The Final Battle (Rebirth #3)

By Eric Filler

Six years after the war between humans and S'Parnians ended with the emergence of the Savior, the fragile peace is shattered by the appearance of an ancient foe. Soon the Great Matrix is stolen, S'Parni and Earth are occupied, and all resistance is scattered. But when everything seems at its darkness, the light of hope will shine again...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Planet 99 Publishing
• Release date: Jan 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301192441

Book preview

The Final Battle

(Rebirth #3)

By Eric Filler

Copyright 2012 Eric Filler

Published by Planet 99 Publishing at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Prologue

Ice crunched beneath heavy boots, alerting woodland animals to the approach of a human inhabitant. It was early spring in the backwoods of the Yukon and all of the winter's snow had yet to thaw. There was still a bitter chill in the air, requiring the lone traveler to wear a heavy parka and mountain boots. A thin wisp of smoke curled in the air ahead, and the traveler knew that she had finally made it.

Captain Lisa Shaw really wished that the person she was looking for didn't live in such a remote area. The snow and ice had been too thick for even a hovertruck to penetrate, so she had to approach the log house on foot; a daring feat for someone who had never seen more than an inch of snow in her life. Lisa was grateful to see that there was a path cleared from the door of the cabin to about fifteen yards down the way. She nimbly jumped from the snow bank she had been walking through to the path and walked up to the door of the house, still shivering from the cold air and icy winds whipping at her.

She took a deep breath and then rang the door chime. She stood, waiting impatiently in frigid air, for about a minute until the door opened. A man of medium height that looked about in his fifties answered the door. He seemed to look her over for a second, something running through his mind.

Hello sir, I'm Captain Lisa Shaw of the United Earth Alliance. I need to speak to Commander Laurants if he is available.

I see. Well, he's outside on the dock right now. I'm sure it won't be too much trouble for you to find him. I'd go out and show you where to go, but it's a little cold out there today, the man, Laurants' father, replied good naturedly.

Thank you, sir. I'm sure I can find him. Lisa nodded and then headed around towards the back of the house. She wondered what Laurants would be doing outside in a day like this and wished that she could get back inside soon.

Commander Jack Laurants was sitting on the wooden dock, a fishing pole in one hand and a mug of steaming coffee in the other. He let his line hang limply in the hole he had carved near the dock while he took a hearty sip from the mug. The warm liquid sent heat radiating through his cold body and he took up the fishing pole again.

The fishing was really more a waste of time than a serious activity, he would have to go out much farther in the lake to catch anything, but that wasn't the point. After almost two years in space, he just wanted to get back to doing what he had before the odyssey that had started on the remote world of Rygan I. He was just about to pack everything up and go inside for breakfast when he heard something.

He turned and nearly dropped both items from his hands. Coming down the slight hill to the dock was the woman he thought he had left behind weeks ago. The rising sun was at her back and the pinks, purples, and oranges in the Canadian sky gave her a kind of angelic quality. He reeled in his fishing line and stood up as she closed the distance. He was still in shock as she stepped onto the dock.

Commander! I thought I'd never find you, Lisa said half jokingly.

I'm sorry Captain, but I wasn't expecting to see you, Laurants replied.

It's all right. Anyway, there's something I need to discuss with you. She sat down, her feet dangling over the frozen pond. Laurants sat back down, having a sinking feeling he already knew what she wanted to tell him. She turned and looked into his eyes, her face turning serious. I'd like to know why you put in your resignation.

Laurants looked away and stared out over the still water. He had thought about that himself many times in the three weeks since the Avenger had returned to Earth. I guess I'm just tired of everything. I've only seen my family for one day in nearly three years; I miss them. Besides which, I've seen too much fighting and bloodshed in that time. I want to go on with my life.

I can understand that, but you and I both know that you could have gotten any position you wanted. Why are you throwing it all away?

I've already told you.

There's got to be more to it than that.

No, there isn't. I'm sorry you had to come all the way out here, but you can tell Command I'm not coming back.

