by Brian Dorsey
Behind Martin and Shara stood Orion and Katalya.
Orion wore her ceremonial uniform, consisting of red breechcloth worn over her dress trousers and tucked under her ceremonial belt which held her sidearm and an ornate knife. Her hair was still curled but an eagle feather was affixed to her hair and fell against her cheeks.
Katalya wore a plain tactical uniform but her hair was tied into two braided tails that extended forward over her shoulders to her waist. Stone couldn’t help but notice the pain still painted on her face.
Next to Stone stood Commander Eagleheart, Yellow Star’s commanding officer.
“As senior officer, you will need to greet them first, Marshal,” whispered Eagleheart. “There is no special greeting…just introduce yourself and state that you were his war leader.”
Stone nodded in acknowledgment just before his attention was drawn to the opposite side of the room as the large double-doors slid open.
As the doors opened, four large warriors stepped into the room, each wore buckskin leggings and black breechcloths over their trousers. They were shirtless, displaying well-muscled but lean torsos. The warriors’ upper torsos were painted black, with the paint extending upward to their jaws. The rest of their faces were painted dull red which also covering their bald heads. Each ear had a bone earring and a single feather was attached to the lone tuft of hair positioned just a little back from the top of their heads.
The four warriors stopped, two on each side and turned toward the center.
Behind them came an Iroqua dressed in black leggings with a long buckskin over-shirt that fell below his waist. In one hand was a turtle shell and another a dark brown hide of a small animal. The Iroqua’s face was covered with a wooden mask painted red, black, and white with long lengths of weaved grass protruding from the back.
The masked man walked past the other warriors and then stopped and knelt.
The warriors lowered their heads as a small woman walked into the room.
She wore red cloth shoes with white trimming and brown trousers. A large blue blanket was draped over her torso and came down to her knees. Her face was devoid of any makeup or paint and her dark, black hair was tied into a single braid that fell down her back. Shifting back to her face, he could make out loose wrinkles around her eyes and on her brow. He also made out small traces of grey in her hair.
She had to be the senior member.
Stone stepped forward.
“I am Marshal Stone. I was Thayendanegea’s leader.”
The woman looked up toward Stone, her wrinkled face tense. “I am Onatah, of the Wolf Clan…and you are the Humani who defied your ProConsul?”
“I am,” he replied.
“Thayendanegea’s way, while always honoring his clan, was his own. Many doubted the prudence of fighting with the Akota but once he declared mourning war, no one would challenge him.”
Stone was not sure if she was saying Thay shouldn’t have fought with the Akota—and especially him—or if she was praising his drive.
“Thayendanegea was a brave warrior. His enemies never saw his back,” said Martin, in Iroqua, as she stepped next to Stone. She gave Stone a glance before continuing. “I am Major Emily Martin—”
“Red Wolf,” interrupted the woman.
The Iroqua warriors’ heads snapped toward the direction of Martin, who held her gaze on the woman.
“Yes.”
“Thayendanegea spoke of you…first of his desire to kill you…then of his respect for your loyalty and skill.”
“A compliment from a warrior such as him is an honor,” replied Martin.
The woman gave Martin a nod and turned toward Stone again.
“May I see him?” she asked.
“Of course,” replied Stone and motioned for two guards to open the door behind Shara, Orion, and Katalya.
The doors opened and four Akota in full dress uniform slowly carried a wooden platform with Thay’s body.
Stone could see Thay’s arms folded over his body, with a tomahawk in each hand, as tradition dictated.
As the platform moved past Stone’s team, he saw Katalya’s face grow red as her breathing grew more labored. Suddenly, she turned and rushed from the room.
“She is in mourning,” said Stone.
“Many mourn nowadays,” said Onatah.
“Did you know Thayendanegea?” asked Stone.
Again the woman looked up, her eyes wet with tears. “He is my son.”
Stone’s knees almost gave out. “Your son?”
“Yes,” she replied. “That is why I must speak with your Red Wolf.”
Stone turned toward Martin. He could see the shock on her face.
“Come here,” said Onatah, motioning for Martin.
Martin slowly walked up to the woman, who stood next to Thay’s body as the Akota warriors lowered the platform to the deck.
“You do understand Thayendanegea came to fight in this war to avenge the life you took.”
“I do,” replied Martin.
“And now my family again faces death.”
Martin stood silently.
“Do you understand what this means?”
Stone’s body tensed as he began to contemplate just how bad this could be.
“I do. And I will tell you that your son stopped being an enemy of mine long ago. He is…was a brother in arms, fighting against the true evil in this galaxy.”
Stone had never known Martin to be so conciliatory, but he was sure even she knew the power of the woman she was talking to…as well as the level of her pain.
Onotah knelt next to Thay and placed her hand on his forehead.
With a heavy exhale, she rose and turned toward Martin.
“Red Wolf, what do you feel about my son’s death?”
“Anger…no rage,” she replied. “I want to hold the heart of the one that did this in my hand.”
Onatah nodded in acknowledgment. “Then please kneel.”
Martin looked toward Stone.
He motioned for her to kneel and gave her a nod.
