by Ken Lozito
His father started to speak again.
“I swear, if this is another protest, I’ll have a squad of my soldiers escort the lot of you out of here right now,” Sean said, glaring at his father.
Director Mills cleared his throat. “I think we all need to take a moment to calm down.”
His father took a steadying breath, and Sean looked at Director Mills.
“I’m not going to challenge your authority,” Director Mills said and then glanced at the other committee members. “We have laws we all agreed on. One thing I have absolute faith in is that General Gates does nothing without careful consideration. He’s sent Major Quinn here on his authority, and I will respect that.”
Tobias cleared his throat. “Can you tell us your strategy for defending the city?”
“I think we’re forgetting the fact that Lunar Base is there with enough firepower to finish what Phoenix Station started,” Stanton said.
“They don’t have enough,” Sean said. “I was there. I saw what was coming for us. Colonel Hayes is following his orders.”
“But he could—” Stanton began.
“I know you’re scared and I’d be lying to you if I said things aren’t going to get any worse. The fact is, we can’t stop the Vemus from reaching New Earth. No matter what we do, we simply cannot,” Sean said and looked at the defense committee members, giving them a few moments for it to sink in.
Stanton drew in a breath to speak again.
“Enough, Stanton,” Tobias said. “We can’t defeat this enemy with clever arguments. General Gates doesn’t promote anyone who follows orders blindly. The CDF has seen the data and believe that keeping with General Gates’ original plan has the greatest chance of success. Let’s move on. Major, you were about to tell us about your strategy for defending this city.”
Sean swallowed hard. “I’ve reviewed what’s been done to bolster the city’s defense here and also in the other settlements. None of you will like what I’m about to tell you.”
An ominous silence took hold of the defense committee.
“We’ve been preparing for the worst. Why don’t you tell us what you have in mind?” Director Mills said.
“We can’t hold this city,” Sean said.
The committee members divided their gazes between Sean’s father and Director Mills.
“I don’t believe this. After all the work we put in to make the city as defensible as possible, you come in here and say we’ve wasted our time?” Stanton said.
Sean shook his head. “I didn’t say that. And the work that went into the defense of this city wasn’t a waste of time. We’ll use that against our enemy. I’ve faced the Vemus aboard one of their own ships. No doubt you’re all familiar with the reports from that engagement. We don’t have the numbers to meet this invasion force head-on. Connor knew it, and he often said that for all the Vemus’s strengths, they aren’t the most imaginative fighting force he’d ever encountered. They’re powerful and can adapt, but in other respects they’re slow to react. In essence, we need to outthink our enemy and be willing to sacrifice everything we’ve built in order to survive. Anything less won’t be enough.”
“You have our attention. Now share with us the rest of your plan,” Tobias said.
Sean spent the next twenty minutes giving the defense committee the overview of his plan. To their credit, they listened quietly while he laid it out. During that time, Captain Diaz returned and Sean noticed the increased CDF presence in the Command Center. He hadn’t wanted to resort to the use of force in order to take command of the city, but he would if he had to.
“Your plan doesn’t include the colonial militia,” Director Mills said.
“They’re not soldiers. I’m not sure if using them in any capacity is going to help,” Sean said.
“People have a right to help defend their homes,” Director Mills said.
Sean frowned while he considered. “They do, but I cannot risk the lives of my soldiers on rescuing the militia if they find themselves in trouble. Do they understand the danger involved? At least CDF soldiers have been trained.”
“How about as a compromise I suggest spreading the militia amongst Field Ops teams? There aren’t enough CDF soldiers to be everywhere. We won’t interfere with the work your soldiers are doing, but we need the militia’s help,” Director Mills said.
Sean knew Mills was right. He needed every able-bodied person who could hold a rifle. He’d love it if they were all trained like the CDF soldiers had been.
“You’re right,” Sean said, finally. “I just want it emphasized to anyone who remains that there will be no guarantee once the attack begins that we’ll be able to get them away from the city. All the bunkers, as well as Sanctuary, will be closed to them. I won’t risk sending another transport to any of those locations when the Vemus arrive,” Sean said and looked at the others. “Now, this is all I have time for. I can be reached through CDF channels.”
“One more question please, Major Quinn,” Stanton said.
Sean really did need to go. “What is it?”
“Lunar Base. You didn’t say how they’ll figure into your plan,” Stanton said.
“Colonel Hayes has been receiving the same updates we have here, and he’ll assess the enemy forces and coordinate a strike against them. None of that will affect what we have to do here on the ground. In essence, we’re hoping Colonel Hayes will find a way to blindside the enemy. Maintaining communications blackout with Lunar Base is essential in order for that effort to succeed. So, our job is to hold out as long as we can,” Sean said.
His answer seemed to satisfy the former governor, and the committee members all left, except for his father.
“I know you have to go, but I need to talk to you,” his father said.
“I’ll be right outside, Major,” Captain Diaz said and left, closing the door.
Sean looked at his father. They were alone. “Where’s Mom?”
“She’s helping to organize field hospitals throughout the city,” his father said.
“There won’t be many wounded. The Vemus aren’t keen on taking prisoners or wounding us,” Sean replied and glanced over at the door.