I'm not telling them anything, because they didn't send me here. Laurants turned and looked at her, surprise on his face. His heart was pumping faster than he thought it ever could, but he tried not to show his excitement. I came here on my own, because I don't want you to make a mistake. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I don't want you to throw it all away.

She stood up and went to the edge of the dock, her back turned away from him. "I've never seen anyone with the kind of potential that you have. You're a natural leader; you can take command of the situation right away. The times you filled in for me on the Avenger, you showed that you could handle the responsibilities of commanding a starship. You shouldn't deny yourself an opportunity like that!"

I'm really not sure what kind of opportunity it is. I mean I shouldn't even be a Lieutenant and I'm already a Commander. I don't have the experience for that sort of thing!

Neither to do most of the people they're promoting right now. With all of the losses in the fighting against the S'Parnians, Command is having to promote a bunch of inexperience rookies and ass kissing aides to fill the vacancies. Pretty soon they'll be handing frigates over to Lieutenants fresh from the Academy. You've got almost three years of experience and you've been in probably the largest battle in human history. There aren't many whose resumes can top yours at the moment.

She whirled back around and faced Laurants, fire in her eyes. "Damnit, we need you, your planet needs you! Someone has to be in charge of the ships escorting supply convoys between here and S'Parni, and be able to not step on our allies's toes. I'm in charge of refurbishing the Avenger, which will take years, so I'd feel a hell of a lot better if you were out there than some idiot whose never even been in space before!"

Laurants flushed a little, both surprised at her outburst and at his stupidity for thinking that she had come here on some mission to confess her love for him. Worse yet, he knew that she was absolutely right: he was needed out there. With all of the casualties in the battles over Rygan, Mars, and S'Parni, there were a lot of holes in the Alliance's command structure. Experienced commanders were in short supply, and the crew of the Avenger was especially needed since its members had more experience than anyone else.

I understand. I'll make sure to pull my resignation as soon as I get back. I can't turn my back on my planet when it needs me most. Thank you for making me realize that.

It's no problem. Actually, I already pulled your resignation. She walked past him and then turned suddenly, a smile on her face. Oh, and here's a gift from my mother. She reached into a pocket and pulled out a small box. She tossed it to Laurants and he opened it. He nearly collapsed when he saw two shiny captain's pins inside.

Oh...oh my God. They're promoting me again! Why? The newly commissioned captain stammered.

Because you've earned it. Don't lose those pins; they used to be mine, but I've got a pair of admiral's pins waiting at home. She took a step forward and then hugged the startled Laurants. Congratulations, again. If anyone in the fleet deserves to go from Ensign to Captain in three years, it's you.

Thank you, this means a lot to me. You want to come inside and warm up before you have to leave again?

Sure, I've got a few minutes. As the sky began to turn blue and the sun rose higher, the two officers vanished from the dock and into the log house.

Laurants's father snuck a glimpse at the woman who had come inside the house with his son. He had vaguely recognized the name, but it wasn't until she had taken the parka off that he remembered just from where he had heard of her. She was the one whom Laurants had said he was in love just over a year ago.

He had to admit that his son's tastes in women weren't bad: she was fairly pretty, albeit a little plain and at least ten years older than he. Well, there aren't any restrictions on love, Laurants's father thought to himself. Still, something was nagging him in the back of his mind. He could of sworn that he had seen her somewhere before. He lit up his pipe as the other two sat in front of the fire to get warm, and resisted the urge to cry out in exhaltion.

It had been a long time ago, at the funeral for his other son, Brian. The coffin was just being put into the ground when he had turned to look back at some of his friends, and that was when he had seen her. She was standing by a tree a short distance away from the other guests, and she was wearing a naval uniform. He had thought that odd since Brian had never talked about there being any women on his ship, but now it made a little sense. He wondered what relationship she had shared with him.

