Mercenary

by Dennis Young

  She rose. Yes, she’d remembered to drink a bottle of S-H before retiring. Yes, she’d remembered to put on a fresh patch, just in case. Yes, she’d eaten a bit before bed.

  Damn, is it just the lack of purpose that causes me to lose focus? I miss the discipline of the Corps. Miss the routine. Miss my buddies and teammates. Fucking bugs…

  She checked the time and quickly typed out a message to Briggs and Rory. Hey big guys, we need to meet today. Changes coming, and I need your input. Remember that Olde Earth English place? Let’s get together there at 1200 Hours. Talice.

  The answers came back almost immediately. Hua, Captain. She nodded.

  She showered, ate a quick bite, and drank another bottle of S-H. Sure wish this came in flavors other than “yuck”.

  She grabbed her jacket and headed out the door, filled with good vibes and purpose. Two can play this little game, Major. We’ll see how it goes from here.

  The metrolink train was crowded with late-morning shoppers and workers. The ride was only twenty minutes, and as she exited the terminal, she met Rory, stepping off another platform. They hugged briefly, then walked quickly to The Bloody Tavern, where Briggs was waiting with a plate of pastry and tea.

  After two cups and a cherry Danish, Talice drew them closer. “Here’s the deal. The Corps has another mission coming up for us, but they need some changes made.”

  “Oh, hell, we’ve been fired,” quipped Briggs.

  They shared a gentle laugh before Talice continued. “Yeah, we should be so lucky. Get two smaller guys for the space of one.” Her face grew serious again. “Mac may retire after this mission. She’s got the family bug again, and with new legs coming up, is seriously considering it.”

  Rory shrugged. “We’ve all thought about that from time to time. I don’t blame her. She’s getting too old for this stuff.”

  Talice nodded. She wasn’t about to say anything regarding the argument with Mac, or with Fawkes for that matter. Her story would be the truth, but only to a point. “Mac wants me to learn TacOps and become the eyes in the sky for the team.”

  Briggs and Rory exchanged looks.

  “There are reasons I won’t go into details on, but let’s just say they involve why I took retirement. I’ve got medical issues, which I’m dealing with, and won’t affect my performance, at TacOps or in the field. You have my word.”

  Briggs shrugged. “We trust you, Captain. We all deal with stuff.”

  You got that right, she thought, then continued. “Once we get to wherever this mission is, I may or may not be in the field with you. Briggs, you’ve got seniority, so you’re in charge if I’m not there. Rory, you’re second.”

  They both nodded without comment.

  “In the meantime, we may need a new member, so put your minds to it for the next couple of days. I’m meeting my Corps contact today to finalize details of the mission.”

  “Soon?” asked Rory, chuckling. “I mean, are we still celebrating the last mission before we go on the next mission?”

  “And please.” Briggs pleaded with false humility. “No more fucking operatives.”

  Talice grinned. She loved these two man-mountains. “We’ll celebrate tomorrow night, how’s that? Here, or someplace else?”

  “Oh here, by all means,” said Rory. “I’ve been practicing my darts, so if Ollie beats me out of a month’s pay again, I can hit him in the butt with one as he walks away.”

  Talice chuckled. “Spread the word to the rest of the team, 2000 Hours tomorrow night. I’ll be tied up the rest of the day with business. Questions?”

  Briggs and Rory shook their heads.

  “I’ll see you then. Thanks, guys. You’re the best.”

  “Damn right.” Briggs waved a quick salute as Talice left the table. She typed out a quick message to Fawkes as she headed for the metrolink terminal. I’m on the way to your office now. Be there in one hour. Talice.

  Now I’ll show you how this game is played, Major. She hit the walkway at a brisk pace, marveling how the sun was shining and how good it felt to have a plan once again.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Diplomacy with a Big Stick

  (Part Three)

  Making a Go of It

  “We cannot enter into alliances until we are

  acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.”

  Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”

  The Office of Marine Major Harlan Fawkes…

  Talice was ushered into Fawkes’s office the moment she entered the building. She wasn’t even allowed a stop at the ladies’ room.

