“I’ve never eaten raw fish before,” Dale said.
“You haven’t lived, my friend.”
“Is it real or synthetic?”
“Real, of course. Sit.”
Dale sat on a pillow, and Akio passed him dishes to sample. As they ate, the rest of the places filled with men and women who did not speak. Dale looked at Akio and raised his eyebrows.
“They will explain once we’ve eaten. Business after you fill your belly. Eat my friend. You may not see such a meal again for many years.”
Dale sampled and found he enjoyed many dishes that at first sight he assumed he wouldn’t like. Hot pots of scallops and shrimp. Crunchy rolls of tuna and crab.
“Good?” A large man, who sat at the head of the table, asked Dale.
“Yes, sir,” Dale said.
“Excellent.”
The meal continued in relative silence, when, to his surprise, the man who seemed like the leader clapped his hands. The wall behind Dale slid open, and three young women dressed in all-white kimonos entered the room. They cleared the table. When the table had been cleared of everything except their drinks, the leader raised his cup.
“To peace.”
“To peace,” the rest of the group said in unison.
Dale lifted his cup and joined the toast.
“So, young Dale Brown. You wish to learn of the Troth?”
“Yes, sir.”
“We are a group of rebels, you might say. Illegal under the rules set by the United Earth and our various countries of origin. Our aim is peace. Our desire is to subvert the conscription, which is nothing more than a veiled attempt at slavery. We seek knowledge about the House of Nagant and the truth about why war is being threatened. We are not afraid to fight, or even to die, but we are opposed to being subjected to fools and authoritarians.”
“That sounds like what I believe, too. But how will I know I can trust you?”
“That is a good question. We have a presentation to show you.”
“Okay.”
The lights went off, and the wall across from Dale turned into a viewing screen. A woman in a dark suit appeared.
“I will be your guide,” she said.
For the next hour, Dale watched the woman explain their position using charts, graphs, world news clips, and philosophical arguments. She explained why the Troth believed in its mission and why they had been recruiting intelligent and talented people like Dale. She demonstrated the hypocrisy of the world’s governments and made a clear case for joining the group.
“In deciding whether to join us or not, a prospective member must decide if they want to be a freeman or a slave. That is the question that transcends danger and risk. To be a cog in their machine or to be a soldier in rebellion for peace.”
The lights returned.
“So Dale, your thoughts?” Akio asked.
“I am interested. But I need time to think. I’m not sure about the risks. I don’t know if taking this route will make a difference. The world’s governments are huge and powerful. What can a small rebel group do against all that power?”
“You’d be surprised. When the group includes—”
“Enough,” the leader interrupted. “Do not share anymore until we have a better feeling of young Dale’s intentions.”
“Sir, what happens if I join? My schooling? My family? My life?”
“You’ll disappear. We can fake your death or pretend to send you on a journey to help a small third world country. If you desire, we’ll have an autoresponder set up for your parents, so that they won’t worry. Or we’ll create such a convincing death for you that you’ll be categorized as deceased in all the government and credit computer systems. The choice will be yours. Death is easier to maintain, however we understand that you may not want to traumatize your parents with such news. Keep in mind, however, if you go to war, this will likely be the report they end up getting.
“Regardless of how you disappear, you’ll be given new identification and a new course of study. I cannot give you more details now. You have thirty-six hours to decide if you’d like to join us. After that point, if we do not hear from you, we’ll assume you’ve decided to proceed with the government’s trials and we wish you luck. We request that you do not speak of us in the future, although, we understand if you must admit you’d been approached.”
Dale thought to himself about the opportunity.
“I have a day and a half?” he asked rhetorically. “I’ll need some time, yes. Thank you.”
A sweet smelling mist billowed into his face.
CHAPTER TWELVE
What price are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?
~ Judas Iscariot
Negotiation settles the degree at which they will betray themselves. I do not negotiate. I claim what is mine or pay the price demanded.
~ She Who Bestows is She Who Denies
...........................
Dale returned from breakfast to find Brian Daniels on his floor, in the guest waiting room.
“Hey, Dale,” Brian said.
“Hey. I thought you weren’t speaking to me anymore?”
“I’m over it. Sorry. I see why you came here.”
“It’s a great school and an amazing opportunity.”
“Yes,” Brian said. “I see that now. Can we go somewhere and talk?”
“Sure.”
Dale lead Brian to his dorm room and they chatted about old times, some of their old friends, and then the war.
“It’s coming,” Brian said.
“I know.”
“You’re not happy about it.”
“No.”
“I begin trials in two days.” Brian sounded confident to Dale. Overly confident.
“Good luck.”
“Thank you. I wanted to ask you something.”
“Okay, go ahead,” Dale said.
“You haven’t been contacted by the Troth, have you?”
“Why do you ask that?” Dale said.
