Ministry of Defense
Tagrea
Milky Way
An hour before, Kalfas and his security detail had arrived quietly at the Ministry of Defense. Instead of making his normal rounds to various officials within the Ministry, Kalfas instead made his way directly to the Ministry's Operations Center. As he had entered the spacious room, the grim looks on the faces of personnel within had been impossible to ignore. Without a single update as to the true tactical situation his forces faced, an icy ball formed in the pit of his stomach. Excusing himself, Kalfas then locked himself away in the lavatory for almost an hour. During that time, panic gripped him as he vomited and shivered. Eventually, he exited the lavatory, after finding the will within him to put a defiant face on.
"What is the overall tactical situation?" Kalfas demanded.
"At this time, we have no idea as to the location of Tau'ri ground forces. A safe assumption would be they are heading towards our location at this time." Falwan, current head of the military stated.
"Defeatist! I have no time for a Tau'ri apologist." Kalfas spat.
"Chairman, I am far from a defeatist. What I am is a realist. As much as you believe the tactical picture favors our forces, a cursory examination of the situation makes plain that is simply not the case." Falwan retorted.
"Our forces are still out there, and I believe they are fighting valiantly." Kalfas responded with indignation.
"Many of our forces have simply ceased replying to our communication attempts." Falwan explained.
"That makes clear they fought and died as fighting men do! They are doing their duty fighting the enemies of Tagrea!" Kalfas snarled.
"That is not so Chairman. Those units are communicating with one another on separate frequencies. They either have defected to the Tau'ri, or have simply run from the battle. Dead men generally do not speak with other dead men over radio channels." Falwan replied snidely.
"Restore discipline within the ranks! Any defectors are to be shot, and their families jailed." Kalfas barked.
"That order I will not comply with. Disciplinary problems can be dealt with, but I will not order the execution of my men. Nor, will I order the detention of their families. Some lines even I will not cross." Falwan responded resolutely.
"Provide me a list of units that have fled the battle, this second!" Kalfas screamed.
"Compiling that list will take some time, hours perhaps." Falwan mused.
"What of the State Guard?" Kalfas demanded.
"None have defected." Falwan answered.
"You see, our men still fight!" Kalfas jeered.
"Yes, they fight. Then they die. The Tau'ri have targeted the State Guard exclusively. Defection was never an option for them." Falwan said simply.
"Consider yourself relived of your post. Get out of my sight and join the other Tau'ri apologists!" Kalfas hissed.
Falwan's replacement, aware of the opportunity for promotion and valuing his career greatly, stepped in to brief the Chairman on defensive deployments of units available. The Ministry of Defense compound itself was defended first by nature of its design. Surrounding the complex of buildings stood a high wall, atop which gun emplacements now sat. Outside of this wall, and within the high walls in open grassy areas, lay belts of volatile anti-vehicular mines designed to destroy armored vehicles. These minefields were now activated, and ready to repel any who stumbled within their boundaries.
Due to the Ministry of Defense sitting on the outskirts of the Tagrean capital city, sufficient room for State Guard units to deploy on the far side of the complex existed. Those units remaining had converged hours before on the Ministry complex. Orienting themselves in the most likely avenue of approach for Tau'ri ground forces, on the far side from the capital, State Guard units sat in an almost checkerboard fashion. Inside the vehicles, and slit trenches holding infantry, these elite Tagrean military men mentally prepared themselves for the coming combat action. Try as they may, thoughts of the fate of other State Guard units gnawed at their minds. In the air around these State Guard units, dense black smoke filled the sky in dark shafts, from burning tires. This was done in hopes of negating the overwhelming Tau'ri advantage in the air.
Back in the Ministry of Defense Operations Center, Liptis had arrived. Maintaining his distance from Kalfas, he watched Kalfas pace incessantly, while sneering nonstop. How could I ever have followed this man so far without seeing the insanity inside of him, Liptis wondered to himself. Putting those thoughts to aside, Liptis reached in his pants pocket. Wrapping his fingers around the small device the Tau'ri fleet commander had given him, he followed each step Kalfas took closely. Watching the Chairman, if he could be called that anymore, Liptis pushed one of the two buttons on the device. From this point forward, turning back would no longer be an option. His duty done, Liptis stepped towards Kalfas and was met with a scowl.
"When this is over…" Liptis began.
"When this war is over, you will step down from government." Kalfas said, finishing the other man's sentence for him.
"Yes, I am sure I will." Liptis replied knowingly.
