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The Battle for Mars: Space Corps Chronicles, #2
The Battle for Mars: Space Corps Chronicles, #2
The Battle for Mars: Space Corps Chronicles, #2
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The Battle for Mars: Space Corps Chronicles, #2

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When the miners on Mars form a trade union and call a planet wide strike, the Council of Economic Unions on Earth order the federal forces on Mars to take a firm hand, but when the federal Marines execute the union leadership live on the vid stream, Eddie Falcon, leader of the so called terrorist organization known as The People's Fist calls for all out war on Mars.

Hearing the news from Mars, Shawn Gallagher, president of the New Republic sends his fleet to space. The Council of Economic Unions, the governing body on Earth has its back against the wall; what with the new deep space fleet off exploring the galaxy and war raging on Mars it struggles to survive in The Battle for Mars.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherDavid Donaghe
Release dateDec 16, 2020
ISBN9781393170143
The Battle for Mars: Space Corps Chronicles, #2
Author

David Donaghe

Hello. My name is David Donaghe and I write short stories and novels. I live in the high desert of Southern California with my wife and family. When I am not writing, I enjoy riding motorcycles with my brothers and sisters in The American Cruisers MC. This is where I get some of my ideas for my writing. I also enjoy practicing martial arts. I have several eBooks published so far. Please feel free to browse my profile page and check out my other places on the internet. Please click the link to sign up for my author alerts. Also, I love to hear from my readers. Click this link to my author web page, click on contact the author and sign up to my email list to get my author news letters. If you download any of my books please post a review. I would love to hear what you think. to email me directly mail to: dhdonaghe@earthlink.netIf you are in the US military shoot me an email and I will send you a coupon code for 50 percent off on all my eBooks priced over .99 cents. If you want one of my short stories I will send you a coupon so that you can get it free. I enjoy hearing from all of my readers so send me an email and sign up for my Newsletter so I can give you updates on my new releases. If you'd like to review any of my books send me an email and I will send you a coupon code so you can download one of my book for free. Thanks a bunch. I look forward to hearing from you.

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    The Battle for Mars - David Donaghe

    The Battle for Mars

    By

    David Donaghe

    The Battle for Mars

    David Donaghe

    Published by David Donaghe at amazon.com

    New 2022 Draft2Digital Edition

    Copyright 2013

    This eBook is for your enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please buy another copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not buy it, return to your favorite eBook retailer and buy another copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Thank you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author. You may not redistribute it to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, encourage your friends to download another copy. Thank you for your support.

    Disclaimer

    All characters in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is coincidental.

    Table of Contents

    Chapter1

    Chapter 2

    Chapter 3

    Chapter 4

    Chapter 5

    Chapter 6

    Chapter 7

    Chapter 8

    Chapter 9

    Chapter 10

    Chapter 11

    Chapter 12

    Chapter 13

    Chapter 14

    Chapter 15

    Chapter 16

    Chapter 17

    Chapter 18

    Chapter 19

    Chapter 20

    Chapter 21

    The Battle for Planet Earth Sample Chapters

    About The Author

    Other Books by David Donaghe

    Chapter 1

    Eddie Falcon leaned against the bulkhead glancing out a porthole. The shuttle descended through the atmosphere crossing above the rocky surface of Mars. A dark-haired wiry, man in his mid-thirties, Falcon looked like a hundred other miners on their way to Mars. When he boarded the transport ship at Earth’s spacedock he made his way down the aisle and passed through the passenger compartment to the sleeping cabins. Each person he passed in the passenger compartment glanced up and made eye contact. A few brought their right hand up, as if in salute. At the last instant ran their hand through their hair or rubbed the side of their face.

    To the Consolidated management, Falcon looked like your average hard rock miner and they paid him no mind. He stood five feet eight inches tall with short coal dark hair, a stony expression, and a lean frame. There wasn’t an inch of body fat on him. His muscles were taut, like sinew, but his dark eyes looked as if they could pierce into your very soul. The three-month flight from Earth to Mars was uneventful, but now that time of inactivity was over. On the last leg of his journey, Eddie boarded the shuttle at Mars’ spacedock for the trip to the surface. He took a seat in the last row, near the rear of the shuttle, and tried not to draw any attention to himself.

    How long’s it been since you’ve been to Mars? the miner sitting next to him asked.

    Three years, Eddie said, drawing his eyes away from the porthole. What’s your name?

