Chapter 100 (1/2)

Ajax

The massive Athena class vessel hurtled through hyperspace. Accompanying her for the voyage was the Lexington and Saratoga with prepositioning sh.i.p.s in tow. Elsewhere in the galaxy Ares, Hermes, and Athena also converged on their end destination of Dagan. Aboard each of the six vessels were the men of 3rd ACR. Deploying into a war zone was never an easy thing for a warfighter, but as soldiers do the night before battle laughter was exchanged while making light of the stark reality that in twenty four hours they could find themselves in the horror of war.

Walking through the corridors of his command Colonel Young saw the young cavalry troopers and thought back to his days as an SG team leader. In each of these men he saw that special spark that had propelled the United States to greatness in the past. These men would do their duty to the best of their ability, which was considerable. These are the thoughts that coursed through the Colonel's head as he made his way to the bridge.

”Any word from the Atlantis group” asked Young.

”Colonel Eckhart reports their estimated time of arrival is in eighteen minutes” replied Captain Rogers.

”Thank you Captain. Give me an open channel ship wide please” said Young.

”Channel's open Sir” replied Rogers.

”This is Colonel Young. In a few short minutes we'll be exiting hyperspace around Dagan. Every moment of your military career led you to this point. All of the training, the discipline, the daily grind was meant for what lays before you. As fighting men of the United States armed forces now is the time to put all of that training to use. You have your mission, and the good people of Dagan need a savior and that savior is you. Make us proud Brave Rifles. Please proceed to the port hanger bay for transport to the surface shortly. That is all” finished Young.

Throughout the Ajax a thunderous cheer of Brave Rifles reverberated in the corridors. In an orderly fashion men shouldered their weapons and gear while making their way to the cavernous hanger bay.

”Five minutes to exit of hyperspace” called out Captain Rogers.

”Upon exit per our instructions initiate the transporter protocol laid out for us. These boys are going to need fortifications for their beachhead” replied Young.

The protocol he mentioned was similar to the process that was used to excavate Borealis from her earthy tomb. When activated the transporters would begin transporting hundreds of ton's of soil around the landing zone, forming a large earthen wall. Once this wall was established men and equipment would begin beaming down in a prearranged order laid out by Colonel Ronald Stone 3rd ACR commander.

”Exiting hyperspace now sir. Transporters are going into automatic” called out Rogers.

”The moment the fortifications are up begin transporting men down, and activate the prepositioning sh.i.p.s transporters. I want that equipment down there quickly. Remember, air cavalry first, followed by the first two troops of M-8's” said Young.

Four minutes later the combined fleet's transporters activated. On the ground below the first trickle of men and equipment began to appear. Flight crew's linked up with their armed and fueled AH-64D Longbow Apache's. In moments these would take to the air to provide air cover to the fragile beachhead that expanded moment by moment. With Apache's in the air the M-8 Buford Armored Gun Systems began appearing, with their crew's seconds behind. Within thirty minutes two complete troops of 3rd ACR were on the ground and taking defensive positions. This process would continue for the next four hours until every last warfighter was on the ground, linked up with their equipment, and ready for the next evolutionary process.

”Captain Rogers, put the 302 pilots on two hour alert. I want all aircraft armed and standing by” ordered Young.

”Roger that sir” replied Rogers.

”Colonel, jammers are active, all enemy communications nets are down” called out the electronic warfare officer.

Hearing this Young smiled a rare smile.

Atlantis

”Unscheduled activation” called out Chuck.

”Do we have an IDC” asked Woolsey.

”No IDC. We have a signal transmitting through the wormhole, looks to be video” replied Chuck.

”Put it on screen” replied Woolsey.