"This brings us to my plan. I have studied your file, Colonel Selina. You're dedicated, principled, honest, and experienced. In short, you are what the book tells us we should all be. On top of all that, you are a SUB.
"Let me read to you the first line from your promotion orders, I know you are familiar with these words:
'The President of The United States has reposed special trust and confidence, in the patriotism, valor and fidelity in the abilities of Kathrin Christine Selina.'
"Lieutenant Colonel Selina, I, too, am reposing confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities.
"Take a close look at Colonel Fisher and me. We have both been here most of New Roanoke's life. We are both alte hasen, old rabbits. I'm sixty-five, and Fisher, there, is fifty-one. Additionally, he is suffering with an inoperable cancer."
Kathy shot him a fast, hard look. "I'm sorry," she said.
"The point is, Colonel," the general went on, "neither of us is going to live forever. I had asked for a qualified officer, specifically a SUB, to replace me."
Kathy's jaw became slack.
"Communications through the DSN, the Deep Space Network," the general continued, "round trip, takes about four Earth years. I sent the request for a qualified SUB officer, over a scrambled channel, several years ago. I thought you were the answer to my request. I thought your orders would be to relieve me. Seeing they are not, we'll wait and hopefully we'll hear something in the not-too-distant future.
"However, in the event of my death…or disappearance, you will take over immediately. I have had those orders already cut. Colonel Fisher will do all he can to assist you, and of course, once you're the commander, I expect you will surround yourself with the best people. I of course think my current staff to be top notch, but once you command—"
Kathy blinked several times and asked, "Sir…have you reason to fear for your life?"
The general coyly shot his XO a glance, then continued. "Lieutenant Colonel Selina, if you don't hit the ground running here, you are not going to survive. My read of your record is that you have never stopped running, nor do I expect you will here.
"I want you to read up on the situation from our handwritten, classified files. Get with the lab coats; they have a great deal of information about the indigenous peoples that they haven't put on line, and for the same reason we haven't. We have a plan to head off a war, and establish peace with the Indigs. It's risky, and we are proceeding against IIEA directives. You will be in command of the task force, but the responsibility for the mission remains mine.
"I am playing a dangerous game that could see us imprisoned if we're not killed by the mercs or by the locals. If you want out, say so now. If you are thinking of informing the IIEA—"
"Stop right there, General." Kathy held up a hand. "You can count me in. On our new world, we shouldn't start with the same problems of greed and corruption that hindered us on the old one."
"Outstanding." The general smiled. "Welcome to our little conspiracy, Colonel. Go get started on those files, and then I have a little recon mission for you."
"Yes, sir."
○O○
Master Sergeant Chuck Alistair had awakened from cryostasis feeling terrible. He had gotten to a vacuum regurgitation station just in time. He did not want to look at whatever it was they had pumped into his stomach over six years ago. It smelled bad enough. A nurse gave him some grape juice-flavored stuff to drink that both settled his stomach and got that taste out of his mouth.
He spent a couple of hours right there in his cell being attended by a nurse as those few passengers who were lucky enough to have enjoyed a quick recovery from deep space travel disembarked. Once the nurse deemed him fit, he was released for the flight down to the surface. A journey for which his poor stomach was not prepared.
He endured a reception as Kathy and Dave had, then he was assigned his billet and given directions to the dining facility. He wasn't the least bit hungry. In fact, he felt as if he'd never be hungry again.
He had been advised to get some sleep, but he'd been asleep for almost seven years. He decided to take a look around.
From his billet, a tram took him to a part of New Roanoke that was, in fact, a gargantuan shopping mall. He saw stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, theaters, swimming pools, and spas, everything that made modern life enjoyable back home. So, despite being billions of miles away on an alien world, he felt as if he'd never left home. Frankly, he was disappointed. The word 'colony' conjured up visions of people living close to the soil, farming, and hunting, chopping wood for the winter, and reading books made of paper by a candle's light.
