“Walter, I’d like to tell you everything is going to be all right. That time heals all wounds. That this, too, shall pass.” He shook his head. “But that’s all bullshit. They’re lies people tell their friends and themselves, to paint over the ugly truth. I won’t lie to you. You loved Jane and you lost her. It hurts like hell and it always will. You’ll always feel like a piece of you is missing.”
“You really suck at grief counseling, you know, Trent? You wanna save me the trouble and shoot me now after your little pep talk?”
“You’re feeling sorry for yourself right now, and that’s okay, it’s your right.” Trent faced him and put a hand on Simms’ shoulder. “But I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Something that took me a while to figure out myself. Once I did, I felt better. Enough to get through each day, at least.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re one of the lucky ones.”
Simms’ head popped up. “Huh?”
“Yes, you’re lucky.” He put up his other palm to stop any counter. “When I lost my daughter...it ripped my guts out. I got real low and stayed there for a while. Then I realized I was lucky because despite the pain, I had still had something really special in my life while it lasted. And I got to say good-bye.” He swallowed to choke down the tears. “That’s not something everyone gets.”
“Is that really enough?”
“No. Nothing’s ever ‘enough.’” Trent returned his gaze to the depressing sky. “But it’s what you get, and it’ll have to do. The memories help. At first, remembering her will make the hurt worse. Then it will became a reservoir of strength. One day, you’ll suddenly be reminded of something about her and you’ll smile. Use that. Cherish that. It can sustain you, if you let it.”
“I hope you’re right.” Simms kicked a rock that rolled down the hill. “She was the only person to ever really get me. I’m going to be lost without her.”
“I know how you feel. Just remember, you’re not alone. When we’re back on the Fist, we’ll all tie one on for her, and for you.”
“I’d like that. I’m pretty sure she’d like that, too.”
“Until then—”
“I know, I know.’ Simms nodded. “I need to get my shit together and soldier on.”
“Yeah. It ain’t fair, but that’s the job.”
Simms raised his MRG onto his shoulder. “What’s next? I mean, what’s the legion doing next? Where do you need me?”
“We’re going to find a way into that facility one way or another and figure out how to stop those damn ships.” He looked back at the battlefield. “The First’s blood spilled here will not have been in vain. I promise you that. I promise all of them that.” He gestured around him, and Simms understood he wasn’t talking about the survivors.
***
The butcher’s bill kept getting higher and there was nothing he could do about it. Sometimes there is no master strategy or brilliant trick to be played. Sometimes victory can only be purchased with buckets of blood. This looked like one of those times.
He tracked the units making the long treks to enter the canyon uncontested using personal anti-gravity units. This was the easy part. They’d have to fight their way through rugged ground tailor-made for defense. He’d prepared himself to accept eighty-plus percent casualty rates.
He tore his eyes off the display. “Estimated time to contact?”
Raj looked up. “Projections expect we’ll make enemy contact in two hours.”
“Very well.” He stood straight. “I’m going to inspect our line. If we don’t cover our forces below, all I’ve done is make them run a long way before they die.”
He took two steps when he was stopped in his tracks. “Sir!” The communications officer jumped out of his seat. “I’m receiving a message—from them.”
Trent turned back into the tent. The staff was sharing a series of dumbfounded looks like no one knew what to do. It took three or four seconds to pull himself together. “What do they want?”
The baby-faced lieutenant had a blank expression. “To meet, sir. They are requesting a cease-fire and want to open negotiations.”
“Negotiations? For what?”
“Their surrender.”
His eyes locked with Amanda. She pressed her lips together. “It could be a trick, sir. They could be tracking our forces running up each side of the canyon and this is a ruse to buy time.”
“That’s a possibility.” He returned to the command display. “But time for what? We control the local air space and everything above that. Our orbital observers can see any move they make.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “Unless...maybe they can move forces under a tunnel system.”
Trent was conflicted. The offer of surrender, if legit, could save hundreds of lives. On the other hand, if it was a ploy, it would cost hundreds more to achieve the same goal. He ground his teeth before deciding to hedge his bets. “Have our attackers move into position but don’t engage without further orders.” His head shot toward the com officer. “Tell them that if they want to negotiate their surrender, they have ten minutes to transmit coordinates for a one-on-one parlay. Commander to commander meeting.”
“Yes, sir.”
Amanda thought-spoke into his mind, “What are you planning? You’re not really going to meet with them personally, are you?”
He shrugged. “It depends on where they want to meet. If they actually open the facility’s entrance to allow someone to exit and meet near there, I’m inclined to believe the offer is real. If they want to meet somewhere within their lines, Then I figure it’s all bull.”
“Here’s hoping it’s for real.”
“Sir,” the com officer called out, “they’ve accepted your offer and suggest the meeting take place at a location of your choosing.”
Trent’s eyebrow arched. “No aides or side-arms, either. Their commander comes alone and unarmed. I don’t trust these sons-of-bitches.”
“They’ve accepted.”
He chewed his lip and nodded. “Very well. Tell them to meet me at my current location.”
“So?” Amanda, standing tall, arched an eyebrow.