“Because they go after the brightest of the bright. I know you. You’re not only a great gamer and programmer; you have skills that are not easy to obtain. They know you’ve got skills the army wants and they also know, I’m sure, that you’re not happy about being drafted. People can read message boards, you know, even between the lines. And some of the conversations we were in… Friends of friends. People we didn’t know. They’ve heard you talk about this. I’m sure you’re a target.”
“Who sent you to ask me about this?” Dale’s face turned red.
“Nobody. I came on my own. I want to offer you a deal.”
“Go on,” Dale said.
“I want you to re-consider the buddy program. It guarantees similar training and similar bases and the same platoon. We’ll be together at least, and we can watch each other’s backs. I know you’re more skilled than I am, so I’ve prepared a deal.”
“And?”
Brian continued with the details. “I’ll give you five thousand Rhith World Coins.”
“Where did you get that kind of money?”
“My family had an old trust account set aside for me. They are worried that I’ll go into the army and never return. Because they know how you feel, and they believe in your skills, they are willing to fund this deal. My parents have already transferred the money and the proper documents. All you have to do is accept.”
...........................
Agreement Offered.
Terms: The Daniel family offers 5,000 Rhith World coins payable upon acceptance.
Obligation: To enter Earth United Defense Army trials as a buddy of Brian Daniels with an implicit agreement to test at full capacity and to remain faithful to the ideal of the buddy arrangement. You will not be obligated to refuse rank upgrades nor hinder your progress.
Accept agreement: Y/N?
Ask for additional time: Y/N?
Ask for additional terms: Y/N?
...........................
“That�
��s a good offer,” Dale said.
“But?”
“But I don’t know yet. I don’t even want to go into the army.”
“You don’t have much choice.” Brian’s voice was scolding, like a parent talking down to a child.
Dale looked at the floor. He wasn’t sure how much to tell Brian.
“You’re not thinking of doing something stupid are you?” Brian said. He raised his voice and sounded accusatory. He stood and took a step closer to Dale. “You’ve been approached by the Troth, haven’t you?”
“What do you mean?” Dale said.
“Don’t answer a question with a question. Don’t answer me, it’s treasonous. You could be executed or something. What were you thinking?”
“I haven’t done anything.” Dale was defensive. He didn’t want to lie to his friend, but it was obvious that Brian wasn’t interested in anything other than doing his perceived civic duty.
“Dale, you remember what you promised me?”
“Yes, we’ve been through this.”
“I know. But if you have to go anyway… If you have to delay your school… If you’re going to end up having to go to war, we should go together. It’s what we talked about.”
“Okay. I need some time to think.”
“Alright. Can you let me know soon?”
“By tomorrow night. Or the next day at the latest, okay?”
“Deal.”
Brian stuck out his hand.
Dale reached out, and they shook hands.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create evil. I, the Lord, do all these things.
~ Prophet Isaiah, speaking for a bronze-aged war deity
Of course, I’m an actress.
~ Carrie Manderly, newscaster
...........................
“This is Joshua Strobel live on the scene reporting for Channel Seven News. In the quad at the State Department of Prisons and Punishments, we have, as you can see over my left shoulder, a firing squad preparing to administer the first death sentence under The Haight-Frank-Todd Emergency Bill.
“Lester Franklin, a convicted member of the hate group Troth, and a felony deserter, who attempted to avoid his mandatory trials by creating a false identification, will be shot in about eight minutes, barring any last minute injunctions by the Governor’s office.
“His trial was a mere five days ago, with the state jury coming to their verdict in record time for a capital case. In less than twenty minutes after the judge gave jury instructions, they were back in the court room, announcing a guilty verdict, which carried a mandatory sentence of death.
“Back to you, Carrie.”
“Thank you, Joshua. This is Carrie Manderly of Channel Seven News, the team that brings you the most up-to-date news from around the world and here in the Cincinnati-metro area. We’ll get right back to Joshua live on the scene in just a moment, right after a word from our sponsors.”
...........................
Dale was watching the news in the recreation center with twenty-five other students. The advertisement that came on during the news break was for a new Rhith World. Someone yelled, “Quiet! I want to see this!”
...........................
The words Rhith Worlds appeared in bold letters across the screen. The scene faded to black. A voice-over spoke as the darkness faded into a scene of battlefield destruction. Tanks and troop carriers laid in waste, burning in a desert. Dead bodies littered the ground like spilled bird seed. Carrion birds circled overhead. Smoke from distant fires plumed into the sky.
“Revenge. There is no backing down. There is no surrender. There is no hope for peace.”
The scene panned across the desert and then focused on a small platoon of soldiers in a bunker.
“Everlasting Enmity. A new Rhith World. Coming soon.”
The scene panned back across the desert and then moved upwards as if a launched rocket was taking the shot of the expanding scene of destruction. From high in the atmosphere, the image showed both amassing armies and devastated armies. In the final second, before the commercial faded into black, nuclear weapon mushroom clouds popped up like a pox upon the planet.
