“Yes, no killings” replied Fetula. He paused as he digested what he had just heard. “Any news on the ships overhead?”
“Not yet. We’re trying to contact them now.”
“Keep me informed. I’ll report back to you as soon as we have Neentum.”
Chapter 42. IRS Venlin over Cheklin 0630, 14 September
Captain Bala Santorum was struggling to make a decision. As the commander of the flotilla securing Cheklin she knew she had to act. The Dogon had definitely refused to comply with her demands. But she was in a dilemma.
She had told her comms officer not to respond to the hail from the station claiming to be the Cheklin Republican Forces.
“We have to do something” urged her XO, Enco Linius. “The longer we wait the more likely the Resistance will prevail down below.”
“Yes, yes I know that. But we will have to take out the Dogon or take control of it first. Combined we have just 200 warriors. Odds are not in our favour.”
“So we destroy it.”
Bala gave a long look at her XO. “My husband’s down there. So is your wife. You know what this will mean?”
Enco swallowed hard. “It’s our duty” he finally responded. She could tell that had been difficult for him to say.
“Duty to whom?”
“What are you saying?”
“You’ve seen those reports from Slidwon?”
“Yes” said Enco drawing out his reply.
“Well I’m of a mind not to destroy the Dogon.”
“Yes” said Enco again drawing out his response.
“In fact, I’m for supporting the Resistance.”
“Right” said Enco, again taking his time to say the complete word. “Well then…” and he paused “I suppose I’m of a similar mind then.”
Bala smiled at him and patted his shoulder. “Very good Enco. Now we just need to convince the others.”
Bala invited the commander and XOs of the other cap and two frigates to come aboard for a conference. At 0650 Enco posted guards outside the conference room once they had all gone inside. At 0655 a single shot heralded the end of the conference. After its attendees exited Enco’s turned to the guard and ordered “get rid of him.”
At 0658 Bala offered her support to the Resistance.
At 0705 Felis ordered that the conversation between him and Bala be broadcast. The good citizens of Cheklin, well those that favoured the Resistance at least, breathed a little easier at 0730 when the recording headlined the morning news bulletin.
“Well there’s definitely no turning back now” said Enco to Bala.
Chapter 43. Slidwon 0700, 14 September
Emilius woke to the sound of rocket impacts. He had stayed in the city overnight at one of his apartments in the elite suburb of Poltom. It was on the outskirts of the city, some fifteen kilometres from the fighting. But even so the dull thud, thud, thud sound penetrated his bedroom. He checked the time and realised he had only been asleep for five hours.
While Benchin Masqelar, his assistant, busied himself preparing breakfast, Emilius scanned the indie news channels. Only one was still broadcasting, though Emilius knew it would not be for long. This current report would be its last. Nestor’s face was clear to see. It was old footage but with a new banner that read “Is this the Butcher of Slidwon?”
Emilius wasn’t perturbed. At least there was another Quazor out there with an equally barbarous moniker. It took some of the heat away from him and for that he was glad. The trouble was he knew that the freelancers would still find a way to get out their reports. Closing the stations only delayed the reports.
What Emilius did not know was that Nestor had given orders for any media reps to be shot on site. Another thing Emilius did not know about his nephew was that during the night he had begun systematically destroying each of the big towers in the Kenrudim district in his drive towards the ISS ‘complex’. The first light of day revealed destruction on an unprecedented level, for a home world anyway.
Emilius could not believe his own eyes as the district, which he knew very well, had been transformed into rubble. The shot of the giant walker laboriously clambering up a pile of debris to then fire its beam weapon in a methodical raking shot across the face of a tower would probably remain with him for a long time.
It was this destruction that prompted the flood of calls to the First Consul. His staff in their emergency quarters on the edge of the city a few blocks away had been fielding the calls while he had been asleep. Emilius checked his console, saw the list, noted all the first tier names, appreciated why they would be calling and then dismissed the list.
This was noted by Benchin but he was not surprised for he knew his master well. He knew that when faced with such an avalanche he would bury his head and wait for it to go away. But Benchin doubted that that would work this time around.
Benchin was not the only rogan beginning to doubt the wisdom of supporting the First Consul. Many of his staunchest allies owned the towers that were now rubble. This was something they had not signed up for.
Benchin carried the breakfast tray into the lounge room where Emilius still had the report playing on the big screen, even though his master was no longer looking at it. He bent down and placed the tray on the low table in front of Emilius. As he stood up he could see the ISS ‘complex’ still standing, seemingly in defiance. He turned to head back to the kitchen with a wry smile on his face.
Chapter 44. Cornucopia to Polaris 0815, 14 September
“I haven’t stopped thinking about what you asked” said Charles.
“About why you’re doing it?” asked Merry.
“Yeah. Would you believe it if I told you I have never really stopped and asked myself why? For as long as I can remember my mother has told me I will become Chief Minister. I went through a phase where I rejected all that…”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I went and joined the Fleet. Mother was furious. Father didn’t seem to care. I thought I had left all that talk about political advancement behind….” said Charles. He drifted off as he pondered.
