by Danny Loomis
“Platoon Sergeant, secure the two buildings on either side of this one. Call in two more platoons to surround this square. I want that sniper alive, if possible.”
He low crawled back inside the Councilman’s home. Pauley and two others were already at the windows, eyes searching. A rising sound of gunfire was beginning. “Situation report, Captain.”
“We secured this building after killing three men who tried to escape when they saw us. My Battalion Commander’s aware of the situation, and has air assets on the way.”
“Tell them to land outside of the village, and take anyone prisoner who tries to get out. My men are going rebel hunting.”
A rictus of a grin covered Pauley’s face. “Will do, Major. Request my men and I be included in your hunt.”
“With pleasure, Captain.”
The sun was close to the horizon when Captain Veerman approached Major Vogel, who’d set up a field table and several chairs next to a shuttle outside of Murray’s Rest. “All our personnel accounted for, Sir.”
Vogel lowered the ice pack he’d been holding to the back of his head and leaned back. “Wounded and dead?”
“Seven wounded and two dead, Sir.”
“How about civilian casualties?”
“Seventeen prisoners and two hundred fifteen dead.”
He looked at Pauley, seated near him. “How about your troops?”
“Fourteen wounded and six dead, Sir.”
Vogel tossed the ice pack he’d been holding to a medic behind him. “How’s the questioning of prisoners going?”
Veerman shook his head. “Not a thing, Sir. Even the Stern woman wouldn’t talk. Except to say ‘David’s safe. He got away.’ Kept saying that over and over again.”
“She’s probably right, Sir,” Pauley said. “I noticed there wasn’t one child, let alone a teenager among any of the prisoners or dead.”
“I’ve seen this before.” He paused a moment, watching the setting sun being blotted out by clouds. “When the townspeople feel they’re in danger, they set up a diversion while their children escape. Worked quite well this time.” He glanced around. “Captain Pauley, you and I need to meet with your Regimental Commander. It seems we were too late to rescue any of the villagers at Murray’s Rest from the vicious attack by the rebels. It was only by the heroic efforts of you and your handful of men that they were driven off.”
Pauley sat up straighter. “Yes, too bad.” A smile lit his face. “It was certainly a good thing you and your company of Alliance troops were able to respond to our calls for help. Otherwise, we would also have been dead.”
Vogel nodded sagely. “We appreciate your thanks, Captain.” He grinned. “A little more work on our story and I think we have the gist of what our overall report will say.” He turned to Veerman. “Captain, once you’ve terminated the prisoners, leave them in the village square. Make sure every structure is burnt to the ground. Then get your company back to the barracks in Galway. Remember, this was a top-secret mission. Not to be discussed with anyone. Make sure your troops know that.”
Veerman gave him a crisp nod, not quite coming to attention. “Will do, Sir.” He hurried away.
Vogel stood and clapped Pauley on the shoulder. Captain, are you a drinking man?”
He smiled up at him. Sometimes, Sir. Depends on the situation.”
“Same here.” Vogel chuckled. “I happen to believe this is one of those situations. Care to join me?”
Two kilometers away on the brow of a hill facing the remnants of Murray’s Rest, Dave Stern lowered his hunting rifle. He’d watched helplessly while the only home he’d ever known was razed to the ground, every building put to the torch. The only time he hadn’t been able to focus clearly was when tears leaked out during the massacre of those he knew and loved.
Quiet whimpering began increasing in volume behind him. He twisted around. “Quiet! You want them monsters to find us?” Twelve children, all between six and thirteen, clung to each other in a hollow. Three of them held swaddled babies, just now beginning to drop into an exhausted sleep. He swung back, bringing the rifle’s scope to his eye once more. Some day there’d be a reckoning. The faces of those who led the pack of wolves below were seared in his mind. Just let me live long enough to kill them all, Lord.
REBEL BASE–MOTOR POOL (Day +69)
Nolan’s voice echoed from the shuttle’s bridge. “Hey, Captain. You got a call on the comm. Line one.”