He resigned himself to the fact that it didn't matter right now, and that all of his children would be gone soon. His daughter, Mary, had left for the Academy not too long ago, and Jack would soon be heading back out into space again. He had expected that; Jack had said he was quitting, but he loved being out there too much to just leave it behind for good. Soon he and his wife would be all alone, which was great in some ways. He hated to think of the emptiness in the house with everyone gone, but it was all for the greater good.

The loss of the Martian colony and a large portion of the Alliance fleet had caused a lot of young people to volunteer for military service in order to do their part in protecting the planet. A lot of families were going to have kids leaving, but Laurants's father wished that not all of his remaining children had to quite yet. As he looked at his last son, he hoped that Jack wasn't gone too long this time.

The sun was just coming up in Sacramento, California, and Ensign Laurie Terraz stepped from the hovercar gently. Only a few feet away was the small house owned by the parents of Sergeant Alex Davis, who had been killed in action of S'Parni. Terraz straightened her uniform, feeling a little conspicuous all of the sudden.

She had dreaded this moment for over a year now, but she knew that she would have to face it. A lot of it had to do with Davis' death, but there was also thoughts of the little girl she had remanded to the Davis' custody before leaving for the S'Parni mission. She knew that the chances were very small that she would ever see young Jenny Oliver again. She shook those dark thoughts away as she stepped up to the door and pushed the chime. It took a few moments before it opened.

An elderly woman was standing there, looking sad and frail. Her face seemed to change as she looked Terraz over. You were a friend of my son, am I right? She asked.

Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry about your loss. He was a great man and a very close friend, Terraz began hoarsely and handed Davis' mother a bouquet of flowers. She nodded as she took them and motioned for Terraz to step inside. Just as she pulled the door shut behind her, something shot at her and jumped into her arms. Terraz nearly fell over, but somehow managed to keep her balance. Her face lit up when she saw what had struck her.

Aunt Laurie, you're home! The elated voice of Jenny Oliver shouted.

Yes, I am honey. I'm finally back. Terraz hugged Jenny close and thought of how lucky she was to be able to see the little girl again.

Excuse me, but who are you and what are you doing here? A voice demanded. Terraz set Jenny down and then turned to see who was speaking.

I'm sorry, Davis' mother mumbled as she left the room.

The person standing in the doorway was a woman in her mid fifties wearing a conservative brown suit and a grim expression. I'm Ensign Laurie Terraz, I found Jenny a little over a year ago. I just got back from hostilities with the aliens.

"Ah, a member of the famous Avenger crew. I heard about your return a couple of weeks ago. Why are you visiting now?" The woman demanded.

I was entangled in debriefings and such for most of the time since returning to Earth. I haven't had the chance to visit yet. May I ask who you are?

I'm Jamie Franks, attached to the regional Placement Agency. In short, I'm Jenny's social worker. Today is the day that I'm supposed to take her to her new home.

You mean she's leaving today?

I'm afraid so. Terraz sat down on the couch in the room, suddenly feeling very tired. After all this time, she had returned only in time to say good bye to the child. It didn't seem fair. She would have rather Jenny had been taken while she had been gone, at least then the separation would be a little easier.

Every time she saw Jenny, the same feelings kept welling up. She wanted to be the girl's mother, but knew that she couldn't be. Her job was not one that allowed for time to raise children, but she still felt these emotions when she saw Jenny. Some part of her told her to just quit the military and get a job on Earth so that she could take care of a kid, but a larger part told her that she couldn't right now. She was needed up in space right now, to help prevent another human S'Parnian conflict. It was her duty, but no one said she had to like it.

Are you all right, ma'am?

No, I'm not. When does she have to leave?

In about an hour. You have that long to say good bye.

Great. Terraz stood to go find Jenny, but Frank grabbed her arm.

I can see that you've established an emotional connection with Jenny, but I want to make something clear: you are not to visit her ever again.

Why not?

It would be psychologically unhealthy for Jenny's new parents to have to contend with someone who drops in whenever they want, and acting as a role model for the child. That kind of competition will only lead to hostility within the foster home.

But I found her and found people to take care of her, shouldn't I be able to see her again?

