The Last Charge of the 1st Legion (The Last Hero Trilogy Book 3)

by Nathaniel Danes

Sennet shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no. I need every ship to defend this system until Andromeda is ready. I can’t allow this operation to lose its guard for some hare-brained plan totally dependent on the word of some alien super-computer. I need every ship.”

  “For what?” Trent spread out his arms. “The Bearcats have too many problems to even think about coming here. Even if they have reason, in the event we have to use force to get the Pills, the Bearcats wouldn’t have the strength to fight past Echo Base.” He threw his hands in the air. “And let’s not forget that if the Keepers arrive before you launch, which is unlikely, all of your ships won’t mean shit. I’m giving you a chance, a real chance, to save billions of human and Bearcat lives. What’s more, it won’t really cost you a thing to try.”

  Sennet rose, planting clenched fists onto her desk. She leaned forward and narrowed her eyelids to slits. “I’m not throwing away any ship on your wild goose chase. I plan on taking them with the Andromeda.” She stood tall, crossing her arms. “I’ve sent orders to use my command override codes to lock your crews out of their systems. I’m taking direct command of them.”

  DeWalt’s face burned red. “You can’t do that! Earth’s Fist is my ship!”

  “I was Chief of Naval Operations when Chen was killed. I’m now the most senior military officer outside of the Sol System. I can and have done that. Get comfortable, gentlemen, you are in the Eden System to stay.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Reinforcements

  Sennet had also used her neuro-nanos to call security. A full squad of legionnaires appeared in the office to escort DeWalt, Susan, and Trent to their new quarters. Trent felt sorry for the soldiers; they looked sad and beaten, like grizzly bears that’d been in a zoo for too long. The fight looked dead in them, but he knew better. They were Earth Legion, and their fight could never truly be extinguished. It just needed real leadership to fan the flames.

  “Sir, please come with me,” a burly black sergeant said. His focus zeroed in on the solid bright-red mission patch and name tag on Trent’s breast. Only those who had served in the Legion’s fabled first mission wore such a mark. The sergeant looked at Sennet with eyes that asked really?

  “Is there a problem, Sergeant Okeke?”

  He shifted his attention back to the Red Baron standing before him. “It’s all right, sergeant,” Trent said, glancing back at the admiral. “Do what you have to do.”

  “Sorry, sir.”

  The short walk to his quarters was the longest in Trent’s life. Frustration and rage boiled within, and it took every ounce of strength he had to not try to fight his way free. Knocking a few heads around would be of little use without a broader plan. Besides, the squad of soldiers weren’t the enemy. Sennet was, and he needed to find a way to counter her power-play with strategy, not brute force.

  As luck would have it, Eden was known for their own variety of whiskey and his wet bar was well stocked. Effectively quarantined, he used his solitude to get good and drunk. He sometimes found drinking heavily was the best way to invite inspiration. It struck right before he passed out.

  In the morning, he knocked on his door. It slid open to reveal Sergeant Okeke looking down at him. “What can I do for you, sir?”

  “Sergeant, I need a man I can trust. A legionnaire who isn’t okay with letting every human in this galaxy be murdered while they hide in safety, hoping no one notices them. Are you that man, sergeant?”

  Okeke glanced right and left. No one was there. “I’ve been waiting here for you to ask.” A pure white smile grew on his face. “Tell me what you need and I’ll make it happen. As far as I’m concerned, you are my commanding officer.”

  Trent sighed to himself in relief. “Thank you. You might’ve just saved billions of lives. I need you to bring someone to me without the admiral finding out.”

  “Sir, I’m sorry, but there is no way I will be able to bring Captain DeWalt or Lieutenant Ross to you. Nor can I get someone from your ship aboard the base unnoticed.”

  “That’s all right. The person I want to see is already aboard the base and didn’t come aboard with me.”

  Okeke cocked his head. “Who would that be, sir?”

  “I need you to bring Lt. Commander Greene to me as soon as you can arrange it.”

