Neptune's Massif

by Ben Winston

  “Will do. The cell block is asleep, no casualties,” Lissa replied.

  “I wish we could have done that to the whole facility. But it would have taken a month to get everyone back where they belong. Please restore atmosphere to everywhere but the cell block,” Cindy ordered.

  Lissa nodded, even though Cindy couldn’t see her. “I am also instructing the drones to gather the weapons in a central location to be returned to the armory.”

  “Good thinking, thank you. We’ve arrived people. Let’s go.”

  The scene inside the prison was a nightmare. Bodies, most of them exploded by the sudden loss of pressure, seemed to be everywhere. Cindy tightened her jaw and marched through the corridors, trying to ignore all the death she had caused. However, her mind was recording everything, looking at every detail. Her training keeping her looking in every nook for a hidden assailant even though Lissa had told her the area was secure. As a result, she would see these faces in her nightmares for months.

  When they had at last reached the office acting as an airlock for the cell block in question, Lissa had informed them that atmosphere had been restored, but recommended they keep their suits sealed for now; the drones hadn’t cleaned the area yet.

  Cindy’s team entered the cell block and closed the door behind them. Since the sleep gas was still in the air, they continued with sealed suits. They found the three guards, disarmed them and dragged them to an empty cell. Once the door closed, Lissa pumped the sleep gas out of the room. It was then that Cindy noticed no one had actually spoken since they left the Damocles.

  While they waited for people to begin waking, Cindy keyed the intercom. “Everyone okay?”

  “Yeah, just trying to deal with everything. Cindy, anyone of us would have done the exact same thing you did; these bastards deserved what happened to them,” Jerry replied.

  “I’m more worried about you, Cindy. Are you okay?” Shannon asked.

  “I don’t think I’ll ever be ‘okay' with this. But I’ll be able to deal with it. What choice do I have?” Cindy answered.

  Sasha walked up to her, “Major, you simply did what was needing to be done, da? As Jerry has said, you did the right thing." The woman put her gauntleted hand on Cindy's shoulder. "We are a team, we are with you Mishka. We are here if you every need us.”

  Cindy smiled at the woman as they heard a groan coming from one of the open cells. Since Lissa had reported the gas had cleared, the team had removed their helmets and Shannon had been walking among the former prisoners, moving from cell to cell, using her mental ability to make sure of them while they slept.

  “Jerry, check that out will you?” Cindy asked. “Lissa,” she said over the comm, “How many people are in here?”

  “One thousand nine hundred and forty two, counting the three former guards. With ten tiers of cells, and room for two hundred and fifty per tier, that block could hold twenty-five hundred. I have no way to know how full the prison was, since the data was wiped from the local computers, and I am unable to contact the primary system on New Talos."

  “That’s fine, I think I have an idea of where most of the ex-prisoners are. What was the compliment for the base before this started?”

  “It was a relatively small facility, three shifts of roughly one hundred, plus the training command and the cadets; nine hundred and twelve total.” Lissa answered; the curiosity plain in her voice.

  “Was the other moon base the same size?” Cindy asked.

  “No, it is much larger, since it was the primary fighter training academy. I have no direct information, but I would guess it to have been at least two thousand personnel.”

  “So where are the rest of the people?” Cindy asked. “We have nineteen hundred and thirty nine here, we are missing another thousand."

  “Perhaps they are being held somewhere else, da?” Sasha asked.

  “I hope you’re right,” Cindy said. "Lissa make sure Jessica is aware of this."

  “Major?” Jerry called.

  Cindy stood from her seat on the steps to the second tier and walked down to were Jerry had gone. The tiers were numbered from top to bottom, tier ten being well below surface level.

  She found him nine cells to the left. “What’s up?”

  “This is Lt. Colonel Brast. He was second in command of the base. He asked to speak with you,” Jerry replied, introducing the tired looking officer.

  “Thank you for rescuing us, Major. I’m afraid Colonel Sain was killed about a week ago. So I guess that leaves me in charge of the survivors. May I ask what’s going on out there?"

