The Marshals Ace

by John Stevenson

The Marshals Ace

  The Prophecy #9

  By John Stevenson

  Copyright 2010 John Stevenson

  The room was spacious and contained all the trappings of a very wealthy man; from colorful wall hangings and floor coverings to the ornately carved, exotic, and sweetly scented timber furniture. The overall effect was of no particular period, but an assembly of timeless pieces from the pre-annihilation to avant-garde by the best-renowned craftsman, both on and off-planet. But the mixture worked; each article complementing the others. Whatever one said of him, the Marshal had style, besides a purse large enough to satisfy it. The wall facing the courtyard was made up from a complete panel of photo-chromatic plastic. It was electronically controlled to allow a constant intensity of illumination in the room, no matter at what point in the sky was the orb. At this time it was switched off and dark outside. Far below through the now clear panel twinkled myriad of lights, and open fires that sparkled within the city of Quone-Loc-Sie.

  Three men stood in the room. One in the tunic of a high-ranking officer of the guard stood rigidly to attention near the door. Another leaning casually at the fireplace: and the last looking in silence through the window toward the city. It was for this one; the Marshal, the others waited. “The uprising will begin as planned?” he said with hardly concealed glee.

  “Apparently,” said the one by the fire, a lot less enthusiastically.

  “Then the waiting is over. Soon they will crawl out from under their rocks and show themselves so that I can at last crush them once and for all.” The Marshal turned towards the one by the door. “Their leaders especially must be taken alive. Your men understand that?”

  “My men have been told excellency,” he answered timidly.

  “No.” Was the sharp reply, as he turned upon the officer “That is not enough. I don’t want the scum to die in battle and be martyred; I want those people down there to see them to shuffle in obedience to a public execution. Everyone single one of them, no matter what it costs in militia. Is that understood?”

  “Yes excellency.” The man snapped smartly. “I shall give orders that every foot soldier has to account for each kill; and will be rewarded for each prisoner he takes ".

  “Then add to that order,” The Marshal snarled. “Any guard that kills one of the leaders will take their place. I want them all hanging, shoulder-to-shoulder over the length of the keep’s wall, and to stay there until they rot. Then the miserable slime of this city will understand once and for all what will happen to anyone who defies me.”

  “I will see it is done Excellency.” The officer said meekly.

  The Marshals attitude became a little more conciliatory. “Tell them that the Marshal gives them the prisoners for the night; so that they can enjoy victory in whatever way they wish.”

  The officer looked at him unsurely. “Whatever way they wish excellency?”

  The Marshal smiled cruelly. “I want the rabble able to walk to their executions; other than that your men can spend the night using them for whatever entertainment their perverted minds can imagine.”

  “The guard will drink your heath twice over in appreciation your excellency.”

  “Then go, and make sure no detail is left unresolved, or you will answer to me personally.”

  “I understand excellency.” He answered with sharp efficiency: clicking his heels several times as he turned and stepped from the room in military fashion.

  The Marshal turned his attention the other.

  He was not stood at attention; instead he leaned against the fireplace in a relaxed manner. “Isn’t that a little extreme?”

  “You disagree?”

  He spoke with a trace of distaste. “The city is yours to do as you wish; but I have seen what the Veldt has done to their captives. I expected more of your men.”

  “Then you know little of bloodlust KarrLec.”

  KarrLec gave a look of disagreement but said nothing.

  “You may expect a morality in war where you come from, but these men...” He swept his arm towards the window. “...Become animals when they fight. It is what they are, a pack of animals. They kill; they wreak havoc; it is the nature of war. If our enemy fears them, then we have already won,” he smiled. “Anyway we expect them to die on our orders; surely they deserve some enjoyment when they can have it?”

  KarrLec was well aware of the cruelty that men could sink to. “You surprise me Marshal. I did not think you were concerned with morale in the ranks.”

  “I am concerned that they stay loyal, and such occasional gestures go far in placating their more primal needs. Don’t trouble yourself KarrLec, the prisoners condition will not hinder their fall at the end of a rope.”

  “Bar if they are not already dead?”

  “There is no fun in torturing a dead man.”

  “Or abusing a dead woman.”

  “Precisely; either way, it was their choice to attack my city; they should be prepared for the consequences.”