"Those who brought this war upon Tagrea will be held accountable! They will answer for their transgressions!" Kalfas vowed.
"I absolutely agree that they will." Liptis replied honestly.
"My plans for your future are meaningless now. When I needed your support the most, you failed me." Kalfas said with disdain.
"You and I are simply not as similar as we believed." Liptis shrugged.
"Chairman, the stargate has been dialed to the address you provided and we are transmitting now." A young officer announced.
Turning his attention to the large screen in the center of the room, Kalfas takes note of a middle-aged man in Lucian Alliance attire on screen. Now he would find the answers he sought.
"When will the promised fleet arrive?" Kalfas questioned.
"The arrival time of fleet support is not in my control." Sloviash replied.
"Victory is within my grasp, and will be easily secured once your fleet arrives! My patience is wearing thin. Inform Kefflin I must speak with him, now!" Kalfas said through gritted teeth.
Possara
Lucian Alliance Home World
Milky Way
Standing in his lushly appointed workspace, from where he ruled the Lucian Alliance, Kefflin pondered the development he had been made aware of minutes before. Kefflin was now aware of the two Tau'ri prisoners fate had gifted him, and of their estimated arrival at a designated destination separate from Possara within two days. These prisoners represented something Kefflin had not expected, but welcomed. What knowledge might be gleaned from them? Time would tell.
Turning his attention out the open window of his large office, Kefflin cast his eyes towards the large shipyard in the distance. Staggering numbers of Ha'tak and Al'kesh stretched as far as his eyes could see. Sunlight reflected off the many vessels. This was the fleet Kalfas was expecting and demanding. Currently at anchor, the main body of the Lucian Alliance rested, with no orders to deploy. Their, they would remain.
Hearing the mechanical door open, Kefflin turned his gaze. Through the now open doorway, Sloviash entered unannounced. Few could enter in such a manner without fearing for their lives, but Sloviash was among those few.
"What is it?" Kefflin asked.
"Message traffic is coming from the subspace communications array on Del'mak." Sloviash announced.
"From whom?" Kefflin asked lightly.
"Kalfas." Sloviash replied simply.
"No surprise." Kefflin smirked.
"Do you wish to speak with him?" Sloviash asked, fully aware Kefflin did not.
"Have you transferred the message to this office?" Kefflin asked.
"I have left the transmission open to my office, but given control of the message to you." Sloviash explained.
"Put the image on my screen, but transmit nothing from this office." Kefflin ordered.
Stepping to the communications console, Sloviash did as requested. His hands moving quickly over the console controls, the screen came to life. Filling that screen was the image of Kalfas. Deep worry lines were evident on his face. Also written on his face were other indicators of his mental state. From observing the Tagrean leader for les than a minute, the panic, exhaustion, and fear he felt was plainly seen. Fear was a weakness Kefflin despised, and refused to tolerate in his underlings. Walking to the screen, Kefflin pursed his lips and turned to speak.
"It appears someone needs to learn to stand on their own." Kefflin said coldly.
"Will we be deploying the fleet?" Sloviash asked.
"If that was my intention, do you think I would have done that already? No, the fleet goes nowhere." Kefflin replied without emotion.
Staring at his hand for a moment, Kefflin broke into smile. Touching his hand to the control panel, he pushed the button, terminating the transmission to Tagrea. Turning to face his underling, the smile remained on Kefflin's face.
"Pawns do not make demands of kings Sloviash. Do you know the purpose of a pawn?" Kefflin inquired.
"Distraction?" Sloviash asked, unsure.
"Yes, and to die in the name of larger conquests. One does not mourn the passing of a pawn. Do you understand?" Kefflin asked.
"Yes, I understand fully." Sloviash answered honestly.
"Join me for the afternoon meal. I am famished." Kefflin stated cheerily.
USS Benjamin Franklin
Orbiting Tagrea
Milky Way
"Are you sure the sensors are working properly?" Admiral Grant demanded in frustration.
"Yes Sir, I am. System diagnostic checks confirm that." The sensor operator replied.
"So tell me again exactly what happened." Grant urged.
"While standing watch, the sensors took note of an energy spike outside of the Tagrean capital city. This energy spike was consistent with an opening hyperspace window." The sensor operator explained.
"Did the sensors give any indication of a ship present?" Grant asked pointedly.
