Retribution

by Dave Lemel

  “Right on.” Todd pulled Ben with him to the left. “You’re coming with me, remember?”

  “We’ll see you guys soon,” Sasha said over her shoulder. “Lot to discuss for our trip home.”

  Todd nodded as he turned to lead the rest in the opposite direction.

  Chapter 12

  Lombargnor was fully leaned back in a large chair at the far wall of the very large and very white room. He was turned away and facing out one of the four long oval windows evenly spaced upon that wall. All four of his arms lay across his torso, spindly purple hands folded in succession up from his abdomen to his chest.

  Todd crept up beside him and found his eyes to be shut. He slid sideways and plopped himself down in the seat in front of the next window. The horizon was just beginning to show signs of the sun creeping up from its visit to the other side of the red planet.

  “How did you sleep?” Lombargnor’s head had silently shifted, and his large, black eyes now gazed softly at Todd in anticipation of his response.

  “Crappy. I’ve never been all that good at it, and quite frankly, the recent events in my life have taken the insomnia to a level I haven’t experienced in a long time.” He inhaled deeply through his nose. “Maybe ever.”

  “You know, I have never been a great sleeper myself.”

  “You seemed to be doin’ just fine at it when I walked in.”

  Lombargnor’s thin purple lips curled into a smile. “Yes, well, as I’ve aged, I have developed an above-average ability in napping to compensate.”

  “I’ve never been able to nap. I’m envious of the ability. Seems like it would come in handy.”

  “As I said, it was something I had to develop. It took time. As I learned to better accept that which I could not control, it became easier and easier. In my younger days, my mind was often in a storm-like state.”

  Todd sat up straighter and leaned toward Lombargnor slightly. “Like, angry?”

  “No, not anger. I refer to it as storm-like because it was so far from calm. Pouring scattered rain drops of random thoughts. Lightning bolts ripping into existence when something in particular had been weighing on my mind. Thunderclaps echoing that thought as it slowly worked its way out to be replaced by the next bolt of lightning.”

  Todd leaned back into his oversized chair and stared out the window. “I can totally relate to that.” He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed his forehead.

  “I imagine that lately your lightning bolts often have your father as the charge that rips them into existence.”

  Todd shrugged and tilted his head as he glanced sideways at the source of the assumption. “I mean, it’s not the only cause, but I would say it is the leading cause.”

  “And would you say there are certain thoughts or questions that typically accompany those bolts?”

  Todd once again inhaled deeply through his nose. He sat up straighter. “Yeah, I definitely have been struggling with his insistence in his belief that the Bopecans are and have been taking advantage of us. Humans, I mean.”

  Lombargnor’s expression and posture remained stoic. “So tell me, what do you think?”

  “I don’t know anymore. I’m extremely conflicted. I admit there are parts I am having a difficult time reconciling in my mind since my talks with him on Gleeb.”

  “Would you feel comfortable elaborating? I may be able to assist you in working through some of the sticky spots you are struggling most with. I understand if you are not ready or willing to discuss this with me yet.”

  Todd shifted in his seat, breaking eye contact before settling himself and looking up at Lombargnor’s calm face once again. “Well…I suppose I’ll just cut through all the smaller points he brought up and get to the big question. Why did you come to Earth? The Bopecans, I mean. What’s the real reason for your arrival and continued presence?”

  “What do you mean real reason? You know the history. Intimately, in fact. I would even guess, considering your unique situation with where and how you grew up, that you know it better than almost any other human being.”

  “That’s just it though, isn’t it? We know the story you want us to know. The version you told us. Heck, in general, we’ve been so in awe of your species since your arrival, save for a handful of skeptics we dismissed out of hand as kooks or conspiracy theorists, that we never really seriously questioned your motives.”

  Lombargnor nodded slightly. “There was more intense questioning of our motives immediately following our arrival than you may realize. Those kinds of details tend to wash away then surge back up later, much like tides going out and then coming back in. It is a familiar pattern we have encountered in our millennia exploring the galaxy.”

  “You still didn’t answer the question.”

  “Haven’t I? As I stated earlier, you know the history. Better than most. The version you know is the truth. Nothing I can say to you here will prove to you beyond a shadow of a doubt what the motivation of my species was when we arrived in your solar system. That is not how trust works. It is earned over time and through experience, and you alone must make judgements throughout your life on who and what you trust and believe.”

  Todd leaned back into his chair, his eyes narrowing as he gazed out the window.

  “I have noticed a tendency for younger minds to attempt to categorize everything in absolutes,” Lombargnor continued. “The trait is not isolated to humans. I have observed it in many species throughout the galaxy. I believe you will find as you gain life experience that the universe is far more complicated.” Lombargnor turned to gaze out the window as well. “Much murkier and more complex than that.”

  Todd’s eyes shifted back to the eight-limbed being with purplish skin seated beside him. A commotion could be heard from down the hall. It seemed to be getting closer. His focus turned to the doorway behind them. “I think that’s the rest of our crew approaching.”

  A “bwaaahawwwwhawww!” came echoing down the hall and into the room.

