“That hasn’t worked out so well for anyone before!”
She was furious, and Rivers was shocked at how she was speaking to him, and yet she was intimidating enough that he didn’t dare question it.
“As I said, I need you as far away from Earth as possible. Convenient then that it was precisely our plan anyway. There is work to be done out there, on the edges of known space and beyond, as you well know. For a long time now you have served as an unappointed second-in-command to the Presidency. That stops now. The people are calling for it, and I must oblige. Do what you do best. Colonel, lead your marines.
Taylor sighed. It seemed like a huge step back, especially as he was being punished for simply doing his job. It was an impossible situation, but he was glad to be able to leave it all for a while. He welcomed the prospect of some real action, and to be away from all this madness.
“As you know, we have a lot of teams out there working on a great range of projects. Close to forty individual operations running concurrently. That stretches us thin, but it is out of necessity. When I asked you to find us allies, it is because I wanted to expand the ground that we were covering. Frankly, I had hoped for more, but I understand what a difficult scenario I put you in. I could not have anticipated that you would face such hostility from the Cholans, nor civil war from the Krys. The Alliance is desperate. Make no mistake. That is why all the races are at each other’s throats. People want change, and we need to give it to them, before it’s too late.”
“Too late for what, Sir?” Newman asked.
“For all of us. We still have a chance of finding some answers to these problems that we have, but civil war or a coup, that is the path to our destruction. I don’t want to sound like I am trying to save my own ass, but if my Presidency is overthrown, and my research cast aside, then there is no hope. But that is for me for deal with. You have other concerns right now. The work you have been preparing for begins immediately.”
Taylor took a seat. He didn’t much like the situation, but at least this was something to get stuck into.
“I am dividing your team and those that you have gathered into three new units.”
“Dividing us? Wasn’t the idea to increase out number, Sir?”
“And you will. Taylor, you have gathered some of the greatest fighters this universe has ever known. You have overcome enemies nobody ever dreamed possible. You have achieved seemingly impossible things, and that is what we need now. CJ and his team will form one, utilizing their current vessel, the Phoenix.”
“That is what he is calling that monstrosity, the same name of the ship he lost?”
“The Phoenix rises, I think that is an analogy we can all appreciate. CJ will be sent to uncharted space in the pursuit of the unknown. I am reassigning his previous liaison officer, Captain King, to keep him in check. She seemed the only one ever capable of it. Babacan will take control of a new volunteer Krys unit, made up of Krys Marines of the Alliance. He will have the full resources of the Trident and her crew, captained by Captain Asil. This will be an entirely Krys element that is to work inside Krys space. Their aim is to recruit from neutral Krys worlds, as well as search for any ancient artefacts within Krys space.”
“You want to split up my team?”
“One man, that is all. Babacan is a capable leader, and he is needed for this role. The final, third element, is you Colonel. You will take the Attila back to M590. I had my suspicions about that world, and everything we have learned since further solidifies my intrigue in it.”
“But you still want to split my team?”
“I want just one of your men. One I know who can be trusted with this, and also is the right species. I will not send Humans into Krys space during a civil war. We cannot be seen to be meddling.”
“Maybe we should?”
“Should we help Sarik maintain control? Maybe. Can we, and do we have the ability to do so? No. I hope he comes out on top at the end of this all, but we have our own concerns. We must press on with the one mission that is more important than any other. We need a way to save our worlds, all of them. Even the Krys ones, and maybe someday, just maybe, they will appreciate that.”
Taylor rested back as he thought it all through. He knew he’d be heading out there on a new mission before long, and suspected it would be to M590, but he had not anticipated going there with a single ship.
“You look concerned, Colonel.”
“It’s just that I had assumed this amassing of troops was to work together. We did okay against those Vargs because we didn’t stay long, but that is a hostile planet.”
“Yes, I understand that. I am maintaining a single destroyer, the Kastor, on reserve that will be available to your three teams as and when it is needed. The Kastor is an able ship and carries a full complement of one hundred marines.”
“One hundred, wow,” he replied, as if not impressed.
“That doesn’t meet with your satisfaction.”
Taylor shot up from is chair.
“Mr President, I’ve seen a hundred marines die in an hour.”
“And yet, here you stand, and your Lieutenant here. This isn’t total war anymore. It is a different numbers game altogether.”
“A numbers game?” Newman sounded disgusted, “Is that we are, Sir?”
“Yes, but not in the way you think. Our population was devastated after the war, beyond all what anyone could imagine. But it has been over a decade, and do you know how much the Human race has increased in populace in that time?” Rivers snapped back angrily.
None of them had any idea.
“Minus nine thousand and four. That’s right. We aren’t expanding. We are retracting.”
They were all shocked at the revelation.
“But, Sir, how can that be? The programmes encouraging child birth?”
