All That Glitters

OP Sandcastle is activated and a mass rescue of Union citizens, though the Alliance resists, resulting in the loss of some life. Disaster occurs...

© bigtddybr October 2021. This story 'All That Glitters - Ch 39' or the series 'All That Glitters' cannot be transferred to any other site besides Literotica.com in whole or in part without the prior authorizations in writing from the author and bigtddybr must be credited for this work.

Due to the number of abbreviations, ship listings, and list of characters, in this story, I include a glossary that is now in a stand-alone chapter called

'All That Glitters: Notes'

. Any and all information that you want or need to know about the series is included in Notes. It will be updated frequently simply by re-issuing the chapter to Literotica.

There is little attempt to explain the back story, so it is necessary to read previous chapters to fully understand where we are.

As before, I claim sole responsibility for the story line. This story is a fantasy, with no basis in reality. Any similarity that you may perceive to current events, people, or situations real or imaginary is completely unintended. Look no further than the story line for its intent and purpose.

A big shout out to SaddleRider for all the help she has provided in editing. With her guidance, I'm making fewer and fewer errors, but she still finds them. If you find any errors still left in this chapter, they are mine.

Please rate and comment. But keep your comments respectful. If you rant and rave or are disrespectful in your commentary, it will be deleted.

'Nuff said...enjoy.

Planet Varus, Clemet System, Forty-Eight Light Years from Terra

In Dalwan Province, at three in the morning, there was an earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter Scale. While it was not a strong earthquake, it was a shallow one, being only half-a-kilometer below the surface, and it was a long one, lasting more than three minutes. It caused significant damage to Dalwan City under which it manifested. Estimates of the injured exceeded 20,000 people.

Violeta Serment, the planet's president was informed immediately. She was still awake, having received a message not long ago in reference to OP Asclepias. She now had the perfect scenario to engage the Senate with.

Violetta opened a link to Senator Winslow on Terra and waited for his response. It wasn't long.

Damn but this instant communications was so bloody useful!

She thought.

"Good Day, Senator Winslow. We have actually had a major earthquake in Dalwan Province. It has likely produced 20,000+ injuries and an unknown number of casualties. We are going to use this as a pretext to initiate OP Asclepias," Violetta explained.

"You can handle the numbers with your own planetary resources?" Jonathan Winslow asked.

"Yes," Violetta confirmed. "The resources of OP Asclepias will go completely to OP Sandcastle."

"Thank-you Madame President. If you would, can you make a formal request that I can record?" the Senator asked.

Violetta went into her rehearsed speech, requesting the initiation of OP Asclepias, the 185,000+ estimated injured and unknown number of dead, estimated to be beyond the current resources of her planet. The recording was sent immediately to the Senate which was still in their afternoon session. Within an hour, OP Asclepias had been approved.

Malihan Regional Hospital, Green's World, The Harn System, Twenty Light Years from Terra

Dr. Aurelie Pendame, the Senior Administrator of Malihan Hospital, received the emergency notification of the initiation of OP Asclepias on Planet Varus. The information was sparse, which paradoxically wasn't unusual in these situations, with an estimation of 185,000+ injuries. These numbers were beyond the capabilities of the planet's resources. The Senate had approved OP Asclepias and was requesting support from all the regional hospitals.

Aurelia called Dr. Holdar, the Chief Surgeon of the hospital and the Teaching Surgeon at the Malihan University Annex. She informed her of the activation of Asclepias and ordered her to provide as many of her available doctors and nurses, including those who might be at the end of their internship or in the last few months of their training before entering internship.

Dr. Holdar, in turn, found a message waiting for her on her comp. She was a reservist Captain in the Union Navy and she just found herself being called up to serve in OP Sandcastle within the auspices of OP Asclepius, whatever the hell OP Sandcastle was. She noted that it was being planned by Capt. Raymond Clark and commanded out of the Punarjanm system. Something tweaked her memory and she called up Ayesha Seito.

"Ayesha, I have been called up as a reserve Captain in OP Sandcastle. Something tells me that you may know about it?" she inquired once Ayesha was sitting in her office.