"No Sir, they did not. One moment the sensors were clear, and the next a hyperspace window opened. Based on the lack of low level background radiation, as compared to other ground scans in the area, it almost looks like the sensors were being hampered to a great degree. All that we picked up was a hyperspace window opening, and closing." The sensor technician explained.
"I would wager my pension it was a Lucian Alliance vessel." Grant fumed.
"If so Sir, they got away clean. Along that line of thinking, I checked the logs of our deep tracking sensor relay. Logs show we did track the vessel in hyperspace to the edge of detection range. A check of logs aboard Illustrious confirms this." The technician continued.
"We have some of the most advanced and capable sensor technology in the galaxy aboard the vessels of this fleet! How did no one catch this?" Grant thundered.
"No excuse Sir!" The technician replied formally.
"If our missing pilots are onboard that vessel, we may never get them back. Do you understand that?" Grant asked furiously.
"Yes, I do Sir. No excuse." The technician replied somberly.
"Think long and hard about that in your quarters. Consider yourself relieved." Grant said in dismissal.
Closing his eyes to combat the building tension headache radiating from behind his eyes, Grant loudly breathed in through the nose. As a career Navy man, he was all too aware of what Von Clausewitz had referred to as 'the friction of battle'. Yes, he had come down hard on the sensor technician, perhaps too hard. That was the Navy way though. Hearing approaching footsteps, Grant turned. Approaching him was the Benjamin Franklin's highest ranking enlisted man, known as the COB, or Chief of the Boat.
"What is it COB?" Admiral Grant asked.
"HMS Dreadnaught finished transfer of men and material from Earth. We have our new guests in ancillary VIP quarters." Cob explained.
"Now that Blue Light is here, we can bring this war to an end." Grant said, more to himself than anything.
"Blue Light? Sir, who exactly are these guys?" Cob asked.
"Remember deployments when strange groups of SEAL types would come onboard, and all their nametags said Smith?" Grant asked.
"That I do Sir." COB replied.
"These are the same types of guys." Grant said with a raised eyebrow.
Blue Light, was a name with considerable history behind it in the military establishment of the United States. Originally established in the late 1970's, the first incarnation of Blue Light was manned by men of the US 5th Special Forces Group. Acting as a gap filler, Blue Light had existed to fill the role counter terrorism role, until the famed and secretive 1st Special Forces Group Detachment Delta, otherwise known as Delta Force, was declared operationally ready. Upon Delta reaching initial operating capability, Blue Light was deactivated.
Events on Earth and throughout the universe brought about a resurrection of Blue Light one year ago. The unit's mission remained similar, though its makeup was now dramatically different. Instead of drawing from US special operations forces, Blue Light was now an international endeavor. Being a NATO level asset, the members came from NATO member nations, or close ally nations. The US contingent was drawn primarily from Delta, and other US tier one units. UK members came from both the Special Air Service, and the Special Boat Service. Russian members originated from within Spetsnaz ranks. Germany contributed operators from the KSK Kommando Spezialkrafte. Members of GIGN were contributed from France. The Canadian contingent was drawn from Joint Task Force 2. Rounding out these member commitments was a detachment from Poland's GROM. This new and lethal multinational force would ply their trade throughout the universe, when needed. No longer would the forces of a single nation be relied upon to fill the tier one role.
On the bridge of Benjamin Franklin, ground tracking stations followed the progress of NATO ground forces on the march. Based in current projections, the two main bodies of the armored push would be within range of State Guard units protecting the Tagrean Ministry of Defense complex within two hours. Already, self propelled artillery of the multinational ground force was well within range, and set up in fixed positions behind advancing forces. At their standing forward operating location, elements of the 101st Airborne Division were in the process of taking to their H-100 Paiute transport craft. The men and women of Benjamin Franklin's ground tracking team saw the situation below developing. Tagrean State Guard units were about to get hit squarely in the face with a hammer, and were unaware of the coming blow.
"Sir, we have an incoming transmission from the asset." A junior fleet intelligence officer announced.
"Ensign, I know you are trained to be dispassionate about methods and sources, but the asset has a name. If Liptis says he found Kalfas, then we go. Get Blue Light stood to, and ready. Sensors, I want constant tracking on the area of the transmission. If anyone leaves the area, I want to know where they go." Grant instructed.
From behind the Admiral, a young enlisted communications technician arrived. In his hand was a clipboard. Making his way to the Admiral's side, the young man handed the clipboard to the Fleet commander, before taking his leave. Scanning the document attached to the clipboard, Grant again raised an eyebrow. During his time in the Navy, he had seen some stunts, but this took things to a new level. Clearly, this was politically motivated.