Martin knelt in front of the grieving Iroqua matron.
Onatah placed her hand on Martin’s shoulder.
“It is the belief of our people that the spirit of a warrior, if they have a good death, will be passed into the body of another. My son spoke to me before he returned about you.”
Stone jerked as the Onatah landed an open hand against Martin’s cheek.
Martin looked up toward the woman, her eyes wide. But she did not react.
“Despite the pain you have caused this family, he told me that your heart was that of a warrior. Was he right?”
“Yes,” replied Martin, her left cheek now bright red.
“Then rise, Awaheya, daughter of the wolf clan.”
Martin looked toward Stone and then back toward Onatah.
“Rise,” said the matron.
Martin rose to her feet. “I don’t—”
“My son told me that if he were to die that you should be the one to exact vengeance for our family.”
“That I will do, Onatah,” replied Martin. “But I am Humani, not Iroqua.”
“That does not matter, Awaheya.” Onatah reached down and pulled one of the tomahawks from Thay’s hand and extended it toward Martin. “You owe the Iroqua nothing but to be the warrior that you are…and make Thayendanegea’s tomahawk wet with blood again.”
Martin took the tomahawk from Onatah. “That I can promise you.”
Onatah then turned toward Stone. “My son’s mourning is over and his war will be continued by Awaheya.” She stepped toward Stone. “But my heart is still heavy…so the Iroqua will go to war against the Humani.”
“You are entering the war?”
“It is my right to ask this of the council…and they will not refuse.”
“Thank you,” replied Stone.
“Do not thank me, Humani,” said Onatah. “My son was right to fight this evil and I have paid for my unwillingness to aid my Akota brothers w
ith his death. I will withhold this aid no longer. The Shirt-Wearers and the Terillian Council Lodge have been informed of our entry in the war.”
She turned back toward Martin.
“But your war is with the one that took my son…that is your oath to me.”
“And one I will gladly take,” replied Martin.
Onatah motioned for the four warriors and they moved toward her, each grabbing an edge of the platform and lifting Thay’s body into the air. Another motion and the warriors began to exit with Thay’s body, the medicine man walking slowly behind them, chanting in Iroqua.
“Thank you for allowing my son to die among such brave warriors,” said Onatah. “Now I must return to my clan.”
Onatah turned and began to walk away.
“Onatah,” asked Martin.
“Yes?” she asked turning back toward Martin.
“The name you gave me, Awaheya…what does it mean?”
A tight smile came to Onatah’s face. “Death.”
Chapter 13
Sierra stood on the deck of the battle cruiser Ragna next to the ship’s captain.
“We are prepared for our jump, Commander Skye,” reported Captain Vaal.
“Excellent,” replied Sierra. “Once we arrive, keep their defenses occupied. The company of Elite Guard and my men will board the station.”
“Yes, commander,” replied Vaal. “But wouldn’t it be easier to just destroy the station with our guns?”
“If that was the ProConsul’s wishes, Captain. But what she wishes is that we take the station and wait for the Akota to attack. I need the Traitors to enter the station so once you have destroyed their fighters you need to pull back out of range until I signal you. Once you receive the signal, jump back and engage whatever force they have sent.”
“Yes, commander.”
“And you, Major Richter,” said Sierra, turning toward the Elite Guard major. “You’re men will focus on their security forces and then take out any aircraft still in the hangars.”
“We know our assignment, commander,” grumbled Richter. “We are Guardsmen after all. I just want a shot at the Traitors.”
Sierra moved close to Richter. “Do not forget, Major. One of them must be taken alive.” She focused on the major’s eyes. “And Martin is mine.”
***
Stone stood like a statue as four long-range transports drifted toward the deck of Yellow Star’s hangar bay. After the Iroqua funeral party had departed with Thay’s body, Yellow Star had jumped to the designated rendezvous point with the Scout Rangers. As the transports locked into place, Stone exhaled heavily.
Mori was on one of those transports.
Stone’s heart raced with an uncomfortable mixture of anticipation and anxiety as he watched the Rangers exit the transports.
Then he saw her.
Mori hopped from the troop compartment onto the deck, displaying a slight grimace before she moved to the front of her officers. Her braided hair swung behind her as she looked over her officers. Even though she hadn’t looked toward Stone, he could see the brilliant flash of green in her eyes as she addressed her officers.
“Get your men settled and your gear stowed,” she ordered. “I will brief you on the underway schedule at 1800 standard hours.”
Unlike a Humani formation, there was no formal ‘dismissed’; the officers simply began to scatter and attend to their men. As the group dispersed, Mori turned toward Stone.
Their eyes met and his stomach tightened. Mori’s mouth curved into a smile. He moved toward her, picking up his pace as he grew closer. Just as he was about to reach her, he opened his arms to embrace her.
But he stopped in his tracks when Mori snapped to attention and rendered a Humani salute.
Stone returned the salute, but his stomach churned. “Major,” he said, unsure of what to do next.
“Marshal Stone,” replied Mori. “It’s good to see you again.” She moved in close to him. “I really missed you, Magakisca,” she said softly.
Mori could see the confusion Stone was failing to hide.
