“We’re here” announced Art.
Sue, Rihan and Dave were still a good 50 paces behind. Dave had found his foot throbbing over the last bit and was concerned how he would go for the return trip. But Art’s promise spurred him on. He came up to Art on the viewing platform and took in the panorama view.
Dave had seen some spectacular sights before but he had to admit that this one was special. In the west behind them lay the mountain plateau, from which they had just climbed. You could not see much in that direction because the platform was on the far side of the convex summit. But for 160 degrees eastward you could see perhaps forty kilometres from their vantage point. Below them were the cave entrances that carried the huge volume of water spilling over the falls.
The caves were a good kilometre below them and the lake a further two kilometres down and most of that was a vertical drop. A striking rainbow ran across the vapour cloud below. The sun was getting lower in the sky and would be setting behind them in a couple of hours. Part of the view below was in partial shadow. But the sun did highlight the tops of the ridge that ran in an arc along the northern side of the lake before tapering off into a V-shaped valley cut deep by the waters that flowed eastward out of the lake.
On the southern side of the lake Dave could see that their resort was in fact nestled into a natural amphitheatre which tapered down from the south into the lake. A flock of what must be large birds was gliding above the amphitheatre. Dave, who loved birds, watched them on their journey till they disappeared into the tree tops, dispersing like a cloud of dots.
He was fascinated by that image. He thought it was like his worries and he prayed that they too would just disperse into nothingness. But then he cautioned himself with a ‘what will be, will be.’
Rihan came over beside him and put her arm around his waist, leaned into his shoulder and asked “penny for your thoughts?”
“It’s wonderful here, isn’t it? What a view!”
“It makes you wonder what is lacking in the people who have doomed this system.”
“Ooh that’s deep.”
“Sorry” said Rihan.
“No, you’re right. If more of us got out to places like this then perhaps we wouldn’t be at each other’s throats so much.”
“It’s so beautiful…serene…” Rihan’s voice trailed off as her focus switched to the forthcoming mission. But she caught herself and dismissed the thought. She brought out her communicator and started taking some pictures. She martialled Art and Sue to join in and they did a group shot by positioning the device on the top of what they assumed to be a garbage bin.
Rihan swiped her way through the pictures, picked the best one and sent it to the others with a caption ‘best of friends Pesminitar 2513’.
As they started on the return journey Dave reflected on those words and found himself thinking ‘Yes good friends can get you through just about anything’.
Chapter 28. Neeblo 0900, 2 October
Julian received the signal from Phil stating that they agreed with the principal elements of the plan but that the timings would have to slip. This did not come as a surprise to Julian. He smiled as he read the sweetener in Phil’s message, namely that in addition to the Enterprise Group, they would be able to commit a new Audacity Group for the attack on Istridium and that this was an all stealth group led by the brand new Audacity carrier. It came replete with the 3rd integrated brigade plus the integrated battalions on each of the Group’s three capital ships.
He checked the plan details and was delighted to read that there would be two rogan brigades from Q2. His major concern with the plan was whether they had sufficient force both above and on the planet. The earlier plan relied on a decapitation strike. Now they had more ground forces but would it be enough for a coup de main, if the need arose.
Julian thought for a few moments how best to break this news. Then he sought a meeting with Felis. While Felis was at first most concerned with the slippage his expression soon changed to one who had just received a pleasant surprise.
“I take it you are pleased?” queried Julian.
“Not about the timings but everything else…yes. I need to refer this to Madam President. I will recommend her acceptance but I need to get in touch with Angina straight away. We don’t want her agent striking too soon.”
“Agreed.”
Chapter 29. Festina (Q2) 1720, 2 October
Another wave rolled in and pounded onto the rocks, sending a spray several metres into the air. Buster felt some of the spray fall onto his bare legs. But he didn’t mind. Neither did Kali. They were sitting with their backs against a large boulder that was pock marked by the effects of erosion. The tide was receding and they felt safe sitting so close to the edge of the rock platform.
It had been a perfect day and the sun was making a retreat. Some patchy clouds were blown across the sky by a freshening wind. The smell of salt water mixed with that of the seaweed abandoned on the sand by the retreating swell.
Buster too felt safe for the first time in a while. He had so enjoyed these last few days with Kali. For the life of him he could not remember a better time. He looked down the shore line to where the rock gave way to a small sandy cove cut into a steep cliff. He smiled as he recalled how they had found this little bit of paradise away from the main resort.
The resort was virtually taken over by marines. He was so glad not to have to mix with them. It wasn’t that he felt bad towards them but they reminded him of what he had been through and to a degree of what was to come. Out here he just had Kali and the elements. It was bliss. It had fortified his constitution and relieved his anxiety.
In their little tent he had been able to sleep through the night without nightmares. He was starting to feel like his old self. But there were things still concerning him. He finally felt strong enough to share it with Kali.
“Warner wants me to come onto his staff” he said.
Kali was unprepared for this information. She looked across to Buster and drew his focus away from the sea. “When did that happen?”
“Just before we came here. He says he wants a tech advisor, someone he can trust to tell him as it is.”