  The orderly led the way down the familiar corridor, opened the office door, then nodded Talice in. Fawkes stood at the sideboard, drawing from the dispenser. He looked up and motioned her to a chair as the orderly closed the door. Talice stood, waiting for Fawkes’s words.

  “Coffee?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Tea, then?”

  “I’ve had mine for the day, thanks.”

  He shrugged and took his seat. “Please, Talice, sit.”

  “Honestly, I’m fine. You said you had information for me. I’m listening.”

  Fawkes drank. “Very well. I have a rather long-term mission available and need the best team available. Are you interested?”

  Talice nearly rolled her eyes. “Can you be more specific? Where, when, mission duration, parameters, goals… you know, that important stuff.”

  “Not until we clear some other matters.”

  Talice raised her face. “I see. Then perhaps I should just leave, and you proceed with finding this ‘best team’ you speak of.” She turned to the door.

  “Talice, wait. Please.”

  She paused, then faced Fawkes.

  “The mission is on Eos, courtesy of the information provided by our operative you rescued, Gorg Evans. We have a chance… a very good chance, to put Nemesis Corp out of business for good.”

  Talice considered for a moment. “Okay. You have my interest. What else?”

  Fawkes touched a switch on his desk and the map behind him lit. “Their base is likely in the northern latitudes, near the Arctic circle. Barely habitable, cold as hell, inhospitable. A perfect place for them to hide with almost complete security.”

  He stood and activated a light-pointer. “Here and here are their two main locations. There are others, but these control everything else. We estimate two or three hundred at each base.”

  Talice shook her head. “Then you need a couple of companies of Marines, not a merc unit. Or were you thinking a suicide mission?”

  “No, not a suicide mission. And you’re absolutely right. In fact, we have authority to mobilize a battalion if necessary. Which, in my opinion, it will be.”

  “So… why a merc team?”

  “To do what you’ve always said. The sneaky work. Get inside, find the weak points. Destroy the central command. In essence, shoot their brains out.”

  Despite herself, Talice’s fascination grew. “And the assault gives us that cover. Like it should have done on Crius.”

  Fawkes showed a slight smile. “I’d never heard anyone talk that way to Colonel Vicker.” He waved a hand before Talice could reply. “I don’t mean you were disrespectful. On the contrary. Your analysis of the mission was spot-on. Truthfully, he was impressed.” He chuckled. “He wanted you for his tactical office group. I told him you were a Grunt at heart.”

  Talice dropped her eyes away, then stood straighter and met his gaze. “Thank you. I mean that. And you’re right.”

  Fawkes watched her for a long moment. “So are you interested? Think your team would consider it?”

  “A few questions, if you don’t mind.”

  Fawkes nodded.

  “We have access to your intel? Everything? I’m not sending my team in unless we’ve got schedules, expected armed operatives, and prioritized locations of the targets. And full dossiers on everyone.”

  “You’ll have them. In fact, I can arrange Mr. Evans as your instructor for
the mission.”

  “You have no issue with him? He cut out the self-destruct from his own arm, dammit! He’s an ass! He almost got the Braysons killed!”

  Fawkes waited for her tirade to end. “He was under orders.”

  Talice only stared, then shrugged.

  “His S-D was compromised. It could have been set off remotely. We ordered him to cut it out, or have it cut out.”

  She changed the subject, her mind racing, but knew it would be best to get intel firsthand. “What about cold weather training?”

  “You know we have a camp in the north. I can set up full access for however long you think is necessary for you and the team. In fact, Evans can go with you and provide classes there. It’s secluded and has all the comforts of home. But more… I can get you equipment you’ll need for that environment.”

  Talice considered. “What about the battalion operation? We’ll be coordinated, right? I don’t want this to turn into another Crius.”

  “It won’t. I’ll be Operations Command and accompany the battalion. Colonel Vicker asked for me by name.”

  “Lucky you.” Talice swallowed a laugh. “Time frame? An operation like this can’t be done in a hurry.”

  “Half a year, at least.”

