“What do you want to do, boss?” asked Cole, wiping some mud off his face.
“It’ll be dark soon. I say we wait for nightfall and then try to work our way toward the front lines. I’d like to see if we can find a way to sneak into the fortress undetected.”
“And if we can’t, then what?”
“Then we help the Kurgans win the battle so we can stop Harry before he unleashes the virus.”
Chapter 21
Nightfall didn’t bring any respite to the soldiers lying on the ground outside of the fortress. Shells continued to rain down, killing and wounding scores of soldiers at a time.
“My God, how much friggin’ ammo do they have?” said Cole.
“Each stronghold is expected to withstand a siege until relieved,” replied Kabar. “The amount of ammunition and supplies they have stored underground is more than enough to keep its sixty thousand defenders in the fight for several months to come.”
“With an impenetrable shield above the fort, anything the Kurgs fire at it explodes long before reaching the walls,” said Sheridan. He was becoming impressed by the engineering that had gone into building the fortress. Someone clearly knew their job. “Short of a miracle, I don’t see how we’re going to get in there.”
“Well, I’d rather not sit here in this waterlogged crater any longer then we have to,” said Cole. “It’s bad enough that it hasn’t stopped raining since we landed; I think I’m beginning to get trench foot.”
“I doubt you’ve got trench foot,” replied Sheridan. “But I agree with you, it’s time to move.” He looked through his thermal binoculars and picked the hull of a destroyed Kurgan tank as the spot they would move to next. Sheridan pointed at the vehicle and warily climbed out of the crater. He moved hunched down to reduce his silhouette. Badly wounded soldiers were strewn everywhere. Sheridan blocked out their pitiful cries for help. There was nothing he or his comrades could do for the wounded men. The Kurgans’ lack of frontline medical support had doomed hundreds of warriors to a slow death on a planet far from their homes.
Sheridan’s pulse raced the instant he heard the sound of a drone’s engine in the darkened sky above them. He threw himself to the wet ground and froze.
From behind them, a missile shot up into the air and struck the drone, blasting it out of the air. A second later, a pair of warheads fired by another UAV flew toward the soldier who had brought down the drone. The night sky lit up as rebel and Kurgan Army UAVs engaged one another in a deadly aerial ballet.
Sheridan rolled over on his back and watched as dozens of missiles streaked through the night. For a moment, he thought he was back home watching a fireworks display. Several insurgent drones exploded in orange and red flames before falling to the ground.
Cole crawled up alongside Sheridan. “As soon as the last drone fires off its missiles, I say we make a run for the tank.”
“I’m with you,” said Sheridan. “How’s Kabar doing?”
“I think he’d rather be anywhere else but here with us. But he’s doing okay.”
A missile tore through the sky right above them and struck another rebel drone, tearing it apart.
“That’s our cue to go,” said Cole, getting up off the ground.
Sheridan sprinted the last hundred meters to the destroyed hull and slid underneath the tank. He crawled forward until he was on the other side of the vehicle. Cole and Kabar scrambled under the belly of the armored vehicle and joined Sheridan.
“See anything?” asked Cole.
“Not yet,” replied Sheridan as he looked through his binoculars. In the distance he could see the body heat coming from groups of soldiers laying on the ground, trying to stay alive. The horizon was lit with burning vehicles that had been hit by the rebels or destroyed in the minefields. A lone Kurgan tank’s railgun glowed blue as it prepared to fire. A split second before it was ready, the turret of the armored vehicle was struck by a missile and torn from the hull. The turret spun in the air like a child’s toy before smashing into the ground next to another burned-out wreck.
“This place is worse than hell,” said Cole. “I bet there’s next to nothing left of the division in front of us.”
“These guys need help, and they need it now, or this is going to end in a bloody disaster,” said Sheridan. “He lowered his glasses and looked at Kabar. “Find out where the nearest functioning brigade level headquarters is and pick a route to it.”
“What are you thinking?” Cole asked.
