Free Operation Hellfire by Michael G. Thomas Page A

space. At the centre was a series of three planets, and near one of them a blinking indicator marking the Spacebridge they would be arriving from. The Captain tapped the model, and the Spacebridge lit up.
    "The Ararrh System is home to the most substantial military installation in this part of the Eighth Quadrant. Ararrh I is on the opposite side of the star right now, but Ararrh II and III are both within range of the Spacebridges."
    The map pulled back and shifted Ararrh to the top of the display, giving up more space for the border.
    "As you can see, we're mobilising all of the resources under Orion Command along the border. Helion ships have been reactivated from the reserve, and IAB fast response teams from Taxxu are assisting at Karnak, along with other units."
    He leaned forward and took a glass of water from the podium. The officers were captivated by what they had seen, and unlike them, he knew what was coming next. A small sip later and he highlighted their destination.
    "The Deadlands border the Alliance, and civilian and military forces loyal to the old regime are trying to escape through that desolate place. And here we are, right in the middle of it, as usual."
    He almost laughed as he said this.
    "It's a messy situation, for sure, but if we can get a team to the communications Cortex, we will be able to make secure contact with all remaining Byotai forces and put the Admiral's new strategy into action. It's risky, but it could turn this conflict upside down."
    The Captain ran his hand across his chin as though considering his next words carefully.
    "If we fail, the remnants of their military will be swallowed up in a matter of weeks, perhaps even days. And we will be left with a violent neighbour with substantially greater resources than us."
    He scanned the eyes of those around him.
    "It’s worse than that. These new militias have a hunger for the destruction of anything tainted by machinery, computers, or synthetics. They are perhaps an even greater threat than the Biomechs ever were, and are using this unholy crusade as an excuse to cleanse entire regions."
    The mention of the almost mythical Biomech enemy of the past instantly changed the mood in the group. Captain Cornwallis let that sink in further before pointing at the model once more. The Byotai station lit up with a bright flash.
    "Engineers aboard ANS Warlord have accessed the data broadcast from the networked systems aboard the Fleet Reserve Base. Using this, we now have detailed passive scans of the System, and what they show is not good."
    Another object blinked green, marking the location of the orbital installation. Immediately after that, another series of blue lights flashed through the System, most converging in two large groups.
    "This is what we've seen in the last three hours. The number of refugees has increased substantially, and they are getting desperate. Most are escaping The Trinity, and this is one of many main arteries out of the Empire."
    The map shifted back to Ararrh.
    "This is the last Spacebridge in this quadrant, and it leads directly to the area known as the Four Rifts, or the Fiorr Veej to the Byotai. This collapsed supernova is the home to routes throughout the Empire; as well directly back to Helios Prime. It is a crossroads, and it cannot be allowed to fall into the Star Empire's hands."
    Another Spacebridge flashed on the display. This one was at the opposite end of the model and orbiting half an astronomical unit from the star.
    "But there's a problem."
    Multiple small groups of red triangles popped up, many of them mixed in amongst the hundreds of fleeing ships.
    "There are looted spacecraft from a dozen different systems, and it looks like they are being crewed by Byotai revolutionaries. What we do know is that more than half are flying the colours of the Nozu-Kuba People's Militia. They are civilians out for blood and have already attacked a number of Byotai vessels. Based on their positions, they are maintaining a