the weapon functioned as intended.
From a vertical launch cell in the goosenecked portion of Vepr's forward hull, a single anti-ship missile emerged. As the missile fully exited its launch tube, it passed through Vepr's conformal shield, and into the cloaking field surrounding the ship. Powered by its reactionless drive, the anti-ship missile accelerated quickly, passing out of the Tau'ri vessels cloaking field. Systems aboard Vepr compensated for the disturbance in the cloaking field of the ship. Racing towards its target, the missile continued to accelerate. Secondary systems within the missile detected the targets active shield, and initiated systems designed to bypass such an obstacle.
Fifty yards from the Ha'tak's protective energy shield, the anti-ship missile shifted out of phase. Detecting the shield bypassed, systems within the missile returned the weapon to its original phase state. Converging on its prey, the high tech kamikaze relentlessly closed on its victim. Impacting the Ha'tak's outer hull at speed, the trinium nose cap sliced cleanly though. Burrowing into the heart of the Ha'tak, as decks rapidly and violently decompressed, the eight hundred pound high explosive warhead detonated. Fragments, racing in all directions away from the explosion, severed power conduits cleanly. In response, systems aboard the Ha'tak began to fail, as a cascade of secondary explosions rocked the Lucian Alliance vessel.
Shields, protecting the Ha'tak seconds before, faltered and failed completely. Weapons fire also ceased. Kobben chose this moment to act. From both hanger bays, fearsome and brilliant pillars of lethal laser light, nearly matching the dimensions of the hanger's opening, crossed the gulf between Kobben and her target. Unable to compensate for the disturbance in the cloaking field, the Norwegian warship shimmered into view. Burning cleanly through the Ha'tak's hull, both high powered FEL beams neatly incinerated their target. Milliseconds later, the Ha'tak unceremoniously exploded.
The destruction of the Ha'tak brought an end to the pretense of discretion. In the mind of each of the forty Death Glider pilot's, it dawned on them that they had walked directly into a trap. Altering their vectors sharply, each was torn between wanting to avenge their fallen crew, and wanting to escape to live another day. Before a decision could be reached, both Vepr and Kobben shimmered into view.
On both Tau'ri vessels, the free electron laser array's shifted from main battery direct fire, to individual emitter fire. Each emitter in the bays of both ships independently targeted a Death Glider of its own. Before any of the forty Death Glider's could maneuver away, the two Tau'ri vessels finished their grisly task. In an instant, the forty Death Glider's and their pilots joined the debris field that marked this battlefield. The task complete, Vepr's commanding officer sent word to other Tau'ri forces laying in wait.
"The road is free of obstruction. Send the heavies."
Tau'ri Task Force
Nine Light Years From Ilempir
Milky Way Galaxy
Nearly fifty four trillion miles from Ilempir, a large collection of Tau'ri warships lay in wait. This large collection of vessels was composed of many different platforms. Carrier strike groups, centered on the French carrier Clemenceau and Russian carrier Theodore Ushakov stood proudly. Included in these carrier strike groups were the associated escorts of the Athena and Crossbow classes. Accompanying the two groups was a third. Made up of Veracruz Class troop amphibious assault ships, this third group also included escorts of its own, as well as a hospital ship belonging to the US Navy.
For several hours, this powerful assault force had waited silently in their current position. During that time, the assorted crews, flight crews, and other assorted professionals were treated to a wonderful meal. Depending on how the coming combat action went, this might be their last chance for a great meal for some time. When word of Vepr and Kobben beginning their stalk arrived, the strike group readied for action. All that was needed was the word to go.
From Clemenceau and Theodore Ushakov, hundreds upon hundreds of small craft were launched. F-302's, FB-302's, EF-302's, and UCAV's could all be seen. This was to be the mother of all alpha strikes. In total, twelve hundred small craft could be seen. Divided into assorted strike packages, this collection of lethal small craft moved into position eight hundred kilometers in front of the carrier strike group. There they waited.