Tobias came to stand in front of him and put his hand on Sean’s shoulder.
“It’s been difficult for me watching you grow up. You’re making your own decisions, and me questioning them is almost second nature. It comes with being a father. It’s an old habit and I’m sorry,” his father said.
“We can’t be father and son in rooms like this. Not anymore,” Sean said.
“I realize that. You’re in command. I acknowledge that and promise to do my best not to interfere with it again,” his father said.
Sean felt the edges of his lips lift. He hadn’t realized it but there was still part of him that craved his father’s approval and acknowledgment of the man he’d become.
“I have a request,” his father said.
Sean pressed his lips together and frowned. “What do you need?”
“I don’t need anything, but I’d like to stay at your side for the duration,” his father said.
Sean’s brows pulled together. “I can’t allow that. I’m sorry.”
His father lifted his hands in front of his chest. “I don’t mean in combat, but everything else.”
“I know what you mean, but I don’t think you understand. Every place in this city is about to become a combat zone. I can’t do what I need to do and worry about your safety. Can you please understand that?” Sean said.
His father’s brows pushed forward determinedly. “I want to fight at your side, son.”
Sean’s throat thickened. “I know, but I’m going to be where the worst of the fighting is.”
“You think that matters to me? You’re my son. We may not have always seen eye to eye, but there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You may be in command of the CDF, but I’m going to stay with you. You can order your soldiers to take me away and I’ll still come back.” His father’
s eyes became glassy and Sean felt himself being pulled into his father’s arms. “I’m so proud of you. Please don’t forget that. I’ve always been proud of you.”
Sean hugged his father, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“I won’t order my men to take you away, but you’ll have to explain yourself to Mom,” Sean said.
His father chuckled. “I’ve already taken care of that.”
Sean frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that the last transport to Sanctuary will have your mother on it. Whether she’s conscious for the trip will be another matter,” Tobias said.
Sean’s mouth hung open. “She’ll never forgive you for it.”
“At least she’ll be alive to be angry. I’ll take that over the alternative any day,” Tobias said.
Sean nodded. He’d already made similar arrangements for his father. Some things weren’t worth the risk.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Noah returned to the mobile Command Center at Sanctuary. They’d received notification that Phoenix Station had gone offline after its engagement with the Vemus Alpha ship. Not a good sign, but Noah knew that the CDF soldiers serving aboard Phoenix Station wouldn’t be declared dead until the area was thoroughly investigated. Sean refused to believe Connor had died. Even if massive pieces of the space station had been destroyed, there were still pockets where people could survive. The official CDF update communication had come from Sean, who was commanding the CDF ground troops. Noah found himself looking at Colonel Cross for some reaction to tell him why she wasn’t in command of the CDF ground forces.
“I see you looking at me again, Captain Barker. Is there a problem?” Colonel Cross asked crisply.
“No, ma’am, no problem at all,” Noah said and turned his attention back to the latest analysis for the power converter. He’d tweaked the controller’s sensitivity for the power regulator so that it could handle the greater range of fluctuations that the alien power station was prone to producing. These settings would greatly hinder the converter’s life cycle, but he didn’t need the equipment to last forever; it just needed to survive a few engagements with Vemus ships if they ever found Sanctuary.
After a few moments, he glanced over at Colonel Cross and she sighed heavily. “Since you can’t seem to concentrate, I’ll answer the question that’s been burning in your mind since I arrived,” Colonel Cross said.
“I’m sorry, Colonel. I really am. I’m trying not to think about my wife. She’s stationed at Lunar Base,” Noah said.
Colonel Cross raised her brows. “There are a lot of significant others serving on Lunar Base.”
Noah frowned in confusion for a moment. “Oh, I hadn’t realized.”
“What? That I’m a woman as well as a colonel? Yes, there’s someone important to me up there as well, so you’re in good company,” Colonel Cross said.
“Does that have anything to do with why you were sent here?” Noah asked and then immediately wished he hadn’t. Idiot, he thought.
Colonel Cross glared at him and then a bitter half smile crossed her face as her gaze lost most of its venom. “Once again, if General Gates hadn’t warned me about you, I’d have you dealt with severely.”
Noah looked away, feeling embarrassed. He should have known better, but sometimes his brain just latched onto an idea and refused to let go.
“You know what? Fine, I’ll tell you. General Gates sent me to Sanctuary because I’m pregnant and there are regulations against me serving in an active combat zone,” Colonel Cross said.
Of all the reasons Noah had thought, Colonel Cross being pregnant hadn’t been among them. He looked at her. “Congratulations, Colonel,” he said.
Colonel Cross snorted and shook her head. “I think you’re the first person who’s said that to me. Thank you.”
“I mean it. It’s nice to have something like that to think about rather than always . . .” Noah’s voice trailed off, and he pointed up toward the sky.
“I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful father someday, Captain Barker,” Colonel Cross said.
Noah noted the slight bitterness in Colonel Cross’s tone. “Does your significant other know about the baby?”
Colonel Cross bit her lower lip and shook her head. “I didn’t get the chance to tell him.”