"I do," she replied. "It was being run by the Anti-Slavery Task Force out of Liramor-23. I was part of the team of nurses and doctors scheduled to go to OP Sandcastle if it was activated before I came here for my internship.

"OP Sandcastle is a raid against the Alliance of Planets to retrieve our kidnapped citizens," Ayesha informed Dr. Holdar.

"Shit!" Holdar responded, surprise written all over her face. "They have activated OP Asclepius."

"Then they intend to go after much more than the estimated 35,000 we were originally looking at," Ayesha stated.

"An earthquake on Planet Varus with 185,000+ injured," Holdar stated.

"The number will be their estimate of the rescued. If they get half, that will be over 92,000. That would justify initiating OP Asclepius," Ayesha mused.

"You are going with me. You will be in charge group of triage teams. With your experience dealing with the Navy, you will be an asset that I will need in place," Holdar ordered. "We are going to need every doctor and nurse that the hospital can spare."

"Might I suggest that we make use of some of the Pod-Drran? At least the ones who have been certified to work on the human wards of late?" Ayesha inquired.

"They will go with you, Ayesha. You will be the best person to make use of them. I am making you the coordinator over eight teams. Complete this task successfully and I will write off the remainder of your internship," Holdar said, holding out her hand to shake Ayesha's. "Congratulations, Dr. Ayesha."

************

From all over Union space, the call was answered. Medical teams formed and were provided ships to transport them to Planet Varus, where they learned the actual truth, the supply ships that had transported them suddenly finding themselves pressed into service in support of OP Sandcastle.

To say the medical teams were shocked was an understatement. Their anger at being deceived was nullified only by the facts of the events. They would be needed and they would be involved with history. Many of those who were on the teams had family members lost to 'accidents' in space, some of which were suspected pirate attacks. They were praying that their family members could be retrieved.

A surprising number of medical teams from Hollander's World were part of OP Asclepius. While it was not yet known, with their empathic ability, they would turn out to be a major asset on this mission.

************

Ayesha, and her medical teams were transported to the Punarjanm system where they came aboard The Wanderer.

"Ayesha!" a happy voice called out. She turned at the sound of her husband's voice and ran into his arms. He picked up the diminutive woman and held her close in a tight hug.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I was ordered back to the ship when it came into the system some four weeks ago," he told her. "I couldn't tell you anything because of comms security."

"Oh, I am going to enjoy our reunion tonight," she purred.

"Hey, lovebirds, hold it in for a bit, there is still work to do," Lt. Ululla called out with some humour in her voice.

A blushing Ayesha slipped down to the deck from her husband's grasp, trying to look calm and collected, her blush and the fact she wouldn't let go of his hand belying her act, much to the amusement of her fellow medical specialists.

"OK, who have we got and why have we got them?" Ululla demanded.

"I'm bringing you eight triage teams to be deployed as you require. They consist of eight, three-person teams of a doctor or Nurse Practitioner and two nurses, so they can be set on eight different ships or sent to the one ship that will act as the ambulance ship," Ayesha told them.

"Nope, our ambulance ships are actual Navy Hospital ships, they will not need triage teams, so we will place the teams on ships that will be in the advance guard," Ululla stated.

"Welcome back, Dr. Kayl-Ur, Nurse Hend-Ur. I see we have two other Pod-Drran teams," Ululla commented.

"Malihan Hospital pulled everything it could for OP Asclepius. It was only after we arrived at Planet Varus that we discovered the real reason for the activation. They are here, they are certified to work on human anatomy, we will make use of them," Ayesha said in a confrontational manner.

"Hey, pull in your horns, little miss," Ululla laughed. "I am only stating a fact, not disparaging your choices. However, the best place for these teams will be on a hospital ship, not as forward teams on rescue ships. The citizens currently on Alliance planets are not likely aware of the presence of the Interspecies Community. Best place for the Pod-Drran teams will be in the rear. That will free up human teams from the hospital ships for forward triage,"

"OK, that makes sense, and it is 'Doctor' Little Miss, if you don't mind," Ayesha stated, hands on hips.

"Dr. Seito?" Raymond called out as he came into reception. "Congratulations Ayesha. It is good that you got your medical degree ahead of this mess."