Silence ensued as Kali pondered. Part of her was overjoyed for Buster’s sake. She knew all too well about the nightmares and half suspected Warner was doing this to take Buster away from that which made him anxious. ‘He’ll be a lot safer in this new role’ she thought.
But then she was disappointed. He would be on the Audacity while she would be on the Resolute. She felt his hand on hers and saw his eyes scrutinising hers.
“He says I’ll need an assistant. My choice.” Kali’s eyes lit up and she hugged him. “I take that as a yes then?” asked Buster.
She pulled out of the hug and said “Yes” and pecked him on the forehead. “Yes” and pecked him on the cheek. “Yes” and pecked him on the other cheek. She stood up and extended her hand. He took it and stood up with her assistance.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“Well it’s a tad hard here for what I have in mind.” She led the way weaving her way through the rock pools on the rock ledge.
As Buster followed her with some anticipation, he quipped “That didn’t seem to bother you that first night in Niku.”
“I was a different woman then” said Kali, her head turned back to see him.
“What, getting soft in your old age?” came back Buster with a glint in his eye. In that moment he lost his focus and slipped into a pool of water. He laughed, got up and rubbed his rump which had born the impact.
“Look who’s talking” she said as she finally made it to the sand. When he too stepped onto the soft surface she put her arm around his waist and he put his over her shoulder. She leaned into his shoulder and offered a little prayer of thanks.
Chapter 30. Slidwon 1950, 2 October
ISS agent Telbitus Ignorn was still apprehensive. They had flown the hopper in low from Orina via a very wide avoidance route that skirted aroun
d Slidwon and approached it from almost the opposite direction. Sheewon Qwintec, his offsider had gained them access to the building via the pool deck hopper bay. It was supposed to be for service vehicles only but their ISS security transponder still worked.
The pool deck was on the tenth floor, which meant they were able to fly in without climbing too much and exposing their craft to detection. But as they exited the craft, there was an unsettling quiet that Telbitus didn’t like. Sheewon had reassured him that all was well. Sheewon had pulled duty in this complex before. He knew that most of the residents were older folk who did their swimming during the day.
“If you say so” hailed Telbitus. “OK, you lead the way” he ordered. “Maam you stick close to me” he directed Evie. She was content to do so if that would get this over quicker. She saw no need for all this fussing.
At the elevator bay, Sheewon used his old pass to gain entry to the system. He was amazed they still hadn’t changed the codes. But he was grateful nonetheless. He held the door open for the other two and once it closed with them inside he confirmed he had admin rights over the elevator and punched in the 78th floor, just two from the top.
Telbitus was still nervous. He was grateful the elevator was internal but now he wanted to be there already. It seemed to take forever. The lights on the floors passed in rapid succession. Finally, it slowed and then stopped at 78.
“Only four residences on this level” advised Sheewon. Ours is number three on the right. There, I’ve captured the video feeds. We’re good to go!” he said to Telbitus.
Telbitus drew his weapon and kept it by his side.
“I don’t think we need that” said Evie in an annoyed manner.
“You might not Maam, but I do.” He looked like he wasn’t going to brook any argument. So Evie shrugged her shoulders. Sheewon opened the doors, stepped out and was immediately shot three times.
“Fuck” said Telbitus. He hit the control to close the door and then the control to descend back down. “I just knew it” he cursed.
Evie was in state of shock. She couldn’t come to terms with the fact that her parents had agreed to meet her here and now had killed her bodyguard.
Telbitus gave her a glance but his main focus was now on what to do. He was surprised the elevator was still working. But then it dawned on him that they were letting him use it. “They’ll be waiting for us. We can’t go back to the hopper” he said and hit the emergency stop. The elevator came to an abrupt halt.
Evie was playing catchup now, trying to take in what was just said while still in a state of shock. She looked confused, so Telbitus ignored her. “Right” he said “here’s what we do.”
Up above in the foyer of the 78th floor the hardened face of Evie’s aunty turned to her brother and said “You had better be right about this Palmidius.”
Palmidius Plentun, the Seventh Envoy to the Rogan High Council, cut her a stern look. “I’m always right.”
Ramadila Plentun shook her head in disbelief at her brother. “Don’t be an arrogant fool. That lost you your daughter the first time. Don’t let it lose her this time.”
“Don’t worry, there is no way out of here for her this time.”
The elevator came to a halt on the twelfth floor. Telbitus physically shook Evie by the shoulders. “Get up” he commanded indicating the small hatch in the ceiling of the elevator. But then he realised she was too short to be able to reach the rail. Without any excuses he simply grabbed her by the hips and pushed her up.
The physical act brought Evie back into the present. She grabbed the rail and managed to pull herself up and through the hatch. She stepped to the right so Telbitus could come through. He was breathing fast now with the exertion. “What are we doing up here?” asked Evie.
“Just stay put. Don’t make a noise and follow my lead. Do you understand?” Evie nodded just as the elevator descended to the 10th floor.
The door opened, silence, the door closed and then they opened again. They could hear talk but it was hard to discern. Telbitus prayed they would take the stairs up to the 12th and leave the way clear for a dash to the hopper. But he was to be disappointed. Instead two figures entered the elevator and it started to rise.
