by D. J. Holmes
“Very well,” James said as he thought through where to begin. “Why don’t you tell me your story from the start.” For the next half an hour James listened to each of the three Indians share how they individually, and then collectively, came to form the Imperial Loyalists. In many ways their stories were similar to Adhira’s. Culthrapori’s heavy handedness and authoritarian rule had driven them to take steps they never thought they would have been prepared to take in order to regain their freedom. “And the protests, tell me about them?” James asked next.
“That’s exactly what they were,” Arjun said, “protests. We weren’t actually the ones to organize them, but when we heard about them, we got our people involved. I think the first one caught Culthrapori off guard. He wasn’t ready for it. But he was for the second. I was there when the shooting started. It was totally unprovoked. None of our people were even armed. There was no violence offered in return.”
“And the third?” James asked.
“We were ready for the third protest,” Arjun said as his face tightened.
“But even then, they didn’t start it,” Bracey said as she jumped in. “I was there. After the violence at the second protest. I requested permission to observe the next one. When Culthrapori gave us permission, I should have suspected…” Instead of finishing she looked to the ground.
“Suspected what Ambassador?” James pressed gently.
“It was a trick. Culthrapori sent us in with more than ten armed guards. Yet when the shooting started, they vanished,” Bracey said as she looked up. James could see the emotion in her eyes. “Plain clothes protesters appeared out of nowhere and attacked us. They had the same weapons Culthrapori’s militia are armed with. Olivia Cornell, one of my staffers, was killed. We all would have been if Arjun’s people hadn’t intervened. They engaged the fake protesters long enough for us to flee. We are certain they were members of Culthrapori’s militia in plain clothes, sent there to get rid of us.”
James shook his head as his fists tightened. “They have killed a citizen of our Empire?” he asked, not expecting an answer. He shared a glance with Johnston. A great weight seemed to lift off his shoulders. For months he had worried about intervening in New Delhi without justification. What Adhira, Arjun and the others had shared with him had made his blood boil. His hatred for Culthrapori had only grown and grown. But that didn’t give him justification to intervene. It had only made his angst grow. But the intentional killing of an Imperial citizen, that was different. “Your organization,” he asked, forcing himself to think through the situation logically. “How is it structured and what exactly have you planned?”
“For safety we have adopted a cell structure,” Arjun answered. “Each one of us three oversees around twenty cells. However none of them know about each other. We have been slowly getting enough weapons and other materials to make a real effort at overthrowing Culthrapori. There are one or two other groups we’ve come across that we believe are working towards the same goal. If they make an attempt before us, we are ready to support them if necessary.”
“How long until you are ready to launch your operation?” James followed up.
“Two weeks, maybe three,” Arjun replied.
James nodded and turned to Bracey. “The chances of success?”
Bracey shared a look with Arjun that James suspected was meant to be apologetic. “At best, I’d say forty percent. Culthrapori’s militia are very well armed and they will have the numerical advantage in any fight. Surprise will only get the Imperial Loyalists so far. And whatever happens, many will die.
“Hundreds if not thousands of civilians,” James guessed. “They would be caught in the crossfire whether you liked it or not.” He looked at Arjun to give him a chance to reply. Though the Indian looked like he wanted to, he said nothing. James nodded. “Okay, tell me about what you know of their diplomatic efforts?” James asked Bracey.
“Nothing has really taken off the ground yet, at least that was the impression I got from several of the delegations I spoke to. That was nearly a month ago now however,” she said with a shrug. “The delegates can’t be idiots. They have to know how harshly Culthrapori is treating his citizens. Yet as far as we can tell, they are all still here. In fact, more have arrived. If they are still negotiating despite what’s been going on, then they must have a reasonable degree of resolve towards forming a political union. Though as to exactly what they have in mind beyond claiming the name of the United Nations, your guess is as good as mine.”
James pursed his lips. He had been hoping to get more information. But that was all Bracey knew. What’s more, it was unlikely he would be able to garner anything more from any other source he could make contact with on the planet. “And if we were to remove Culthrapori. How do you think the other colonies would take it?”
Again Bracey shrugged. “I haven’t seen anything that would give me the confidence to answer that concretely. But if they have the resolve to look past Culthrapori’s atrocities, they may be willing to go forward without Culthrapori and New Delhi altogether. On the other hand, if they think their positions are threatened, they may become more amenable.”
James nodded, that was the problem with many of the colonies who were dillydallying when it came to holding a referendum on joining the Empire. Those who currently held positions of power didn’t want to risk them. If their colonies became members of the Empire they would have a chance to campaign for a seat on their local government, or even to be a Senator or member of the House of Commons. But they knew that in a democratic campaign, there were no guarantees. “Then we may just have to do what is right for New Delhi and see where the chips fall,” James said as he brought a hand up and rubbed his chin. “The general populace. Where do they stand when it comes to Culthrapori?”
