by Brian Dorsey
Martin felt her muscles tighten and her teeth clench. She knew Aria was a social-climbing opportunist—like all good Humani—but the logic of her cousin’s honest, albeit misguided, argument frustrated her. And the fact Martin knew the real truth about the Humani civilization only added salt to wound Aria had opened.
“Real people,” guffawed Martin. “The real people are the ones out there dying for you so that you can have this fancy, overpriced meal.” She felt her body growing hot, and despite her efforts to stop it, a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’ve seen Guardsmen’s bodies laid open…” She paused again as the scenes from that horrible mission on Golf 2 washed over her body. “…dying for a fucking lie. And some of them were because of that son-of-bitch Sequentis Varus. He’s lucky I didn’t end him right there at the table…like I should have years ago,” she added, looking directly into the wide eyes of her cousin.
“How can you talk about killing someone so easily? Doesn’t it bother you?”
“Not the ones that have it coming.”
“That’s what I mean; you just—”
“Seriously, Aria — this whole society is built on a foundation of blood, and you want me to feel bad for spilling it when all of you bathe in it daily?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve seen horrible things, Aria…done horrible things.” She froze again as the dirty face of a blonde-haired Phelian girl flashed in her mind. She closed her eyes as she felt the sensation of pulling the trigger of the gun that took her life. She opened her eyes. “But this place disgusts me even more.”
“This was a mistake,” said Aria. “I just thought it would be nice to talk to my cousin…the one I played with as a child.”
“She doesn’t exist anymore.”
“Even so,” replied Aria. “You have to understand what your new title can do for you…for the whole family.”
And there it was. She was acting as the instrument of the Martin family, hoping to capitalize on her new position and notoriety. Martin rose from the table.
“I’m sorry, Aria. I know it’s not your fault. You’re just playing the role you were taught to play.”
“And you, Paladin Martin…aren’t you just playing a role,” shot back Aria. “Paladin Emily Martin, the hot-headed, belligerent soldier. You had it rough as a kid, your mom left, and your father’s a drunk that—”
Martin’s vision tunneled as a bolt of rage raced through her body. She stepped toward Aria, who stopped mid-sentence, leaning backwards in her chair.
“Never,” spoke Martin through her teeth. “Never speak of her.” She could feel her body shaking as she put her hands on the table and leaned in too close to Aria. “And if you want to finish what you were going to say about my father?”
Aria sat silently, avoiding eye contact with her.
“You people are mindless sheep following a corrupt shepherd you can’t even see.”
“And what does that make you?” asked Aria, slowly looking toward Martin.
Martin could see the disgust on her cousin’s face.
“That, my dear cousin Aria, makes me the wolf.” She stood erect. “But don’t worry, I’m not hunting sheep…I’m going after the shepherd.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You just enjoy your dinner, cousin,” she replied, pulling a credit chip from her pocket and tossing it on the table. “Just have them send my steak to the bar,” she added as she turned to walk away.
She paused after a few steps, turning back toward Aria. “Oh, and you can tell the Martin patriarchs to go fuck themselves.”
Chapter 8
Martin let out a frustrated puff of air as she stood on the platform outside Primum. She knew her cousin couldn’t help being the way she was; she was just another unknowing pawn in the façade created by the Xen and perpetuated by the First Families. Hopefully all of that would change, but only if she—
“Emily!”
Martin’s thoughts were interrupted by a shout from her cousin. She looked down to see Aria standing at the edge of the platform.
“What is it, Aria?” she asked with a sigh.
“I just didn’t want to leave things like that. I—”
Martin’s attention was drawn from her cousin to two men standing several meters behind Aria on the lower platform. While everyone pushed their way through and around others on the platform, they stood dead still in the center of the crowd. Staring at each other, the two men wore coats too heavy for the mild season. And their hair styles—shoulder length in the back with two tufts running down their cheeks.
“No…not here,” she mouthed. “Aria, get up here.”
“What…did you even hear—”
“Aria, just shut up and get up here,” she ordered, extending her hand.
“Fine,” replied Aria, grasping Martin’s hand.
Martin hefted Aria onto the upper platform, catching a glimpse of a man and a woman, similar in dress and appearance to the two men, step onto the upper platform a few meters away. They were met instantly by a constable.
“You two cannot be up here,” he ordered.
The man and woman looked at each other and then returned a blank stare to the constable. Martin saw the undeniable look of determination in their eyes. “Damn it,” she cursed, drawing her pistol as she pushed Aria behind her. “Constable! Stop them!” she shouted.
The constable turned toward the sound of Martin’s voice. As he did, the man drew a pistol and swung it toward the constable’s head.
Martin raised her weapon and fired two quick rounds, knocking both the man and the woman to the ground as chaos enveloped the platform and the walkway below. “Call for backup!” she ordered as she swung her pistol toward the two men on the commoner walkway. As she did, one of the men raised his arms into the air, exposing an explosive device strapped to his chest.