    The blond-headed miner sitting next to him smiled. James Galt. We’re glad to have you here, Mr. Fal-

    I’m using the name, Johnson, for the time being. Kevin Johnson, Eddie said.

    Right. I’m sorry sir, I forgot. Things should start hopping now that you’re here.

    A frown crossed Eddie’s face. Keep your voice down. I don’t want those Consolidated bosses to get suspicious. I need everyone to act like I’m only another miner on my way to New London, Eddie said and turned his face back to the porthole.

    Right. I’m sorry, man. But you’re famous. It’s an honor to finally meet you.

    Where’ve you been? We’ve been on the same ship since we left Earth, Eddie said.

    I know. I saw you at the secret meetings, down in the hold and I heard your speeches, but I never had a chance to get close. It’s an honor to finally get a chance to speak to you.

    Eddie sighed. I’m a regular guy like you. I’m trying to make a difference, that’s all.

    Well, you’ve done a hell of a good job. The movement wouldn’t be where it’s at right now, if not for you.

    No, it’s the rank and file members like you who make difference. If the bosses or security guards were to hear this conversation, they’d turn us both over to the feds when we land. Let’s change the subject.

    Right, Galt said.

    When the shuttle approached the spaceport, Eddie’s eyes widened. Good Lord, this place is huge. The last time I was here, it was a lonely base off in the middle of nowhere. Now it looks like a city unto itself.

    Yeah, they beefed up the spaceport after the New Republic formed. You should see the colony. It’s quadrupled in size. Camp Rizzo too. You can’t go anywhere in the colony without bumping into one of those federal bastards. You name it they’re all here. You’ve got soldiers and marines patrolling the colony. You have sailors from the fleet spending their hard-earned cash in New London, Galt said.

    The last time I was here, they had a few companies of marines from Camp Rizzo. The Army took care of the colonies over in the East Hemisphere.

    That was before they expanded the monorail system. Now they have bases all over. They’re trying to keep the rebels at bay. They don’t want us to go the way of Europa.

    Eddie laughed. The Federal Defense Forces and the Council of Economic Unions can’t always have things their way.

    Yeah, now that you’re here, those federal boys are gonna start earning their pay.

    The shuttle touched down on a massive landing pad. The voice of the pilot reverberated through the passenger compartment’s PA system. Gentlemen! Please put on your Mark I EVA suits, grab your gear, and exit the shuttle at the nearest airlock!

    Eddie put on his EVA suit and then his gravity boots. After putting on his helmet, he turned to the miner sitting next to him. Do you mind checking my seals and my air tank?

    Sure, Galt said placing his hands over the air vents on the front of the helmet’s face shield. Take a deep breath. Eddie took a breath. Your seals are fine. Turn around. Eddie turned around so he could check his oxygen tank. Your tanks are full. Sir if you don’t mind, could you do me?

    I’d be glad to.

    Everyone suited up and did their equipment checks. The miners moved down the aisle toward the airlocks. Eddie was the last of the miners to step down the exit ramp and step onto the ground on Mars. He paused for a moment and his eyes widened in wonder inside his EVA suit. The shuttle terminal was twice as large as the last time he was here. They had added an enclosed second floor. Three large monorail beams descended to the station. His eyes followed the beams as they disappeared into the night. Three monorails were set next to the station platform. Four other beams intersected with these three, two coming in from the south and two from the north.

    Galt noticed the direction of Eddie’s gaze. That’s the train station on the second floor. The monorails run to the various colonies throughout the planet.

    I heard about those trains, but this is the first time I’ve seen them. Eddie noticed a large hanger off to his right that was under construction. What’s over there?

    That’s Consolidated's new terminal. When that’s finished we won’t have to share with the federal pukes. It’s supposed to have an enclosed shuttle landing facility. The plans are to build an atmospherically contained transport barn. You won’t have to put on your EVA suits. Once your shuttle lands inside the terminal and they restore oxygen, you’ll catch a bus to the mines.

    Several soldiers, a group of marines, and a sailor passed them by on the way to the terminal. A Fleet Marine bumped into Eddie.

    Excuse me, Eddie said.

    There’s no excuse for you. Damn, I hate hard rock miners, the marine said to his buddy as they headed to the terminal.

    Federal pukes, Galt said, not bothering to hide the disgust in his voice.

    They can’t help it. That’s the way they’re trained. You can’t blame them, what with the rebels and you rowdy miners they’ve got their hands full.

    Galt laughed inside his EVA suit. My heart bleeds for them. Things are bound to get worse now that you’re here.

