by JR Handley
GG put the message on repeat and listened to it over and over. Smiling, she drifted back to sleep to Marchewka’s voice. For the first time since the battle, it was a dreamless slumber.
— Chapter 95 —
Early Evening, Post-Revival Day 40
Akoni City, Serendine
Staff, Akoni City Regional Army, Human Legion
Basil glided down a passageway within Akoni City in his airchair. Still unable to walk, he didn’t let his engineering mind go to waste. When he could move his hands again, the first thing he applied those skills toward was his airchair. Instead of slowly creeping along, his airchair moved with speed and efficiency. The medics predicted he would regain use of his legs, but the damage to his body was vast and would take time to heal.
During surgery, the doctors along with the automated surgical robots removed over nineteen sabots from his body. This surprised Basil, because he could only remember being hit three times.
Now that he had been cleared to move about, he had a daily routine. Basil was already more than halfway through his daily journey. As the door of the passageway opened in front of him, a warm mist hit his face. The sweet smell of flowers filled his nose as he entered the chamber.
Basil was now in his favorite place doing his favorite thing. Droplets of water clung to the sprouting green, purple, and red plants all around Basil. Ledatic’s vision of self-regulating autonomous ecosystems had become reality. Basil could hardly believe a creature like Ledatic could create something so beautiful. Regardless, the Hardit had been true to his word.
This specific chamber housed plants that would be processed for the Sangurian’s food, but others already had been built and were growing plants for the other species comprising the Legion. Robotic arms stretching from the ceiling carefully pollinated flowers, trimmed foliage, and misted plants. Ledatic’s design even allowed these chambers to act as natural air filtration. It was brilliant.
Basil loved the feeling of being surrounded by the growing jungle of strange flora. The warm artificial sunlight was glorious, and he didn’t have to worry about it cooking his body to crisp like the sun of Tranquility-4 would. This is also the place where Basil would check his messages. The communication blackout had been lifted, and now he could check in on his friend, Lance.
The message from Lance was brief. He said that they were still marching toward the Hardit Incubation Station on the southern tip of Serendine. True to his nature, Lance’s message complained about Hayley and Sashala arguing non-stop. His friend also sent obligatory well-wishes. Attached was a Digi-Pic of Lance and Sashala standing in knee-high orange grass. Hayley was noticeably frowning the background.
After listening to the message and looking at the Digi-Pic, Basil rocketed away in his airchair. There still was a lot of ground for him to cover. He had tweaked the airchair’s power supply to allow him to make the long journey without having to plug into any terminals to recharge. It was a needed upgrade, because Akoni City was growing daily. It would be significantly larger than the city it was replacing.
Hitting a sloping ramp, Basil’s airchair gathered speed. Marines and Aux around him shouted happy greetings as he sped down toward the maglev tunnels. He still hadn’t figured out how to deal with becoming something of a celebrity. If someone mentioned his battlefield “heroics” he thought about the true heroes. To him, the heroes were the Sultan Company Marines who sacrificed themselves for him.
Feeling the weight of those dead Marines on his shoulders, Basil slowed his airchair to allow the double doors in front of him to open. Once the opening was large enough, he hovered into the maglev station. The dank smell of earth, polycrete, and metal surrounded him. There was hardly ever anyone in the maglev tunnels. Today was no different. The moment the doors closed behind him, Basil screamed.
He shouted, cursed, and bellowed into the empty tunnel. By the time he was done, and his voice echoed into the darkness, the weight from his shoulders had lifted. He knew the ghosts of Sultan Company would come back to haunt him, but for now, this is how he expelled them. With a clearer mind, he looked down the gleaming metal of the maglev.
They’d discovered the existence of an additional maglev system to tie into when they tunneled over from Beta City. Eventually, the maglev would link all the continents together. For now, they had a means to quickly transport troops, equipment, and habdisks where the maglev existed.
