“We have no prep time on this operation but you’ve all seen the operation brief. We will go down on a landing craft. The prisoners will be released when we are position. Just move them toward the landing craft, strap them in, and then back to the Scorpio.”
Torent raised a hand. “Sir, we haven’t got room in the Scorpio brig for this many prisoners. Where are we going to keep them?”
Jack nodded. “They will be held in the secondary hangar under Marine guard. We are only a short journey from Eros, where they’ll be someone else’s problem.”
“I don’t see why they should be anyone’s problem,” Jarett said. “Half of them are just waiting for the gallows. Why waste the rope when we can just let the Chits take care of them?”
Jack understood the squad leader’s comment and guessed most of these Marines would be thinking the same thing.
“For one thing, Jarett,” Jack said calmly, “fifty-four of them are serving life sentences. They are not under sentence of death and so deserve to be spared a meeting with the Chits. Six of them are due to hang in a month’s time. The Chits will be here in a few days probably.”
“So they die a few weeks sooner,” Jarett said, laughing. “They say the waiting is the worst. We’d be doing them a favor.”
“We are not in the business of doing favors, Squad Leader Jarett,” Jack said. “We are Marines and we follow orders. Our orders are to bring these prisoners to the Scorpio for transfer to Eros. Do you have a problem following that order?”
Jarett stopped laughing. “No, sir,” he said, looking straight ahead.
Jack studied Jarett’s expression, wondering if he had he misjudged this Marine? Would he be able to do this job? The last thing Jack needed to do was to second-guess his decisions. Running in circles like a headless Chit was no way for a commander to act.
“But most importantly, those are human beings down there. We are going to need every available person if we are going to turn the tide in this war. Maybe one of them can do something to help us win this thing. I do not want any mistakes on this one, okay?” Jack looked at the faces of his squad leaders. They all nodded in agreement.
Jack’s communicator came alive with a message from Major Griff.
“We are in position. Take your team down as soon as you are ready. Good luck, Jack.”
“Copy that, Major,” Jack said. He turned to his squad leaders. “You heard the major. Get your squads to the lander and let’s go rescue some people. Go.”
Jack watched his squad leaders order their squads onto the landing craft. Built to carry an entire company, it was big enough for the task of transporting the sixty prisoners and Marines. Jack was the last up the ramp. Once aboard, he closed the ramp and informed the pilot that they were ready to leave.
The landing craft lurched forward as it left the hangar deck. It moved slowly through the hangar doors into the vacuum of space. Jack walked to the cockpit, staggering as the landing craft moved in a juddering motion. Everything on the Scorpio had been through a lot of action and was in need of repair. The Scorpio battalion’s three landing craft had been through numerous landings. One was awaiting repairs, and the other two were badly in need of a full service. This one was the best of the raggedy bunch.
Jack dropped into the copilot’s seat. The asteroid prison was lit up, a landing bay outside the main complex illuminated by several spot lights.
He noticed that the flight control panel was a patchwork of amber warning lights. The amber lights were all for subsystems and noncritical systems. Jack knew that the landing craft should be grounded and serviced if one of these lights were lit. He pointed at one and then looked to the pilot.
“This lander needs some attention,” Jack said.
The crewman shrugged. “If you got a fully serviced landing craft anywhere, Commander,” the pilot said, “I’ll be happy to fly it for you.”
Jack checked the panel again. He guessed the lander would make it. One more trip and they’d be back on Eros and a Fleet drydock. The Scorpio would finally be given the proper amount of attention. Jack even thought that maybe the battalion would be given shore leave. It would be nice to see his home planet again. Maybe he could visit his old university buildings, check in on his old professor, maybe a few old friends.
Jack realized he was drifting. He was supposed to be leading this mission and evaluating these squad leaders for their suitability for command duties and here he was, daydreaming. He looked again at the prison growing larger in the cockpit viewscreen. Jack went through the plan again in his head.
The landing craft touched down on the landing pads on the top of the wide circular facility. The pilot turned to Jack.
