The message was code. Singh had urgent news.
Ren Kay keyed his comm to a non-standard channel that used Department 9 encryption. “What do you have for me, Singh?”
“Remember Lyssin had you chasing through farmyard muck looking for those Militia deserters?”
He rolled his eyes. Lyssin’s determination to bring in the bounty on those troopers’ heads had been an enormous distraction when Ren Kay had far more important matters to organize. “Of course I do.”
“Data digging turned something up. The police double agent gave the deserters a flock of basten goats to tend as cover. I think the deserters got lonely and treated the animals as pets.”
“Get to the point.”
“Sorry, sir. The goats were chipped. All but one was destroyed, but that one… It’s just turned up 200 klicks to the east in the middle of the rebel force concentration near my position. The chip says it’s alive and well.”
“I think you’re right. Our deserters have an unhealthy liking for Zhoogene goats.” He laughed. “Luckily for us.” He thought a moment. These individuals were Major Lyssin’s most wanted, so offering them up could win his favor. On the other hand, the department had its own reasons for keeping tabs on these troopers, and an even greater reason to keep Lyssin well away from Zone-41. “Good work, Singh. These individuals are suspected Naval Intelligence assets, but so’s half the Federation. Track them, but don’t contact me again on a high priority call. I’ve more urgent matters.”
“Wait, sir! Surveillance is still trying to ID the deserters, but in looking for them, someone of much greater interest showed up. Tavistock Fitzwilliam! He appears to be a part of the RevRec forces we suspect are concentrating for an attack on A-10.”
“Fitzwilliam is part of the Revolutionary Forces of Reconciliation? But that’s… perfect! Do you believe in fate, Singh?”
“Sometimes,” the agent replied cautiously.
Ren Kay didn’t blame his reticence. Strong religious affiliation was frowned upon by the department. It could lead to unfortunate conflicts of interests, and Department 9 could only succeed if it commanded its operatives’ absolute loyalty in all matters. The future of the Federation depended on that.
“Let me rephrase that a better way. The Human Marine Corps of the Orion Era had a saying: when you see an opening, seize it with all six limbs.”
“Six, sir?”
“It was a Jotun saying, most likely. But it’s one I follow. Don’t let Fitzwilliam slip away. I’m coming over in person to lead the department’s operations in Zone-41. When the histories of the Federation’s restoration are written, the events over the next few days will be the start of a new volume. This is where it kicks off, Singh. The shit is about to get real.”
“And if an opportunity presents itself to eliminate Fitzwilliam and the other targets?”
“Singh, you’d done so well. Don’t disappoint me now. You kill them, of course.”
NEXT ISSUE: Assault on A-10!
NEXT ISSUE
Season 2, Issue #7.
Out 19th Nov, 2019.
Available to read or pre-order now.
USA | UK | CA | AUS.
That's the REEDs on the cover of Issue #7. Have you had inappropriate thoughts? No? Are you sure…? Really sure? Better not chance it. Confess your crime now and beg for forgiveness, or you might be sent as a plaything to the professional sadists of the Re-Education Enforcement Division.
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