Stand or Fall (The Omega War Book 4)

by Kevin Ikenberry

  “Tara? You okay?” Rains said.

  She didn’t respond. Hand over her mouth, she stared as the man closed the distance and removed his glasses. She lowered her hand, and Rains saw her swallow hard.

  “G’day everyone. Welcome to Araf.” The newcomer smiled, and Rains found his Australian accent both charming and disarming at the same time. He liked the young man immediately. “My name is Xander Alison. I’m leading the recovery teams.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Rains stuck out his hand, which Alison shook. “Jackson Rains.”

  “Pleasure,” Alison said.

  Tara cleared her throat. “Alison?”

  “That’s right.”

  Tara squinted at him, and her jaw worked silently. “You’re related to Hex Alison. Am I right?”

  The smile on the Australian’s face slid away with the breeze. “My younger brother by two years. You must be Tara Mason.”

  “I am,” Tara said. There were tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  Alison bowed his head respectfully toward her, closing his eyes as he did so. “I appreciate it, Miss Mason. I understand, though, Hex sacrificed himself for the colonies. They remember my brother as some kind of hero.”

  “Which he was,” Tara said. “There’s no way to explain what he did, but he saved all of us.”

  Alison nodded. “Hex was as good a kid as they come. I came here to bring his remains back to Australia. Our mother won’t rest until he comes home. So, when I saw the job, I applied. Been digging in the outback since I was twenty-one. Figured if anybody could find him, I could.”

  Tara nodded and stuck out her hand. “Please, call me Tara. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Xander.”

  “The same, Tara. Any friend of my little brother’s is a friend of mine.” He introduced himself to Bukk and Vannix quickly, then turned his attention back to Tara. “I’ve got quite a cache of weapons and equipment. The Darkness and the Wandering Death had some pretty hefty supply trains. You won’t be able to use some of it, so I’m holding stuff for trades and the like.”

  “What kind of stuff? Why can’t we use it?” Rains asked.

  Alison turned to him and grinned. “A hundred and fifty cases of Veetanho food packets would feed Vannix for a few years. While that’s good, you don’t need that much. There are enough transient freighters in and out of here that I can get stuff you will need. Ammunition? Weapons? I’ve been working on that stuff for months, mate. I know what I’m doing.”

  Tara cleared her throat. “Will two weeks give you enough time to get what you can?”

  “I need four days at most. We’re almost into the main corridor of the mine the Selroth destroyed. Through our agreement, I cannot disturb their burial site, so we’ll stick to one end of the tunnel and see what we can get. I don’t know what we’ll find. But once we’re done there, the only other thing I need to do is look for my brother’s remains.” Alison smiled up at her. “As for the rest, take what you want. I have everything you need.”

  “I need volunteers,” Tara said. “Anyone who can hold a weapon and has experience is high on my list of needs.”

  Durr’nam spoke. “Our colonies no longer want war, Commander. We want peace.”

  “We can pay them well.”

  “It won’t matter, Tara,” Alison said. “These people have seen enough of war and don’t want it anymore. They don’t see the point.”

  The point is they ain’t Human, so it doesn’t matter. Rains snorted but said nothing. He knew he was right, and it didn’t need to be said.

  Tara climbed down from the bay. Even on the ground, she towered over Alison. “Anything else I need to know?”

  “We should talk about the Raknar, but it’s best to show you firsthand. I can’t this afternoon. I have to get back to Mount Klatk and finish the day’s blasting.”

  Tara smiled and shook her head. “They named a hill after her?”

  “Who?” Rains asked.

  “Klatk was the colony queen of the Altar. The mountain is really a tall, rounded hill above the Altar colony, but it sits over the mine in question. It’s an honorable and appropriate gesture of reverence, Rains. She died protecting Peacemaker Francis and her colony,” Bukk said with a reverence that surprised Rains. The Altar’s eyes were on the low crest of the hill in the distance.

  Alison nodded. “I’ll be on my way, Commander, but I do have a suggestion for you about recruits.”