Wiping the warmth of his tears from his face, Basil headed toward the engineering research habdisk. While the airchair travelled, Basil studied his Digi-Sheet for updates. In selecting and moving habdisks, they had found companies of Marines dead and rotting inside. The Hardits had locked Loyalist Units within disks to suffocate, and when the base was revived, those bodies began to decompose.
It was unfortunate, but Basil was happy to see quarantine and sanitation details were moving rapidly. Once they were finished, the habdisks would be repurposed to continue growing Akoni City. A part of Basil wondered if the Marines who died in those habdisks were the lucky ones. Their fight was finally over, like he once thought his was. But he still lived, somehow.
His airchair lurched to a stop as he waited for the doors to open. When they didn’t, Dante spoke to him.
Basil, it appears Ledatic is performing live fire tests with a Hardit weapon that was recovered. He locked the door in fear a Marine would see him with a weapon and kill him. Want me to hack the door?
“No, Dante, just message Ledatic. Tell him it’s me,” said Basil.
A second after the message was sent the door unlocked and Basil hovered into the open space. The interior walls had been removed from the habdisk, and it had been converted into a hangar bay type area. Tables covered with parts and pieces of recovered tech dotted the expanse, and holo-displays of schematics floated above the work tables. In the far corner, Basil could see Ledatic firing a Hardit-made pistol with his tail while typing information into a Digi-Sheet. The dummy Ledatic fired on was wearing Marine combat armor.
Basil and Ledatic had forged a relationship based purely on professionalism. Both had been true to their words. Ledatic was given privacy and solitude, and Basil ensured he came to no harm. On most days, they didn’t speak to each other. They both preferred their solitude and studied the technology independently.
Thinking of all this technology, much of it adapted from abandoned White Knight equipment, was something Basil couldn’t quite process. Why would their former overlords abandon such progress? They had made their slaves significantly less effective, a concept which astounded his analytical mind. Basil had given up trying to understand.
Before resuming analysis on a piece of Vengeance fighter that had been recovered, Basil pinged GG and sent in his daily report. The colonel ordered him to return to his quarters and rest, so he could report in tomorrow for another assignment. He suspected it would be a make work job, but regardless, he was grateful to be needed.
— Chapter 96 —
Late Afternoon, Post-Revival Day 74
Akoni City, Serendine
Commander, Akoni City Regional Army, Human Legion
Field Marshal Marchewka was pleased. Everywhere he inspected, he found good order and discipline. His new command, Akoni City, was secure. Once the city passed his inspection, he went to the topside portions. Ledatic had converted many of the existing buildings from Old Akoni City into farming buildings, and the rest were built to house his staff. Marchewka would sleep in the city with his Marines, but he still needed space to run his growing command.
When he was done inspecting the old city, Marchewka insisted on viewing the innovative tech used to secure the CCTE Pass. Some referred to it as the Scipio Pass. Publicly, Marchewka rejected the name, as Lance was just a man. There was always the unlikely chance the human would bring dishonor to the Legion. Marchewka knew that despite his insistence, the pass would be referred to as the Scipio Pass by the rank and file. Personally, Marchewka also believed in Lance. This human was exceptional, likely a result of his honorabl
e mother’s influence.
Marchewka’s engineers had rigged up small squad outposts to guard the approach to the CCTE. AIs could man the outposts, but it was important young Marines were given the chance to train before being exposed to battle.
Satisfied that the city was secure, Marchewka signed off on Akoni City and officially took command. His first order was for Marines to move into their assigned habdisks. His next was for the novice cryopods to be de-iced. Those two orders created a mass exodus of moving bodies. Slowly, Akoni stopped just being a place. It became a living, breathing entity.
Marchewka didn’t like the idea of thawing the novice cryopods. In a perfect world, those humans would sleep safely until the planet was secure. But after the loss of life at the Battle of Fortress Beta City, he had no choice. The future generation would have to step up and fight. New Order Hardits, Spartika, and the possible return of their overlords demanded more able bodies.
