The Last Revolution

by Carpenter, R. T.

  “That’s what they wanted you to think. Instead, he was dragged to Traterous along with his men. He was forced to watch as they were executed one at a time. General Stone was deemed too valuable, so he was put in stasis. They say you don’t dream when you’re under, but that’s not true. You’re left, locked in your own tortured mind for eternity.”

  Alden stared at Thereon as he spoke, judging his facial movements, looking for a crack in the story. “You realize how ridiculous that sounds, right?”

  “I do.” Thereon nodded. “In fact, I didn’t believe it myself, not for a long time. Not until I saw it with my own eyes.” He walked towards the tubes holding the suits. He ran his hand down one of the empty chambers. While I was incarcerated in Traterous, one of the only respites I received from my cage was a work detail. One day, they led us down to the depths of the facility. We were moving spare parts around and I noticed a room hidden behind a door much like this one.” He gestured at the giant steel entranceway they had walked through.

  “What I saw still haunts me to this day. Amidst the carnage of that room was a solitary cryo-chamber in the back. It hadn’t been disturbed in decades. General Stone.”

  “That’s not possible.”

  “Despite what you’ve heard, I’ve seen his chamber firsthand. He’s still very much alive.”

  “Why are you telling me all of this? Why did you bring me down here?”

  “Because I know what you’re capable of.” Thereon glanced back at the suits. “In one of these, you’d be unstoppable.”

  A pit grew in his stomach; he didn’t like where this was going. “What are you getting at?”

  “Freedom, Alden. Freedom!” He dropped his fist into the other hand. “If you sincerely want to be part of this resistance, I’ll let you use the blue suit.”

  Alden shuddered, he knew what was coming next, but he had to ask. “For what…?”

  Thereon gave Alden a gaze that was more ferocious than anything he’d ever seen. “We’re going to rescue General Stone from Traterous. He’s the only one who can unite the factions and bring them together in order to achieve our ultimate goal.”

  Had he just been asked to assault the Council’s military prison? Those were his brothers; he couldn’t kill them. What would they do if he said no? After all, he had approached them under the pretext of helping the resistance, but now it seemed so much more real. If things did take a turn for the worse, how would he ever get out of here? He’d passed dozens of armed soldiers and passed a honeycomb of hallways to get here. He suddenly felt very trapped. What would Father McKinley have thought? Use your judgment, when the time comes you’ll know the right path.

  “You can’t be serious? What you’re talking about is suicide. There has to be a hundred soldiers stationed at that prison.”

  “Actually there’s an entire garrison there, with heavy weapon support.”

  Alden scratched his head as he stared at the blue and red suit. Each ligament had small boosters that worked in coordination with the user to create a sense of artificial gravity. They came with enough compressed air to last several hours, but could be quickly recharged by using the available lunar soil underfoot. Each arm was equipped with four small rockets. A dozen grenades were slung over the shoulder, a zero-gravity pistol was strapped to the side, a battle rifle was attached to the back and a small space drone was hooked to the opposite leg.

  Kira entered the room followed by several soldiers. He recognized several of them from the standoff the previous night.

  One of the larger soldiers stepped forward. “You’re not bringing him, are you?”

  “Settle down, Callisto.” Thereon held up his hand. “I’ve seen the way he fights, we need a trained solider in that suit.”

  “Boss,” another one added. “You sure it’s a good idea to give him the keys to that thing? I mean, how do you know we can trust him?”

  Alden attempted to make eye contact with Kira to gauge her feelings, but it almost seemed as if she was avoiding eye contact. Instead, she was fixated on the suits that lined the wall behind him.

  If he went with them, he could help minimize Council casualties. If they were able to free General Stone, Alexander would surely come to meet with his old friend. If he assisted them, it would cement his place within the resistance. Something he would have to do if he was to be given access to Alexander. That might even put him in a position to negotiate the disarmament of the resistance in a peaceful manner. Father McKinley would want that.

  Alden raised his head. “I’m in. What’s your plan?”

  His pulse raced at the thought of fighting in the suit alongside the hero of Helsinki. He was energized, a feeling he’d nearly forgotten.

  “Come in and close the door.” Thereon instructed to the small group of fighters.

  Once inside, he hit a button and the vault door shut. The lights went out. Pressing a button on his wrist deck, a table rose out of the ground and a hologram of the detention facility appeared on top of it.

  The building stood atop a small mountain, surrounded by a massive wall that wrapped around the base. A dozen guard towers rose from the wall in various points. There was no way to drive inside, instead a lone spaceport sat next to the eastern wall. A variety of buildings ringed the inner circle. The giant structure sat in the middle, anchored by guard posts at each corner.

  The primary cell house went several stories underground. Thereon pointed at a room in the lowest level. “This is where they’re holding the General. Our original plan had been to tunnel in there, but they apparently built this above solid rock. We’d likely bring the whole structure down on ourselves if we tried.

  “Instead we’ve managed to dig a tunnel to the outer perimeter.” He indicated the most remote part of the fort along the northwestern wall. “We’ll bring that section down. From there, the first strike group will be able to provide suppressing fire...”