Just then, he passed a club called the Deep Woods. Outside was a holographic projection of a scantily clad young woman gyrating to some horrid modern music. Chuck stopped and just shook his head. Was this a new beginning? Or were they just transplanting themselves way out here? Then it dawned on him, no one ever said they were starting over.
Glancing away, he watched a woman walk across the corridor, seemingly talking to herself. Of course, she was talking over her COMde through the chip in her temple. "COMde?" Chuck declared aloud then hailed a tram and was soon back at his barracks building bolting up the stairs as the elevator was too slow getting down to him. He burst into his billet, and headed to the chest of drawers. In the third drawer, he found his brand new, colony issued COMde. He ripped open the box and pulled the device out. He wet and inserted the special contact lens, turned it on, synced the device to the subepidermal chip at his temple, and as it booted up, the contact lens displayed a message that read, "Charge at least one hour before use." Regardless, he called up the directory and asked for Selina, Kathy. Her code appeared and he initiated the communication.
A female voice on the other end said, "Lieutenant Colonel Selina."
"Lieutenant Colonel?"
"Who is this?"
"Oh, ma'am, this is Chuck, Master Sergeant Alistair. I'm sorry to bother you, but—" his COMde beeped indicating a power failure, "meet me at the, ah…Deep Woods—" His COMde went dead. He attached it to the recharge station on the wall and bolted back out the door.
As he sat aboard the tram, headed back to the mall area, he chastised himself. The Deep Woods? What the hell was I thinking? That place is a virtual strip club! He knew why he'd called that place out; it was the one place he remembered.
Fortunately, he arrived first. He waited outside for her to arrive; his plan was to lead her immediately away from the joint. This is exactly what he did as she showed up. He saluted and then took her by the arm and started quickly walking away.
"Wait a minute there, Sergeant. I thought we were meeting in there?"
"Ma'am, I'm happy to buy you a drink anyplace but here."
"Well, you recommended this place; I thought maybe you were a regular here?"
"Ma'am?"
Kathy laughed. "I'm kidding with you, Chuck. How are you, how was the trip?"
Chuck took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "It was as if I'd only blinked my eyes. Which was fine, but when I was awakened, which was itself a struggle, I was sick as a dog. But the question is…when did you make Lieutenant Colonel?"
"Apparently, three years ago. The back pay was great. So, where are you assigned, what are you doing?"
"I got the welcome speech and billets, then was told to get some sleep. Can you imagine? Get some sleep!"
"Where have you been assigned?"
"I'm as yet unassigned, ma'am."
○O○
Kathy remembered the words of Colonel Amar: I suggest you identify people you can trust and keep them close.
"Unassigned?" Kathy asked. "What's your ID number?"
"Ah…Echo 73465."
"Wait one." She contacted Indra over Ismay. "I want Master Sergeant Chuck Alistair, Echo 73465, assigned to my operational control."
"In what capacity, ma'am?" Indra asked.
"That is yet to be determined."
"Lieutenant Colonel Selina, current personnel a
ssignments—"
"Indra, I did not contact you for a debate. Alter the G-1 now. If there is a problem I will be happy to speak with the general, Mr. Wilmington, or both."
"The personnel assignment has been adjusted, ma'am."
"Thank you."
For Chuck's benefit Kathy had spoken aloud to Indra. She turned her attention now back to Chuck. "There, you are assigned to me as of right now."
"Ah, well, thank you ma'am. Just what have I gotten myself into?"
"Don't worry Chuck, it'll be all right. We'll talk later."
○O○
That night, after receiving the OPORD for the patrol the general had mentioned, Kathy sat looking at the personnel roster of all the SUBs in New Roanoke. It was displayed on her mental monitor. She had pilots, drivers, SUB Medics, engineers, and scientists. It was a nice cross-section of military specialties. Of course, all were qualified infantrymen, most with combat experience in Oceania.
