Duty from Ashes

by Sam Schal

  “I can’t!”

  “You can or you die. It’s that simple,” she countered coldly. Then, before Kasun could say anything else, she turned her attention to the second prisoner and an unholy delight appeared in her eyes.

  “This one?” she asked Talbot, her voice dripping with cold contempt.

  “Name’s Peltier, Ma’am. The security chief,” the Marine replied with disdain.

  “How appropriate that we have the two of them,” she mused, a sardonic smile touching her lips. “Let me make it easier for the two of you to come to the right decisions. The corporal here – ” She waved her hand and Ryan Donnelly stepped forward. – “has a very personal matter he’d like to discuss with you. But he’s a Marine. He’ll hold back if ordered,” Ash continued coldly. “What he would dearly love is to take apart, piece by piece, anyone who’s hurt his brother and I have a feeling he wouldn’t mind one bit starting with the two of you. Isn’t that correct, Corporal?”

  “It is, Ma’am,” Donnelly growled, pinning the two with the hard, hot gaze of pure hatred.

  “Now, he’s been told he can’t do as he wants. However, I have no compunction about reversing that order.” Ashlyn’s voice was almost casual now and all the more fearsome because of it. “But before I ask for your assistance again, let me tell you something else that might help you make up your minds.

  “Every Marine present, every Marine who has taken part in this mission, has one order. We are to take back the system. If some of us die to do so, that’s part of being a Devil Dog. That means we will do whatever it takes – whatever – to accomplish the mission and return home with our people.

  “So, Occupational Governor Kasun, what will it be? Are you going to answer my questions or do I turn you over to Corporal Donnelly and his friends?”

  The resulting babble from both of the prisoners came even quicker than Ashlyn had dared hope.

  * * *

  “Sir, we just received confirmation from Captain Monroe that Gamma Company has secured the port. Beta Company is now moving on to the outer defense complex. Enemy resistance has been minimal, all things considered,” Captain Jareau reported, satisfaction clear in her voice.

  “Excellent, Jules.”

  Collins forced himself to relax. The news was good. Hopefully, once they had the chance to examine the data banks and other records, they would have a better idea about what the Callusian battle plan might be. He would welcome anything FleetCom could use to bring this latest war to a quick and decisive end.

  But none of that eased his concern over what was happening at the administration complex. The fighting there had been much more intense than elsewhere. He hadn’t factored in the knowledge that the Blood repaid failure or defeat with death and not just the deaths of those directly involved. No, whole families would be killed unless the evidence showed their loved ones died a “righteous” death fighting the enemy.

  At least the injuries to the Devil Dogs hadn’t been serious – so far. There really was something to be said for superior training and equipment. But that didn’t make those injuries any easier to accept.

  Worse, they had yet to reach the POWs. At least the visual feeds no longer showed the prisoners fighting the guards. But the way they appeared to be bunkering down didn’t particularly reassure him either. He couldn’t tell who was in charge of the prisoners any more than he knew if any of the Tarrant’s crew still lived.

  Damn but he wanted to be dirt-side!

  “Sir.” Captain Jareau’s voice interrupted his reverie. “Captain Monroe requests that we send some computer techs as well as a spook or two down. She seems to think there is more to the data they are recovering than appears at first glance.”

  Maybe they were about to get lucky after all. “I believe Commander Hickson has a team standing by to begin a complete download of the data banks. Get them on their way. Then let Captain Monroe know.”

  “Aye, sir.”

  “Ben, get me Colonel Shaw on the comm.”

  “Aye, Sir,” Lt. Commander Levy replied. “You have an open channel to the Colonel, Sir,” he reported a few moments later and Collins nodded his appreciation.

  “Angel, talk to me,” he said simply.

