Resilience (Warner's World Book 6)

by Dave O'Connor

  Chapter 23. Resolute over Q2 2100, 10 September

  Ginty was in her cabin. She had retired there early. She needed time to think. The news that her father was dying of some weird cancer they had no name for had hit her like a train. ‘It’s so not fair’ she said to herself as she sat at her small desk, on which rested the ePaper she had taken earlier. The words on the ePaper stared back up at her taunting her judgements about her mother.

  The thought that her mother would commit to caring for her dad was so at odds with the picture of the woman she had come to hate. All day she had refused to countenance or give creed to this inconvenient truth. But the fact that her mother had obviously gone to Fleet HQ to force this issue was one fact she could not ignore any longer.

  She felt a welling of moisture in her eyes as she realised she had been clinging onto this image of her evil mother. She had been the one devoid of virtue, devoid of caring and devoid of love for her only child. That was the story Ginty had told herself all these years. It was the only story which satisfied her sanity. ‘But now this?’ she asked herself.

  Part of her though was not prepared to let go of her hate and this part turned the ePaper over on the desk and asked ‘What’s her angle?’

  Chapter 24. Cornucopia to Polaris 0815, 11 September

  Charles swallowed his marmalade toast and asked Merry “So what’s your story?”

  “Story? Not much of a story if the truth be known” replied Merry, her fork and knife poised to dissect a piece of bacon on her plate. “Ooh…born and bred on Polaris, Kentucket actually. Wanted to be a doctor since I was twelve. Became a doctor, did my internship in Nova Vista, signed up three years ago.” She brought the bacon to her mouth while keeping her eyes on Charles.

  “So, no-one special?” he asked tentatively, while she munched away.

  She smiled knowingly after swallowing her bacon. “Not any more. This” she said waving her fork around “kills off any relationship.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “There’s the odd fling” she said with wry humour.

  “I’m pleased to hear that.”

  She just grinned at him and he grinned back.

  Chapter 25. IRS Batlasan to Qwantum 1100, 11 September

  Rogan Admiral Puros Titlun was an old school Imperialist from a first tier family. His mother had been an Admiral and his grandfather before that. For twenty five years he had been defending and expanding imperialism throughout the galaxy. He lived, breathed and would probably die for it. It was in every drop of his blood.

  He had received the order, for his 1st RIF to secure Qwantum, like he had so many other orders with calm acceptance. It was after all his role to enforce the rule of imperialism. He was not perturbed at all with the list of associated tasks. He understood all too well the need to punish those who had supported the Resistance and hence saw no problems with denying any transfers into or out of the system. Equally he saw the need to hunt down and destroy the Resistance and especially their leaders.

  He did however frown at the inefficiency of that command. If it had been up to him he would have simply let the vermin die when Q4 reached its inevitable end. He acknowledged that it would make for a good example – the hunting down and extermination of the Resistance – but he knew it would come at a price and that would deplete his force of warriors. He was not so much concerned for their welfare, after all that was their role in the grand scheme of things. No, he was concerned because it would degrade his capacity for conducting subsequent operation. It was all about economy of force, a principle of war that was dear to his heart.

  Hence he was surprised when the message came in with a change of orders. He was surprised at the objective – Cheklin. ‘Has it come to this?’ he asked himself. ‘A home world no less!’

  The list of associated tasks was remarkably similar to his current mission with a few notable additions. The first, to secure the facilities of the Mintoslum Corporation, he immediately recognised as ‘vital’. The standing order to apprehend the Director of the ISS, no less, was a surprise. ‘Who would have thought’ he said to himself.

  He pulled up the database of operational contingency plans and searched for Cheklin. The first thing that struck him was the Dogon space station. ‘It would be a shame to destroy it’ he commented to himself ‘but one way or another we have to neutralise or control it.’

  He looked up from his terminal and hailed the watch officer “Change of course, details coming through now.”

