by JR Handley
These soft moderns never had to fight light, but they’ll learn, she thought as she tracked down her commander and placed her bedroll nearby. Watching the polymer patch on her sliced armor dry, she drifted off to sleep.
The sound of a metal cup hitting the polycrete next to her ear woke her up. Scipio’s aide gave her a scathing look as she left the steaming cup of coffee in her wake.
What’s her problem? I didn’t see her throwing herself into the fray to save her commanding officer, Sashala thought.
Taking a drink of the coffee and donning her armor, after inspecting the patching on the arm, she went in search of her commander. Walking out of the enclosure into the open air, she used her Aimee to track down her wayward charge. Rounding the corner of the outpost’s tall, polycrete walls she came to a clearing. Twenty GT-511 Apani GravTanks were lined up next to Scipio. Serving as troop transports and artillery support, the tanks would be a welcome addition.
She saw Scipio attempting to explain how to operate the mobile death machines. Sashala decided to cut to the chase and had Jade send out a copy of the manual to everyone in the task force. Within twenty-minutes a crew came running who were trained on a similar platform. She watched Scipio stop briefing random Marines, while semi-qualified ones began mounting up. She smiled as his head dropped. Looking over at her, Scipio shrugged his shoulders and thanked her. Watching the gravtanks roar to life, she figured they would speed their long march toward the incubation station and certain victory – if she could keep Scipio alive that long.
— Chapter 50 —
Late Morning, Post-Revival Day 8
Maglev Train Depot, Beta City, Serendine
Commander, Task Force Carex, Human Legion
The Marines of Task Force Carex did whatever they could to pass the time. The extra day to think about the upcoming mission wasn’t doing their morale any favors. Wishing Task Force Keita would hurry up and finish using the maglev, the Carex Marines just wanted to get moving.
Marines passed the time in different ways. Some spent it staring into the digital faces of long lost friends and family. Others consummated their physical love with whomever snatched their fancy. Many just wasted the hours shooting the bull with friends. However, for the officers and NCOs it was a time of redundant planning and excessive overthinking.
Notably absent from those meetings was Field Marshal Nhlappo. Tirunesh spent the time pouring her heart into a digital letter to her sons. Her tech team would use every trick they knew to bore through the Hardit communication blackout to send the letter.
At night, she could see the two Legion starships slowly pulling away from the planet on a decade-long journey to the Khallini System. Every night, she would stretch out her hand as if trying to touch them. And each night the ships grew smaller.
In her gut, Tirunesh knew she’d never see Romulus and Remus again. Her adopted sons might already be dead. She also knew there was no guarantee her messages were even getting through. Despite the odds, she needed to know she’d done what she could to send her deep love to her sons. They were her heart.
The moment the message was sent to her tech team, her heart hardened and the light in her grey eyes dimmed. Tirunesh, the mother, was gone for now. That part of her was replaced by the presence of Field Marshal Nhlappo.
With the sun creeping over the Tranquility horizon, Nhlappo set her plans in motion. It was finally time travel to Outpost Sierra 3. Like a well-oiled machine, her task force successfully loaded onto the Human Marine Corps rail line.
Nhlappo gave the order to move, and the train jerked forward. After a few moments of fighting inertia, the collective Marines tried to keep their breakfasts down as the maglev sped them toward the outpost.
According to Colonel Scipio’s impudent AI, the maglev operated on a principle of magnetic levitation. The lack of friction allowed for a corresponding increase of speed, though the max speed used was limited by the physical restrictions of the human body. Scipio claimed the maglev could travel at higher speeds when transporting nonliving material.
Nhlappo’s Aimee vibrated, and she glanced down to see a transmission from Grigonna. It warned of the existence of autonomous robot sentries. More importantly, the Jotun officer told Nhlappo how obsolete versions of EMP grenades could defeat the devices. Grigonna’s message went on to explain how they’d reprogrammed the remaining robots so they only attacked Hardits.
