The Phoenix Fallacy_Book III_Magnus

by Jon Sourbeer,

  “Indeed, and a fitting memorial for our lost comrades,” Major Holston added. “Don’t worry, Lieutenant. I’ll get the message to Colonel Wethers and with any luck, she’ll be able to pass it along to—,” Holston paused, “if the Lt. Colonel got out safely – he’ll be able to carry your message. Now get out while you can, Lieutenant.”

  “The final Executor may still be alive, Major.”

  “Yes, but I doubt you will be able to find him. More than a few people would be extremely disappointed if I let you hang around here and get yourself killed in a futile task. You’ve done more than enough damage. I am ordering you to get out of the city,” the Major commanded.

  “Yes, sir. Although maybe I’ll be fortunate enough to run into that Executor while I’m leaving.”

  The Major sighed, “You’re just as headstrong as your father. Don’t do anything stupid, Lieutenant.”

  “I never do, sir. Jennings out.”

  “Good hunting, Lieutenant,” the Major whispered and the radio went dead.

  Chapter 8: The Race

  Magnus whipped out the earbud, “We have to stop that message from getting out.” He began giving out orders in every direction, pointing first to an Infernus, “Move forward and tell our commanders to press the attack.” He turned to the Comm. Commander, “Get eight squads of Sirens. Order them out in every direction, and tell them not to come back until they find that Wraith.” He looked at Norm, “If the other Corporations even catch a whiff of…” he trailed off.

  Norm didn’t say anything – he didn’t have to.

  Magnus turned to another Infernus, “Tell the Southern Inferni to push to the SHADE Camp, intercept anyone retreating to the city.” He looked at Norm again, “Pull any additional Troopers you can from the South and bring them here. I will do the same in the North. We are going to bull our way straight to the SHADE camp, resistance be damned. Let our other forces continue pushing the Adepts back, we need to prevent anyone from reaching that city.”

  In minutes, Norm had organized a large attack force. He was in his element: organizing the troops, but letting the Executors make the tactical decisions. Or Executor… Norm thought.

  Magnus quickly gave the order, “All squads, accelerated advance!”

  The first line of S.T.s began to trot forward, weapons raised. They filled the spaces between buildings – crowding bridges, alleys, and open factory doors – all seemed doubtful, nervous. But the fear and awe Magnus inspired kept them going.

  Magnus’ strategy was simple, but effective. He created three wedges of staggered Troopers, with one wedge advancing at all times while the other two covered them. As soon as lead wedge halted, the rear line would move forward to overtake them in a leapfrog fashion. A fourth line, with the remaining Troopers would be tasked with sweeping the factories that the main force sped by.

  With Magnus’ command, the first line rushed forward, meeting a wave of fire from the entrenched Mercs. “Secondary line, advance,” Magnus cried. And the second line rushed forward as the first and third fired relentlessly.

  Finding cover and laying down fire of their own, the second line halted a short distance ahead of the first.

  “Third line, Advance!”

  The third squad was hesitant, as the fire from the Mercs intensified. Magnus ran forward, beyond the third line, shouting, “Advance!”

  Norm sped up, following Magnus, emboldened by the Executor. So too were the S.T.s, who rushed forward, overtaking Magnus and Norm. The fire intensified, and Troopers fell all along the line, but Magnus continued to shout, “Press forward!”

  The SHADE line was forced to break. They dashed from cover as the S.T.s threatened to overtake them. The eager S.T.s cut into them with their bolts.

  Norm watched with mixture of excitement and disgust as Mercs fell under the onslaught.

  They’re human, they bleed. Norm could not explain why the thought disturbed him so.

  The Communications Commander motioned for Magnus’s and Norm’s attention, “Sir, the Inferni have reached the SHADE base. They have engaged the rear line, but are being suppressed by the remaining weaponry on the Avalon,” he paused, putting a finger to his ear in an instinctual attempt to reduce the noise, “Vulcanus Xylas reports that an elder Merc officer is ignoring the battle and is being covered by other Merc forces as he retreats.”

  “We have to push forward faster!” Norm shouted wildly.