    You heard the briefing in the hold. It’s time to ratchet things up a notch. It will be interesting to see how things turn out. They headed across the tarmac toward the terminal.

    I hope, things get better for us, Galt said.

    They crossed the tarmac following the crowd to the spaceport. A long line formed up at the main entrance. They fell into the back of the line behind some soldiers and waited for their turn to pass through the airlock. Ten minutes later, they crowded into an airlock along with a group of military personnel. Oxygen filled the airlock. The inner doors opened and the people standing in front of them entered the spaceport. Hustle and bustle filled the terminal. They took off the helmets of their EVA suits and fell into line at one of the customs desks. The Federal Defense Forces reserved half of the check-in lanes for military personnel. The rest were for regular civilians and Consolidated Mining personnel.

    A young woman working the custom desk looked up at Eddie and smiled. Please run your biochip over my scan pad and look into the screen in front of you for your retina scan. Eddie ran his wrist over the scan pad on her desk and then leaned down to the small computer screen. The computer scanned his retina. Welcome to Mars Mr. Johnson. Go through the blue doors behind me. The Consolidated Mining bus is waiting at gate twenty-two.

    Thank you, Miss. Eddie followed Galt to the blue doors behind the customs desk. They stepped through a door in the bulkhead behind the custom bays and entered a large metal hangar. Buses lined the curb. Military transports, main battle tanks, and troop carriers parked behind the buses. They fell into line behind a group of miners at gate 22 waiting to board the Consolidated Mining bus. The airlock doors on the bus opened and passengers began to board. They found a seat near the rear of the bus.

    I noticed those tanks and troop carriers. Are they going to give us a military escort to the mines? Eddie asked.

    No, those are for the troops going to Camp Rizzo. The rebels attack their convoys sometimes, but they leave Consolidated alone. Some of the civilian transports get a military escort. But the feds figure we’re in cahoots with the rebels anyway, they can’t prove it.

    Eddie shrugged. Yeah, those FDF people are a suspicious lot.

    ***

    The bus filled up with miners. The airlock doors closed and the bus pulled away from the curb heading down toward the end of the hangar. A set of massive airlock doors at the end of the building opened. The bus pulled forward and the doors closed behind it. The outer doors opened. The bus lurched and pulled out onto the rugged Martian landscape. The driver followed the road, heading toward the perimeter of the spaceport. Eddie gazed out the window watching the scenery. His mind danced back to the past for a few minutes, remembering the last time he was on Mars. He was here when Shawn Gallagher took over the mining colonies on the moons orbiting Jupiter. He made sure things were hot for the Federal Defense Forces on Mars. He didn’t want them to be able to assist the forces arrayed against the New Republic.

    Soldiers stood guard on the perimeter. They manned fighting positions on the line and gunrooms sitting back away from the wire. Federal main battle tanks ringed the base. The soldiers stayed on constant alert, in case of an attack by the Martian rebels.

    The bus pulled up to the main gate. The two guards standing out front pulled back a string of wire and the bus pulled through the gate.

    It sure is dark out there, Eddie said.

    Yeah, the surface of Mars can be a lonely dark place.

    Dangerous, too. Especially if you get caught in a storm.

    Yep. If the wind picks up, you had better find shelter quick.

    The bus traversed a vast rocky plane, then climbed over a ridge and descended into a narrow canyon. A few minutes later, they exited the canyon. Through his window, Eddie saw the lights of the colony in the distance. Good old New London.

    Yes. It’s like an oasis in the Sahara Desert. Galt leaned back in his chair.

    They reached the colony twenty minutes later. The bus passed down the main thoroughfare of New London weaving its way through traffic. It had to stop several times at intersections to let cross-traffic pass. Eddie gazed out the window in wonder, at all the hustle and bustle. People in EVA suits of various colors moved down the sidewalks. Enclosed tracked vehicles filled the street and several buses lined the curbs.

    God this place has grown, Eddie said, while the bus passed the Utopian Mall.

    Yeah, it’s booming. Since the New Republic formed, Consolidated has increased production here. We mine pretty much everything here on Mars.

    Yeah, but the Feds still get their water ice, Hydrogen, and Helium-three from the New Republic.

    Galt laughed. Yes, they do. It about kills them when they have to pay for it, all though we do some ice mining in the Polar Regions, on a small scale.