“And?”
“Well I wasn’t much good at being a Fleet officer was I?”
“But you’re a commander?”
“I would never have got this far if it were not for my connections. I struggled with fleet tactics, so I went into administration. I was pretty good at it for a while, but then…well let’s just say that for a host of reasons I fucked up one assignment there and my father pulled some strings to allow me to transfer into a training position. But I knew I wasn’t really cut out for that either. The war started and that’s when my mother had this bright idea about me becoming the war hero and storming the political heights on the back of it.”
Charles stopped for a moment and then looked Merry straight in the eyes as he realised something he had never realised before. “I suppose I was down on myself so much I wanted to believe I could be good at something.” He clutched at his hair with both hands. “Shit, what an idiot.”
Merry could see his anguish and she felt sympathy rising. She knew it had not been easy for him to confess all this too her.
“You know” said Charles “I haven’t said this to anyone before…not even to myself.” Merry managed a weak smile. Her communicator rang and she said “Excuse me” and stood up and walked a few metres to answer the call. “Right, I’m on my way” she hailed. She looked apologetically at Charles.
“You have to go?” he asked. She nodded.
“OK. See you tomorrow.”
Chapter 45. Lewista 0930, 14 September
Agent Aracon Haspl dismounted from his lead vehicle. He glanced back at the other vehicles and at the twenty ISS security personnel, all armed, that were dismounting too. He walked at brisk pace towards the security desk of the Mintoslum facility. His cohort fell in behind him.
The Mintoslum facility was where the mass exchanger device was developed. Only Aracon had been briefed as to why this facility was so important. But he had a kn
ack of instilling loyalty in his troops. They were an elite special force with years of experience in dealing with the dirtiest of problems. Aracon and his troops were ruthless.
The guards behind the desk were already edgy from all the reports and rumours spreading like wildfire on that morning. They were under strict instructions not to let anyone in who wasn’t authorised. “That’s far enough” said one of the guards. Aracon fired his pulse pistol without any hesitation. The guard fell. The other two were cut down with a hail of pulse fire.
Aracon passed the big screen on which ran a banner saying ‘No unauthorised entry!’ He quipped to one of his personnel “I think we’re authorised, don’t you?”
Chapter 46. Neeblo 1000, 14 September
Evie finally had a free moment and she wanted to share that with Felis. She walked across what was once an industrial yard into another big warehouse complex where the operations room was setup. As she did she looked up at the clear sky. She could barely hear a sound. It was hard for her to relate this with the feverish activity inside the buildings.
She wondered if there would come a time when she could get more of this and less of that. One thing she knew for sure was that she did not want to spend any more time alone. Two long years in the wilderness was enough. Two long years without touching and being touched was nearly more than she could endure.
Right now her home worlds were at a new beginning and she wanted a new beginning for herself. She knew that many advised against attachments in a time of conflict and she had subscribed to that belief for far too long. ‘It’s time I did something about it’ she said to herself.
She entered the warehouse passed through the security checkpoint and down into the basement level. She smiled at the young guard on the door and went over to the beverage bay and began making two cups of mila. She smiled at Felis who was discussing something with one of his staff. He gave her a nod. His bruising had all but disappeared and for the first time in a long time he was wearing a uniform.
She smiled as she observed his badge of rank. It made her recall the discussion he had with Meelanda a week ago when she promoted him to Admiral. He had vehemently refused the promotion till finally a vexed Meelanda asked “Are you going to disobey your commander in chief, who has better things to do than play games.” She recalled how Felis had finally relented. ‘At times he can be such a boy’ thought Evie.
Kraag, who was on the station next to Felis, took the communicator away from his ear and called out to Felis “It’s Naandoltin, the commander of the 2nd Ecrustian (referring to the 2nd Brigade from the Army’s Ecrustian Division). I think he wants to come over.”
The hum of low voices around the big room all stopped as Felis took the call. “Yes Brigadier, what can I do for you” said Felis. The conversation went on for a good ten minutes. When he terminated the call he saw that all eyes in the room were on him. He smiled, waited a moment and then stated “We’ve just got ourselves the 1st and 2nd Ecrustian.” One of his staff cheered.
“What about the 3rd and the Division assets?” asked Kraag.
“There’s the rub. They are remaining loyal to the Imperialists.”
“Where?” asked one of his staff.
“The 2nd is just outside Lewista and I’ve ordered it to secure the spaceport there. The 1st will join it tomorrow.”
“Should we start calling around the other divisions?” asked Kraag.
“Don’t waste your breath” said Felis. Kraag gave him a puzzled look. “The Ecrustian’s the only real Army formation on this planet. According to our new colleague all the others have been either destroyed or deployed to the conquered realms. Well actually one is in the extended territories.”
“What?” asked Kraag incredulously. “But the barracks?”
“Apparently they’re just skeleton staff.”
“There’s supposed to be fifteen Army Divisions that call Cheklin home” stated Kraag.
