by T. C. Edge
The room falls quiet. We all know, now, how Master Prost died, how Perses was forced to kill him when he lost control, and began burning innocent people alive. I don't suspect Elian and Perses have spent much time together. It seems something that may never be fully discussed and resolved, swept under the rug and forgiven, if not forgotten.
"Well, right then," Burns says, ending the brief quiet. "You wanted to speak to me, Alberta?"
As grandma briefly begins explaining to Burns what happened to us, telling him of her work with the Liberation League, and the gathering of the Fringers in Hunter's Station, I turn to Elian with a quiet question of my own.
"What are you doing up here?" I whisper to him. "There's no guard at the door. Are you not under watch anymore?"
He shakes his head. "I'm doing what you told me, Amber," he says. "I'm opening up, and trying to help. Leyton has been good to me these last couple of days. I think he's beginning to trust me more."
"And his trust is pure," I say. "He can read your mind, Elian. If he trusts you, it's because he's seeing no duplicity in you. That's a good thing. The trust of a telepath is more real than the trust of anyone else."
"I...I guess so," he says. "I never thought of it like that."
"Because you're not as smart as me," I say, grinning at him. "I'm happy for you, Elian. I don't suppose you have your powers back yet though?"
"Not yet, but maybe soon I will. It might end up being after the war is won, though. I don't expect to participate beyond any advisory capacity."
"No, probably not," I say. "You wouldn't want to anyway, would you. Kill Olympian soldiers?"
"Not really," he says. He frowns at me. "You?"
"I'm...wavering," I say. "I've seen some things that forced me to react. It's got to the point where I've got to choose between killing Olympian soldiers and defending the people of the Fringe. Frankly, that's not really a choice at all."
"It's not," Elian agrees. "I'd find myself doing the same thing in your position. Hell, maybe even in mine."
"Well, helpfully you won't have to make such a choice," I say.
"And your powers?" he asks. "How is it fighting without me? Do you feel weaker now?"
I frown, thinking, shaking my head. "No," I whisper, "I don't. I...I thought I would, but I feel stronger than I ever did fighting on my own. I thinking training with you, and fighting with you, has made me better. It's as though the things I didn't have - your endurance, your focus and control - I...I kinda do now."
"Well," he whispers, "that's good. It's good that you don't need me. I remember you were worried that fighting together would make us weaker if we ever had to fight apart."
I nod. It was a legitimate concern I had, though appears to have gone the other way. But then, there's more to it as well. I feel as though, ever since the Prime's controls were taken away, I have full control of the fire, the beast within. It is just me and the flame now. No interference. No external controls.
And to be honest, though I enjoyed training with Elian, and growing close to him during that time, I prefer it like this. I prefer my independence. It's a personal connection I have with my powers that shouldn't ever be interfered with by anyone else.
I turn my attention back to the main conversation, listening in as grandma completes her short recount of recent events.
"There are thousands now gathering in Hunter's Station," she's saying. "People from all over the Fringe. It's just the start, Leyton. They will protect themselves as best they can, but I'd appreciate some additional support if possible."
Burns nods, thinking. "I suppose we could send a few men there to keep watch," he says. "I'd be happy to speak with Commander Hendricks about it, ask him to assign a unit of Stalkers to the town."
"Stalkers?" I say. "Couldn't we have some Neoromans or City Guards stationed there instead. The Stalkers may only frighten the people."
"They do take some getting used to," Burns says. "I'll give you that, Amber. I suppose I'm so used to being around them that I've forgotten how intimidating they can appear."
"Stalkers will be fine," my grandmother cuts in. "They're not there to make friends with our people, but merely to help keep watch and, if it comes to it, protect them. We have a growing militia of our own, but powered individuals will always be welcome."
"And this militia?" Burns asks. "How many men do you have?"
"Currently, several hundred are armed and ready to fight," grandma says. "Hundreds will become thousands in the coming days, if we're lucky."