With that information in hand, Nhlappo began planning how she could turn this security threat into an asset. A quick message through her Digi-Sheet set her technical geniuses to work. Closing her eyes, she planned to sleep for the rest of the trip.
— Chapter 51 —
Noon, Post-Revival Day 8
Command Module, Hardit Incubation Station, Serendine
Incubation Station Command Staff, New Order Army
Immediately after receiving command of Serendine’s incubation station, Sub-Commander Thebellen sprang into action. First, the Janissary supervised improvements to the previously built defensive warrens. This added even greater depth to the ringed defenses. Next, Thebellen ordered the construction of an early warning system.
With the physical defenses in place, the Janissary initiated the movement of the packs. The 4th Tranquility Militia Regiment set up a small defensive outpost along the Hatto Mountains. Patrols ran along the Rumex River, giving some extended screening for the incubation station. The 5th Conquest Air Wing was instructed to ferry the militia to the site, because Thebellen didn’t trust the militia commander to pick the best defensive position for the outpost.
Scurrying over to the communications room, Thebellen sent an audio message to Commander Zempi.
“I bow before you, Commander. The preparations to defend the incubation station are under way. Have no worries, it will serve as the cradle for the next generation of glorious Janissaries. I look forward to slaughtering any who would seek to defile this, the Hardits’ greatest achievement. I humbly remind the commander that we did not leave a guard at the Baylshore incubation station. With nothing further to report, Sub-Commander Thebellen departs.”
Having sent the message, but not expecting a reply, Thebellen left the communication room and resumed supervising the defenses.
While the militia was en route, the Janissary started deploying other units to defensive positions around the incubation station. Thebellen positioned artillery, gravtanks, and militia to strategic locations around the landmass surrounding the area. With troops and machinery stationed at the southern isthmus, linking the Nicum Peninsula, any nefnasts foolish enough to encroach on this territory would be crushed. Finally, Thebellen made sure that Brevet Sub-Commander Vendar Crima-Murha was able to get the 7th and 8th Janissary Regiments dropped as close to the abandoned orbital elevator as possible.
Once the regiments began moving, taxied by the borrowed air wing, Thebellen set to work organizing the command. The remaining militia, Janissaries, and artillery, began digging in around Mount Durior.
Let the human scum come, we shall grind their bodies to pulp and honor the New Order, thought Thebellen.
— Chapter 52 —
Early Afternoon, Post-Revival Day 11
6th New Order Janissary RGT Camp, Serendine
Commander, 75th Vengeance Air Wing, New Order Army
It had been nine days since Scent Leader Thann Filar-Tubant had heard from the pompous commander of the 6th New Order Janissary Regiment. Nine glorious days of rest and relaxation, without constant reminders that the New Order thought their only value was to die for the cause. Looking out from the windows of the air control platform his three eyes scanned the trees.
The 6th hadn’t reported in after they’d gone into the tunnels that led to the lower levels of Beta City. This made their investigation of the strange signals coming out of what should’ve been a dead city even more mysterious. Mystery or not, Thann was happy they hadn’t returned.
In the meantime, his chemically augmented militia fighter pilots and ground crews, made u
p of regular militia, multitasked. They maintained their aircraft, manned a light defensive perimeter, and relaxed. With the absence of the 6th, pack morale was high.
The Hardits were culturally separated by gender and were extremely agoraphobic. The New Order didn’t care. They hacked open their bodies and stitched in boxes to seep drugs into their blood. This inhibited their fear response to flying and perverted their gender roles. Now they could fly, sure, but fear and culture were important; they presented a choice. Without choice, there was no glory in action. Thann ran a hand over the crude stitches and slight lump where the incision was, while he thought about how they’d been treated like meat for Supreme Commander Zempi’s “Grand Perversion.”
In contrast to the immaculately maintained Vengeance fighters and the professionally laid out defenses, the gravtanks belonging to the 18th New Order GravTank Regiment were ignored. Sometimes the gravtanks were even defaced, destroyed, and stripped for parts. Though, nobody did so openly, lest they suffer the wrath of the Supreme Commander.