Sensors aboard both carriers, peering into hyperspace, detected vessels approaching. On display screens aboard both, a long line of fast racing vessels could be seen. Leading the charge were F-400 Harpy Eagle's. Behind these newest of Tau'ri fighters were B-3 Chimera's. Trailing those was a long line of C-142 Nimbus transports. Intermixed with the C-142's were several examples of the newly introduced AC-142 Nimbus, tasked with ground attack. Racing past the carrier strike group, this groups detection was the signal all had awaited.
At that moment, the go order was given. In front of the strike force, twelve hundred small hyperspace windows opened. Passing into these dimensional rifts, the twelve hundred small craft entered and then vanished from view. For five long minutes, the carrier strike group waited, impatiently. During that wait, signal was sent to Fleet Station McHenry. The message sent, the collection of Tau'ri vessels opened hyperspace windows of their own, and began their short hop into a combat zone.
That signal sent before departure would play a role in things to come. Contained within that transmission was a simple instruction for the staff of the Fleet Station in the distance. Following these instructions, the Station would transmit a galaxy wide subspace burst. That burst, intended for the entity residing within the computers of each Lucian Alliance vessel, was a command. This command was an override order, which would shut down propulsion, weapons, and defensive systems across the enemy fleet.
The Lucian Alliance would now be unable to intercede in Tau'ri plans for Ilempir.
Aboard C-142 Nimbus
Hyperspace
Milky Way Galaxy
Seated, in full combat gear attached to their exoskeletons, now Specialist Frederick Mathas and Corporal Bayhearn chatted. Good friends, they easily knew when the other was tense. That tension stemmed from the events to come. One commonality with each combat action the United States entered was Ranger's leading the way. That tradition would once again play out. In the coming combat action, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment would play a crucial role.
While the Lucian Alliance lacked the fleet strength on and around Ilempir to deter the Tau'ri, they did have assets on scene that could prove problematic. Death Gliders, numbering in the low hundreds, and removed from the now destroyed Ha'tak's on the ground, remained. This small but lethal amount of air power stood little chance of stopping a Tau'ri invasion, but could inflict casualties until air supremacy was achieved. Instead of waiting for air supremacy through superior numbers, it was decided to strike first and remove the Lucian Alliance air force present from the equation.
Ranger's are famed for small unit action. In wars past, Ranger's had played a significant role in war, while conducting deep strikes. What few outside of the Ranger community were aware of, was that Ranger's specialized in a seldom employed mission. That mission was airfield seizure. For this role, the Ranger's were on the move.
"You OK?" Mathas asked.
"I really hate the next part." Corporal Bayhearn admitted.
"Jumping? If you hate jumping, then you should have gone into admin." Mathas teased.
"Its not that I hate jumping, I just don't like jumping without a parachute. Feels wrong. I only trust things I can touch." Bayhearn explained.
"We've tested this. It works man. Remember that kid at Bragg that burned into Sicily drop zone? Personally, I feel a lot safer with this new way of getting on the ground." Mathas countered.
"Whatever you say man." Bayhearn shrugged.
The system the two spoke of was a new addition to the toolkit of the Air Force. While much of the military had thrived with the introduction of new equipment, systems, and doctrine, the Airborne were left saddled with equipment dating back nearly a century. Applying technology and innovation to the problem, a solution had been found. With this new system, known as the Enhanced Airborne Delivery System, Airborne forces would once again become relevant on the modern battlefield. Despite tests and assurances, a few holdouts among the Airborne had their doubts about this replacement for the tested and trusted parachute.
Soaring through hyperspace, the men of 1/75th were grateful that turbulence was not an issue in hyperspace. Not having to worry about vomiting was welcome benefit in everyone's eyes. The Nimbus transports carrying these men were near the front of the line of the procession of Tau'ri craft racing through hyperspace. These three, accompanied by eight F-400 Harpy Eagles, and a single AC-142 would lead the way, in true Ranger fashion.
Through the dim red lighting of the C-142's interior, those seated saw movement near the rear ramp of the spacecraft. Each turning their attention in that direction knew the individual moving around was the flights Jump Master. Turning to face the seated Rangers, aligned in four rows, the Jump Master began to call out.
"Ten minutes!" The Jump Master yelled.
"Get ready." The Ranger's replied in unison.