  “You can’t be serious,” Alden interjected. “We’re three hundred meters below them, they’ll tear us apart.”

  “Which is why that group will only stay until they’ve got the military’s attention,” Thereon said, finishing his original thought. “In addition to the fighters, we’ll be sending a few dozen battle bots to invade and produce additional cover fire. The real action happens over here…” Thereon gestured towards the spaceport on the right side of the main cell house. “Alden, this is also where you and the suit will come in. Do you have any high altitude drop experience?”

  A blinding array of images assaulted Alden’s thoughts. He was back in the snow with his team; walls were collapsing around him. It was hard for anyone to see him in the dark, but he had to take a step back as he struggled to keep himself together.

  “Is there a problem?” Thereon asked. “You did serve in the military, correct? I’ve been told that orbital drops are considered standard procedure these days.”

  Alden had been searching for Kira’s attention during the entire meeting. For the first time he had it. She was staring right back at him. He thought she would have been frustrated with his hesitation, but instead he sensed concern. Who was this woman?

  “Yes, I have,” Alden finally said.

  “Good,” Thereon responded. “Then it’s settled, we’re doing this.” Addressing the rest of the group, he said, “Thoroughly check your weapons and equipment. We’ve only get one shot at this. I want everyone geared up and ready to go at 0400.”

  “Wait. Tomorrow?” Alden asked surprised. “We need at least a month to train for an operation like this.”

  “There isn’t any time. Our plan hinges on securing the prison transport leaving Apollo City tomorrow morning. I can’t tell you what it cost me to get that—we’ll never get another shot at this.” With that, the lights came back on and the hologram disappeared.

  “I’m going to need the best out of everyone,” Thereon said. “Now let’s go get General Stone!”

  Everyone erupted in cheers. They were finally going after their fallen leader. The grou
p filtered out of the room until only Alden and Kira were left.

  She walked across the room and stood beside him, staring at the imposing suits.

  Alden felt a tingling sensation and then she gripped his hand.

  “Think it’ll work?” She finally asked.

  It has to. “Thereon is our contact yet he denies knowing Darar Khasim. Those weapons didn’t ship themselves to Earth. We can’t trust him.”

  Kira squeezed his hand. “You have to trust him. It’s the only way you’ll get through this.”

  Alden sighed. She was right.

  “You’ll be okay. You’ve got a strong team supporting you.”

  “They’re desperate, and allowing their fear to dictate their actions. I know what we’re up against. We’ll die attacking that prison.”

  “The situation isn’t that bad…is it?” Kira asked with the slightest undercurrent of desperation.

  “This place is an echo of its former glory. Thereon thinks they can actually do this, or that somehow their death will bring the world they leave behind a little closer to freedom. When in reality it just means there’s one less person to fight for that future. These people have been ground down so far, they don’t even remember what it means to have hope.”

  “They haven’t all given up.”

  “No, not all of them, but the situation is quickly slipping beyond them.”

  Kira nodded. They stood in silence a few moments longer, and then she let his hand slip from hers as she left the room.

  Alden stared at the blue suit; his mind drifted beyond the vault. Back to the Island, to the night his team won the arena combat tournament. Something about his current situation felt so similar to that evening. They had trained as a team for years, dreaming of the moment when they would be champions. When they finally hoisted the tournament cup, the applause came pouring down like an avalanche. There they stood, the four of them, Daniel, Mary, Gabriel and Alden—the center of the school’s adoration.

  Father McKinley had been in the stands cheering him along the entire time. In a way, Alden felt it was vindication for the years of time and effort Father McKinley had put into him while he was growing up. No one received personal attention on the Island, except for Alden. He wanted to yell out, tell Father McKinley that everything he had done for him had been worthwhile. He was worthy.

  Instead, their team had been summoned to General Sokolov’s office to meet with Polemarch Vasentus. Alden had found himself and the rest of his team in step behind several soldiers. They were still inside the arena, but on their way to an area he’d never been before. His team kept looking at him for answers, but Alden just shrugged. He indicated they keep following the soldiers to find out.

  After the events of the last training simulator, Alden had been advanced to team captain in Gabriel’s place. They had been taught to feel nothing, that emotions like jealousy were a sign of weakness. Gabriel had put on a smile and congratulated Alden, but deep down he knew how much losing that command must have hurt him.

  They stopped outside a set of solid double doors. Alden entered the room first. It was the most luxurious space he’d ever seen on the Island. The view from the adjacent window looked down on the now empty arena. In front of them was General Sokolov, as well as a half dozen other Council military leaders.

  “Omega, welcome,” General Sokolov said.

  Alden took the lead and saluted the general. “Thank you, sir.” Mary, Gabriel and Daniel followed his lead.

  “At ease, soldiers, tonight is a very important night for all of you. I’d like to introduce you to Polemarch Vasentus. He’s the ViceCouncilman in charge of all military and scientific affairs for the Council.”

  The last words rang inside Alden’s ears: a ViceCouncilman, the Polemarch, here on the Island?

  A tall, thin, graying man stepped from the shadows of the room. “That was quite an impressive display tonight. I am incredibly proud of all of you.”