If you truly care about Jenny, then let her go. Separation will only be more difficult down the road when she has established a deeper connection with you.

Terraz was about to say something in response and stopped. Frank was right, she had to let her go. She clenched her fists and nodded to the social worker. Then she turned to leave once more.

I understand how you feel, but you have to realize that this is for the best, Frank said as Terraz left the room.

Terraz walked into the kitchen of the house and saw that Davis's father was sitting there. He was slowly sipping a glass of milk, looking at nothing in particular. Terraz took a seat across from him, wondering what she should say to Jenny.

I heard what she told you in there, and it isn't fair. They've allowed us some visitation, but only once or twice a month. It just isn't fair. Davis's father said slowly.

Have you met the foster parents?

Oh, yeah, they're decent people. They live in Seattle and work in some kind of shipping business. Still, it isn't right that a nice woman like yourself can't even see Jenny every now and then. You'd think that after all you and my son have given to protect this planet that people would be a slight bit considerate. Some people just have a heart of stone, I guess. Terraz nodded dumbly, feeling cold inside. She wished she could just freeze time so that she would never have to tell Jenny that they could never see each other again.

It was then that Jenny came down the stairs and into the room, suitcases in her hands. There was pain in her eyes and Terraz looked away. It was almost as if Jenny could sense what Terraz was going to say. The little girl set down the small suitcases and touched Terraz's arm.

It's all right, Aunt Laurie. We'll see each other again soon, Jenny tried to sound hopeful, but for some reason her voice just didn't make it.

I'm sorry Jenny, but I can't come visit you at your new home, Terraz replied, turning to look the girl squarely in the eye.

Why not?

I...I just can't. It's hard to explain, but you'll understand someday. Although she tried not to, she burst into tears and laid her head against the table.

It's all right. Someday we'll be together again. Terraz felt a small hand touch hers.

I love you, Aunt Laurie.

I love you too, Jenny, Terraz answered as she lifted her head up from the table, and then hugged Jenny tightly. They held on to each other for seemed like an eternity, but then Frank came into the room and broke them apart. Jenny briefly said good bye, and then she was out the door. The social worker's hovercar started up and lifted off high into the sky. Terraz watched Jenny leave her life silently, tears coming to her eyes. Then she stalked back to her own vehicle and took off. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she care. At this point, she didn't care about anything, and she wondered if she ever would.

Lieutenant Jason Farley kicked a piece of debris in frustration. He flung the compad he had just been given against the wall, wondering how Command could do this to him.

After over a year of keeping the ship running with just about every trick in the engineering bag, and a few he had made up, Command wanted him to begin rebuilding the battered Avenger. The only problem was that there was no way that it could be done, especially not as quickly as they wanted it done.

According to the message given to him from Admiral Loretta Shaw's office in Washington, he and the best engineering crews in the Alliance had five years to get the flagship completely restored. As far as Farley was concerned, the admiral may have well asked him to move Earth out of its orbit and catapault it into the Sun. There was no way that he could completely rebuild a ship that he knew nothing about from the frame up in five years. Maybe ten or twenty, but five was impossible, even for someone who knew as much about the ship's construction as him.

If the Avenger were any other Alliance vessel it would be stripped down and the frame melted down, but it wasn't any ordinary ship. It was a vessel that had played the leading role in stopping the S'Parnian human conflict, and was filled to the brim with highly advanced alien technology that was irreplaceable. In short, it couldn't be scrapped under any circumstances. Still, after all the miracles he had worked just to get the thing to Earth, it didn't seem fair to ask him to pull off another one.

The only heartening part of the message was that they had put Captain Lisa Shaw in charge of the project. She was the one person who knew as much or more about the ship than he did. It was a good decision on the captain's mother's part to put her in charge, because Farley would need her help if he were ever going to get this ship running again. It wasn't going to be easy, but for the sake of the galaxy he had to try. If not, then the Alliance would lose its most powerful ship, which would tip the scales the alien's way if things heated up again. He just hoped that it didn't come to that.