Irish finished wiping down his needler and stood. “On my way. Who is it?”
“Bernie something. Didn’t catch her full name.”
Irish slipped into the co-pilot’s seat and keyed the comm. “Irish here.”
Bernadette’s unsmiling face appeared on the screen. “Hi, Captain. Hold for Brian.” The screen blanked a moment. Irish sat up straighter. Must be serious since Bernadette wasn’t her normal smiley self.
Brian appeared on the screen. “Irish, we got a couple problems that just raised their ugly heads. The first one involves your sister and the crowd she’s running with. Like you thought, they attacked a rally going on in the town of Carrow. Ten civilians dead and a couple dozen injured. The Legs are having a field day with this in the news. I’m having her and her gang brought in. Afraid they’re going to have to answer for this one. Especially since I’d just warned them.”
A weight descended on Irish’s shoulders. “Understood. You want me to go get her?”
Brian’s head was shaking. “We’ve got another problem. The village of Murray’s Rest, not far from Galway, was burnt to the ground. Its inhabitants were slaughtered. The Legs are spreading it all over the news it was a rebel attack.”
“That doesn’t sound right,” Irish said. “Why would the freedom fighters all of a sudden do something this awful? Not even Lenora’s bunch are that crazy.”
“That’s why I’d like you and some of your Scouts to go check it out. Having someone from the Confederation do the investigation might be for the best, especially if some of our troops really did go rogue.”
“Will do. What’re your plans for Lenora?”
“I’m afraid she’s going to have to stand trial for this one.”
Irish forced himself to relax. “I’ll get with you when I have any information. Good luck. Oh, and Brian? Watch your back. Lenora wasn’t making much sense last time I saw her.”
“Thanks, Irish. Bernie will be in the office while I’m gone if you need anything.” The screen blanked.
“Nolan, get hold of Two Eagles. Tell him I need to see him ASAP.” He leaned back with a sigh, watching Nolan hurry off. He hoped Lenora would be all right. Hell, he hoped Brian would be all right. Having the two of them tangle wasn’t all that big a deal far as the rebellion went. But it was for him.
Two Eagles strode up the ramp. “I just heard on the news about Murray’s Rest being wiped out by the rebels. We getting involved?”
“Looks like it. Get the entire squad together for a briefing, would you?”
“You got it.” He trotted off.
Within minutes eleven men filled the inside of the shuttle. Even when seated, it felt crowded. Irish surveyed them, satisfaction welling up. It was good to have the best of the best guarding your back at times like this.
“We’ve got two missions given us, men,” he said. They all quieted, staring intently at him.
“One fire team will get the toughest job. With the assistance of the first snipers that were trained, you’ll begin working with two classes of snipers a day, seven hour shifts for each. This will continue until we have two hundred snipers. The trainees you’ve been getting are already excellent shots. I’ve told the rebel commander this is the quality we’ll keep expecting for trainees.
“Your job is to add to that expertise by teaching them rapidly as possible how to use camouflage, sneak and peek, and conduct counter-sniper missions if needed. Don’t expect perfection, but do make them good enough to survive.”
He scanne
d their faces. “The second mission involves inspecting the site of the massacre at Murray’s Rest. We need to know for sure what happened, and who did it. Most importantly, we have to find any survivors. Due to the negative press the rebels have gotten over this incident, we need witnesses. Even if the evidence points to the rebels, this has to be done without any coverups. Do you have any questions?”
Two Eagles raised a hand. “When will these missions start, Captain?”
“Right now for those conducting the training. The other group will lift out of here once the sun sets.”
He pointed at Burbank. “Sergeant, your fire team will be responsible for the training. In the long run, our success here on this planet depends on how well we train the rebels, whether they’re snipers or anything else. You up for it?”
Burbank stiffened to attention. “We won’t let you down, Sir.”
“Good. Take your men and go to work, Sergeant.”