"Thousands?" Burns says, pursing his lips. "That is quite the force, Alberta."
"And a force that is committed, now, to this combined cause," she says. "The leaders of the League are gathering and will stand beside you, Leyton. Our priority right now is protecting the people of the Fringe as best we can. We will try to bear that burden so you can better plan and see through your siege."
"Excellent," Burns says. "I know they are Unenhanced, but a man with a gun can still do much damage. It sounds as though you may be able to protect yourself well enough, but I'll be happy to send a few troops to support you. I'll speak to Commander Hendricks when he returns."
"Where's he gone?" I ask.
Burns looks to the window facing towards the north. "He is out on a mission with Commander Ares and some of the Neoromans," he says. "They went out to see if they could pick off a few of the Olympian troops, stop them raiding for supplies and capturing the local people. Commander Maximus and Captain Crastus are doing the same towards the northwest."
"Northwest," I say, looking at my grandmother. "That's where Herald Gailen was."
"You saw Herald Gailen?" Elian asks, eyes widening. "What happened? Did you fight?"
I shake my head. "We just spoke. He had quite a few soldiers with him, but they didn't engage." I turn back to Burns. "How many men were with Max's unit?"
"A dozen or so," Burns says. "The same with Ares and Hendricks. We've had others going out, seeing what supplies they can scrounge. We have something that may be useful for you, actually, Alberta," he says, remembering something. "We found some Olympian firearms stored in a nearby fort. A hundred good rifles at least. They'd be more useful to your militia than our own men."
"Thank you, Leyton," grandma says. "That will be most helpful. I'll take them with me when I return to Hunter's Station. If you'd just see about gathering those Stalkers for us, that would be tremendous."
"As I say, as soon as Hendricks returns," Burns says.
"And when can we expect him?"
He idly looks to the window again. "Not long, I wouldn't have thought," he says. "They left at dawn and suggested they'd return by early afternoon."
The conversation continues, as I move towards the window myself and begin looking out towards the open, rugged plains. I see nothing for a time, nothing but the endless expanse. After a while, my eyes start to lose focus, little to concentrate on as the horizon shimmers with a faint haze of heat. Elian detaches himself from the conversation and comes over to join me. His eyes spread to the distance as well.
"I didn't expect Gailen to be out there," he says. "Not so far from Olympus."
"He's the sort that needs to keep busy," I say.
"He's always seemed such a nice man, though. Strange that he'd be happy gathering up Fringers like that."
"Is it strange?" I ask, looking into his golden eyes. "After what we've seen and been through." I turn to look out again. "Nothing seems strange anymore."
Behind, the door knocks suddenly. I turn my eyes around to see Kira stepping through as Burns invites her in. Again, she draws her left leg in a minor limp. I wonder if that's why she's here, rather than out there with the others.
"Yes, Kira?" Burns says. "What is it?"
"They're on their way back, Secretary Burns," she says, speaking sharply. "I think it's Ares's unit."
I turn my eyes quickly towards the plains again, searching for them. I can't see anything other than what I have before.
"I can't see anything," I say. I turn bac
k. "How do you know?"
"Because of these," she says, gesturing to her deep, wonderfully coloured eyes. "I spotted them coming from the northern palisade. They should be back soon enough."
I look to the window again, as she steps over. I scan, but can see nothing. "There," she says, pointing with her finger. I stare down the line of it, but still...nothing.
"The flame doesn't give us better eyesight, unfortunately," my grandmother says wryly.
"Yes, thank you, grandma," I say. I continue staring for a while, and still nothing materialises. Only as the others continue to converse do I begin to spot the faintest signs of silhouettes on the distant horizon. "There," I say, Kira still patiently waiting by my side. "I see them." I look over to her. "They're nothing to me, just dots and dust trails. What can you see?"
