Miya's Assault: Black Watch Chronicles I

By Fred D. Shutts

The year is 4319 AD the age of Sorrow Earth. The mighty city-state of Sorovaste sends forth those implacable commandos of the Black Watch to uncover hidden secrets in forbidden Japan. However the European Empire has other ideas and launches an attack of their own to steal those secrets for themselves. While the two world super powers duke it out over Mt. Kenashi in deserted Japan, a squad of Black Watch troopers braves the depths under Mt. Kenashi. What they find is way more than they could have ever dreamed. Lieutenant Miya Harakuro one of the fabled Neko soldiers is woken up in an unfamiliar world. Even before she is able to adjust to this new reality she is flung into combat with an unfamiliar enemy, fighting for her right to live. And before the dust even settles, it’s once more into the breach. Miya is given command of the legendary double zero assault company and sent into battle with an alien menace. Lives hang in the balance as the Black Watch undertakes a dangerous rescue mission in the heart of a raging battle. Miya must overcome old prejudices, monstrous mutants, and alien horrors to find the source of this dangerous new enemy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781631925696

Book preview

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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. She smiled at her friend. He nodded, and they both left the room toward their own quarters to change into Physical Training clothes.

Miya entered her quarters and the lights came on. She smiled, seeing her gear ready to go, sitting up against the bulkhead to her left. Moving to her locker, she pressed her palm against the lock pad and the door opened with a hiss. She stripped down to her skivvies and pulled out a set of PT shorts and tee shirt and pulled them on, then reached in and grabbed her tennis shoes. She walked over to her bed and put the shoes on. She looked up, seeing the pictures hung on the far wall, and a picture of Bren looked back at her. Bren, I ate. Quit looking at me like that! She wadded up a piece of paper and tossed it at the picture, laughing.

She got up and, setting her duty bag on the desk, moved to the locker and removed her sparring bag and closed the locker. She walked to the door, looked around again, and walked out into the hall meeting. She saw Ruin and began walking with him to the lift. The lift opened and two crew members walked out, saying good morning and moving along. Then Miya and Ruin entered, and the door closed behind them.

As the lift traveled down, Ruin smiled at Miya and asked, Ready for a beat down, Colonel?

Never underestimate your enemy, Major, because she might very well kick your ass, she said, not even looking at him as she rebound her ponytail; her ears twitched, and her tail snapped back and forth. They got out of the lift and began to walk down the hall toward Training Room Three and a fun brawl.

* * *

There were three training rooms aboard the Typhoon. Training Room One ran down the port side of the ship and ran two hundred meters, but was only fifteen feet wide. It had armored walls and a backstop, and was used as a small arms range. Chairs could be moved in to do classes as well. Training Room Two was a wide room that opened into the hangar, which could be converted into a tactics practice area.

Training Room Three was the smallest of the three training rooms. It measured thirty by thirty feet, and served as the physical combat training area. But it could be converted into a classroom like Training Room One. The walls and floors were covered by foam and rubber mats. The lighting was recessed into the ceiling and walls.

A short time later, Training Room Three’s lights flickered on, and two figures walked in with small duffle bags. Miya and Ruin left their bags against the wall by the door. They both stretched out while they talked about modifications that been done to their Powered Armor suits.

I really think the ventral thruster modifications are going to make our quick maneuver tactics way better; we’ll be a lot harder to hit, Miya said as she dropped into the splits, lying down on her chest.

Ruin smirked in his usual fashion. Or crash us into a wall at high speed, and cause me a ton of paperwork.

Well, if you want to disable yours during the operation, I’ll test out the thrusters by myself, she replied, as she was stretching her arms to her toes.

No, I’ll test them as well, but answer me this; what’s with the flight package looking like wings? He was stretching his arms behind his back.

Miya was up by now and had walked over, slipping on her fight gear, followed by Ruin. She smiled at him, ears twitching. Well, I had a study done; it turns out when the Valkyries fight, their wings seem to scare the crap out of enemies.

Watch your power, you two. We can’t go to war if our chiefs take themselves out in a sparring match! Abby said, giggling through the speakers in the wall; she would monitor the fight. Twenty points or a knockout, usual rules.