"Outboard personnel stand up!" The Jump Master ordered with arms held high.
In response, Ranger's seated along the outboard hull, to either side of the Nimbus, stood.
"Inboard personnel stand up!" The Jump Master commanded.
As the outboard personnel had done, those seated in the center, facing both sides of the outer hull of the Nimbus stood. Simultaneously, the very same actions took place on the other craft carrying Ranger's. On the third, things were a bit different as the third craft carried vehicles to be used in the coming mission.
"Hook up!" The Jump Master ordered.
In the past, during the days of the parachute, the order to hook up would have meant attaching a static line to a wire above. It was this static line that would deploy chutes during standard jumps. Technology brought with it a new set of actions for this order. Instead of attaching a static line, each Ranger attached a small magnetic line to the shoulder of their exoskeleton. This would allow for a final count of jumpers in the air, and would also feed information into the computer system managing the EADS.
"Last two jumpers turn toward the skin of the aircraft. Second to last jumper, check the last jumpers static line." The Jump Master yelled.
Within twenty seconds, this command was dutifully carried out. On a jump, it was commonly known that the Jump Master was the one with the power.
"Check equipment!" The Jump Master next ordered.
In response, each Ranger dutifully checked his individual load and equipment. Jumping without being certain everything is where it needs to be, and how it needs to be, was a huge no go.
"Sound off for equipment check!" The Jump Master called out.
From the rear of the aircraft, and moving forward in line, a series of 'OK" announcements could be heard. While these replies were uttered, the jump Safety NCO walked down the long lines of troops, and performed a last minute check of his own. Seeing all was as it should be, the Safety held a single thumb in the air, for the Jump Master to see. This was the signal that all was good to go.
At that moment, at spots across Ilempir, hyperspace windows tore open. Atmosphere sucked into the dimensional rift gave off a horrible roar. As each window closed, resounding thunderclaps rang out across the Ilempiri countryside. To achieve tactical surprise, this first wave of Tau'ri craft had been instructed to perform an in atmosphere arrival, a scant six hundred feet above the ground.
While the C-142's carrying Ranger's decelerated and continued toward their target, marked by navigational beacons emplaced by Pathfinder's days earlier, the AC-142 and Harpy Eagle's broke formation. The AC-142, climbing to five thousand feet of altitude, deployed its internally carried weapons along its left side. Increasing speed, the AC-142 began to circle the airfield abutting the drop zone, and opened fire with rapid fire rail guns, and a rail powered howitzer. From its circling orbit, the AC-142 poured intense amounts of suppressive fire on the airfield, while also targeting security checkpoints around the fields perimeter.
The Harpy Eagle's, climbing rapidly, quickly detected enemy air. In the distance, a two ship element of Death Glider's closed. Giving the order to splash the inbounds, the Harpy Eagle flight commander sealed the death warrants of the Glider pilots. From the rapidly climbing formation, two hit to kill missiles streaked away. Closing the distance rapidly, these hit to kill missiles bodily collided with each Glider, resulting in violent explosions. From altitude, the twisted and burning remains of both Glider's feel to the ground below.
On the transports, the rear cargo ramp opened. The rush of air that followed signaled to each Ranger that combat was but a moment away. Consulting a display at the rear of the Nimbus, each Jump Master looked at the approaching drop zone. Seeing the one minute reference point, the Jump Master's signaled to Ranger's with a simple thumbs up.
"Thirty seconds out, clear the rear!" The Jump Master called out.
On the flight deck, flight crews activated the Enhanced Airborne Delivery System. Mounted above the rear ramp of each Nimbus, the EADS powered up and began to emit a blue tinted beam of energy. Derived from tractor beam arrays found on allied vessels, the EADS worked in reverse. It would simply lower a jumper to the ground. From each Nimbus with EADS active, a deep hum rang out continuously.
"Standby!" The Jump Master called out.
Ranger's, ready for their forceable entry, stood ready. Unsettled nerves quickly settled, as training kicked in. The men of 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment were ready. As the three C-142's crossed over the field designated as the drop zone, a red light above the Jump Master flashed to green, while an audible chime rang out.