“I thought you would prefer a salute in public,” continued Mori. “I just—”
“I missed you, too,” interrupted Stone as he took Mori in his arms. “And this feels much better than a salute.”
The pressure of her body against his and feel of her hair against his cheek caused him to close his eyes as he tried to lock the moment into his memory. “I really did miss you.”
“Me too,” replied Mori, looking up toward him. “And its colonel,” she added.
“Colonel?” Stone loosened his embrace to look into her eyes. “Did something happen to Colonel Rain or Blackriver?”
“No,” chuckled Mori.
“Then how—”
“After this mission I will take command of the 5th Heavy Infantry Regiment.”
“A line command?” Stone’s memory flashed to his own promotion to colonel and the destruction of his regiment on Juliet 3.
“It’s a stepping stone to—”
“Shirt-Wearer,” said Stone.
“Is that a problem?” snapped Mori, stepping away from Stone’s embrace.
“No.” Stone backpedaled. “I’m happy for you.”
“For us,” replied Mori.
Stone wanted to be happy about Mori’s promotion. But it only made him more anxious.
“That’s great,” said Stone, faking it. But Mori’s gaze told him she didn’t completely believe him.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
He wasn’t. But he would tell her the part of the problem that didn’t involve. He let out a sigh. “Port Royal was tough.”
“How is Katalya?” Mori’s jaw tightened as the concern for her sister overtook her thoughts.
“Not good,” replied Stone. “We tried—”
“Where is she? I need to see her.”
Stone could see the guilt painted on Mori’s face for not going straight to her sister after landing.
“I can take you to her.”
The short walk from the hangar to Katalya’s stateroom was filled with silence as Stone tried to think of something to say. Mori remained silent as well, her focus set forward as she followed Stone through the ship. In a few awkward moments they reached a long row of doors at one of the sections of staterooms onboard Yellow Star. “Martin has been checking in—”
“Martin!” Mori’s head swung toward Stone. “Why would you have that—” Mori paused. “Nevermind…which room is hers?”
Stone walked past three doors, stopping at the fourth on the right. “Here.”
Mori pushed past Stone and knocked on the door.
The door slowly opened. Katalya’s tired eyes opened wide when she saw her sister at the door.
“Kat?” said Mori softly.
Katalya’s face slacked and tears began to fall down her cheeks. “He’s gone,” wailed Katalya as she collapsed into Mori’s arms.
“I’m here for you, c’uwé,” said Mori as she ran her hand over her sister’s hair.
“I—”
“I’ll meet with you after I talk with my sister, Marshal,” said Mori, her eyes welling up from a combination of pain for her sister and anger. “Maybe you should go see your Chief of Staff…I’m sure she has nothing better to do than sit around waiting on you.”
Stone’s skin grew hot but knew it wasn’t the right time to fight…for Katalya’s sake. “I’ll be waiting,” he said flatly.
***
Stone sat alone in the silence of the briefing room, lost in thought. After Mori had returned from her time with Katalya, they did the only thing they seemed to be good at together. Afterwards, however, he spent a restless night as he wondered what would be the catalyst for their next argument.
Then the catalyst entered the room.
Emily Martin strode into the briefing room but paused when she saw Stone. “Sir?” Her mouth curled, puzzled at this presence. “The brief doesn’t start for another ten min—”
“Don’t le
t me bother you, Emily,” replied Stone. He knew she would be the first in the room. “I just needed to get out of my office.”
“Yes, sir,” said Martin as she began to activate the holographic panels for the briefing to make sure they were correct. “Looks like Echo system is heating up again,” she continued as she flipped through various displays.
“It looks like the Humani are trying to step up resistance, even if it means stirring up the Followers of the Word.”
“Those fanatics are a problem for everyone.” Martin paused in contemplation. “But Astra Varus would burn down the whole system if she thought she could gain from it.”
Stone nodded in agreement. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up back there again.”
Martin looked up from her displays. “I already started developing op plans,” she said with a smile.
Stone’s attention was drawn toward Shara, Orion, and Rickover as they walked into the room. The absence of Magnus and Thay weighed heavy on him.
“Sir,” said Shara as the group passed Stone toward their seats.
Stone replied with a nod.
Yellow Star’s command officer, executive officer, and combat systems officer entered next. Behind them was the ship’s senior flight officer.
“Good morning, Marshal Stone,” said Commander Eagleheart.
“Captain,” replied Stone, offering the title due to all commanding officers of vessels. As the fleet officers took their seats, Stone looked at his watch. It was time to—
Just as the meeting was scheduled to start, Mori entered the room with five of her officers. Next to Mori, as she stormed into the room, was Katalya.
“Ki’etsenko Skye, we are pleased to have you onboard,” said Commander Eagleheart.
Stone figured he knew of Mori’s promotion and her fast track toward becoming a Shirt-Wearer.
“Commander,” replied Mori as she sat next to Stone. “Marshal,” she said as she turned toward Stone. She cast a guilty smile toward him. “I hope you got enough sleep. I—”
“Now that everyone is here,” interrupted Martin, her gaze locked on Mori, “Are you ready to begin, sir?”