  Chapter 26. Resolute over Q2 1600, 11 September

  Jim looked up from his small office on G deck to see Ginty standing in the door frame.

  “You wanted to see me” she said.

  “Yeah” and he waved for her to take the seat at the side of his small desk. “Close that will you?” he asked pointing to the door. She did so but was looking at him warily as she sat down.

  “So have you decided yet?” asked Jim.

  “About what?” she replied.

  “About your mother’s request.”

  Ginty let out her breath in a frustrated manner. “I’m still thinking it over.” Jim tilted his head at her as if to say ‘really?’ “Don’t give me that look” said Ginty. “You don’t know her.”

  Jim folded his arms, which Ginty knew was a sure fire signal that he was unimpressed. “I just don’t trust her” she added.

  Jim shook his head. “When’s the last time you ever spoke or communicated with her?”

  “Ah…” said Ginty as she was trying to work it out. “Must be what… eighteen years.”

  “Are you serious?...” said Jim.

  Ginty cut him off before he could continue. “Yes I was only nine when she ran off and I have not spoken to her since.”

  “You know people do change over time and eighteen years is more than enough time.”

  “She never once tried to contact me. I was the child remember!” said Ginty in an authoritative voice.

  “Well she’s trying now, isn’t she?” came back Jim in an equally authoritative voice.

  “I suppose” acknowledged Ginty.

  “I take it you are your dad’s legal next of kin?”

  “Yeah. That’s why she needs my approval for the power of attorney.”

  “What’s the harm in giving it? You want the best for you dad don’t you?”

  “Of course I do. But I’m not sure this will be the best for my dad. What if she’s just after his money?”

  “There are a lot easier ways to get money than caring for someone dying.”

  “Yeah like killing, hey?”

  “No, that’s not easier either” said Jim with a very disappointed look. “Just limit the power of attorney to medical matters. That way she can’t touch his money or assets.”

  “You can do that?”

  “Yeah, you can.”

  Ginty relaxed for the first time since sitting down. She pondered the solution Jim had just offered. After a while she looked at Jim and said “OK let me ponder that overnight.”

  “All right but best to respond soon, right?”

  “OK” said Ginty and she stood up. She got to the door and turned back and said “Thanks.” Jim nodded.

  Chapter 27. Resolute over Q2 0630, 12 September

  Ginty woke up still fatigued. She had gone to sleep wrestling with herself over whether or not to agree to her mother having a power of attorney or not. It had opened up a can of worms she had been trying to forget existed. She knew she would have to make a decision today or get no rest from her superiors over the issue.

  It was completely dark in her cabin. She rolled over onto her side to see the blue flashing light on her communicator. Intrigued, she picked it up and rolled back onto her back. It was a message in from her father.

  ‘Bumkin, sorry for not messaging you of late but as you should know by now I’ve not been well. The treatment they had me under knocked me around a lot. I wasn’t really up to doing anything. But I’m off that now, so I promise I’ll get back to writing you
more regularly.’

  ‘Anyway the prognosis for me is not good. There may be some hope with a new drug they’re developing but it may not be ready in time. I don’t want you to worry about me. You have enough on your plate as it is.’

  ‘You were on the news here yesterday. Rollinium. You make me so proud. I know I didn’t want you to join the marines. But right now there is no one more proud to have his daughter doing what you are doing.’

  ‘On a practical matter though, I know I promised not to talk about your mother. But right now I need to. She has been looking after me this last month, when I was pretty down with all that treatment. She has been good to me. She’s off the drugs. Has been for five years, she told me. I only wish she had contacted me then. But that’s water under the bridge now.’

  ‘I do need her to look after me. You can’t be here, of course. You have more important duties at the moment. So I need Anne here. There will come a time when I won’t be able to do certain things and make certain decisions….you know what I’m talking about. She needs to be able to speak up on my behalf. She needs to have that power of attorney.’

