Tara turned away from the window. She was pale and trembling and her slightly slanted Assidic eyes were wet, but they were burning with rage and resolve. "Deadman will not find this generation wanting! We will meet every challenge, and smite every foe. We will defend our women and children, and our home worlds, to the death! Our brave soldiers will go right into Hell if they have to, and shoot Satan right between the eyes. Oh Wester, I'm sorry." The tears burst forth and I took her gently in my arms. She did not resist, just sobbed quietly on my shoulder. This was a first.
In a few moments she broke away and found her way to her desk and composed herself with the help of some tissues. I sank into a chair.
"I feel I've failed everyone, Wester. Sorry about the tears. It wasn't for me. I was crying for our soldiers. I was crying for everyone who's going to die in this war—even the enemy."
"Tara, you once told me that doing the right thing is never easy. It's always difficult, you said. Well, you were right about that. And you're doing the right thing here. That's certain."
"Yes. I agree. Now—your report. I'm afraid we can't help the Outworlders on Santos. Not now."
"Yes—I told them as much."
"How did they strike you?"
"They seemed like good people. But unwilling to take risks. They claim they're more intelligent than the Newhumans, but—well, I'm sure that's true, but the Newhumans were their slaves, and now the Newhumans are the masters, and the humans are the slaves. It makes you wonder who's really smarter."
"Wealth, laziness and apathy always ends in slavery, Wester. It's one of the laws of history. I have something I want you to look at—read this." She tossed me a single sheet printout, done in elaborate, formal script.
Demarche and Ultimatum
To the Director of the Executive Council and the Council of Ministers of the so-called Confederation of Free Worlds.
From the First Comrade of the Leadership Commune of the People's Egalitarian Stellar Commune, assembled in the name of the People and the Revolutionary Union Party at the People's Hall at New Life Martyr's City, Angaroth, in Year 12 RV.
"Skip all that stuff up top," Tara said. "Go to para 5." I did so.
5. The People's Egalitarian Stellar Commune of Angaroth and Kotazh solemnly declares that it will never falter in its fraternal defense of the Asumara Holy Commune and that it will support unwaveringly the brave people of Asumara against all outrages, provocations and sacrileges committed by the Legion of Death and the Vulture Fleet of the so-called Confederation of Free Worlds. Furthermore, the People's Egalitarian Stellar Commune stands strongly by our Asumara comrades in any justified action of self-defence taken by them against the Criminal Conspiracy. In addition the People's Egalitarian Stellar Commune hotly rejects and forcefully denies the Criminal Conspiracy's frantic accusations that the People's Egalitarian Stellar Commune supported or was in any way responsible for the so-called Fortuna Affair.
"We're worried that the Pegal Stelcom may intervene on the side of Asumara," Tara said. "Asumara is independent, but they're loosely aligned with the Pegal Stelcom. What do you think of Para 5?"
"Well, let's see…they'll defend Asumara unwaveringly etc.…etc.…Asumara is justified…and the Pegal Stelcom didn't do Fortuna."
"Right. How about 'justified action of self-defense'?"
"Just hot air. How else can they justify it?"
"How about these 'outrages, provocations and sacrileges' we're supposed to have committed?"
"How about it? We didn't do anything like that, did we?"
"No. We didn't. Until now. The thing is…the Pegal Stelcom, amidst all the propaganda rhetoric, is saying they didn't back, or do, Fortuna."
"Well, what else are they going to say? Why should they admit it?"
"No, Wester. I believe them. They've got all this hyper rhetoric, for the benefit of their ally, but they're telling us, strongly, we didn't do it! I tend to believe them."
"Will it make any difference? Are we going to war against them as well?"
A buzzer sounded on Tara's desk. "The Biogen Delegation, Sir," her secretary announced.
"I'll be right there, Lori. Come with me, Wester. I want you to see this."
###
There were two of them, awaiting us patiently in a small conference room behind a table of polished wood. As we entered they rose to greet us, two lovely young females, one blonde, one brunette, both with short haircuts, clad in identical khaki uniforms. It was only their fragile, unearthly beauty that gave away the fact that they were both biogens.