  “Sir, we have secured the administrative buildings. I thought you might like to know that we have the so-called occupational governor and security chief among our prisoners,” Ashlyn reported. She paused and Collins heard the tell-tale murmur of someone reporting to her. “Admiral, we will be moving on to secure the outer area where the prisoners are next. There is one problem, the main gate leading to the area where they are has been barricaded on both sides,”

  Collins nodded to Levy and waited. A moment later, the holo screen image shifted and split. One half continued to display the system, pinpointing where all their ships were. The other showed what Collins assumed was the gate Ashlyn referred to. Machinery, furniture and debris had been piled high before the heavy gates.

  “Ashlyn.” Now that he knew her position was secure, he switched away from her call sign. “I want that compound secured ASAP. Use one of the shuttle’s tractor beams to move what you can’t by hand,” he ordered firmly.

  “Ash, we can’t go in with guns blazing. These are our allies and they’ve been terrorized enough. Put your head together with your people and decide the best way to proceed. But hurry.”

  “Leave it to us. Shaw clear.”

  Breathing deeply, Collins leaned back and closed his eyes. This had to be the most nerve-wracking mission he had ever been on.

  * * *

  “You heard the Admiral. Any ideas?” Ashlyn asked as she turned to Talbot and several others.

  For a long moment, no one spoke. Instead, they looked at the debris piled before the gate. Already every Marine not on prisoner watch or sentry duty was tearing into it, tossing aside what they could. But it wouldn’t be enough and it certainly wasn’t quick enough.

  Not by a long shot.

  “Angel, I think he had the right idea but we can do better. Use two of the shuttles you’ve kept in the air. Their tractors should make short work of all that.” Talbot waved his hand at the pile.

  “As for the rest of it, I recommend Corporal Donnelly and Captain Nichols go in first once we’ve cleared the gate. You can send a squad in with them.”

  “Agreed, but with a couple of modifications. First, I’m going in with them. The POWs need to see a figurehead and, like it or not, that’s me. Second, we go in with weapons holstered.”

  “Angel!’ Talbot looked at her as if she had sprouted horns or another head. “No way. We don’t know what the situation beyond that wall is.”

  “The shuttles will be covering us,” she reminded him. “But the Admiral’s right. We have to do whatever we can to reassure those poor bastards inside. Going in with guns drawn and in full battle armor won’t do that.”

  For a moment Talbot looked like he was going to argue. Then he nodded once, decisively. Relieved, Ash gave him a quick smile. “Now let’s get to work.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “SIR, IT SOUNDS like they’re working on the barricade outside the gate,” a grizzled man reported as he slid to a halt before him.

  For a moment, Joss studied him, trying to recall his name. But he couldn’t. Kasun and his goons had done their best to keep him segregated from most of the other POWs.

  That was why he had been so surprised when so many of the POWs had been willing to follow his lead. They didn’t know him. Nor did they know the other survivors from the Tarrant. But they had willingly listened to what he had to say and they had been willing to make a stand against the guards. Was it possible that they might actually manage to hold out long enough for help to get to them?

  In fact, there had only been one point of contention among the POWs. Joss had insisted that any Callusians the POWs came across not be killed out of hand. If they resisted or tried to harm a prisoner, they deserved whatever they got. But if they surrendered, they were to be secured and stripped but not
hing more. Some of the POWs had protested, wanting the opportunity to give the guards a taste of what they had been forced to endure. But Joss had stood firm, reminding them that they were not like the Callusians. They were not animals. They would do this his way or they could join those waiting out the fight in the shadows of the building.

  Now Joss and the other survivors from the Tarrant, those still on their feet, wore the captured gun-belts. He had even, over the objections of O’Donnell and Levitson, armed some of the other POWs, reminding the two that they were all in this together.

  “Thank you.” He paused, looking at the man in the hope he would supply his name.

  “Greeley, Sir. Sergeant Jonathan Greeley. I was part of the Marine contingent assigned to the Fuerconese embassy before the invasion,” he said.

  “Are there any others from your billet, Sergeant?”

  “Yes, Sir. Right now they are seeing to the injured.”