“I suspect they’re desperate and I’m not sure why.”
***
A small gravity lift carried York up the canyon wall. Seeing the sky and feeling natural wind rustle his environmental suit gave him a jolt of confidence. He stood tall, yet relaxed, on the lift. Three heavy infantrymen met him at the edge. He ignored them at first, looking past them at the kilometers of empty space in every direction. Even the recycled air inside his helmet tasted sweeter.
A metal warrior completed a scan for any surprises. Finding none, he said, “Follow us.”
He nodded and did as he was told. They boarded a transport to a small collection of tents. Dozens of soldiers glared at him. He could sense the hate prickling his skin. It couldn’t circumvent his feeling of profound relief, however.
His escorts ran another series of scans. Satisfied that he wasn’t hiding a weapon, they gestured for him to enter one of the tents, and as he did so, the flap sealed behind him. He found himself alone in the empty, dark room. A tingle of despair tickled his nerves.
Keep it together. You’re almost off this rotten planet.
Someone entered from the opposite side. He was alone and wore Legion light infantry battle dress. The camouflage was deactivated, coating him in an awful elf-green color. The air pressure increased and it became safe for both of them to remove their helmets.
The unidentified legionnaire went first. He had jet black hair, a stern expression, and powerful brown eyes that bored right into him. York prided himself on being a good judge of character, which he’d found to be a useful skill in the shadowy world of covert ops. This was not a man to trifled with. Not if he wanted to live, that is, and he very much wanted that.
Neither spoke for several seconds as they sized each other up.
The man wet his lips. “Who are you?”
“That is a good
question.” York rubbed the back of his neck. “To be honest, I’m not sure anymore. You can call me Mr. York for now.”
“I don’t have time for your games.” The man’s fists balled tight. “You’ve killed too many of my men. Don’t assume you have any allowances. Your ships and equipment are more advanced than standard fleet and legion issue. You’re human, and yet you fight us.” His eyes narrowed. “Who are you?”
Knowledge is power. York lived his life by that simple rule and he wasn’t going to stop now. “Who I am isn’t important. Who I work for is also of little significance at the moment. What is important is what you want. You want to enter the facility. You want what’s inside and I’m in a position to give it to you.” He matched the man’s heated gaze. “I’m also in a position to make sure no one gets what’s down there. Ever.”
The man’s eyes narrowed. “Do you have any idea of what the hell is going on outside this system?”
The question reminded York of how little knowledge he possessed about current events. He’d spent hours wondering why this force had showed up so determined to secure the planet. Their broadcasts of alien invasion did seem far-fetched. In his opinion, Franks’ refusal to allow any communication was short-sighted. He wanted to know everything but didn’t want to reveal how weak he was.
“Events outside this system are irrelevant.”
The man straightened and rubbed his chin. “You really don’t have any idea what is going on, do you?” He shook his head. “No, you don’t. There’s no other explanation. All of you can’t be so crazy that the destruction of Earth and even the eventual eradication of human civilization wouldn’t be a concern.”
York’s eyebrow arched.
“Yeah.” The man smiled. “I thought that would get your attention. Listen hard, because this story will knock your pants off. Take my word for it that every word is true. Let’s start over. My name is General Trent Maxwell and we’re on a mission to save the human race.”
York listened to Trent’s story. The failed invasion of Kitright Prime, the super silver pyramid ships and the destruction of Alpha Gate Base. It was incredible and terrifying. He asked for proof and received an avalanche of files documenting every second of the First Legion’s journey to P-1425X.
The data could’ve been faked, but that seemed highly unlikely. The story also explained why Earth had been silent for so long as well as the small quantity of fleet and legion forces deployed to the furious attack. Besides, he wanted off this miserable planet, and there was only one way that was going to happen.
York cleared his throat. “First, I’d like to offer my apologies for the loss of your men. I was not in command of our military forces until very recently. I’d urged the previous commander to reach out to you, but I am afraid he was a zealot. He was prepared to prevent your capture of the facility by any means, including destroying it.”
“You threatened to destroy it.”
“I did, and I meant what I said. But I’m far more reasonable. I am willing to let you have the facility under one condition.”
“Condition?” Trent scuffed. “I tell you the fate of Earth, billions of lives, are in the balance and you still use the key to saving them as a bargaining chip?”
“Just listen to it, general. It’s not much. All I want is off this planet.” He held up one finger. “That’s it. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
Trent bit his lip. “You want me to take aboard the bastards who fought and killed my men?”
York shook his head. “Me, general. I’m only requesting transportation for myself.” He shrugged. “Although you might want to consider bringing the civilian staff along, also. They haven’t been complicit in any conspiracy.” He shrugged again. “That’s entirely up to you, though, and not part of my condition. Just a suggestion.”
“You’re one cold-hearted prick, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps, but irrelevant. I am familiar with your background and I’ve decided to trust you.” In actual fact, he trusted no one, but right now he didn’t see that he had any choice. “Give me your word that I’ll receive safe transport to a developed colony world and the facility is yours. Trust me, that’s the best deal you’ll ever get.”