  “Or more.” Talice shook her head. “In the meantime, what’s Nemesis Corp doing?”

  “We’ll have continued updates as your training progresses.”

  Talice held her peace for a moment. “That says you have someone else inside.”

  Fawkes didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. She knew.

  Finally, she nodded. “Okay, Major. I’ll discuss it with the team. A couple more questions, though.”

  “Sure. I have an idea what they might be.”

  Talice let it pass. “Is Mac still on the team?”

  Fawkes nodded. “Of course she is, Talice. She cares about you.”

  “I need her at TacOps. She needs to train me and be backup just in case.”

  “You have to promise you’ll stay on-ship and out of the field operations.”

  Talice pursed her lips, not happy. “Is that a condition of the job? What if something happens and I’m needed in the field?”

  “Yes… that’s always a possibility, and I’d rather you have the option than lose you and your team to… someone less capable. If that situation arises, you’re subject to Mac’s decision.”

  “… I see. I’ll discuss it with Mac, in that case.”

  Fawkes nodded, relaxing a bit. “Good. I don’t want to see the two of you lose a friendship over this.”

  Talice mulled the offer for a few long moments, then nodded to herself. “There is something else you need to know. I’ve been tracked recently.”

  Fawkes raised his face. “Oh? By whom?”

  “A man named Mikal… and two former Marines, both who were in my unit.” She drew the bag with the tracers from her pocket. “You can track them down from these. My doctor pulled them off my clothing. And I’ll authorize her to release the scan information she did to find them. She also has a copy of his business card given to me.”

  Fawkes came around his desk and accepted the bag. “I don’t know what to say, Talice. This is serious.”

  She nearly laughed. “Tell me about it. I think they wanted to recruit me, but for what I don’t know. And I can’t figure out…”

  Her voice trailed, and her eyes narrowed in thought as Fawkes studied the tracers. “That wristwatch you gave me. Where did you get it?”

  Fawkes shook his head. “Ordered from an online company. I’d have to check.”

  “Have it scanned. If my paranoia is real, it’s got a tracer in it, too.”

  “Of course it does. That’s how I communicate with you. All comm units have tracers.”

  Talice nodded. “Mikal’s company is cyber-security. Ten to one, they hacked into your little gift, and that’s how they found me in the first place.”

  * * *

  Talice left Fawkes’s office in a much better mood than she’d gone in with. She wasn’t totally happy with the deal, but it left enough to interpretation that she felt she could talk Mac around, if, and when, the time came.

  If she’ll talk to me at all, that is. Dammit, why didn’t I hold my temper? Is this a rhetorical question? For the umpteenth time? I’ll fucking never learn…

  She headed for the metrolink station and caught a train back into the center city. Finding a corner seat, she typed out a quick comm. Mac, I talked with Fawkes. Let me know if you have some time today. Let’s clear the air. Love you. Talice.

  She leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. Gonna be okay. We can do this. And being secluded for training will calm everyone down. Maybe Babs would be willing to attend as medtech for the duration of training. I can always ask. She sighed and smirked to herself. What the hell now with Fawkes? Keep him at arm’s length? Actually, I think I prefer it this way. Simple, no worries, don’t have to struggle with feelings. Yeah, this is better…

  The train slowed and stopped at a station, then started again. Talice’s mind drifted. Shadows crossed her line of sight and she opened her eyes.

  “Hello, Talice.”

  Sitting across from her were Jance and Konee.

  Stay calm. Don’t panic. Talice showed a lazy smile. “Fancy meeting you two here.”

  “Yeah.” Jance brushed back her long reddish-blonde hair. “Saw you coming out of HQ at the Base. We were visiting some old friends, too. Good to see Marines again.” She showed an insincere smile.

  “Just saying hello to my old major. I like to reconnect once in a while.”

  “I know what you mean.” Jance kept her gaze with Talice. “Too bad you left the café in such a hurry the other day. We wanted to talk to you.”

  I’ll bet you did. Invitation to share Mikal’s bed? A “recruiting” speech? “So talk. We’ve got a few minutes before my stop.”

