Gates of Hell

by Daniel Gibbs

  “Why’s that important?” Ruth questioned.

  “You need to ask? A former League officer, now reduced to the life of a simple farmer, under those he used to be the victor over?”

  “Nothing wrong with being a simple farmer. I wish I were at times.”

  “I can’t see you being out, tilling the soil.”

  “What are the other reasons?”

  “Like a dog with a bone, aren’t you?”

  Ruth grinned. “You have no idea.”

  “I respect Ezekiel Nussbaum. I’ve known him for years and admired how he conducted himself and protected his family. He’s a good man, by any standard—League or Coalition.”

  “So you hope that because he’s a decent man, he’ll take you in?”

  “Yes.”

  Ruth pursed her lips together. “Makes sense to me. Just remember, you’re not in control anymore. If they don’t want you around, we move on to the next farm.”

  “I understand,” Pavlik said, a bit of pique in his voice.

  “Lieutenant,” the pilot called back over the intercom. “We’re coming in to land. Have you down in thirty seconds.”

  True to her word, the shuttle came to a hover, and Ruth could feel it slowly dropping, almost like a fast gravlift that could give a sensation of freefall. After their craft came to a stop and touched down, the back ramp opened up and slid down. Sunshine spilled into the cargo area, causing her to blink from its intensity. “What a beautiful day,” she commented after the glare died down. “Let’s not keep our hosts waiting.”

  “Ladies first,” Pavlik replied as he stood up.

  Something tells me this one was quite the ladies’ man in his youth. Ruth smirked as she walked down the ramp. Ezekiel, his wife Mary, and Susanna were all gathered on the porch of their farmhouse. They waved at her and Pavlik as they approached.

  “Lieutenant Goldberg, it’s agreeable to see you again,” Ezekiel called out. “Major, welcome to our humble home, though under different circumstances.”

  Pavlik bowed his head respectfully. “I’m honored you would receive me, especially under those different circumstances, as you put it, Mr. Nussbaum.”

  I guess he’s going all in on formality and politeness. “Ezekiel, we’re here to discuss Mr. Pavlik taking up residence on your farm,” Ruth said without preamble.

  “Please, why don’t you all come inside? We prepared some refreshments to share,” Mary said from the porch. “Then we can discuss your request as a family.”

  “After you, Vladislav,” Ruth said, gesturing to the steps.

  Ruth took up the rear as Pavlik strode into the house, the Nussbaums going first. They all sat down in what she guessed was the Amish equivalent to a formal living room. It was decorated with solid wood furniture, every piece made by hand if her memory was right from childhood.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” Ruth said as she took a cup of hot tea from Mary.

  “I baked fresh raisin bread, if anyone would like a slice?” Mary asked the room at large.

  “It’s far better than your energy bars,” Susanna said from her chair, directly next to her father. From the look Ezekiel gave her, Ruth figured he preferred to do the speaking with outsiders.

  “Oh, why not,” Ruth replied, grinning. “You only live once.”

  Silenced prevailed until Mary returned with a plate of neatly cut bread, many raisins visible throughout its interior. Ruth took a piece and flashed a smile at her, then took a bite.

  “Wow,” she exclaimed, chewing with her mouth open. “That’s incredible. Beats ship food any day. That’s saying something too. The Lion of Judah has some of the best food I’ve had in the fleet.”

  “Major,” Ezekiel began, looking directly at Pavlik. “We have considered at great length both as a family and a community, the request of the Terran Coalition that you be allowed to live here, among us.”

  “If I may, I no longer hold that rank,” Pavlik immediately replied. “I wish to leave it, and its trappings, behind.”

  I wonder how much of this is real and what’s just a ploy to save his skin, Ruth considered, watching the two men with rapt attention.

  “I respect your actions a great deal. The road to redemption often starts with a single act of contrition. I’m told you prevented Colonel Pan from killing everyone on our world. Is this true?”

  “Yes, but I don’t want to overstate what I did. Pan’s actions were despicable. I didn’t think about it; I just acted.”

