Fire from Ashes

by Sam Schall

  “And that would be?” She crossed her legs and relaxed. This was the sort of cat-and-mouse game she played so well.

  “We form our own partnership and share information.”

  Fertig let one brow arch as she inclined her head, indicating he should continue.

  “Our flow of information from the Fuerconese has all but come to a halt. The slowdown began approximately six months ago and has continued to lessen with each passing month. It became very obvious after the Callusians made their ill-fated attempt to invade the system three months ago. We get the same information packets the other allies do but nothing more. Not even unofficially. Comments?”

  She considered what he said. “It would appear the Fuerconese are holding their cards close. The question is why.”

  “And would you have any idea why?”

  She had a very good idea, one she didn’t like.

  “Before I answer, let me ask you something, ambassador.” The fingers of her right hand drummed a quick rhythm against her thigh. “Have the Fuerconese cut the flow of information to their other allies?”

  “Not that I can tell.”

  Ah, that told her a great deal. Members of the diplomatic community in New Kilrain spent a great deal of time socializing with one another. That was part of their job. Much could be learned and deals were often made over drinks or in bed. The fact Fuercon kept their other allies in the information loop meant they suspected Midlothian, or at least members of the embassy, of acting against its interests.

  “None of your sources have explained why?”

  “That’s two questions,” the ambassador pointed out. “But no.”

  Fertig thought for a moment, not liking the possible explanations. “Mr. Kalmár, I believe we need to start working together. As a show of good faith, I will admit I am here because Mr. Watchman sent me to keep an eye on things. You’ve been in government service long enough to know he has people in each of our off-world facilities. We are his eyes and ears in his effort to make sure Midlothian’s best interests are served.”

  Kalmár inclined his head.

  “I will also tell you he isn’t happy about some events that have taken place here. Several of his operatives, ones not assigned to the embassy, have either turned up dead or have gone missing. He has asked me to look into what’s happened and find out who is responsible and what their motivation is.”

  “I see.” Kalmár took a moment to consider what she’d said before continuing. “Are there other of his operatives on staff that I don’t know about?”

  She shook her head. That had been the one requirement she’d had before accepting the assignment. Even though Watchman assured her there were no other undercover agents on staff, she checked out everyone herself once she arrived on-planet. The only other members of his department were those officially listed as security personnel.

  “And those others Watchman sent?”

  This was where it got sticky. She didn’t know for sure what the Intelligence Czar was up to, but she had her suspicions. But suspicions weren’t enough to risk her life on, not yet at any rate.

  “He hasn’t read me in on what their missions were, only that they were here on his behalf.” She let a hint of frustration creep into her voice.

  “What have you discovered?”

  “Nothing of any help so far.” He did not need to know about Moreau, not yet at any rate. She didn’t trust the woman and had no doubt Moreau would turn on her in a heartbeat given the opportunity. Even so, if she had plans for the woman and the ambassador might play a role in them later.

  “You are to inform me when you do learn something. You are also to keep me informed about your communications with Watchman. In the meantime, I have an assignment for you.” His smile sent a chill down her spine. Never before had she seen this side of him. Gone was the almost invisible diplomat. In his place sat a man who might possible be able to give Watchman a run for his money. She’d been a fool for not realizing Kalmár played a role, one that helped make him a successful diplomat for more than the obvious reasons.

  “Sir?” She’d play along, at least until she figured out what her options were.

  “Use your contacts, put pressure on where you need to, but find out what is going on with the Fuerconese.” He waited and she nodded once. “Just in case you don’t understand how serious this situation is for both of us, if the Fuerconese take action that is against the best interest of our homeworld, my head will be the one in the figurative noose. If that happens, I won’t have to take you down with me. Watchman will sign your execution order without hesitation because you will have failed him. You’re smart enough to know that.”

  Like it or not, he was right. “Agreed.” She stood and leaned across the desk, extending her hand. “Mr. Ambassador, I believe it is in both our best interests to work together. I’ll get the information you want but you have to do something for me in return.”

