Alone in the Night

by Richard Tongue

  “That’s what you were trying to tell me, before,” Carter said. “Sir, I need to go down there. Back to Plato City.”

  “Out of the question,” Corrigan replied. “I am not sending anyone down there under those circumstances, and even if I did, you wouldn’t last five minutes. By now, I’m sure somebody has managed to take control of the local aerial defenses. I have the distinct suspicion that we’d be shot down out of hand. I’m not risking your life for nothing.”

  “He’s right, Lieutenant,” Rojek said.

  “Why, though?” Ulyanov asked. “Why would they launch an attack on our President?” Shaking his head, he said, “It makes no sense.”

  “I can guess,” Rojek replied, “though I doubt you’ll like the answer.”

  “I didn’t like the question,” Ulyanov said.

  “He had ideas and thoughts of his own. The rebels have been used to running things their way for a long time. Why would they suddenly decide to subordinate themselves to a civilian leadership. I’m afraid that it’s far more likely that you’ve traded a foreign dictatorship for a domestic one.”

  “The usual aftermath of a successful insurgency,” Corrigan added. “Read your history books. How do you think Mars got started? Or the Belters, for that matter. I’m afraid it’s all too common.”

  Nodding, Carter said, “One of the rebels tried to kill me, and Bellini, down at the compound. At the time I just thought it was an infiltrator, maybe someone who had switched clothes, but now…”

  “Far more likely it was one of these, what, Blackguards?” Rojek said. “Interesting that neither McBride nor Harrison decided to tell us anything about them.”

  “Sir,” Carter insisted, “I need to get down there.”

  “Why?” Corrigan asked. “To satisfy your curiosity, confront your lover? That’s not the way we work out here, Lieutenant. Even if I thought it could be justified, there’s no way…”

  “There is, sir,” she pressed. “The rebels down at the compound. They’ll be down there for days going through all of the records, the files. I’ve fought alongside them, and I trust them. At the very least, it’s a way to get down to the surface, and it’s only a hundred and twenty miles from Plato City. An hour and a half by fast transport.”

  “Christ,” Rojek interrupted, gesturing at one of the monitors. “I think I just found out where Harrison went.”

  Corrigan turned to look at the screen, watching Harrison give a speech to the cheering crowd, her words inaudible but the meaning all too clear. The dead body of the Governor and her husband at her feet was proof enough of that. He could just about make out the crowd proclaiming her as the new President of Atlantis before shutting the monitor off in disgust.

  “They’ve played us like true professionals, Bill,” Rojek said.

  Tapping a control, Corrigan said, “Singh, get me McBride, now.”

  “Icarus isn’t answering…,” the technician began.

  “Then get Crawford up here and have him work out a firing solution.”

  “On Icarus, Commander?” Singh asked. “I thought….”

  “That’s an order, Ensign,” Corrigan barked. “If I can’t get through to that miserable bastard one way, I’ll blow his worthless hide out of space!”

  “Very diplomatic,” Dixon replied, walking back down the corridor. “She didn’t make it, sir. Dead before I even got her to sickbay. The medical robots are working on the autopsy now, but the cause of death is pretty obvious.” Shaking his head, he added, “Christ, what a waste.” A grim-faced Falco followed him, staring Corrigan in the eyes.

  “I negotiated in good…”

  “They’re going to pay, Squadron Leader,” Corrigan barked, not letting her even begin her threat. “They’re going to pay for what they did to Bellini, they’re going to pay for what they did to the Residence, to the space platform, and to everyone else they’ve slaughtered on their way to glory. You have my word on that as an officer in the Republic Fleet.”

  With a sneer, Falco said, “You’ll have to forgive me if that doesn’t mean very much right now.”

  “I can’t blame you for that,” Corrigan said.

  “Sir,” Singh said. “I have the Commodore for you. He’s requesting that the conversation be held in private and with full military-grade encryption.”

  Nodding, Corrigan replied, “I’ll take it here, in the shuttle.”

