Blood on the Water

by Mark Hildebrandt

  James almost felt sorry for the old soldier. Clearly Cassandra’s instructions were causing some internal conflict, “Ma’am am I at liberty to speak freely?”

  “Answer the man’s questions.”

  “Very well.” He turned to face James making certain his eyes did not look in Cassandra’s direction, “Sir, the doctor and her brother are elites. They view Rome as the center of the universe. When there are political battles that result in death, the death always occurs in Rome because that is where the politicians are. They are unaware of the dangers in the remote reaches of the Empire. The Legions have been very effective at squashing nefarious activities around the world. So effective, and the elites have been so sheltered, they are unaware of the dangers outside of Rome.

  “Assassins come in many varieties, most are ex legionnaires, people like me, but I am certain there are plenty of Mayans that would be happy to do anything their beloved Senator asked. There is no garrison on the island, only local Militia, and I never trusted local Militia. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, we will be in grave danger once the Senator discovers we are here.”

  “Thank you Optio.” James said feeling vindicated, but not better. The dark premonition of danger just got a lot darker.

  “If this is what you believe, why didn’t you tell my brother when he gave you your orders?”

  “Ma’am, an Optio does not tell the Minister anything. He only says yes sir and prepares to die if necessary.”

  “Optio can you tell me about the retreat and defenses?” James interrupted attempting to refocus the discussion.

  “I’m not sure what to tell you, the entire southern portion of the island belongs to the Ministry and is protected by a large wall. The airstrip is in the middle of the property. There are three roads on the compound, which form a triangle connecting the main compound, airstrip and front gate. The front gate is just south of the local Mayan village. Tourist resorts occupy most of the northern half of the island.

  “The local Militia has been under contract by the Ministry for centuries to guard the main gate and perimeter wall. A service they have performed adequately. The compound has not breached by an unwanted intruder since the contract was let.

  “The main retreat is a compound inside of a compound and consists of ten fenced acres on the southwest portion of the island. The terrestrial portion of the fence is an impenetrable composite material topped with a sensor array. It extends into the ocean a couple hundred yards to the reef. The underwater portion consists entirely of warning sensors.

  “We should be safe, as long as no one knows we are here. My instructions were unambiguous my men and I will be executed if anything happens, and you two are captured or killed.”

  “I sincerely hope you live a long and comfortable life.” James offered.

  The intercom sounded, interrupting the conversation. The plane would be landing in a few minutes and everyone should return to their seats and fasten the restraints.

  James was amazed, as sophisticated as this plane was, traveling all the way to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere and back, it still bounced to and fro like maple seed blowing in the wind on the landing. It was unquestionably quieter, but it felt the same as airplanes in his world. After landing the plane taxied for a few minutes and stopped. It was a beautiful summer afternoon on the island. They had left Rome in the dark of night two hours ago, crossed six time zones, and now had the opportunity to see the sunset for the second time today. James and Cassandra were in the process of unbuckling and preparing to leave when the Optio returned to the rear cabin. “Drs. Vespus and Woodman, please remain seated for a few minutes. I have sent men to disconnect the property from the information grid and clear the house of any staff. I have also ordered all Militia to stand guard on the outside of the fence. As soon as I receive an all clear we can leave.”

  “Optio, why are you disconnecting the compound from the information grid?” Cassandra asked.

  Optio gave her a confused look, “Because Dr. Vespus, we don’t want anyone using the compound surveillance system to spy on us.”

  “I don’t see how that could be possible.”

  “Ma’am the security system is networked into the house which is tied into the information grid.”

  “Of course, but no one can use it against us, there are serious punishments for anyone caught misappropriating computer information. Besides, all the connections are routed directly to the Ministries private network, and it is unlikely anyone could break into that system.”

  Optio’s look of bafflement had turned to one of disbelief, “Ma’am, it is a crime to break into a computer system, any surveillance data obtained would clearly be illegal and could never be used in a court of law, but as I understand the situation the people after you and Dr. Woodman have no intention of taking you to court. As far as being against the law, the Senate Intelligence committee who would be doing the spying, can make up law as it goes.

  “And as to your second point, I believe the Minister has discovered at least one high level spy, and in my experience, spies are much like cockroaches, where there is one there are generally many more hiding just out of sight.

  “How will I contact my brother?”

  “I have a secure military communicator we can use to contact Dr. Vespus, but under no circumstances can we use any of the communications devices at the compound.”

  Cassandra started to protest, but James moved closer and quietly said, “Let’s just relax and allow Optio to do things his way. At worst, all it will be is inconvenient; at best it could prevent disaster. Just remember Optio took his orders directly from your brother.” Cassandra realizing, she was outnumbered nodded to James and the three sat in silence waiting for the all clear.

  After thirty minutes of silence, which to James seemed much longer, Optio’s communicator beeped. “Yes Atticus.”

  “The compound had been taken off the grid. I have checked and made sure all redundant connections are disabled as well.”

  “Well done. Optio out.”

