Prophet and the Blood March (Prophet of ConFree)

by Marshall S. Thomas

"I don't particularly want to leave the Legion, Professor," I said. "What is this national emergency?"

  "I don’t know, Prophet. I had been rather hoping that you would be able to tell me."

  "Yes sir," I said, with a weak grin. "I'll get right on that."

  Δ

  At last! We got the news first, of course, from Nan the Man, but it was nice to see a neat public summary in a channel we could believe. I read about it in the morning edition of the Legion Tacmap, over breakfast in the embassy cafeteria.

  UMC Invades Earth!

  Special from the Legion Tacmap. Quaba City, 385/08/13.

  The UMC government on Alphard announced on CGS 385/08/13 that the long-expected invasion of Earth began on the morning of SS 1517/12/17 Terran time. The government stated that the purpose of the "police action" was to re-establish the rule of law over the so-called Peace and Joy movement which had illegally seized power over the New Aztlan government.

  Initial reports indicate that thousands of armored troop shuttles have landed and inserted armored troopers who established control of strategic sites at Ultima Spring, Aztlan City, Montezuma Federal, Santa Anna and Old Aztlan after UMC air power swept the skies clear of opposition. The startroopers struck immediately at selected targets, supported by heavy air cover from armored aircars at treetop level that blasted any resistance. Opposition was described as light to nonexistent. The PJ militia has scattered. The UMC has declared martial law and advised all civilians to remain indoors until further notice.

  The UMC Starfleet has established operational control of all Terran orbital vac and warns that all traffic movement must be approved by Starfleet Orbital Control. All of Terra has been designated a war zone, although latest reports show actual combat operations are underway only on the Aztlan continent.

  Δ

  Blondie thought a great deal about Smiley's problem. Sometimes she thought too much – she realized that. But she prided herself on being able to resolve any problem that needed resolving. Once she had a plan, she went straight to the Professor, and told him about it. The Prof approved her leave. He was an old softy; Blondie had never been worried about him. Only then did she tell Arie. He didn't like it much but she swore him to secrecy and by that time he had learned to take her very seriously.

  Of course, she told Honeyhair. Honeyhair said it was wonderful. Blondie knew Honeyhair had always been slightly in awe of Blondie, ever since their time together in midschool. Blondie knew about people. And she was fearless and inventive. If she set her sights on you, you'd better look out – things were going to happen.

  Δ

  It was only a little over one ship's day to Lotus on stardrive. Her leave docs gave Blondie Space-A status, space available, so it cost her nothing. She wore her spectacularly-tailored grey Civilian Support Corps uniform so all the men were ogling her. She loved that, but ignored them – she was on a mission!

  Once on Lotus, she took an aircar taxi to the Blood Blossom Suites and settled in. Lotus seemed to be a fine world as seen from the aircar: a brilliant sky, slightly heavy grav and plenty of oxygen in the air – or so it seemed to her. She knew planets alter races and create new races but Blondie didn't know enough about the inhabitants of Lotus to see how the planet was affecting them. Most of them looked like Outworlders as far as she could tell.

  Blood Blossom Suites was a first-class hotel and from her amazingly luxurious suite, Blondie programmed Scout's personal eyemote and set it loose. Scout was the only person Blondie knew who had a personal eyemote. Scout never told her that it was that same eyemote that Prophet and Nitro had borrowed when they were initially targeting Honeyhair and Blondie for capture.

  Smiley knew distressingly little about his former girl friend's current situation. His parents had moved to another planet because of a change of assignment for his dad, so Smiley had no way of knowing what had happened to his old girl friend. In a few moments over her comset Blondie had gathered a lot more information on his former girl than Smiley had. The eyemote was looking for the target based on all the public info available on the young lady, plus the pix from an old holo that Smiley still worshipped in silence. Blondie opened a dox and relaxed as the eyemote searched.

  Δ

  Two days was all Blondie could stand, watching Christine's excruciatingly boring personal life through the eyemote view. On the third day Blondie acted. The real estate office was a welcoming place in a shopping plaza, open to the world and just inviting passersby to walk in and browse. The walls were covered with softly glowing holos of tempting luxury homes. Blondie waited until her target was the only one in the office, then walked in boldly, wearing a big smile.

