Storm Clouds Gathering: The Mackenzie (Mac) Steele Series, #2

By Frank DeCaire

The patrol ships continue to patrol the edge of U.A.S. space. The Arcnals become more brazen as they probe the limits of what the crew of the 801 will do to stop incursions. Meanwhile, political machinations in the U.A.S. government and military command continue to erode the military's ability to perform its duty. Mac and his crew must be creative to continue their mission. War is all but inevitable, but can Mackenzie Steele lead his team of misfits to prevent the destruction of humanity, or are they just a speed bump to the inevitable?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank DeCaire
• Release date: Feb 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798223344957

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Captain Hull, said Admiral Murray. Inform the squadron that we will commence attack.

Yes, sir, said Captain Hull.

Intelligence reported that the Arcnals hastily built a communication relay station on the largest asteroid in a rogue asteroid field near the expanse. When a U.A.S. survey ship did not report in, CENTCOM dispatched a rescue ship. The rescue ship discovered the relay station and transmitted a distress call before being destroyed. Now the U.A.S. dispatched a destroyer squadron known as DESRON 55. Their mission is to destroy the entire facility by cracking the meteor that it rested on.

All ships, said Captain Hull. This is U.A.S.S. Anthony actual. Commence your attack.

Captain Hull hung the receiver on the hook and switched on the overhead speaker to listen for destroyer squadron traffic in the background. Then he keyed his headset to contact combat central.

This is Captain Hull. Fire specials as soon as you get a target lock.

Aye, Captain, came the reply.

DESRON 55 comprised nine destroyers. Besides the standard weapon load out, each ship carried one large missile with a warhead known as the special. Some captains called it the asteroid cracker.

There was little intelligence on the defensive weapons that the Arcnal station could deploy, leaving high command with no option but to employ a strategy of overkill to ensure success. Nine asteroid crackers should guarantee that at least one will get through and do the job. Each warhead cost more than the destroyer that carried it, but battle planners determined the mission warranted such expense.

The destroyers launched their missiles in a stagger pattern. The guidance systems on such missiles are programmed to follow a random course to confuse the enemy. There is no guidance beam or transmission. Once launched, they will navigate to the target independently. This will prevent the enemy from jamming their guidance systems.

The first missile streaked out from the lead ship and angled to port, taking a wide swing. Then it straightened its course to enter from one side of the asteroid field. The second missile diverted up and over. Each missile fanned out to target the asteroid from every direction.

Missiles are on course, came a voice from combat. Captain Hull patched the combat tactical officer into the overhead speaker as well. We have a positive lock from all weapons.

The bridge crew listened while they waited for confirmation of target destruction.

We’re picking up multiple jamming signals. Missiles are still on course.

Admiral Murray sat in the command chair near the rear of the bridge, sipping on a safety cup containing her favorite tea. She saw him glance over and gave him a quick smile. Captain Hull nodded.

We’re detecting an Arcnal interceptor launch.

Captain Hull appeared to be holding his breath. Admiral Murray could feel butterflies in her stomach. She fought to maintain a cool appearance.

Missiles two and three have activated countermeasures. Interceptors are chasing the false targets.

Admiral Murray let out a slow breath. This will be over in a matter of minutes.

Detecting detonations from the surfaces of surrounding asteroids, similar to cannon fire. Type of weapon unknown.

Admiral Murray stopped breathing again. Was there something they missed? Their sensors didn’t pick up any weapons mounted to asteroids other than the target.

We’ve lost signal from missile five.

Captain Hull looked at Admiral Murray. The worry lines on his face gave away what he was thinking. She hoped her cool appearance was not compromised by the panic she felt inside.

Detecting more cannon fire. Missile three is reporting multiple warheads approaching in a grid pattern. No evasive maneuver possible. The Arcnal defense system has destroyed missile three.

There was no backup plan in place. High command was so certain this plan would work, they never planned for a backup.

Missile one destroyed. Missile two destroyed.

The combat control officer sounded flustered. His disembodied voice echoing on the bridge rattled off each of the missiles as they were destroyed.

All missiles have been destroyed.

Admiral Murray knew the squadron could not retreat. They must deal with the Arcnal station now.

Your orders, sir? said Captain Hull.

Move in for direct attack, said Admiral Murray. We’ll use our cannons.

Aye, sir, said Captain Hull. He picked up the handset and spoke to the entire destroyer squadron at once: All ships move in for attack. Use formation delta. Then he returned the handset. Helm! Increase speed to full.