  “Oh really?”

  “If you’ve seen the news collection since you jumped in, you might know where to find a bunch of Humans ready for a fight. They’ve stopped a bunch of MinSha going around the rim killing Humans and sterilizing planets. I’m guessing the folks at Victoria Bravo are chomping at the bit for another chance at the bastards who tried to take them down.”

  Tara smiled. “Sounds like a perfect place to start. We’re going to need them. The more the merrier, actually, if we’re going to put this thing together and find Snowman before the Mercenary Guild does.”

  Rains glanced at Vannix, then back at Tara. “Put what thing together? What aren’t you telling us, Tara?”

  “Once we leave here, there are about three places in the galaxy we can go without having to worry about watching our backs constantly or letting our guard down. In most other places, we’ll likely have a fight on our hands. I’m not going into combat unprepared or outgunned ever again. We’re putting together a unit, Rains. This unit’s primary mission will be to find James ‘Snowman’ Francis before the Mercenary Guild does, but we also have an implied mission to save our own asses from time to time. That’s why all of this is here. We have to be ready to fight.”

  “By saying we, it’s not just our little group, Jackson,” Vannix said. “By the time it’s done, there may be a few hundred of us doing this. Keep your eye on the big picture.”

  Rains grinned. “Oh, my eye is on the big picture, partner. I just want to know what band of miscreants I’m signing on to, Peacemaker or not.”

  Tara met his eyes. She smiled, but her eyes were serious and sparkled coldly, like chips of ice in the hot Araf sun. “We call it Force 25, Peacemaker Rains. Welcome aboard.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Peacemaker Forward Headquarters

  Weqq

  “In conclusion, Victoria Bravo held against the combined attacks from Generals Drehnayl and Chinayl because of three critical factors: exceptional ship-to-ship combat performed autonomously, fluid tactics using a combination of infantry, armor, and aviation forces, and the planning and leadership of Lieutenant Francis. Are there any questions?”

  Jessica felt her face flush at the recognition from the official report of her activities on Weqq. Keeping her eyes on the guild master sitting at the head of the small, U-shaped conference table, Jessica studied his quiet, composed features. Everything about his demeanor was business oriented. He focused on the greater picture and hardly showed emotion. She’d seen what she considered to be the real “him” when he entered her quarters after the defeat of Reilly’s Raiders a few months earlier. His eyes studied the Tri-V reports intently, causing Jessica to look at the report on her screen. One figure stood out more than the others.

  Casualties: MinSha 2,634. Friendly forces: 156

  Gods, did we really do that well?

  Rsach curled his rippling body forward and rested a few sets of his centipede-like legs on the table. “So everyone in this room is clear, the autonomous combat technique performed by Lieutenant Francis is classified at the Guild Master level. The eleven of you in the room are the only ones cleared to know what happened. Should there be an unfortunate leak, I will not have far to look.”

  Every being in the room nodded and affirmed the guild master’s directive. After learning her former barracks commander, Lieutenant Pt-Dah, had been one of the most damaging leaks in the Guild’s history, Jessica knew Rsach would likely take a hardline approach to operational security. He understood the war Peepo wanted stretched much farther
than humanity.

  “It is fortunate this copy of the AI Lucille was lost. Lieutenant Francis has already sent a written directive to Tara Mason, via Blue Flight, with instructions and an explanation of the need to contain her copy of Lucille before it attains sentience…if it has not already. Until such time, we can dissect it to determine its origin. Lieutenant Francis’ instructions should be enough to prevent immediate danger to Tara Mason and her team. Lieutenant Francis has also turned over the gate master’s codex and master key, which I have dispatched to the Gate Master General, as requested. In return, I expect the full favor of the Cartography Guild for the immediate future. Are there any additional questions for Lieutenant Francis about her actions on Victoria Bravo?”

  Jessica waited for a few seconds, expecting more questions. Her debriefing with the High Council had lasted more than four hours. Even with breaks, it had become tedious. No one had additional questions.