  "Christine!" she said. "How are you?"

  Christine looked up in surprise from behind her desk, a puzzled smile arising. "Oh! Uh, I'm fine. How did you know my name?"

  "It’s on your desk nameplate," Blondie said cheerfully.

  "Oh, so it is!" Christine smiled a bit shyly, with a hint of a flush on her cheeks. She was a pretty, slim Outworlder girl with wavy chestnut brown hair that reached to her shoulders. Virgin hair, Blondie thought. "How may I help you?" Christine asked.

  Blondie took an airchair by the desk. "My name's Katrina – warname Blondie. My best galpal Honeyhair – that is, Sheila – is planning a vacation with her hubby and she wants to rent a little villa up in the Green River Highlands. She's fallen for those ads your planet puts out trolling for tourists. She's got her mind made up. So I'm TDY here and she asked me to see what's available. Can you help her?"

  "Oh, absolutely. We have some lovely properties in the highlands. What time frame are we looking at?"

  "'She wants to rent for about a week but hasn't decided on a date yet."

  "Where is the client?"

  "Oh, they're on Quaba."

  "Come on over here and we can look at what's available." They moved to a semi-circular sofa with a little desk and a huge d-screen that was soon displaying dazzling views of the Green River Highlands and amazing rental properties perched over spectacular views.

  "Did you say Blondie was a warname? What does that mean?" Christine asked. "What is your uniform? It's just lovely."

  "I'm with the Civilian Support Corps. I'm a medic. I was a CSC nurse before. Then I married a Legion trooper. That's where I got the warname. When you marry into the Legion, you often become a Legion auxiliary. I'm now a Legion medic."

  "Wow, that's amazing. Where are you stationed?"

  "Quaba. Right now. But I've been everywhere. We – we've been everywhere. My pal Sheila and I. It's like a dream. When we were single, we met these two kids on a starship that was headed for Veltros. They were Legion enlistees, headed for Legion Basic Training. We invited them to the ship's pool but they never showed up. So we tried to forget about them – but couldn't. It was strange. They just continued haunting us, in our dreams. Both of us. Six months later we're on Providence – that's the capitol of Veltros – and two scary looking Legion troopers approach us, dressed all in black, and hand us invitations to the Legion graduation ceremony. And it’s the two kids we had met but they've both changed a lot. Prophet and Nitro. I fell for Nitro instantly. Talk about love at first sight! It was like my heart was on fire. I even had trouble breathing. Don't ever tell me miracles don't happen. They both disappeared after graduation, headed for the Gulf, but about two years later Prophet showed up, asked Sheila to marry him, and took her away. A couple months later Nitro knocked on my door and went down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so surprised to see him I peed right in my panties. And we got married." Blondie’s eyes were swimming in tears. "Sorry," she said. "True love is a miracle. I believe that."

  "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Christine said. "Now you've got me going." She dabbed at her eyes.

  "Here," Blondie said, sliding a holo along the desk to Christine. "That's Arie, warname Nitro."

  "Wow. He's beautiful!"

  "I think so. How about you? No wedding ring – are you married?"

  "No. No, I'm not ma
rried," she said, a bit sadly.

  "Playing the field?"

  "No. No, I'm an old maid, I guess." The rental properties were forgotten.

  "I don't believe that for an instant. You're young and beautiful. The men must be swarming around you. Right?"

  "I don't encourage them."

  'Why not?"

  She just looked down into her lap, silent.

  "I know all about men," Blondie said. "Maybe you're doing something wrong?"

  Christine shook her head, silent, biting her lip.

  "Have you ever been in love?" Blondie asked.

  She slowly nodded her head. Still silent.

  "Tell me."

  "I was in love once," she whispered.

  "What was his name?"

  "It doesn't matter."

  "What was the problem?"

  "He left me." Yes! Blondie thought. Yes!

  "Why did he leave?"

