Battle for Proxima by Michael G. Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

Sir.”
    “Of course,” answered the Captain, her tone was anything but sincere.
    “I see your unit has sustained casualties, I’m here to clear up the mess.”
    “Mess? We’ve sustained no casualties, Sir, and our operation is ongoing. We have a lead on Zealot technology deep inside the site. Sergeant Morato is in the process of moving drones into the area to investigate.”
    “Sergeant Morato? Weren’t you both privates less than a year ago?” she asked, with a barely hidden sneer of contempt. “I recall you were implicated in the murder of the President of Kerberos. Who gave you a combat unit? You should be in the brig!”
    “I’m sure General Rivers would be interested in your thoughts regarding our mission to Kerberos,” said Spartan, ever happy to rise to the challenge.
    The Captain looked at him carefully, trying to size up the man that had risen so quickly through the ranks.  From a private, to sergeant and beyond.
    “The civilians are being returned to a safe holding area in New Carlos for debriefing. I will assist in the remainder of the operation. What is your tactical situation?” she asked, doing her best to keep the previous conversation out of her mind.
    Spartan shook his head inside his suit. It wasn’t that the officer was a woman, far from it. He’d already served under women, finding them no better or worse than the men. No, this one was the classic officer with something to prove. Spartan may not have been a marine for very long, but he’d seen more action than most and also his fair share of self-serving officers out to make a name for themselves.
    “The Landing Platform, as you can see, is clear. The tunnels, up to two hundred metres out, are secure and we have sentry sensors placed at all the access points. Sergeant Morato and one fire team are working in the mine shaft to investigate a narrow shaft, where we think we may be able to isolate insurgent equipment or intelligence.”
    “Intelligence? Good, that’s what we need. My company is well equipped to control the situation, I suggest we use your...heavies to continue their search. My 1st Squad is already on its way down. We will set up a command post on the Platform, along with a supply station. You will move back into the tunnel and continue your investigation. I will send an additional squad to liaise with you under my platoon sergeant.”
    “Sir? We do not need additional manpower, our full platoon is more than enough.”
    “Nonsense, your armour might make you feel invincible, Spartan, but it is just going to restrict your movement and slow you down,” she said in a tone that told Spartan the discussion was over.
     No sooner had she finished speaking, when the first of the squad arrived. They were all equipped in the same PDS armoured suits as the Captain, though each was painted with a grey and tiger stripe pattern.
    “Nice colours,” said Spartan, forgetting for a moment that his intercom was still on, so they could all hear.
    “Lieutenant, I will send some mules to your position, it will allow you to stay down there for a little longer,” she said in a tone that suggested he shouldn’t return for some time.
    “Affirmative,” he said and turned back to his own unit.
    The Captain’s 1st squad spread out around the defensive cordon established by the Vanguards. Some were carrying cases with more sentry sensors and automated turrets.
    “Vanguard Platoon, we’ve been relieved. All units regroup back in the tunnel, we will continue our operation,” he said into the unit’s private intercom channel.
    The Vanguard units guarding the Platform stood up and moved away from their positions, making their way to the ramp. They were easily twice the size of the other marines with their large torsos, multitude of weapons and heavy industrial equipment welded directly to the frames. As the last three moved past, he looked back to the Captain who was busy marching about giving orders to her unit. Dozens of her marines, with