Ensign Jerry Klein stepped into the office and wondered why he had been whisked away from his home in Virginia across the Potomac to Washington. He didn't know who this General Hanson was, but he would find out. The general had better have a damn good explanation for ripping him away from his reuninion with his girlfriend.

The general's ready to see you, a secretary said and motioned for Klein to go inside. A middle aged, balding man with heavy jowls and white hair stood to greet the young ensign.

It's good to finally meet you, Ensign, Hanson said in a thick Texan accent. Have a seat. Klein sat down in a comfortable leather chair and wondered what in the hell was going on.

Well, you probably want to know what's going on, Hanson continued and Klein nodded. I need some help and I heard you were someone I could use.

Use? How? Klein asked quickly.

I heard about the torture the aliens put you through on their ship. Horrible business. Anyway, there are a lot of people who don't like how the Alliance is cozying up to these aliens, not after they slaughtered so many of our people. It's those of us in the military that are getting ready to do something about it.

I don't follow.

No, I suppose not. You see, there are many of us in Command who don't trust those cold blooded reptiles farther than we can throw them. We want to repay them for killing our people; we want them to pay. We aren't going to take any action now, but we are setting up a network of anti S'Parnian sympathizers, so that when the time comes we can strike. Can I count on you?

I'm interested, what do you have in mind?

"Nothing yet, but be ready. Being one of the famous Avenger crew, you can help us in a lot of ways. We need to know the strengths and weaknesses of the aliens and their weapons, so that we can quickly wipe them out. If you don't mind, take this compad and tell us everything you can and then send it back to my secretary. He'll b sure to get it to me. After that, just wait, and be ready to move. We'll have to move quickly to get everything in position."

About how long will all this take?

Years. I'd like to go after them now, but the Alliance still won't send any ships out of the Solar System. We just can't get the firepower to the area. It'll take a while to build new ships, man them, and get them to S'Parni. In the meantime, we'll come up with a plan to beat these lizards.

Who's this we you keep talking about?

You'll see. Just tell us what we want to know and we'll keep in touch.

Sure thing, Klein got up to leave and noticed a picture on Hanson's desk. That's a nice looking daughter you got there.

Well, she used to be. She was killed by the alien bastards on the Deep Space Lab nearly two years ago. I think you can see now why so many of us are against these snakes.

I understand completely, Klein turned and left with a smile on his face.

In a remote corner of space, a single set of thrusters burned bright blue in the darkness. A S'Parnian Interceptor streaked towards its final destination, much to the satisfaction of its captain. The S'Parnian looked around at his crew and then into the holoviewer. He smiled under the visored helmet he always wore as he stared at the object ahead of his tiny ship.

It had taken over a year of tracking, but he had finally found it. Now the most powerful warship in the galaxy was his. From the sensor readings, it would take a while to complete repairs, but once repaired, this vessel would be the key to a campaign that would unite the universe under his rule. First S'Parni, then Earth would fall, a reward for the bitter captain after the years of torment he had endured.

Signal all units, the captain rasped, we've found it. The first step of his plan complete, all the captain had to do was wait until everything fell into place. Then the universe would be his.

Chapter One

Staring down on the Avenger from the walkway, Rear Admiral Lisa Shaw allowed herself a slight smile. After five grueling years, the Avenger was nearly finished. A few minor electrical systems needed to be completed, but it was done for all practical purposes. She had to admit that it was an amazing feat.

It had taken nearly a year just to figure out the best way to tear the ship apart, then after another four years it had been built back up from the frame. It was impossible for the human engineers to copy the ancient Rygan design exactly, but they had gotten it close.

The hull was no longer smooth, but it was still as strong as it ever had been, perhaps even more so. As much of the original armor was used as possible, but most of it was as close of a copy to the material as scientists on Earth could create. The weapons were a little more pronounced, but they were still able to retract when not beng used, something that had taken computer programmers about two years to master. The engines had been completely replaced with human ones and a rebuilt TransDimensional Jump drive as well as a standard hyperspace drive. That had been the easiest part of the project, and had been completed only a few days before. Lisa just hoped that the engines would work during trials.