“Why do you think we have them? We are desperate, that’s why. Crime is high, and that includes murder. The effects of poison and radiation have been widespread. Our losses in the Marine Corps are far greater than is reported.”
“But how? There is no war to fight!” Newman claimed in outrage.
“Not a war by any definition you would expect, but we are fighting a war of survival. Piracy is at an all-time high. Space exploration is increasingly dangerous. Organised crime has killed more people than the Corps has in the past decade.”
“Sir, it…” began Newman.
But he stopped himself as he realised it was not his place.
“No, please, speak your mind,” replied Rivers.
“Well, Sir, it just seems like every time we meet, the news is worse. As though it has been hidden from us all, that we have been living a lie.”
“Of course it’s been hidden.” He poured himself a glass of the liquor that seemed to be perpetually to hand.
“But why, Sir?”
He slugged back the drink as if he was finally able to get it off his chest.
“Because people can’t handle this truth. They never have been able to. People don’t want to hear how bad things are. They want to hear how things are going to get better, and already have.”
“But it’s a lie?”
“Yes, but what would the alternative be?” Sommer understood exactly his meaning.
“That my opponents would come to power, all of which don’t believe in this research. It would be the end of Humanity. Not now, or in a few years, but within our lifetimes. So we lie and stay the course, or be honest, and accept it’s all over.”
He poured another glass.
"Are your rivals really that bad?"
"They are, Colonel," he replied wearily, "Look, I never wanted this job. Not one bit of it. All I ever wanted to do was help the war effort. Help as many people survive as possible, and that is still what I want. It is why I am here. This job is an obnoxious one that I would not wish on anybody, but the alternative is that as a species, we will be finished."
He took another drink as the others thought about what he was saying. It was a bleak o
utlook that even Taylor had not envisaged.
"Things had seemed so good after the war ended," replied Sommer.
"For those that had fought it. Ending Bolormaa had been the ultimate goal, nothing could be more important, but that all changed when she did what she did, the purge as they call it. Bolormaa doesn't even matter anymore."
"How can she not matter?"
Rivers looked surprised that she would even ask it.
"Because she's gone. She's dead. All that matters to people is what is happening now."
"Sir, is it not important to remember our history?"
"Stop calling me Sir, Corporal. I never wanted some ridiculous title...and yes, of course it is. But you can't make people want to care about things. The concerns they have are much the same as in the war. It's just the enemy isn't such an obvious one."
"It's like with no war left that everyone is just turning on each other."
"Yes, that is exactly it, son."
"But why?"
"Because people are not logical. They cannot imagine or plan a future. They just respond to what is in front of them."
"But not you?"
"No, and I am not the only one. Let me be clear about this. I know we are on the right path, but it isn't going to be an easy one. I so wish that it were. I need you to trust me, and I need you to back me, all of you. My list of friends draws shorter all the time. I just wish Irala was still here to give guidance."
Taylor nodded in agreement.
"Colonel, I think there is something to M590, I really do. I have heard some call it Poka. It’s snappy at least."
"Poka, as in the pit?" Taylor remembered bits of the Aranui language.
"Yes, seems fitting, don't you think?"
"I'd have called it hell," added Newman.
There was a modest laugh about the room, but it was hard to take it too lightly after all they had experienced.
"When do we leave?"
"ASAP, we need you out of here, Colonel. Your presence is like adding fuel to a flame. Trident will be ready to leave in the next few hours. The Attila and Phoenix are already ready to go. I suggest you get moving."
"Yes, Sir."
"And Taylor?"
"Sir?"
"Watch your back. So long as people think you are guilty of the things they say, you will have a target on your back, and rightly so. The man who did what they are accusing you of is a monster. So long as they believe that, you have to act accordingly."
"Don't worry, Sir. It's nothing new."
They left the room solemnly. They all knew they would eventually have to depart for whatever work they were being assembled for, never expecting it would be so abrupt, or under such unfortunate circumstances. Newman never wanted to go back to Poka, as he now knew it. To him, that place was death and destruction. Memories he'd rather leave buried as deep as they could be.
* * *
Two hours later.
The whole of Taylor's team were assembled in the docking bay, ready to leave for the Attila. They were about to break up the team. It was the loss of just one friend, but one that had been beside him for as long as he could remember. The docking bay was mostly empty, with guards on both doors to ensure their privacy and security was maintained; more important, to keep the rabid mob away from Taylor.
"We should get going," said Sommer.
Taylor nodded along. He had been putting it off as long as he could. CJ and a dozen of his people were gathered, too, and a shuttle was putting down nearby. The ramp went down, and a single female officer stepped out. She strode towards CJ, but he picked up the pace and lifted her off the ground as if they were old friends.
"Who is that?" Newman asked.
"Captain King. CJ and his group of lunatics were a penal unit. She was assigned to him to keep him in check, and she's paid the price ever since," said Menard.
"Listen up!"