Noah perked up in his chair. “I’m sure I can find a way for you to get a message to Lunar Base. I could bury it in satcom—” Noah said.
“No,” Colonel Cross said sternly, cutting him off. “We can’t take the risk with the Vemus closing in on the planet.”
“Yeah, but it would just be another broadcast signal among many. Difficult for them to track, even with an AI tasked with evaluating the signals,” Noah said.
“No. And that’s an order. The broadcast signals will have decreased now that the Vemus are here. If we keep up the broadcasts, sooner or later even the Vemus will start wondering why we would do such a thing, and it wouldn’t take a large stretch of the imagination for them to conclude that we have someone listening on the other end,” Colonel Cross said.
“I hadn’t thought of that, Colonel,” Noah said, conceding the point.
“No one can think of everything,” Colonel Cross said.
They heard shouting from outside the mobile Command Center. Recognizing Lenora’s voice, Noah sprang out of his chair. Her shrill voice became even louder through the thin walls of the center. She hadn’t taken the news about Phoenix Station well. Noah couldn’t blame her and was secretly thankful that, for the time being, Lunar Base was relatively safe from Vemus attention.
Noah hastened outside and Colonel Cross followed him. Off to the side, Lenora swayed on her feet, holding a glass bottle. Behind her, a huge berwolf watched her intently. The creature’s large pink tongue lolled out of its blocky head, resting lazily over a row of impressively sized teeth. The tips of retractable black claws that could rend through steel poked out from the brown, hairy paws. Noah recalled that Lenora had cared for the berwolf as a pup and had even named him Bull. The CDF soldiers kept a wary eye on the creature.
“Colonel,” Lenora said. Her slurred words and bleary-eyed gaze were indication enough that Lenora had had more than a few drinks before coming here. “They’re here! They. Are. Here!” she said, stabbing her finger up at the night sky. “We’ve spent all that time getting that big cannon to work. Why haven’t you used it yet?”
“Lenora, you know why,” Noah admonished.
Lenora shushed him with an excessive hiss and a shake of her head. “I want to hear it from her.”
“Dr. Bishop, you need rest. Please allow my soldiers to escort you back to your quarters,” Colonel Cross said.
Two CDF soldiers stepped toward Lenora, but when one of them moved to grab her arm, a deep growl resonated from the berwolf’s massive chest.
Lenora stumbled back away from the guards and toward Bull. “I don’t think he’ll like it if you try to touch me,” she said, scowling at the soldiers and scratching the berwolf behind his ears. “At least you’re still here,” she said to Bull. The berwolf sniffed Lenora’s breath curiously. No doubt it hadn’t smelled anything like vodka before, or whatever flavored grain alcohol Lenora had been drinking.
Noah walked past the soldiers. “Come on, Lenora. You know we can’t bring that weapon online. I know you know that.”
Lenora glared at him. “Oh yes. All the colonists suddenly find one of my archaeological sites so interesting,” she sneered and scowled at the crowd of refugees quickly shuffling away from her. “Oh yes, all of you come cowering here. Half of you thought he was crazy. Remember?” she asked scathingly of the retreating group. “There’s no danger coming from Earth. There’s no way something like that could happen. You scoffed at his efforts and made him plead for you to give him the tools he needed to defend you all. Now you cower here, looking up at the skies in panic,” she said, stabbing a finger up at the night sky. “Now you give him your support, proclaiming he’s been right al
l along. None of you deserve what Connor’s given you. None of you!”
Lenora lost her balance and stumbled to the side. Noah stepped forward, ready to catch her if she fell but also keeping a wary eye on the berwolf. He couldn’t tell whether the creature was going to attack him or not. For the moment it seemed preoccupied with watching Lenora’s drunken rage.
She steadied herself with outstretched arms to keep her balance.
“Lenora, please. They’re scared enough without you yelling at them,” Noah said.
Lenora looked at him, her long hair in tangles, some of which were in front of her face. She pushed her hair out of the way and Noah saw her glassy, red-rimmed eyes. “How can you side with them? Don’t you want to kill the Vemus?”
Noah took a small step forward. “Yes, I want to stop them, but this isn’t the way.”
“Then why aren’t you firing the colossus cannon right now?” Lenora asked.
“Because it won’t stop them. It will only alert the Vemus to our presence here,” Noah said.
“Good! Then I can grab one of these rifles and put it to good use,” Lenora said and looked over at Colonel Cross. “I’m not such a bad shot myself.”
“Lenora, please look at me,” Noah said.
Lenora blinked slowly as she turned her gaze to him.
“Connor wouldn’t want this—” Noah began.
“I don’t care what Connor wanted!” Lenora shrieked and glared up at the night sky. “Are you happy now? You got what you wanted. Killed in the line of duty. A soldier’s death . . .”
Lenora muttered a few incoherent curses and tripped. Noah caught her in his arms and she pressed her face into his chest, sobbing. All he could do was hold her while she wept. He hadn’t seen her since yesterday. She must have found out about Phoenix Station, and he cursed himself an idiot for not going to tell her himself. He should have checked on her. The mostly empty glass bottle clattered to the ground, and he lifted her up and started to carry her off.