  Cindy quickly told the story of the insurrection and the supposed reasons for it. By the time she had finished her tale, a good portion of the remaining population had awakened.

  “You took the base and the prison with five troops? I’m surprised they even let you get near this place in a shuttle,” the man said.

  “We arrived in a Raptor not a shuttle Sir. We are from Sol Sector. During their recent visit to our main base, Councilor Noren and Admiral Goya entered into a mutual defense treaty with us. When we learned of the trouble here, we gathered what forces we could and here we are,” Cindy replied.

  “I’ve never heard of a Raptor but I'd heard something about a House Herecin colony that was rebelling; was that you folks?" the man asked.

  "We are not now, nor have we ever been, a part of the Talosian Alliance, Sir. Until last year, we didn't even know you folks had survived the destruction of Talos." She gave him as brief a history as she could, but she needed to convince this man that Terran forces were not there to take over.

  The man shook his head and sighed. "We have been told an entirely different story. Councilor Noren and her faction in the High Council have been systematically lying to the population in order to take control away from the Ruling Council. The last we heard, Admiral Goya was allied with her, but most of us couldn't believe it. But of more immediate concern to us right now is, how do I know I can trust you?"

  “I have no easy answer for you, Sir. I guess you’ll just have to make up your mind about that on your own. We won’t force you to do anything against your beliefs, however, we need you to take command of these people and the base, because there is still a fight going on out there and we need to get back in it,” Cindy told him.

  “You’re giving us the base? How do you know you can trust us? We could just start shooting down everything; after all if what you’ve told us is true, We have no way of knowing what’s a friendly craft and what isn’t.”

  Cindy smiled at the man. “I'd be very surprised if you could even target any of our ships. However, I have been asked by Admiral Williams to request that after you retake command of the base, to hold fire on everything unless fired on first. We will not attack you once we know you are safe. As for what side to take in this battle, I would advise not taking any at this point. Our mission is to simply restore the peace and ensure the freedom of the people. After that, it will be up to them to determine who is to blame for what. We will remain long enough to make sure you are protected and that the people are once again in charge. So, are you ready to take command, Sir?”

  “Absolutely, let’s go," the man said and stood.

  Cindy walked with him back to the top of tier one, where he stood at the railing and yelled to the people emerging from the cells. He quickly outlined what was going on and why. When he called for people to man the base with him, so many people shouted their willingness that he turned to Cindy and grinned. “I assume that you took control of the central computer system. Will there be a problem assuming command once we get over there?”

  Lissa had told Cindy she had already made Brast the authorized commander in the computer system. “No, Sir. We’ve already programmed you as the lawful commander. The base is yours, Colonel,” she said as she saluted him.

  Lieutenant Colonel Brast recognized the formality and returned the salute. “Thank you, Major. We’ll head over there right away. Please inform the Admiral I will contact him as so
on as we are operational.”

  “Will do, Colonel. Good luck.” She keyed her intercom, “Team, let’s get back to the boat. We have some catching up to do.” With a nod to the new commander, she turned and headed for the door to await her team.

  Palace of Imperial Enlightenment

  Onalau City

  Planet Proferus Three

  Orgatan System, Gar Sector

  Glamia looked up to check on her Master as she did from time to time during the day. However, this time, there was something different. At first, she couldn't put her finger on it, but when she did, fear almost froze her in place. She quickly scrambled out of her chair and dropped to the floor in supplication.

  Shalo looked at her in wonder, what in all the hells was wrong with her now? He did notice that she seemed to be facing slightly to the side instead of directly towards him. When he turned, he finally understood. The Imperial throne that sat behind him was occupied.

  Shalo immediately knelt as well and bowed his head to his Emperor.

  "Get up Shalo, we would speak with you," he said.

  "You honor us, Majesty," Shalo replied as he stood.

  "We are concerned, Shalo. We have learned that you have ordered the construction of three new gates. Such technology is restricted and must never be allowed to fall into the hands of our enemies. So tell us why you are doing this."