  ***

  Thirty hours later, Okeke entered with a squirming man over his shoulder while another loyal soldier of Earth stood guard. The muffled protests of the bound and gagged passenger brought a nervous chuckle to Trent’s lips. “Good God, sergeant. I didn’t say to kidnap the man.”

  Okeke flopped Greene onto the couch. “Couldn’t be helped, sir. My polite request wasn’t received well and I was afraid he’d run to the admiral.”

  Greene contorted his body to sit upright.

  “And no one saw you carrying him down the corridors?”

  “No, sir, no one saw us.” He worked to free his cargo. “I had men running point, and my contacts in the security command center made sure we didn’t pop up on any feeds. A lot of people aren’t happy with abandoning Earth. Many have family still there.” He pulled the gag down.

  “What the hell is the meaning of this?!” Greene huffed. “I will report this! You’ll all be in the brig by the end of the day!”

  He tried standing but Okeke pushed him back down. “Sit down and listen to the general. You don’t have any friends on this base and it will take a long time for anyone to notice you’re missing. Even longer for anyone to care.”

  Greene snarled and crossed his arms. “Fine!”

  Trent motioned toward the wet bar. “Hello, Commander Greene. Can I get you a drink?”

  “Just get to the point. I have work to do.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you are doing very interesting work indeed. Repairing CPUs and running diagnostics seems right up your alley. Not a waste of human capital at all.”

  “Is there a point to this meeting or did you have me abducted to simply insult me?”

  Boy, do I ever want to slap this man silly. Suck it up and kiss his ass. It’s a small price to pay. Trent took a seat across from him. “I had you brought here because I need a genius. I need the smartest man in the fleet, and that’s you.”

  “What makes you think I’ll help you?” He unwrapped his arms, looking toward the ceiling.

  “Because I know what you want and I’ll be happy to give it to you, once you help me.”

  “And what would that be?”

  Trent leaned back. “Your freedom. Your disdain for military service is well documented, Doctor Greene. You want out, and once you give me what I need, that will be easily granted.”

  Greene stared at him. “What do I have to do to earn this reward?”

  “Use your computer skills to temporarily keep Admiral Sennet bottled up for me. Just a few hours is all I’ll need to get enough momentum so that she won’t be able to stop me from launching my mission.”

  Greene flipped his wrist. “Oh, sure, you’ll jump out of the system and I’ll be left here to suffer Sennet’s wrath. She’ll throw me in the brig and toss away the key before she’ll let me live in peace on Eden.”

  “True, staying here isn’t an option.” Trent smirked. “But—I think I might know of someplace that will pique your scientific interest.”

  “And just what would that be?”

  “Let me tell you about Hal.”

  ***

  His pale face glowed from the screen’s light. His finger, hovering over the ‘Enter’ key, was frozen. His mind had trouble processing the situation.

  Greene couldn’t believe he was actually going to go through with it. Mutiny? He hated the military, but an urge for open revolt wasn’t exactly in his personality. Incessant whining, absolutely, but never something as dramatic, as final as mutiny. That appeared to take more courage than he thought himself capable of mustering.

  Nevertheless, here he was, about to cross the Rubicon.

  I’ve had enough. A man’s capable of almost anything if you push him far
enough. They brought this upon themselves.

  The thin appendage fell squarely on the icon. A simulated ripple cascaded away from the impact point.

  It was done. Mutiny.

  At the speed of light, a virus infected Echo Base’s operational mainframe. It had taken him sixty hours of endless work to engineer the virtual demon. The system’s defenses would react immediately, working to contain and eliminate the invader. Time was short, and they needed to move quickly.

  Springing to his feet, Greene marched out of his quarters with long strides. He’d cast his lot with the rebels, now he’d damn well better receive his payment.

  Maxwell had better not cross me. I’ve been pushed too far, and I’m pushing back from now on.

  ***

  The terminal at her desk went blank mid-sentence. Sennet blinked twice. That’s never happened before.