  “And that is?”

  “There is someone in the embassy feeding information to an independent contractor, one Watchman initially hired and who has been showing signs of going rogue. I have reason to believe the leak knows my real role here and they have done a very good job covering their tracks. Locate that person and let me have their name. I will deal with them and then with the local contractor.” And, depending on the situation at the time, she’d deal with Kalmár as well.

  Without waiting for him to respond, she left his office. He might think he held the upper hand and, in some ways, he did. But she wanted him to think about why Watchman put her in place in the embassy. If he was as smart as she believed, Kalmár would quickly realize any attempt to betray her would lead quickly and inexorably to his death.

  17

  “Are you sure about this?” General Okafor asked as she settled behind her desk.

  Six weeks had passed since Taskforce Sentinel and the surviving ships of Taskforce Liberator returned to Fuerconese space. In that time, Ash often found herself praying there were more hours in the day. No matter how much she managed to do, there was always more on her desk to deal with. The only thing that kept her going at times was the knowledge that soon they would be shipping out to finally take the fight to the enemy. Finally, after too many years of simply reacting, Fuercon and its allies – its true allies – were going to show the Callusians they no longer had the upper hand. Not that they ever really had. But the allies had listened to the Midlothians. They’d let themselves be manipulated by them into a war of attrition, one meant to weaken the allies.

  “Yes, ma’am, I am.”

  Even though she had initially agreed with her mother’s suggestion to “mustang” MJ Anderson out of the senior NCO ranks, she’d hesitated to make the actual recommendation. Part of it had been because she knew Anderson would refuse. Ashlyn even understood. Anderson needed time to accept there was nothing she could have done to save Lucinda Ortega. Their friend had died doing her duty, exactly as they were prepared to do each time their strapped on their armor or picked up a weapon.

  Then there had been the blonde’s one injuries. The emotional wounds cut as deeply as the physical ones. Adamson needed time to heal. It would still be months before she could return to full duty. But, a week after they had released her to finish her recovery, they had agreed she could return to very limited duty.

  “And Laboe?”

  “Settling in nicely as the XO for the Warlords.”

  Okafor glanced at Elizabeth who nodded in agreement.

  “Very well. Let’s bring them in and get started.”

  A few minutes later, Okafor sat behind her desk. Elizabeth stood to her right. Ashlyn watched as Connery helped Anderson to a chair. The blonde leaned heavily on a pair of crutches. Even though the regen treatments were working, it would take time for her leg to regenerate below the knee. At least the nerves in her eye hadn’t required as much time to heal.

  The last member of their party was Talbot. The master gunnery sergeant glanced at Ash and lifted one brow in question. She
gave a minute shake of her head. This was the commandant’s show, at least for the moment.

  “Sergeant Major, it is good to see you back in uniform,” Okafor said once everyone had found seats.

  “Thank you, ma’am. It is good to be back in one.”

  “Are you doing everything the doctors say?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” She cast a quick look at Ash and flashed a quick grin before turning her attention back to Okafor. “Colonel Shaw made it very clear she would kick my ass if I didn’t do exactly as the docs said.”

  “Which is what I will do as well,” Okafor said. Then she sat back and studied the four sitting in front of her desk. “Before we get started, there are a couple of housekeeping matters to be taken care of. Sergeant Major Adamson, have you made a decision about whether you are going to stay in the Corps once you are released to full duty or if you are going to take your retirement?”

  The blonde blinked in surprise. As she did, Ashe fought the smile that fought to lift the corners of her mouth. If Anderson was surprised by that question, just wait.

  “I’m a Marine, ma’am, a Devil Dog. I’ll retire when I’m dead.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Okafor’s expression didn’t change but the twinkle in her eyes was something Ashlyn had learned to suspect. It usually meant the general had something in mind for her. This time, however, she wasn’t going to be the one on the end of one of the woman’s surprises.