"Go!" The Jump Master yelled.
From two of the three C-142's, four lines of men stepped towards the edge of the rear cargo ramp. Stepping off, each was enveloped in the EADS wide field beam. Unlike traditional jumps, these fighting men instead felt as if they were standing on solid ground. Lowering each to the ground, the EADS delivered the Ranger's to their drop zone. Streaking across the drop zone, a long line of Ranger's descended. From the third Nimbus, M-134 rail mini gun armed XC2V vehicles emerged, and slowly descended towards the ground.
Ranger's, already seated in their XC2V off road vehicle, readied themselves for their assignments. Ranger's, also descending towards the ground below, took their individual rail assault rifles into their hands. As they did, they checked that explosive charges carried by all were ready. While falling, many turned their attention towards the destruction being unleashed by the AC-142 orbiting overhead. Weapons fire from the AC-142 tore into the flesh of Glider pilots exiting the airfields lone building, as they raced in vain towards their aircraft.
XC2V's touched down on the drop zone first. Powering across the grassy field of the drop zone, each vehicle peeled off in different directions. As they raced, gunners opened fire with the top mounted mini gun. Several of these vehicles moved to either side of the parked Death Gliders sitting silently on the tarmac. Others raced to establish a blocking force where minutes before security checkpoints had stood. Several, remaining on the drop zone but slowly advancing towards the parked Death Gliders, opened fire on the craft, shredding them with ease.
Touching down on the drop zone, Ranger's formed into fire teams. Consulting the data display in their exoskeleton helmet displays, each Ranger knew his assigned lane of advance and fire. At the run, Ranger's advanced towards the parked Death Gliders. Making their way through the maze of aircraft, small explosive charges, similar in size and shape to a test tube, were tossed in open cockpits. Small explosions, shredding the cockpits and rendering each Glider unable to take flight, filled the air with noise. Adding to this cacophony of noise were explosions near the building in the distance, delivered by Ranger mortar teams in the drop zone.
Across the tarmac, in the single building present, those of the Lucian Alliance inside knew they were in trouble. Tau'ri troops were swarming in the distance. Attempts by pilots to man their Gliders to repulse the invaders proved impossible, thanks to the weapons fire delivered from above by an unseen aircraft. Maintenance personnel, fighting for their very lives, opened maintenance bay doors, and unleashed cannon fire from Glider's parked within. Six advancing Tau'ri perished in reply. In response, weapons fire from advancing invaders, and that horrible bringer of death above, tore into the maintenance bay. In under two minutes, the maintenance bays, and all contained within, were shredded.
Since their chances of escape were nil, those of the Lucian Alliance trapped within the airfield building sealed the doors. If they couldn't run, they would hunker down, and try to exact a heavy toll from any Tau'ri sent in to clear them out. It was their only chance of making the most of a bad situation. Each knew he was about to die. The only hope they had was to take a number of Tau'ri with him into death's embrace.
Ranger's, having reached the structure, found themselves unable to gain entry. Attempts to pry open doorways failed, as did attempts to gain entry with explosives. This posed a problem on several levels. The Ranger Battalion commander knew that forceable entry and subsequent building clearing sweeps would result in casualties among his men. That was a price he wasn't fond of paying. Instead, he did the unexpected. Ordering his men to back away from the structure, the battalion commander called in fire from the orbiting AC-142. His request was simple; level the building.
Over the course of the next hour, the airfield would fall fully into Tau'ri hands. A price for this had been paid in blood though. Pushing these thoughts aside, the battalion commander learned that French and Russian airborne drops had been successful elsewhere. In the distance, a near continuous series of explosions announced aircraft from Clemenceau and Theodore Ushakov eliminating inactive defensive gun positions around the capital. Further explosions announced strikes against Lucian Alliance targets elsewhere in the capital.
Outside of geostationary orbit, the carrier strike group and amphibious ready group sat. Standing guard, escort vessels stood ready to repulse any unexpected arrivals. From the amphibious assault ships, a steady stream of drop ships flowed. Men, machines, and material of the French, Russian, and Norwegian military made their way to designated landing zones around the Ilempir capital city. Once on the ground, with their foothold secure, these forces would push their way into the city.