  "Majesty, as you know, the war here has stalled. The worlds we are fighting for are taking too much damage. A new strategy was needed. This new strategy will also give us the ability to locate the new human world much faster, and when we do, we will be able to crush them before any help can arrive," Shalo explained.

  "Tell us this new strategy you have come up with. The creation of the gates is a large risk, we must determine if your plan is worth the risk."

  "As you command, Majesty," Shalo bowed again and turned slightly. "Glamia! Assist me!"

  Grabbing the tablet she had used for the previous briefing, she ran to Shalo's side and got to her knees. As Shalo began explaining the details of his plan, Glamia would produce the appropriate images and data.

  "As you can see, Majesty, the new gates will never be unprotected. I have also ordered massive self-destruct systems added to them. If they are ever threatened, they will be destroyed before any enemy could even get close to them," Shalo explained. "I had another reason for wanting them placed here; we have been able to narrow the location of the new human group to ten sectors in the Gamma Quadrant. Using the gate to deliver our probes will be far quicker and more accurate in locating their base. A thousand new probes are being assembled at this moment and once the first gate is in place and operational, I will order the search to begin."

  The Emperor sat in silence for a moment, contemplating what he had been told. "It is a bold plan, Shalo. One worthy of your reputation and the reason we sent you there. Very well, you have indeed taken steps to protect gate technology." He fell silent again. "We will allow this. You are, after all, only doing that which we asked of you. We will seek guidance with the Priests on this matter."

  Shalo bowed his head in acknowledgment of his Lords will, but when he looked up again, the Emperor was gone.

  "You can get up now, we are alone," Shalo said. "You did well."

  "Thank you, Master." Glamia said as she got to her feet.

  "Why did you panic when he appeared? Surely you have seen him before when he addressed previous Overlords," Shalo asked.

  "I have never seen him before, Master. He has never appeared like this, here," she said, meekly. "He never spoke directly to your predecessors."

  "I see," Shalo replied. "I am truly honored, then."

  "Indeed, you must be a Great Lord to be so trusted by His Majesty," Glamia replied. "Our Clans will be well inspired to hear of this."

  "I am nothing more than a servant of his will, Glamia, as are we all, there is nothing here to tell," Shalo replied as he sat back at his desk and resumed his work.

  Glamia watched him for a moment before bowing her head and returning to her own desk.

  Chapter 11

  Combat Theater 'Astra'

  Rebel Military Command Post

  Location Unknown

  New Talos System, Carnius Sector

  “What the...” the tech exclaimed when his board lit up.

  “What have you got, Comm?” Tomiakin asked.

  “I can’t say, Sir. I had multiple contacts a moment ago, but then they just disappeared. I didn’t get a lock.” The man began typing rapidly on his keyboard. “I’m instructing the computer to interface the new sensors into the comm computer. We’ll get them, Sir. However, there were a lot of contacts. If those weren’t sensor ghosts, I’d say they’ve deployed fighters.”

  Tomiakin trusted his people’s judgments. He knew that they knew what they were doing, so when the officer told him his opinion, Tomiakin acted on it. “Have the Summer's Eve go to full alert and weapons free. Get the moon bases to red alert and bring the missiles online. Activate planetary defenses. Has Tiel reported a status on that Raptor he found?”

  “No Sir, since Commander Tiel's last communication, there's been nothing,” the tech reported. "Also, we have heard nothing from the Summer's Eve since that comm glitch. I did get an acknowledgment of the order I just issued, but nothing from any of the people there."

  Tomiakin narrowed his eyes. "Get me Commander Roan, immediately, I need to speak to him. Don't accept any excuses."

  The tech turned back and tried to hail the Summer's Eve. Tomiakin stood right behind him and listened to his efforts.

  "Command, this is the Summer's Eve. I'm sorry, but the Commander is not available at the moment. I will have him call in as soon as he returns," a pleasant voice replied.

  Tomiakin leaned forward and pressed the transmit button. "Listen, this is Admiral Tomiakin, I don't care if he's taking a shit I want him on this comm now! Do you understand me?"