Trent crossed his arms with a grimace. “It’s a deal with the devil. But it’s one I’ll make for the greater good. All right, Mr. York, we have a deal. With one amendment, though.” His eyes formed daggers. “I want to know who you work for and what agenda is so damn important it’s worth killing humans for.”
York was prepared to make this concession. Handing over the facility crossed the line anyway. Besides, the fighting on Earth was likely to wipe out all those with any interest in making him pay one day for his betrayal.
“Agreed.” He smiled broadly to himself, although none of it touched his face. He wasn’t going to die here after all.
Chapter Eighteen
Conversation with an Almost-God
York was holding up his end of the bargain. Enemy troops on the canyon floor pulled back from the entrance. Forces deployed opposite the First Legion on the upper level also withdrew from the edge. The way to the facility appeared clear, but Trent wasn’t taking any chances.
Two centuries of light infantry formed a picket line on the far side. If a double-cross attack was launched, they’d be the tripwire. A mixed cohort of legionnaires knitted the entrance into a tight defensive pocket. On top of all that, York himself remained under heavy guard several kilometers back. He didn’t seem like the type of person willing to sacrifice himself to achieve the element of surprise for his comrades.
The civilian scientists below assured Trent that it was safe to descend. Hedging his bets, he sent probes down first. Next came two squads who rounded up the personnel and searched the subterranean chamber. Finding nothing, Trent sent another two to search again. A whole century was combing the place before he began to accept that it wasn’t a trap. When he took the elevator down, he transferred most of the troops back up. That way, if the facility went nuclear, it wouldn’t cripple the legion’s strength.
The elevator sped deeper and deeper into the crust of P-1425X. It felt like any other ride into a high-security military bunker, just longer. He’d been briefed and examined the scans of the chamber. Even so, the extent of it awed him as the doors slid open.
Amanda’s jaw dropped. “My God.”
“This is incredible.” Simms pushed between Trent and Amanda to exit first.
Trent stayed silent as he walked out and turned to take it all in. Our salvation must be here. He removed his helmet and tipped his head back, sucking in air.
“It’s incredible the first time you see it.” His attention was pulled from the ceiling toward the source of the comment, a short woman with a sharp nose. “After a year or two of staring at these walls, they start to feel like prison gates.”
“Dr. Smut, I presume.” Trent recognized her from scouting reports. “What do you have for us?”
She glanced over her shoulder and looked back at him as she walked off. “If you will follow me, general, I would be happy to give you a tour of our dig sites and labs. I’m sure you’ll find it very interesting.”
His eyes narrowed. “What do you think this is, doctor? You’ve been briefed on the situation. We’re not tourists. I have it on good authority there’s something here to tell us about the ships attacking Earth. Hopefully there’s something we can learn and use to save the entire human race, so let’s cut the crap and get to the meat of why I’m here. Why I had to sacrifice good soldiers just to gain access to this facility.”
She cast her gaze downward. “I’m sorry. We’ve been down here a long time. Many of us haven’t even been to the surface in over a year. Maybe it’s made us … odd.” She lifted her eyes to look straight into his. “Many of us have family back on Earth. Rest assured, whatever we can do to help, we will.”
Trent nodded. “Lead the way, doctor. Show me what you got.”
Flanked by a pair of light infantrymen, the group
made their way to one of the plain box buildings. Alien artifacts and lab equipment took up much of the space. Smut gestured for them to stand around a central holo display.
Trent noticed she was sweating and her hands trembled. “Doctor, relax. I trust we are on the same team to save Earth. I don’t plan to execute you if I’m disappointed.”
She cleared her throat. “It was sort of obvious, wasn’t it? Thank you.” Straightening up, she worked the control panel until a 3D image of the chamber appeared. “A number of years ago, military probes conducting a detailed recon of the system detected a faint energy signature. At first they assumed it was a secret Bearcat base. Subsequent investigation, however, revealed it to be much more.”
“Who built it and when?” Simms’ eyes were as big as golf balls.
“We estimate it was constructed at least two thousand years ago. It could be older than that, but it’s difficult to tell. As for who, we frankly don’t know. We’ve combed this entire facility looking for the smallest trace of organic material and haven’t found a single cell.”
Trent reached out and shifted the display to the canyon. “What about the surface?”
She shook her head. “I’m afraid all of our search teams turned up nothing pointing toward a race intelligent enough to build this place. They did find evidence that this planet once supported an abundant ecosystem. We have an extensive collection of fossilized plant and animal life, but they’re all lower life forms,”
Simms leaned forward. “What happened?”
“Residual radioactivity in the atmosphere suggests a nuclear holocaust of epic proportions.”
“That’s all very interesting, doctor.” Trent crossed his arms. “We came here because intel intercepted a transmission which strongly suggested you have information about the design of the ships we found on Kitright Prime. Can we jump to that?”
“Yes, of course.” Her hands shook again. “I can’t say with a hundred percent certainty what transmission you’re referring to, but I’m guessing this is the design semantics you mean.”
The Last Charge of the 1st Legion (The Last Hero Trilogy Book 3) Page 12