  Magnus shouted to the line S.T.s, “Push forward! All ranks, continuous advance!” He turned to speak to Norm as the S.T.s picked up speed, no longer leapfrogging the lines, but simply pressing forward continuously. “We have to reach the SHADE camp. This Major, if he has any sense, would have mustered as many Mercs as he could get in order to get that message out. The entire line protecting him is probably aware of our situation.”

  “Our Inferni won’t be able to stop them!” Norm exclaimed, a pit forming in his stomach.

  “The Inferni would never have been able to stop them,” Magnus said impassively, “They are there for interference. I expect all of them will be dead before we arrive, but perhaps we can reach the camp in time to prevent the message about our plans and dire state from getting out.”

  He turned away and Norm watched as an S.T. snapped back from a shot to the head, hit a railing and toppled backward into the inky blackness below the factory, just a few hundred yards from him. Norm hated to think what would happen should that message get out.

  Vulcanus Xylas was a very good Infernus. He had participated in more than a few skirmishes during his career as a Phoenix Officer. But it was clear that Xylas could not hold his position alone. Nevertheless, Norm was pleasantly surprised to see him still leading three Inferni when the line arrived. He was ducking and weaving his body and head in a curious dance, never staying still, and never moving the same way twice. The other Inferni were trying to mimic him, but it was clear they were getting tired.

  All were fighting valiantly, but they were outmatched in forces, firepower, and battle tactics. Xylas and another Infernus were defending two others as they sprayed a building across from their rudimentary cover with Zeus fire.

  Norm caught a glimpse of a silver-haired merc peering around the corner only to swiftly retract his head as a new wave of Zeus bolts danced along the wall. Norm could only watch as Magnus and the S.T. reinforcements struggled to close the distance between the Mercs and the SHADE camp. The two Inferni went down in an explosion of visors, and Xylas was forced to jump away as grenades landed in his cover, his sole remaining Infernus boosting after him. The Avalon’s weapons immediately locked onto him and his companion, blasting away. With explosions peppering the sky all around him, Xylas dropped safely into an alcove, but his companion was not so lucky, catching a burst and careening into the dark.

  Norm watched as the group of SHADE warriors that had been under fire from the Inferni broke cover, sprinting for The Fields. The silver-haired Adept was clustered protectively in the middle.

  Major Holsten.

  Now that Norm had a good look at the man, his silver hair was the only thing that might belie his age. Certainly not his speed – which was lightning fast. Norm watched in frustration as the S.T.s, wearing their strength and speed enhancing armor, could hardly seem to gain ground on the sprinting Mercs. When an S.T. paused to take a shot, the Mercs would rapidly zero in and eliminate him.

  Breathing hard, Norm was falling behind the rapidly advancing S.T.s – but Magnus ran with iron determination and terrifying speed. He was gaining ground on the sprinting warriors, urging the S.T.s onward. But while the Mercs seemed to be speeding up, the S.T.s were definitely slowing down. Their armor made them faster and stronger, but it could not give them endurance. Running in armor is just as tiring as running without it, even if you travel three times as fast, Norm thought.

  Magnus, however, would not give up so easily, passing the lagging S.T.s and running full out in a desperate attempt to catch the fleeing Mercs. Magnus glanced over his shoulder, looking back at the
gap he had created, and in that brief moment, Norm saw disdain, determination, and… desperation.

  He ran gamely on, but the gap was too great. The distance insurmountable.

  The landing bay doors to The Fields opened ever so slightly to allow the Major to hurtle through. Norm halted his run, far back from the rest of the group, surrounded by a few S.T.s guards.

  Disappearing into the bay, the doors shut swiftly behind the Adepts. As the landing bay shut with a loud final note, Magnus stopped – stunned. As Norm watched Magnus’ lone figure, a hot wind washed over him, and he knew that Phoenix was lost. The bursts of Zeus fire and the earnest push by the S.T.s would not save them now.

  As another wave of hot air swept by, Norm looked to his right and smiled sadly, shaking his head. He turned and walked away from the Fields, leaving behind the steam vent that was blasting him with heat, but not the heavy feeling of a man condemned.