“They are taking us in,” he said.
Jack noticed the landing platform was lowering into the facility. Then the roof closed and plunged them into darkness, with only the warning lights on the control panel lighting the cockpit.
Jack was the first out of the lander. He walked down the boarding ramp onto a landing pad.
Torent came alongside Jack. “Hope it’s as easy to get out,” Torent said.
The environmental readings on Jack’s meat suit showed that pressure was rising and oxygen ratio was approaching breathable levels.
A claxon sounded and a sign lit up on the landing bay’s wall, telling them that the atmospheric conditions were perfect. The landing bay was sealed and there was a breathable atmosphere.
“We keep our suits on at all times, Marines,” Jack said. This was a military operation, not a civilian visit. They were transporting dangerous men. This could be more dangerous than any of them expected. Jack was taking no chances.
The door to the corridor that led to the main compound slid open, screeching as it moved aside.
“What now, sir?” Laidlaw asked.
Jack understood the apprehension but the next move was clear.
“Let’s move out. This tunnel takes us to the main compound. We go and get those prisoners.”
The central compound was a large open space with a cylindrical guard tower at the center. The clear composite windows ran in bands around the tower. Jack looked to the sides of the compound, which was a circular arrangement of prison cells. Each was a small unit just big enough for one person. They ran in a circle around the edge of the inner compound with what Jack estimated to be fifty cells, stacked eight deep. Alongside each stack of cells was a spiral stairway enclosed in chain-link mesh.
Jack saw that only a relatively small number of cells were occupied. These were illuminated by spotlights positioned on the central guard tower. A large red light sat above each of the occupied cells. Some prisoners were leaning on the cell’s transparent wall and looking out to the central compound. They were shouting and whistling at the Marines as they entered, while some prisoners seemed unaware or completely disinterested.
The Marines spread out around the central compound and studied the prison’s geometry. Jack could see the benefit of the arrangement. The surveillance systems were positioned in the middle of the prison and the cells were positioned around the edges. It was an efficient use of the space.
Torent sidled up alongside Jack. “What now, sir?” he said. “I thought they would be waiting for us?”
“Me too,” Jack said.
A drone on the guard tower came down into the compound and positioned itself in front of Jack.
“Commander Jack Forge,” it said. “Transfer of prisoners to your authority. Do you wish to proceed with prisoner transfer?”
Jack looked at Torent. Torent shrugged.
“Yes,” Jack said to the guard drone. “Release the prisoners to me now.”
The drone returned to the top of the guard tower. A moment later, the red lights above the cells all changed color to green.
“I guess that means they are open now,” Jack said. He braced himself, expecting a sudden stampede of prisoners all desperate for freedom, but the prisoners barely moved. Some were standing and looking out of the open doorway, while others still se
emed oblivious.
Looking at the wide ring of towering cells and the prisoners, Jack realized this was going to be a tricky job. He was used to giving orders to Marines who were trained to obey. How would he deal with these social outcasts, people who, for one reason or another, had decided to do anything but follow any authority other than their own will?
“Squad Leaders,” Jack called out, “get those prisoners out of their cells. I want them formed up and ready to move. On the double, Marines.”
The squad leaders responded immediately. The squads formed up. Jack watched them running to the mesh-covered spiral staircases. These Marines had dealt with the harshest battle conditions against a determined and fierce enemy. Now they were facing a lethargic and potentially devious group. Jack hoped his Marines could deal with these prisoners as well as they dealt with Chitins.
8
The enhanced data overlay on Jack’s helmet gave him a head count of the prisoners formed up in the compound. He counted fifty-seven. He was still three prisoners short. Jack could see Torent and a few members of 6th squad standing at an open cell. Torent was talking to the prisoner inside.
There were two other prisoners still refusing the Marine’s order to leave their cells. Jack went to the nearest cell. The stairway was right in front of Jack and the cell was only a two stories up. The cell looked empty, but two Marines were standing at the open doorway.
