Grendels by Zachary Deaderick Read Free Book Online Page A

strain.  Sanders watches the three dimensional tactical overlay of the air space over Solace.  In just two hours the carrier fleet stationed just behind an asteroid cluster has shifted into deployment position. 
    Twelve thousand total ground troops poised to drop onto the surface of the rock and seize control of any weapons systems. 
    From the ground several air defense stations begin to light up the night sky trying to intercept the amphibs. 
    “All ships, evasive maneuvering.  I say again all ships evasive maneuvering.”
    The commander of aerial operations looks just like Sanders remembers his pilots looking, somehow detached from the action but intensely in control. 
    “Gunships, move on those installations.  The AA is focusing on our transports.  You should be able to get in close enough to bring them down before they take you out.  Move!  Those transports won’t last long when we get up close.”
    Suddenly a battery of return fire flickers down through the atmosphere exploding and flashing, Most of those rounds will never reach the surface.  Got it Sir, do something.  Maybe we got lucky and a few of those rounds penetrated the atmo.
    Sanders watches the tactical map with his advanced overlays as commander of ground operations.  Several of the gunships wink out as additional arrays of defense measures activate. 
    “Atmo AA active.”
    Little late, boss, Sanders sighs watching two more gunships wink out before the gunships focus their fire on the close in air cover destroying their compatriots.  The short tanged AA doesn’t last long against the direct attack.  With the ground based shields the more expensive long range AA continues pounding out rail rounds close to C.
    A transport splinters in the atmosphere spilling equipment and personnel.  Sanders grimaces, “First casualties.”
    A counter spins up on his screen.  The timer counts down from forty seconds.  He calls off the intervals starting every five seconds at thirty.  As the last few seconds approach the jerks of the parachutes and rockets drive each passenger ferociously into their seats. 
    “I forgot how much this sucks,” Davis says.
    “The next part is going to be far worse,” Sanders sighs.
    “Not hunting squids anymore, huh?” Miller says and asks, seeking someone to talk to and delay the inevitable.
    The counter reaches zero and the crate smashes into the ground sides popping on explosive bolts and dropping flat.  Ahead a small city sprawls out with hundreds of other parachutes raining from the sky.
    “Turn us around Mils!  We dropped between the city and the airfield,” Sanders taps the screen setting waypoints on the map and dragging units along routes to the target.
    “All units, roll out, engage only as necessary.”
    “Roger sir,” Miller responds to the command to spin the vehicle.
    Ahead through the feed from the Hunters, the fully loaded soldiers watch as several smaller lighter hovercraft dart out the gate of the space station.  Each of the small vehicles is mounted with a small cannon on its roof.
    “Pretty sure those aren’t authorized for daily use,” Davis laughs.  “Drill ‘em,” he says activating the weapons console.
    Thompson sweeps the vehicles with the Gatling cannon.  Each of the vehicles gets several shots off with its small cannon but the rounds ricochet noisily off the hull.  A few seconds later several of the much larger caliber rounds from the cannon rip the hovercraft into debris.
    “Well this is all going smoothly,” Davis says clipping his rifle back onto his shoulder.
    “Yeah but they have armor and aerial support somewhere. . .” Sanders says on the short range.
    “All ground forces,” Sanders says switching channels to command, “This is commander Sanders over ground forces for KS, Keep an eye out.  We know they have significant aerial and ground support equipment.  We should be expecting heavy MBTs.  Be sure to mark anything on the command map that pops