  “Well, at least Jack.”

  Lombargnor stood up and placed a hand on Todd’s shoulder. “It is good to question. You most certainly should not simply accept all information presented to you at face value.”

  Todd nodded and pushed himself up and out of his seat to stand beside Lombargnor.

  Lombargnor placed a second hand on Todd’s other shoulder and looked into his eyes. “Not all Bopecans are benevolent. Just as not all humans possess the best of intentions. I cannot speak for all Bopecans, just as you cannot speak for all humans. I can say with the utmost conviction that throughout my lifetime, Bopecans as a species have for the most part conducted themselves with integrity and for the better of our galaxy. I can also assure you that I personally hold humans in the highest regard and have strived to be nothing but the best I can be for them and their development as a species in my time in your solar system.”

  Todd smiled thinly, his face tilting slightly to the floor as Ben, Jack, and Li entered through the doorway.

  Chapter 13

  Lombargnor sat at the head of the long, rectangular table to address the assembled group. “The task we are soon to undertake is a perilous one. The risks severe, the danger significant. However, we mustn’t allow the weight of that reality to overburden us. It is important to be aware of, but if you find yourself obsessing over it or overwhelmed by it, you need to work your focus back to whatever your current situation may be. This will be more natural for some of you than others. I expect those in this room with more field experience to be conscious of those who lack that experience.”

  Todd and Simon shared a glance across the table as Jack appeared to swallow a golf ball. Todd nodded before nudging Li, who was seated beside him. “You too, pacifist.” Li smiled and nodded twice in reply before turning back to Lombargnor.

  “Marshal Cain, in conversation with Mission Commander Cain, I was made aware that you have a brother that escaped into the mountains outside of Denver, Colorado. Is that correct?”

  Simon sat up straighte
r and cleared his throat. “I believe so. I mean, I got word to him to go, but I have been unable to confirm whether or not he made it.”

  “We must attempt to attain that confirmation. Our recon from that region indicates a significant resistance group appears to have coalesced in that area.”

  Simon glanced sideways at Sasha. “Would make sense. Lord knows it’s remote up there.”

  Sasha’s eyes narrowed before returning their gaze to the head of the table. She nodded slightly, “Plenty of ex-military too. There’s even a little town not far from where Jasper was supposedly headed that’s almost entirely populated with veterans of the Russian war. Bunch of ’em came back from the Alaskan front and built the little town pretty much from scratch.”

  “That fits well with the information I have received. There appears to be a military presence within, as well as at the head of the group. We are attempting to open a line of communication with them and other resistance groups located around the globe. Our best chance at success will rely heavily on coordination with these groups. If we succeed in opening a channel with the Colorado mountain group, I would like Marshal Cain to confirm whether or not his brother is indeed with them.”

  “And if he is?”

  “We are going to need to coordinate an assault on the Vikard stronghold at Star Marshal Base. The bulk of this assault will need to present itself from the west. Smaller groups from the north and south flanks will join them. Around the globe other groups will rise up and cause havoc, preventing reinforcements from being called back to Star Marshal Base in a prompt manner. This will be the moment we will make our final approach in our newly acquired Vikard shipping vessel. Hopefully, we will succeed in using the ground assaults and worldwide uprisings as cover as we exit the shipping vessel, rapidly descend to Earth, and plunge into Lake Michigan.”

  Sasha’s brow furrowed. “That will take some serious coordination to pull off. Seems incredibly unlikely we would manage to time everything just right under the best of circumstances, considering current communication capabilities between the groups involved. I mean, as of this briefing, they’re non-existent.”

  “I agree that the circumstances are not ideal. Unfortunately, we lack the time to wait for more advantageous conditions to present themselves. The window of opportunity is small in this case, and it is closing fast. We must get a team back as soon as possible to make an attempt at removing Dow from his position of power. It is the only way we will potentially be able to liberate Earth before the Vikard are so dug in and numerous that it would become a monumental undertaking, resulting in utterly catastrophic loss of life and damage to the planet.”

  Todd shrugged. “In other words, as my grandpa used to say, ‘It is what it is, and it’s not what it’s not.’”

  “So let’s say we get through to this group in the mountains and my brother is in fact with them. What am I supposed to tell him?”

  “We will get into more detail once we have successfully established contact. There are questions we need answered from their end to finalize the more intricate details of the plan.”

  “What about us?” asked Todd. “This crew, I mean. I get that we’re taking the shipping vessel we just hijacked to Earth, but what about once we get there? How are we getting down to the surface?”

  “The ship I and your families evacuated in is functional in many environments, including both water and air on Earth. That ship has been loaded into the Vikard shipping vessel, currently in orbit above us. Once we are in position, ideally undetected, we will exit the shipping vessel and descend into Lake Michigan. The distraction will need to be significant to provide us ample cover for success in this phase. That is why it is crucial we coordinate the assault on Star Marshal Base with as much precision as possible.”

  “And if we succeed in making it that far?” asked Todd.

