by Danny Loomis
Irish trotted up, raising his face shield. “Empty vehicle on the side of the road ‘bout a klick from here.” He paused giving the woman a long look. “Ga sa gadohe?”
She shook her head. “No, I am from here. My name is Glynna. As I told your brother in arms, I am deeply grateful for your service this day. May the blessings of Gaia be upon the both of you.”
Two Eagles took both her hands. “It was our pleasure to have served you, Earth Mother. May we take you home?”
She smiled. “There is a small gathering of those of my faith ten kilometers to the west. If you could take me there?”
Irish was amazed at the effect the woman was having on Two Eagles. He’d felt her charisma, but apparently not to the degree he had. He gestured to the rear. “This way. We’ll be glad to give you a ride, if that’s all right?”
A short while later, Irish watched Glynna stride away from the shuttle, and be greeted by eight other women who seemed to rise up from the ground prior to entering the bracken that grew along the edge of a large stream. He shook his head. “There goes a powerful, powerful woman. Never met anyone with that kind of personal magnetism before.”
“On our world we call them ‘medicine women’. One thing’s for sure, you don’t ever want to piss one off. I think we did those soldiers back there a favor by killing them.”
“I’d disagree, but after meeting her I think you’re right. She was nice to us, but I definitely got the feeling men aren’t her most favorite creatures.”
“Ha! You could say that. I suspect we just met one of Eire’s witches. We might want to thank our lucky stars and get the hell outta here.”
The shuttle boosted and began to drift away. Two Eagles was right. It was time to move. At least an hour’s travel awaited them around the Division’s perimeter to a location he’d spotted on the map.
He settled into a hollow that was ideal to park a cloaked shuttle. They emplaced detectors and began planning a route by foot that would take them to a position overlooking the 41st Division.
They’d been moving fifteen minutes when a distress call came in. “This is Team three, got two bogies running up our tail. Heading south.”
Irish dropped to one knee, bringing up a map on his face shield. Within seconds he had their location pinpointed. “This is Scout one. On our way, three.”
Two Eagles led the sprint back to the shuttle. Once inside and the ramp sealed, Irish lifted and flew at the fastest speed they could without being detected in cloaking. It was 10 minutes before they were in position to assist. Three red ciphers were slowly closing the distance on the two green ones who moved south.
“There’s an overlook just ahead, I’m stopping there. We should get some covering fire for our crew at that location.”
“Roger that,” Two Eagles said. “Watch your speed, getting close to the max without being detected.”
Irish swooped onto the ledge and shut down. “No problem. Let’s go.”
They’d barely gotten into position before three indistinct shapes trotted into sight, five hundred meters to their left front. “I’ve got the first two,” Irish said. “Let me know when you’re ready.”
“Any time,” Two Eagles murmured.
Three loud burps sounded-three more. All the targets were down, one still crawling but not going far.
“Leave that one alive,” Irish said. “We need to get some intel from him.”
Before leaving their perch above the ambush scene, both of them scoped the entire area. “I’ll go down and take a look first,” Irish said. “Tell our other two they can come on back now, but to keep an eye open.”
“You got it.”
Irish cautiously approached the three downed men. He ensured the two bodies were in fact dead before checking out the wounded one. A round had pierced the lower back, leaving him semi-conscious. He nodded in satisfaction. Right where he’d aimed.
The soldier at his feet groaned and attempted to roll over, wringing a whimper from him. Irish carefully searched for any knives or pistols before helping him onto his back.
His comm sounded. Two Eagles. “Coming down now, friendlies joining us momentarily.”
Two Eagles walked up, giving the stack of rifles Irish had gathered a quick look. “Yep, snipers for sure with those kind of weapons.” The scopes were a third the length of the 60 centimeter barrels.
Irish lightly slapped the face of the wounded man. “You speak English?”
His eyes flickered open. “Yah–yes. I speak some. I am Team Leader Franks.”
“Where’s Vogel? Tell us where he is and we’ll treat your wound.” For several minutes he continued grilling the man, until the soldier slipped into unconsciousness.
With a sigh, Irish stood. The other sniper team had helped Two Eagles bury the enemy dead. Now, they had to take their prisoner back to HQ. Might get more information than what he’d gotten. At least he knew where Vogel was.
Two Eagles walked over, leaving the others to finish. “Find out anything?”
“Vogel’s back with the Ragnarok,” he said. “Brought a dozen snipers down to the planet and was in the process of fine-tuning their training when he was called back. They don’t expect him to return, either. This guy thought they needed a scapegoat for the slaughter at Murray’s Rest. Since it was Vogel that did it, they’ll probably hang him out to dry.”
“Goddammit, now I really want to kill something.” He nudged the wounded man at their feet. “What’re we going to do with this one?”
“Take him back to HQ. Let them quiz him some more. Which means carrying him back to the shuttle.”
Two Eagles chuckled. “Good thing we got some grunts along to do the work for us.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Hey guys, when you’re finished there, got another chore for you.”
* * *
Irish strolled in, stopping at Bernadette’s desk. “Hi, your lord and master wanted to see me. Said sometime this morning would be fine.” He laid a small grey pebble on her desk, and looked at her expectantly.