  “Ma’am?”

  “Colonel Shaw?”

  Ashlyn nodded and climbed to her feet. As she moved to stand in front of Adamson, she reached inside the thigh pocket of her pants. A slight smile touched her lips as her fingers closed around the jeweler’s box. As she pulled it out she chuckled to herself. She knew the only thing saving her from the blonde chasing her down and beating her for springing something like this was the fact the blonde couldn’t run. Not that it would save her once Adamson finished rehabbing. But it would be worth it. She only hoped her friend thought so as well.

  “Here you go, ma’am.” She handed Okafor the small box once the general joined her.

  Adamson looked at the two of them in undisguised suspicion. Then, as if she suddenly realized two senior officers stood before her, she reached for her crutches and slowly climbed to her feet. Ashlyn caught her grimace of pain and fought the urge to reach out to help her. Adamson wouldn’t appreciate it, especially when she realized what they were about to do.

  “Ten-hut!” Elizabeth’s voice rang out and instantly everyone braced to attention.

  Ashlyn waited as her mother joined them. Then she took two steps back before assuming her place next to Elizabeth.

  “Sergeant Major Adamson, you have served the Corps with distinction,” Okafor began as she took a single step forward, closing the distance between the two of them. “If Colonel Shaw hadn’t threatened to resign her commission if anyone tried to poach you from her command, I would have transferred you to my staff long ago. You proved your loyalty to her and to the Corps when you left active duty status after she and others of the Devil Dogs were betrayed. I know how instrumental you were in finding the proof that helped clear their names and reinstate them to our beloved Corps.”

  Anderson flicked a quick glance in Ashlyn’s direction and then nodded once.

  “You have never hesitated to do what the Corps, what Fuercon asked of you,” Okafor continued. “Colonel Shaw, I believe you should have the honor.” She handed the small box back to Ashlyn.

  “Thank you, ma’am.” She looked down at the box and then stepped forward. It didn’t surprise her when her mother stepped up next to her. Ashlyn opened the box and removed the silver bars resting inside. After handing the box to her mother, she smiled a little sadly. “I find myself in need of an XO I can trust to have my back, who can step in and command the Devil Dogs and the regiment in my absence. I need someone I know the regiment respects, someone who understands what it means to not only be a Marine but to be a Devil Dog.

  “Five years ago, I pinned these bar on the collar of a friend of ours, of our sister and of one of the best damned Marines I’ve had the honor of serving with. I know she would approve you being the next to wear them.”

  “Ma’am.” Anderson looked at her, disbelief reflected in her eyes. “I-I don’t understand.”

  “This is a time of war,” Okafor said before Ash could reply. “That means extraordinary steps are often taken to make sure the best people are in command positions. Colonel Shaw reviewed all her options and recommended we take one of those steps. Both General Shaw and myself agreed it was the perfect solution for the situation the regiment finds itself in. Captain Adamson, you are our first mustang in 7thDiv.”

  Ashlyn fought to keep from laughing as Anderson’s eyes went wide and the blood drained from her face. She knew the only thing keeping the blonde from fleeing was the same strict discipline she demanded of every Marine served with. She also knew she was going to get an earful the moment the two of them were alone.

  “General, I’m not officer material.” She shook her head, her hands gripping her crutches so tightly her knuckles turned white.

  “You are exactly that, Captain.” Okafor smiled gaily for a moment before sobering. “Captain Adamson, the Corps needs you in this role. Fuercon needs you in this role.”

  The blonde closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she straightened as much as she could while continuing to lean on her crutches. “Thank you, ma’am.” Then she turned her attention to Ashlyn. “Colonel, I will remind you what you of something you once told me: it isn’t nice to spring surprises like this on someone fresh out of medical.” Balancing on her good leg, she reached up and touched the silver bars on her collar. “Lucinda’s?” she asked softly.