  ‘Don’t worry. I’ve set up a trust for you. There’s not a lot but you will be looked after. Please sign off on this. I know your feelings towards her but you have to put them aside. She needs to do this for me. It’s her karma, her way of atoning. I can’t deny her that and I really need her now too. So please do this for your old man.’

  ‘Love, Dad.’

  Ginty reached for a tissue to wipe away the tear that ran down her cheek. ‘He’s forgiven her’ she thought. ‘Can I?’ she asked herself.

  She got up and went to the ensuite. A couple of minutes later as she stared at her newly washed face in the mirror she said “I need to, don’t I?” she asked herself out loud. She gave herself a nod.

  Chapter 28. Aspliar over Nilsun2 0800, 12 September

  The weak Nilsun sun still managed to cast enough light for the born again Meeka Sallusam’s ladar to detect the arrival of the ships. These were just the beginning, the advance guard of the 4th RIF. More would follow.

  He received the hail from the incoming ships and was soon talking with his old comrade in arms and former lover, Admiral Haina Letnus. “Meeka you old bastard” she said in her hearty greeting.

  “Haina my love.”

  “Where’s Julsian?” she asked referring to Julsian Dovorst, commander of the 11th Endosian Division.

  “He won’t arrive for a few days yet.”

  “So we have time to catch up. How nice!” she said with a decided leer in her voice. “Your ship or mine?” she teased.

  “Yours is much bigger than mine” said Meeka, enjoying the repartee.

  “Nah” she said “yours is more private. I’ll be over soon my lover.”

  “I have to warn you though that I’m only half the Rogan I used to be.”

  “Well as long it’s the bottom half” she added with a good belly laugh.

  “You haven’t changed Haina.”

  “Well you may be wrong there Meeka” said Haina in a more downbeat tone. But she didn’t want to end it on such tone, so she added “But I have learnt a few new tricks.”

  Meeka laughed.

  Twenty minutes later, the light shuttle docked onto the airlock of Meeka’s craft. As the light changed to indicate the seal was all good, the door opened. Haina entered undoing her helmet. She quickly scanned the space before her eyes set on the lean figure of Meeka. She quickly saw how Meeka’s recent surgery had affected his looks. But he was still craggy enough to be recognisable. He was smiling at her with his arms opened wide.

  She smiled back, hit the release button on her suit, grasped the collar and flung the suit aside revealing her naked form. Meeka’s eyes lit up. “Prepare to be boarded” she announced as she took a pace forward into his arms.

  An hour later they were each sitting up in his bed sipping on a cup of hot mila. Haina asked “So is the objective still Cheklin?”

  Meeka nodded. “We need that mass exchanger.”

  “It’s a shame it’s come to this. You remember Meeka, how twenty years ago it was just one conquest after another.”

  “Mmm…one victory after another.”

  “Exactly. Now we are turning on ourselves. How has it come this?”

  “We’ve grown soft. The politicians nowadays….”

  “Quazor hasn’t gone soft Meeka. Quite the reverse.”

  “Maybe. It doesn’t matter. The wolves are gathering…”

  “Are we wolves now?”

  Meeka smiled as he responded “We sure are my love. But we are the meanest and baddest in the pack. That is why we will prevail.”

  Haina smiled back at him. “That’s what I love about you Meeka.”

  Chapter 29. Cornucopia to

  Polaris 0815, 12 September

  “So” asked Merry “is your dad really the treasurer?”

  Charles raised his eye brows and rocked his head back a little. “Yes, that is so.”

  “Wow!”

  “Where did you dig that up?”

  “It’s on your file actually.”

  “What you’ve gone through my file?”

  “Necessary research you understand” she said with a slightly mischievous look.

  “Yes, I see” said Charles drawing out the ‘Yes’.

  “I deemed it in my interests to find out all I could about you.”

  “In your interests?”

  Merry was munching on her omelette. She took her time. Part of her wanted to just come out with it now, but she resisted that urge. “Purely professional interests you see.”