‘Shit’ thought Telbitus. ‘We could end up being trapped here.’
As he thought that, Evie pulled up the hatch and fired twice killing both occupants. She dropped into the elevator and hit the emergency stop button. It was now stuck between the 11th and 12th floors. Telbitus was still on top when the doors to the 12th, which was now directly opposite him, opened. He had no choice but to fire at the figure right next to the door. The other fired at him but too high. Telbitus got him with his second shot.
“Shit” he exclaimed. “Are you all right down there?”
“I’m fine are we leaving or what?” Evie had her arms extended up. He grabbed them and hauled her back up. They clambered out onto the 12th floor, over the bodies and used the stairs to descend to the 10th.
Telbitus opened the door and sent the probe ball out before leaving the stair well. He looked at the controller and held up two fingers to Evie. He pointed to himself and then indicated to the right and then to her and indicated to the left. She nodded. They walked out quickly. The one on the right was by the elevator. The one on the left further away near the hopper bay.
They walked undetected for ten paces. Telbitus fired felling his target. Evie was a little later in firing and missed at the longer range. The figure went down behind the back of the hopper and called for help. He was not getting a response. He cursed and fired at Evie. He missed her but Telbitus didn’t miss him. He went down writhing in pain. He tried to crawl but was shot again by Telbitus.
“Come on” said Evie as she jumped into the hopper. She jumped in the pilot’s seat and fired her up as Telbitus secured the door. They cleared the building and fled into the night.
Up on the 78th floor Ramadila pulled away from looking at the screen on which were two bodies lying on the floor of the hopper bay. “You were saying Palmidius?”
Chapter 31. Orina 2230, 2 October
Evie closed the door on her room after taking a shower. She was grateful for now having a separate room to Angina. She needed some privacy. She had so far held her emotions in check after her narrow escape.
She climbed under the covers and turned out the light. She lay there on her back trying to make sense of what happened.
Felis had warned her that this might happen. She had dismissed the possibility. It had been too painful to consider. Now that pain rose with intensity she could no longer bear. She rolled over onto her side and cried herself to sleep.
Chapter 32. Pesminitar 0645, 2 October
Dave had woken with a fear dream, his heart pounding and his tee shirt drenched around the collar. The image of all those bodies lined up in rows haunted him still. He resolved to get up and take a shower.
It was just on 0700 when he sat down for meditation. Rihan was sound asleep. He looked at her form and for the third morning now felt guilty about his impotence.
The sorrow of the losses, the anguish of pondering how he could have fought that last battle differently, they were all taking their toll on his psyche and he knew it. He also knew that he needed to be more resilient. So many people were counting on him. Part of him longed to be free of it, to have the burden of command lifted. But he knew that running away would not bring him the peace he craved.
He took a deep breath in and posed the question ‘How can I be more resilient?’ Then he focussed on his breath and his mantra. Years of practice helped him to glide into the void. It’s soft, dark nature enveloped him.
He was not aware of anything for a good ten minutes. Then he dropped down another level into the blue garden. A smile appeared as he became aware of the faint blue twinkling light way off in the distance. As he focussed on it, it appeared to come closer but Dave knew from experience that in fact it was the other way around. It was his small self that was closing in on his true self. As i
t did the blue light intensified and dazzled. Then it solidified.
Usually it took the shape of the blue pearl but this time he perceived it as a big blue stone. It looked big, solid and strong. Its surface was partially translucent and the blue light shone out from within it. On closer inspection he realised the stone was not smooth at all. Rather, its surface comprised many different facets, carefully chipped away by the sculptor’s love.
He then realised he was the sculptor and this manifestation was himself, his true self. The facets were those of his character and they had been carved by a life devoted to cultivating the virtues and eschewing the vices. A tear ran down his cheek as he was moved by what he perceived. He felt this intense feeling of love. It was growing stronger and with it the light from within the stone intensified until it blazed outward and illuminated everything around.
Dave was in rapture, waves of divine bliss crashed down on the stone, struck the many facets and sprayed off in all directions forming this glorious, nurturing mist.
In that moment Dave realised the answer to his question. Resilience doesn’t come from without. Friends may help, nice surrounding can too but what really matters is the strength of your character and that this has to be built bit by bit, facet by facet over time. Then it can be called upon when the times demand. Dave realised he already had what he needed. He just needed to realise that. He also realised he had a role to play here for others. He had to shine and show the way.
He felt this incredible surge of energy reinvigorate himself. He felt powerful again, from within. With a smile on his face he emerged from the deep, his awareness returning to the room. He thanked his guru for the insight. He realised that the pain, sorrow and grief would return but he knew now that each time they did he would be stronger and their hold on him weaker.
‘Right then, a new day awaits!’ he said to himself as he stood up. He heard Rihan stir from her slumber. She was lying on her side. Her hand groped for Dave’s body but did not find it. So she rolled onto her back and came up onto her elbow. The dawn light was stealing in around the window slats more than enough to make out Dave’s form.
Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) Page 31