  “Very well,” Rsach said. “Do we have intelligence on Chinayl’s whereabouts?”

  Jessica realized he’d directed the question at her. “The gate’s records indicated Chinayl filed that she was jumping for Karma, Guild Master.”

  “They knew we would not pursue her there,” Rsach chittered. “They are right, for now. But the time will come when we will pursue them to the places they cannot hide. Lieutenant Francis? Let the record reflect the Guild recognizes you for your performance on Victoria Bravo. I, personally, am proud of your accomplishments. As is my custom, I ask, what is the one thing you’re most satisfied with from your mission and the one thing you would change?”

  Jessica licked her lips and leaned forward. “I am most surprised and satisfied with the newfound trust from some of the MinSha, Guild Master. I believe they can be our allies going forward, but as the friendlier ones find resistance among their species, I fear they may war against each other.”

  “Indeed,” Rsach said. “You’ve learned one of the best secrets of diplomacy, Jessica. Actions speak louder than rhetoric. By seeing your actions on this planet and your friendship and professional trust in Colonel Tirr, you’ve made them rethink their position on humanity. That’s no small accomplishment.”

  He paused, and she knew she had to finish her response to his question. “I would’ve stopped or pushed after Chinayl once I knew where she was headed.”

  “Surely you realize there was probably a trap awaiting you on Karma?”

  I’m sure there was one, and don’t call me Shirley.

  She coughed to cover the laugh that wanted to erupt. “I know, Guild Master. I feel like I let her get away, even though I ordered Commander Watson to let her go. I knew there would be another day to take her down, but I would have liked to feel we’d secured a total victory.”

  “And you did,” Rsach chittered. “I know you want to follow and apprehend her, Jessica, but you will not be doing so. You’ve shown us the Mercenary Guild’s intent. Everyone knows they’re trying to get Humans to capitulate. They want to effectively own your kind. They are close to genocide, and instead of pushing humanity to the brink of subservience, they’ve stoked the humanity’s rage. The Four Horsemen undoubtedly know what they’ve done and how you’ve stopped them. There are other mercenary companies who will see and who will stand together when the time comes. I imagine the Four Horsemen are moving on their plans even now.”

  Rsach stood at the head of the table. All the representatives shot to their feet. “This concludes the formal briefing. I realize this breaks protocol, but I must speak with Lieutenant Francis personally. She will be available for any questions you may have, but my time here is short, as you are aware, and while you are familiar with the lieutenant’s next mission, she is not. Thank you for attending this briefing.”

  The small room cleared in a matter of moments, leaving Jessica and Guild Master Rsach alone. When he produced an elSha-designed anti-listening device, it did not surprise her, but it meant his level of trust in the immediate council was not as great as it might have been.

  He sat down and gestured for her to do the same, albeit much closer to his chair than she sat during the briefing. She quickly made her way to the head of the table and took a seat to his immediate left. Rsach turned in his chair to face her and lowered his small jaw in a nod she knew was both familiar and kind.

  “First, I must apologize. You were not aware of an emergency policy instituted by the council to read and review all messages sent to our Peacemakers—even personal ones. After our recent betrayals, it seemed prudent to do so. While it smacks of desperation for intelligence, it is necessary to learn what we can about the situation in other places. I regret the council read and reviewed one of your personal messages from Tara Mason. I’ve held it from you until I could apologize in person, Jessica.”

  Jessica took a slow, deep breath through her nose and quieted the anxious wonder in her head. She would read it and deal with it later. With the loss of Lucille, Jessica would have to rely on her memory to break the agreed upon codes. “Thank you, Guild Master. I’m not embarrassed it was read, nor will I be distracted by what it says. There is a time and place for everything. I hope it contained some news about my father.”

  “Unfortunately, it does not. They are starting their search in earnest. Your father’s whereabouts are unknown. We suspect he’s hidden vast caches of equipment and ammunition at numerous locations throughout the galaxy. We don’t know how many, nor do we know which one he classified as his home station. Some place called Remote.”