Ruin had strapped on his gloves as he walked across the room into the middle, followed by Miya. Fair enough. I figured it was something like that. Anyway, are you ready?

Miya dropped into the splits, her ears flat against her head. She slung her right foot out in a vicious sweep that Ruin jumped over and yelped, flipping backward in midair. Damn you, Cat! Abby cheerfully announced that Miya had made a point.

I’m ready; how about you? Miya smirked; as she flipped to her feet just blocking a lightning-fast punch at her face. Then she blocked another one, but the other three caught her in the jaw, lip, and the side of her head, folding an ear against her head. She grunted as blood trickled down her face from her split lip.

Three points to Ruin. Better watch it, Miya, I don’t think Ruin wants to watch home movies tonight! Abby giggled.

Yes, I’m ready! Ruin chuckled.

The pair squared off. Ruin’s power began to build, and Miya just grinned. She wasn’t as fast as he was, but she was fast enough, coupled with a cat’s almost preternatural senses. She could win, but it wouldn’t be easy. Her good friend and second in command was in fact a super soldier. He could move with blinding speed and he was strong enough to turn a steel hatch into an ash tray with his fist.

Ruin came forward so fast Miya didn’t catch it in time, and his right fist slammed into her stomach. It lifted her off her feet; it hurt, causing her tail to fling out straight behind her. Spit flew from her mouth with a loud grunt.

Point goes to Ruin! Abby seemed to actually be enjoying the fight.

But the angle of the punch and how it lifted her body were in her favor. As she was in midair she began to turn, and gripped his right arm with a death grip. Completing a full turn she landed facing away, with his arm firmly in both hands and yanked, yanking forward into a tumble, flinging Ruin at the wall. He hit the wall upside down, sliding comically to his head until he flipped over to a new surprise.

Three points to Miya! Abby said.

I guess you’re ready to fight, huh, kitty— Crap! His words were cut off abruptly with a painful grunt as she came down on him with a hammer fist; she had launched herself into the air as she came out of the roll. She came down like a bomb. It wasn’t the prettiest of attacks, but it worked, and hit home with a loud thud. The hammer fist had landed painfully on his head but he was far from beaten.

Abby chuckled, Another point to Miya!

Traveling at speeds no ordinary human ever could, he appeared behind her, landing blow after blow into her back. Miya knew he could hit a lot harder, but these blows were not in fact half hearted she was definitely in trouble. She yelped loudly and stumbled forward, trying to get her footing.

You guessed it, another point to Ruin. I should televise this; I could make a bundle! Abby was giggling.

Can it, tin girl, before I have you downloaded into the Sorovaste sewer control! Miya croaked out.

Colonel, I’m wounded. My boundless intellect relegated to sewer control! The mock hurt in Abby’s voice made Miya and Ruin chuckle.

Before Miya could get out of the way he had grabbed her and she felt herself sail into the air. She bounced off the ceiling then landed on the ground, flat on her back. She saw Ruin coming down from the air on the attack. She reacted by swinging her right leg up into a powerful side kick, catching him in the midsection.

Abby was still giggling. I suppose sewer control would be okay, because this is totally worth it; point to both combatants!

The kick took Ruin unaware and he folded over her foot with a loud grunt; at which point he fell forward and rolled onto his back. Miya didn’t hesitate; she was on her feet, and faintly surprised as she faced Ruin, who had a lopsided grin.

Point to Miya, Abby was giggling.

Face it, Big Cat, I’m going to win. Let the research wait till after the operation! he said, as he bolted at blinding speed to close the gap between them. But Miya wasn’t there, and he blinked in confusion; how could she do that?

Miya could feel the air currents from him as his power built through her monofilament whiskers; then it stopped. The current reversed, and she knew where he was going. Miya had dropped into the splits and slammed an open palm into his crotch, drawing a groan as he collapsed to his knees the floor.

Seems a bit soon to declare victory, I would say. Miya smiled her ears still flat against her head.

Point to Miya! Abby said.

Sorry, Ruin, I’m rather spoiled! Miya declared.