She smiles. "A lot more than that." For a second, she fixes her gaze in the direction of the incoming jeeps, her body going deathly still, eyes unblinking. It's fascinating to watch as her eyes dilate, zooming in on their target, drawing in as much detail as possible. "Hendricks is driving the lead vehicle," she says after a moment. "Ares is beside him. They're talking. They don't look too happy."
"You can see all that?" I ask, quite amazed, as I turn to look to the distance again. "That's...unreal."
"About as unreal as a woman who can walk in lava," Kira says, finally blinking and drawing back out of the temporary trance. "We all have our special ways, Amber."
She turns to Burns again. "I'll head down and fetch them up here," she says. "There looks to be some trouble."
"No doubt they've encountered some Olympian soldiers along the way," Burns says. He nods. "Bring them up for a debrief. We'll be waiting."
And wait we do, as I stand by the stone window, watching as the vehicles slowly begin to grow in clarity as they rush toward the fort. And, well...they are rushing, coming at great speed. There seems to be something urgent going on.
Minutes later, we find out what it is.
153
The door swings open and Kira walks through, trailed immediately by Commander Ares and Commander Hendricks. They both see that my grandmother and I are present, though Ares hasn't yet met the latter. Those introductions will have to wait.
"How did it go, Ares?" Burns asks, his eyes drawn first to the great Neoroman. I wonder how insulted Hendricks is at that, seeing as he's a Havenite like Burns.
This time, though, he doesn't seem to care. There seems to be something rather more important on both of their minds.
"We made it a hundred miles north," he says, "on the trail of a few enemy patrols. We met up with one of our scouts there. He had a grave report from outside the walls of Olympus."
"What?" Burns asks. A tense blanket seems to fall upon the room.
"An army is mobilising," Ares says gravely, looking around. "The scouts you sent to the city have reported that all supplies have now been gathered behind the walls. Thousands of people from the Fringe are being brought through into the city as well. But most troublingly, a great force has gathered and is quickly heading this way." He turns his eyes around the room again. "They will be here by nightfall."
The room turns silent as we digest what he's said. "Here?" Burns says. "You're certain they're coming here?"
"We believe so," Ares says. "It is a reaction to our presence. They know our numbers are limited and are seeking to weaken us while they can."
"And their numbers?" Burns asks.
"Thousands," comes the reply. It's immediate and troubling. It comes from Hendricks. "We have heard reports of two to three thousand. They will come here and try to wipe us out, destabilise us before the main army can arrive."
"Can we not hold them off until then?" I ask, my heart beginning to thrash.
"No," Kira says. "It'll be four days at least before the army arrives. They won't be able to help us."
"We could retreat?" suggests Hendricks. "Move south and join with the main army."
"And give up our position here?" asks Kira. "We have a strong foothold now."
"A foothold that is meaningless," Hendricks says. "The Fringe is vast. We could head east or west and approach Olympus from another direction, or take up position in another fort. What does it matter if they establish themselves here?"
"It matters a great deal," Ares says, his voice resounding around the room, delivered with the command of a man who knows war as intimately as dearest family. "If they take this fort from us, and we then advance towards Olympus with the main army to begin our siege, we will be exposed at our back. Our attempts to breach the city will be far more effective if the enemy are locked behind the walls, and our flanks and rear properly secured. We need to drive them back."
"Then we will," says Hendricks. "When the main army arrives." He looks around the room. "We retreat now, and return when our full force is assembled. We will defeat them then and take the fort back if we must, forcing them to withdraw to the city."
He looks again around the room, seeking support for his plan.
"It's possible," Ares says, giving in, if only partially, "But also potentially costly. With their Forgers they could make this place a fortress. We'd lose many men trying to take it back."
"And how many will we lose if we stay?" Hendricks asks.
"No more than five hundred, I suspect," says my grandmother lightly. All eyes turn to her, standing comfortably and almost casually to one side. "That's the worst they can do, isn't it?"
Hendricks narrows his eyes on her. "Thank you for the pithy remark, Alberta," he says, "but you're not helping matters."