"You are note going to believe this." Grant sighed tiredly.
"What's that Sir?" COB asked.
"Read." Grant said while handing the clipboard over.
Scanning the document, the Chief of the Boat also raised an eyebrow, and chuckled.
"It actually says trailing the flag. It's different; I will give it that Sir." COB replied.
"Its political grandstanding, and nothing more. Ridiculous if you ask me. Ok people listen up. We have new marching orders from National Command Authority. Signal all fleet units to converge. We are going on an up close sightseeing tour of Tagrea." Grant announced.
One hundred miles from capital
Tagrea
Milky Way
Sitting in spread out formation, the M2001A self propelled howitzers were ready. Modeled after the cancelled US Army Crusader program, these vehicles also bore the Crusader name. Propelled by naquadah powered electrical drives like the other new ground systems deployed, the Crusader-A was a far different animal from the original design. In place of the original chemically powered main gun, a high energy rail gun now sat.
Artillery employment tasking had arrived from the ground force commander ten minutes before over each vehicles IVIS data link. Their orders were to perform something often trained for by artillerymen; TOT. Time on Target is the coordination of artillery fire by large amounts of weapons, so that all rounds arrive on target at the same time. Target locations fixed from space were known to each Crusader, as was their own precise location on Tagrea. These variables were input into the onboard firing computer, and factored into the overall TOT calculation.
Unlike artillery systems of the past, Crusader relied on heavy levels of automation. Loading the main gun was a rapid acting autoloader. The firing computer, networking with surrounding vehicles over the battle net, would perform the actual firing mission. All that was required from each Crusader's crew was simply to push the button allowing automated systems to carry out their assigned task. This, the crews had already done.
As the networked firing computers counted down to their assigned firing time, individual crews double checked that their vehicles were locked down and sealed. Of their own accord, each electrically driven rail gun howitzer super elevated. In concert, each of the ne hundred and fifty Crusaders fired. Belching fire, each let loose a 90 millimeter round at seven times the speed of sound. One second after firing, nitrogen purged each barrel, cooling the internal firing rails. As the cooling process took place, each howitzer barrel lowered several degrees. This fire, cool, lower, fire cycle would repeat eight more times. When complete, a total of one thousand three hundred and fifty rounds would be screaming towards State Guard forces one mile per second.
Ministry of Defense Complex
Tagrea
Milky Way
State Guard troops ringing the Ministry of Defense sat in silence. That silence was deafening. To say the mood was tense would be an understatement. Tension, exhaustion, and uncertainty gripped these elite fighting men of Tagrea. For days, they had expected and even hoped for a decisive set piece battle. For whatever reason, such an engagement the Tau'ri invaders refused to offer. The cat and mouse game of maneuvering by Tau'ri forces had forces Tagrean ground forces to remain hyper vigilant, which led to incredible degradation in combat efficiency. Unknown to Tagrean commanders, this was a major component of the Tau'ri battle plan.
From atop the high walls surrounding the Ministry of Defense, a spotter team noticed an irregularity in the distance. Tagrea was known for its unexpected dust storms, which cropped up unexpectedly, blotting out sunlight for hours at a time. This though, was different. Approaching in the distance, a wall of dust could be seen. Only one thing created such a sight to the spotter's knowledge, and that was a mass of vehicles on the march. This could only be Tau'ri forces. Less than a minute later, word went out to the ground units surrounding the complex. Battle would soon arrive at their doorstep.
Receiving word of potentially incoming Tau'ri ground forces, already alert Tagrean fighting men perked up at the news. Exhaustion long ago set in had worn their patience to the breaking point. Now, all these men wanted was for this conflict to end. Thoughts of sleep and a warm meal pervaded the minds of all. It was now a game of waiting. That wait was to be far shorter than any expected.
From above, a high pitched screaming noise grew in volume. Vehicle crews sitting in open hatched turrets looked around in confusion. Infantrymen in slit trenches, unlike vehicle crews knew exactly what this noise meant. Diving for cover, many of the infantrymen took cover under their gear. Seeing this, the Tagrean vehicle crew's confusion grew. Before any could further contemplate exactly what they were seeing and hearing, the first of many artillery rounds struck.