“Jesus Christ. I can’t wait to play that.”
“It does look good.”
“Can you believe the graphics? It was no different than watching the actual news.”
“Yeah, makes you wonder if this execution is real or just propaganda.”
...........................
“This is Carrie Manderly of Channel Seven News. We are going to the live execution of Lester Franklin in just a moment. In other news, the Chinese government announced today that it would be considering proposals to move troops out of Cambodia and Laos provided an acceptable agreement with the Earth United Defense Army was reached. Yesterday, a late night attack by rebels killed an estimated eight hundred and seventeen people in the city of Hong Kong and the Chinese government retaliated with a show of force against suspected rebel camps.
“Okay, we are going to Joshua Strobel now, as the execution is mere moments away. Joshua, over to you.”
“Thank you, Carrie. This is Joshua Strobel for Channel Seven News on location at the State Department of Prisons and Punishments. In approximately one minute the state is scheduled to execute Lester Franklin as a result of his conviction—”
Massive explosions and noise were seen in the background behind the news reporter Joshua Strobel and then the signal was lost. The screen displayed fuzzy snow. After a moment of static an old-fashioned test pattern appeared, and then a notice: Please Stand By.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Happy will be the servants of the Lord who take little children and bash their heads against rocks.
~ The Prophet Jeremiah
To generals and gods, war is just a board game.
~ Preston Gathers
...........................
“I’m glad we’re best friends again,” Brian said.
Dale followed him into the training facility. “Me, too.” He looked around at the activities, military leaders and representations of several corporations were present, including those from Rhith Systems Corporation, the company that created Rhith Worlds and the virtual reality systems that made the experiences so realistic.
“I’m glad you didn’t—”
“Shhhhh. Brian, are you trying to get me executed?”
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay, just don’t ever mention that again.”
Dale had been scared out of his mind when the government executed a member of Troth. The thought of joining them had died that instant. The counter attack that had shut down the news was never the subject of a news report, apparently the situation fell under the newly instituted media guidelines the government had put in place for the safety of the people. Dale didn’t question their wisdom. He was relieved when he accepted Brian’s offer, and he was a bit richer, too.
“There, over there,” Brian said. He pointed towards a sign: Station A. Start here.
They got behind a line of people and waited. An hour later they’d made it half way to the processing station.
“Gee, what was the point of having an appointment?” Brian said.
“I don’t know,” Dale answered. He was tired of standing, too.
“It’s the military.” A young man behind them in line explained. “I think the number one thing an army is made for is waiting around and standing in a line. You’ll spend two months waiting, standing in lines, filling out paperwork, and doing repetitive training, just to go into the field to march for sixteen days before having a ten minute battle. After which, you’ll either be killed, injured, or perhaps worse, then transferred to a new unit to start the process over again.”
“Where’d you get your expertise?” Brian asked.
“I’m David, by the way. David Beck.” He put out his hand.
Brian shook it and introduced him to Dale.
&n
bsp; “Dale and I are in the buddy system mode.”
“Great. That’ll last about two minutes.”
“What do you mean?” Brian shifted his eyes between David and Dale and crossed his arms.
“Well,” David said, “You are buddies alright, but as soon as one of you gets promoted, the other one will be jealous. I’ve seen it before. If you both get promoted, well, you can’t exactly serve in the same squad anymore, who’s going to order who around?”
“I’m sure we’ll work out a system?” Brian looked at Dale.
“Yeah, I’m sure.” Dale didn’t believe that he sounded confident, and he hoped that Brian hadn’t noticed. He looked at David, who gave him a knowing smile.
“You guys did read the fine print?” David asked.
“God. The TOS? I never read those damn things.” Brian sounded nervous.
“I’m sure it’s nothing we can’t manage,” Dale said. He patted his friend on the shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.”
Another hour passed and finally they were next in line.
...........................
“State your name.” A woman dressed in camouflage gear with the rank of captain stood behind a semi-opaque holo-screen that glowed bright blue. It was similar to computer screens that Dale had seen before, but it seemed more advanced, more military-like, than anything he’d ever actually seen used.
“Is that an upgrade to—”
“State your goddamn name soldier. Are you deaf?”
“Ummmm—”
“Are you stupid, too?”
“No ma’am. Sorry, ma’am—”
“Goddammit, soldier. I didn’t work my ass off to be called ma’am. I’m sir to you. Got that? You’d better get your candy ass into gear, young man. See my name tag?”
“Yes. Yes, sir.” Dale was so flustered he forgot where he was.
“And what does it say?”
“It says, Captain Reynolds.”
“It says, Captain Reynolds, WHAT!?”
Nagant Wars: A LitRPG Novel (Nagant Wars Series Book 1) Page 6
