The Present

by Kenneth Thomas

  Captain Kun-lee stands straight to give his first order, ‘Free Enforcers, follow Captain Dell to the armoury, equip and get ready. We go to Colonel Mathieu’s aid’!

  A blue-light flashes as the well-drilled Free Enforcers rush to assemble. Quick to put on their hazmat masks, in expectation of countering neurotoxins in Ellsworth’s air. More used to taking orders, Captain Kun-lee now finds himself a decision-maker; his weariness and indecision are gone - he has evolved into a leader.

  A new scrambled message comes through from Colonel Mathieu, Retreated To HQ. 20 Patrol-lll-ships Remain-nnn. Queen Elizabeth Ne-xt-ttt.

  Judging by Colonel Mason’s speed of action, he must have been busy organising the attack as the vote took place. Pretoria tries to reassure a stunned Captain Kun-lee that Colonel Mathieu can still be saved, ‘Top pilot, Houston make way here with the NEA fleet, we make quick to Ellsworth’!

  However, it is simply too late to help now. Dr VonHelmann purposely diverts their attention back to the capital and its defence, ‘Let us establish control of Queen Elizabeth first and organise our forces, we don’t want to be the ones caught by surprise next’.

  Captain Kun-lee grimaces, he knows he is right, ‘Affirmative’.

  Almost on cue, a large number of NEA battleships decloak outside the forcefield, including the spirally and pointy ship of Houston ‘The Star Fighter’. Being the NEA’s best pilot, she ranks high in the Universal Council’s Most Wanted list, her skill and experience will be most valuable. Captain Dell immediately signals to let her fleet through and to dock above the patrolship station, located not too far away from the courtyard.

  Their arrival proves timely, ‘Enemy ships’! As the battleships pass and the forcefield goes back up, the Enforcers sound the alarm.

  Boom! Rays of intense red-light smack against the forcefield, temporarily blinding all those inside. The Space Army’s Lt. Colonel Indium has joined Colonel Mason, adding a further 10 spaceships to the Colonel 150 patrolships. A former Universal Games winner, he brings great expertise and skill as well as formidable ships to this battle. This development does not bode well. Ellsworth likely having fallen, the EaRA must work hard to prevent the capital and its citizens sharing the same fate.

  Captain Kun-lee marshals the Free Enforcers, he knows their forcefield will not last long, ‘Sergeant Chang secure the perimeter north and east, Captain Dell go to the command centre to keep us informed of movements and help coordinate, affirmative’?

  ‘Affirmative’, Sergeant Chang and Captain Dell reply in unison.

  Pointing at another sergeant he trusts in, he instructs, ‘Sergeant Danu, south and west’ perimeter.

  ‘Affirmative’!

  The gathered Free Enforcers and Sergeants split into two groups, to guard the perimeter.

  Captain Dell immediately transports into the command centre and interfaces with the holomap to keep all updated. The enemy forces have moved to surround the HQ, ready to storm inside once the forcefield collapses.

  Captain Dell advises all, ‘Auxiliary defences activated. Guard towers manned… Prepare to engage’.

  Being a skilled pilot, Kun-lee decides to lead the air defences leaving Captain Dell to command the Enforcers on the ground. He salutes Dr VonHelmann and Pretoria before leaving.

  Not skilled at flying, Pretoria offers his help to the Sergeants, ‘Houston help in air, I help on ground’. Sergeant Danu accepts and hands him a Plasma blaster, offering him to join the defence of the north and east perimeter. In addition to battleships, there are NEA rebels close to Mid-City, Pretoria sends a message for them to come and support.

  This will be the first test of the EaRA, an epic one at that, with the Free Enforcers, NEA and Utopians fighting together on the same side. On request, Houston flies over to transport Dr VonHelmann inside, the safest place for him to be at this moment. With the new alliance sealed, she sends an update to all contacts, ‘Communicating on all channels, only attack Mason Enforcers and Space Soldiers, those outside of HQ’. No Enforcer inside the HQ will be attacked.

  Boom! The forcefield continues to weaken. The majority of Colonel Mason’s Enforcers come to the south and west side to commence the attack. Although, a number continue to wait on the north and east perimeter, alongside a small contingent of Space Soldiers.

  Captain Dell advises, ‘Forcefield down on next hit’!

  ‘Power up, boys and girls’! Houston readies her fleet.

  ‘Affirmative, ready to go’, Captain Kun-lee does the same.