Again, Bracey looked to Arjun before answering. “The Imperial Loyalists will tell you he has almost no support. That is close to the truth. But he does have some who are still with him. His popularity was riding high when he first took control. I’m told there was pandemonium for several weeks when news of the nuclear attack on Earth first came through. When Culthrapori restored order, he was seen as a hero. Even more so when he tried to stand up to the fleet elements that came and took most of their orbital battlestations. However, it has been dwindling ever since. Even so, if there is some kind of popular uprising, I suspect he will have enough support to make a good fight of it.”
“So there could be open fighting on the streets. And not just between the Imperial Loyalists and Culthrapori’s militia,” James surmised. He could easily picture the chaos that would break out within Calcutta and the other major cities on New Delhi. Even if the Imperial Loyalists won, the colony’s economy would be ruined. Instead of New Delhi becoming a productive member of the Empire, valuable resources would have to be sent to help with the reconstruction. “All right,” he said as he made his decision. He fixed his eyes on Arjun. “General Johnston and I are going to handle things from here. You are to instruct your cells to lay low. I don’t want you organizing any kind of armed insurrection.”
“But,” Arjun said as he jumped to his feet. “This is our homeworld. We cannot just sit by and do nothing. Not when a tyrant is abusing our people and our families.”
“You’re not just sitting back,” James replied, “you’re putting your trust in me. You can still continue your preparations. It may be that we will need your assistance. But if you truly care about your homeworld, then you will not throw it into chaos. Tens of thousands could die if you try and overthrow Culthrapori by yourself.” James gestured towards Johnston. “The General and I may be able to do things much more surgically.”
Arjun shook his head. “We will not let Culthrapori get away with what he has done.”
James raised his voice and adopted the more formal tone he used on the rare occasions he had to berate a junior officer. “I seem to recall you claiming I was already your Emperor. Are you telling me you’re going to disobey a direct command? Is your fai
th in me so fickle that it evaporates at the first opportunity? Or do you just think you are wiser and smarter and more experienced than I? Which one is it?” James didn’t take his gaze away from Arjun’s until the Indian lowered his eyes. “Well, what have you got to say?”
“If this is what our Emperor demands, then we will obey,” Arjun said quietly.
“Good,” James said in a much friendlier tone as he stood and moved beside Arjun to pat him on the shoulder. “I’m not saying you abandon your goal of seeing Culthrapori overthrown. Only that you let us do what we can. That’s what an Emperor is meant to do after all isn’t it? Protect his people? If we fail, or we need your help, trust me, I will ask for it. Deal?”
When Arjun looked up, he had lost some of his disappointment. “Deal,” he said as he nodded.
As James turned back to Johnston, he was surprised to see the marine jumping to his feet, moving far quicker than James thought humanly possible. Beside him the other six special forces marines were on their feet as well. Then James heard what had set them off. Gunfire. And it had been very close.
“Gunpowder weapons,” Phelps commented. “Light caliber ones.” Before he finished speaking, an explosion rocked their apartment building. As the sound reverberated within the apartment, the more familiar sound of plasma rifles releasing their bolts of destructive energy could be heard.
“Culthrapori’s militia,” Arjun hissed, “they have come for us.”
Chapter 21
One notable historian has compared the post Karacknid War colonial expansion of the Empire as akin to the wild west of the nineteenth century United States. Outside of Imperial space there were almost no laws, hundreds of potentially colonizable worlds, and tens of thousands of pioneers willing to risk all to claim their stake of them. More than one would be dictator or prophet or ‘elected’ ruling council had to be put down by the Imperial marines. Eventually these worlds were incorporated into the Empire’s borders and order restored.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
“We need to get out of here, now!” Johnston shouted. “What is our best way?” he asked as he turned to Arjun.
Before the Indian could answer, Phelps spoke up. He had moved to the living room’s window. “Looks like they are searching the apartment opposite ours. Whoever is in there doesn’t seem too keen on the idea. There are a couple of squads coming in our direction as well,” he finished as he stepped back.
“We have a secondary safe house across the street,” Arjun explained. “Our cell there is meant to watch over this one.” Even as he spoke, more small arms fire could be heard from across the street.
“Your escape plan,” Johnston reminded Arjun.
Arjun nodded. “Right, we go out the back, the same way you took to get in. Then we go into the sewer system.”
“No chance of that,” another marine called out, James thought it was Magee. He wasn’t in sight but his voice was coming from the apartment kitchen. “There’s militia out there too, looks like they’re searching the next apartment building as well. They’re already bringing residents out.”
“They don’t know exactly where we are,” James realized. “That gives us a few moments. What other ways out are there?”
Arjun shook his head. “None that I know of.” Neither of his two companions looked like they had anything to add. All three looked completely out of their depth.
Clearly dismissing them from the strategic equation, Johnston quickly moved out of the living room, James followed him. The General began to tap the internal wall of the apartment. “I think it’s just a few centimeters thick. Not permacrete either. Phelps,” he called. “Let’s see how strong it is.”