  “Yes” said Charles, again drawing out the word.

  “So what was that like?”

  “What, my dad as the treasurer.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Pretty shit really. Don’t tell anyone I said that.”

  Merry leaned over and placed her hand on his. “No I won’t.”

  Charles nodded his thanks. “Look he was and is always so busy. Mother insisted we stay in Beijing but father spent most of his time in Washington. I got to see him some of the time on weekends and we would go away each year. But to be honest I hardly know him.” Charles looked at her brown eyes eager for some understanding and eager for an acknowledgment that she understood.

  “Gee, that must have been tough. I always had my folks around.” She went silent as she pondered how she used to complain to her parents that they were always breathing down her neck. She was suddenly racked with guilt and it changed her expression.

  “You all right?” asked Charles.

  ‘Sorry…I just realised what a pain I must have been to my parents.”

  “Better that than a disappointment.”

  “Is that what you think you are to your parents?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “Well you’re a war hero now” said Merry encouragingly.

  “Hah!” exclaimed Charles “that’s the script, don’t you see?” Merry was confounded and she shook her head. “They wanted me to become the war hero. This whole farce is a charade orchestrated by them so I can be paraded on the political stage. I’m so sick of it.”

  “What right down to you losing your ear?”

  “No, I did that bit myself.”

  “What, you shot yourself?”

  “No!” said Charles. He was stung by the possibility that she could think him capable of doing that.

  “What do you mean then” asked Merry now very keen to get to the bottom of this.

  “They got me my posting to the Resolute. I volunteered for the assault on Rollinium. I probably should have been killed there. So many others died there. I got shot but was damm lucky to survive. That’s all.”

  Merry could see that he was upset and she reached out with her hand and took his. “I see” she said softly. They stayed silent holding hands for quite a while. Finally Merry leaned over and said “Thank you” and she gave Charles a peck on his cheek. “I better get going. Same time tomorr
ow?”

  Charles nodded.

  Chapter 30. Neeblo, Cheklin 0900, 12 September

  Felis Draag wore his new Admiral’s uniform like a pauper would wear a business suit. It had taken him twelve long years of service with the Imperial Rogan Fleet to make Commander and then another three as Commander under Admiral Soola. But that was before he shot the Admiral on the deck of the Imperial Rogan Ship (IRS) Kunter, an act that changed his life.

  Now four months later he was an Admiral for the Resistance preparing for a showdown that he knew was coming with the Imperialists. He was struggling to come to terms with it all.

  Inside an old abandoned factory complex they had setup a command centre in the abandoned industrial area of Neeblo, itself an abandoned city. Signage still proclaimed the wonders of the fighter aircraft that used to be made here. They had long been superseded and rather than retool it was deemed more expedient to build a new plant from scratch in a new industrial area within a new city for a new future.

  Felis rubbed his face gingerly. The bruising from his beating at the hands of the ISS thugs was gone but its memory still lingered. It reminded him of his current situation and the deal they had struck with the ISS Director Angina Slirinus. He had been wary about doing the deal but realistically they had little choice.

  So far Angina had been true to her word. The ISS had largely left them alone, allowing the Cheklin Resistance leader, his boss, Meelanda Orocash, a free reign to conduct her political rallies. They were getting bigger crowds at each city. It worried Felis. He would have preferred at least a charade. It would not go unnoticed. It was just a question of how long.

  But Meelanda had been insistent on the rallies. Not only did it give her a platform to reach the public it enabled her to stitch up the organisational support she needed so they could eventually form an alternate government. As a result, volunteers were pouring in and it was his job to train and employ a good portion of these for security and defence purposes.

  He glanced around the big underground area dominated by the large circular holo display and the terminals and workstations that surrounded it. The equipment was now working but it was the staff that worried him. Oh well Angina reckoned it would be a month before the shit hit the fan. He could do a lot in a month.