  Chapter 9: The Flightless Bird

  With the silver-haired Holsten locked away in the Avalon, Magnus and the S.T.s now became the center of attention, exposed to what remained of the SHADE front line. Seizing their opportunity to assault the exposed Executor, the Mercs fired fast and furiously. Magnus was hastily hauled back to cover, protected by loyal Troopers.

  Behind the lines, Magnus furiously pushed the S.T.s away from him, “We’re too late. We can’t stop that message now. It’s time for a new strategy,” he seethed. “We’ve made an effective push, the SHADE lines will be weakened from trying to stop the rush.” He glanced back at Norm, “Get Irvings, tell him to push his Southern line forward. We’ll hold here and have Overlord Undrege move the Northern forces forward to meet us. It’s time to destroy that Avalon. We must do what is necessary to survive now.”

  S.T.s fell all around them – holding the line would cost them dearly. Magnus studied the grim scene for another moment and then nodded in satisfaction, “We can hold.” He snapped his fingers at the Comm. Commander. “Patch the message through to Irvings and Undrege, then contact Overlord Yamamoto about lifting the communications jam on the official frequency. I want to address all of Phoenix. And connect me to relay 237 and use the code tacitus. You will hear from a woman named Middleton.”

  “Yes, Executor,” the Comm. Commander saluted.

  It took less than a minute for all the orders to be dispersed and the Comm. Commander to signal Magnus, “Executor, sir, Overlord Yamamoto is on the comm.”

  “Good,” Magnus took the radio from the soldier, “Yamamoto, I need you to patch me through to all of Phoenix, and then resume jamming as soon as I’m finished – can you do that?”

  “Absolutely, Magnus,” a pleasantly deep voice replied, “Give me a moment. What about the other Executors, will they need to make statements, as well?”

  “No,” Magnus replied simply. “Are we ready?”

  “Yes. You are on in 5 – 4 – 3…” the end of the radio went silent.

  Magnus lifted the receiver so that it was just hovering before his lips, “Loyal citizens of Phoenix. Brave troopers locked in battle. We have suffered grievous injury today. Our illustrious city has been invaded,” Magnus glanced at Norm’s surprised expression, but did not miss a beat, “and our Executors have fallen to a cunning and ruthless enemy.” Suddenly, all eyes turned to Magnus – all activity ceased. Even a few of the S.T.s on the line froze at the words, “But fear not, for I, Magnus Delacroix, the last remaining Executor, and your new Executor Ascendant, assure you that we will win through. Our Executors knew of our strength, and they died with retribution on their lips, knowing full well that we would prevail, and our merc invaders destroyed. For all of our brave Troopers around the city, all of our wise commanders, all of our loyal citizens, the order is given: Destroy the Mercs. Destroy the Avalon. Defend our home – We are Phoenix! We will be victorious!” He turned off the communicator and rousing cheers could be heard from the surrounding S.T.s.

  “Very inspiring,” Norm said, sensing the renewed vigor take hold of the troops, “But can we really afford to bring all our forces to bear on The Fields? We risk losing control of the city, and will be left undefended from the Corporations.”

  Magnus shook his head, his long mane of white hair waving, “No citizen, no matter how dissident, will dare stir trouble – not when so much is on the line. As for other Corporations, our best bet is to eliminate the Avalon as quickly as possible to give us time to regroup.”

  “Sir,” the Comm. Commander looked hesitant to interrupt, “I have an Overlord Middleton on the comm.”

  “Good, patch her to me – secure line,” Magnus pushed the bud back into his ear.

  “Magnus, now is not the time,” Middleton whispered, “As much as I enjoy our conversations, I am in an urgent discussion about Phoenix right now, and there will be questions – can’t it wait?”

  Magnus lowered his voice to barely a whisper – Norm would have had trouble understanding him had he not been able to read his lips. “No. Important information about our plans is about to get out. A SHADE Wraith is heading for one of the Corporations right now with news that all the other Executors are dead. The Executors moved too early and now the plan is going very badly.”

  Middleton was alarmed, “How much do they know?”

  “Enough, I think.”

  “I can dispatch five Hellhounds, but I don’t think they could take on a Wraith alone; I’ll have to send the whole squadron together.”