She made her selections for the upcoming mission. She decided to keep it small. She divided her contingent into three squads and a HQ section, a total of about forty personnel. She selected five bio members of the CDF to remain inside New Roanoke and assist with communications and to relay telemetry from satellite and ground sensors. Some of the remaining SUBs were to act as the security element for this inside team.
As this was a clandestine mission, Kathy decided to go on foot.
She selected her weapons and equipment, then coordinated with the general to ensure her tactical plan jived with the general's strategic vision.
That done, she called every SUB with the rank Sergeant E-5 and up to a meeting in the silenced conference room in the Command Group section. Here, she would make her leadership appointments.
Chapter 7
Into the Wild Blue
Kathy looked around the conference room at her assembled leaders. The general had put her in command of all the SUBs. There were, however, several exceptions. Among them, the SUBs assigned to science sections, all the SUBs on the general’s staff, and all SUBs in positions considered critical. As a result, she was the only officer in the room. She contacted Lieutenant Colonel Fisher over her COMde.
"Hello, Kathy," Fisher said. "What can I do for you?"
"Steve, I have no officers—"
"Listen, Kathy, we knew you'd—"
"Steve, I did not call to complain. I've called to inform you that I am going to promote several of these NCOs to officers on the spot."
"Kathy, only the DoD can—"
"Nope, you will treat these as battlefield promotions. I'll send you the names and ranks on hard copy for reasons of security. Steve, this is not negotiable."
There was a moment's pause then Lieutenant Colonel Fisher asked, "Anything else you need, Kathy?"
"I'll let you know."
Kathy spoke over her COMde rather than over Ismay, again for reasons of security. She turned to the assembled soldiers. She noticed Dave at the table, but did not see Mitch and Cassie.
She started by reminding everyone that this meeting was classified, then she informed them of the unit she was forming constituted entirely of SUBs. She told them of the massing of an indigenous army and the possibility of war. She also told them of what appeared to be an illegal smuggling operation that was probably the root of this threat to the colony.
She appointed her officers; Lieutenants, Captains, and as her XO, she promoted the most senior NCO, Master Sergeant David Mitchel, to the rank of Major.
After the meeting, Major Mitchel approached her and said, "Well…ah…thank you, ma'am. I think."
"Dave, you can call me Kathy now that you're a major. As long as we're out of earshot of the lower ranks."
"Thank you…Kathy. I like that. Very much." His face looked pleased, but restrained. She noticed his eyes looking at her as if seeing her for the first time.
○O○
Kathy and Dave were poring over their plans for the recon and examining an old-fashioned printed map of the terrain when Kathy was informed that, per her instruction, Doctor Bristol had been brought to her.
Kathy went into the waiting room where sat a very unhappy Doctor Bristol. Her arms were folded, and her eyes were daggers. She was flanked by two large MPs.
Kathy approached and extended her hand. "Hello, Doctor Bristol, I'm Lieutenant Colonel Kathy Selina."
The doctor did not stand or accept Kathy's hand. "This is outrageous! How dare you kidnap me and drag me here! I am going to file a complaint against you to—"
"Doctor, shut up." Kathy ordered, then bent over close to Doctor Bristol and whispered, "Stand up, and follow me."
Doctor Bristol knew there was only one reason to whisper. The two women went into the conference room. Kathy closed the door, and activated the sound dampeners.
"Sit down, Doctor. I apologize for all the drama, but it's necessary we speak in private. Before you point them all out to me, I am aware there are other methods and locations, but this method promotes the idea that the scientific community and the CDF don't get along."
"We don't get along."
"I am hoping to cure that with this meeting. You are highly respected among your peers here, so if I can win you over, I believe you can convince the rest of your colleagues of my sincerity. I've been studying the history of our colony and what becomes obvious to a military mind is the division being promoted—yes, I said promoted—by the IIEA. Something nefarious is going on here, and I believe the IIEA, or elements within the IIEA, are behind it. We must unite to fight whatever this is or else we must surrender to the IIEA, and that means war with the indigenous population, but I think you know that."
