Patricians: Power Politics (2 of 9)

Chapter 45: Unto the Breach

Wave after wave of fighters and bombers lifted off the deck of the Alesia. Cresting over the horizon, the midmorning sun beamed across the gathered ships. Transports ferried troops to the three cities to aid with the allied advance. Fighters circled overhead, waiting for tasking orders from Command. Since the first rays of light, the allied forces had been hammering IRME defense positions. Northern Islamic Republic forces were falling back towards Dyarbakir. Retreating to the south, Islamic forces were headed towards Messina. Constant barrages and the allied advance had inflicted tremendous casualties on enemy forces.

Kendra's network attacks had isolated the enemy forces. Without communication, IRME forces were falling into confusion. Enemy morale was plummeting from the constant allied bombings. Automated defenses and IRME drones now served the allied forces. Turrets and SAM sites targeted the IRME troops, forcing them to retreat. Baghdad had once stood as a bastion of IRME military might, but now the city was a smoking ruin. Cpt. Speirs and Welsh had managed to occupy the city with little casualties. Muse and NATO forces were mustering in the ruins, preparing for the offensive against IRME's main army outside Basra.

In the Alesia's Command Center, Henry, Maj. Lee, and General Navarro watched the offensive. Satellite imaging showed their enemy's retreat. The Muse neural network showed the situation on the ground in live video streams. General Navarro couldn't contain his joy at the success he was witnessing. The man had a reputation for a constantly grim expression, but no one in the Command Center would have believed that reputation today. General Navarro was patting Henry and Edward on the back for their brilliant plan.

"Hot damn, I can't believe this crazy plan worked. Look at them run!" General Navarro was smoking a cigar and celebrating the victory early. Baghdad had fallen, and the General had demanded something to celebrate. Offered a cigar, Henry tried to placate the General, but he didn't believe it was quite time to celebrate yet.

"We've still got a lot of work to do, General. IRME's main army still hasn't been touched. By now, I would imagine those forces have managed to get some of their defense back under their control." On the strategic map, Henry watched the march of his troops south from Baghdad towards the enemy line. Amongst the many dots representing Allied forces was Cpt. Cross's unit pushing towards Kut.

Only Henry knew about the unit's secret orders. Excitement was a distraction to the clandestine mission the troops were on. General Navarro was too busy admiring the forces sweeping south towards the enemy to notice one unit breaking away. Satellite imagery showed the main army had begun moving on the map. Elation fled General Navarro when he saw the sudden break in enemy forces. IRME troops were moving towards the city of Kut on the map. Only Henry could know the reason for the sudden enemy movement.

Turning away from the computer, Kendra looked back at her commander.

"Sir, I've gotten a strange signal, trying to connect to the Muse Network, sir. I'm not sure if it's IRME trying to gain access to our networks or something else."

Marching away from the strategic map, Henry headed over to Kendra to look over her shoulder at the information.

"Does the signal have proper access codes, Lieutenant?"

Watching the lieutenant work was like seeing a great artist create a masterpiece. Kendra moved with deft precision through the system, pulling up information on the screen.

"No, it's an outdated security clearance code, sir, but it's a code that grants access to the entire network. Do you want me to block it, sir?"