"I haven't, actually. This is a momentary field promotion so that I can coordinate the teams; to become permanent if I do well out here," Ayesha admitted.

"If Dr. Holdar gave you the field promotion, she has no doubt as to your abilities," Raymond commented. "As to the Pod-Drran teams, I agree with Mbibo. They would be more of a nuisance in forward triage, especially if we have to send medical teams down to the planet."

"Kayl-Ur, Hend-Ur, always good to see our two celebrity medical specialists," Raymond greeted them, giving Kayl a hug and Hend a slap on the back.

"Raymond, your body is so different from that of Pod-Drran males," Kayl purred. "It is good to hold you again," she teased.

"You keep that up with my mate, Raymond, and I will have to demand Yudha-Seypec," Hend commented with a laugh, getting a smile in return from Raymond.

"OK. Let's get everyone situated, we will have to get the Pod-Drran over to the MHS Orenta before we launch the operation," Raymond said. "Kayl, Hend, I apologize that we cannot use you on this ship or for forward triage duty, your presence would frighten those who we are trying to rescue. Nothing against your skills, which we will make use of, however, we are working to tight schedules on this raid, anything that interrupts that will not work for us. You will be better used aboard the Orenta."

"We understand, Raymond. While we will miss the better accommodations and food aboard The Wanderer, we are here to work. We will go where you need us," Kayl replied.

"Good, let's get them over to the Orenta and have them replace these three teams with human teams for forward triage work," Raymond told Ululla.

Aurelia's Apartment, Adenomere Estate, Planet Adenomere, The Adenomere System, 182 Light Years from Terra

Aurelia had been going through the personal notes of Jaar Adenomere for several weeks now. She had compiled a list of crimes that would shock even the Landstradt, which was principally made up of pirates.

His crimes included manipulating the markets to discredit other great houses, the murder of the senior members of the great houses he had illegally brought down, the enslavement of the children of those houses, several murders of individual who had opposed him for one reason or other, the manipulation of the Landstradt for personal gain, and the more recent attempted murder of herself.

The destruction of the House of Yunki, the murder of the elders of the house, and the kidnapping of their children was well documented. May and Mei had bristled at the information that Aurelia had discovered. She told them that she would work to correct this injustice when the time was right. She had to admonish them that this was not the time, that there was little they could do, under the current circumstances.

While they were not pleased with having to wait, they were far better off working for Aurelia than working elsewhere in the house. Patience was something that slavery had instilled in them. They would bide their time.

Aurelia found that Jaar had not personally employed those who had tried to kill her. He had arranged for his brother Antonius, head of the Second House of Adenomere, to provide funding for the attack, and for Peotre Adenomere, the head of the Third House of Adenomere, to coordinate the attack. She had all their correspondence and planning information, which she put on a micro-memory chip, as well as some of the other more juicy tidbits.

She needed to get this information into the hands of others before the next Landstradt meeting, which was scheduled for the week after her wedding. She wondered who she could trust with this information. Several people came to mind. She had to make careful choices here. Getting this information to the wrong hands would mean her death rather than her salvation...

Presidential Compound, Planet Varus, Clément System

Fleet Admiral Robert Martin, commanding Sector Fifteen, out of Marlin Naval Base on Planet Varus, was sitting with President Violla Serment in her office, as they processed the information from three streams of data.

One was from the site of the recent earthquake in Dalwan Province. It gave the current estimates of dead and injured in Dalwan City.

The second, was from Marlin Naval Base. It showed the escalation of OP Asclepius as it built up to prepare for injuries supposedly coming from the disaster zone.

The third was also from Marlin Naval Base. It showed the preparations to receive upwards of 90,000 rescued Union citizens from OP Sandcastle.

They were getting continuous updates from the lead ships in OP Sandcastle via ICS.

"The ICS is a god-send," Violla commented.

"It is, Madame President," Robert admitted. "We would have had to wait for daily comms probes prior to this. Having information sent immediately on all updates is a significant advantage. The only problem we have is the tendency of commanders and politicians to interfere with the local commanders now that we have instant communications."