Phelps sighed but took several steps back away from the wall, nonetheless. He lowered his shoulder and charged with all of his enhanced strength. The wall gave way like it was made of straw and Phelps, startled by the ease with which he broke through, fell to the floor. Screams came through the hole as residents in the next apartment responded to Phelps’ sudden appearance.
“Not the best construction work,” Johnston said as he reached out and tore off a piece of the crumbling wall. “But that suits us just fine. What we need now is a distraction. Are there any weapons in the safe house?”
“Yes, a few pistols, but nothing else,” Arjun answered.
“That will do,” Johnston replied as he pulled Phelps to his feet. “Keep going private. I want a path clean through to the last apartment in this complex. We have to get the Admiral out of here, no matter the cost.”
“Yes General. They can fix my shoulder back on Drake,” Phelps replied before turning and heading into the next apartment.
“Magee, Bronson, Rodriguez,” Johnston said next. “Get Arjun’s weapons. The rest of us are going to follow Phelps. Give us a few seconds and then open fire on those militia units. Hold them off for as long as you can. Then leg it after us. They’ll not be expecting special forces marines, so speed should be all you need to get away.”
“Yes Sir,” Magee responded for the three of them.
“Everyone else, let’s go,” Johnston said as he directed another marine to take point and pushed James through the hole in the apartment’s wall. James only hesitated long enough to make sure Bracey, Maria, Arjun and the other two Imperial Loyalists were following before allowing Johnston to take over.
As they moved through the different apartments on the complex’s ground floor, the shooting from across the street died down. Either Arjun’s other cell had escaped or they had been killed or captured. When they had passed through six apartments, the shooting started up again. This time he knew it was Magee and the others. The initial cracks from their gunpowder pistols were quickly overwhelmed by the sound of what James guessed was at least twenty plasma rifles tearing into their apartment. Before James could ask Johnson if the marines they had left behind were going to be all right, they bumped into Phelps.
“This is the last one General, there’s at least a couple of militia out the back, but they’re certainly distracted,” the marine said.
“Okay, we’ll take them,” Johnston said as he moved towards the apartment’s kitchen and its rear doors. Before James could move to follow, another marine placed himself between James and danger. Whatever Johnston and Phelps were about to do, James was only able to imagine it.
Less than ten seconds later they were back. “The way is clear,” Johnston said. “Let’s go, everyone keep down and keep quiet.” As a marine placed his hand on James shoulder, James allowed himself to be pushed down almost to his knees and guided out of the kitchen and into the apartment’s rear garden. They moved right and followed the line of bushes to the garden’s fence. They hopped over it and sprinted across the street to the gardens of the next apartment complex. Again they hopped the fence and took cover in a new group of bushes. Something caught James’ eye. Rising above the bushes he poked his head out. The sight in front of him made his blood boil. Glancing back, he saw Arjun and most of the marines were staring too. In front of them, lying in the middle of the garden were five bodies dressed in civilian clothes. None appeared to have any weapons whatsoever. They had simply been killed. Probably as an interrogation method. “There’s no time for that,” Johnston said as he grabbed James’ arm. “We need to keep moving.”
James allowed himself to be pulled along. Though he kept his attention on where he was going, a part of his mind couldn’t shake what he had just seen. Culthrapori needed to be brought to justice, and soon! After following the line of the gardens, they again hurdled the fence and sprinted across another street. A cry of alarm almost made James turn, but Johnston yanked his arm in the opposite direction. Moments later the ground, vegetation and nearby wall of an apartment building erupted as plasma bolts crashed into their group. More than one grunt of pain reached James’ ear, but he didn’t have time to turn. He was running for his life. The next few minutes were a blur as Johnston led the group at a blistering pace away from the militia who were chasing them. Only
when they made it to an open park and were able to hide in a thick grove of trees did he stop.
“Do you know where we are?” Johnston asked as he sought out Arjun.
As the Indian looked around, James assessed their group. There were only two special forces marines alongside Johnston. Maria, Angela, Bracey, and Kaia were all there too, but not Ishann. It was possible he had been separated from them, but James feared the worst. He tried to remember the name of the other marine who had been a part of their group as well, he thought it was Olsson. There was only one reason why he wasn’t with them. He must have been hit. Neither Magee, Bronson nor Rodriguez were with them either. James hoped that meant they had been forced to find another route of escape rather than that they were all dead.
“I think we are in Jaldapara Park,” Arjun said eventually. “One of our escape routes from the apartment complex was meant to come out here. There is an entrance to the sewer system over that way,” he said as he pointed. “We can get down into it and out of sight.”
“Let’s do it,” Johnston said with a nod. “Phelps, take point again. Go with Arjun and make sure he can find the sewer in the dark.” He turned to James. “This isn’t going to be pleasant Admiral, but at the moment that’s not a priority.”