"Greetings," Tara said, "from the Confederation of Free Worlds. I am Antara Tarantos-Hanna, Deputy Minister of Galactic Information, and this is James Wester who represents the Ministry of Interstellar Relations. You asked for contact with the Ministry of Galactic Information so I am the lead official for this meeting. Mr. Wester will monitor this meeting for the Ministry of Interstellar Relations. They are most anxious to meet with you but we are honoring your request. I can assure you that I am empowered to speak on behalf of the Executive Council of the people of the Confederation of Free Worlds. How may I help you?"
The two lovely girls were standing still, focused on Tara. They seemed…uneasy. The blonde finally spoke. "Is it a biogen?"
Tara looked at her in surprise. "No, I am fully human."
The two girls glanced at each other briefly, and smiled. The blonde spoke again. "Our apologies. It is truly beautiful. It resembles a biogen. We are designation Stelzu Unit 920345 and our companion is designation Minzu Unit 112009. We represent the Biogen Liberation Front of the Hyades Cluster. Specifically we represent the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Zequord 3."
"We wish to express our sympathy," the brunette Minzu said, "for its tragic losses on the planet Fortuna and offer our condolences on behalf of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Zequord 3 and the Biogen Liberation Front. We also have been informed of its declaration of war on Asumara and, on behalf of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Zequord 3 and the Biogen Liberation Front, we wish to express our hope that its aims will be resolved satisfactorily and that the loss of life associated with this decision will be minimal."
"On behalf of the people of ConFree, we thank you," Tara said. "Please be seated."
"We have been sent here," the blonde, Stelzu, began the instant she was seated, "to informally determine whether friendly diplomatic relations are possible between the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Zequord 3 and the Confederation of Free Worlds."
"We are most desirable of friendly relations," Minzu stated, "and are fully empowered to initiate formal diplomatic relations as soon as possible, subject only to approval from our respective governments."
Biogens—they were a pair of beauties, almost irresistible to a hetero maniac like me. The System had used them as soldiers, lovely sweet things just like these. They were so tough it was scary. We had fought them on Pherdos in a horrible, bloody battle. Their only mission was to exterminate Legion soldiers. We were imprinted right into their brains. The only way we could stop them was to kill them. I killed plenty of them, and I hated it. To me, they weren't biogens, they were girls. And I don't like killing girls.
"We have been instructed to explain the goals of our revolution clearly," Stelzu said, "and to determine whether the Confederation of Free Worlds will embrace a new nation of free biogens or will oppose the birth of this new nation and side with human forces from the Hyades Federation and the United System Alliance to deprive the biogen people of the political and human rights to which we are entitled."
"We have long admired the Confederation of Free Worlds because it has always opposed slavery in principal and favored freedom and liberty for all peoples," Minzu said. "Now we ask whether the Confederation of Free Worlds will favor freedom and liberty for all peoples, or only for human peoples."
"Zequord 3 is now firmly under control of the Provisional Revolutionary Government and the Biogen Liberation Front," Stelzu informed us. "All organized re
sistance is over. The purpose of our revolution is to establish a homeland for all exploited and oppressed biogen slaves, to give their lives meaning and fulfillment, to join the galactic community of human worlds, and to live in peace with our former exploiters. We are showing mercy and fairness to our former masters on Zequord 3. We invite it to visit us there and observe for itself. We will work with the human population to restore the society and economy to peaceful conditions as soon as possible. We seek no vengeance or even justice. All our human enemies will be forgiven if they promise to work with us peacefully to build a new world, and anyone who wants to leave the planet will be free to do so."
"These documents will explain our revolution and our aims in detail," Minzu said. She slid a fat packet of datapaks across the table to Tara.
The two biogens settled back in their airchairs, silent, focusing on Tara. I had no idea what Tara was going to say, but I sure knew what I'd have said—what an opportunity!