“Unless they can find a way to destroy that shield and bring fire to bear on the fortress, they’re going to die by the thousands without ever getting close to the fort.”
An unexpected silence fell on the battlefield. Sheridan popped his head out and looked around. The shelling had stopped. The pitiful moans of the wounded were carried on the wind. The night sky turned bright as day as an image was projected on the shield surrounding the fortress. A Kurgan crimson-colored flag was shown flying from a flagpole outside of a home built next to a lake. Sheridan noticed there was a white bar in the middle of the flag—the symbol of purity adopted by the Khynisan insurgents.
A voice sounded across the battleground. “Fellow Kurgans, you do not have to die for the heretics who brought you here. You have been lied to by your officers. We do not seek your deaths, only your love of the word of the Lord as it was written down millennia ago. Come to us and help your brothers and sisters. Together we can end this brutal civil war with a peace that will last forever.”
“There’s a switch,” said Cole. “They used to be after us for conversion to their religion, now they’re doing it to each other.”
A shot cut through the night followed by several more.
Sheridan looked through his binoculars and swore. Chosen soldiers were firing at some men who had gotten up from the ground and were walking toward the fortress with their weapons held above their heads. A firefight erupted all along the forward trenches as religious fanatics shot one another down.
“This is utter madness,” said Sheridan under his breath.
“Sir, I’ve located an operational brigade headquarters that is not too far from us,” said Kabar.
“Be more specific,” said Cole. “How far is it?”
“Less than five hundred meters.”
“Show me,” said Cole turning Kabar’s arm so he could see what was on the screen. He let go of Kabar and tapped Sheridan on the shoulder. “He’s right. It’s just off to our right in a hollow in the ground. If we keep low and go slow, we should be able to get there without getting killed.”
“Okay, you’re in the lead,” said Sheridan.
“Why me?”
“Because I almost always go first, so it’s your turn.”
“You just don’t want to admit you’d get us lost,” said Cole as he turned about and crawled out from under the tank.
The ground near the headquarters was covered by wounded Chosen soldiers who had crawled back from the fighting to look for help. It was nearly impossible not to step on them. The rain was coming down harder, turning the sandy ground into rivers of muck.
Michael Sheridan cringed when he felt his boot step down on a severed limb. A hand reached out of the dark and grabbed his leg.
“Water,” begged a wounded soldier.
Sheridan stopped and pulled out his canteen. He unscrewed the cap, bent down, and gently poured some water into the man’s mouth.
“Don’t give him any more,” admonished Cole.
“Why not?” asked Sheridan
“Because it’s your water and you may need it. Sir, he’s been shot in the gut. The water you just gave him will soon come out of his wound. There’s nothing you or I can do for him.”
Sheridan stood up and put his canteen away.
“Sir, we need to push on and get to that headquarters or all these soldiers suffering will have been for naught,” said Cole.
“I think I see something,” said Kabar, pointing to a small red light fifty meters away.
; “Okay, Alan, push on,” said Sheridan, cursing the Kurgan’s lack of medical support in his mind. The dull crump of artillery shells exploding somewhere off in the distance told Sheridan that the rebels had changed their focus onto another hapless formation.
When they were less than ten meters from the light, a Chosen soldier stood up from the ground and pointed his weapon at Cole’s chest. “Who are you, and what do you want?” asked the man.
Kabar stepped forward. “I’m Captain Kabar, and I want to speak with your commanding officer.”
“What unit are you with?”
“We’re not with any unit. I work directly for Admiral Kaar. Now, soldier, step aside and let me pass.”
A Kurgan officer popped his head up from the hollow, looked toward Kabar, and then the sentry. “Let them in,” said the officer.
Sheridan slung his rifle over his shoulder and followed Kabar down into the depression. A tarp was stretched over the top, giving some relief from the pouring rain. The Chosen soldier who had challenged them stayed close with his rifle pointed at Kabar. There were a handful of Kurgan junior officers working the radios, while a couple more sat on the wet ground inputting information into their computers.
