Beyond Armageddon: Book 03 - Parallels

by Anthony DeCosmo

  "What is it?"

  She spat, "Our fearless leaders are not happy about our expedition."

  Reverend Johnny broke in, "Not happy? Why, you would think they would be ringing bells of celebration after the sound pummeling we delivered unto—"

  "What is their problem?" Trevor interrupted his friend’s sermon.

  "I don’t know. I just know they want to see us."

  Johnny volunteered, "Do not fear, Major. We will show them the error of their ways."

  "Actually, Reverend," Forest tried to tell him delicately. "They just want to see the officers involved."

  Before Johnny could be offended Trevor consoled, "Don’t sweat it. Why don’t you do me the favor of reviewing the city’s defenses. I’d like to know what we’ve got to work with."

  Johnny huffed. "Very well."

  Trevor followed the Major to the first floor where they met ground transportation to the Ops Center.

  They traversed the city under a silky gray quilt of clouds blanketing the morning sky. No blue; no beams of sun, just a steady dull light. However, those clouds trapped enough heat to keep the temperature from plummeting too far. It actually felt slightly warmer than Trevor would expect for a mid-February day, perhaps the tenth or so.

  He had lived in Thebes for more than two weeks with the exception of that night at the lake. Trevor’s time inside the walls—or what remained of the walls—had been spent mainly training soldiers from the Third Legion.

  Trevor realized that he did not like being out on the vacant, decaying streets. They reminded him of the challenge he faced and the scope of failure that had befallen these people.

  My people.

  Yes, they were becoming his people.

  Only a handful knew of his presence; Nina said most officers in the Third Legion received a briefing as to who and what he was. As for the others in Thebes, well, Nina heard that the rumor of his 'return' spread through the city.

  Would they believe him a reincarnation of their Emperor? If they knew the whole story, would they accept this man from another universe as their leader?

  The only thing he knew with certainty was that any leader who could bring victory to these people, who could wake this city from its defeat-induced coma, would find willing followers. After all, what choice did they have?

  In reality, he had seen very little of the city but he had seen enough to know this was a leaderless flock wandering without direction.

  That angered him; angered him enough to stay and fight a battle against the Geryons, a battle his head told him he should avoid. Yet he had sensed he could win. More importantly, he sensed that these people needed him to win.

  And now what? And now The Committee called him on the carpet to tell him he had done wrong? That made him angrier still.

  The driver delivered them to the Ops Center.

  Trevor’s time whipping the Third Legion into shape had not spread to the heart of Thebes. The guards, the techs, and couriers, they still looked as lazy, as disinterested, and as unconcerned as they had the first time he had walked through those doors.

  Someone needs to knock sense into these people.

  Trevor and Nina marched the hallway to the main control room. Along the way, he saw a man flirting with a woman and a sentry leaning lazily against a wall.

  He was about ready to explode by the time they came upon a group of technicians and junior officers laughing in a corner.

  "You should have seen him! He was so drunk he puked right there in the office!"

  "Oh, man, we were wasted."

  "Didn’t you have guard duty after?"

  "Yeah, I think I slept through half of it."

  Trevor stopped. Nina actually took three steps before realizing she walked alone.

  Stone approached the group of three male techs and both a female and male officer.

  "What is going on here? You, soldier, you on duty?"

  The female officer staggered, "Um, yes, I’m here to—"

  "Any one here off duty? Any one here on break?"

  Nina hovered in the distance and watched.

  The male officer responded, "What’s it to you?"

  Apparently their lack of attention kept them from recognizing his face but they did notice a lack of rank on his collar.

  "What? What…is…it…to…me?"

  Stone shot over, grabbed the guy with one hand on his chest, another on his throat, and slammed him against the wall. The thud echoed along the hall grabbing the attention of dozens.

  "Listen here you worthless fuck. I just got back from two days of fighting. I watched people die on the battlefield to keep you useless sacks of shit alive back here. You will NOT dishonor them by acting like a bunch of god damn teenyboppers bullshitting in the hall between classes. Are you hearing me?"

  The stunned junior officer reacted only with coughs. The blow to his head had sent him into a daze.

  Trevor turned his attention to the others in the group. He spoke first to the female officer.

  "What is it you are supposed to be doing?"

  "I…I’m here from Second Legion to file readiness reports…ah…um…"

  "Then what the fuck are you waiting for? Go file the reports then get back to your unit!"

  She scurried away.

  "And you?"

  Trevor addressed the remaining three technicians. The first two answered in a miss-mash of stuttering sentences.

  "Serv—servicing electrical junctions."

  "Supplies. I mean—inventory. I mean, inventorying supplies at the—"

  Stone shouted, "Then get in gear before I tear you new assholes."

  They hurried off.

  "And you?" Trevor addressed the third.

  "Um. Actually, I, um, just went off duty."

  Trevor let go of the officer who fell to the ground and tried to catch his breath.

  "Well don’t hang around here. Go get some rest." Trevor considered then pointed at the guy on the floor. "Take him to the infirmary first."

  The technician nodded nervously. Trevor joined Nina and they continued on.