  Konee shook her head. “Why don’t you come with us? Mikal has some interesting proposals.”

  “Sorry, my day is filled. Maybe some other time.”

  “We insist.” Jance’s eyes were hard on Talice’s.

  “I don’t think so. I don’t do ‘insist’ well these days.”

  “It’ll be worth your while. There’s a lot going on you don’t know about, Talice.” Jance leaned forward, elbows on her knees. “There’s real money in the merc business these days. You’re not getting your share.”

  “Really? So you’re mercs now? I thought you were just a couple of concubines. Tell me, how much is Mikal paying you to fuck him?”

  Jance broke her gaze and leaned back. “No need to get nasty.”

  Talice laughed. “Just the truth. Right? Is he any good?”

  Jance looked to Konee who shrugged.

  The train slowed, but Talice didn’t get up.

  “Isn’t this your stop?” Jance leaned forward again, almost anxiously.

  “Is it?” Talice remained seated. The train eased to a stop and the door opened. Several passengers exited, but Talice didn’t move.

  The “train starting” chime sounded. The doors began to close. Talice bolted, pushed Jance and Konee back into their seats as they rose, and squeezed through the closing doors. Jance nearly lost an arm as the train began to move again, pulling it back just before the tunnel entrance.

  Talice ran, up the steps and out onto the walkway. She hailed a groundcar taxi, jumped in, and sat back. “Northland Base. Quickly.”

  The taxi turned, headed back the way she had come. She had to get back to Fawkes. She couldn’t trust the comm system. It was clear now Mikal was onto her.

  And likely had sent Jance and Konee to either take her to him, or simply make sure she didn’t interfere further into whatever they were doing.

  * * *

  Talice was forced to wait as Fawkes finished a vid conference before she was allowed back into his office. Once there, she paced as she told her story, and to his credit, he listened without comment.

  “I d
on’t trust my wristcom,” she said, tapping her finger on the face. “In fact, I’ll bet we’ve all been compromised. Yours, too. I can’t imagine how deep this goes.”

  Fawkes leaned back in his chair. “You’re suggesting the base comm is tapped and everything we do is known? That’s pretty serious, Talice.”

  “Why was Evans found out? How many other operatives do you have who have been compromised lately? Had any successes in your missions? How many Marines have been lost due to bad intel? Remember Crius, and the issues there with comm?”

  Fawkes shook his head. “Relax, Talice. You’re connecting a lot of dots that may have nothing to do with each other.”

  She finally sat, drained. “Major, I’ve just found out two of my Marine teammates are bad guys. What do you want me to think?”

  “There’s no proof of anything. Assuming your story happened just the way you say doesn’t mean they wanted you for anything illegal. Good mercs are hard to come by.” He laughed. “Look at us, for example.”

  I’d rather not, thought Talice, but said nothing for a few moments. “My suggestion is we get new wristcoms and meet in person to set up a network with passwords. But keep the old ones and use them for… misdirection, maybe?”

  Fawkes slowly grinned. “You’re getting good at this covert stuff. Thinking like a real paranoid. Good job.”

  Talice nodded absently, thinking. “We’re getting together tomorrow night at The Bloody Tavern, an Olde Earth English place down in Fourth Sector.” She nodded to him. “The team would be honored if you’d join us for a bit, just to say thanks. Do you prefer yellow gold or white gold wristcoms?”

  Fawkes nodded. “Working together again, Talice?”

  * * *

  Talice’s evening passed without further incident. And the next day. She resorted to PT to keep herself halfway calm, not fretting every moment, waiting for… something. Anything. It worked. Sort of.

  The Bloody Tavern was raucous when Talice arrived, and even more so when Briggs, Rory, Dosu, and Ollie walked in. Ollie had brought his custom dart set, but the proprietor insisted they use the house darts, so as not to cause issues with the other customers. Not that anyone in the place would have really said anything to Briggs or Rory, or certainly not Dosu, but Ollie, with his slender build and cool manner, might have had a question or two raised about his tactics.