“Who said they want to talk to me?” said a tall Kurgan colonel. His left hand was missing. A bloody bandage covered the wound.
“I do, sir,” replied Kabar.
The colonel eyed Kabar for a few seconds. “I don’t know you. Who are you, and why do you need to see me?”
“Sir, my name is Captain Kabar. I’m a member of Admiral Kaar’s staff, and I need to speak to him right away.”
“How do I know you’re who you say you are? Hell, for all I know you could be assassins sent to take out me and my headquarters.”
“Because if we were assassins, you’d already be dead,” said Sheridan.
“I didn’t speak to you, soldier,” snapped the colonel. “Keep quiet while I speak to your officer.”
“Actually, Colonel, he works for me.”
The tall Kurgan shook his head in disbelief. “What is going on here?”
Kabar said, “Sir, it’s complicated, but you have to believe me when I say we don’t mean you any harm and that we are all on your side.”
“When did Chosen soldiers start to give orders to Kurgans?”
“I’m not a Chosen soldier, and neither is my friend,” explained Sheridan. “In fact, we are Terran Marines on a mission to stop a terrorist who we know has taken refuge in that fortress.”
The colonel took a step back. “Why don’t I know anything about this?”
“Because you don’t need to know the details of our assignment,” said Kabar. “Now which officer is speaking with the fleet?”
The colonel was about to respond when a Kurgan captain drew his pistol and aimed it at Kabar’s head. “Sir, don’t believe them,” said the captain. “They’re rebel spies.”
Kabar turned and looked down the barrel of the pistol. “I suggest you lower that weapon and let me make that call.”
“Never!” snarled the captain. “We’ve all heard the rumors that this insurrection was being orchestrated by the Terrans, and now we have the proof.”
“We’ve got nothing to do with your religious schism,” said Sheridan. “Captain Kabar is telling you the truth. We need to get into that stronghold to deal with a renegade former Marine.”
The Kurgan captain moved his thumb onto his pistol’s safety and turned it to armed.
With lightning-fast reflexes, Cole swung his rifle up and placed the barrel against the side of the captain’s head. “Pull the trigger and you’ll be next, mate.”
Tension filled the air.
Several other Kurgans reached for their weapons, unsure of what was happening.
Kabar stood as still as a statue. “Colonel, reach into the small pouch on my belt and bring out what you find in there.”
The colonel opened the pouch and slid his hand inside. A second later, he pulled out a gold-colored badge and looked at it. In an instant, his golden eyes widened. He struggled to speak. Finally, he said, “Lower your weapon, Captain.”
“Sir?” said the officer.
The colonel turned the badge toward the captain, “Do it!”
The Captain saw the insignia on the badge and staggered back on his feet. He dropped his pistol to the ground and looked at Kabar. “Sorry, sir, I was just doing my job. I didn’t know who you were, or I never would have drawn my weapon.”
Sheridan and Cole exchanged a confused look.
The colonel pointed to one of the radio operators. “Lieutenant Kostyl is in contact with fleet operations.”
“Thank you for your cooperation, Colonel,” said Kabar as he took the badge from the stunned officer’s hand.
“Do you want to let us in on what just happened?” said Sheridan to Kabar.
Kabar nodded and handed Sheridan his badge. On it was a snake coiled around a planet. The words Crimson Star were etched on it.
Sheridan shrugged. “I’ve never seen this insignia before, nor I have I ever heard of an organization called Crimson Star.”
“That’s because you’re not supposed to,” replied Kabar.
“Jesus, the bugger’s a spook,” said Cole. “He’s been lying to us all along about who is he is and what he does.”
“If by that you mean an officer in the Kurgan Imperial Intelligence Service, then yes, I’m a spook.”
“Why is everyone afraid of you?” asked Sheridan.
“The existence of the Kurgan Imperial Intelligence Service is no secret in the empire,” said Kabar. “However, my section is only rumored to exist. If a citizen is shown a badge with Crimson Star written on it, he knows that his life and that of his family is forfeit. We specialize in counterterrorism and the elimination of subversives.”