Irish waited until Burbank and his men filed off the shuttle. “Two Eagles, for this mission you’re second in command, with Wells after you. Make sure everyone is weaponed up with needlers and Mark IVs, plus doubled up on ammo. We’ll be in hostile territory, and need to do everything we can to make sure we’re not noticed. But if we are discovered by the enemy, I want to make them bleed before we break contact.”
He pointed at Nolan. “Sergeant Nolan will be my co-pilot on this operation. Sergeant Wells, once we land you’ll stay back with the shuttle, along with Nolan. It’s imperative the shuttle be protected, which is why I’m leaving it with you two. We’ve spotted a possible hide for the ship two klicks from the objective. Comm for the troops on the ground will be on Tac one. Wells, if you need to contact us, use Tac two.”
He glanced around. “Questions? If not, get ready. See you back here twenty minutes before liftoff.”
* * *
“Those two trees,” Nolan said. “Looks like there’s room between ‘em.”
Irish eyed the small clearing while dropping the shuttle into it, then moving towards the tree line. Thank God for the enhanced light system. Let them do things like this after dark.
He touched down and lowered the ramp while shutting off everything but cloaking. “It’s all yours, Sergeant. See you when we get back.” He slipped off the flight deck, stopping long enough to snatch up his gear before disappearing after the last of the fire team.
Wells gave a last look after the disappearing men. “Well, shit. I should be with them.”
Nolan cocked an eyebrow. “What was that the Captain said to you, about too many eggs?”
“Yeh. Too many eggs in one basket.” He turned to Nolan with a sigh. “And he’s right. Doesn’t mean I gotta like it, though.” He checked his weapons and started down the ramp. “I’ll only be out half an hour. Shouldn’t take more than that to emplace sensors and do a security sweep. Close up the ramp, will you?”
Two Eagles had set the pace at not quite two kilometers an hour, normally a bit fast for the scouts in unfriendly territory, even at route march like they presently were. But the area was clear under the large trees, making it easy to move quietly. The fire team had spaced themselves five meters apart behind Two Eagles.
They’d paused after clearing the treeline into a large meadow when a whisper came over the comm. “Scout One to the front.”
Irish moved forward, and crouched next to Two Eagles. The remains of Murray’s Rest spread out before them, two hundred meters away. Over half of the twenty-five homes had burnt to the ground, the rest blackened shells. He lifted his Mark IV, scoping the scene.
“On the right. Four men entering the area,” Two Eagles said.
“Got them,” Irish said, zooming his scope in. “Why don’t you take the team on a perimeter sweep around the area. Leave Ramsey with me. I’m going in, get a closer look at what those folks are doing.”
He remained crouched until Two Eagles and his crew disappeared from sight before regaining his feet. ‘Ramsey, let’s take a closer look at what remains of the town. Curious about what those four are doing, too.”
“Lookin’ for bodies, Cap.”
Irish took a closer look through his scope. “You’re right. Good eyes, Ramsey.” He studied the village and surrounding area. “Okay, still want to scout what’s left of the town. Just means we’ve got to be a little sneakier.”
They were creeping past the first burnt-out house when Ramsey hissed. “Still.” Irish froze in place, eyes scanning front and sides. Damn, wish he’d wore his ghillies. They were fifty meters from the four men who were sifting through charred remains of a house.
One of the figures turned. “Y’just as well come on in. We been watching you the last couple minutes.”
“Scout One, this is Two,” whispered his comm. “We’ve got one armed bogie in our sights.”
“Negative on the takedown, Two. I’m going in to talk. Looks like a burial party.”
Irish slung his rifle, raised his faceplate and walked towards the men, all looking at him by now. He glanced around. “Ramsey, come up alongside me,” he murmured. “Keep your needler handy, but let’s not be the ones to start anything.”
“Close enough,” the one on the left said, when they were ten meters away. “What business you got here?”
“We’re looking for the truth,” Irish said. “This is the first time we’ve heard either side committing this level of an atrocity.”