The tankers and ground crew were militia, but they fell under the New Order officers of whatever regiment they were assigned. The 18th GravTank Regiment supported the 6th New Order Janissary Regiment and fell into a grey area between the Janissaries and militia. Most units operating in the hidden gaps between social classes would be ignored, but The New Order had made a habit of forcing the militia on suicidal missions. With the drugs burning through their bodies, they willingly offered their lives. If not, the promise of a sabot to the back of the head was a good motivator.
Thann figured the 6th wasn’t coming back. It was possible they had been destroyed by the Great Death Bringer for daring to defile their bodies and gender. He’d always known that no good could come from Tawfiq’s corruption of nature.
Because of this, Thann planned on sending his half-brother into orbit on the only Conquest shuttle left to negotiate with the Human Legion on behalf of the militia. Thann would have gone himself, but he had to maintain his command. His brother would be his proxy.
Once he’d solidified his plan, Thann called all five of his squadron commanders in for a pack meeting. He needed their backing to make his negotiation gamble happen. Staring out the windowed room and waiting, his squadron commanders stalked in on all fours. Making a few circles, they sat down on their haunches. Standing as tall as possible, while remaining on all fours, Thann spoke to them.
“You already know that the 6th’s last orders were for us to wait here for their return. It is my belief that the Great Death Bringer has wiped their foul perversion from existence, but we don’t know when others will come looking for us. We are at the mercy of whatever Janissary regiment comes to claim us,” said Thann. “We should wait here for follow-on orders instead of rushing to die for the New Order’s ‘Grand Perversion.’ Our allegiance to the New Order has been forced. If other opportunities and alliances present themselves, I suggest we clamp our teeth around them.”
The muscles in Thann’s snout twitched as he waited, unsure if his officers were behind him. He wasn’t openly suggesting defection, but he was certainly implying it. If they chose, he’d be charged with treason against his species and executed. Growls of agreement put him at ease.
“Excellent. I’ve made a contingency plan to ensure our survival, in the event the nefnasts might prevail. The Supreme Commander’s parting gift, the comms blackout, has prevented us from being able to reach out. But it also prevents her from ordering us about. I’m sending the Conquest into orbit to find a senior human party to negotiate with. During the negotiation, we will speak for the 75th Vengeance Air Wing and the militia, including any of those in the 18th GravTank who want to join us. The Janissary abominations left behind will fight to the bitter end. We can’t let them drag us into the burial hole with them.”
After outlining his plans, there was only one question, and it came from the usual source, Captain Rarvi Matar-Vras. He was Thann’s rival and the 1st Squadron Commander. If Thann died, Rarvi would assume command. He’d reacted the strongest to the subdermal implantation of the drug box and became wild and unpredictable when pushed.
“Scent Leader, who will have the privilege of going into orbit and speaking on our behalf?”
“Captain Camonian Faculi-Xemia. As my brother, I trust him implicitly. I will lead the Air Wing, commanding his 5th Squadron in combat.”
Rarvi let out a low disapproving growl. He was silenced by the collective rumble of the surrounding squadron commanders. Thann knew Rarvi was an issue, but it appeared the rest of the pack was of like mind.
“That’s enough questions for now. You’re all dismissed.”
— Chapter 53 —
Late Afternoon, Post-Revival Day 18
6th New Order Janissary RGT Camp, Serendine
Commander, Clubhouse Vengeance Detachment, New Order Army
Brevet Sub-Commander Vendar Crima-Murha’s ears and tail perked when he saw the outline of the 6th’s camp in the horizon. Supreme Commander Tawfiq’s communication blackout, while hindering the nefnasts, was also forcing him to navigate the old-fashioned way. Lifting his visor and sniffing the air, he ordered his small army to pick up the pace as they ran on all fours.
The cleansing of his male gender had been disappointing for Vendar. It was glorious to become a Janissary, but Vendar would sadly never shake the appearance of his past gender. The Janissary’s small size put him at many disadvantages. To combat this, Vendar had become an extension of the Death Bringer and the New Order. Those under Vendar’s command learned not to question his intentions and loyalties. Mostly, because those who had, were long dead.