Regardless, the White Knights disregard for human life wouldn’t trickle into the Legion under Marchewka’s command. The field marshals had collectively agreed, at his behest, that there would be no Cull to scare the novices. While Nhlappo had voiced concern, he argued more stringent training in new tactics would prevail.
Marchewka had decided to keep the crèche under ice. Those child-humans would have to wait. When there was peace in the Tranquility System he would wake them to a new world.
“Peace?” said Marchewka.
Saying it aloud sounded outrageous. Laughing, a deep rumble escaped his throat as his pelt shook. The concept of peace was a foreign one.
These old bones will be bleached and my soul returned to Tyndall long before this world knows peace. Even now, Scipio, Nhlappo, and Grigonna stretch our forces thin in our pursuit to pacify this planet. The humans have impressed me, but they are in too much of a hurry to see ahead clearly. Even if we defeat the Hardits, this world will be far from at peace.
Marchewka cut his laughter short and drew himself to attention. Duty was duty, even for those barely born, and he would see to it that everyone would do their duty to their last breath – even himself.
— Epilogue —
Early Evening, Post-Revival Day 81
Memorial Stature, New Detroit City, Baylshore
Commander, Spartika’s Marine Corps
The scene was staged as the fading sunset cast long shadows. Spartika’s macabre backdrop was enhanced by the raging storm in the distance. She had waited for this moment, and finally, it was here.
Using her helmet to record, Spartika ordered her AI to begin transmitting video. While this message was for Nhlappo, she ensured it was linked into the open Human Legion comms network.
Spartika zoomed in tight, and only a face was visible. Slowly zooming out, she revealed the larger scene. The face belonged to Serge, Nhlappo’s worthless, dead son. His likeness had been carved into the statue to commemorate the failed Tranquility Campaign. Ensuring Serge’s stupid, stone likeness was now centered, Spartika squeezed the hand detonator.
Stone, fire, and smoke blasted skyward as Spartika cackled in glee. As the growing wind whipped the smoke away, only the feet of Nhlappo’s son remained. The weak shout of a single Marine followed the noise of the explosion. Not wanting to miss a juicy detail, Spartika turned her helmet to the source of the protest. The tortured bodies of the Human Legion Special Forces Marines she’d captured had been stripped naked and crucified. Only one was still living.
“Nhlappo, and fellow Human Legion traitors, I’m coming to you live! Can’t say the same for your special forces Marines. After seventy-four days of getting to know them, I’m not sure what makes them so special.”
Walking the line of crucified Marines, Spartika stopped at the one still living. His blistered skin stretched over his emaciated body. Spartika pulled out a knife and began to poke at the lesions dotting the Marine while she spoke. Hitting a button on her Aimee, her helmet footage stopped, and a Marine behind her started filming. Pulling her helmet off and tossing it to the ground, she looked at the Marine filming her while she began to dig the knife in deeper.
“Don’t you train your Marines not to play in the sun?”
Stabbing the knife into the dying Marines chest and leaving it there, Spartika unholstered her pistol and shot him point-blank in the head. Blood sprayed her face as she turned back to the camera. Spartika felt her demeanor changing as she spoke. Now that she had their attention, she needed to deliver the message.
“Nhlappo, these Marines died in your place. How many more will die under your failed leadership? How many have suffered and died as slaves because of your capricious decisions? Human Legion traitors, if you are an Aux, know that if Nhlappo had her way, you would die in servitude.”
Spartika stopped her speech to pull the knife out of the Marines chest. Looking at the knife, she returned her icy gaze to the camera.
“Even after my servitude as an Aux, even after becoming her XO, she used me as a tool. Blaming me for the weakness of her child. Know this, Human Legion Auxies, she will do the same to you. The bodies of my Aux brothers and sisters rot, thanks to Nhlappo’s incompetence. Nhlappo, until you’re dead, I will keep killing every member of this so called ‘Human Legion’ that I find.”
Spartika wiped some of the blood from her face as she walked toward the Marine recording her. Smiling, she continued.