  “What we do with little thought gives a window into our soul and its motivations,” Ezekiel replied.

  “That’s pretty deep commentary there,” Ruth interjected.

  “Don’t let the plain clothes and simple life fool you, Lieutenant,” Ezekiel responded curtly.

  “I apologize, sir.”

  “We have a rich history of accepting who would seek our way of life. Any are welcome, as long as they agree to abide by our customs, laws, and beliefs. Are you certain this is what you want, Vladislav?” Ezekiel asked, his eyes boring into Pavlik.

  “I’ve always respected your way of life, Ezekiel. I’ve respected how you treat one another and work together. Losing technology, that’s not going to be easy. I’ve no choice in this matter, you see. If I don’t fade away here, I’ll end up in a CDF prisoner of war camp. The League will know what I did in time, and my family will face harsh punishment. Imprisonment if they’re lucky, death if they’re not,” Pavlik explained, showing emotion at the end of his statement, a tear forming in his eyes. “I’ve worked my entire life to take care of them. Now I must let them believe I’m dead. This is one of the only places in the galaxy I can go to disappear.”

  “Throwing yourself on our mercy, then?” Ezekiel asked.

  “Yes.”

  “You must realize that in an Amish community, it’s not about you, as some of the younger generations might say. We all look out for one another. You will be no different.”

  “I understand.”

  “What about your beliefs?”

  “Political or religious?” Pavlik asked.

  “Part of being Amish is very much in our religious belief, especially in our Lord, Jesus Christ,” Mary interjected. “The council has discussed the matter. Becoming a seeker and attempting to join us typically requires a statement of faith.”

  “I have no faith,” Pavlik replied quietly. “I did have faith in the state, but perhaps it was misplaced.”

  “In light of the situation, the council agreed to waive that requirement,” Ezekiel said.

  Pavlik looked up. “Thank you. I would not want to start my time here by lying to you.”

  “Maybe you would consider learning about what we believe someday?” Susanna asked. Ruth felt her innocence shine through in the bright smile and cheery voice she asked the question with.

  “I can’t make any promises.”

  “It’s possible God brought you here to us, in this place, at this time, specifically to show you a different way,” Susanna continued.

  “I suppose that’s one possibility,” Pavlik said. “Not one I would normally consider.”

  “We will check in on Mr. Pavlik from time to time,” Ruth said. “Regular debriefings, just in case he remembers something else of value. It won’t interfere in your daily lives, though. CDF Intel will fly him to the interim authority staging base and back.”

  “Of course,” Ezekiel replied.

  “Then it’s settled?” Ruth asked.

  “Yes, Vladislav may stay with us,” Ezekiel said, with finality.

  “Thank you,” Pavlik said, his voice sounding contrite at least.

  “You will have to work just as hard as we do,” Ezekiel replied. “There are no free rides here, and all must work for their food.”

  “I understand. I’m used to that maxim.” Pavlik turned to Ruth and pursed his lips together. “Lieutenant, I must thank you for doing this. Keeping my family safe means the world to me.”

  “Don’t thank me. Thank them,” Ruth replied matter-of-fac
tly.

  “Thank you all,” Pavlik said in return, gesturing to the entire room.

  “I’ll show you to your room,” Susanna said. “We prepared it for you this morning, along with your clothes.”

  As she led Pavlik away, Ruth was left with Ezekiel and Mary. “You guys sure about this?”

  “We prayed diligently, Lieutenant Goldberg. I believe God wants us to shelter this man. Regardless of his sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive them. We must do the same, in every action we take in life. Turn the other cheek.”

  “I’m not good at that,” Ruth admitted. “Not all of us can be. Some of us have to fight.”

  “Don’t tell the elders, but I do see at least the logic of what you say,” Ezekiel said. “Without you and the rest of the CDF, this universe would be a far darker place.”

  “Take care of yourselves. I’d better be heading back. The Lion ships out in a few hours and I don’t want to be late.”