  "He left to join the Legion. He told me to forget him. He said he would never be coming back, so I had to forget him. Get a new boy friend, he said. I told him I was never going to forget him. I told him I was going to wait for him, no matter how long it took. And I said I’d not get a new boy friend. I loved him. And I still love him. And I’ll wait for him forever. I'm a damned fool, I know. But that's the way I am."

  Blondie laid her hands on Christine's. "He must have loved you a lot," she said.

  "How can you say that?"

  "Because he knew chances were minimal that he'd ever be able to come back. Legion immortals have very short life spans, because of the war. And even if they survive the war, it's normally years before they get leave, if ever. He knew that. He wanted to spare you all those hopeless years of waiting. He was thinking of you – not of himself."

  "Hopeless years. Yes. That's me. He never wrote me. And I didn't know how to contact him."

  "Do you have a pix of him?"

  Christine reached into her blouse and pulled out a little brooch on a thin silver necklace. It contained a miniature color holo of Smiley. And he was smiling. "He's always close to my heart," she said. The tears were flowing now, trickling down Christine's cheeks. She ignored them.

  "Bless you," Blondie said. "Bless you."

  When Christine dried her tears, Blondie asked for a brochure on one of the rental properties.

  "What would you do if your old boy friend showed up, after all these years?" Blondie asked. Christine paused over the brochure that she was preparing.

  "I think I'd slap him really hard. And then kiss him, really hard. And then see what he does."

  Blondie laughed. "Good answer," she said.

  Δ

  "All right, again. Concentrate," Paula said. Little angels and receptive subjects, she telepathed.

  "Little angels and receptive subjects," the Prof said.

  "Excellent! That was clear, wasn't it?"

  "Very clear. Exceptionally clear. I'm excited!"

  "All right, now you send me something."

  I am no longer a deadhead, the Professor telepathed.

  You are a psycher! You're there!

  The Prof smiled.

  "You know, Prof, after Bees, you've got the most potential to become a talented psycher of any of the people I've taught here in Delta. The techs say your DX brain structure is more developed than any of the others – presumably because it was stimulated deliberately by the B's rather than incidentally, like the others. And I can confirm it. You are one fast learner! But I need more time with you; I've told you that."

  "I'm awfully busy."

  "Sometimes it helps to work in an informal session. Wanna go out on a date with me?"

  "Thank you, Paula. I'm flattered, but no. I devote all my spare time to my daughter, Carol."

  "You're a saint, Professor. I know."

  "Why don't you find a boyfriend, Paula? You are a very attractive girl."

  "Oh, everybody thinks I'm a ding-a-ling. And they're probably right. I've been out with Doggy and he's very affectionate but he's kind of a hit-and-run type. I guess I'm one of his conquests. But I'm easy, that's my problem."

  "Love comes to everyone, Paula. You're a wonderful person, and your day will come. You can be sure of that."

  "By the time my gallant gentleman shows up I'm going to be a cranky old maid, all set in my ways, and he won't be able to stand me."

  "No, he'll sweep you off your feet and dazzle all that crankiness right out of you."

  "You're so sweet, Professor. No more lies, please. Let's get back to work."

  "One last thing, Paula. Have you ever considered Doctor Dorak? He's single."

  "Dorak? He's…well, he's cute and all, and he's a hero now, but hey, he's a real ding-a-ling." She paused for a moment.

  "Think about it," the Prof added. Then they went back to work.

  Δ

  Blondie found Smiley in the armory, checking the inventory on a little d-screen. Nobody else was there.

  "Smiley! I'd like to know. What is your major malfunction? Is it just that you are lazy and thoughtless, or could it be that you simply don’t care? How can you treat people who love you with such casual contempt?"

  Smiley just stared at her, mouth open, stunned.

  "Answer me!"

  "Blondie. I have not the slightest idea what you are talking about."

  "Well, maybe you should focus on things that are important. Maybe you should ask yourself if you have any unfinished business, any major issues that need resolution. Maybe you'd learn something if you did that."

  "I…I…maybe you'd better explain it to me. I'm completely clueless. I do not know what you mean."

  "Clueless. Perfect! Yes, that's it. Fortunately, you have friends, people who love you, to help you resolve some of these difficult issues – to give you a little assist. But in the end it will be up to you."