  Boom! Upon the forcefield’s collapse, Houston and Captain Kun-lee immediately counter. Their shields up, they are quick to attack Colonel Mason’s patrolships, who take the brunt of the early exchange. Strangely, Lt. Colonel Indium’s 10 spaceships stay further back, seemingly content to watch Colonel Mason enter the battle alone.

  The Lt. Colonel’s own spaceship is one of the newest and most advanced class, the MajorLasor series (MLS). The MLS-5 packs the firepower of 5 SCC class ships and 8 patrolships combined. Their engagement will be brutal for the EaRA if and when it comes. More worryingly, this small number of spaceships represent only a fraction of the entire Space Army’s fleet. If VanWest, Iris and LeSouris cannot find and kill Dr King on Mars, battling an armada close to 90 times this size could be next.

  With greater numbers, Houston and Captain Kun-lee overwhelm the first row of Mason’s patrolships. Likely not having anticipated that the, now free, Enforcers of Queen Elizabeth would align with the NEA so quickly, Colonel Mason finds himself outgunned. From the command centre, Captain Dell updates all on the movements on the ground, 300 of Colonel Mason’s Enforcers charge forward on the west perimeter.

  Pretoria signals those NEA rebels that have arrived to engage. Well-versed in guerrilla warfare, they launch an attack of their own on the superiorly armed Mason Enforcers. They too wear protective hazmat masks, anticipating the release of neurotoxins. Many citizens and Utopians have also arrived at the HQ, amassing on the west side they come armed with a plethora of makeshift weapons, some only with metal poles and stones. Encouraged by the NEA engagement, they join the attack on Colonel Mason’s Enforcers, who are forced to halt their advance on the HQ, as expected to release odious green gas neurotoxins to defend their rear guard.

  Agh! Scores are slaughtered. Pretoria pleads for a reaction from Sergeant Danu, ‘Make attack, make quick’! But, unlike in the skies, the coordination of their defence is not so smooth.

  Sergeant Danu stares at him, unable to accept his request, ‘Do not copy that. Order to hold perimeter’.

  Pretoria shakes his head, he yells at him, ‘Citizen die! Make attack, make quick’!

  Captain Dell doesn’t respond either over the communicator. Instructed to defend the HQ, they are reluctant to expend Enforcer lives to save the citizens. Lives that in normal circumstances would be deemed not high enough in value.

  Agh! The citizens’ screams continue, the poison gas choking them. Despite this, many fervently continue to charge. Most are Utopians, U inked on their necks, they are willing to die for this next ‘New Beginning’ that Dr VonHelmann promises. The NEA rebels try to protect as many as they can but can do little.

  An exasperated Pretoria implores the Free Enforcers once again to help, a frontal attack could save lives, ‘Take fight to Mason, help on west side, make quick’!

  With Captain Kun-lee engaged above, Captain Dell is the decision-maker. No longer able to watch, Pretoria shakes his head and charges. Skilfully ducking and diving, Pretoria rapidly advances and reaches the first squad of Mason’s Enforcers, delivering a powerful blast from close range that ploughs through two. His act preventing this squad from releasing more neurotoxins.

  It causes a reaction, Sergeant Danu, impressed by his brave act, contacts the command centre, ‘Captain Dell, permission to charge, affirmative’?

  After a long pause, Captain Dell finally agrees, ‘Affirmative, engage on west side’!

  Sergeant Danu signals all to ‘charge’!

  Seeing this
, Mason Enforcers on the north and east side react too, markedly again without the Space Soldiers’ support. Like in the skies, they stay back, only engaging the odd citizen that drifts over into their proximity. Sergeant Chang is easily able to repel the Mason Enforcers. Another danger emerges, the destruction of patrolships sends smouldering metal parts raining down. Making for a battleground reminiscent of the final stage of the Universal Games, the Fires of Vesta with its meteorite and debris fields.

  Houston decides to make a run at Colonel Mason’s Elite SCC class ship, SCC-100, ‘Captain, you got my back? Going for leader’!

  Working well together, Captain Kun-lee skilfully moves to cover, ‘Affirmative! Roaching get him’! Captain Kun-lee directs his patrolships closest to her to join him in drawing attention away, commencing a series of daring flyby manoeuvres.