Within the capital city, Ilempiri partisans launched a devastating series of assaults upon Lucian Alliance living compounds. Frantic calls for reinforcement rang out, summoning Ilempir ground forces in the employ of the Lucian Alliance. These ground forces, responding quickly, raced to the barracks compounds, and encircled them. There, they sat in defensive formations, until the first of Tau'ri armored formations approached hours later. Believing the Ilempir ground forces would repel the Tau'ri invaders, those inside the barracks filled with horror as both the Tau'ri and Ilempir ground forces opened fire on not each other, but on the Lucian Alliance. Before taking their last breath, those trapped within the under siege barracks compounds bore witness to the arrival of Borealis, as the first tendrils of sunrise illuminated the smoke filled sky.
Ilempir Capital Building
Ilempir
Milky Way Galaxy
As the warmth of sunrise spread across the capital city, light gave evidence to the attack begun in the early hours of morning. What began as air strikes, and ground combat at locations around and outside the capital city soon spread. Ilempir partisans, Ilempir ground forces in use by the Lucian Alliance, and Tau'ri ground forces quickly brought the fray to the capital. Fires and smoke rose from locations across the city, as the fight waged on.
In the ornate capital building, once used as the seat of Goa'uld rule on this planet, and later as the seat of Lucian Alliance power, all was quiet. Those who would normally conduct their daily business within this building were not present, as they were trapped within barracks compounds under siege or already leveled. When fighting began, the minimal Lucian Alliance security force tasked with standing guard over the capital building, had quickly raced away towards the sounds of fighting elsewhere. Doing so, they played right into the hands of those that wished to unseat them, and later destroy them.
Loris Boch, and his band of partisans, had arrived at the building minutes before. To Loris, this seemed like the logical destination. As this was an armed uprising, it made sense to seize the seat of power for this world. That seizure would add legitimacy to the fledgling coalition government that would logically form. Long ago, both Loris and Aris had agreed that on the day of uprising, this is where they would go.
Cautiously entering the ornate lobby of the building, Loris and his partisans were ready for defenders to voice their displeasure. Senses heightened to a razor's edge, this band of men and women cleared the lobby, ready to deal death to any Lucian Alliance soldier present. Finding none, the band of partisans discussed their next move. Interrupting this conversation was a magical site. Aris Boch, and the soldiers he had taken with him to Edora, returned to material form, having been delivered by an Asgard transport beam.
"Aris!" Loris exclaimed.
"This is the day we have long dreamed of brother." Aris replied.
"The fighting is fierce, but the Tau'ri have proven true to their word." Loris stated.
"I told you they would. This fight is far from over though. To usher in freedom, we must bring all Ilempiri into this fight." Aris added.
"This will be our people's finest hour." Loris promised.
Moving quickly due to a total lack of opposition, Aris, Loris, and two partisans made their way to the topmost floor of the capital building. As they did, partisans left behind for the purpose, took defensive positions in the lobby and only entrance. Here, they would make their stand. Here, they would usher in an age of freedom for this people so long enslaved.
Reaching the topmost floor, Aris and Loris quickly raced down a marble paneled hallway. Navigating their way through room after room, the two men soon reached the room they sought. In this room was public address gear, long ago installed to deliver orders to the Ilempiri people as they were issued from the Goa'uld, and later the Lucian Alliance. When in use, this equipment broadcast announcements directly into the homes of all. That equipment could not be rendered inoperable by the Ilempiri, with penalty of death if attempted.
Powering on the broadcast equipment, both Aris and Loris locked eyes. For so long they had waited for this day, a day they both secretly believed might never come in their lifetimes. Here they were, on the cusp of achieving that dream, and both men found themselves slightly overwhelmed by the moment. They had come too far to turn back. That thought urged the men to see this through till the end. Powering on the broadcast terminal, Aris turned to his brother. With a simple nod of the head, Loris urged his brother to take that next step. Beginning to speak, Aris knew that all Ilempir would hear his words.