    The bus passed through the colony and took a rugged trail heading east. Twenty minutes later, the driver pulled the bus off the main trail and took a rocky twisting dirt road leading to the south. Bright lights lit up a massive compound in the distance. A large office complex towered over the mines. The bus climbed over another ridge, then descended into a flat plane and pulled up to the perimeter fence. The guard, sitting at his desk in the guard shack, hit a button on his console and the gate opened. The driver pulled the bus through the gate onto Consolidated property. It continued heading toward the mining facility.

    The bus pulled up to another massive building. The huge airlock doors opened and the bus pulled inside. The doors closed behind the bus, the inner doors opened and the bus pulled into the parking structure.

    Please take all your belongings and report to the Consolidated reception center. For all, you new people welcome to Mars, the driver said. His voice boomed over the bus’s PA system when they pulled up to the curb. They picked up their gear bag and followed the crowd of miners heading down the aisle toward the exit. After stepping off the bus, they followed the crowd of miners toward a large set of hardened glass doors. A red digital display flashed the words Central Receiving over the door.

    Inside, they stepped onto a sea of beige carpeting and fell into line at one of five reception desks. Eddie reached the front of the line. A young blonde-headed receptionist looked up at him and smiled. Please run your wrist across my scan pad and look into the screen facing you for your retina scan. Eddie ran his right wrist across the small scanner sitting on the desk. He leaned forward looking into the small computer screen that was set next to the scan pad. The computer screen scanned his retina. Welcome to Mars, Mr. Johnson. The bosses have assigned you to the second shift. The printer behind her desk printed up a set of papers, she turned around and took them from the printer. Report to the plant manager’s office on level two. You can take one of the turbo lifts on the bulkhead to my left. Here’s your, in processing papers, she said handing him the papers from the printer.

    Thank you, miss, Eddie said.

    They crossed the room to the turbo lifts, stepped into a lift behind several other miners, and turned around to face the doors. The lift descended one level, the doors slid open and they stepped out into a narrow corridor. Metal diamond plates lined the walls and covered the floor. A tall man with dark brown hair and a friendly engaging smile stepped up to Eddie and grabbed him up in a big bear hug. It’s good to see you, Kevin. Welcome to Mars, the man said aloud. Consolidated bugs the lifts. Don’t say anything you don’t want big brother to hear, the man whispered into Eddie’s ear when he hugged him.

    I take it you’re Livingston? Eddie whispered back.

    Right. Troy Livingston. We need to get you down below.

    I’d like to get rid of this EVA suit and get something to eat first. Eddie pulled away from the man.

    Let’s get you through processing, then I’ll show you where the mess hall is.

    Thanks. It’s been a long trip and I’m so hungry that I feel like I might dry up and blow away.

    Livingston laughed and took Eddie by the arm. They headed down the corridor to the plant manager’s office. People in the corridor glanced up, making eye contact, and shot him a brief smile. A few brought their right hands up as if to salute. At the last moment, they ran their hand through their hair or rubbed the side of their heads. Eddie nodded at each individual and continued on his way.

    I’ll wait out here, Livingston, said when they reached the plant manager’s office.

    Inside the outer office, Eddie once more stepped into line at a reception desk. Galt stood in front of him in line.

    So how’s the food here? Eddie asked.

    Galt shrugged. Better than the slop they serve in the Defense Forces, but that’s not saying much.

    When he reached the front of the line, a dark-haired female receptionist shot Eddie a smile. Eddie handed her his paperwork and she logged him into the computer.

    Welcome to Mars, Mr. Johnson. You don’t go on duty until fifteen hundred hours tomorrow afternoon. If you’ll head down the corridor to the equipment room, you can stow that EVA suit. If you’re hungry, the mess hall is past the equipment room. After you have something to eat, find a bunk in the dormitory. It’s around the corner from the mess hall. If you get lost, stop at any VID screen and ask the computer for directions. She printed, out his name tag to put on his overalls and handed it to him. You’ll need to check in with supply for your uniforms and your other gear. When they issue you your coveralls, you’ll need to wear this name tag at all times.

    Thank you miss, Eddie said and stepped out of line. When he stepped out into the corridor, Livingston and five other men stood waiting for him. They were hard rough-looking men. If you looked closer, you could see subtle differences in their bearing. Gentlemen, Eddie said.

    They each nodded, showing respect. Welcome to Mars, a short wiry fellow, said.

    Livingston led Eddie down the corridor, stopping at the equipment room so he could stow his EVA suit. Underneath the EVA suit, Eddie wore a black long-sleeved shirt, a pair of jeans, and a pair of black boots. Finished in the equipment room, they headed down to the mess hall and fell into line behind a group of miners at a buffet-style counter. A food service worker heaped a mound of mashed potatoes and cut off a slice of roast beef for Eddie. He made himself a fresh garden salad, poured himself a cup of coffee and they found a table.