  "Explain, please." He was looking at Blondie as if she had two heads.

  "I travelled to Lotus. I found your old girl friend, Christine Morrison. I spoke with her. Oh, I didn’t say a word about you. I just told her all about myself. You know what she's doing? She's waiting for you! She's not married, she's not even dating. She's got a little locket with a pix of you on a chain around her neck. Yes, she told me all about you, and I didn't even ask. She said she's going to wait for you forever, like a damned fool, she said. Just like she promised you. I felt like telling her you're not worth it. But I didn't. She cried when she showed me the picture. She's a sweet girl. And she loves you. That's the bottom line. Over to you!" And with that, Blondie stormed out of the armory.

  Chapter 14

  Dark Skies

  The angel showed Bees into Martial Breakblade's office in the embassy. Bees thought of them as angels, even though the Legion referred to them as Brights. It was clear in her mind that the Brights were angels. Some of them were females and resembled the angels of human legends – except for not having wings – and some were males. Most of the males in the embassy were knights, but some were not. Both males and females had that strange glow on their flesh that identified them as Brights – or angels.

  Black Angel. Welcome. Breakblade came from behind his desk to greet her. He was clad in the Brights's white uniform, which added to his luminous appearance. It was hard to look directly into his face, but Bees did so. She was thrilled to be one-on-one with an angel, and a White Knight at that. He appeared to be…ageless. Young, but mature. Pale flesh, silvery eyes, no facial hair except faint eyebrows and eyelashes and pale golden hair framing his head. Bees snapped off a salute, fist to heart. Breakblade returned it.

  It is an honor to meet you again, Breakblade telepathed. I remember you well from Stormhaven.

  Bees was stunned. An honor? To meet me? It is I who am honored to meet you, Excellency. I am nobody, I am nothing. I am a slave of God, a slave of the Legion, a slave of the people of ConFree.

  God has no need of slaves. His followers are all free people, who embrace liberty. And it is an honor for me to meet a human who is prepared to die for God,
for your Legion, and for your people. Here. Let me see. He approached Bees and cupped his hands over her head. Bees closed her eyes and stood there silently.

  It is gone, Breakblade telepathed. The evil spirit has fled, abandoning this holy house of God. You are strong. So strong. You are truly a knight of God. Why have you come here today?

  I am reporting for duty as an interpreter, Excellency. I am joining my Delta comrades here.

  Excellent. We thank you. But you have another reason to come here. Another…mission.

  Yes, Excellency. A personal mission. I…I wish to know God. To understand God. To better serve Him. I adore Him. I wish to learn more.

  So do we all. Pray – for wisdom. He will answer you. Not always right away. But he will answer.

  You told us God was a real person. Is He alive?

  He is alive in all who serve Him. He is the source of all light – of all that is good, and pure, and admirable. He is opposed by all that is evil, and rotten, and hateful.

  Is God a living person, or a spirit? Bees hardly dared ask the question.

  Come, Breakblade said. Follow me. He led Bees out into a wide terrace, under a cloudy sky. The air was fresh and clear and it was slightly cool. It looked like it might rain. Bees tried to remain calm. Was she really going to learn the ultimate secret?

  The origins of our people are lost in the mists of time, Breakblade said. We lived in our universe which we called Haven. At first we struggled with other creatures who wished to oppress us, but we won our independence and became strong, spreading our race to many worlds. As the years passed we focused on developing an ideal society – one where our people could prosper, and live in freedom in a just state, with each individual vowing personal integrity and charitable behavior with good faith to all. We were successful. Our advanced science allowed us to become immortal. At first we called ourselves angels but another race that opposed us – the Demons – called us the Brights and we thought it a fine name so we began using it.

  But tragedy struck. A faction of angels began to worship power, embraced evil, and attempted to bring down our ideal society. A terrible war raged in Haven. It was an elemental war – good against evil. I shall not describe this awful disaster, but the result was that the rebelling angels were defeated and cast out of Haven. They fled to your universe, which we call the Others. The leader of these fallen angels was called Satan.