She slammed her forehead into his; Nekos were built rather solidly. The major fell backward, clutching at his nose, groaning, with blood dripping through his hands. They were both scuffed and bleeding as she helped him to his feet after he came to. Miya’s lip was bleeding, and she had bruises all over her upper body.

Match goes to Miya by a knockout! Abby chuckled. Good fight, you two; wait, you have an encrypted communication, audio only; it’s Lord Taylor.

Miya had grabbed a towel and was wiping some sweat off and spoke. Please put him through, Abby.

Colonel, how are you? Miya smiled as Lord Taylor spoke. I hear you and Ruin were doing a late-night spar; I hope I’m not interrupting, Lord Taylor said with a chuckle.

Miya laughed softly. No, Your Lordship, we were just finishing up and planning on doing some data review before we try to get some rest; is something wrong?

No, not at all. I’m on my way there. I’d like to watch the bombardment firsthand. He sounded excited.

Miya grimaced, Ruin’s face paling as well. She responded, That’s wonderful, Your Lordship; I’ll make sure you have an honor guard flight to meet you. Any idea when you will be here?

My pilot tells me about four hours. I’ll see you then, Colonel. Lord Taylor clicked off the connection; he sounded tired.

Well, that kind of ruins the whole ‘stealth in and take them by surprise thing’ you wanted to do. Ruin was grinning.

Miya chuckled, We’ll still take them by surprise; and it’s okay, we need to stay up anyway. Abby, get the bridge for me.

Yes, Colonel. Wait one … you’re on with Major Simmons. Abby had gone back to being polite.

Colonel, I already set up an alert flight and escort for Lord Taylor. Anything else you would like me to do? The major sounded confident, and Miya smiled.

Major, I’d like the crew to give the ship a once-over; make sure it’s spic and span. Also, see if the officer’s mess has something better to cook than meat loaf. Miya grimaced, and Ruin laughed.

Got it, Colonel. I’ll send word a bit before we launch the fighters, the major said.

Thank you, Major. Miya cut the connection. Ruin, let’s hit the showers. Meet me in my office in about fifteen minutes?

Ruin nodded. I’ll be there.

The two soldiers walked from the training room and shut out the lights, the door shutting behind them.

A bit later, Miya waited in her office. She had Abby route the footage to a big screen in her office and was making coffee as Ruin knocked on the door.

Miya turned to the door. Come on in, Ruin.

Thanks, and that smells like coffee. He grinned and walked over, snatching a cup from the counter and filling it before he sat down.

Let’s start from the beginning. Miya smiled, and Ruin groaned. The video began with gun camera footage of the Typhoon, and a sunny morning. Fighters streamed from the Typhoon’s decks. Drop ships fell from the bottom ports.

An excerpt from the first chapter of Brenalla Marinel’s: My name is Girl Friday

My time as the Terran ambassador was a strange assignment. I was ordered to infiltrate the military, politics, business, and society in general over time. Due to my life span as a Nallian, I could do that over and over again. But unless Terra and her people were in real danger, I was not to reveal myself; even at that, I would have the fleet to back me up, not to mention Nallian Star Marines. My aunt, Kitara, has always been worrywart.

We already knew a great deal about humanity; but having your species almost wiped out can have ill effects, as one can no doubt imagine. But this time, when humankind was ready, we would help them back into the stars. We had always believed that the Terrans had been cheated out of their rightful place among us by a technicality; because the very day the Atroo made their initial incursion, the ship that would carry them to the assembly had begun its space worthiness trials.

There was no gauge as such to know if they were ready; but if they were anything like when we’d first contacted them, it would be obvious. The basic things I was personally looking for were unity as a planet, acceptance that humanity had begun to evolve, and for them to truly look to the sky and start reaching for the goal they had wanted so long ago; to be among those countless stars.

So with great interest I watched the rise of Sorovaste; from the wreckage of old Anchorage, Alaska, into a superpower. I was proud to serve two good nations; the Nallian Empire and the Republic of Sorovaste. This city-state tried the hardest to recapture the heritage that humankind had lost. And I would even say the things and events that challenged Sorovaste over the centuries did nothing but make it stronger.

The