"Oh, on the contrary, I believe I can be very helpful," she says, swift and incisive as an expertly shot arrow. "I have more experience of these lands and armies than you do, Commander. Staying in this fort will give you the best chance of dealing damage to this incoming Olympian army. It is a place of strength, and a good base from which to attack from. It would be foolish to give it up."
Ares lifts an eye towards her. "I don't believe we have met," he says. "But I think I like you already."
"And I like you, Ares," my grandmother responds. "You may not know me, but my granddaughter has told me all about you." She looks Ares up and down. "And she's right. You could quite easily be Perses's brother."
"A brother in spirit," Ares says.
"And fortitude," my grandmother adds. "I hear you're about as formidable as one another."
"Yes," says Burns. "They're very evenly matched." He looks to the window. "We could certainly do with his help now. Whatever we choose to do, we'll need everyone we can get."
"That won't be easy," I say. "He's still committed to remaining a non-combatant."
"Perhaps you could change that, Amber," Burns says. "I'll have you speak with him if you don't mind. You may be able to convince him."
I nod, though imagine I'm in for an impossible task. "I'll...see what I can do," I say.
"And Commander Maximus?" asks Ares. "Has his unit returned yet?"
"Not yet," Kira says. She steps to the window and guides those eyes of hers out. A moment later she turns back. And shakes her head.
"He'll be back soon, I'm sure," Burns goes on. "In the meantime, it would be wise for us to fortify the walls as much as we possibly can in the coming hours. We will need every hand on deck helping." He looks to Elian. "Might they have siege weapons with them?" he asks.
Elian looks a little cowed within the group. He's a man of great confidence, or was at least. His confidence has clearly been shaken by recent events.
"I...possibly," he says. "If they're coming to siege the fort, then yes, I imagine."
Burns nods, then looks to Kira. "Kira, would you please go and bring Perses here. We need his council."
She nods and disappears off, moving at speed. Her left leg can't be too bad if she can still move like that.
"What about you, Alberta?" Burns asks. "You are from Olympus. What do you imagine their strategy might be?"
She muses on the question a second before giving her answer.
It's well measured, and authoritatively delivered, as always. "I haven't been an Olympian for a long, long time," she begins. "So I'm not entirely sure how valuable my knowledge is on this. But, if you want my opinion, then I would say it's fairly clear that they're going to try to storm this fort and kill as many as they can, in as short a time-frame as possible. A long siege would only invite your reinforcements to arrive and beat them back. And there is another thing we need to consider."
"And that is?" asks Burns.
"The Fringers," she says, "amassing in Hunter's Station. They could also be a target of the Olympians, given what we have seen."
"And that's another reason not to abandon this place," I say, adding my voice. "If you retreat, you'll leave thousands of my people exposed." I look to Hendricks as he looks on, slightly dispassionately. "I know you don't really care about them, and they're not your responsibility, but it's in your interests to protect them too. We can help each other if we work together."
"And how can they help us?" Ares asks. He seems intrigued by the idea, rather than dismissive of it, as Hendricks might be.
"They're building their own militia," I say. "My...my grandmother has been at the forefront of it all for years. There are hundreds already. By tomorrow, there might be a thousand or more. And in the days to come...who knows. They might make a useful ally."
"A limited ally," Hendricks says. "They are all Unenhanced, aren't they?"
"Yes, but they're armed, brave, and willing to fight," I say. "Didn't you use Con-Cops when raiding the Olympian camp outside of New Haven? They're Unenhanced, and yet they were useful. You don't need to be super-powered to make a difference."
"True," Ares says, his great head waving up and down. "Numbers certainly count. The question is, how willing are these people to die? I've seen many wars, Amber, and know how people are affected by the heat of battle. Those without experience often panic and run. A force of thousands can quickly wilt when under threat from a much smaller, but more seasoned, force."
"With respect, Ares," grandma says, "we're not suggesting that our militia fight on the front lines. We are merely saying that they can provide a useful auxiliary supporting unit if needed."