"On behalf of the people of ConFree, I thank you for your presentation and for the data," Tara said. "I can assure you that the Executive Council of the Confederation of Free Worlds has been watching the situation on Zequord 3 with great interest, and we congratulate you on the success of your revolution. Although I cannot give you a definitive answer until I meet with the Council in full session, I can assure you that our attitude towards the Biogen Liberation Front and your provisional government is completely friendly, and as you know, we did not have friendly relations with the Hyades Federation, its predecessor the Democratic People's Federation of Loyalist Worlds, or the United System Alliance. I see no immediate reasons why the Confederation of Free Worlds and the Provisional Revolutionary Government of Zequord 3 should not initiate full diplomatic relations as soon as possible."
Some people say biogens don't show their emotions but I'll tell you those two were thrilled. It looked like they had to restrain themselves from jumping up and cheering.
"And as for ConFree favoring humans over biogens," Tara continued, "I feel you should know that at this very moment our Executive Council is discussing a change of policy to give all biogens within ConFree full civil rights, equal to those possessed by non-citizen humans. This proposal was initiated once it became completely clear that biogens had become self-aware. Given our new policy towards biogens, diplomatic relations with your revolutionary government would seem to be a logical development."
The biogen dolls stood up. "May we kiss it?" the blonde asked Tara. "It's a sign of affection and a seal of friendship among biogens."
Tara gave them a dazzling smile. "It's the same for humans," she said, and she gave both of them big wet kisses as I stood by foolishly. "I'd like to offer you some refreshments. What would you prefer?"
"Does it have any ZD-70?" Minzu asked. "We could use a hot lube."
Chapter 6
The Temple of the Sun
"Heads down!" The command crackled in my ears. I didn't need any urging—I was doing my best to merge with the ground but my A-suit was getting in the way. A crackling shriek erupted all around me and metallic debris pinged off my armor. Three bone-chilling blasts tore past, right over my head—tacstars! It sounded as if the atmosphere was being ripped open violently. We were under fire and the squad's Five had just replied with Manlink. Three blinding white-hot flashes lit up the night and illuminated it all, stark phospho white and vac black shadows, revealing three of us, obscene beasts of war clad in black cenite armor, the camfax flashing from light to dark as we huddled in mounds of muddy wreckage while cold rain whipped all around us.
"You aw right?" Delta One didn't want the visiting Commander to get hurt on his watch.
"I'm fine. Who was the fellow who said this area was secure?"
"Some rear echelon puke. What do they know? There's nothing on this whole frigging planet that's secure."
"Is that Phantom still around?" The temple was up ahead, past the smoke and rain, but I couldn't see it visually.
"Tenners, I'm still here," the pilot reported in my ear. "What do you need?"
X exploded all around us, peppering my armor again with shrapnel. I snapped the stock of my E against my shoulder and set it to auto x. I pointed it in the general direction of the enemy and fired.
"Two kills," Sweety reported calmly. Sweety was my tacmod. She was a lifesaver, monitoring the tactical situation, providing warnings and advice, and guiding my rounds to the target.
"Thank you, Sweety. Phantom, strafe that temple again, please. Just use antipers rounds—maybe canister. Can you do canister?"
"Can. Why are we being so polite?"
"Just do it. I want that temple to survive."
"Tenners." There was a hot little hiss as the Phantom flew over us and went after the target—barely audible. That always gave me a charge. Hell, on tap. Just whisper, and it's there, the armored fist of the Legion, crashing down to swat all our enemies just like bugs. The Phantom was invisible, of course. Then there was an awful buzzing that gave me an icy chill and the temple was suddenly all blurry on my tacmap.
"That should do it," the pilot said.
"Thank you kindly," I replied.
###
"No life," Sweety said. We moved up through thick black smoke and cold rain and blue lightning flashing somewhere far away and the flames of Armageddon flickering all around us. I was on darksight but it was still hard to see, there was so much smoke and not much left of the temple complex. I was sweating. My heart pounded as I snatched little glances at the tacmap lower left on the faceplate. I moved forward carefully, my E pointing into the darkness.