  “But they will only be able to intercept him if they pick the right Corporation to head for!” Norm exclaimed, “We have no idea where the Wraith is heading!”

  “I can stop him if he comes here, but other than that, that is the best I can do. You say SHADE is there now?”

  “Yes, the Mercs are struggling to hold on,” Magnus said.

  “I’ll dispatch the Hellhounds immediately, but what about the rest of them?” Middleton asked.

  “We’ll expel them quickly,” Magnus said confidently. Middleton offered no response and the line went dead.

  “And if we can’t expel the Mercs quickly?” Norm asked.

  Magnus looked grim, but said nothing.

  Norm understood the consequences.

  With all of the remaining Phoenix troops pouring in from across the city to join the lines, and Irvings and Undrege marching from the North and South, the battle became even more brutal than before. The Mercs that had remained inside the Fields came pouring out, fighting with renewed hope and desperation. So too, did the S.T.s, and the results were spectacularly devastating.

  The SHADE warriors pushed Magnus’s wedge back hard, bleeding the Phoenix S.T.s of their strength and numbers. But to the North and South, S.T.s and Inferni marched inexorably forward, slowly gaining ground at the cost of many Troopers. In the skies, Sirens fought to take down The Fields and keep whatever SHADE air forces remained grounded. But this too, came at a high cost, as the Mercs pushed out, they seized control of the Phoenix weapons deployed against the Fields and turned them on the Sirens and the city itself.

  Two great armies had clashed at Phoenix, unleashing devastating weaponry upon one another, but to Norm, it had come down to a battle of wills – the Mercs versus Magnus. And as the hours slowly passed, the noose slowly tightened around SHADE.

  The battle raged for nearly two full days. Norm stole a nap whenever he could, but he suspected that Magnus remained awake for the entirety, unwilling to fall asleep and possibly sacrifice the gains that he had made. He took on a crazed look – his urgent shouts becoming more zealous and fiery as the hours passed.

  As dawn broke on the third day, the sun illuminated the heavy cost the previous days had taken on the once glorious floating citadel. The first rays of light reflected dully off of the Avalon’s scorched and blackened hull and its remaining engines strained in the effort to keep it afloat, the noise deafening. Yet still it remained, despite Phoenix’s best efforts.

  Situated in a factory warehouse just a grenade’s throw from the front line, Norm and Magnus were pouring over tac
tical screens and a MuDi of the city, digesting the latest piece of news – Irvings had been killed during the night in a skirmish to the South. The light grey smoke that filled the air reflected Norm’s mood – he was numb to the loss at this point. Undrege had taken command of the Southern forces, and three new Overlords were already on the rail, speeding their way to help control the North, but Norm knew it would make little difference.

  “Attention Phoenix forces.”

  Norm was startled from his review of the battle lines. Coming in on one of the primary Phoenix frequencies was the voice of a female Merc.

  “We offer you this one chance, to end this battle, and let us go free. Otherwise, your entire Corporation will suffer.”

  Magnus grabbed a radio, “Who is this?” he shouted.

  “I am Praetor Wethers, Commanding Officer of SHADE. Who is this?”

  I wonder how long they have held that command frequency? Norm thought sadly of Irvings.

  “That isn’t important,” Magnus said simply. “I represent Phoenix at this juncture. Why should we allow you to go free when victory is so near?”

  The radio crackled with an explosion on the hull of the Avalon. “Are you so sure victory is at hand?” Wethers responded confidently.

  Magnus laughed, “We have you surrounded and most of your troops are now dead or dying. The last vestiges of your defense are crumbling. How could our victory not be assured?”

  It was now Wethers’ turn to laugh, “Oh, I acknowledge our defeat is certainty. But our defeat and your victory are two completely separate things. I will guarantee you no victory this day. We can both escape, or we can annihilate one another. The Adepts under me are my responsibility – I am honor bound to try to save them. I offer you this one chance to spare us both further catastrophe.”

  “Fool. You would have us sacrifice all we have gained? Should we just let you go and prove to all the other Corporations our weakness?” Magnus sneered.