  KarrLec shrugged. “Whatever: but as I was saying,” he continued the conversation from before they had been interrupted. “I still council against using the saucer.”

  “Yes, so you have made clear, but I have decided I will use it. I have for too long allowed opposition to grow. Now at this one time all their little outlaw bands will collect, where we can get at them.” his voice was raised in anticipation. “Then and only then, will I have the opportunity to wipe out all opposition; completely.” His tone changed, it was a challenge not a request, gritting his teeth he spat the words out. “I need the weapons aboard the Drakken to burn the very ground they stand on.”

  “It can do that with ease, but every effort must be made to avoid detection from the station.”

  “The timing is in our favour; we will be on the far side of the planet when we use the ship.”

  “Then that timing is critical for both friend and foe. If it becomes more than just rumour that we have broken the embargo it will cause problems that the Emperor Tandore will not receive well.”

  “And I have explained that as Protector I have the authority to ask Mars to intervene in exceptional circumstances.”

  “And so you have, but that could be enough to those against us to feel justified in the same; at the very least they will try to implicate or embarrass the Emperor.”

  “And what can they do besides protest and shout, none will provoke Tandore?”

  “There are some who would, but you are the Marshal and the authority, so it will be as you wish. Though…” KarrLec hesitated, noting the Marshals un-compromising tone. “While I accept your authority in matters concerning the planet’s surface neither I nor the Drakken should be here, so you will have to personally direct me to use the saucer.”

  “Yes, yes. I insist the Emperor place the Drakken at my disposal. How many times must I repeat it?”

  “Probably more times again Marshal,” he said unintimidated. “It is I who will have to explain to the council; and there have already been accusations about if and how long the ship has been in the planet’s atmosphere, and how it has been used?”

  “Yes,” the Marshal snarled. “I know, and you spoke against its use that time also, but I remind you that he was not just one man. If it became known of his bloodline the rebels would follow him with even more vigor. It would bind them together. No, he had to be removed.”

  “But they did not kill him, not even with the Drakken.”

  “And whose fault is that?”

  “It was pure luck on his part.”

  “Luck is no excuse KarrLec, and if it was, do you claim the same when the Veldt found him exposed on the ledge? But yet again he slipped through their fingers. No,” he snapped. “Our masters on Mars put you here as an adviser. I contr
ol Quone, and all that happens on its lands and beyond: and I will do as I see fit.”

  “True Marshal, but as an adviser I must advise, and I will continue to draw your attention to that by using the cruiser, you are testing the treaty we hold with the colonies to its breaking point. I caution you that if you do not win the battle as you foresee, you will surely lose everything.”

  The Marshal glared at him as if he wanted to strike out, but he knew KarrLec was too powerful. “If I do not win; those are the words of a defeatist, I wonder if you would speak to the Emperor in such a way?”

  KarrLec ignored the taunt. “I will be aboard the Drakken,” he said firmly. “Nothing will go wrong this time; but it was made quite clear to me by our superiors on Mars that they are not ready to be drawn into a conflict with the colonial powers. If things do go wrong; all knowledge and help will be denied you, and of you.” The men faced off for a few seconds before KarrLec became more conciliatory. “Marshal it is still not too late to draw the armies back to the city. Victory can still be assured without the saucer.”

  “As you say KarrLec, but I have made my decision. The matter rests there. I will be alone now.”

  KarrLec knew the arguing was over. “Then it will be as you wish,” he said as he walked to the door.

  As the door closed, the Marshal turned again to the window to look at the city. It was his, and no gang of grubby peasants was going to take it away from him, no matter what the cost. His mind thought again on the report from the saucer. The saucer would even at this moment be ready to return a senior rebel prisoner for interrogation. KarrLec was a pessimist; whatever could go wrong now. A knock at the door broke his run of thought. “Enter.” It was one of the household staff.

  “Are you free now your excellency?” The man took the brief nod of the Marshal's head as a yes. “I have a draft program and the menu for tomorrow night’s celebration your excellency. If you would confirm that they are to your liking we will finalize arrangements ".