  “Yes.” Before she could protest, Ashly continued. “I asked her parents for them, explaining who I’d be pinning them on. “They said to tell you she’d be proud of you and that it was only right that you wore the same bars I pinned on their daughter, bars my mother pinned on me.”

  Adamson swallowed hard and braced to attention. “I’ll wear them proudly – even if I haven’t a clue what I’m supposed to do now or why you tagged me for this.” She smiled and shook her head. “Me, an officer.”

  “Master Gunnery Sergeant Talbot,” Okafor said before anyone else could speak.

  Ashlyn couldn’t hold back her laugh as the man looked at the general as if he were facing a firing squad. He took a giant step back, mimicking the old adage of never being the one to volunteer until you knew what you were being asked to do.

  “Stand easy, Master Guns.” Okafor chuckled gaily and waited until she returned to his place next to the new captain. “You are now the senior NCO for the regiment. I expect you to do everything you can to assist Captain Adamson as well as your colonel.”

  “Gladly, ma’am.” The relief in his voice almost set Ashlyn to laughing again. Even Adamson laughed softly.

  “Corporal Connery, step forward,” Elizabeth ordered.

  Surprised because neither her mother nor Okafor had said anything about Connery beforehand, Ashlyn glanced at the brigadier general. Her expression carefully neutral, the only indication Elizabeth gave that everything was all right was a slow wink in her daughter’s direction. Then, as Connery obeyed her order, Elizabeth turned her attention to the young woman.

  “Corporal, what are your goals in the Corps?” she asked.

  “I plan on making it my career, ma’am.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “If you could emulate anyone in the Corps, who would it be?”

  Connery didn’t answer right away. When she flicked a glance at Ashlyn, all Ash could do was give a slight shrug. She had no idea what her mother was up to.

  “Ma’am, I come from a long line of Marines. Each of them chose to enlist rather than go the officer track. The reasons vary but it always came down to one thing: they wanted to be on the front lines, doing everything they could to protect Fuercon and her allies. That is why I enlisted. It is why I did ev
erything possible to qualify for SpecOps and to earn my place with the Devil Dogs. If I had to pick one person, and not family, I’d have to choose Sergeant Major – sorry, Captain Adamson. I heard about her before I arrived at Basic. Every good senior NCO I’ve served with save Master Gunnery Sergeant Talbot came up through the ranks under her. She has the respect of every Marine and, to be honest, she scares the hell out of most of them as well.”

  Elizabeth threw her head back and laughed. A moment later, she sobered and, with a nod from Okafor, reached into her pocket. “Well said, Connery.” Now she looked at Ashlyn. “Colonel Shaw, you are regimental commander and you are in need of a lieutenant to act as your aide. Would Lieutenant Connery be acceptable?”

  For a moment, Ash stared at her mother, not sure she heard right. Then a slow smile spread across her face. “Lieutenant Connery would be very acceptable, ma’am.”

  “Buck up, LT,” Talbot said before Connery could protest. “I’ve a lot of experience handling wet behind the ears lieutenants. Don’t I, Colonel?”

  “You most certainly do, Master Guns,” Ashlyn said and watched as her mother pinned lieutenant bars onto Connery’s uniform.

  “Captain Adamson,” Ash said as her mother shook Connery’s hand before stepping back. “I asked you earlier to find another call sign for the new LT, something that fit her role in the regiment better.”

  Adamson took a firm grip on her crutches and carefully stepped forward and then turned, placing herself to Ashlyn’s right. “Lieutenant Connery, your new call sign is Artemis.”

  “Protector and hunter,” Ash commented, liking the choice. “Is that suitable, LT?”

  “Y-yes, ma’am.”

  “Excellent. Everyone, find a seat,” Okafor said as she returned to her desk. “We have a great deal to discuss, starting with the news that most of 7thDiv, including the 10thReg, will be shipping out next week as part of a joint force that will be delivering a message to the Callusian home system. . ..”