Over the course of twenty furious seconds, thirteen hundred and fifty rounds crashed into the State Guard formations. Lacking any explosives, these rounds were far different from artillery rounds of the past. The destructive power lost through the removal of explosives was more than made up for by the velocity and kinetic force of each round. Slamming into the area at seven times the speed of sound, each round delivered with it the equivalent destructive force of a forty ton object impacting a stationary object at one hundred miles per hour. Those rounds that struck lifeless soil left four foot deep and seven feet wide craters in their wake, throwing dirt and rock high into the air.
Rounds impacting near the slit trenches housing Tagrean infantry transmitted their force into the surrounding soil. These trenches, some shallow, while others deep, collapsed. Men and equipment found themselves buried under a deluge of shifting soil. Rounds impacting groupings of vehicles pulverized their targets. Tearing through the light armor, these rounds continued on through the vehicle bodies at extreme speed, before continuing on into the soil below. Due to the high speed of these rounds, the atmosphere inside of the vehicles struck superheated, and men and equipment were torn apart in the receding vacuum left in the rounds wake.
As vehicles and equipment exploded from the impacting rounds, secondary effects quickly followed. As each destroyed vehicle exploded, burning wreckage shredded the surrounding vehicles. Flame, smoke, and terrified screams from men under attack filled the air. Those still somewhat aware noticed the quaking of solid ground during the assault. To these men, it seemed that the gates of hell had been thrown wide open, and swallowed their reality in its entirety. The assault ended as quickly as it had begun.
Survivors, of whom there were many, suffered many effects of the bombardments aftermath. Mouths gone dry were filled with dirt and grit. The scene around them played out in silence, as their hearing was gone. Though they could see their comrades screaming, it played out in eerie silence. In all, it was a scene from a horror movie. Men, bleeding and torn, stumbled about. Many were unaware of their life threatening wounds, thanks to shock. It was because of that shock that many were able to somewhat function. In more serious cases, it was that shock that brought an end to their lives.
Getting their wits about them, the surviving Tagrean's readied themselves for a second bombardment. Such a strike was not forthcoming, nor was it planned. Instead, the next phase of the Tau'ri assault came from the air. Those able to realize this attack was just beginning looked up and saw their executioner. Corkscrewing in for the right of the battle line of State Guard units while descending, sixty AH-99 Blackfoot attack craft joined the fray. Unseen by those on the ground due to distances involved, panel opened on each Blackfoot.
Extending outward from within each fuselage, M-261 launcher assemblies emerged. Each of these contained nineteen rockets. These rockets were modifications of the Hydra 70 platform, referred to as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System. Instead of the traditional free flight unguided Hydra 70 used for decades, each APKWS was instead a laser homing weapon. From the laser designator of each Blackfoot, the guidance beam illuminated concentrations of enemy infantry.
Instead of volley fire, the Blackfoot flight crews were patient and selective. First to be targeted were large groups of enemy combatants. Once fired, each APKWS accelerated to twenty three hundred feet per second. Homing in on the laser illumination beam, these lethal flying bodies ignored the humanity they targeted, and cared only of tracking in on the targeting laser. Hitting within feet of the beam, each APKWS launched ended its existence energetically. Seventeen pound high explosive warheads detonated, adding to the carnage unfolding on the ground.
While infantry was engaged, other Blackfoot's opted for air to vehicle engagements. The light armor of Tagrean vehicles meant the standard antitank munitions were overkill in the extreme. Descending to eight hundred feet of altitude, rail gun like mini-guns opened fire. Ripping noises tore through the air as each mini-gun spat seemingly endless rivers of high velocity rounds at vehicles lucky enough to remain whole after the artillery strike. As vehicles exploded, those crewmembers lucky enough to bail out before their vehicle was consumed by fire were ignored. These individuals would later go on to win the lottery.
Seeing their brothers dying in droves, Tagrean's manning anti-vehicle cannons atop the Ministry's high walls opened fire. Firing at the Blackfoot's within range, these teams poured lethal fire at the enemy of their world. These rounds meant to destroy armored vehicles struck three AH-99's. The first exploded midair. The second was struck on the chin of the dagger shaped fuselage, killing the crew, and resulting in the craft plummeting to the ground before exploding violently. The third Blackfoot struck, though heavily damaged, remained airborne. Injured though they were, the flight crew managed to pilot their craft away towards the safety of their forward operating base in the distance.
Seeing their fellow aviator's demise, the other Blackfoot crews redoubled their efforts to reduce their ground borne enemy to zero. Pulling out of range of the gun crews atop the Ministry's high walls, they instead focused on those beneath them. Radio calls over the battle net sealed the gun crew's fates. Appearing quite unexpectedly, in flashes of brilliant silver light, exoskeleton clad Ranger's atop the wall.