  "Yes, I understand you, Commander Tomiakin. However, he isn't in the head at the moment; he's in the morgue with the rest of his crew. As well as the murderers and rapists you freed from the House prisons to use as soldiers. My Commander is currently busy trying to give aid and comfort to all the wounded and traumatized survivors we recently freed from your commander's control. There are a lot of wounded, so I imagine it will take some time. You're welcome to hold for her if you wish," Samuel replied.

  "What? Just who the hell are you?" Tomiakin asked.

  "I am Officer Samuel Dancer of the Raptor Cherokee, Terran Defense Forces. I feel it only fair that I inform you that I am authorized to accept your immediate and unconditional surrender, Commander," Samuel replied reasonably.

  "The hell you say!" Tomiakin yelled back.

  "Sir, with respect for the officer you used to be and as a person, I implore you to stop this; innocent people are being needlessly brutalized by the persons you are using as troops. For their sake, let us help find a peaceful solution to this issue! Please, help us stop this needless violence!" Samuel implored. The call was being heard over the speakers in the cabin instead of just Tomiakin's personal headset, so everyone of the people in the command center heard the request and the reasons for it.

  "I will not listen to your lies any longer! I don't know what you've been told, but we are working to free the people of New Talos from an oppressive regime that was intent on controlling them. No one is getting brutalized any longer! We have freed them from that!" Tomiakin replied trying to support the story his command staff had been told.

  "Really? I suppose the three thousand survivors of this station tripped and bumped into the bulkheads? What about the events happening right now in the civilian sectors of New Talos? Sir, all you need do is tune in any of the peace monitors and see what is happening to the population. We haven’t been there yet, so you can't twist that and place the blame on us. Those troops are wearing your uniforms, Commander. They are operating on your orders," Samuel replied calmly.

  "So? You've had one of your pet AI create horrible vi
ds and put them in place of the real ones. You are trying to bring your rebellion to New Talos to aid your allies on the old high council and I will not stand for it! We are done speaking, Terran!" Tomiakin replied and hit the button to cut the channel.

  Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. His staff had heard the accusations and were looking to him for an explanation. "Now you see how far they are willing to go to control us! I can only hope to hell that those vids they are talking about are really computer sims and not videos of what they are really doing to our people!" Tomiakin said. "Now, get back to work, we have to stop these people before more of our people get hurt."

  "Sir, there is no response from either moon base. Wait!" he listened for a moment. "Sir, three of the orbital forts are reporting that they have been boarded! No craft were detected at all! They are requesting reinforcements!"

  "Fuck! This is going to hell too fast!" Tomiakin replied and went back to his battle tank. "Order General Orswan to send two companies to each of the stations that need it. Damn it! I knew we needed more troops on the stations! What are our fighters doing?"

  "I have an isolated incident report that could be a possible engagement, Sir, but nothing else. So far, they have nothing to shoot at," another of the techs reported.

  "If those assholes have deployed fighters, then the ships are in this system! Find them, or we'll lose the whole fucking battle!"

  The techs all appeared to get back to work, but they were also talking to each other. All of them felt something was going on, the 'Admiral' was reacting too strongly to the accusations made by the Terran. Was there really only three thousand survivors at the mining station? If so what happened to them? Did these Terrans kill them?

  One of the techs said he would access Elysium's Constabulary video logs from a week ago. They knew that was well before the Terrans had arrived, and the video should still be unaltered. What he found was vids taken at the Council building showing the assault being made by House Herecin and Bjorin troops.

  Several members of Grand Council were literally dragged out of the building and shot by the house troops. He dug a little deeper and found one somewhat grainy vid from inside the building. He backed it up to the point when the Council meeting began and watched the events unfold. He was stunned by what he saw, saved the vid to his local system, and then forwarded it to the rest of the staff, including the operations officer that was helping to issue Tomiakin's orders. The two pilots sitting in the cockpit of the specially modified shuttle were fiercely loyal to Tomiakin.