She heard someone come up behind her and turned to see Lieutenant Commander Jason Farley standing there. Farley had seen the project through until its completion, which had been no small task. His expertise was probably the only reason that the ship had been finished on time.

Admiral Shaw just sent a message. She's called a meeting for tomorrow on the changes to the ship. The entire original crew is supposed to be in attendance, Farley reported. She could see a glimmer of pride in his eyes as he looked down on his handiwork.

Just what we need, a meeting. Any reason why the original crew is supposed to come? Lisa asked glumly. She didn't want to go to a meeting, she just wanted to go to sleep for about ten years straight.

Probably to show off to the press during trials. You know, the heroic crew reunited and all that bullshit.

You're probably right. Just like my mother to put something that foolish together to make herself look good. So when's everyone supposed to arrive?

Some in a few hours, others not for about twenty four hours.

Good, we have a while, then. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my quarters. Better yet, if anyone needs me, tell them to go jump out the airlock, Lisa stormed away, looking forward to finally getting some peace and quiet now that the project was done.

Captain Jack Laurants read the message and frowned. He swiveled in his chair and looked over at his communictions officer, Ensign Mark Roberts. Are you sure that this says tomorrow?

Yes, sir. I've double checked it, and the admiral wants you to be at the Reynolds Shipyards tomorrow for an important briefing, Roberts answered.

That's what I thought. Tell Lieutenant Jacobs to begin warming up the TDJ drive. Lieutenant Cobb, lay in a course for Earth and ready to initiate the jump on my signal, Laurants ordered. He hoped that whatever Admiral Shaw wanted, it was good enough to pull his ship away from its convoy escort duties near S'Parni.

In the five years since the Avenger had returned to Earth, a large shipping trade had sprung up between Earth and S'Parni. Most freighters chose to head for the S'Gethlaar Shipyards, dump their cargo and head for home. The reason was simple: the Shipyards could handle all of the traffic bound for S'Parni. There wasn't a working space station above S'Parni, so any freighters had to land at one of the planet's spaceports. That made for some hectic traffic, which led the Alliance and the S'Parnians to hammer out an agreement that stated that ships from Earth would drop their cargo on the Shipyards, and S'Parnian superfreighters would pick it up and take it home, limiting the traffic that came in and out.

Of course, with shipping came pirates. It was for that reason that Laurants's cruiser, the Dauntless, had to stay with the freighters and keep them safe. It was a boring, unrewarding job, but someone had to do it. Laurants was glad to be far from Earth, and all of his feelings for Lisa. It had taken some work, but he had finally gotten over her and gone on with his life. Now he had to go back. He just hoped that he could keep his feelings in check.

He wondered what this meeting was supposed to be about. There was some activity on the borders, skirmishes between human and S'Parnian ships every now and then, but it was nothing serious. There was also nothing going on around Earth, either. Whatever the reason, Laurants knew he would find out soon. He checked the status report from the engineering room and looked over at the helmsman. Initiate jump, he commanded. A light white flashed and the Dauntless vanished.

In the shadow of the Solar System's largest volcano, a dark gray fighter lowered its landing gear and set down on a long runway. The crescent shaped Eclipse fighter taxied off the runway and to a nearby hangar. Only then did the engines wind down and the canopy open. Major Sandra Jordan hastily climbed down from her fighter and tossed her helmet to a mechanic. She went through a door and down the hall to an office. She opened the door and saluted her commanding officer.

Everything seems to be in order, the colonists report no threatening activity of any kind, Jordan reported.

Just another day then, Colonel Scott Hastings, commander of the Martian airbase, said glumly.

Yeah, another boring day of boring holes in the sky. By the way, Alexander reports that Red Sector Three is beginning to be cleaned up and rebuilt. Red Sector Three denoted the sector where Ares, the former capital of the Martian colony, lay in ruins.