"People of Ilempir, the day of our salvation is upon us. No longer will we remain a people chained in bondage. At this moment, our brothers and sisters are fighting those who have enslaved us. Our dreams of Earth coming to rid us of our captors has come true. On this first day of freedom, all Ilempiri must stand together. Rise up! To mother's and father's, rise up on this day that will usher in our freedom. Fight not for your own freedom, but for a world where your children will know freedom for the first time. Rise up! Together, we can forever cast away the chains of oppression that have held us down for thousands of years. We must fight! We must fight together, as one! Take arms, and strike down those who have profited from our toil. Join our Tau'ri brothers and sisters who shed blood to purchase our freedom. Rise up!" Aris said with conviction.
"Now is the time! With every fiber of your being, you can ring in an age of freedom to our world. Freedom must be earned. Fight now! Fight your oppressors, and that freedom will taste sweet! Take to the streets and join us! The future belongs to each of us!" Loris added with fervor.
In every building standing on Ilempir, these words rang out. Listening to these words, a fire spread through the heart of all Ilempiri. For so long they had dreamed of freedom. Now, on this day, that freedom could be reached. Springing into action, Ilempiri flowed into the streets. As one, the people of this world rose in rebellion.
Lucian Alliance Prison
Ilempir
Milky Way Galaxy
In Ilempir's only prison, a prison used for troublemakers and those developing immunity to Roshna, two thousand Ilempiri were held captive. Built by the Goa'uld, this prison was modified extensively by the Lucian Alliance. As a syndicate of career criminals and malcontents, the Lucian Alliance knew the do's and don't's of prison construction well. Surrounded by high walls and filled with electronic locks controlled at a central point, the Lucian Alliance thought this security unbeatable.
Between the outer walls and the prison's entrance, an energy surge took hold. Increasing in intensity, before diminishing from view, this energy surge was accompanied by an audible chime. In the energy surge's place, four Cybernetic Autonomous Armed Tracker's stood, with spinally mounted XM-25's at the ready. Behind the CAAT's, two members of Blue Light also stood, particle magnums at the ready. Simultaneously, four similarly armed and ready members of Blue Light appeared on the topmost floor of the six story prison.
Moving quickly, the Blue Light team of four men on the topmost floor quickly moved. Weaving through winding corridors in the high security area of the prison, they were ready for enemy contact they all knew was inevitable. Their mission, which each member of the team understood the importance of, was to rescue the son of Aris Boch from confinement. If they failed to act quickly, it was certain that Aris's son would be executed in reprisal for the uprising now taking hold.
Outside the prison building, the two members of Blue Light kept their weapons aimed at the secure doorway leading into the prison's lobby. Consulting data streams being fed to their exoskeleton's from surveillance assets above, the two men were delighted to see that none of the prison staff was occupying the high walls behind. Keeping one eye on this continuous data stream and the other on the CAAT's swinging into action, the two members of Blue Light readied themselves.
Two of the four CAAT's stepped forward of the others. Into their spinally mounted XM-25's were fed low explosive breaching rounds. Networked together, the CAAT's selected their ind
ividual aim points, and insured those points were sufficiently well enough apart from one another. As one, both CAAT's discharged their weapons, firing a single twenty five millimeter breaching round apiece. Striking the prison's entrance, the heavy secure door tore from its hinges, and was violently slung into the lobby.
While the firing CAAT's reloaded from rounds stored within their metallic ribs, the other two CAAT's raced into the lobby. This lobby, as the control center of the prison, was the nerve system from which control of this building and all within stemmed. Stunned by the muffled explosion of the breaching rounds, and subsequent taking of flight by the door, the three men seated in the lobby control center were stunned somewhat. That stunning did nothing to prevent their notice of the two frightening metallic monsters charging through the doorway and towards them. Though they tried to run away, their fancy of flight came to a tragic end. Before the last Lucian Alliance soldier took his final breath, he watched as two further CAAT's entered, followed by two Tau'ri cloaked in battle armor.