“For the Saint!” he shouted.
Martin fell to the ground, dragging Aria with her as the follower detonated the explosive. The blast rocked Martin to her bones and forced the air from her lungs. Rolling onto her back, she took in a quick forced breath and sprung to her knees.
She looked where the two men had stood.
The scene was gruesome. Martin saw the dead and dying scattered across the walkway as the ringing in her ears subsided, replaced by screams of terror and agony from the wrecked pile of flesh below her.
“Son of a bitch,” she cursed, scanning the area for more threats. Seeing no more, she turned back toward the constable. Although a stream of blood trickled down his temple, he had recovered and was moving toward the two people on the upper platform Martin had shot.
“Did you get the report out?” asked Martin, rising to her feet.
“Yes,” he replied. “What—”
Martin saw the wounded woman roll onto her back, exposing another explosive device.
“G—”
Before she could speak, another blast ripped through the upper platform, engulfing the constable in ball of fire and knocking Martin back onto the ground. Her face burning from the heat of the blast, she let out a heavy grunt and pushed herself back to her feet. Dozens of Humani, commoner and First Family alike, lay scattered in all directions. Others huddled together in small groups while a few sat on the ground, frozen by shock and fear.
Martin looked back toward the first explosion. She saw a man trying to apply pressure to a woman’s—probably his wife’s—severed leg. Another limped into view, bleeding from a mangled left arm.
“Help me,” he pleaded to anyone that could hear before collapsing onto the ground.
“Aria,” she said aloud and turned toward where her cousin had been.
Aria was curled into a tight ball, her hands covering her head. “Aria? Are you okay?” she asked, placing her hand on her cousin’s shoulder.
Gently pulling her cousin’s hand from her face and rolling her on her back, Martin checked her for injuries. She was shaking uncontrollably but didn’t seem to be injured.
“You’re okay, Aria,” said Martin.
“What…what happened?” stammered Aria. “I—”
“This is the reality I was talking about, cousin,” replied Martin. “It looks like the Dark Zone has finally come to Alpha Humana. We are finally going to reap what we have sown there for generations.”
“What?”
“And there will be more,” said Martin.
***
Summoned to a meeting of Astra Varus’s private council, Martin found herself surrounded by Senators Sarius and Lucretia, General Vispa, and Chief Magistrate of Mt. Castra, Gal Solara.
“Here!” shouted Astra. “On Alpha Humana!”
“Yes, ProConsul,” replied Martin. “I was there. They were followers of the Word…of the Saint, no doubt. Several were killed and more severely injured.”
“Were any First Family members injured?” asked Astra.
Martin clinched her teeth. “I didn’t take the time to ask their family status while I was trying to keep their guts from falling out…ProConsul.”
“How did this happen?” asked Astra, ignoring Martin’s response as she turned to the Chief Magistrate Solara.
“We have not yet had time to answer that question, ProConsul,” replied Solara. “The investigatory capabilities of my department under the current budget are—”
Martin guffawed.
“What is it, Paladin?” said Astra. “Is there something funny about an attack on our home planet?”
“No, ProConsul,” replied Martin. “I’ve sworn my life to defend the Humani people against any threat…external or internal.” She continued, pointing toward Chief Magistrate Solara. “What’s funny is this guy beating around the bush. He knows—just like every other First Family member, military officer, lawman, and trader—that people are constantly being brought here from the Dark Zone to be servants in the recreation houses and homes of the First Families. It’s a direct line to the heart of Humani leadership…via their own lazy, lecherous, and vain lifestyle.”
“How dare you!” shot back Solara.
“How dare I?” replied Martin. “You pompous ass…there are dead Humani laying in the streets and you’re fucking trying to get more credits for your department. Here’s an idea…just do your damn job.”
Martin turned from Solara toward Astra. She could see Astra’s face twisted in frustration. Astra Varus was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a fool, and the implications of the elite’s labor force turning on the First Families clearly unsettled her.
“Magistrate Solara,” said Astra. “What is your plan?”
“Well, ProConsul, once we have—”
“Now!” screamed Astra, her voice cracking with anger as she slammed her fist into the arm of her chair. “What is your plan right now?”
“Yes, ProConsul,” stammered Solara. “I will halt the influx of laborers to Mt. Castra from the Neutral Quadrant with the physical descriptions matching those of the attackers from today.”
“And you think they will not alter their appearance once they know we are looking for them?” asked Astra.
Martin could see the frustration grow on Astra’s face.
“General Vispa,” continued Astra, “what are your recommendations?”
“This is a problem well beyond the capabilities of civilian authorities,” replied Vispa with a glance toward Solara. “Even if we stop the influx from Mt. Castra, that does not mean they cannot enter through another city…or that others aren’t already here or in other cities.”
“Then all of the First Families are at risk?” posed Senator Marcus Sarius.
“As well as the rest of the Humani people,” replied Martin, staring down the Senator. “They might not like getting blown apart by lunatics either.”