Seeing the sudden appearance of enemy ground troops out of thin air, the Tagrean gun crews were caught incredibly off guard. Maintaining firing discipline instilled during endless hours of training, the Ranger's advanced towards the gun emplacements with weapons trained on crews. One gun crew chief, out of panic, attempted to level his rifle at the advancing Tau'ri. Before the weapon was brought to bear on his target, the gun crew chief saw a flash of light, before the world went dark. The round fired from the Rangers individual rail gun eviscerated the gun chief with ruthless, though bloody, efficiency. Other gun crewmembers atop the Ministry's wall threw down their weapons, refusing to share the fate of so many others of their world. These fighting men already disarmed, were flex cuffed, and beamed away. The wall mounted anti-vehicular weapons were in turn destroyed with explosives, allowing the Ranger teams atop the wall to take over watch positions facing outward.
In the distance, the two advancing armored columns of Earth opened fire at extreme range. These opening shots targeted vehicles, instead of infantry. In the eyes of the ground force leaders, these vehicles were far more dangerous to the next phase of the overall plan than infantry were. Many of the Tagrean vehicles failed to open fire, so overloaded by the combat scene unfolding around them they were. In cases where crews opted to abandon, Tau'ri tank crews waited until the Tagrean crews were clear before firing on and destroying the Tagrean fighting vehicles.
State Guard warfighters under fire from the air, and the approaching Tau'ri armored forces, failed to take notice of events unfolding behind them. In stacked formation, forty H-100 Paiute transport craft descended rapidly to the track of open ground between the State Guard forces and the Ministry complex. To ensure the Paiutes delivered their cargo unmolested, in this case the vanguard force of 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division, the AH-99 Blackfoot attack craft redoubled their efforts. Huge amounts of fire poured towards the diminishing numbers of State Guard fighters. Explosions rang out from Tagrean ranks as the Paiute's descended.
Coming to a stop just three feet above ground level, from the open rear ramps of the transport craft, infantrymen exited. Jumping down the final three feet to the terrain, the exoskeleton clad combat troops readied themselves to secure the outer perimeter of the Ministry of Defense complex. That is where problems began. Had these men not been equipped with exoskeleton's, their weight would not have been enough to set off the pressure triggers of high powered anti-vehicular mines buried in the soil below. Inadvertently, this Air Assault was taking place in an active minefield.
Thirty seven of the Paiute's disgorged their troops without incident. Three, sadly, were not so lucky. Jumping clear of the ramps of these three transport craft, the first men to exit triggered anti-vehicular mines directly below their landing point. Mines of this type in the services of militaries on Earth were designed to disable vehicles. The Tagrean design philosophy was based around destruction of an offending vehicle. Beneath the feet of each of these three men, eighty pounds of high explosive detonated. Without ever knowing what was happening, these three men perished. The explosive force tore the exoskeletons apart.
The shock wave from these detonations, after consuming the three men, continued into the three Paiute's fuselage. Adding to this, exoskeleton fragments ripped through critical systems of the three craft. All three craft were immediately disabled, and fell bodily three feet to the ground. On impact, further anti-vehicular mines detonated, destroying the three craft, and ending the lives of all aboard.
Seeing the explosions among the craft, infantrymen already dismounted dove to the ground for cover, as they had been trained to do. Thinking enemy fire was to blame, these men had no reason to distrust their training. That was to be their undoing. Along the line of Paiute's, infantrymen dove for cover, triggering further anti-vehicular mines. As these exploded, a cascading set of detonations took place, stemming from sympathetic detonation. Seeing their comrade's dying in great numbers, those not wounded rose to their feet and attempted to sprint for the Ministry wall in the distance. Many of these would make it, while many would not.
Each exoskeleton was equipped with a medical monitoring system. This was done for a number of reasons. First, this allowed command elements to monitor the health of each soldier. Second, it alerted medical teams of an injury as it happened. Many of the wounded men's exoskeletons immediately began to transmit the medical emergency status of their occupant. In orbit, the sudden disappearance of several of the exoskeletons from the battle net was also noted. It was clear a tragedy below was unfolding. Despite a lack of exact numbers of injured and dead, t was clear to all in the fleet casualties would be high. Without a second thought, transports in all vessels of the fleet began to beam injured away from the battle. When it was said and done, one hundred and eighty one men of the air assault force would be found to have perished.