    The food’s not too bad, he said.

    The brass thinks if the food is good, we won’t complain about the poor working conditions. Or the low pay, and the long hours, Livingston said.

    They do have a point. A man will put up with so much, but you’ve got to feed him well if you want him to work.

    Finished with their meal, they stepped into another turbo lift. Livingston hit the down button. Keep your head down, like you’re looking at the floor. I don’t want security to see your face on their VID screen, Livingston whispered. Eddie nodded. The four other miners leaned back against the far bulkhead of the turbo lift. You might as well lean back and get as comfortable as you can. It takes about a half-hour to get to the bottom level of the mine.

    The miners inside the turbo lift conversed in low tones, but Eddie stayed quiet. When the turbo lift reached the bottom level of the mine, the doors opened. They stepped out into a narrow mining tunnel. Electric lighting lit up the underground passageway. Livingston stepped across the tunnel and moved a small metal plate from the tunnel's wall. If you didn’t know the plate was there, you would have missed it; it was the same reddish-brown color as the tunnel wall. A digital keypad set was recessed into the tunnel wall underneath the plate. Livingston entered an access code. The rocky walls of the tunnel split apart and the doors of a smaller turbo lift opened.

    That’s pretty cool. The last time I was on Mars, we entered the base through the canyons. You can’t even tell where the doors are; they look like the tunnel walls.

    These are our additions to the mines. Consolidated put in the main turbo lifts but we added these babies. We keep them a secret from the brass, but they don’t come down this deep into the mine anyway.

    They stepped into the small turbo lift. Livingston entered his access code. The lift dropped, taking them deeper still into the bowels of the red planet.

    You can speak freely now. There’s no bugs or cameras in here, Livingston said.

    Then I guess I can get rid of this. Eddie removed the biochip he had glued to his left wrist. It looked surgically implanted, like the real deal. He also took out the special contact lenses from his eyes that allowed him to fool the retina scan.

    I look forward to the day when no one has to wear these damned chips, one of the miners said. He leaned against the wall of the turbo lift said.

    I hear you brother. That won’t be too long now. The turbo lift descended for another half hour and finally came to a stop. The door opened; Livingston stepped out the door and onto a metal catwalk. The rest of the miners stepped out behind him and Eddie was the last one to leave the turbo lift. Five men dressed in desert camouflaged fatigues approached them.

    Mr. Falcon, we’re your security detail. If you gentlemen will please follow me, a sergeant said.

    Eddie paused for a moment, glancing out at the massive underground cavern in front of him. Metal catwalks ran along both sides of the cavern at various levels. He saw lights from rooms cut out of solid rock across the canyon. People moved about on the catwalks and occupied the various rooms. Shaking off a cold chill, he said, By all means. Lead the way.

    The security detail moved down the catwalk. They took up positions both in front and behind Eddie, and his escorts. About two hundred yards down the catwalk; they came to a black door. The sergeant stopped. Mr. Falcon, this is your HQ. You’ll find a conference room set up with all the computers and com gear you need. You have a stocked food and beverage station. There’s a VID screen with an embedded program that allows access to all the cameras on the planet’s surface. You will also have access to the cameras in the colonies and business establishments. Your living quarters are in here as well. Pass through the doorway to the left of your conference table.

    Thank you, Sergeant.

    Your shuttle is on the landing pad should you choose to visit any of the other colonies. Let me know if you want to travel. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be in my office next store. You can reach me on the com-unit.

    That will be all, thank you, Sergeant.

    Eddie entered his HQ followed by the five miners that had escorted him down from the surface. He paused for a moment, taking in the plush blue carpeting and the large oak table setting in the center of the room. A video screen and several computer consoles occupied the far bulkhead. On the other side of the table next to the com-center was set a food and beverage station.

    Gentlemen, please have a seat at the table and I’ll get us something to drink. What will it be? Eddie asked. Livingston and two other men settled for beer, but the other two miners ordered mixed drinks. After filling their drink orders, Eddie ordered himself a Jack and Coke. He took his seat at the head of the table. He glanced about the table taking in the men seated there before he spoke. First I would like to say that it is an honor to meet you. You men know that after we take this course of action, you five will most likely get arrested.

    Livingston nodded. We figured that.

    "When we launch the attack, we’ll send a Special Forces team to your

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