One of the others stepped forward, face twisted in hate. “It was those damned rebels!” he snarled.
The first man waved him back. “Not so fast, Mike. Let’s hear what these folks got to say. You with the rebels?”
Irish shook his head. “No. We’re Confederation scouts.”
After a long pause, the man stepped forward. “I’m George Stefans. We been sending burial parties over here since yesterday. The Legislaturists put a curfew on ever’body, and martial law throughout the district. So we’ve had to sneak here to take care of these poor souls. What’s the Confederation doing here?”
“We’re at war with the Alliance, and arrived on-planet to gather information. When we heard about this, it became one of our priorities to find out for sure what happened and who was responsible.”
“The news says it was those damnable rebels. What makes you think different?” George asked.
“We want to see the evidence before we judge,” Irish said. “It’s too easy to say someone else did it when you’re the one controlling the news. It may well be the rebels did this, and should be punished. We just want to be certain.”
George reluctantly nodded. “Makes sense.”
Irish glanced around. “How many have you found so far?”
“Two hundred thirty-two. One thing, though, no children been located.”
His comm clicked. “I heard that, Scout One. I’m staying on target with the bogie while the rest start looking for a trail.”
Irish nodded. “Mister Stefans, I’m sorry you and your friends had to get involved with such a burdensome task. Are you from the town across the ridgeline?”
“Yeah, it’s called Gaston.”
“You have my word I’ll let you know who did this soon as we find out.” He turned to go.
“Wait, what about the kids? Could you let us know if any of them survived? We got folks in town who’re related to some of ‘em.”
“I will. But we’ve got to go. Been out in the open too long as it is. You might want to hunker down, too. Company’s coming.” He lowered his faceplate and moved off, picking up speed. “Ramsey, we’ve got thirty seconds before an air patrol comes over. Head for that patch of brush to our right.”
“I heard that, Scout One,” Two Eagles commed. “Going to ground now.”
They’d just gone prone when the humming roar of a shuttle passed close overhead. It circled the burnt area once and continued to the south. “Wait for it, guys. It’s coming back,” Irish whispered. Twenty seconds later, the shuttled roared overhead once more.
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“Okay, let’s go,” Irish said, on his feet and moving while speaking.
Ramsey hurried to catch up. “How’d you know that shuttle was comin’, Sir? I swear you heard it before it was anywhere around.”
“That’s why I’m an officer and you’re a Corporal, Corporal.” By now they’d entered the canopy of forest and Irish paused. “What’s your location, Scout Two?”
“Right behind you,” Two Eagles said in a normal voice.
Both Irish and Ramsey spun around. “Damn you,” Ramsey said. “One of these days I’m gonna piss myself when you do that.”
Irish chuckled. “I’d be cussing you too, but must be getting used to it. Your crew have any luck?”
He nodded. “Found a trail heading west from the village. Let’s go.” He led off, setting a faster pace than before.
Within minutes they’d caught up with the other three, crouched by a path. “That way,” said one of the men, pointing deeper into the forest. “Looks like ten or more.”
It was approaching dusk when they saw a light ahead through the trees. Two Eagles silently pointed left and right. The fire team split apart, moving into flanking positions. He touched helmets with Irish. “You’n me, up the gut,” he whispered.
With the lowering of the sun, the gloom under the tree canopy already approached the darkness of night. They were able to eel up to a window of the log cabin and peer inside. It was packed with children, in varying stages of eating. Two older ones in their teens were busy cooking, while two others washed and dried dishes.
“How do you want to handle this?” Two Eagles whispered, staring in the window. “Don’t want to scare them. They’ve been through enough as it is.”
“I’ve got an idea,” Irish said. “You remember to bring that broadcast unit?”
“Yeah, set up on Tac three.”
Irish clicked to Tac two. “Scout three, this is one. You got your ears on?”
“That’s a roger,” was the immediate reply from Wells.