  “Are we going to obey orders on this one?” Rojek asked.

  “Hell no, and he knows it,” Corrigan said. “Just don’t make it obvious. Go into the cabin and listen. No noise. Got it?”

  “Sure,” Rojek said. “We’ll be as quiet as mice.”

  Corrigan flicked a control as Rojek led the others away, and said, “You can patch him through now, Ensign. All monitors off.”

  “Aye, sir. All monitors off.”

  A second later, McBride’s face appeared on the display, the image slightly distorted from the encryption. He smiled when he saw Corrigan, and relaxed into his seat.

  “I’m glad you made it back from the surface in one piece. I’m afraid there wasn’t any chance to warn you. How much of this have you worked out for yourself?”

  “Most of it, I suspect,” he replied. “This is all a ruse, a decoy, the purpose of which is primarily to divert the Belters for a while, force them to commit excessive resources to the reconquest of Atlantis. The murder of Bellini, though, that’s…”

  “All part of the bigger picture, Bill,” McBride replied, all smiles. “He might have managed some sort of accommodation with the Belters. You realize they kept him alive because they hoped to make use of him, right? He had contacts in the peace faction. I could see some sort of deal that would have granted Atlantis nominal independence in exchange for selling them raw resources.” Shaking his head, he said, “They need the minerals badly enough that such an argument just might have worked. I couldn’t take the chance.”

  “And eighty-five people died. Eighty-six, counting Bellini.”

  “We’re at war. Collateral damage happens. It’s awful, evil, hateful, but I’m afraid that it is simply a part of the game we have to play. I don’t like it any more than you do, I assure you of that, but I know that sometimes you have to accept such losses if you’re going to win through to the final victory.”

  “I suppose the space platform is the same story.”

  “Again, what choice did we have? We had to secure orbital space, and the best way to do it was with a debris field. You’ve managed to get the satellite network up and running a lot faster than we’d expected, but I did have a few backup plans in hand, just in case. Icarus could have handled the load, at least for a while, and the defense satellites can be modified to help. Not that it will matter in the long run.”

  “Because Atlantis will fall, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

  “Precisely,” McBride said. “As soon as I made contact with the rebels, I realized that they were going to attempt something monumentally stupid, but that we just might be able to make use of it. Bill, if this was going to happen anyway, it would have been criminal negligence not to attempt to turn it to our advantage. This way, Earth wins. We’ll clean up Atlantis after the war.”

  “Turning it from a client world of the Belt to one of Earth.”

  “They aren’t ready to govern themselves. As they are busily proving right now. It’s a nightmare down there. But they made the choice, Bill. That’s the key to all of this. This is what they wanted.”

  “Really?” he asked. “They wanted…”

  “They wanted to be free. Anyone with any common sense would have known that there was a price tag attached, and they must have known they couldn’t win. There was no way for them to live through this.” Leaning forward, McBride added, “I have orders for you, Commander. And to answer your next question, these are official. This mission was my idea, but I do have official authorization for this. Everything up to now is forgotten.”

  “What are my orders, sir?” Corrigan asked.


  “You will install the orbital defense network, just as planned, then move into high sentry position. When the Belters attack, which I anticipate will take place within the next eighteen hours, you will do as much damage as you possibly can, and then pull out. You aren’t going to die here. I’ll let you take anyone you want with you when you go. That’s down to you.”

  “What about you, sir?”

  “I already have an escape route planned. Remember that as far as I’m concerned, having Avenger along for the ride is a nice bonus, but I wasn’t counting on her.” He grinned, then added, “Which doesn’t mean I’m not very happy to have you here. It’s going to really allow us to do some damage to the enemy when they arrive.”

  “Then…”

  “Then the Belters get to spend a nice long time cracking through the defense network, and an even longer time setting up a garrison on the planet. I’m sure they’ll get the mines going again relatively quickly, but it’s going to cost them. It’s going to cost them dearly, and that’s what all of this has been about.” He paused, then said, “I’ve given you your orders, Commander. I expect them to be carried out. That’s all. McBride out.”