  “That matches my last message from Lucille, Guild Master. There were no coordinates given.”

  Rsach’s body rippled, the Jeha equivalent of a sigh. “Miss Mason also reported the company’s codex was compromised. There are 121 possible locations for Remote. Can you provide any insight, Jessica?”

  Jessica’s mind raced. She’d heard the name before, very recently. Placing it wasn’t something she could do alone. Lucille’s absence hit harder than she’d imagined possible. “No, Guild Master. I’m sorry.”

  “You will let us know if you make a connection?”

  “Of course. I do have a question about my next mission. If I’m not to go after Chinayl, am I supposed to find my father?”

  “No, Tara Mason and the team she’s building will do that for us. She’ll scout for your father’s whereabouts and confirm some of the equipment caches we believe he’s put in place. This is all part of a larger plan referred to as Resurgens. Is the name familiar to you?”

  Jessica scowled. “It’s familiar, Guild Master, but again, I can’t seem to place it.”

  “It’s the motto of Atlanta, Georgia which rose from the ashes when General William Tecumseh Sherman burned it during the American Civil War.”

  Jessica sighed in recognition. “My father has planned for something drastic for years, but he wouldn’t tell me what. Whether it’s the rebuilding of his company or something greater, I can’t say.”

  “Your assessment matches Tara Mason’s.” Rsach nodded in satisfaction. “He’s always planned ahead, using his business to squirrel away equipment and ammunition in case of a galactic conflict. He’s seen far too much in his career to not think around the proverbial corner. We need what he’s saved for us.”

  For us?

  “You mean my father’s been helping the Peacemaker Guild and no one told me?”

  Rsach shook his head slowly. “Jessica, your father has helped me over the last thirty years on numerous occasions. He knows the challenges our guild faces, our need for money and materials. He believed he could solve our shortages years ago, and that’s why I believe Resurgens is partially about supporting the Peacemaker Guild in the event of a war between the guilds. You believe we are at war, yes?”

  Jessica nodded. “I do, Guild Master.”

  “It is imperative we collect the allies our enemy will not expect. Your father, I believe, is filling a role for us in a way. I pray, if that’s the correct term, I am correct. But as a guild master, I must look at every possibility and find all
ies in the least likely places, like the MinSha and the Depik. I need you to continue making allies away from this war, Jessica. For now, you will liaise with the Depik. They need you. You will be my personal liaison there, an extension of me.”

  Jessica’s mind whirled. “A personal liaison of the guild master is a unique position.”

  “For a Human?” Rsach chittered. “It’s unheard of, Jessica. Look at this table. How many beings sit on the Guild’s council at any given time?”

  She’d known the answer since her first year in the academy. “There is one seat, by the guild’s charter, for every species represented. The High Council will seat no more than twelve, chosen from the membership of the overall council, at the discretion of the guild master.”

  “A textbook response,” Rsach said. “But have you ever considered that you could have been a council member, even before you stepped foot on this planet?”

  Jessica shook her head. “No, Guild Master. I did not.”

  “Then it will surprise you to learn, by virtue of being the first human Peacemaker, you have always held that spot in my mind. Today, the High Council confirmed you as a permanent member of the council, and I elevated you to the High Council, Lieutenant Francis. With that in mind, your mission to the Depik is two-fold. One, help them in any way you can. Two, get Azho to return home. He has vowed to stay away from his home world; however, they need him now, more than ever. Would you speak with him? The Depik are unusual creatures, but he has bonded with you, Jessica. He won’t talk with anyone else.”

  “I will, Guild Master.” Jessica swallowed. The High Council? Holy shit!

  “What’s wrong?”

  Jessica snorted as a thin smile appeared on her lips. “Why me?”

  “You have proven yourself more than worthy, Jessica. You’ve faced unimaginable situations and succeeded tactically, but more importantly, you’ve succeeded diplomatically. Some Peacemakers are good at one thing, but not the other. You’ve proven you can handle both with great aplomb. Hence my decision. Do you agree to serve on the High Council?”