  ---

  While Trevor Stone went to meet with The Committee, Reverend Johnny decided on a walk around the city to study their defenses and to learn more about their hosts.

  He exited the main entrance of the dormitory skyscraper out into an overcast day.

  A supply truck with six big wheels drove by spewing noxious exhaust and a Skipper whirred overhead. Otherwise, the neighborhood felt deserted.

  To his left, the street continued toward a series of smaller buildings that looked commercial in nature, perhaps shops. He also saw a small park with a cluster of trees and benches. At some point it must have been an area for recreation. If those trees were in bloom—if it were the summer months—then the little park might have looked cozy. Instead, it looked sad.

  To his right, far in the distance, the start of the industrial district including some kind of power sub-station and a big garage. He spied streams of smoke drifting into the sky.

  He walked to his left.

  The sound of his footsteps clicked off the concrete walkway and echoed among the buildings. The occasional beep or bell joined the sound of those footsteps, but otherwise the day felt heavy with silence.

  That silence broke as he passed the small, sad park. "They say your name is Johnny."

  A person stood next to one of the thin, barren trees wearing a gray jacket with a dark hood over technician’s garb.

  "Why yes. You may call me Reverend Johnny."

  "You are a friend of Trevor Stone’s? You came here with him?"

  "That is correct. Now may I ask who are you?"

  She removed the hood revealing a lovely face marred by a scarred cheek and hair cut short to match her military appearance. Nonetheless, he recognized the woman.

  "My name is Ashley Trump."

  ---

  Trevor took one step closer toward The Committee, purposely setting himself apart from Nina. Director Snowe stood off to the
side, waiting for the confrontation to unfold. However, as usual, the three Committeemen whispered amongst themselves as they sat at their elevated table, not yet acknowledging Trevor or Major Forest's presence.

  Trevor fidgeted, clenching and unclenching his fists with growing impatience.

  Finally, he blurted, "Did you want to see me or can I get back to trying to save all your asses?"

  That drew their attention, but only long enough to shoot him down.

  "You will be addressed."

  "We are still formulating our position."

  "Despite your unique situation, interruptions will not be tolerated."

  Trevor grunted. The men returned to their whispers for a bit longer, no doubt a punishment for his brashness.

  At long last, The Committee spoke.

  "We have analyzed the after-action reports from special mission number forty-two seventy-six. After reviewing these reports we realized we had made an error."

  "Yes. A procedural error. You should know that we do not hold you responsible for this error. It was our mistake."

  Trevor cocked his head, "Error? What error?"

  "We received reports from all involved including Corporal Brewer and Major Forest."

  "This is, of course, standard procedure."

  "Then we realized that we had not requested a written report from you."

  "You hold an honorary position with the Third Legion therefore we did not feel that a written report from you would hold enough legitimacy to be a part of our official findings."

  "However, after discussing the matter we have concluded that we should grant you the opportunity to provide a detailed account of forty-two seventy-six."

  "We believe this to be the most equitable course. Taking disciplinary actions against you for negligence would be unfair until after we have received your report."

  "This is true. You should know that both Director Snowe and Major Forest face sanctions as a result of their role in the poor judgment displayed in the authorization and execution of mission number forty-two seventy-six."

  It took Trevor a moment to process what he heard.

  "Huh? Did you just say…wait a second, you consider this mission a failure? You think we did something wrong?"

  One of the Committeemen referenced a sheet of paper.

  "One AATC willfully destroyed—"

  Trevor looked at Nina who translated, "Air Assault and Transport Craft. A Skipper."

  "—unacceptable fatalities and casualties. Expenditure of excess ammunition and willful destruction of several crates of ordnance stored on the destroyed AATC."

  "Wasted fuel for initial transportation plus the follow-up extraction team not to mention fuel onboard the purposely destroyed AATC.

  "Wait one damn second," Trevor failed to muster a full head of steam because he was so flabbergasted at The Committee's reaction. He tried, "We knocked out a Battleship and brought back a shit load of parts from the Steel Guard’s Golems. This mission—"

  "Oh, yes," a Committeeman interrupted. "We must also consider that the decision to engage the Geryon Reich has destabilized our eastern border."

  "The Geryons have not pushed west for nearly two years. It is possible that your actions will encourage reprisals against us. This has increased our peril."

  Major Forest tried to intervene, "I remind The Committee of this man's special disposition as we discussed in the past."

  But Trevor did not let her go on. He did not even hear her. His jaw practically unhinged as he gasped, "Destabilized? Peril? Do you hear yourselves? You’re the last human beings on Earth and you think I could possibly increase your peril?"

  Major Forest raised her voice louder this time and pointed out, "His people have fought and won many victories like this. That is why on his Earth, humanity is the dominant force."

  He heard her that time, but she only added to his momentum.

  "Damn right. Since I’ve been here I’ve seen nothing but half-assed soldiers. I honestly have no friggin’ idea how your city is still around. You’ve been living lucky."

  Director Snowe stepped forward, apparently deciding the time had come to join the fray.

  "With respect, I remind The Committee of our prior discussions regarding this Trevor Stone. I must re-emphasize the assistance we are receiving as a result of his presence here."