Jack pushed the Marines aside when he got there and stepped into the small cell. Jack could see why the cell had appeared empty from below. The prisoner was lying on his bunk, relaxed and apparently taking a snooze. The data overlay showed Jack the prisoner’s name. James Hook.
“Prisoner Hook,” Jack said. “We are here to transfer you. On your feet.”
“You know why I’m in here, fella?” Hook said. He slid his hands under his head.
“My name is Commander Forge. You can call me Jack.”
“I’m in here because I don’t listen to the Fleet Marines. I never have and I never will. I won’t start by listening to you now, fella.”
“You must understand you are in danger if you stay here. We are here to transfer you for your own safety.”
Hook laughed and settled into his bunk. “Save me? You here to take me to another prison. I’m fine with this one, fella.”
“The Chits will be passing this way in a few days, maybe sooner. You don’t want to be here when they get here.” Jack stepped over to the bunk. He unclipped his sidearm and drew it.
“Nothing gets in, nothing gets out. This is state-of-the-art prison facility, fella. I should know, they’ve put me in a few.”
“I can’t leave you for the Chits. They’ll turn you into a Chitin spy and send you against us. I know what it does to a person. It’ll drive you insane, and make you a danger to the fleet. Now you either come with me—” Jack aimed his pistol. “—or I’ll shoot you where you lie.”
Hook opened an eye and looked at the pistol aimed at his head. “I never wanted to aim a gun. Never wanted one aimed at me much neither. Okay, fella. You win.” Hook sat up and slung his feet over the side of the bunk. Even sitting down, Jack could see Hook was tall. He looked fit and strong.
“How come you didn’t get recruited into the Marines, Hook?” Jack asked.
“I was recruited, fella, but I was happy sitting back. I didn’t want to run around, all suited up like you are.” Hook waved his hand at Jack’s meat suit. “I didn’t want to be no soldier, fella. I don’t think I’d like to take orders.”
“A refusenik.” One of the Marines behind Jack stepped forward and reached out to grab Hook by the arm.
Jack held out a restraining arm and stopped the Marine. “He’s not refusing to leave his cell now, are you, Hook?”
Hook stood up. “You just need to ask nicely is all.”
Jack walked out of the cell and onto the stairway. “Bring him, carefully,” Jack said to the pair of Marines in the doorway. “We don’t want to have to carry an injured prisoner when we leave.”
Jack went down the stairs quickly and into the compound. The next cell was right on the top level. Jack went as quickly as he could. He could see the Marines were in the cell and treating the prisoner roughly. Two were leaning over the prisoner. A punch from a Marine in a meat suit could smash a man’s rib cage. Jack didn’t want to lose a prisoner, and certainly not to the actions of his own men.
Jack burst into the cell.
“Stand down, Marines. Stand down. Leave that prisoner alone.”
The Marines backed away the moment they heard Jack’s voice. They let their commander enter the cell. Jack immediately recognized the prisoner on the bunk. It was a face all Marines had come to know, and hate. It was the disgraced former government secretary, Steph Canton.
“Secretary Canton,” Jack said, looking down at the prisoner. His eye was black and his nose was bleeding. “Have my Marines been mistreating you?”
Steph Canton sat up from his bunk. “It’s plain old Mister Canton now, Commander.” Canton wiped the blood from his noise. “I won’t be filing any grievance reports against your Marines today.”
Jack turned to the two Marines. They were a pair from Adder Company. “Report to your squad leader. On the double.”
“It’s Steph kravin Canton, sir,” one of the Marines said, pointing a finger. His tone suggested he felt justified in mistreating the man.
“I gave you an order,” Jack said.
The two Marines left the cell and began their descent on the mesh-covered stairway. Jack turned to Canton.
“Sorry. My men shouldn’t have mistreated you, sir.”
Canton stood up. “It’s not the worst that’s happened to me, Commander. Not by a longshot.”
Jack held out a hand and invited Canton to leave the cell and walk down the stairs.