The surviving six hundred and nineteen men of the air assault force, upon reaching the Ministry wall, turned to ascertain the fate of their comrades. Seeing those fallen beamed away, the remaining men continued their assigned mission. Anger flowed threw their veins. That anger soon turned to cold fury and rage. Pushing forward to the nearest entry gate, with their weapons ready, these men hoped for contact with the enemy. Avenging their brothers outweighed even accomplishing their mission.
Swarming through the gate, they quickly fanned out through the courtyard. Already under fire from Ranger's atop the high wall, Tagrean roving security teams under cover opened fire on those joining the fight. This firefight favored the Tau'ri, simply due to their weaponry, and targeting assistance each exoskeleton offered. In cases where Tagrean soldiers remained under cover, infantrymen of the 101st simply fired at the concrete barrier separating their targets from death. As Tagrean's fell, the men of the 101st advanced. So too did the Ranger's.
Atop the center tower of the Ministry of Defense, silver tinted light expanded and contracted. This same process repeated within the adjoining lower set building beside the tower. The men of Blue Light had arrived. Also clad in exoskeletons, those of Blue Light were equipped with an additional piece of technology that others were not. Activating their phase shifting device, or Tollan origin, the team atop the center tower effortlessly passed directly through the security door in front of them.
Guided by moving maps in their helmet displays, the eight man team in the tower broke into two elements of four operators apiece. Descending the maintenance staircases, the two teams encountered little resistance. The team within the adjacent building found themselves engaged in a vicious firefight. Tracking data from the beacon carried by Liptis was relayed to all. Their target was on the move.
Reaching the fourteenth floor, the two tower elements saw that their target had ceased moving. Once again activating their phase shifting devices each passed through the stairwell door with his energy pistol at the ready. Encountering no resistance, the first team through the door broke into two teams of two men. These two teams stationed themselves at the both ends of the hallway. The second team passing through the stairway door followed suit, and also broke into two teams of two mean each.
This second group of two teams moved into offices to either side of the office suit the tracking signal was emanating from. The team from the right side office opted to continue to target first, to avoid a friendly fire incident with the other group of two men in the entry group. Readying themselves mentally, and with their phase shifting devices still powered on, the first group of two men again brought their weapons to the ready, and proceeding through the wall separating them from their target.
"Listen to what is going on out there! The battle is lost!" Liptis argued.
"The battle is not lost! This will be the Tagrean fighting man's defining moment!" Kalfas spat.
"You are deluded to think that!" Liptis fired back.
"When a Tau'ri walks into this office I will agree the battle is lost. Until that time, shut your mouth!" Kalfas bellowed.
As he said those last words, Liptis saw movement and could scarcely believe his eyes. Men in armored suits, obviously Tau'ri, were walking through the wall as if it was not there. For a race with incredible weapons and an interstellar fleet, this was something he did not expect. Seeing the wide eyed look on the face of Liptis, Kalfas quickly turned, and was greeted with the same sight. In a state of panic, Kalfas ran to the far corner of the room.
His security detail, not prone to panic, hesitated when they realized that these intruders were walking directly through a solid wall. One starred blankly at the two exoskeleton clad Tau'ri, while the other opened fire with his machine pistol. Seeing his fellow security officer firing, the second Tagrean also opened fire. As the two Blue Light operators powered down their phase shifting devices, machine pistol rounds impacted their trinium outer armor. Instead of opening fire with his particle magnum, the nearest Blue Light operator crossed the four feet between himself and the large table in the center of the room. Putting his hands underneath the table, while making great use of his enhanced strength from the exoskeleton servos, the operator tossed the heavy wooden table at those firing upon him. Both men hit with the table went down under the table's weight. Not taking chances, the Blue Light operator tossed the table aside, and stunned both security detail members.
As his fellow shooter dealt with the security detail, the second Blue Light shooter in the room secured his energy pistol. As he did so, he advanced on Kalfas. Biometric analysis of Liptis's facial structure confirmed to the shooter that Liptis was in fact a friendly, thus not requiring his immediate attention. Kalfas, cowering in the rooms back corner, withdrew a slender stiletto dagger. Lunging at the approaching Tau'ri, he fully intended taking life. Instead, Kalfas found his wrist locked in a metal clad hand with incredible strength, while the Tau'ri soldiers other hand slammed viciously into his abdomen. With a whimper, Kalfas crumpled to the floor. His reign as Chairman was at an end.