  Colonel Mason takes the bait, expending a great deal of power to fire at the patrolships, Houston is able to swoop in and line up her shot. It comes spiralling through. Boom! Mason’s crew unable to divert power back to the shields in time, the shot smacks into the command deck, causing a chain reaction that sweeps through - kaboom. The SCC-100 lighting up against the setting sun, this is a significant moment for the EaRA. They cheer through their communicators, Colonel Mason is dead!

  ‘Yeeha’! Houston screams.

  ‘Good shooting’! Captain Kun-lee salutes her.

  However, their celebration is short-lived, Lt. Colonel Indium finally joins the fray, directing all his spaceships as well as his own MLS ship to focus on the unshielded command centre. Kun-lee tries to warn Captain Dell through his communicator, ‘Get out! Quick’! But it is too late. The Lt. Colonel had laid his own trap and this time catches the EaRA by surprise.

  In a split second, the command centre is obliterated with Captain Dell instantly pulverised. A thermal wave incinerating all the watchtowers, lashing at the feet of the units fighting at the outer perimeters. Few others are killed, but Captain Dell’s death is a big blow. Captain Kun-lee is unable to contain his emotion and charges at the Lt. Colonel’s much more formidable and advanced ship, ‘This Space roach is mine’!

  Now, Houston instructs her battleships to provide cover but, before Kun-lee can engage, a large Elite SCC ship decloaks and pulls in front of his patrolship. Strangely, its weapons are not pointed at him, rather at the MLS ship! It’s the SCC-40, piloted by Lt. Colonel Wang, the Elite guard to the Hubert family, owners of numerous monopolies including InsectnOut and Demron.

  Captain Kun-lee receives a message, The Huberts And Lt. Colonel Wang Offer Support. Do You Accept? He does not hesitate, sending a one-word reply, YES.

  Despite the Huberts being part of the legacy of the Universal Council, Kun-lee knows this battle is at a critical juncture, he wants revenge, and the EaRA needs the Hubert’s help. Kun-lee and Lt. Colonel Wang join together in firing at the impenetrable shield of Lt. Colonel Indium’s MLS class spaceship. Not able to destroy it, they at least force him to divert all power to his shields and into retreat. One that instigates the withdrawal of the rest of his spaceships as well as Space Soldiers on the ground. With no care for Mason’s Enforcers, they indiscriminately pound the settlement, hitting many as they do so.

  On the north and east side, Sergeant Chang now instructs the Free Enforcers to charge out. Being hit on all sides, Mason’s Enforcers fall like flies, their discipline failing, with some even trying to run away, but there is nowhere to go. Sergeant Chang shouts at them to ‘get down’ and ‘surrender’! But it is worse than running, in normal times considered a dishonour and punishable by torture and execution, no Enforcer submits.

  Further adding to the chaos, the few Space Soldiers that have been left behind start to beep, their detonation killing scores of Utopians and citizens that overwhelm their position. Sergeant Chang continues undeterred, coming face-to-face with the last few Mason Enforcers, he pulls out his laser sword. Boom! Another Space Soldier explodes close by. His armour not enough to protect against the intense heat, his laser sword is incinerated, his unprotected hands and face terribly burnt.

  It marks the end of the battle and a first hard-fought victory for EaRA, their losses moderate with 140 patrolships and 150 battleships remaining active. Houston orders hers to trail Lt. Colonel Indium, whose small contingent now withdraws in the direction of New Jersey. The spaceships record no losses but have wilfully stood by as Mason’s Enforcers were completely wiped out. It seems for the Universal Council that their mission was one of maximal damage rather than victory.

  Houston returns Dr VonHelmann to the ground as she leaves, waving his arms in the air he joyfully greets the Utopians that now swarm the wrecked Enforcer HQ.

  ‘Praise be to Utopia! Today we win a great battle for our New Beginning’!

  They chant loudly, ‘Trust in Utopia’!

  The Free Enforcers and NEA rebels come together once more, this time to treat the injured, a badly burnt Sergeant Chang among them. Even though the capital lies in ruins, its fate is at least not that of Ellsworth. Grim news filtering through that the settlement has indeed been eradicated, hundreds of thousands of citizens slaughtered.

  Leaving the chanting Utopians, Dr VonHelmann joins a tired Pretoria and Kun-lee in the courtyard, they need to organise their next steps. Lt. Colonel Wang requesting to join them, they take this respite to rehydrate with some water capsules.

  ‘Praise be to Utopia, we have won the day’! Dr VonHelmann exclaims once again.