Progress at last. By the way, I got a call from Admiral Shaw on Earth; we're supposed to take the squadron to the Reynolds Shipyards at once.

She didn't give a reason, did she?

No. We'll find out when we get there.

The least they could do is give us a reason for going all the way out there, Jordan grumbled and sat down. Another Eclipse was coming in for a landing, and she wondered when Hastings would break the news to the rest of the squadron.

Well, it'll be a nice diversion for a few days. Better than patrolling this mudhole. Hastings leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling. Over six years after the Battle of Mars had devastated the colony, it was still on the mend.

After returning to Earth from the S'Parni mission, the squadron of Eclipses aboard the Avenger had been decimated. But the reputation of the VF 1 Guardian Angels was alive and well. In order to keep the few survivors of his unit together, and to keep the Angels an active squadron, Hastings had convinced Alliance Command to give him a replacement squadron of Eclipses to take to Mars. Just after the Battle of Mars, Hastings and the original Angels had sought refuge near Olympus Mons, so it was common sense to create a new airbase there to relocate the squadron.

The stated purpose for the move was to establish an outpost on Mars to warn Earth of any further alien attacks, but the real reason was to keep the Guardian Angels together. Hastings, Jordan, and a couple other pilots were all that was left, but they had forged a very close bond. The Guardian Angels had never existed as far as the Alliance military was concerned, but it meant something to everyone who had fought in the S'Parni campaign. Hastings was determined to continue the legacy, so he had moved his squadron and technically made them a new Martian Defense Force, separate from Alliance control. It had been easy to get transfers for people like Jordan who had been part of the Alliance Air Space Corps, and there was no shortage of willing pilots to fill the ranks of the already famous squadron.

The only problem was that there was little for the Angels to do. The Martian colony was rebuilding very slowly; six years ago over a million people lived on the planet, now that number was just under a three thousand. There were few who were willing to go to the colony after what had happened to the original inhabitants. The alien slaughter on Mars had shown how vulnerable the colony was, and only the very brave even dreamt of going there. So for nearly five years the premiere fighter squadron in the galaxy had done nothing but fly recon patrols around the colonies, with an occasional escort flight for incoming ships. After that much boredom, taking the squadron to Earth for a while sounding like fun to Hastings. Looking over at Jordan, he could see that same look on her face.

Well, I'll break it to the troops shortly. Tell the mechanics to check out all the planes and get them ready to fly. I want the entire squadron to go, Hastings ordered and Jordan nodded. She stood and left, and for the first time in years, there was some liveliness in her step.

Lieutenant Amanda Manny Rosaro wiped the sweat from her brow and looked over the new recruits of the 5th Platoon. The training base in Death Valley was heated up to about one hundred degrees so far, and it was not even noon yet. What made it worse for her and those under her command was that they were carrying over fifty pounds of equipment and battle armor on them.

All right everyone, take five! Manny called and took a few steps away to confer with her second in command, Sergeant William Garren, who had replaced Sergeant Alex Davis after his death over S'Parni. Well, what do you think?

The platoon had just finished the first round of training exercises by hiking ten miles through the desert, stopping now and then to fight simulated enemies. Garren looked at the relaxing troops and sighed. Well, they're green, but there's hope. Williams and Carter are great shots, but they need some strength. If I work with them for a few weeks, they should be great for recon and point positions. Deion is a poor shot and a little wimpy, but I think he could work out as our comm officer. The rest just need some more experience to get good. However, they need more time in the ExoArmors. Hayes and Smith are our best in those to be sure, so I'd recommend them to be the heavy weapons experts, but the rest just aren't used to them yet.

So if Command sends us into battle within the next month or so we're pretty well goners, right? Manny asked, feeling the same thing. Most of the twenty two soldiers were good at something, but they needed to improve in a lot of other areas. There was no room in the Alliance Army for specialists.

That's about the size of it. He shook his head glumly, thinking about the old 5th Platoon. It had used to be the best platoon in the Alliance Army, now it was rebuilding itself.