A raised eyebrow was her only response. “What’s this for?”
“Usually I bring you something that embarrasses the heck out of me. Thought I’d see what the significance of a rock is when given to a lady.”
She gave him an astonished look before breaking into laughter. “You really don’t know what that signifies, do you?”
Irish cringed. “Um–no, guess I don’t.”
“What’s with all the caterwauling out here?” Brian stepped from his office, a smile building. “Don’t tell me, he’s brought you another of his special gifts.”
Bernadette tossed him the pebble. “Once more, he professes to not have a clue as to what it means.”
Brian waved Irish into his office. “Come, ignorant one. Let me explain the facts of life on Eire.”
Once inside, he put the rock on his desk. “I’ve got to keep this one. Damn me, she’s got your goat for sure.”
Irish waved his hands helplessly. “C’mon, Brian. At least give me a clue as to what I did wrong this time.”
“Not a thing, my friend. She was pulling your leg. Did a damn fine job of it, too.” He snorted in amusement and sat.
Irish shook his head, laughing. “One of these days I’ll get one over on you two.”
Brian leaned back, hands behind his head. “Anything else happen on your trip?”
“Yes. Stopped some Alliance goons from raping an older lady. Pretty spooky person, too.”
“Spooky? How?”
“When I first approached her, I forgot I had my ghillies on. So there wasn’t anything to see. She said ‘thanks, sporehead’ or something like that.”
“Spiorhad. Means ghost. Yes, she probably did think that. I remember my first time seeing you disappear when you put those on. Unnerving to say the least.”
Irish shook his head, shivering slightly. “She had the strangest eyes. Coal black. When Two Eagles saw her, he freaked out. Started treatin
g her like royalty or something. Afterwards, he said on his planet women like her would be called medicine women. I can definitely say she had a hard time being civil to us. Even though she blessed us, she did it somewhat reluctantly.”
Brian had straightened, hands on the table by the time he finished. “What was her name?”
“Glenda or Gwen, not sure.”
“Glynna Wei.” Both of them turned to the door. Bernadette stepped in, a solemn expression on her face. “You were blessed by Glynna? I’ve never heard of the Wiccan Head Priestess blessing a man before.”
“We did save her from being raped and killed. Might have something to do with…”
Bernadette touched his face. “Did she touch your face like this?”
Irish was startled at how warm her hand felt. “Yes, both of us. Why?”
She turned to Brian. “We’ve got to let our information group know about this. They can make this into a very helpful story for us.” She hurried back to her desk.
Brian looked at Irish. “In case you’re wondering, you were blessed by the most powerful religious leader outside the Church. Normally, they never allow a man anywhere near their Wiccas-witches.” He shook his head. “I suspect you and Two Eagles are the luckiest men on the planet, or have some kind of weird curse on you now.” He sat back down. “None of that’ll matter if we don’t chase the devil spawned Alliance troops off our planet. So back to business. I hear you got your hands on a sniper for us to question.”
Irish resumed his seat. “Right. Turned him over to your Intel folks last night.”
“Good. We’ve also been getting a trickle of calls in already about Alliance and Leg officers being killed. Which, by the way, brings up another point. I’d like you to go to a meeting of the Executive Committee this afternoon. They have something they’d like to discuss with our sniper commander.”
Irish cocked his head. “This wouldn’t be a political type of meeting, would it?”
“Matter of fact it would, and as the Confederation’s representative on Eire you’d better become used to these kind of get togethers,” Brian said.
“I don’t know anything about how to act in a political environment.” He sighed. “You sure know how to ruin a person’s appetite.”
“Now that is the best news I’ve heard all day. It’s my turn to buy lunch. Come along, my man.”
Once through eating, Brian rummaged in his briefcase and pulled out two files. One made its way in front of Irish. “I know you’re a bit nervous, so thought it’d be best if you saw what we’d be discussing today.”
“You’re damned right I’m nervous,” Irish said. “I’m just a soldier, not someone involved in making decisions for a planetary government.” He opened the file and began reading.
Brian snorted. “Yes, but we’ve got to win before our decisions mean anything.”
Despite himself, Irish became absorbed in what he was reading. A minute later he closed the folder, a frown on his face. “I’m glad you’re having me at this meeting. I think the air needs to be cleared with your government on certain issues.” He glanced sharply at Brian. “You know I’m against this, don’t you?”
Brian chuckled. “Of course I do. That’s why I’m bringing you along. Maybe you can get through to them.”
“Glad to try. C’mon, let’s go.”
Brian put a restraining hand on his arm. “No, not yet. Let’s be fashionably late, so they’re already seated and beginning the session. We’ll make more of an impact that way.”
Another half-hour passed before they entered the large room, filled to overflowing with at least two hundred people. Only two seats were available, both at the large oblong table in the center. Everyone began to stand when Brian walked in.
He waved them down. “Sit, sit. My apologies for being late. We had a small problem that needed addressing before we could make it.”