Full speed ahead, said the helmsman.

Combat, said Captain Hull as he pressed his transmit button. I want all gun batteries to open fire as soon as we’re in range.

Admiral Murray watched the range countdown on the tactical display in front of her. Captain Hull set the display to show green when the ship was within the range of their cannons.

Captain, said a voice over the speakers. We’re detecting cannon-fire from the surfaces of several asteroids. It looks like they’re launching another volley of warheads. Combat was monitoring the sensors. This information did not bode well for the destroyer squadron. Maybe the enemy warheads that shot down their expensive missiles were too tiny to penetrate their ship’s armor. Admiral Murray could only hope.

Very well, Captain Hull spoke into his headset.

Detecting warheads in a grid pattern heading our way.

Deploy flak, said Captain Hull.

Admiral Murray looked at the tactical display. There was no time to navigate around the wall of warheads headed directly at the destroyer squadron fleet. Captain Hull glanced at Admiral Murray. She stood up from her seat to see if she could see the warheads coming from outside the bridge windows.

The range counter was still red. Their guns would not be in range for several more minutes. They had to survive this wall of warheads before they could fire at the enemy asteroid. A mass of flak was exploding in front of the ship, obscuring their view. Like a cloud, the flak comprised small particles that would damage any sensitive warheads headed their way.

Combat, said Captain Hull. Fire all guns now.

The accuracy at this range will not guarantee a hit, said Admiral Murray.

We’ll have to rely on luck. Open fire!

Admiral Murray could hear the thumping sound vibrating through the deck plating. The cannons were firing. They could afford to waste some ammo. It would be more tragic if the incoming enemy warheads destroyed their ship before they could fire a shot.

Captain Hull keyed the mic for the destroyer squadron ship to ship radio: All ships, fire now.

Admiral Murray saw several other destroyers firing their guns. Then she saw thousands of shimmering dots that filled the sky. It looked like a giant transparent square headed their way. Admiral Murray knew each dot was a warhead, and their ships were about to get impacted.

Incoming warheads are solid metal darts, said a voice from combat. The radar signature shows they are made of titanium. They’re kinetic weapons.

Flak will be of no use, said Captain Hull. Brace for impact. Captain Hull pulled the handle for the collision alarm. A constant wailing sound emanated from the overhead speakers in all compartments."

Some enemy defense darts collided with the shells fired from the destroyers and eliminated them. This left a few holes in the grid pattern of warheads coming in. The darts flew at a speed that closed the distance in seconds and seemed to impact every destroyer at once. Admiral Murray saw the bridge erupt like a volcano. The vortex of air sucked everyone and anything not secured out the massive hole created by the dart that struck their bridge. Within seconds, the U.A.S.S. Anthony broke apart. Moments later, the destroyers of DESRON 55 met the same fate.

CHAPTER 2

Mac strolled down the sidewalk towards his base house. The stars were out and a slight cool breeze felt good after a day of meetings with the admiral. Tonight was a night of ordering out and watching a movie. When Mac turned the corner to walk toward the front door of his living accommodations, he noticed the lights were out, including the front porch light. Perhaps Nikki went out to get the food.

When Mac reached the door, he noticed it was not latched shut. Mac cautiously pushed the door open.

Hello? said Mac. His expectation was that Nikki forgot about the front door and nobody was home. Who would rob a military house on base? He heard a muffled sound from inside the house.

Mac moved into the house and flicked on the lights to the open living and dining area. He closed the door behind him and quietly entered the house. When he reached the doorway to the bedroom, there was a loud clank near the back of the kitchen. The back door!

Mac ran to the back door and saw a shadow of a figure running towards the forest behind his base house. Mac flipped on the outside light, but it was too late.

Mac searched the house looking for something missing or damage left by the intruder. When he entered the bedroom, he turned on the light and saw Nikki secured to the bed frame with a gag in her mouth. He quickly removed her gag and went to work on her rope bindings.

It was some guy in a suit, said Nikki. He showed me a badge and said he was an agent and wanted to ask me some questions. When I opened the door, he grabbed me and tied me up. Then he went through the house looking for something.

What was he looking for? said Mac.

He didn’t say, but I think he was messing around with your computer terminal in the study.

Mac finished removing Nikki’s bindings and ran to the study. The man in the suit trashed the computer terminal. Mac searched the drawers of his desk. Every memory module he owned was missing. They were looking for the data that he had from the Arcnals.

Nikki looked into the room from the doorway. Wow, what a mess. I wonder what they were looking for.