  “Very good, Sergeant. Hopefully, we’re about to get out of here. In the meantime, I’d like you to help set up our defenses. We still don’t know who’s out there or what’s going on.”

  “Understood, LT. With your permission?”

  “Go,” he said simply before turning to O’Donnell. “Any word from the medics?”

  Medics!

  That was a laugh. So far they had found only three POWs with any real medical training and that training had, sadly, been long ago. But that was better than nothing. He had to remember that.

  “We’ve lost two civilians from their injuries,” the blonde reported grimly. “As for our people, most are walking wounded. Bo and Sharra are both unconscious, which is probably for the best. The medics don’t have anything to give them for the pain.”

  “I know.”

  He ran a hand over his face, wincing in pain as he rubbed against the cut over his right eye. Now that all they could do was sit and wait, every injury he had suffered since the guards first came for him that morning seemed to scream in pain. Only determination kept him on his feet and he knew that if something didn’t happen soon he would have to get some rest. But he couldn’t. Not yet at any rate. Not until he knew for sure what was going on.

  “Ellen, we can’t sit here forever.” He turned and moved away from listening ears. “We’re going to have to make a move if something doesn’t happen soon. If we don’t, we run the risk of losing more of the injured.”

  “Aye,” the blonde said grimly. They had watched one of their own die a slow, horrible death at Kasun’s hands just so the governor could show them how helpless they were. “But you need to rest before we make our move.”

  “We all do, but I don’t think we’ll have that luxury.”

  Before he could continue, a shout from outside interrupted. Cursing softly, Joss started forward at a slow, limping run. Before he could take more than a few steps, Sergeant Greeley was there, pointing skyward. Hovering high above them was an attack shuttle. Shielding his eyes against the sun, Joss watched, unaware that he was holding his breath until his lungs began to burn. Forcing them to remember the mechanics of drawing in fresh oxygen, he waited, wondering what they were about to face.

  “This is Colonel Ashlyn Shaw, Fuerconese Marine Corps. The Devil Dogs, as part of a taskforce sent by FleetCom, has taken control of the capital. The invaders have either been captured or killed. The area is secure and we want to make entrance into the compound. However, we will not do so until you are ready. Shaw clear.”

  For a moment, Joss stared at the shuttle in disbelief. Relief filled him to know help had finally arrived. But then there were the doubts. Could he really trust a disembodied voice to be what it said it was?

  What if this was another of Kasun’s tricks? If it was, the moment he allowed these so-called Marines into the compound, he would sign everyone’s death warrants. Even so, did he dare not risk it? They couldn’t hold out forever. Didn’t he have to take the chance?

  It all came down to one thing: did he trust his gut or not?

  “LT?” O’Donnell prompted softly, her own disbelief clearly written on her face.

  “We have to risk it,” he said. “I want you, Gunny and Karin to make sure everyone holds position. We’ll let them come in but not without keeping our eyes and ears open. If this is a trap, they’ll pay for it.”

  “Right away.” O’Donnell flashed a quick salute and then took off, calling to their fellow crewmembers as she did.

  “Sergeant Greeley!” he called. He waited until the Marine slid to a stop in front of him. “Is there anyone you can vouch for who can hold military discipline?” he asked.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good. Take them and set up a defense in front of the injured. I don’t want anyone but our people getting to them without my permission.”

  The man gave a quick nod and then ran off to do as Joss said. Satisfied, Joss once more turned his attention to the shuttle high above his head. Now all he had to do was figure out how to let them know they had permission to enter. Unlike the shuttle, he didn’t have any communication equipment. But he did have the barricade on this side of the gate. The shuttle would be able to pick up on their activity if they started tearing it down. That ought to be enough to let them know that they had their invitation.

  “Lt. O’Donnell!” he yelled as he started across the compound in the direction of the gate. “I want a work crew to start breaking down the barricade. Let’s give them the invitation they asked for.”

