Miya's Assault (eBook)

CHAPTER 1

A RAINY NIGHT

June 4329 AE

19:00 Hours

Bridge of the Typhoon

Over the North American Niagara Sea

The bridge of the Typhoon was quiet except for the occasional radio transmission, and muffled sounds coming from a monitor in front of Colonel Miya Harakuro. She sat reviewing film footage and records from Operation Nest Egg; the very operation ten years ago that had found her. For the last few years she’d had a feeling something else had been going on during the Euro incursion during that operation.

The colonel had gone over the video and data literally dozens of times. Nekos were persistent; it was part of their nature. She stopped the recording and gave new orders to the crew. “Helm execute next step in evasion pattern, bring us to 90 knots,” the colonel said as she stretched, then added, “Abby, any radio activity yet?”

“Nothing yet, colonel. Our random course seems to be working. If they have even noticed us, they aren’t talking about it,” the AI said in a pleasant tone.

“That’s good news. We’ll continue as we’re till zero six and see if we can slip toward the Arctic Circle,” the colonel said. “Tight beam a message to the fleet; tell them to stay on their toes. The Euros may or may not get involved, so be ready for anything.” Miya frowned but continued, “All we need is to get hit by a major imperial attack and not be ready.”

Abby spoke mildly. “Colonel, I don’t think the Empire has the stomach for a fight yet. The fact that you were on to their shenanigans at the gate battle has them frozen like a deer in a spot light; at least according to the intelligence reports.”

Major Simmons spoke, smiling. “Hell, ma’am, we would kick their teeth in anyway.”

“I would like to think so, Major, but personally I would rather face one big scary monster at a time,” Miya chuckled.

“Colonel, the CAG wants to know if it’s a go on the reconnaissance flights; he has both TWACS ready to go if you call,” Abby said through the bridge speakers.

“No, not yet. If our ruse is working, I don’t want to turn on the open for business sign,” Miya chuckled.

Miya looked around at her displays. Nothing was awry, which was good, but she tended to be a busybody when she was bored. She forced that away and while yawning she said, “Major Simmons, you have the bridge. I’m going to my office; I have paperwork piling up.”

“Roger, ma’am. Abby will let you know if anything changes,” the major smiled. “Ma’am, try to get some sleep.”

The colonel smiled as she got up. “Major, if I can, I will. See you at 0500.”

“Roger, ma’am. I’ll make sure the kids are in by midnight and nobody sneaks out for a romp in the woods,” he chuckled.

Miya looked around the bridge and checked a number of the monitors. She laid her hand on each operator’s shoulders, speaking with them and smiling. She had an amazing bridge crew. Most would follow her through the gates of hell out of respect and admiration. She picked up her duty bag, which had her tablet, some folders full of papers, and a couple extra magazines for her 12mm service pistol she carried when not suited up for combat. She took a last look around and smiled. With that, Miya walked off the bridge and toward her office.

On her way, she looked through the door into the day room. It was dark, and all but one of the blackout shutters was closed, revealing an impressive thunderstorm. She had already known about the weather, and was just about to call the deck watch and inquire why a blackout shutter was open when lightning flashed outside. She was drawn toward the window and began to smile. She looked out; she had always been fascinated by thunderstorms.

Water streamed down the window. She could hear the thunder, although it was muted by the sound-deadening of the bulkheads. Lightning spread across the sky in beautiful colors. She remembered back to what amounted to her childhood, waiting for her training cycle to begin. She loved the thunderstorms outside Mt. Kenashi at night. Her eyes could pick up dull colors in the clouds and their outline, even when very dark outside.

Abby spoke. “Miya, Ruin is looking for you. Should I tell him where you are?”

“Sure, Abby. I’m not ready to go to my office yet,” Miya said.

“He is on his way; he wanted me to tell you he hopes you’re hungry.”

“Great, evidently I’m not eating enough again,” Miya chuckled.