  “God bless you,” Ezekiel said as she stood.

  “Susanna told us your normal goodbye is to say Godspeed,” Mary stated, smiling.

  “Yes… she also told me it traces its roots back to old English and German. It means may God cause you to succeed. So Godspeed to you too, ma’am,” Ruth said, a smile spreading across her face at the feeling of a job well done.

  As she walked down the steps toward the shuttle, Ruth cast one final look back at the farmhouse. The price was high. I’m not sure I’ll ever lead men and women into battle again like that. I don’t know if I’m cut out for it. The pain of Meissner’s death was still fresh and raw. Would I be able to sacrifice myself to save my fellow soldiers like that? I pray I never have to find out.

  Kenneth Lowe pushed the door open to one of the Lion’s communications booths. Located within the ship’s comms center, the booths allowed up to four people to make a vid or commlink call anywhere in the Terran Coalition. As long as we can pay the charges, that is. Kenneth first dropped his tablet and its carrying satchel on the table, then he sat down and began to program the system for a vidlink back to Canaan.

  The door behind him swung open, causing Kenneth to spin around in his chair, surprised. David strode in, carrying a covered coffee mug with “CO” on the side of it. “Mind if I join you, Kenneth?”

  Kenneth jumped out of his seat. “I apologize, sir. I didn’t realize you’d be here. I’m shocked to see you here.”

  David grinned. “Oh, remember, as the commander of the ship, I have to approve all vidlink requests over a certain credit amount.”

  “Yes, sir,” Kenneth replied sheepishly. “Don’t worry, sir, the cost is being charged back to SUPSPACE.”

  “I couldn’t help but notice there was a rather nasty note attached to the request for a vidlink.”

  “Ms. Blackman has made her displeasure with my team and me quite clear, sir.”

  “We’ve discussed this before. I think now would be the right time for me to get involved. Pull up a commlink back to Canaan, but do not engage video.”

  “She specifically asked for video, sir.”

  David smiled broadly. “Consider that countermanded.”

  “Yes, sir,” Kenneth said and sat back down, punching up the commlink line back to Canaan and to the conference room information he’d provided. A few moments later, there was some static on the line as it went live.

  “This is Kenneth Lowe. Is anyone else on the call?”

  “Sabrina’s here,” a woman’s voice called out. “I’ve got Director Bachman with me. Why isn’t video active?”

  “Technical difficulties, ma’am. There wasn’t enough bandwidth for a vidlink.”

  “I specifically authorized the expense,” Blackman fumed.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, it was overridden by the Lion’s military personnel.”

  “Let’s get on with it, then. I’ve received and read your report for last week. Can you explain to me why you didn’t request a change order to your contract before undertaking the task of fabricating explosive bolts? Your team isn’t rated for that kind of work.”

  “Ma’am, Colonel Cohen requested we assist. The TCMC contingent on the ship provided explosives technicians who set up the charges. We provided the brackets and engaged in spacewalks to weld them onto the exterior hull of the merchant ships so the fighters could attach safely.”

  “This report also says that you provided personnel to supervise the mating of fighters to merchant ships.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “That work is so far out of scope for what you’re approved to do, it’s not funny.”

  “It was required for the success of the mission, ma’am.”

  “Who authorized the work?”

  “Colonel Cohen.”

  “For the last time, Mr. Lowe, only civilian SUPSPACE personnel may give you tasking. Clearly, you haven’t listened to me the last fifty times I told you.”

  “With respect, ma’am, I understand the reasoning for the regulation, but out here, if I were to wait for approval from people back on Canaan prior to doing anything remotely out of scope, nothing would ever get done,” Kenneth said forcefully, drawing a grin from David, who held up his hand as if to say, “my turn.”

  “I’ve got Director Bachman with me today because we’re going to be removing you from this program. I wanted him to see for himself the gross disrespect you show for protocol, and that you’re not fit to support a project of this caliber.”

  David leaned down toward the multisided microphone on the table they sat around. “Ms. Blackman, is it?”