“Not any more. According to Naandoltin there’s only seven left.” Felis saw the colour drain out of Kraag’s face.
“Did he say if the Bulgorem was still active?” asked Kraag.
“No, but you can ask him. Why?”
“My younger brother was conscripted to the Bulgorem last year.”
A pall hung over the room as the news of such a massive loss of life sunk in. They may have been Imperialists but they were all rogan.
“I’m sure he’ll be alright” said Felis “but right now we need to focus on securing Lewista with these new assets. I want you to coordinate the planning Kraag. Priority one objective is the spaceport, then the other transport hubs, then the government and communications facilities. Oh and dedicate one Battalion to securing the Mintoslum facility. Make that priority two after the spaceport. Got it?”
“Yes, I got it” said Kraag.
As Felis turned back to his terminal he saw Evie holding two cups of steaming mila. “A bit busy right now” he said to her.
“Nonsense” she replied. “Even Admirals need a break.”
Word of the defections spread quickly. By the time Felis walked back in nine fighter squadrons had pledged their allegiance. Evie undertook to get the news out to the media which had almost universally backed the Resistance. Volunteers were pouring in during the day, especially in Lewista and the cities at which Meelanda had held rallies.
In the coming hours there would be an avalanche of pledges from nearly all the military. After midday the commander of the 3rd Ecrustian Bde rang to pledge his Brigade and to report that the Division needed a new commander.
While Julian worked on his draft heads of agreement, Meelanda was besieged by media representatives wanting interviews. She came into the Operations Room around 1400 to advise that she would move back to Lewista in the morning. While Felis could see that it would facilitate communications he argued for her to stay here on the grounds that it was safer. Meelanda, though, was set on it and she tasked Erkum to make the arrangements.
Chapter 47. Neeblo 1500, 14 September
Evie came out of the session with Julian and Meelanda feeling like she had really accomplished something. If the truth be known Julian had done most of the work but she had made her mark with several amendments to the heads of agreement. Despite the lack of sleep she was feeling on a high. Adrenalin can do that to you.
She went over to the operations room only to find that Felis wasn’t there. A tired looking Kraag had told her that Felis was catching up on some sleep. ‘Oh well!’ she thought and went back outside where the hot sun burnt down on her fair Rogan face. She began walking back to Meelanda’s offices when a sudden impulse made her change her mind and head towards the other factory building that they were now referring to as the ‘lines’. It was where Felis would be sleeping. But not for long if Evie had her way.
She walked along the corridor to his room and gave a gentle knock. She waited, heard nothing and so knocked a little louder. Eventually she heard some movement. Felis opened the door ajar. “I was trying to get some sleep” he said.
“I haven’t been touched in over two years. What are you going to do about that?”
A big smile came across Felis’s face. He reached out and took her hand, drawing her in. A flick of his foot closed the door behind them.
Chapter 48. Neeblo 0630, 15 September
Felis was lying on his side when he woke. He smiled as he registered the heat being applied to his back from Evie’s body as she cuddled into him. He shook his head in mild disbelief. If he had asked himself two weeks ago he would have estimated the chances of him finding love again at less than one in a hundred. But here he was – here they were. She was ten years his junior but somehow it didn’t matter. He felt good in her company. No he craved it.
He registered some stiffness in his shoulder. He must have been lying in that position most of the night. He rolled onto his back gently rolling Evie onto hers. She murmured something but otherwise remained sleeping. ‘My world has changed’ he said to himself ‘and so much for the better.�
�
Chapter 49. Cornucopia to Polaris 0815, 15 September
“No, let’s talk about you for a change” said Charles.
“My life is not as interesting as yours” said Merry.
“That depends on your perspective. I’m interested in you.”
Merry gave him a sweet smile. “OK, what do you want to know?”
“Why a doctor?”
“I like to care for people and things. I have a hydroponic garden on board…got a bit of a green thumb.”
“Huh” said Charles with a smile. “So what, you grow your own weed?”
“No!” she said in a disapproving tone. “Why would I, when I can get my hands on narcotics and just about every other upper and downer you can think of.”
“Good point. So what then?”
“Tomatoes.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “They’re not bad either.”
“I like tomatoes.”
“Well that puts you in good company with just about the majority of the human race.”
“See, I can do common.”
She chuckled in response. “Tomatoes, the great leveller.”
“So apart from tomatoes, what else do you like to eat?”
They spent the next half hour exchanging information about their favourite foods, music, movies etc.
“Ooh, I better get going Charles. Really nice talking to you. Tomorrow?”
Charles nodded with a smile.
Chapter 50. Neeblo 1100, 15 September
“Excuse me Sir” interrupted the young lieutenant.
“Yes what is it” said Felis.
“You said to be on the lookout for any volunteers with prior military experience.”
“Yes have them report to Major Kronious.”
“Well actually they are both senior officers Sir.”
“Really” said Felis. “Have you checked their bona fides?”
“Yes Sir.”
Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) Page 9
