by R. E. Graham
The Tribune began to read over the file just as the Inquisitor started speaking again. “It appears that Tarvus here is the Captain of the Only Hope. I have details on his team, but he is the main target. They all operate out of a small town called Largo that is South of Cavan.”
“Strange. His file has no record of past criminal activity. You would think that he would have had a long list of crimes listed if he were the captain of a pirate ship.”
Cyrus swatted away the Tribune’s concern with his hand. “His reasoning for becoming a pirate matters very little.” He enlarged two profiles of the crewmembers. “While he may have a clean record, some of his crew such as Hernando Troy and Jax Sims have plenty of displays of criminal acts. Whether he has been a criminal his entire life or for a short time is no excuse for the death of Senator Servius.”
The Tribune nodded. “Agreed sir. So, we head for Largo?”
“Yes. That is our primary focus.” He minimized the profiles of the Only Hope and brought an aerial view of Largo up. The map transformed from a two-dimensional image to a 3D hologram showing the buildings from a side view.
“I want to hit them hard and overwhelm them immediately. Deploy alpha, beta and delta pikes along with four fireteams.”
“It will be done,” Aries said placing his arms behind his back.
“Also, I want your intelligence officers to leak the coming attack on the stream before we drop. I want Largo to be made an example of.”
“Sir?”
“Once the local stream on Destiny figures it out there will be footage from cameras in town that will be shared and reuploaded everywhere. This group of evil people will be shown for what they are, and we will demonstrate the Republic’s resolve in dealing with those who harm citizens.”
The ever-present gentle hum of the ship rumbled in the awkward quietness that passed over the bridge.
“Wouldn’t a leak of our coming attack give them time to prepare?”
“It will. But we will be arriving so shortly after that they won’t be able to evacuate, only arm themselves at best. The 12th is more than enough for anything they could muster, and it will only show our reasoning behind our raid to be that much more justified.”
The strategy and reasoning made sense to the Tribune.
The comm’s officer interrupted the discussion. “I’m sorry sirs, but we are getting a signal from Colonel Felix from Destiny.”
Cyrus took a deep breath and felt an excitement jolt through his body. “Put him on the screen.”
A few seconds later and the mercenary officer appeared on the main display. He still wore the same uniform he was wearing last time they had met, but there was a little bit of concern showing on his face that he was trying to hide.
“Colonel Felix,” the Inquisitor said with the tiniest of smirks.
"I am surprised to see your return so soon Inquisitor," Felix said as he looked off-screen at something. "Is there something that I could assist you with?"
“No, we will manage on our own.”
“Is there…have you discovered a new lead in your investigation?”
Odds are he doesn't know what Tarvus and his crew have done, so he is probably wondering about whoever he is linked to.
“Actually, yes. However, I don’t feel it is appropriate to discuss this over video signals so that those responsible could be notified ahead of time.”
The mercenary shifted uneasily in his seat. “With respect sir, the last raid you conducted has caused a lot of waves for me and my people.”
“Are you asking me to not conduct my job to my fullest, Colonel?”
“No, not at all…”
The Inquisitor cut him off abruptly. “Then don’t waste my time any further. Rest assured though, if we discover those responsible for my investigation, then I will dig deeper into those who concealed them from me. No matter who they are, they will be brought to justice.”
Felix looked a little queasy as he understood what the Inquisitor was implying. Cyrus fought back a smile as he confirmed that the mercenary did know that he was covering up pirate activity.
“Well, happy hunting Inquisitor,” Felix said as he nodded his head. “Please know that we will be on standby to assist you in this matter however we may be able to.”
“I’m sure,” Cyrus said before the signal was cut.
Aries glanced over at the Inquisitor and smiled. “Looks like he knows he will be in trouble soon.”
"Yes, he does. His time will be coming soon, but first, we must deal with the pirates first."
“I will distribute the orders as you have laid out and we will be ready,” the Tribune said.
“Excellent,” the Inquisitor said as he turned for the door. He stopped and turned to the communications operator. “Warrant Officer, could you please set up a signal with Prefect Haines on Gallirae for me? I will be in my quarters.”
“Yes sir,” she said as she got to work.
The Inquisitor exited the bridge and headed down the hall.
Everything is finally coming together. Soon these criminals will meet lady justice by my hand. I finally can be recognized for my service and am one step closer to being promoted to level III.
He arrived at his personal room and waved his hand over the door panel. It slid open with a whoosh. The excitement of reporting to the Prefect was intoxicating for him. He sat down at the desk and looked at the camera positioned straight across the room from him. A screen on the wall below the camera activated and showed the Warrant Officer’s face.
"I am ready to connect you, sir," she said sternly.
“Thank you. I am ready.” He tugged at his uniform and placed his hands on the table in a confident position.
The Warrant Officer switched to an image of the Corre Republic's flag as the connection was established. After several long seconds, Prefect Haines appeared.
“Inquisitor Cyrus, I hope this interruption is good news.”
“Yes sir, it is. I have located the base of the pirates responsible for the attack and am heading there now.”
Haines’ face did not look too impressed. “So, you have not dealt with them yet?”