  The monitor winked black, the image disappearing in an instant, but Corrigan continued to look at the screen for what seemed an eternity, lost in thought. He’d known Commodore McBride, off and on, for most of his career. He’d always trusted him, respected him.

  All of that had vanished, in one quick conversation. In his way, he was as much of a fanatic as Todorova, without even the excuse that he was fighting directly for the freedom of his world. For Earth, perhaps. But this battle wouldn’t save Earth. Not directly. It would help, a little. No more than that.

  “Get in here,” Corrigan said, turning to his officers as they walked into the room. “I presume you heard most of that?”

  “I recorded it, as well,” Rojek replied. “I guess I must have missed the part where you told me not to do that…”

  “Never mind that now. We’ll need it for the court-martial, when all of this is over.” Turning to Falco, he said, “Squadron Leader, I know that nominally we’re on opposite sides, but I think for the moment that our interests temporarily coincide. I have no intention of handing Atlantis back to the Belt, but I want to see justice done for the atrocities the rebels have undertaken. I’m going to need your help.” He paused, and added, “It doesn’t mean treason, I promise.”

  “Conditionally,” she replied. “I will offer my parole, at least until our forces arrive, but I will not betray my people in the process.”

  “Fair enough,” he said. “I’ve got a job for you.” Turning to Carter, he added, “You still want to go down to the surface?”

  “Yes, sir,” she replied.

  “Good. I’ve got you a pilot. Get moving. Right now.” He paused, then said, “Get me evidence of what happened. I don’t care how you do it. Break any regulations you want. It doesn’t matter now. Just get me proof that Harrison and McBride had Bellini murdered. I’d suggest that catching the murderer would be a good place to start.”

  “I had the same thought, sir,” Carter replied. “We’re on our way.”

  “One thing,” Corrigan said. “I’m not stupid enough to tell you not to take any risks. Under the circumstances, that’s crazy. All I will say is that if you can’t pull this off, come home. Don’t throw your life away for nothing. The dead won’t care.”

  “Maybe not,” she replied. “But they might sleep a little sounder.”

  Chapter 19

  As the shuttle settled onto the landing pad, Carter saw rebels moving into position to surround it, weapons at the ready. She smiled, glancing at Falco, the Belter pilot frowning in response as she completed the post-flight procedures, killing the engines and powering down the shuttle.

  “You expected this?” Falco asked.

  Nodding, Carter replied, “I figured we’d have company soon enough. Look on the bright side. They didn’t shoot us down.”

  “Only because they couldn’t,” Falco said.

  “Which is precisely why I chose this spot for the landing.” She peered through the viewscreen, then nodded, saying, “Clarke’s still in charge, as far as I can see. Perfect. That’s just what I wanted.” She walked over to the airlock, tapped a control to activate the external speakers, and said, “That’s as close as you need to come right now. Teddy, I want you to come inside right now, and to come alone.” She paused, then added, “I’m willing to trust you if you are willing to trust me. I don’t know what Harrison told you, but it’s almost certainly nothing other than a pack of lies. Give me a chance to prove it.”

  Clarke looked at his men, nodded, then passed his rifle to the nearest rebel, walking up to the airlock with his hands well clear of his belt, clear of the concealed weapon that he was undoubtedly carrying. A quick glance at the security scanners confirmed her suspicions, and she gestured for Falco to remain in the cockpit, pistol in hand.

  “You realize I could just shoot him, right?” Falco said.

  “I’m gambling that you care enough about the future of your home to put patriotism aside for a few minutes at least,” Carter replied. “I’m going to need you if I’m going to pull this off. And if you want any of the Belter loyalists to live through this nightmare, right now I reckon we’re the only chance they have. Stay back until I give the word, unless he tries something.”

  “And if he does?”

  “Shoot to kill, and get us the hell out of here.”

  Shaking her head, Falco replied, “This plan gets worse all the time.”