  “Give it here...” He spoke as one in a dream, for indeed he was; annihilation of the opposition was as good as done. He barely saw what was written and automatically initialed the papers dropping them back on the table. “I will retire to my bed chamber. Wake me when Captain Sans Mons arrives.” He retired and slept in dreams of victory

  It was sometime later that there was a gentle, cautious knock at the door. “Enter,” the Marshal said groggily. It felt as if he had only just lain down. He looked at the timepiece next to the bed. It was four in the morning. He knew the Drakken should have been here long since. Why had they not woken him before? An equerry entered uncertainly. “There has been a communication from the Drakken excellency,” he said hesitantly.

  “Yes, yes; why have I not already been woken? Has the rebel said anything?”

  “The news will not be to your liking Excellency... The Drakken is delayed.”

  “What.” he screamed sitting up in his bed. “Delayed; the saucer has not arrived; it’s not here?”

  The man’s voice became even more timid. “No excellency.”

  The Marshal could hardly speak with fury. “Why is it not: when will it be here?”

  “The communication did not say when Excellency. There is a malfunction that the crew is already working on, and has been for some time. The commander is reluctant to specify how much more has to be done.”

  “That’s it?” he snapped.

  “I was instructed to tell you that the damage is not serious, but several systems are working only on auxiliary. The commander believes it would be irresponsible launch in such a situat…”

  The Marshal interrupted him. “It’s not coming. No, no: I need it now.” A trace of panic was in his voice. “I need it here... Tell the commander I order him to be here. Where’s KarrLec,” he demanded changing his focus. “Is this something of his doing? Some trick to make me fail and himself…”

  At that moment KarrLec burst through the door.

  “KarrLec,” the Marshal snapped. “Is this of your doing?”

  “My doing? He said in surprise. “No, of course not.”

  “I promise you KarrLec; if this is some scheme to deprive me of the Drakken I will personally go to the Emperor.”

  KarrLec almost snarled. “Marshal, hear me out, and hear me well. This is not of my doing, but of your own guard’s stupidity.”

  The Marshal frowned. “And just how do you come to that conclusion?”

  “The saucer was boarded by a rebel saboteur.”

  The Marshal stared at him the equerry. “You didn’t say it was a saboteur,” he snapped at the cowering man.

  “He doesn’t know.” interjected KarrLec.

  “Then he should have.” The Marshal turned his anger towards KarrLec. “My own guard’s responsibility? Strange: I thought the saucer was under your command KarrLec?” his tone became sneering. “Then maybe you should go to the Emperor instead, and explain how an untrained and unorganized peasant can put the pride of the Corporation of Mars, on the ground.”

  “The saucer is only disabled,” said KarrLec uncomfortably. “Whoever this saboteur was, they were…” The words froze in his throat as he saw the glint in the Marshals eyes. “…They had sufficient knowledge of the electronic system of the saucer to only inactivate it: it will fly again, and soon.”

  The Marshal looked at KarrLec intently. “They knew what to do; the rebels don’t even know about the Drakken, never mind know anything about it: do they?”

  “I’m advised one of your double agents brought the rebel aboard. Maybe he is not to be trusted?”

  “Then tell them to arrest him.”

  “He is already under interrogation.”

  The Marshals anger was barely abating. “Soon: what kind of a timeframe is that when I need it here?”

  “The commanders best guess is after the ceremony?”

  “After, no that’s not soon enough: tell them I need it before.”

  KarrLec shook his head. “If the commander believes the Drakken is compromised I will not go against his judgment. It will be here as soon as it can?”

  The Marshal looked at him hostilely. “Then I can be fully assured that all efforts are being made with the repairs?”

  “Of course they are, but the full extent of damage was unknown when I was informed.”

  “Then make sure.”

  “I will, the moment I leave this room.”

  “It carries spare equipment or replacement parts?”

  “Things that are liable to fail yes.”

  “And things that are not expected to fail?”

  “It is a warship; it is impracticable to carry every single piece of equipment.”

  “So the answer is no?”

  “The answer is no, and in a worst case there is an unlikely possibility that they may need further parts brought to them, but that is unlikely.”

  The Marshal shouted. “A short time ago you were lecturing me on risking an occasional entry. Now the whole of the system will know we have a disabled warship on the surface?”

  “I stress Marshal that until we know the extent we can assume replacement parts may not be needed.”

  “None of this is what I want to hear?”

