Chapter 16

MAD BURST THROUGH the flaps of the biggest tent in the camp, Cobb, Gil, and Lyle in tow.

"Get the radio!" she barked at the group of soldiers inhabiting the tent. "Now!"

They sprang up at once, sorting through their equipment in search of the radio. "Here it is, sir," said one of the soldiers, handing it over. Mad started working the knobs at once, trying desperately to find the right frequency. It seemed to take a few eternities, but Mad finally found the right channel and flipped on the built-in microphone.

"Squad Seven to all listening squads! There are Sovereignty snipers on the planet! I repeat! There are Sovereignty snipers on the planet and their objective is to thin us out! Check in with me ASAP! Over."

Mad waited for a moment in tense silence, hoping another squad would check in. Suddenly the radio erupted in chatter.

Some squads reported direct contact with a sniper. There were casualties, but the snipers had been eliminated. A few more said they hadn't encountered any hostiles but would now be on their guard. Others failed to check in at all.

Mad listened for reports of the squad stationed at the Frigidum Orbital Communications Station, the Revolutionary soldiers' only connection to the Rusty Blade and Revolution Command. She didn't hear any.

"Which squad is garrisoned at the Communications Station?" Mad asked.

"This is Squad Eleven reporting in. We believe it is Squad Nine," came a reply. "Why do you ask, Squad Seven?"

"I haven't heard any chatter coming from their end, Squad Eleven. Have you?"

"That's a negative, Squad Seven. We're on patrol close by. Would you like us to recon the area?"

"Affirmative, Squad Eleven. Keep us posted."

"Roger that, Squad Seven. Squad Eleven over and out."

Mad checked in with some of the other squads while she waited for Squad Eleven to report. Most of the information exchanged was casualty counts, which were lower than Mad had expected, much to her relief.

About two hours after Squad Eleven had gotten off the radio, Mad heard them call in.

"This is Squad Eleven reporting to Squad Seven. The Communications Station is under Sovereignty control. I repeat. The Communications Station is under Sovereignty control. Please acknowledge, Squad Seven."

Mad was stunned. The Station was their only connection to orbit and Command and now it had been cut. They wouldn't be able to send out any requests for reinforcements or assistance. The Sovereignty could simply send in a larger force, wipe them out, and take control of Frigidum.

"I acknowledge, Squad Eleven," Mad said numbly. "Could you give an estimate of their numbers?"

"There are at least one hundred and fifty infantry soldiers, Squad Seven. They brought some heavy equipment, too. Right now, I have eyes on ten tanks within the Station perimeter."

"Roger that, Squad Eleven. Is there any sign of Squad Nine?"

"They're KIA, Squad Seven, but they put up one hell of a fight. I count at least twenty Sovereignty casualties. It's possible they got a message off to Command, but there's no way of telling."

"Thanks for the report, Squad Eleven. Any ideas on what we should do next?"

"The only thing we can do, Squad Seven. We need to take back the Station and alert Command if Squad Nine hasn't already."

"Roger that, Squad Eleven," Mad said. "Attention to all available squads. Rally on Squad Eleven's location and prepare for an attack on the Orbital Communications Station. I repeat. Rally on Squad Eleven's location and prepare for an attack on the Orbital Communications Station. Let's get these sons of bitches off our planet. Squad Seven over and out."

Mad switched off the radio and turned to Cobb.

"Tell everyone to pack up camp," she said. "We're going to show the Sovereignty what happens when they fuck with the Revolution."