Mac reached behind a bookshelf and pulled out an object taped to the back.

They were looking for this, said Mac. He held up the memory module that contained a collection of data from several of his missions. Information that would destroy Admiral Ebsworth’s career if he could get it into the proper hands.

There was a knock on the front door. Mac pocketed the memory device and ran to the door to see who it was. The agent could not be stupid enough to return, could he?

When Mac arrived at the front door, Admiral Ebsworth was standing just outside.

I heard you had a break-in, said Admiral Ebsworth before Mac could get in a word.

Where did you hear that from? said Mac.

I was walking down the sidewalk when I saw someone dressed in a black suit run out the back of your house.

Mac didn’t buy her story. As far as I can tell, the intruder didn’t steal anything.

I expect you to file a report tomorrow morning, she said. Then she walked away before Mac could say another word.

What was that all about, said Nikki.

I think I’m going to have to leave a decoy data device with a copy of the data on it, said Mac. Otherwise, they’ll keep coming back.

You should send that off and let someone else deal with it, said Nikki.

I’ve sent the data to several senators and all the Chief of Staff members. All I get back is ‘we’ll look into it.’

CHAPTER 3

Mac and his crew assembled for a special meeting in the new conference center. The room was spacious and included amenities such as a wet bar and buffet table. Currently, the buffet table was empty to the consternation of the 801 crew.

Why can’t they just set out some crackers and cheese? asked Teo. Mac saw Teo spin around and bump into Yin. Yin. I see they put you back together nicely.

Are you interested in another date? said Yin.

Oh, no, said Teo. I’m good.

Sir, said JG. You think it’d be okay to mix a drink? The grin on her face made Mac wonder if she was serious, or perhaps she was just trying to push his buttons.

Absolutely, not, said Mac. The admiral will be here any minute. Stick to the soft stuff.

Mac could hear footsteps echoing from the hallway just outside the door. When he saw Admiral Ebsworth enter the door, he barked the usual Attention on deck!

Admiral Ebsworth walked to the wet bar and mixed herself a drink before giving the At ease command. Mac was thinking she had forgotten that they were standing at attention. Then he realized she was toying with them. Her form of petty torture.

Corporal Swift entered the conference room behind the admiral. Mac had seen the Corporal enter Admiral Ebsworth’s office fifteen minutes before this meeting. Mac wondered what the subject of their conversation was.

I just received word the Arcnals destroyed DESRON 55 while it was attacking an illegal outpost on a rogue asteroid in U.A.S. territory, said Admiral Ebsworth. The chatter in the room rose to a level that Mac had to wave his hands to get everyone to quiet down.

The chief of staff has tasked us with a mission of great importance, Admiral Ebsworth continued. They described this as a suicide mission. When I saw how difficult the mission was, I couldn’t think of a more deserving crew than the 801.

Mac knew she intended her statement to be insulting. The cat was out of the bag: She planned to dispose of Mac and his crew as soon as she could.

Corporal Swift will accompany your crew to provide extra firepower when you’ve reached your destination. Your mission is to repair any needed systems on the captured Arcnal vessel sitting in the yard. Then you’ll use the access codes in their computer to get past the outpost near a rogue asteroid field at the edge of U.A.S. controlled space. Once you have landed on the fortified asteroid, you’ll assist the Corporal in his task of planting explosives near their power center. If you’re lucky, you’ll escape in your stolen ship and be on your way home when the asteroid blows.

Admiral Ebsworth paused for a moment, and her next statement pained her to say it. Command has informed me that since this is a suicide mission, I must ask you and your crew to volunteer.

We’ll do it! said Teo. Mac saw Teo look at him. She had the look of rage on her face. Angry at the Admiral for taunting the crew of the 801? Maybe she was angry about the destruction of DESRON 55.

Are you sure? said Mac.

We’ve tackled hard missions in the past. Let’s go kick some Arcnal butt! That confirmed she was angry at the destruction of an entire destroyer squadron.

Crew of the 801, said Mac. Close your eyes. Now hold out your fist if you agree with Teo and want to volunteer for this mission. The hands of everyone in the crew flew out over the table. Everyone open your eyes.

A moment of celebration erupted as the crew realized they all volunteered.

Your crew has two weeks to make any needed repairs and get the Arcnal ship up to human standards, said Admiral Ebsworth. Dismissed!

CHAPTER 4

What’s the progress on your research of the Arcnal ship identification system? said Mac.