  * * *

  “There it is, Ma’am!”

  Corporal O’Donnell’s relief mixed with excitement and apprehension as the image transmitted from the shuttle showed the first POWs beginning to tear down their barricade. At his side, Ashlyn nodded slightly. She would never admit it but she had worried they wouldn’t believe help had finally arrived. If they hadn’t, there would have been no other choice but to force their way in. But this was much better. So very much better.

  “Yep, kid. So far so good.”

  But what would they find beyond the gates? The images from the shuttle were too far away for them to pick out individual features. All she could tell was that some of the POWs, all too few of them, wore what looked like Fuerconese naval uniforms.

  Worse, what if they managed to get inside the compound only to learn their people had already been moved off planet?

  She couldn’t worry about that now. First things first. Clear the barricade on their side of the gate. Then get inside and get the injured medical treatment. Once that was done, she could begin the process of learning who from the Tarrant had survived the attack. She knew first-hand that the survivors would need to be debriefed, but only after she made sure they understood they were about to go home.

  “All right, Corporal. Let’s get our people ready. I want everyone in place and ready to move as soon as that barricade is down.”

  “Understood, Ma’am.”

  Eagerly, the young man raced off to spread the word. God help them all if, after all this, he discovered that his brother wasn’t among the POWs.

  * * *

  “That’s it,” O’Donnell commented from Joss’s side as the last of the debris comprising the barricade was hauled away.

  “Everyone, take your positions!” Joss ordered in return, face grim as he refused to let himself hope. Not yet. “Hold your positions until I say different. I’m hoping this is exactly what it looks like but I don’t want anyone taking unnecessary chances.”

  As he spoke, he realized that those from the Tarrant who were still ambulatory were quickly, silently taking up protective positions around him. How easily they fell back onto military protocol. Nothing Kasun had done to them had stripped that dedication and sense of duty from them. Now he prayed he wasn’t leading them into another trap.

  Slowly, agonizingly slowly, the gate began moving. Joss’s hand found the pulsar at his hip and his fingers curled around the grip. If this was a trick of some sort, he would die before returning to Kasun’s tender mercies. He would not be a prisoner again.

&
nbsp; “You’re to stay behind us, Joss,” O’Donnell said softly, firmly without taking her eyes from the gate. “I promised Sharra I’d protect you and I’m not about to break that promise.”

  “You may have to,” was all he said.

  After what seemed an eternity, the gates finally opened. At first nothing happened. Even so, the evidence of the firefight that had taken place outside the walls was there for all to see. Vehicles looked like they had been picked up and tossed about by giants. Scorch marks covered the buildings beyond. Windows had shattered, covering the area with shards of neo-glass. Someone or something had taken a definite dislike to Kasun and his crew and that alone made them worth listening to.

  Then, moving slowly into the breach left when the gate opened, came a squad of Marines. Joss watched warily as they neared. All wore the midnight black armor of the Fuerconese Marine Corps. If that wasn’t enough to reassure him, the sight of the Devil Dog insignia each of the Marines wore was. Not even the Callusians would dare take up the Devil Dog’s markings and not fear reprisal.

  Still, he held everyone where they were and watched as the Marines continued to slowly approach. None of them wore battle helmets. More surprising, their weapons were holstered or slung across their backs. Only those sporting the markings of medical personnel carried anything in their hands and they carried multiple medical kits.

  Without a word, Joss pushed through his pack of guard dogs. As he did, O’Donnell hissed a warning. Joss merely lifted a hand, signaling for her to hold her post. If anyone was going to risk himself by meeting these newcomers it would be him. Besides, if this was a trap, Joss planned on taking as many of them with him as he could before they took him down.

  “Lieutenant Donnelly, Taskforce 119 and FirstBatt are now on station,” a woman said as she stepped forward and snapped to attention. “We may be late, LT, but we are here and I promise you, those bastards responsible for destroying the Tarrant and invading the system will pay.”