The Inquisitor was taken back a little by the tone in the Prefect’s voice. “Uh not quite, but they will be brought to justice very soon Prefect. I will report back once I have resolved the situation.”
“You are running out of time Inquisitor. Take care of this” Haines said pungently as the feed was cut.
Cyrus’ reflection shown in the screen bounced back at him. He adjusted his collar then sniffed pushing past the sensation of disappointing the Prefect.
I will not fail. These pirates are going to answer for their crimes…
Chapter 30
Cycle: 434 Month: 2 Rotation: 24
Corre Republic Space
Prefecture: Siimon
Planet: Destiny
Location: Largo
Leesa and Coral Tarvus rode in their family pickup truck down a dusty street. They had just visited the local temple to pick up their rations for the week.
Little Coral sat in the back in his safety seat. He played with a small spaceship toy making all sorts of whoosh, zoom, shhhhhoom sounds.
Glancing to the backseat using the rearview mirror, Leesa smiled at her son playing so peacefully.
She came to a stop at one of the town’s only traffic lights when a terribly loud boom shook the truck. Coral was so startled by the sheer volume of the noise that he dropped his toy and started to tear up.
Leesa looked out her driver's side window to see two gray ships get larger and larger as it descended. It looked like it was heading toward town when red objects began falling out of the vessel.
"Th…those look like WarMechs…" she was confused for a moment, but then the pieces came together in her mind.
She placed her hand over her mouth as shear terror overcame her. By now Coral was crying from being scared by the initial noise. He remained unaware of the danger that was falling on his home world.
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Another car sat opposite of her that had stopped at the light. It’s driver too was staring as more and more mechs hot dropped onto Largo.
Leesa slammed on the accelerator and the truck peeled out leaving a wave of dust behind it. The vehicle bounced from the uneven road as she turned the wheel sharply.
Off to their left, a tremendous plume from an explosion shot into the air.
“Aaah!” she screamed as she fought to maintain control. “No, no, no, no…please Creator no!”
Her son continued to wail as she finally reached their home. She considered heading for the highway but saw more mechs dropping in that direction.
Feeling tremendously overwhelmed, she headed for home thinking the only place safe was maybe their basement. She completely forgot to shut the truck off as she parked it and threw open her door. In one fluid motion she jumped out of the vehicle and flung open her son’s door. Her hands shook as she struggled to release her son.
Several deep vibrations shook the ground beneath her feet as more mechs landed. People screamed in the distance as more gunfire erupted. The steady whine of laser fire and the thud of cannons rang out.
Now with his harness undone, Leesa scooped up her crying son and bolted for the door. A Sierra stomped its way onto her street but overlooked the two as it came under attack from someone in a house across the street. It twisted its torso and fired twice from its arm cannon, destroying the wooden home its attacker hid in a spectacular explosion.
Leesa breathed heavily as she took her son through the home and downstairs.
Patrix had been enjoying his relaxing rotation when the fighting started. He had several of his ground crew over for lunch when they first heard the boom of the space craft coming in for a landing.
“Chief!” Yurny called out from the other room as he peeked out the window. “We are being attacked!”
“What?” Patrix asked as he pushed his way through his guests and looked out the window himself.
His jaw dropped as he recognized the WarMechs being deployed into his town. With his mind racing, he had to figure something out and quickly. First things first.
“Everyone stay put!” he shouted as he ran upstairs. He threw his son’s wooden door open and found a monocular his oldest son owned for bird watching on his stand.
When he looked out the second-story window things looked even worse. Multiple mechs disappeared behind some buildings as they dropped into town, while two Avis ships also descended.
He didn't need to use the monocular, he knew this was the Republic not some band of misfit raiders. Everything in his body wanted to be frozen in place, but he forced himself to move.
“It’s the government!” he shouted as he ran back downstairs.
A distant explosion rocked the home's windows, and some of the people in the house began to scream.
“Everyone! Everyone calm down. We have a job to do. We need to remain peaceful and cooperate,” the Chief said as he tried to ease his people.
“Fat chance!” Yurny exclaimed as he ran out of the house. Some of the people in the home watched as the young man sprinted down the street but was stomped on by a Hunter WarMech. Red juice sprayed out as the mech's heavy foot squished him then continued on down the road.
The mechs formed up at the edges of the town looking back and forth as one of the Avis’ landed at the center of town.
Everyone else in the home ran out in every direction as they tried desperately to search for their loved ones or take shelter. What made the situation worse was that in any direction away from Largo there wasn't much shelter from the local sun. Trying your luck in the cold, dusty wilderness was just as likely to get you killed from dehydration than anything else.
Inquisitor Cyrus’ helmet formed around his head as the ramp lowered. He exited behind two fireteams that were aboard the Avis in the middle of town. Toya began surveying the town with its sensors and scanners built into the helmet. The shock troopers quickly set up a defensive perimeter and were prepared to fight.
"I am Inquisitor Cyrus. I have come for Captain Mikhail Tarvus and his crew. Bring them to the center of town within the next fifteen minutes, or we will begin to destroy the town" he said using the voice amplifier in his helmet.
The townspeople were much too scared to hear anything over the gunfire and explosions. They ran in every which direction in fear for their life.