  She tried thought-speaking to the on-duty tech sergeant, but there was no signal. What the... She marched to her door, which opened as expected. Sergeant Okeke blocking her way was not expected, however. He stood like a mountain with his squad in support.

  “Sergeant, what is the meaning of this?”

  “It’s nothing to be concerned with, admiral. Everything will be back to normal in a few hours. It would be helpful if you stayed calm and waited this out quietly in your office.”

  Blood rushed to her face. “Is this some kind of joke?! Get out of my way now or I’ll put you on report and take your stripes. I’ll bust you down to private faster than you can say court-martial.”

  “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t do that. General Maxwell is launching to save Earth. Everyone who’s helping him now will be far gone by the time someone cuts you out of here.”

  “What do...”

  Okeke thrust his arms forward, hitting her in the chest. The blow sent her back several meters and she tumbled to the floor. She gathered herself and hurried to the door, but it was too late. She could hear a plasma welder hard at work on the other side.

  “Damn you!” She hammered her fists on the solid surface. “Damn you all!”

  ***

  Trent burst out of his comfortable prison like he’d been shot from a cannon. The corridor was full of legionnaires fully suited for battle. They formed a phalanx with him in the center. Their jogging footfalls echoed off the hard walls, creating an ominous sound of unstoppable determination. The few crewmen the phalanx encountered darted in any direction available to avoid the tidal wave.

  A ping inside his head signaled that a successful link had been established. Automatically a series of pre-arranged orders flew out. Time, the most important commodity in any battle, wasn’t on their side.

  He opened a link with Susan and DeWalt. “Did you receive your instructions?”

  “Still can’t believe it, but yeah.” Susan chuckled. “I’m on my way to the fighter deck to start ferrying pilots and Avengers over to the Fist.”

  DeWalt chimed in as well. “Well done, general. I’m headed to Shuttle Bay Two to begin supply shipments to the Fist.”

  “Excellent. Orders under Admiral Sennet’s name have been sent to those departments to corroborate your authority. If either of you have any problems, use the legion detachments I’ve assigned to you to force the issue. We don’t have time to play nice.”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Aye, aye, sir!”

  Trent rounded a corner. “I’ve received confirmation from Commander King that the crew of the Fist is back in command. They’re getting her ready for emergency departure. Colonel Jones will see that anyone who disagrees is sent packing. Base legion units are already launching to reinforce Earth’s Fist’s contingent. We do this right and she’ll be knocking on one-hundred percent combat readiness, less any repairs that haven’t been completed.”

  “I’ll have her ready when we need her.” DeWalt was breathing hard. “When this is over, you’ll have to tell me how you pulled it off.”

  “We ain’t there yet, captain. We still need more ships, and I can’t trick or force any of them to join us.”

  “How will you get them to come along then?”

  “Words can be a powerful weapon when used correctly. I’m almost to the com room. Good luck and hurry.”

  Trent’s personal guard linked up with another squad of troopers who’d already secured the communications control room. Five fleet officers with bound hands lined a wall. They wore sour faces and shot dirty looks at their captors.

  Trent rushed inside. “Are we ready?”

  “Yes, sir!” a gung-ho officer announced. “I’ve linked you into the base’s broadcast system. Just speak and every ship in the system will hear you. They’ve acknowledged our transmission and are awaiting your address.”

  “Only the ships will receive my message, correct? It’s important that the base personnel think nothing’s happening.”

  “The base is on total com lockdown. Nothing is getting in, including your message.”

  He nodded and sucked in a deep breath. “This is General Trent Maxwell of the First Legion...”

  ***

  Commander Aleah Essa, first officer of the battleship Finland, listened with bulging eyes as General Maxwell spoke. Like her, the bridge crew were as still as stone. Over a year of inaction had given way to tense muscles and nerves on the edge.

  “...I repeat, I’ve taken temporary command of Echo Base. Once I’m en route to the gate, command will revert to Admiral Sennet. I know you’re all asking ‘why?’ The truth is that I was forced to take this dramatic action because the admiral has lost her way.