  “As orbit team carries out their assault on the defense net, and while the ground resistance fighters are launching their attacks, we will make our way back into Star Marshal Base through the tunnels.”

  Todd shook his head. “Won’t they have noticed your escape vehicles during the evacuation when they made their initial assault? Why wouldn’t they be monitoring those tunnels by now?”

  “I would be shocked if they weren’t. However, your grandfather was exceptional at keeping a secret. He had a small, carefully selected crew of tunnel diggers carve out one more escape tunnel that could only be utilized on foot or by a very small vehicle. It was not used during the evacuation. Hopefully, it has not been discovered.”

  “And if it was?”

  “Then we would be wise to concoct a plan B and plan C.” Lombargnor slid his chair back, rose, and slowly made his way around the table as he continued. “Any thoughts of retreat should be left in this room. This is the best chance to reclaim the Earth from its detestable occupiers. It may be the only chance. If given the opportunity to fully dig in, the Vikard may be impossible to ever remove from the planet and solar system.”

  Uneasy glances and hard swallows made their way through the occupants of the seats surrounding the long table.

  “It is time to prepare for departure. Pack what you need. Most importantly, use the final moments here on Mars to say your good-byes to your loved ones. That is all for now.”

  Chairs slid back, and all but one of their occupants rose and headed for the door. Simon did not budge. Sasha looked around as she neared the exit and noticed him anchored to his spot. “You coming?”

  “I can’t do this. We can’t do this. You and me, I mean.”

  “Do what?” She reversed direction and cocked her head sideways as she returned to the table.

  “Go on this suicide mission. We have a baby girl we would be orphaning if this goes horribly wrong.”

  Sasha laid a hand on Simon’s shoulder. “And what if we don’t go and it fails and we have to run? And run and run and run. Her whole life spent on space ships and in foreign solar systems. Never remembering her home planet or having the chance to set foot on it again. What if us deciding to take this huge risk is the difference? What if we can contribute to making the future that gives her the shot at the life we dream of for her when we hold her and stare into her big eyes?”

  Simon exhaled and broke eye contact to look out the windows. Slowly, his head began to nod up and down.

  Chapter 14

  By the Earth year 2075, the Martian colony was rather large. Structures spread out in every direction from the cluster constructed by the original settlers. It had taken Jack Vaughn a good twenty-five minutes to walk his way from his living quarters to that cluster.

  Inside an unassuming building among this cluster was a fairly open space, by Martian colony standards. Occasionally sprinkled throughout this space stood monuments. Some honored individuals who had made significant contributions toward colonizing the planet. Others memorialized those who had given their lives in that pursuit. At the center of the room on a raised platform stood a life-size statue of a man stepping out of a surface lander, the entire piece the color of a worn penny. A plaque at the base read simply: “Reggie Hart. First Human on Mars.”

  Jack stared at the face of the frozen man as if in a trance. So lost in thought was he that the door opening and the sound of slow, shuffling footsteps making their way into the room barely registered. Eventually, Jack’s eyes dropped just enough to see the back of the figure that had joined him in the little museum. It was a man, tallish and slender, his head still covered in hair; but whatever color it once had been had completely faded to gray.

  The man was standing at the large, curved memorial wall dedicated to settlers who had lost their lives in the initial phase of establishing the colony on Mars. He seemed almost to sense that Jack had taken notice of him, and he turned a hair to manage a glance over his shoulder. His left eye met Jack’s eyes, and his wrinkled face grinned before giving him a wink. Jack nodded and adjusted his eyes back up to the face of the statue.

  “You been here long?”

  J
ack did not have to re-adjust his focus to know the man was sauntering over toward him now.

  “Mars, I mean. Not this room. Pretty sure I’ve never seen you before. You got kind of a…” the man looked Jack up, down, then up again, “unique look.”

  Jack shook his head. “Not long at all.”

  “How’d ya find yourself in this lil old museum, gazing up at that old has-been?”

  “Hey!” Jack looked dead at the man before pointing up at the statue. “That old has-been is my hero.”

  “That so?”

  Jack nodded proudly. “Yes, sir. Have myself an authentic Reggie Hart spacesuit and everything. Used to wear it all the time.”

  The man grinned ear to ear. “Now that, I can assure you, is not a fact.”

  Jack’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about? How could you assure me of whether or not a spacesuit you’ve never seen is authentic or not?”

  “Well, for one, you’re a good four inches taller than I ever was. And two, I know precisely where every suit I’ve ever worn is.”

  Jack’s naturally pale complexion managed to lighten a few shades before turning red as a radish. His heart found its way into his throat as he glanced back and forth from the man to the statue. The man chuckled and extended his hand.

  “Name’s Reggie Hart. Nice to meet you, kid.”

  “I’m Jack. I can’t believe I’m shaking Reggie Hart’s hand and in front of the Reggie Hart statue on Mars!”

  “Ugh.” Reggie shook his head. “That thing makes me so uncomfortable. Would you believe I asked ’em to move it?”

  “Why?”

  “Well, whenever I’m on Mars I come in here once a week to pay my respects to those we lost those first couple of years. Always have when I’m here.”