  “Thank you, sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Alden wasn’t quite sure how to approach him; he’d never met a sitting member of the Council before. The Polemarch was clothed in a dark blue robe and he wore a strange looking mask over half his face.

  The ViceCouncilman stepped forward and shook hands with each of them. Their questioning looks must have been easy to read because he tapped the mask. “An unfortunate incident left me exposed to space momentarily. Unfortunately the damage was too great to repair. But my misfortunes are not why we are here. I was invited to participate in a rather important meeting that I couldn’t miss. Each of you is being promoted to the rank of lieutenant and moving to active status.”

  “Thank you, sir!”

  “You have more than surpassed all of our expectations. We are all excited to see how you perform in the field.”

  “You can count on us, sir,” Daniel responded.

  “Wonderful! Now step up here, each one of you.” With that he gestured for Sokolov to join his side. They stood in line and then stepped forward one at a time. General Sokolov clipped a new yellow pin on their lapels, indicating their new rank.

  “Now, I’m sure that you are all very tired. The soldiers will escort you back to your barracks. Rest easy and know that you are the pride of the Council.”

  Alden felt like he was walking on air as he turned to leave with the rest of his team.

  “Alden, please stay for a few moments longer.”

  He nodded at his team and then waited as they continued out. The doors slammed shut behind them. He was left standing in front of the military brass.

  “When you return tonight, we want you to start prepping your team. We’re going to be sending you on your first mission very soon.”

  “Can I ask what our mission will be?”

  “You’ll be traveling to the Siberian province of the SRF. We believe they may be in violation of the 2085 Helsinki Accords.”

  “Do you think they’re building a nuclear reactor, sir?”

  “That’s what we want you to find out,” Vasentus answered. “This is an incredibly dangerous threat to world peace, and we must know what is going on. Now, can I trust you to keep this confidential?”

  Alden saluted him, despite the earlier handshake. “Yes sir. We won’t let you down.”

  He was back in the vault, staring at the blue suit. They hadn’t been ready then, and they weren’t ready now.

  Chapter 8

  Alden stood in the cockpit of the stolen prison transport. The silvery surface whipped past as they flew towards Traterous. Earth hung low on the horizon; lights from hundreds of cities illuminated the dark side of the planet. He was forced to grip the hand railing as they dodged a large boulder and then sailed over the edge of a crater. They floated down the inside. The crater was easily twice the size of the one New Tranquility had been built into. Several other meteorites had pounded the surface and created a channel system they were able to fly down.

  He was wearing the blue and red zero-gravity suit and stood at least a foot taller than the resistance fighters around him. In order for their plan to succeed, the suit would have to work long enough to provide them an escape route. Unfortunately, he’d only had enough time to test that the suit worked. How effective it would be in combat remained to be seen. Liam took a soft left as he piloted them down the ravine. Apparently their pilot had been one of the most skilled fighter pilots in the resistance. Liam had been a member of the air corps in the Sino-Russian Federation before being dishonorably discharged. He’d spent some time in Traterous, and when he was released the resistance swooped in to offer him work. They’d been relying on his experience behind the controls ever since.

  They were getting close; Thereon would need him. He took one heavy step after another as he moved towards the back of the ship. If it wasn’t for the exoskeleton support, he’d never have been able to lift his leg, let alone walk. Although it still felt a bit clumsy, he was adjusting to the suit. The back of the transport ship was broken up into two sections. Directly ahead was the guard�
�s area. There were no seats, but plenty of room to move and walk around. The other side contained several rows of benches where the prisoners would be handcuffed to the seats. The unlucky ones would be locked away inside the solitary tubes along the walls.

  Today, however, the gate separating the two areas was wide open. Dozens of people wandered back and forth, securing their military suits or slipping into prison uniforms. The fighters dressed as prisoners and strapped guns into their pants or ankles. The rest were dressed as guards, covered in black from head to toe. They wore high boots, shoulder pads, and imposing helmets that featured ocular enhancements similar to his own. Their anti-gravity bullets glowed inside the clips of their rifles.

  They were nothing in comparison to what Alden was wearing. Their suits were slim and easy to maneuver in. However, they provided little protection in case of a suit puncture. None of them could generate any form of artificial gravity on their own. They would have to be secured inside a prisoner transport for movement from the landing area to the complex. Otherwise they’d be forced to slowly hop along the surface until they reached their destination.

  Thereon was off to one side, locked in an intense discussion with several of the soldiers, including Callisto and Solana. They were fraternal twins and had been part of the resistance since they could walk. Over the past twenty-four hours, the group had transformed before his eyes. They were no longer despondent and hopeless, but determined to free General Stone. He’d expected the group to be more nervous, but everyone was focused on their role.

  Alden stretched inside the suit. Thereon was right, he was dangerous without any of this, but with it, he was unstoppable. It was a welcome feeling and one he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Not since the Siberian mission. He had been confident and in control then too. Polemarch Vasentus and General Sokolov had followed through on their promise. They’d sent his team on their first mission, the first mission for any students from the Island. Omega team was supposed to have been the finest military force in all the Council Military. It was to be their defining moment.