The miles dropped away, until the Janissaries reached the perimeter of the camp and encountered guards. When Vendar got to the front of the column, he saw that the guard was a part of the militia ground crew of the 75th Vengeance Air Wing.
The guard cowered as Vendar approached. After barking questions, he found the 6th New Order Janissary Regiment had been missing for sixteen days. Knowing he wouldn’t get any reinforcements from the missing 6th, he decided that he could at least seize their assets, including their gravtank regiment. Their shortcoming would be his gain.
After another few hours, Vendar reached the camp on the outskirts and called for a formation of all personal he’d just absorbed into his detachment. While this was happening, he had his Janissaries relieve the useless militia of the task of guarding the camp. The militia officers lined up in front of him and lowered their heads, ears, and tails.
“Listen well. The 6th is missing. Why haven’t you searched out a Janissary regiment to support? Laziness will not be tolerated. Who is the commander here?” said Vendar.
Scent Leader Thann Filar-Tubant stepped forward and raised his head.
“The mistake is mine. With the communication blackout, we were unable–”
Vendar pounced forward and brought a closed fist down on Thann’s snout. Blood splashed the ground as Thann fell. Vendar smiled as Thann’s militia packmates smashed their faces to the ground in fear. Beating Thann’s back with his tail, which Vendar had added thin metal rings to for use in battle, he continued speaking.
“Your lazy incompetence is the reason militia is frowned upon by the glorious Janissaries of the New Order,” said Vendar.
Raising his bloody tail into the air, he continued lashing Thann as he spoke.
“You left the gravtanks to fall to human standards. Unacceptable! Be ready to move out in the morning. We march toward the orbital elevator to seize it for the glory of the New Order. One Scent, One People, One Galaxy!”
The militia pack half-shouted the battle cry in response. Their eyes lingered on Thann’s battered body, damaged flight suit, and bloody back. Seeing their focus on Thann, Vendar moved to knock the upstart down another notch.
Lifting Thann’s head with his tail, Vendar growled into his ear loud enough for the assembled pack to hear.
“Your useless militia can’t even sound off with the battle cry. Very well. Execute
three of the ground crew for your incompetence. Fail to do so, and I will take the heads of all of your squadron commanders.”
Letting Thann’s head fall to the ground, Vendar walked off to handle more pressing issues. He had an orbital elevator to capture.
— Chapter 54 —
Mid Afternoon, Post-Revival Day 19
Fortress Beta City, Scrofa Island, Serendine
Commander, Task Force City Builder, Human Legion
The tension in the command bunker was palpable. Time slowed to a crawl as Colonel GG stood at attention in front of Field Marshal Marchewka’s command station. To her sides, Senior Aux Colonel Ashanti Okoro and Tech-Major Basil Terloar also were at rigid attention. They’d been summoned to give an update on the status of Fortress Beta City and Akoni City. While GG didn’t detect anger from Marchewka’s message, the tone of his communication requiring their physical presence concerned her. Had they done something wrong?
When Marchewka marched into the room, GG snapped even more rigid. Her sore body protested, but she ignored the pain. Once he gave permission for everyone to take a seat, the tension in the room almost vented.
“Colonel Gaarjar, I need an update on the building of this fortress. When will it be done? Tell me everything, even if you’ve already told me via messaging. Then, Tech-Major Terloar will update me on Akoni City’s progress.”
Marchewka’s pointed refusal to acknowledge the presence of Ashanti wasn’t unnoticed by GG. She was proud Ashanti didn’t physically reveal her disappointment. Looking to Marchewka, GG brought up a holo-display as she began speaking.
“Field Marshal, we are in the process of finalizing the fortress. We are already housing two battalions from the Akoni City Regional Army, which is what I believe will be the norm for staffing this facility. I imagine we will rotate cadet units through here down the road, and it will fall under the Akoni City Regional Army’s purview.”