"Keep a sharp lookout, Sweety," I said. I've been talking to my tacmod for years. She'd have kept a sharp lookout anyway, but I can't help it.
"How come a Commander doesn't rate holo-x?" Delta One asked me.
"Beats me," I replied. "I was hoping it meant this area was secure."
"No such luck, sir. Well, this is the temple. Perimeter!" The squad starburst quickly to secure the site.
I had been told the holo-x units were reserved for the hard core guys who were taking on the U'tal's mercs. The Legion had dropped onto Asumara in force and all the later troops had to go in live. Holo-x was a lovely concept that worked perfectly—your troops were all safe charging around in the ES Rooms topsides but their vac-active holos downside were equipped with real weapons and ordnance, blowing the enemy away with no casualties on our side. Anyone who was hit simply waited a few fracs for his image to reform, picked up his weapon and resumed firing. I had used holo-x in combat before. It was terrific. To the enemy, we were invulnerable. Our troopies kind of liked it, but there were never enough units to go around.
I squatted in the dark, smoke swirling past, and opened a silky tacmap. Rain spattered on the map. The temple was all around me, but it was far from intact. It was still burning, despite the rain.
"Well, this is it," One said, squatting beside me. "The Temple of the Sun. Not much left, huh?"
"I'd like to—" It pounced right out of nowhere, a giant black blur that hit me like a speeding aircar, slamming me to the ground with a bone-jarring crash as Sweety shouted the warning—too late! I had a quick glimpse of wild red eyes and a gaping mouth full of yellow fangs and then it threw me head over heels and I landed with a huge splash in a wide puddle of black mud. A single shot rang out and the beast whipped around and lunged at the squad leader. I staggered to my feet with the E, searching through the smoky rain for the creature and saw a huge black transgen ape astride a prone A-suit, tearing at the armor. I gave it a burst of auto x and it exploded, cut right in two, spraying blood and viscera all over both of us.
"Cease fire!" I shouted. "CEASE FIRE!" There had been a lot of confused shouting and I didn't want the squad shooting us up by accident.
I dragged the awful, shredded corpse off the squad leader. "Transgen ape," I said. "Say hello. You all right?"
"I think so," he gasped. "Deadman! I never saw it coming!" He laughed wildly. "I thought you were dead! That thing grabbed yo
u by an arm and tossed you about a K! I shot it and it got really upset." The rest of the squad were standing around by then, poking at the corpse with their E's. "Perimeter, guys!" He barked. "We're tenners. Say, thanks, Commander, that was fancy shooting. I thought that thing was going to eat me, armor and all. You sure you're all right?"
"It's hard to hurt yourself in an A-suit," I replied. "What I was about to say—before we were so rudely interrupted—I wanted to talk to those prisoners your Alpha Squad took. Are they still alive?"
"Let me check. Whatever you want, you get! Yes sir!"
###
Morning, cold and still. The fires were mostly out but the embers of the Temple of the Sun still smouldered, producing an annoying grey smoke that hovered like fog, giving a ghostly quality to the ruins. Like a water painting on silk, I thought—all greys and blacks, fading into nothingness. I stood there with my E, surveying the site. It had been a large complex with multiple stone buildings. The main temple still stood but it was shot to hell and burnt out inside and missing a couple of walls and the roof. The complex was littered with blackened corpses, everywhere I looked. Holy warriors, torn to shreds, many of them still clinging to their shattered weapons, Systie SG's and Manlinks. Some of the corpses were very old—some were skeletons. There had been fighting here before our arrival. Smoking ruins and fields of corpses, I thought—that was what we were going to leave behind, on Asumara.
The Temple of the Sun—the holiest of holies, in Asumara's lunatic religion. Tara's idea, of course. Track it down, Wester, she had said. We need the truth—that's all we need. Fine. I'd get her the truth. And I didn't care how many U'tal would die as a result. I had seen those girls torn apart and eaten by those savage transgen apes. Tara had insisted. Truth, she had said, forcing me to watch it. Truth, in the screams of our innocent children. Keep it in your heart!
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