Irish remained standing after Brian had settled in. “Ladies and gentlemen, for those I haven’t met before I’m Captain Ian Shannon, an officer in the Confederation’s Army. Forgive me for my impatience, but I have troops awaiting instructions before they go back into the field to kill more Alliance and Legislaturist soldiers.” He turned to Brian. “Sir, would it be impertinent of me to ask if this assembly could skip to item number six on its agenda?”
Brian nodded. “Since that is the item that concerns having you present for this meeting, I think it’s a good idea.” He looked around the table. “Anyone disagree?” No hands were raised.
“Thank you,” Irish said. “I happened to come by a copy of today’s agenda, and found it most interesting to read.” He held up the folder and opened it. “In fact, it looked like normal things a planetary government might be addressing. Except for item number six.” He looked around the room. “Is there anyone who hasn’t read a copy of the agenda?” Over half the audience raised their hands.
“No? Then let me read number six to you. ‘The Confederation soldiers presently assisting in training our troops will take said soldiers and proceed to eliminate all persons on the attached list.’ The attached list has one hundred names on it, with another list promised when we finish this one.”
He lifted his head, making eye contact with each of the nine individuals around the table. “How many of the persons named on the list are military leaders, or even troops? None? How about politicians who have ordered or taken part in atrocities? A few?” He dropped the folder on the table and sat next to Brian.
“First, let me tell you the official answer to this order. The Confederation is here to help throw the Alliance occupation forces out of your system. Part of that effort is to remove the Legislaturist government on Eire, since they are officially allies with the enemy. If the Legs were to suddenly reverse themselves and agree to rejoin the Confederation, you wouldn’t see us here.
“The Confederation, once upon a time, meddled in the affairs on Eire and helped get the Royalists thrown from power, and the Legs put in. Soon thereafter, the Legs told the Confederation to get lost. We’ve learned from these painful lessons it isn’t in the best interest of anyone to meddle in planetary affairs. So in answer to your order, the answer is no, we will not begin killing the people on your list.”
Brian half-raised a hand. “Pardon me, Captain. Could you further clarify the reasons you won’t kill those people?”
“I’d be glad to, Sir, by asking two questions: Is there anyone on that death list whose only crime is to disagree with you politically?” He looked around the table, noting the restiveness. “Second question: If you begin killing people who don’t follow your political beliefs, what makes you any better than the Legislaturists?
“If you study history, you can see where this happened, with sad results. Those who resist this urge formed strong, long-lasting governments. Those who fell victim to their passions and killed indiscriminately after a takeover, didn’t last.”
Irish stared around the room, a frown building. “So again, in answer to item number six, I say an emphatic no. If you decide to go through with this, the Confederation will withdraw and only conduct our fight in space with the Alliance. After we have thrown them out of your system, Eire would be sealed, with no contact allowed.
“When the government is overthrown and anarchy takes hold, you’ll see us again. We will take over your government and appoint a planetary governor to install order. I urge you, do not take the steps you’re wanting to take now, for the sake of your people. Instead, use the law to take care of those who are truly bad. That way, after this is all finished, you can live with yourselves.”
A scowling man on the opposite side of the table leaned forward. “We don’t need you or your kind, if you won’t do what we order. The sniper company belongs to us. We’ll just tell them to…”
“Hold your hand, Caleb McIntyre.” A small woman at the table rapped on it. “You’ll do no such thing. You were elected to your post because you agreed to protect and serve our citizens. Killing off fol
ks you disagree with isn’t what you were elected to do!”
The entire room was dissolving into a shouting match when Irish felt a touch on his arm. Brian winked and beckoned. They made their way out, largely unnoticed by the arguing, shouting crowd.
Brian smiled while hurrying down the tunnel. “Whew! Got noisier sooner than usual this time.”
Irish was almost trotting to keep up with him. “You mean they always holler like this?”
“Oh, yes. Usually I just let ‘em carry on awhile before getting down to business. But they had that worrisome order on the agenda this time about killing folks. Damn, man, I didn’t know you could speechify that way. You need to re-think your career, boy. You’d make a hell of a politician!”
“No need to insult me,” Irish muttered.
They entered the office, Bernadette’s smiling face greeting them. “Did the meeting go like usual?” she asked, smile changing to a smirk.
“Next time I’ll send you,” Brian said. He urged Irish into his inner office and collapsed behind his desk. “Thank God, the entire Exec Council won’t be getting back together for another month. Hopefully some of what you said will sink in by then.”
Irish sagged into a chair. “I feel like I’ve been run over by something. God, having to get up in front of that many people who think they’re important and spout off like I did-think I’d rather lead a suicide charge than do that again.”
Brian smiled. “You did a good job. In fact, like I said I’ve never heard you speak so eloquently before. Have to get you up on your high horse more often, I guess.”
EIRE STAR SYSTEM–ONBOARD RAGNAROK (Day +81)
Grand Admiral Haven grimaced while reading the latest report on his screen. He punched his intercom harder than was necessary. “Lieutenant Rathburn, tell Captain Winters I need to see him when he has a moment.”
He was re-reading the report when Winters walked in. He waved at a chair. “Sit yourself, Captain. Have you read the latest report from General Lawry?”
Winters sat with a grunt, rubbing his neck. “Yes, Sir. The Legislaturists need our help on the ground after all.”