  ‘Make great pride, Earth Resistance save Queen Elizabeth’, Pretoria answers as they embrace the NEA way. Keen to bring their attention back to aiding the warlord Method A, of which there have been no more messages.

  ‘Make next to Journal Square’, Pretoria urges, knowing that Lt. Colonel Indium withdrew in that direction.

  ‘Agree’! Captain Kun-lee has his own motives, revenging the death of Captain Dell and the other Free Enforcers. He wants to press home their advantage; if possible strike at and kill Commissioner Ming. Dr VonHelmann shares this motive too, his smile wide, he agrees.

  Lt. Colonel Wang beams down and salutes them, he brings them the offer of his Elite services, ‘Thank you for having me. The Huberts offer their SCC-40 and I to your cause, this in exchange for clemency. Do you accept’?

  The Huberts dare to do what no other Elite has done, back the EaR to prevail. The others still deeming their likelihood of success too low. Having already accepted the help of Lt. Colonel Wang in the battle above, an intervention that likely saved his life, Captain Kun-lee agrees. Dr VonHelmann also does not hesitate to accept his offer, ‘Let it be so. Praise be! I will join you on the SCC-40, a perfect base of operations’.

  Pretoria, the NEA leader of Queen Elizabeth, is less forgiving, he has lost many rebels, friends, and felt first-hand the pain inflicted by the privileged Elites. But he is a rational, pragmatic man and decides not to challenge, ‘Doctor make decision’.

  The EaRA grows stronger, their next stop to come to the aid of the Method cousins in Journal Square, with the aim of once and for all ridding Earth of Commissioner Ming.

  Chapter 9 The Mural in the Icy Chamber

  On Mars, having transported via the Magicbox, VanWest finds himself lying on top of a bed of ice. His body transformed back to normal, the Jerseyan gills on his neck are gone, and his skin tone is no longer colourless. But not everything went perfectly, rematerialising between two large blocks of ice, his right arm is stuck, and he is unable to sit up straight. Iris is beside him, shivering and looking very puzzled. She is also fortunate to have arrived in one piece, having also transformed back to her human self.

  Pitch-black, they are unable to see each other. Wherever they have arrived is extremely cold, perhaps as low as minus 25 degrees celsius. Struggling to breathe, Iris expends a great amount of energy to call out for ‘LeSouris’. A murmur returns, indicating he’s close by. He’s alive but he’s not quite the same, whilst his skin colour and pointy ears have returned, his neck still features the Jerseyan’s fishlike gills. The Mag
icbox locking in some of his altered DNA as the teleportation took him here. Wherever here is!

  ‘My word, this is terrible, my neck’? LeSouris whines as he crawls over, touching his neck with his cold hands. ‘Do I have and you not’?

  ‘Not’, Iris replies.

  Having managed to get to her feet, Iris tries her best to help VanWest to get his arm unstuck. However, the ice burns her skin - too cold to touch with her bare hands. While the Magicbox did its job in transporting them out of the trading post, it’s a mystery as to where they have arrived. With their tech not fully working, likely due to the extreme cold, this place seems to be an icy, rocky prison. They are at a loss on what to do.

  VanWest notices that Sista Cee is not with them and asks, his teeth clattering, ‘Sista Cee… Cee’?

  LeSouris and Iris also call out ‘Sista Cee’, but nothing returns. Braving the cold, Iris treads a few meters forward and calls once again ‘Sista’, only for one of her boots to become stuck in something sticky. She bends down to inspect, only to find her emerald ring embedded in an icy puddle of goo. It takes a moment before it dawns on her, she stumbles backwards and lets out a low, long shriek - agh!

  Her eyes too cold to cry, she returns, ‘She is… goo-oo’!

  ‘My word’! LeSouris replies. Thinking to himself that he is now not so unfortunate to have Jerseyan the gills after all he’s at least alive.

  LeSouris inspects the goo to confirm, pulling the ring from the sticky, icy puddle to return it to a shaken Iris, ‘Your ring, yes’?

  Iris replies, her teeth clatter, ‘Yes, afraid so… poor Jerseyan’.

  This being Mars, the chamber is also filled with dry ice, burning on touch it is made up of carbon dioxide. VanWest is lucky to have his jumpsuit under his Jerseyan rags; otherwise, he would have suffered severe burns. But he can feel his body succumbing to the cold. He needs to get out.