Fighting outside of the Ministry of Defense complex, and within, continued for three more hours. Word of the capture of Kalfas slowly spread through the ranks of the Tagrean military as a whole, with the assistance of Liptis of repeated radio broadcasts. Finally, even the most diehard members of the State Guard opted to lay down their arms.
In the Tagrean capital city, civilians who had not abandoned the city took to the streets. The sounds of a battle nearby filled the air. Muffled explosions could be heard, as they echoed off the tall buildings of the capital. Not knowing where to go or what to do, the civilians made their way to the Hall of Governance, the titular seat of power of the Tagrean government. There, at the foot of the Hall's steps, this writhing throng of humanity waited. What came next shocked and enthralled them.
Five hundred feet above the capitals highest building, the Tau'ri fleet moved in formation. Vessels of such size and shape had never been imagined by many of those present on the Hall's steps. To those considering continued resistance, this sight forever quashed that idea. If the Tau'ri could build space faring ships, many miles long, in such great numbers, how could victory over them ever be expected?
At the top of the Hall's steps, shafts of light came and went, depositing exoskeleton clad Tau'ri troops in its place. These armed men looked out over the crowd, unsure of what to expect, but ready for whatever might come. The one thing they did not expect was the one thing that happened. Tagrean's young and old began to clap, applaud, and cheer. Unsure of what to do, the Tau'ri soldiers held their ground, but waved politely.
Three minutes later, Ashwan, Burlis Kot, and several other high ranking and well respected Tagrean's beamed in. Seeing these well known men standing there, the Tagrean cheering grew to a roar. Emotion swelled from the crowd, as if their wildest dreams wishes had just been granted. As the cheering continued, Liptis was beamed in. Seeing the mans arrival, Kot and Ashwan looked upon him, and to his surprise shook his hand.
"It was brought to my attention that without your assistance, this war would still be going on." Ashwan began.
"Kalfas is in Tau'ri custody. What they plan on doing with him, I have no idea. Right now, I wonder what you will do with me after what I have done." Liptis said timidly.
"I have pondered that. Burlis Kot, what say you?" Ashwan asked.
"I think we have a man who has learned a valuable and expensive lesson. In the end, he put Tagrea before his own life. This world needs men of that caliber in power." Kot said honestly.
"I am in agreement. Of course, a Minister of Defense needs a strong career officer to handle the daily running of the military as a whole. I am certain you will serve Liptis well." Ashwan stated.
"Only as long as it takes to rebuild the military. Then, I will gladly retire once more." Kot agreed.
"Burlis Kot, look at how many of the pilots you knew and loved have perished. A large part of the blame rests on my shoulders." Liptis said with genuine sorrow and regret.
"Only a handful of my pilots were lost. The vast majority of those shot down were transported to Tau'ri ships with their magical transportation technology." Kot admitted.
"Truly?" Liptis asked in shock and hope.
"He speaks the truth." Ashwan added.
Before another word could be said, two members of Blue Light, with Kalfas standing between them, beamed onto the steps. The arrival of Kalfas sent stirs and murmurs throughout the crowd. While Kalfas believed the Tau'ri soldiers were beside him to keep him prisoner, the truth was that they were there for his protection.
"What will you do with me? Take me to Earth and deliver some warped style of justice?" Kalfas demanded in an arrogant tone.
"Your fate is at the mercy of the people of this world." Ashwan proclaimed.
"They will not stand for any judgment you dole out, I assure you!" Kalfas argued with disdain.
Before another word could be said, the crowd at the base of the steps, a crowd overcome with anger, surged forward. Turning around quickly, Kalfas broke into a thankful smile, believing his people were charging to his aide. How wrong he was. Were it not for their exoskeletons, the two members of Blue Light might have been trampled. Kalfas, must to his misfortune, was not so lucky. The leading ranks of the crowd pummeled Kalfas, venting their anger and hatred on the man who brought war to their world. For five furious moments, the crowd kicked, scratched, punched, and spit on the man they labeled a traitor.
Finally, after much effort, Tau'ri soldiers removed a badly beaten Kalfas from the fray. Then, he was promptly turned over into the custody of Burlis Kot's men. Only now could the war be considered over. In days, the process of healing Tagrea through reconstruction would begin. With the assistance of the Tau'ri, this world would be made whole once more. On Earth, the end of this conflict would be the beginning of a new and uncomfortable chapter in political history for the sitting administration, but no one knew that just yet.