  Trevor glanced at Snowe. He did not like the man. His first instinct suggested that this Director Snowe shared more in common with the bureaucrats sitting on The Committee than with the soldiers of Thebes. However, regardless of his politician-like words, it became clear that Snowe aimed to help.

  The Director continued, "If it pleases The Committee, I recommend you review the readiness reports for Third Legion. You will notice a significant improvement in efficiency and tactics. This is due in no small part to Mr. Stone’s efforts."

  "Yes, this is true," The Committee admitted. "We have taken this into consideration as we evaluate Trevor Stone's usefulness to our defense and we will continue to honor the parameters regarding his position here."

  "We are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt that you were doing what you thought was best."

  "We remind you that you do not hold any official rank. You are considered an advisor."

  "This is why the sanctions will primarily be against Director Snowe and Major Forest."

  "You are not to take any action without first consulting—"

  "Action?" Trevor interrupted. "Let me tell you something because you folks need to hear it. You’re all dead! Every last one of you inside these walls, you are already dead."

  "You are out of line!"

  Stone disagreed, "No! You are out of line. This entire city is a big graveyard! You sit up there and do nothing but file reports. I’ll bet you have one Hell of a set of push pins!"

  The insubordination stunned The Committee into silence.

  "I am trying to save you. Do you understand? You have nothing left to lose! If you are going to survive, if you are going to keep this Earth for yourself, then we have to start fighting! We have to risk everything because there’s nothing left to lose, anyhow!"

  One of the Committeemen appeared ready to pounce but another took his arm and whispered in his ear. To Trevor's disappointment, all three of the men retreated from the heated discussion in favor of their monotone approach.

  "We can not and will not waste supplies and resources on foolish ventures."

  "For all that you say you still found nothing of value. You returned empty handed."

  "Indeed, one may interpret your decision to fight with the Geryon Reich as an attempt to distract us from the truth that your mission was a failure."

  Trevor responded, "Empty-handed? Failure? Then you have not looked into the eyes of the soldiers who returned from that mission!"

  One Committeeman said, "Less than two dozen soldiers returned, many of them injured."

  Stone nearly screamed, "I tell you that those men—that handful of men—could take over your entire Operations Center in five minutes! They are better soldiers now! Their enthusiasm will grow and spread until maybe—just maybe—it might revive what’s left of your sad army."

  Director Snowe decided to join the discussion again. "Trevor Stone speaks the truth, your Honors. His victory during mission forty-two seventy-six has improved morale among those who fought there. I agree the result will be an improvement in the defensive capabilities of the city."

  Trevor stammered, "The defensive capabilities? You don’t understand—"

  "I agree," Nina stopped Stone with a hand on his shoulder and her words. "I think the defensive posture of Thebes has been greatly improved directly as a result of this mission."

  Snowe continued on his end. "I would add that the likelihood of a Geryon Reich retribution strike against our city is unlikely. Our sources indicate that the Geryons have been under constant assault by the Chaktaw. I doubt they will risk expanding this one engagement into a full blown war on their western flank. They’d have little
to gain by it."

  "Then it’s agreed. We are concentrated on defensive actions for the immediate future."

  "The Committee expects a written report from Trevor Stone. Due to the positive side effects of mission forty-two seventy-six we anticipate that sanctions against those involved will be confined to credits and punitive assignments."

  "However, further insubordination and misuse of vital supplies will not be tolerated. All parties are hereby duly warned. This Trevor Stone's special disposition may change if this type of transgression occurs again. You are dismissed."

  Trevor’s mouth worked open. Nina tugged at his shoulder.

  "Not now," she whispered. "C’mon."

  Major Forest glanced to Snowe and then pulled Trevor from the chamber.

  ---

  Reverend Johnny sat on the bench with the Ashley of that alternate world. A cold breeze brushed through the leafless trees. The gray clouds overhead felt oppressive.

  "I’m a support specialist in Records and Information Systems. That’s how I know about you and the other…the other dimension. I sneak a look at a lot of those records and reports. I know, well, I know all about you and Trevor and why they brought you here."

  "I see," Johnny listened.

  "Tell me about your Trevor. I’d like to know if he’s…if he’s the same man I knew."

  "On my world, Trevor Stone is a great leader who won numerous battles when the odds were tall and has shown wisdom." Johnny considered and offered an addendum, "I should say he usually shows wisdom. Alas, he allowed his emotions to get the better of his head and that is why we are here in your world. He made a few brash errors along the way."

  She clutched her hands on her lap, cast her eyes down, and solemnly said, "He sounds very much like the Trevor of our world."

  "He is my friend. I would do anything for him," Johnny tilted his head in introspection and added, "Which is why, I suppose, I ended up here, too."

  "You followed him, no matter where it would lead? Not surprising. Trevor always had a great deal of control."

  "Control? My dear, you misunderstand. I volunteered to be by his side even in the face of danger. He is my friend, and he has earned my loyalty, and I have been inspired by his courage and even—on occasion—his compassion. While he does his best to display a suit of emotional armor, I know he is a man who feels things deeply."