Everyone soon gathered around Taylor.
"When I put this team together, it was in the assumption that we would be serving and fighting alongside one another. But that was not the President's plan. We are working to the same goals, and I am sure our paths will cross in the coming weeks and months. I think by now you all have an idea of how important our work is. But don't expect any appreciation anytime soon. The people of the Alliance need us, and they need the results of the work that we are setting out to achieve. We must save them, even from themselves. Any questions?"
"You said we have backup if we need it?" CJ asked.
"That's right. The Kastor will remain here, ready to come to any one of us, as and when we need it."
"And if we call, they will come?"
"That is my understanding."
The doors behind Taylor opened. They hadn't expected any interruptions, but he was glad to see Jones walk through. Though he could never get used to seeing him in civilian attire.
"How's it looking?" he asked casually as if he were still part of the unit.
"We're ready to go, or be chased away," replied Taylor.
"I am sorry about the way this has gone down. I really am."
He noticed everyone was watching him, as if waiting for an address. But Jones was clearly not ready for it.
"The President knows that the treatment of everyone here has not been fair. We all do, and we will work tirelessly to exonerate all who were involved. That is why nobody is behind bars right now. The perpetrators of this will be found, and will be punished. It is dirty business, the sort of business no soldier, or marine, should ever have to endure, and I am truly sorry for that. But you all know me, and you know I have got your back. Go out there and fight, and I will fight the home front for you. Good luck to you all."
He went back to Taylor.
"Can I have a few words before you leave," he whispered.
"Sure. Load up, load up!" he roared to the others.
They moved behind the cover of a shuttle where they could talk privately as Sommer paced up to CJ.
"What can I do for you Lieutenant?" he asked.
"You know I don't trust you, and I have every reason not to."
"But I still saved your arse, all your arses, more than once."
"Yes, but probably not out of any kindness, loyalty, or duty. You wanted to live, and so you had to work with us."
"Maybe."
"I don't trust you, but I know that I need you, we all do. Just don't mess around in places that you shouldn't."
He looked puzzled and stared into her eyes, trying to work out what she meant.
"We both know you fooled around with the President's wife," she whispered.
He shrugged, neither denying or acknowledging it. He looked away with a smirk on his face. There was no hiding it.
"That was stupid. A stupid drunken mistake that can never be allowed to be repeated..."
But even as she said it, she could tell it already had gone on for more than she had seen.
"For the love of God, what the hell are you doing?"
"Just having a little fun in this life. Not even like I went looking for this trouble. It found me."
"Never again. Tell me it will never happen again."
He didn't seem to want to answer, and so she violently grabbed hold of him and pulled him in close.
"You are endangering everything we are doing. Taylor put his trust in you, don't screw this up."
"Put their trust in me?" he asked with a mocking smile.
He tried to push her off, but she held firm.
"Let's be straight. Taylor came to me because he needed me. It's nothing about trust."
"Just think about what you are doing, and what the President will do to you if he finds out. You may not give a shit, but you certainly care about self preservation, don't you?"
He finally pushed harder, and she released.
Taylor had seen it happen over Jones’ shoulder.
"That doesn't look too good," said Jones.
"I am sure she is just reminding CJ of his responsibilities."
Jones
groaned, as they both suspected it was something more.
"All right, so what is it?"
"I don't need to tell you how dangerous some of these missions are going to be. The President is sending his best, you know why that is?"
"He wants results?"
"No, because he has little faith in anyone else making it through. You know how dangerous Poka is, but there may be a lot more trouble in sight."
"What are you talking about?"
"The latest news from Krys space is not good. Sarik is having a hard time of things."
"You didn't come here to tell me that, did you? I already knew that."
Jones grimaced. "I know the President is sending Babacan into Krys space. I advised him that it is a mistake. It is not safe for any Alliance personnel, whether that be Human or Krys."
"Where is safe these days?"
"I am being serious. I think this is a massive mistake, but I cannot change it. I can warn you, though."
"Thanks, but I don't know what I can do now. We're parting ways on three separate operations."
"Which I don't agree with either. Poka is a volatile and dangerous world that we do not fully understand. You should have the complete resources at your disposal for an operation like that."
Taylor smiled.
"What is it?"
"Just that worry, that we are short handed. When were we ever not?"
"But it doesn't need to be that way anymore. The war is over, and it has been for a long time."
"The President doesn't seem to think so."
"If he wants to continue on with that crusade that his own choice, but he is dragging us all along, too."
"What are you saying?"
"That this pursuit of Aranui tech, it’s a dream. A wonderful dream, but when people realise that it is unattainable...well."
"What would you have them do instead?"
"Accept our scenario. We can adapt to live in space. On isolated moons and all manner of places."
"Is that what we fought for? To live that kind of shit?"
"I thought we fought for survival?"
Beyond Earth- Civil War Page 16
