Star Crusades Nexus: Book 06 - Call to Arms by Michael G. Thomas Page A

a high-bandwidth stream to our head office when we lost power to most of our system. My manager said something had destroyed the main and backup power generators for the refinery complex. By the time we got the communication system onto the reserve supply, the transmitter station had gone. We've been trying to reach other bases and installation on Mars. So far nothing.”
    Again there was a short delay.
    “We have to find a way to get a signal to Earthsec command.”
    Anna shook her head.
    “No chance. With the transmitter array gone, we just don’t have the power to get a signal to Earth. Only one of the Lagrange stations is still functioning, and that will not come into range for another...two hours.”
    A volley of gunfire shook the floor from a dangerously close position. It was followed by shouting, more gunfire, and then screams. A powerful explosion shook the ground, and both were knocked to their knees by the power of the attack. Agent Smith lifted himself up, helped Anna do the same, and then leaned in close.
    “We don’t have much time. Let’s get to the shuttles. We can use their communication gear to reach the Lagrange Station One when we’re in orbit.”
    The image paused, and the light increased in brightness for a few seconds until those in the room could see each other clearly. The Governor moved to the front and stood directly in the path of the agent.
    “The transmission continues for another eleven minutes. Copies have been sent to all of your accounts. These two made it to the shuttles, but shortly after sending in their report, we lost contact with them and any other craft that had escaped.”
    He let that sink in and found to his surprise that not one of them had a thing to say. He panned across until finding the annoyed looking expressions on the faces of his two newest arrivals.
    “You have something to add?”
    Spartan looked to Khan who saw the question as an open invitation.
    “You’re kidding, right? We told you what these machines would do, and now they have. Right now, they have this refinery and will be sending out their forces to secure the rest of the colony.”
    “Khan’s right. How many people were there on Mars?”
    Governor Trelleck looked at them both for a few seconds and then turned his head to nod in the direction of a short, dark skinned man. He stood up and faced them but didn’t introduce himself.
    “Mars Colony has just over three hundred thousand personnel, mainly workers for the refineries and their families. There are two main refinery complexes, a small engineering base, and a number of large habitation complexes. On top of that, there is City One where over half the population live, but it’s nearly four hundred kilometers from the refinery site.”
    Spartan looked confused.
    “I thought Mars was a major colony? That is not much more than a decent sized space station.”
    The man looked disappointed with this question but sat back down and left it to he Governor to continue.
    “No, Spartan, we do not have the personnel or resources that the rest of the Alliance has in abundance. Mars...continues.”
    “Well, not for much longer,” stated Spartan.
    He lifted himself up and walked toward the Governor, ignoring standard protocol. This simple movement sent consternation through the small throng of people. A number of guards moved from the two main doorways, but on a signal from the governor they backed off.
    “Well?”
    Spartan pointed at the display.
    "How many people are there at this refinery? The one where the Biomechs attacked?"
    The Governor didn't even need to consult his system to answer.
    "Three hundred and twelve plus a small security details. The site has underground tunnel access via light rail to the secondary refinery, as well as a major tunnel system leading directly to City One."
    Spartan shook his head again.
    "Those three hundred plus people will get them started. In just a few days they will strike out to the rest of Mars, assuming they