I have found the codes in the database and figured out how to transmit them when required for passage, said Koto. I have also reverse engineered the sensor arrays and practiced my skills at reading symbols on their display system.

Yin and I discovered how to charge and fire the plasma cannon, said Teo. It’s a small defensive gun, but it might come in handy.

The explosives? asked Mac.

We’ve loaded and secured all the explosives and small arms we’ll need to complete the mission, sir, said Corporal Swift.

I’ve gone over all the Arcnal intel that I could find in the U.A.S. intelligence database and practiced with the navigation system, said Shen. I can get us there and back. Mac saw that Shen peppered the console with tape and wrote commands next to each switch so he knew what they represented.

I also rigged up a U.A.S. IFF so Elia space control won’t shoot us down, sir, said Koto. Though the shipyard said they want the IFF unit back when we return. They don’t have a spare and this unit belongs to the 801.

Mac paused while he thought about the status of their repairs. Admiral Ebsworth gave them two weeks, but Mac felt they were ready now. No sense in spending another week going over this ship again.

I want everyone to pack your gear and prepare for launch, said Mac. Oh-eight-hundred tomorrow morning.

Yes, sir, came multiple voices.

Mac saw that morale was high. Would it be enough? Only time will tell.

CHAPTER 5

This will be our final transition, said Mac. Once we exit on the other side, everyone had better be ready to carry out the mission. Helmets on.

The crew put their helmets on. Shen started the countdown and Koto prepared to send the code. The portal opened in front of their stolen ship and they transitioned to a point near the rogue asteroid field.

Looks like a lot of debris ahead, said JG. Is this part of the asteroid field?

I think it’s the remains of DESRON 55, said Mac. Steer around it.

Shen navigated the stolen vessel around the debris field and approached the rogue asteroid. It surprised Mac at how close they approached without receiving a challenge message. Perhaps something was amiss.

We’re getting close, said Mac. Did they send us a challenge yet?

No, sir, said Koto. Koto checked through his controls. JG walked to his console and verified what he was looking at. Then Koto twisted a knob used for adjusting the receiver frequency and an Arcnal voice boomed from inside their helmet earpieces. They are using a different frequency.

Koto hit the button to send the reply to the challenge. The challenge message continued to repeat over and over.

Are they receiving the message? asked Mac.

I am confident they are receiving the reply message, said Koto. I will send it again.

Koto hit the reply button again. The challenge voice continued. Mac was about to call off the mission and make a run for it when the voice stopped.

Quark, came the reply. Mac wasn’t sure what that word in Arcnal meant.

Is that the accept or deny? said Mac.

Koto was looking through a booklet that he brought with him. The book was an Arcnal language translator book anyone could purchase at the PX.

According to the translation it either means, ‘approved’ or it means ‘your head is empty,’ said Koto.

Let’s continue with the mission, said Mac.

The asteroid field comprised thousands of tumbling rocks. Mac was happy the spacing was large enough to prevent the asteroids from bumping into each other. There was a lack of small gravel and dust usually mixed in with such wastelands. He suspected the Arcnals had a system for clearing dust and small debris from the field.

Mac could see gray rectangular structures on several asteroids surrounding the asteroid with the Arcnal station.

What are those? said Mac.

JG adjusted a crude telescope the Arcnal craft had built-in. The rectangular structure appeared enlarged on one of the screens.

It appears to be an array of cannons embedded in the surface, said JG.

If they fire those, we’re dead in less than a second, said Mac. Fortunately, they appear to be dormant.

Shen guided the stolen ship toward the largest asteroid in the field. It resembled a small, oddly shaped moon with no atmosphere. Mac thought of it as a flat-sided ball. The asteroid rotated slowly in a clockwise direction. Shen matched the rotation as he approached.

Gravity on this ball is going to be light, said Mac. Take precautions.

On the bright side, said Teo. Light gravity means our backpacks full of explosives will be easier to carry.

The ship descended to the surface.

Sir? said Shen. I think the ship is on automatic control.

Where is it landing? said Mac.

Not sure. I think they’re bringing us into their main spaceport.

Everyone, get your rifles ready. We may have to shoot our way out.

The crew scrambled to the weapons storage area and Yin passed out rifles and ammo. Corporal Swift checked the backpacks and distributed those. There was a thud as the ship met the ground. Within seconds, Mac saw sparks shooting into the landing bay near the main door. The ground crew was cutting in.

The atmosphere of the ship vented into the vacuum of the asteroid. Then the rear door dropped to the ground like a giant chunk of rock.