  There was a pregnant pause on the other end of the line. “Who’s this?”

  “Colonel David Cohen.”

  “Uh, I wasn’t aware you were on this call, Colonel.”

  “I’ve been watching for the last year as you’ve progressively thrown more and more red tape at Mr. Lowe and his team. I’m not amused.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Daily reports from every person on his three-hundred-person team. Failure to allow new hires after employee attrition. An attempt to force Mr. Lowe and his company to add some company that’s run by a friend of yours as a subcontractor and making his life difficult when he declined. I’m pretty sure the last one is at the least highly unethical. It’s possibly illegal too.”

  “That’s a severe charge, Colonel Cohen,” a male voice said; Kenneth presumed it was Bachman.

  “I’d agree with you, Director. Kenneth, you did keep the records of that correspondence, yes? The same ones you’ve shown me?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Well, I’ll have Mr. Lowe send those over to you, Director. I want Ms. Blackman removed from her position effective immediately.”

  Kenneth cranked his head around to stare at David, his mouth agape. Now I didn’t see that coming.

  “I think it would probably be for the best, Colonel.”

  “You can’t possibly believe…” Blackman sputtered in the background.

  “We’ll discuss that later, Sabrina. Colonel, do you have any preferences for who you’d like assigned on an interim basis?”

  “I do. We’ve got an officer on board from CDF Special Programs, Major Elizabeth Merriweather. I want this program put under her for the time being, until we’re all able to sort out what’s best going forward.”

  “Sounds reasonable to me. Can you send me her fleet link profile?”

  “Of course. I’ll do that after we log off here.”

  “Thank you, Colonel. You can access my fleet link profile from the registration list for this meeting.”

  “I’ve used one of those before, Director,” David replied with just a hint of snark.

  “I meant no disrespect, Colonel.”

  “In the interest of full disclosure, Director… I ordered Mr. Lowe to devise a method by which to attach our fighters to those merchant ships. His team performed exemplary work, completed the task with a few minutes to spare, and allowed us to inflict a significant defeat on the League. I’ve had nothing but positiv
e things to say about his work, and the work of his team since I took command of this ship. That hasn’t changed. To be blunt, we all have better things to do than look for problems where they don’t exist.”

  “I completely agree, Colonel. I’ll see to it that the appropriate kudos and notifications are made.”

  “Thank you, Director. Any saved rounds, anyone?”

  The room was silent; Kenneth shook his head, fighting down a massive grin.

  “Good. I’ve got to get back to work. Good meeting you, Director Bachman. Hope we can shake hands in the flesh someday. Godspeed.”

  David reached over and clicked off the commlink, leaving them cut off from the SUPSPACE civilians. Kenneth leaned back in his chair and laughed loudly. “That was one heck of a beating you applied there, sir.”

  “I get tired,” David began. “Really tired… of do-nothing government employees with rocks for brains.”

  “We all do.”

  “I heard you were down in the cargo bay working a 3D printer yourself.”

  “Yes, sir,” Kenneth replied. “It was all hands on deck. I won’t ask my people to do something I’m not willing to do, and if I can help at any point, I will. Though… I was reminded a bit I haven’t done real work in a while.”

  “Try not to lose that attitude,” David said before quirking his face. “What happened?”

  “Well, I programmed a 3D printer incorrectly, and it started making the bolts twenty times larger than they were supposed to be.”

  David snickered. “Nice. Hey, a little humility never hurt anyone. Especially those of us in charge.”

  “Never, sir.”

  “Well, with Blackman out of the picture, what’s next?”

  “I’m going to go find Major Merriweather and get her approval to hire some folks. We’re still understaffed by about forty positions.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I briefed her on this earlier today, so you won’t be coming out of left field.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  David stood up. Kenneth quickly followed. “As always, thanks for taking care of my ship, Kenneth,” David said and extended his hand out.

  Kenneth took it and shook warmly. “I think I speak for everyone when I say it’s an honor to be able to work here, sir.”