  Carter walked over to the airlock, opening the inner hatch, cycling Clarke through the doors and into the cabin. The wary rebel looked around, noting the lights still lit in the cockpit, a wry smile spreading across his face.

  “As long as your friend stays in there, we won’t have a problem.”

  “That’s the plan,” she replied.

  “Well, you’ve got my attention, at least,” Clarke said. “I suppose you are well aware that I have orders to place you under arrest, confiscate your shuttle and hand you over to the people coming out from whatever remains of Plato City for interrogation?”

  Raising an eyebrow, she replied, “They’re actually blaming us for what happened to President Bellini?”

  “Not in so many words, but the general idea seems to be that anyone who wasn’t actually born on Atlantis is the enemy. Including your Republic, I guess.” He paused, then said, “We’ve got about forty minutes before we have company. If you’re planning to fly out of here, you can. I won’t stop you. There isn’t really much I could do, anyway. I presume you knew that.”

  “I did, but I figured you’d give me a chance to talk. You owe me that much. Without our help…”

  “Without your help, my men and I would probably be dead.”

  “On a mission that was never intended to succeed,” Carter said. She handed him a data card, and added, “This was a decoy operation, intended to draw out the enemy. My orders were to cause as much damage and attract as much attention as I possibly could, but there was no expectation of success.”

  Clarke’s eyes widened, and he said, “Wait a damned minute. Those bastards threw my men and I into the fire as some sort of military stunt?”

  “I’m afraid so. They weren’t going to tell me. I figured it out.”

  “Christ,” he said, dropping into a chair. “I’ve lost a dozen men, dead at the gates, and as many are critically wounded. All for a decoy mission.”

  “One that wasn’t necessary,” Carter added. “Take it from me. There was no military reason to launch a decoy attack here. They didn’t provide anywhere near enough lead time to make it worthwhile, nor was there ever any realistic possibility that they could.”

  “Then what the hell was the point of this farce?” Clarke asked. “Just why did they….” He paused, then said, “Bellini.”

  “I can’t help but think that this was a decoy mission, but that it was a political decoy, not a military o
ne. Bellini was popular, loved, the people’s choice as their Provisional President. If they made the attempt to rescue him, and failed, then he becomes a martyr for their cause, a figurehead they use to inspire the population to war.”

  “They never wanted him rescued, did they.”

  “I don’t believe so, no. I think the plan was for a glorious attempt, doomed to fail, that could make everyone believe that the rebels had done their best. Something for the history books.”

  Clarke paused, then said, “Just what do you want…”

  “There’s more,” she said. “A lot more. We have evidence that the orbital platform was destroyed by the rebel leaders, in the knowledge that hundreds of innocent civilians were on board. Including children, who were being evacuated back to the Belt. I don’t give a damn what their parents might have done. They didn’t deserve to die. That’s just for starters.”

  “What’s the punchline?”

  “They killed Bellini. I was there. It wasn’t the Belters. Nobody in the Residence would have been stupid enough to take that shot. They knew that it would inevitably mean that they would die. None of them were fools. Now they’re all dead. More innocent lives…”

  “The Governor…”

  “Had a family. As did many of the guards, who brought their loved ones into what they thought was a safe place, and they all died. Slaughtered by the mob. And hell, I don’t even blame the mob. How could I? Three of them died for everyone they murdered. Hundreds of lives snuffed out, all in the name of freedom and glory. That’s a hell of a start for your paradise.”

  Taking a deep breath, he looked up at her, and asked, “So what happens now? Where do we go from here? Is Avenger pulling out? I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Not for a second, based on that.”

  Shaking her head, she replied, “We’re still deploying the satellites for you. They’ll be needed. We’re not writing off the whole planet based on the sins of a small group of people, especially when they include officers in the Republic Fleet.” She looked down at the deck, and said, “Commodore McBride is using Atlantis as a weapon to strike the Belt, and while I don’t know precisely what Claude, Lieutenant Mathis is doing, in all probability he arranged the assassination of President Bellini.”