  “It is not what either of us wanted to hear.”

  “No? It strikes me that it more suits your way of thinking.”

  KarrLec refused to answer the jibe

  “Then when will I get my rebel? The interrogation must be complete before it all begins.”

  “You will not be able to. According to the informant, the rebel leader is not on the craft.”

  “Why not?”

  “No reason was given.”

  The Marshal shook his head. “Can’t your people do anything without making a mistake?”

  “It makes no difference,” stressed KarrLec. “We have the informant all the information we need.”

  “The informant, dam him, what has the captain to say?”

  “No one has seen the captain... though h
is horse has been identified with an unknown rider.”

  “Stop talking in circles: is he there or not?”

  “I am told his horse was ridden by another. The commander was hesitant but has assumed the captains mount was stolen, and has sent soldiers to the place where he was to have gone to locate him.”

  “Then it was the saboteur who had his horse?”

  “Apparently, all we know for sure is that he was dressed in the captain’s uniform. There is nothing we can confirm further than that.”

  “But you have a suspicion?”

  “The informant claims to know the man as a friend of the rebels, but we cannot confirm any of these facts as of now.”

  “Knew him?” The Marshal looked suspiciously at KarrLec. “You’re hiding something?”

  “Not hiding, but I would prefer to confirm it before I give value to a possibility.”

  “But you have a suspicion. It is one of the rebels?”

  “The informant claims it was Nicholas of Boramulla.”

  The Marshal stared at him. “Why is that man not dead?” he almost spat the words. “I have an entire army and they cannot remove one youth.”

  KarrLec said nothing.

  “I have been betrayed. You should have killed him long ago. Now this usurper is at the gates of my own city.”

  “You know very well that we can have no direct part in what happens on this planet. We have given you all the information you should have required.” He looked sternly at the Marshal. “You have betrayed yourself. I warned you against arrogance, but enough of this has already been said, and more will not save the situation. Fighting between ourselves will only aid the rebels in their purpose: I urge you; there is still time to recall the local garrisons to the city.”

  The Marshal turned away from him and stared out over Quone. It annoyed him how KarrLec constantly called his decisions into question, but he was Tandore’s man, maybe he could use the man’s plan; to a point, and when it began to fail he could revert to the original. Done correctly he could rid himself of both thorns. He turned back. “There is no necessity to use one plan or the other exclusively. We will do as you advise and also as I intend. Let them do their worst, their surprise is lost and the gates to my city will be shut. I will still win.”

  KarrLec knocked on the door for the third time, but still there was no answer. He began to question his memory that the Marshal had said to meet him in his private apartment at this time. Losing patience he turned the handle and pushed the door open.

  The room was brilliantly lit, and immediately a light breeze caught the side of his face drawing his attention to an open door on the opposite wall. The light from inside made the opening seem black, but as he walked to it his eyes began to adjust. Several tall oil torches were burning outside on the balcony, and beyond the pale light of early dawn was breaking into the darkness.

  While he had never before ventured out into the private garden, he had seen it from the air; so he knew it ran the entire length of the roof. Each side began in an area of well-tendered lawn; laid out in formal style and bordered with a profusion of flowers of all colors and kinds. Then there were ponds; one side, natural, its surface covered in with waterlillies and reeds; the other formal with ornamental fountains. On this side was an area dense with ornamental shrubs, leading finally to an orchard with fruit and nut trees. It was there that he found the Marshal standing against a low wall looking over the city and plains in the direction of the sea. KarrLec walked to his side.

  “See KarrLec, the day dawns.” The Marshal had given no indication that he knew he was there, and even now he did not turn to greet him.

  “All is done that can be.” KarrLec replied confidently. “The last of the near garrisons are on their way the city.

  “They are to be kept out of sight?”

  “They will arrive in covered wagons; those that need to be elsewhere have already been moved under the cover of darkness.”

  “The tower and walls?”

  “There will be thirty men at the gate; twenty in the tower and one hundred at the inner wall, with another hundred at the outer. Here inside the keep will be two hundred more.”

  “I doubt there has ever been such a force in a very long time?” The Marshal smiled cruelly “They know the signal?”

  “The same as the rebels will use; the cheer at the end of your address.”

  Both men stood in satisfied silence looking over the awakening city.