Canton left with a quiet word of thanks.
The last prisoner was in a cell on the far side of the circular compound. A ground floor cell. A pair of Marines stood outside the transparent composite wall, looking in. Jack saw the prisoner sitting on his bunk next to a Marine. The Marine had removed his helmet and was chatting and laughing with the prisoner. Jack called up the enhanced data overlay of the Marine who was out of uniform and fraternizing with the prisoner.
The name displayed over the Marine was Sam Torent.
“Sam,” Jack said, stepping into the cell. “Report.”
Torent jumped to his feet. Helmet in hand. “Just talking, sir.”
“You’re supposed to be taking this prisoner from his cell and placing him with the others for transport. Why are you sitting here?”
“Sorry, sir.” Torent pulled his helmet back over his head. It hissed as it fixed in place. “I could see we weren’t ready to go yet, and I know this man. This is an old friend of mine, sir. This is Richard Butcher.”
“Get him with the others, now,” Jack said.
Jack searched the prisoner database and found Richard Butcher. He was one of the six condemned men. Butcher had been convicted of multiple murders in a gangland killing spree. Of all the condemned prisoners, he was next in line for his scheduled appointment with the gallows. He didn’t seem concerned that he was only days away from the end of his time in this universe. He walked alongside Torent as they exited the cell, laughing at some private joke. Jack watched them walk to the rest of the prisoners standing in a group. Once Butcher was there, Jack called Torent to him.
“You know he’s a convicted murderer, Sam?”
Torent nodded. “He told me it was self-defense, Jack.”
“And you believe him?” Jack looked at Torent closely and measured his expressions for any signs of doubt.
“We grew up in a rough area,” Torent said, turning away from Jack. “We had a rough time of it as kids and he was as rough as any of us. He is a hard man and he will fight for his life. And he’d fight for his friends. He saved my life more than once when we were on the street. He’s rough. He’s a fighter, but he’s not a murderer.”
Jack studied Torent. His bio signs were steady. Jack cross-referenced everything through the suit’s polygraph. As far as Jack could tell, Torent wasn’t lying. He truly believed his old friend was no murderer.
He knew he would have to keep Torent away from Butcher when they got back to the Scorpio. Jack didn’t know if Butcher was a killer or not, but he was a distraction for Torent, who had duties as a squad leader. Butcher had already somehow gotten Torent to disregard protocols and remove his helmet. Jack would have to make a comment on this issue to Torent at another time. It was the sort of thing that should be noted on a permanent record.
Another one Jack had to keep an eye on was Steph Canton. The former secretary had been a vocal campaigner for peace with the Chitins. Jack had heard his speeches. Canton had spoken out loudly that the war had been started by humans invading the Chitin home world and if effort was put into finding peace, then the war could be ended. Canton had accused the Fleet and the Fleet Marines of treason, by deepening the war against the Chitins. That had been enough for many to condemn Canton as a traitor himself. Canton had still urged the government to engage in efforts to make peace. Everyone knew about Canton, the peace campaigner who had so brutally murdered his wife.
Jack knew Canton was in danger from the Marines who he had insulted, Marines who had fought and sacrificed so much. If Jack was going to succeed in his mission and safely transfer these prisoners, he knew he needed to keep a close watch on Canton.
He did a final head count of the assembled prisoners in the huddle surrounded by the Marines. Sixty exactly. So far, the job was going off with only a few minor problems. Jack knew it could have been a lot worse.
“Listen up, prisoners. We will move out of the central compound and head along the main corridor to the landing pad. Move them out, Marines.”
Jack watched as the herd of prisoners was urged into motion with a not too gentle shove of encouragement. Jack didn’t want his Marines mistreating the prisoners, but if no one was hurt in the process, he deemed a slight shove an acceptable level of force. These prisoners needed to know who was in charge. The Marines were in charge here, and Jack was their leader.
Jack Forge, Fleet Marine Boxed Set (Books 1 - 9) Page 41