The unit had been disbanded shortly after the S'Parnian conflict, because only a handful of the platoon had survived. Garren had been sent to work with the 21st Platoon of the 32nd Alliance Ranger Division. Manny had been cooped up in Seattle, working with Alliance scientists and engineers on upgrading ExoArmors. The project had been canceled before the Explorer mission, but was reopened once word of their success reached Alliance Command. The rest of the survivors were similarily stationed elsewhere, so the 5th Platoon ceased to exist. Once Manny was finished consulting on the ExoArmor improvements, she had requested reactivation of the platoon. Like Hastings's squadron, the 5th Platoon had become a premiere unit, so Command had brought Garren back to be second in command and assigned them with the task of training twenty two new recruits, that were picked by drill instructors to have potential. Now it was up to the two veterans to utilize that potential and make the 5th Platoon a formidable force again.

Well, the combat sim scores weren't too bad, but the ExoArmor simulations yesterday were terrible. It could take months for them to get good at that, Manny kicked the ground lightly and a wave of dust flew into the air and drifted away. Well, let's get them inside for some more ExoArmor practice before this heat kills them.

Garren nodded agreement and went over to the troops. Everyone fall in and move out for transport! He commanded and the weary soldiers got to their feet and were soon on their way. Manny followed them and soon they were in a large cargo transport, heading for the base in Nevada. Manny slept through most of the bumpy ride, always glad to get some time to rest when she could.

When she arrived at headquarters, she found a message waiting for her in her quarters. Admiral Shaw in Command was ordering her unit to move out to the Reynolds Shipyards tomorrow. She flung the compad away, clenching her fists in anger. There was no way her unit would be ready for duty by tomorrow, it was insane. It was too early to send the rookie troops into space, they weren't ready. She wondered if some kind of exercise was scheduled on Mars or the lunar colony soon. If so, her platoon was going to get its ass kicked. She stripped off her equipment and then went to give Garren the bad news.

The Kerrat Nebula lay just on the border between S'Parnian and human territory. A pair of S'Parnian Interceptors patrolled one side of the border while the human cruiser Vincennes and frigate Bennington patrolled the other. Lieutenant Commander Laurie Terraz saw the much smaller Bennington out the holoprojector on the bridge of the Vincennes. The two Interceptors were moving leisurely and making no aggressive moves, as usual.

Patrolling near the nebula was about as boring an assignment as Terraz had ever received. The fact that she was First Officer of the cruiser didn't help matters much either. Being a shortage of qualified officers after the S'Parnian human conflict, Terraz had been given the position despite her rank. Terraz looked around the bridge at the other officers and yawned. Nothing had happened in the remote area of the nebula for years, and Terraz doubted that anything ever would. The nearest colony on either side of the border was the small S'Parnian port of S'Narlet a half light year away. In short, there was no strategic importance to the area whatsoever.

Commander, we're getting a transmission! The comm officer shouted.

What is it? Terraz asked and went to the officer's station. The message was from Admiral Loretta Shaw at Command. She wanted them to go to the Reynolds Shipyard immediately. Call Commander Watson to the bridge and get ready for a to jump, Terraz ordered. The helmsman laid in a course and signalled the engine room to prepare for a TransDimensional Jump. Meanwhile, the comm officer called the ship's commander to the bridge.

Terraz went to her station and frowned. She didn't like calling Watson to the bridge, he was an ass kissing fool who had no right to command a starship of any kind, let alone a powerful cruiser. She watched the energy field begin to form around the ship through her sensors, and wondered why Admiral Shaw wanted them to go to Earth. At least it would give her time away from this boring area of space.

The lift opened and Commander Watson strode onto the bridge. He was a short, weasely man with a thin moustache and sandy hair slicked back. Status? His nasal voice called out.

"We got a priority message from Admiral Shaw at Command. She

Reviews for The Final Battle (Rebirth #3)

[thomas rea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic three book series with never ending suspense really is a great book