“Do you feel safe behind your walls? Are your bellies waiting to be filled by the garden habdisks your Hardit pet created? Are those maglevs convenient? I see you have Sangurians with you. I also see you have started de-icing novice cryopods. Thanks for saving the crèchelings for me. I know where those special weapons are, and I know about the new tactics and training you are using. Moments after you all stumble across something, I know it.”
Spartika held up the remote detonator and pressed the button again. The bodies of the crucified Marines exploded in unison. Shaking her head and sighing, she looked back at the camera.
“It’s such a waste. Our overlords duck out for a minute and you all shout rebellion. If you are a Marine still loyal to the White Knights, seek me out. The difference between us, is we don’t have illusions of grandeur. We haven’t abandoned who we are. We stand ready. Resolute. Human Legion, present me Nhlappo’s body – dead or alive – or I will take every shred of intelligence information I have and create chaos like you’ve never experienced. Oh, and give Sergeant Major Paco Ortiz my regards. He’s been very useful. Unfortunately, his cowardly decision to save Nhlappo’s life on the Storks, and his own, has ended his affiliation with me. I have other spies. Ortiz, just forget about Esther. Spartika – out.”
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— About the Author —
J. R. Handley is a pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team. He is a veteran infantry sergeant with the 101st Airborne Division and later the 28th Infantry Division. She is the kind of crazy that interprets his insanity into cogent English. He writes the sci-fi while she proofreads it. The sergeant is a two-time combat veteran of the late unpleasantness in Mesopotamia where he was wounded, likely doing something stupid. He started writing military science fiction as part of a therapy program suggested by his doctor, and hopes to entertain you while he attempts to excise his demons through these creative endeavors. In addition to being just another dysfunctional veteran, he is a stay at home wife, avid reader and all around nerd. Luckily for him, his Queen joins him in his fandom nerdalitry.
Follow the author’s blog at: jrhandley.com/
— Special Thanks to —
First, I need to thank Tim C. Taylor, the creator of the Human Legion Saga, for giving me this chance to spread my literary wings. Hopefully, I don’t let you down, destroy anything too important, or tank your series which I still love reading.
Then, like any sensible man, I realize that I wouldn’t be here without the loving support of my wife and two sons. They tolerated the time I spent writing, editing, re-writing, and occasionally yelling
at my monitor. I would like to especially thank my wife, because without even trying, she was my rock, my motivation, and my muse. I would also like to thank my sons who bragged to everyone they knew that “Daddy was a writer” before I’d even penned two lines, making it impossible to even consider giving up.
I would like to thank my parents, both biological and otherwise, for their love and support along the way. Your support of my family throughout this process has made everything possible. And especially to my mother and partner in crime, you were an outstanding sounding board and muse! If this ship takes off, I owe you a steak or ten!
I would also like to thank my friend and fellow veteran Jeffrey Reed, a retired Army Sergeant First Class, who served as my military advisor and sounding board as I recreated military tactics for this world from scratch. Heck, if the good infantry sergeant wasn’t such a diehard 82nd Airborne Division fanatic, he might even be pretty likeable. Hey, not everyone has the good sense to join the 101st instead!
Additionally, I need to thank my best friend Thomas Estus, who never let me forget that he believed in me and this project. He was always encouraging, appropriately prodding, and genuinely a pain in the arse when I slacked off. Without him, there might be no Sleeping Legion.
Equally as important, I would like to send my most heartfelt thanks to the two ladies who helped me live through and with the war. Participating in the late unpleasantness in Mesopotamia was grisly, stressful, and negatively life altering. While I was in Iraq, a special ‘Soldiers Angel’ Susan Leighton, sent me share packages and love from the world we left. The letters and calls to her and her family were a lifeline when I desperately needed one. Were it not for her, I might not be here today. When I came home, I met another special lady, Dr. Miller at the Veterans Administration Hospital, who taught me to live with what happened and to take it one day at a time. Without her, I might have been just another statistic on the evening news: Local War Vet Commits Suicide. Her work to untold thousands of veterans has saved lives, you’ll never meet a finer doctor or ally when life is hard.