Doctor Bristol had sat quietly and listened. Her demeanor softened as Kathy spoke.
"Well," the doctor said, "I feel I must pay attention to anyone who uses the word nefarious. Convince me that the CDF are not in league with the IIEA. We'll move on from there."
Kathy detailed her meeting with the general. She explained his concerns and rationale for distrusting the lab coats.
The doctor leaned forward and spoke softly, "It seems this clinic is the source of the general's distrust of us. Let me assure you, Colonel, the clinic is not a function of either the medical department or the science department."
"Doctor, our records at the CDF indicate that a special medical detachment of the science department is in charge out there. Our records show that all the supplies are requisitioned through the science department."
"Interesting. We are in possession of files that prove that the clinic is a CDF med branch function—exclusively."
"That's not true, Doctor."
"Neither is it true that this clinic is ours. Let us assume mutual trust for just a moment, Colonel. This awakening to the existence of conflicting information can only mean one thing; we are both being lied to by the IIEA."
"That is my conclusion, as well, and the reason for this meeting. Doctor, I believe you and I have just experienced a Paradigm shift. I feel safe in trusting you. What do you say?"
"I have distrusted the military all my life. And in the years I've been here, that distrust has only been compounded. I'll tell you what I'm prepared to do…I'll extend my trust to you, and give the CDF the benefit of the doubt." Kathy nodded and extended her hand. The doctor accepted it.
As this exchange took place, Kathy reviewed her roster of SUBs again.
"Doctor, you have two SUBs assigned to you, Staff Sergeant Mitch O'Connell and his wife, Sergeant First Class Cassie O'Connell.
"You mean Doctors Mitch and Cassie O'Connell. Yes, they are two of my xenoanthropologists."
"Doctors?" Kathy asked.
"I have so deemed them, based on their education and obvious intelligence."
"Am I to understand they are now experts on the indigenous people?"
"Since when did the CDF start referring to the Umarraw as people?"
"Doctor, you may be more thorough in your study of the locals, but we have intelligence gathering resources as well. My read o
f those reports do not reveal animals to me, but a highly sophisticated society. As such, they are a people capable of organizing and executing a war against us, and they exist in sufficient numbers to destroy this colony. We can't fight them off forever, so we had better make peace with them. Given that is even possible, at this point in time. I worry that they might see us as demons and are bound by some religious belief to destroy us.
"There are some in the CDF, however, that believe the Indigs are a party to whatever the IIEA is up to. Either of those scenarios means my mission is doomed from the start. Regardless, I need one of the O'Connells on my mission."
"Colonel, if I've learned nothing about SUBs I've learned this, you people are terrible at hiding your passions. Your passion, Colonel, is to accomplish your mission. But, for the O'Connells, it's their love for one another. They will not be separated. You'll have to accept both."
"Okay, Doctor. And thank you."
"Colonel, our new relationship is untested, and you know how we lab coats love to test things, but as you see, I for one, am ready to make a leap of faith. I wish you all the luck, Colonel. If you fail, it means the death of all the human beings on this planet, and a very large number of the Umarraw."
"Doctor, such an outcome would be highly unacceptable. I have no intention of failing."
"I can tell you this: The indigenous people will literally fight us to the last of their race if it comes to war. They tell stories of the last invasion by aliens and how their race was all but extinguished in the fight. You see, Colonel, there were once close to six billion Umarraw on this planet."
○O○
A week later, all preparations were completed. Kathy had decided to depart on a night when neither of Antyllus's two small moons was visible in the sky. The night would have to be overcast as well, because the other of the two stars in this binary set was in just the right position to add considerable light to the night.
They knew that Indra was watching the compound, but hoped that his primary attention would be focused beyond the fence and not within it.
The members of the patrol took to calling themselves Selina's Subversives, or just Sel's SUBs for short. They exited New Roanoke through a small maintenance airlock. Before long, all forty soldiers were outside, adjusting their vision to the incredibly bright security lights that flooded the compound.
The Vampires of Antyllus Page 10