With the Captain off world and since Mayor Tipso had abandoned them, there wasn’t really anyone left in charge. So, the Chief figured it might as well be him.
Worst-case scenario they kill me. I'm old, I've lived long enough…
He bravely hugged his wife who looked at him in disbelief. “No, you can’t go out there,” she pleaded with her husband as she shook her head.
“I must.” He leaned in and gave her a tender kiss.
His wife continued to shout for him to stay as he opened the door and walked for the Inquisitor.
One of the Sierra’s spotted him and radioed to Cyrus that someone was approaching from the West side of town.
The Inquisitor turned and saw the heavyset man turn a corner up ahead. He walked boldly in his stride even though carnage played out all around him.
It took several more minutes for the brave pirate to walk the distance up to one of the fireteams that intercepted him.
"I have come unarmed," Patrix shouted with hands held up.
The fireteam leader turned to Cyrus for clearance to allow him passage. The Inquisitor looked at the man for a moment then gestured for the Chief to approach, and the shock troopers stepped aside, guns still held at the ready just in case.
Toya scrolled through residents of Largo until it showed a confirmed match of Patrix Guld, town mechanic.
“Mr. Guld, thank you for your cooperation. Where is Mikhail Tarvus? Where is his crew?” Cyrus asked calmly.
Patrix shrugged. “I apologize Inquisitor, but they ain’t ‘ere.”
Cyrus clenched his right fist. “Where are they then?”
“They left several rotations ago to meet up with a pharmacist company on Horizon. They move goods around from world to world.”
The Inquisitor rolled his neck as anger began to build within him. He stomped up to the heavier man and stopped within arms reach. “I want you to be very clear with me. Lives hang on the balance of this conversation right here and now. Do you understand me?”
The Chief’s eyes grew a bit wider. “Yessir, I do. Speak your business. I will not lie to you.”
As he stood up straighter and looked about the town, Cyrus thought carefully of what he was going to say next. Then, he decided to be blunt. “Are Tarvus and his people pirates?”
“I’m…I’m sorry sir?”
“Pirates. Raiders. Criminals. Is Mikhail Tarvus a pirate?!”
Patrix took a step back as the Inquisitor's face got bright red. He struggled to answer the question and thought about his family and loved ones that lived throughout his hometown. Visibly his demeanor changed from someone bold to being weakened. "Aye, they are sir. But it was for a good reason."
Cyrus didn’t look like he sympathized. “People have died because of their choices. Which is why even more will die.” The Inquisitor activated the microphone in his helmet. “Destroy everything. Don’t touch the mark and locate Tarvus’ family!”
Patrix was so stunned by what he heard that he stood in place until the words sunk in. As the sounds of the mechs firing their weapons shook him from his mental fog, rage boiled up within him, and he tried to hit the Inquisitor but missed. Cyrus responded by yanking the Chief's head down and kneeing him in the stomach, instantly knocking the wind right out of him.
As Patrix fell to the ground on his knees, two shock troopers rushed over and held him down while the Inquisitor pulled a special marker out of his thigh pocket. He yanked the top off as he held the marker up.
“You will survive this so that you can be the one to deliver a message to him when he returns.”
Patrix struggled a
s hard as he could, but he just wasn't in physical shape to fend off elite trained soldiers. The tip of the marker felt cold on his skin as the Inquisitor wrote an "X" on his left hand. The liquid in the pen was specially illuminated on each of the shock troopers and WarMechs HUD, so they knew he was meant to live.
“Tell Mikhail that I will find him and there is nowhere he can run. He, along with his crew, have their profiles marked so that every time they are scanned, they will come up as fugitives. Also, tell him that I have his family.”
The Ground Chief was released by the troopers and the Inquisitor reached into his pocket. He tossed a small device at the mentally broken man, and it bounced in the dirt.
"Tell him that when he is ready to face judgment to press that transmitter and I will come for him. It is the only chance of his family's survival."
Patrix looked up with fear filled eyes, and Cyrus walked off.
Leesa locked the basement door from the inside and held Coral close. She silently began to pray as both her front and back doors were kicked in. Boots aggressively stomped on the wooden floors above the hideaways. Mrs. Tarvus closed her eyes tightly and hugged her child harder. She jumped when the invaders located the basement door and began pounding on it.
“We have two beats inside,” one of the men shouted.
Leesa set her son down and stood, her knees quaked with fear as she stood in front of him. The sound of the men stopped then the door blasted open. A gas grenade was tossed in, and the two Tarvus' began coughing and hacking for oxygen. Her lungs burned as she inhaled more and more of the non-lethal gas as her body fought to breathe. Large men dressed in black tactical armor stormed inside and apprehended the two.
Leesa tried to scream for her son but her voice was weak, and she couldn’t. Coral mouthed a terrified scream, but his voice too had escaped him. Tears ran down his little face as one of the men picked him up and carried him out of the basement.
Once outside, an Avis lowered itself into the street. One of the fireteams provided cover as the two were carried aboard. The last sight that Leesa had of Largo through her blurry vision was a massive mech using its arm to smash their neighbor's house into splinters.