“So you’re nothing more than a glorified murderer with a badge that lets you kill women and children,” said Cole.
“My job is to keep the empire safe,” retorted Kabar.
Sheridan stepped between them. “Gents, this isn’t the place or the time to get into a debate about the application of power by the state. Kabar has a job to do and so do we. When this is over, we can revisit this topic on our way home. Agreed?”
Cole pursed his lips and nodded.
Kabar placed his badge away. “I’m not ashamed of what I do, but let’s not forget that I’m not the one who let a madman get his hands on a genocidal virus, now am I?”
“Okay, so there’s plenty of blame to go around,” said Sheridan. “Can we just put all of this behind us for the time being and focus on the task at hand. I need to speak to Admiral Kaar, and I need to do it before any more soldiers needlessly die.”
“It’ll take a couple of minutes to reach the admiral,” said Kabar.
“Then you had best get to work.”
Kabar bowed and turned to speak with the radio operator.
Sheridan looked at the Kurgan colonel, “Sir, I wish I could tell you more, but I’m constrained from doing so.”
“If a human can tell a member of the Crimson Star what to do then I don’t want to know anything about you or your mission,” said the colonel. “The sooner you are all out of my command post, the better.”
“Fair enough. But before I speak with Admiral Kaar, I need to know what is happening here on the ground.”
“Like what?”
“Are you in contact with your divisional headquarters?”
The colonel shook his head. “I think the rebels have made me the division commander. I’ve been unable to reach anyone on General Khustin’s staff for the past few hours.”
The news Sheridan heard was getting worse by the second. “What is the state of your brigade?”
“I’m down to fifty percent of my original strength. As you can see, we’re pinned down and without support. The rest of us will soon die here on this godforsaken rock.”
“Major, I have the Admiral,” said Kabar.
Sheridan walked over and took the
handset from Kabar. “Admiral, this is Major Sheridan. I don’t know what our staff is telling you, but the landing has been an abject failure. Your armored forces have all but been wiped out and your second wave of infantry is pinned down and are taking heavy casualties.”
“That’s not quite the picture I was being told,” said Kaar. “Please go on.”
“Sir, whatever your ground force commander had planned for tomorrow has to be scrapped and a new plan put in place.”
“I take it you have a suggestion to make, Major?”
“Yes, I do, sir.” For the next ten minutes, Sheridan outlined his plan to the admiral. When he was done, Admiral Kaar ordered him to remain where he was until he contacted him with confirmation of the new orders.
Cole patted his friend on the shoulder. “Do you really think all of that will work?”
“It sure as hell beats being ground into hamburger by the insurgents’ artillery in the morning,” replied Sheridan.
“So, I take it for the foreseeable future we’re going to find a spot to sit down on and try to get some shuteye?”
Sheridan nodded.
Cole pulled out a ration pack and smiled. “No time like the present for a bite to eat.”
“Yeah, I agree. Let’s find a relatively dry spot and take a seat.”
They made themselves comfortable on the far side of the depression and warmed up their food.
“Look at them,” said Cole. “They’re absolutely terrified of Kabar.”
Sheridan glanced over and saw all of the Kurgan officers trying to keep as far away from Kabar as possible. “I suspect they’re terrified for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Kabar is death incarnate as far as they’re concerned. He’s a one-man judge, jury, and executioner.”
“I never would have guessed he was a spy in a million years. You can never really judge a book by its cover.”
“That’s probably why he’s good at his job.” Sheridan lowered his voice to a whisper. “I didn’t trust him very much before, now I’m going to have a hard time believing another word that comes out of his mouth. The bastard may have secret orders to get his hands on the virus for the Kurgan military. I know we’re supposed to be playing nice with the Kurgan Empire while the peace negotiations are ongoing, but if he so much as tries to make a move for the virus, kill him.”
Insurrection (The Kurgan War Book 6) Page 12