Ignoring the grisly mess the CAAT's had made of the control center staff, the two members of Blue Light carried out their assigned tasks. The first, his weapon at the ready, stood guard for any response from other enemy combatants present. The other, taking a seat at the main control panel of the prison, acquainted himself with the systems now under his control. Searching through interactive holographic screens, the Blue Light team member quickly found the one he was searching for. Entering a command, the sounds of electronic locks disengaging throughout the prison was heard. Moving on to his next task, the man busied himself with opening secure doorways leading to the prison's entrance.
On the uppermost floor, the Blue Light extraction team took note of the heavy click of electronic locks disengaging across the floor. Moving quickly through winding passageways, the team was surprised that each high security cell they encountered was empty. It seemed as if the entire floor was empty. Despite this misgiving, the team continued on. After a frantic three minute search, the team finally came to a cell that was occupied. Looking through the small window built into the heavy metal door, the team's leader saw a young man. That young man was bruised, bloodied, and looked to be in severe pain. Pounding on the door drew the young man's attention. Expecting a guard, surprise flashed in the man's eyes at the sight of the strange visitor looking in on him.
"Lannis Boch?" The Blue Light team commander asked curtly.
"Who are you?" Lannis asked suspiciously.
"We're the cavalry. Your father asked that we get you out of here." The commander explained.
"My father lives?" Lannis asked hopefully.
"He does. We can talk about this after we get you out of here. Stand back. We are going to blow the door. Cover yourself with your mattress." The commander instructed.
Dutifully, Lannis laid on the ground, and pulled his thin mattress over his body. His movements pained and labored, he moved as fast as he could. Seeing this, the Blue Light team knew he would need help getting out of here.
While all electronic locks in the prison were now unlocked, this lock was not electronic. To open this door required a key, and it was a key the Blue Light team lacked. What does one do when lacking a key? Resort to other methods. Explosives are often a key all their own. Placing a small explosive charge directly on the doors lock, a detonator was next added. Backing away from the door to either side of it, the team waited. Triggering the detonator, a small bang rang out and filled the hallway.
Moving quickly through the now unlocked door, two of the team members brushed aside the thin and filthy mattress covering Lannis. Examining the young man closely, they saw evidence of repeated and brutal beatings. Three of his front teeth were shattered, leaving only jagged stumps. Despite his savage treatment, the bruised and battered young man had a fierce determination in his eyes. Helping the young man up, a team member supported Lannis against his body.
"Tell me about my father." Lannis insisted.
"We can do you one better than that. After we get you medically checked out, we can take you to him. Now, tell me what happened to you." The team commander instructed.
"I was beaten because my father and his men perished in an attack against the Lucian Alliance's enemies. Several of the guards here are related to those who crewed the vessels that carried my father into battle. To deal with their grief, they took it out on me. It looks worse that it really is though." Lannis explained.
"If you say so. We will have you out of here in a minute." The team commander replied.
Calling in to vessels orbiting Ilempir, the entire Blue Light team and their accompanying CAAT's were beamed away. With them, they took Lannis Boch. In their wake, they left the highly agitated and now free population of political prisoners. With the passageways leading to the exit open, these political prisoners would soon make their way out of this prison, and join their brothers and sisters rebelling in the streets. When Aris Boch learned of his sons rescue, he could not hold back tears of joy. His world free and his son safe; this was a day of days.
Over the course of the three days that followed, combat operations slowed. Lucian Alliance numbers continued to dwindle at the hands of the Ilempir and those from Earth. Hoping to inflict massive civilian casualties, the dwindling number of Lucian Alliance soldiers focused their rage on targets of opportunity. Moving swiftly, these small death squads were put down by the combined might of highly agitated Russian, French, and Norwegian military personnel.
When this hard fought battle reached its conclusion, the Ilempiri were free for the first time. What followed was a time for healing. Aboard Borealis, watching the medical personnel dole out incredible amounts of care to a people not their own spoke to Aulus Scribonius on a level. These were the actions of an Earth worthy of the dreams Alba Longan's had long had about their long lost kin.
Following the freeing of Ilempir, questions remained. Would the Lucian Alliance sit idly by after losing a good portion of their ground combat power? If they chose to respond, how and where would they do so? These were questions that would soon be answered. Those answers would represent the darkest day in Earth's history.