Violla smiled at that. "Yes, I remember my military training, Admiral. You can only go down two levels of command for orders."

"Quite, Madame President. Theater Commanders do not need to be sending instructions to Platoon Commanders in the field," Robert admitted. "However, telling that to politicians who have not had military training is problematical."

The President ignored the quip about politicians. She had heard them all. "How soon before we go?" Violla asked.

"Once all the assets are in place," Robert replied. "That shouldn't be too long now. Probably the day after tomorrow."

OP Sandcastle Fleet, Numbered Star System HD-137982, Fifty Light Years from Terra

In an empty star system, not on any known travel routes between planets, the ships of Operation Sandcastle started to appear. The NS Persephone, accompanied by PV The Trine, came into the system first. The Persephone immediately set up control over the system as the command ships of each raid came into the system and sorted their assault teams, pulling them into isolated groups away from the other teams.

The Persephone, was coordinating the instructions to ships as they appeared, directing them where to go to wait for the moment of assault. The Trine had two experienced Navy Comms people on board. Hanalei was in charge of the ship, Violletiya uncomfortably close to her at all times, the two children were with her and Urano.

Once all the assault teams were in place, Navy supply and hospital ships began to enter the system. The Persephone contacted each ship and directed them to their assault team, where they received their individual instructions from the command ship of each raid. Five of the hospital ships stayed with the Persephone. Two would be used for the anticipated overflow of injured rescued citizens while the other three would be dedicated to Navy/Marine injuries from the raid teams and orbital battles.

During this time, Fayad and Junelliya had crossed over to NS Dewfall, Capt. Henadi Noor commanding, which was the overall command ship with Commodore Liana Dostier and would be the command ship for the raid on Planet Adenomere.

The assault teams were now waiting for civilian supply ships, which started appearing in system. They were directed to the various groups and given instructions. They were also given extra shuttles to top up their shuttle compliments. By seven bells second shift on the third day in system, the raid was ready. Dostier contacted all ships.

"All ships, this is Commodore Liana Dostier. Operation Sandcastle is ready, we go at one bell first shift. May the Gods grant us their benevolence," Dostier sent to the fleet.

The location of the HD-137982 star system had been chosen specifically because it was within twenty light years of all but one planet, Planet Adenomere. This allowed most of the ships to jump into their assigned target system without having to wait out a four to six hour recharge of the older Marilon Generators on the older ships.

The exception was Task Force Adenomere which was scheduled to jump the twenty light years into a specific location, the max range for most of the older supply ships, and then jump into the Adenomere System four hours later, all of her older ships having that recharge capability.

Four hours before one bell, the ships of Task Force Adenomere jumped into an empty section of space fifteen light years from the Adenomere System to wait out the recharge of their older ships. Operation Sandcastle had begun...

Gaetan Orbital Station, Gaetan's Planet, Gaetan System, Seventy-Four Light Years from Terra

The tech was sipping coffee at his comp on Gaetan Station Control when a supply ship came into the system.

"Gaetan Station Control, this is SSP Whilhelm Harger, Capt. Miles Verbin commanding, requesting parking orbit, We are here to pick up high-end items, over."

"They've been here before?" the supervisor asked.

"Yes, sir, they have been here on numerous occasions," was the reply.

"OK, give them access to the VIP Dock then."

"Control, roger, we are transmitting the route to your parking orbit now, over," the controller returned.

"Harger, roger, we have your plot, we should be in orbit in eighteen, out."

The Harger had come into Gaetan's planet using the code 'high-end items' that indicated she needed to have access to the upper section of the station. The ship was placed at a location that allowed for her shuttle to come into the VIP Shuttle Deck which, coincidentally, was only 100m from station control.

The shuttle came in as per normal, settling in the shuttle deck as per instructions and waited out the re-pressurization of the deck. Two men, dressed as ship's officers, left the rear of the shuttle and approached customs.

There were two customs agents and four guards waiting for them. The two men acted quickly, pulling hidden stun guns and knocked out all six before any of them could act. From the rear of the shuttle, a dozen Marines in EVA Combat Suits ran unopposed onto the station and into control, where they swiftly took over operations, without anyone outside of control being made aware of the situation.