Miya hit the button and closed the blackout shutter, and sat at a table facing the television monitor. She picked up the remote control and turned it on; the volume low. All that seemed to be on was a rerun of an outdoors show. It was noise, however, and that sometimes was all one needed. She liked the show and would look up and giggle as the host would often run around doing bird calls. Obviously, after twenty years running about in the bush, sometimes half-starved and sick, he had a screw loose somewhere.”

She sat with her tablet on the table. A fresh tactical report was flashing on the screen. She opened it and was pleasantly surprised to see that the armored units were already moving into position, having landed weeks before. This was really good news; she wouldn’t have to wait for the army to start the attack. If the Euro Imperial Military didn’t rear its unsightly face and interfere, this operation would go off without a hitch. She knew, however, it was just a matter of time before a conflict with the Empire exploded. But for now, it was one war at a time.

She was reading through the rest of the report when she heard a knock on the door and turned to look at the source. Ruin stood leaning against the door, her food tray in his hand. “Should have figured; Miya in the day room and still working. My gods, woman, do you ever sleep?” he chided.

Miya smiled as she turned. “Heya, Ruin, let me guess. Bren contacted the mess hall to make sure I ate?” Then continued, “And yes, I do sleep; but destroying what’s left of Red Tornado is more important than a catnap.” She wrinkled her nose at her own pun.

Ruin snorted over her comment. “Sort of; she did leave orders with the cooks to make sure you did,” he chuckled, “and to track you down and feed you if you didn’t. I happened to be eating late and they asked me to bring it to you.” Ruin smiled as he set the tray down in front of her. Then he sat down across from her at the table.

Miya happened to look down as he set it in front of her; it was meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, and an ice cream cup. She wrinkled her nose. She despised meat loaf; it was usually dry and tasteless. “Well, I suppose I should eat.”

“Yes, you should. I know it’s not a plate of nigiri, but if you’re going to be charging about smiting the enemies of Sorovaste, you shouldn’t do it on an empty stomach,” he chuckled.

“True, but you would think I’d be able to pull some strings and get some better food; I know it’s not the cooks’ fault. They do what they can with the materials at hand,” she said, examining a skewered piece of meatloaf on her fork with dread.

Ruin smiled and slid a big cup of coffee across to her. “I’m afraid, dear Colonel, not even you can magically make more money appear in the budget.” He spun his hands around like a magician.

Miya grimaced, knowing what he said was very true. Ruin turned around, grabbing the remote, and turned up the TV a bit. She ate silently and watched the outdoors program. The host was building a fire with a fire bow and actually having good luck, even though it was windy wherever he was. Ruin was chuckling, “Why would you start a fire with that thing? Carry a damn lighter!”

Miya chuckled lightly, “It’s a survival show, Ruin; he does it like he’s stranded with no supplies.”

As the show was ending was ending, Ruin turned to her, smiling gently. “What’s bothering you, Big Cat?”

“I’ve been going through the records from Nest Egg again. And before you start, I think I’m starting to zone in on whatever it is I can’t remember,” Miya said with a slight frown.

Ruin worked his jaw a few times; even if she was his commanding officer, she was his friend of a decade, and he didn’t want to hurt her. “Miya, I still think you feel guilty because you’re a lone survivor; it’s a tough burden to carry.”

“It’s not survivor’s guilt, Robert. Damn it, have a little more faith in me than that.” Miya only sounded a little annoyed.

Ruin knew he hadn’t crossed the line yet, so he would not push it.

“Why don’t you help me go through the data again?” she asked, looking hopeful.

“I really don’t want to, Miya. We’ve done this ten times or more, ending in you being disappointed every time,” Ruin said, smiling gently.

Miya rolled her eyes. “Come on, I need to get this out of my system, and until I figure it out it’s going to drive me crazy!”

“How about this; we go to the training room and spar. If I win, you forget about this till after the operation. If you win, I’ll stay up and help you. is that fair?” Ruin bargained.

“Fine, we can do that. I need a workout anyway.”...