“Of course,” replied the Senator. “But the threat to the First Families is immediate and must be prioritized.”
“Because you have to have your asses wiped by stables of servants,” spat Martin.
“Paladin Martin!” shouted the Senator. “Do not forget your place.”
“I haven’t…maybe you shouldn’t forget what I am capable of,” she said with a smile.
“Enough!” shouted Astra. Rising from her chair, the ProConsul walked to the center of the group. “Magistrate Solara, as of this moment your department will fall under the authority of Humani High Command.”
“But—”
Astra raised her hand to silence the Solara. “As will all civilian enforcement officers in every city.”
“Martial law?” asked Senator Lucretia.
“Imperial law,” replied Astra.
Martin’s draw dropped. Astra Varus was using an attack on her own people, one ultimately caused by her own scheming, to make her final move for total power.
“This is a critical time,” continued Astra, her eyes electric, “and we must take decisive action.” She turned slowly and ascended the steps to her chair. At her chair, she turned and sat slowly, the room silent as everyone waited for her next words.
“General Vispa and Magistrate Solara, pass the word through secure channels that all civil enforcement authorities are to immediately fall under the direction of regional military commanders. They are to provide detailed reports on their strength as well as possible threats to the region commander in five standard hours. The regional commanders will then report to you, General Vispa, within ten hours. Also pass the word on to all combatant commanders.”
“Yes, ProConsul,” replied Vispa and Solara in unison.
“Senator Sarius, prepare the following media link and inform the media department I will address the Humani people in 24 hours. The link will say…” Astra activated the recording device on her chair and continued:
“Many of you have heard of the attack on our defenseless civilians that occurred yesterday in our capitol. Despite the deadly intent of the attackers, the impact was limited by the bravery of our hero Paladin Martin and the Mt. Castra constable force. Further investigation has determined that the attack was planned and carried out by Terillian operatives that were able to infiltrate our home world, most likely with the help of the Traitor, Tyler Stone.”
Martin’s stomach churned as she listened to Astra spin the web of lies she would use to achieve ultimate, uncontested power.
Astra continued.
“We have also learned that other terrorists may be in route or are already on our planet. With the security of the Humani people in mind, I have implemented the following directive…”
Here it comes, thought Martin, almost physically ill.
“…All Humani civil authorities have been placed under direction of regional military commanders to ensure the broadest sharing of intelligence and resources as well as providing the highest level of protection for our facilities, institutions, and people. With the Terillian threat now facing us on our home soil, I am also forced to take the drastic, but necessary action of temporarily limiting the political power of the Senate. This measure, while unprecedented in our history, is fully supported by the Patrician Council and key members of Senate. It is done so that I may quickly and decisively respond to threats to the Humani people as they occur…”
Martin thought of her cousin. They are going to lap this up, she thought, closing her eyes.
“…As our brave warriors face the Terillian hordes in the Neutral Quadrant, we must likewise be prepared to do the same on our home soil to protect not only ourselves, but our families and our way of life from those that would destroy it and enslave us.”
Martin had to turn away. Rage and disgust overwhelmed her. Martial law was going to make her mission even more difficult.
“There,” ended Astra. “Have this played on all media links in 15 hours, but first make sure the attack is the top story until then. Include multiple speculative reports on the cause and the groups possibly behind it. Include possible dissident groups within our society and government. Also play up the possibility of other attacks.”
“Yes, ProConsul,” replied S
enator Sarius with a smile. “Some senators will resist,” he added.
“Then they will be labeled as enemies of the Humani people,” replied Astra. “We will show the people what fear feels like, and they will beg for security…” Astra paused. “Which we will provide.”
“Yes, ProConsul,” said Sarius. “We must also discuss implications for other initiatives.”
Martin’s ears perked. Sarius had slipped up. She knew he had to be talking about the plans for Dolus.
“That,” replied Astra, shooting daggers through Sarius with her eyes, “is for another time.”
“Yes, ProConsul,” said Sarius, his voice muted.
“Now,” continued Astra, “are there any questions?”
“No, ProConsul,” echoed the group.
“Very well, then. Let us get to work. General Vispa and Senator Sarius, remain behind please.”
“Yes, ProConsul,” they responded.
“And Paladin Martin—”
“Yes, ProConsul,” replied Martin flatly.
“Find Stone.”
“Yes, ProConsul.” Martin snapped to attention and gave a rigid salute. She yearned for the day she would be able to wrap her hands around the throat of that tyrannical bitch. But for now she would have to play along.
***
Martin and the others having left her chambers, Astra turned toward Senator Sarius.
“ProConsul, I would like to—”
Astra focused the full force of her body into her hand as she slapped the Senator across the face mid-sentence. “I will not tolerate a fool, Senator,” scolded Astra. “Speak without thinking again and you may find yourself labeled an enemy of the people and shipped off to Capro prison.”