  “Earth’s Fist came to this system seeking help. After the fall of Alpha, we embarked on a mission given to us by Admiral Chen himself. This mission uncovered vital intel that we can use to defeat the Keeper vessel currently slaughtering billions of innocent civilians on Earth. I presented this information to the admiral and was arrested for wanting to save our friends and families from certain death.”

  The crew exchanged looks.

  “Admiral Sennet is a fine officer, but she’s lost her way. She wants to stay here, safe and secure, while civilians back on Earth are cut down like blades of grass. I won’t stand for that. I’m legion and you’re fleet. We were created for one purpose, to protect human lives.

  “No matter what, Earth’s Fist is leaving this system and will do everything in its power to save Earth and the colonies.” He paused for a few seconds. “Alone, if we must. I am asking you, no, I am begging you to join us in this quest. It will be difficult and the odds are against us, but every man counts and every ship that aids our cause increases our chances of victory, of saving billions of lives.

  “I believe it is our duty to try. We cannot sit idly by while the blood of our species is systemically drained. If we do nothing, we can no longer call ourselves soldiers or sailors. Look at the crests that adorn your ships. It reads For All Humanity.

  “Who is with me? Who among you will join the crusade to liberate Earth from holocaust?”

  Essa’s heart was pounding. She could feel the pulse in her neck. No one said a word, but the look in the bridge crew’s eyes told her everything she needed to know. Her mouth popped open to give an order when the doors came apart. Captain Harold Christie marched in with conviction.

  “Shut off that transmission.” He waved his hand across the air. “No communication is to be received or sent without my direct authorization.”

  Essa licked her lips. “Captain, what is your plan?”

  His face whipped around, displaying his large jowls for all they were worth. “To follow the orders of our legitimate commanding officer, commander. I have no intention of listening to an upstart general with a foolhardy plan.”

  She pointed at the viewport where the audio message was broadcast. “That upstart general is Trent Maxwell, sir. He was fighting in space before you were born. It was he who discovered that the Kitrights betrayed us and it was he who convinced the Bearcats to become our ally.” She took three steps closer to him. “If he say
s he can save Earth, I think we should listen, sir. With all due respect, he’s right and we have to try.”

  “My orders stand, commander.”

  The bridge crew was standing, staring at the exchange. She looked past the captain and each member voted with stern expressions and nods. Christie jerked his head back to look behind him. Essa was frowning when he returned his attention to her.

  “Then, sir, you don’t give me any choice.” She puffed out her chest. “I am relieving you of command.”

  “What! You have no...” His mouth hung open. A pair of officers flanked him, taking hold of his arms. “Get your hands off me.” He tried to shake loose.

  Essa turned to the com officer. “Tell the general we’re with him.” She turned back to the captain. “Take him to the shuttle bay and get him off my ship. We have a mission to get to.”

  ***

  Cheers erupted from the scurrying deck crew when Trent exited the shuttle with DeWalt and Susan at his side. The reception caused his spirits to soar. These were men and women eager to do their duty, even if doing so meant their death.

  The moment passed quickly. Too much work remained. They had a galaxy to save.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Resistance

  The plan had already worked, to a degree. It took time for the Keeper to manufacture a new invasion army. The reprieve was a blessing, one used to expand the defensive network. When the attack was renewed, however, a force three times as powerful struck.

  “Fall back!” Frost waved to the rear. The first line of trenches didn’t even qualify as a speed bump. The river of glistening silver flowed forward as if nothing stood in its path.

  His companies of militia were now blooded veterans; they retreated in good order, kicking up a black cloud of ash as they went. The forest fire had consumed much of their cover, though. Despite their improved skill, more were cut down by the enemy.

  Almost to the new line, Frost dropped into a feet-first baseball slide. “Crap!” He came to a dead stop half a meter from his target. Dragging his butt forward, he made it to cover.