  The Optio then pressed a couple of buttons on his communicator and awaited a response. “Yes Optio.”

  “Pompeius what is the status of the staff?”

  “We were not expected, and there was no house staff here. The grounds keepers have been rounded up put on a transport. They are just clearing the front gate.”

  “Excellent”

  Optio keyed a different button, “Gaius what is your status?”

  “Optio, I’m at the main gate watching as the ground staff departs.”

  “Very well. Make certain no one comes through that gate. Then contact the Militia commander and tell him I wish to talk to him. Tell him the Third has taken over the compound and I will brief him, but he and his men must stay outside the wall.”

  The Optio turned off his communicator, stood and said, “I believe it is safe to deplane now. There is a car waiting. Doctors.” He moved aside and let Cassandra pass and once out of ear shot turned to James and discreetly said, “Thanks”

  “For what?”

  “Making her understand the threat is real. You just might have saved all of us.”

  Chapter 17

  - First Contact -

  The afternoon Caribbean sun was still hot, and it was a relief to have the dark tinted canopy to block the rays. The road to the main compound was cut straight as an arrow through the dense low vegetation. It was difficult to judge, but James suspected the distance to the main house was about four miles. The compound gates opened at their approach, allowed the car to pass, and immediately closed. The vehicle stopped in front of the house, and as soon as the canopy was opened, Optio excused himself to check on his men.

  The inner compound looked to James just like a typical Caribbean beach resort, “You know,” he said turning to Cassandra, “I have been here. At least I was here in my world. I stayed in a resort somewhere not far from here on the southwest side of the island. Come to think of it most of the resorts are on this side, so they can take
advantage of the scuba diving on reefs just of shore.”

  “Yes, the reef is beautiful. I have been divining out there since I was a little girl. If we get a chance I’ll show you my favorite spot, but if you and the Optio don’t get a handle on your paranoia, we might not even able to sit on the beach. Come on grab your case, and I’ll show you around.”

  As grand as the villa in Rome was, this was much more. There was a large open communal area that appeared to serve as a dining room. It was surrounded by huts that stretched to the beach; all were connected by covered walkways. None of the huts obstructed the view, instead palm trees and a large pool filled the space. A lush lawn covered the grounds from compound walls to the water. “Do you want to go and look at the ocean?” Cassandra asked as James stood silently taking everything in.

  “This is beautiful and I’m quite sure the tranquility could easily make one’s problems drift away, but don’t you think, it would be a good idea to wait for Optio?”

  Cassandra frowned, “I guess, it’s just this place has always meant vacation; I have to remind myself that is not why we are here. But if it is your wish, we’ll just sit here on the veranda and wait. Do you want a cool drink?”

  “Sure, whatever you’re having would be fine.”

  The two sat in large wicker chairs facing the ocean, sipping iced tea. The sun was hot but sitting in the shade under the veranda with a steady ocean breeze was very comfortable. James enjoyed the brief tranquility. In the quiet sea breeze, his mind replayed the astounding events of the last few days, Detroit to London, to a different universe, to Rome and now to a private beach resort in the Caribbean. The thoughts stretched the limits of his acceptance. Then he turned to look at Cassandra, if this bizarre turn of events was the cost necessary to make her real, he was willing to pay it.

  Optio approached with three of his soldiers. All four men were armed with rifles that were unlike any James had ever seen. It was shaped roughly like a rifle, but didn’t have a barrel, just an opening or whole in the end of a long stock. The soldiers also carried side arms and good old fashioned knifes. “I’m glad to see you found quiet spot in the shade. I have posted three of my men in the surveillance room and three others are scouting the area around the compound to make sure everyone has left. These three, Specialists Corvin, Remus and Amicus are going to see what can be done about finding some supper.” Cassandra gladly pointed out the kitchen and the three hurried off.

  “Optio, I’m curious about the Senate Surveillance teams you mentioned on the plane. Perhaps you could join us for a few minutes and tell us about them.”

  “Yes sir. I think I can spare a few moments; my men understand their assignments.”

  “Good, by the way please call me James. Do you have a name?”

  The question produced a glare in Optio’s eyes, before he responded, “Optio! My name is simply Optio.”

  James felt a sting in the tone of his voice and decided it was probably just as well they leave things on a professional level. “Very well, Optio. What can you tell us about these Surveillance teams?”

  “The Senate has a new-found boldness. They have developed and deployed teams of highly trained insurgents. As you know that is forbidden in the founding documents. Nevertheless, the teams receive training very similar to that given the men in the Third Legion. It even appears ex members of the Third are conducting the training.”

  “Are you sure?” Cassandra asked.

  “Yes ma’am. We have captured a couple of the insurgents, of course they gave up nothing, but one of them had been an Optio in the Third.”

  “Excuse me,” James interrupted, “What is so special about the Third?”

  The Optio looked at James as if he had two heads, then he turned to Cassandra, “Is he kidding, he doesn’t know about the Third?”

  “No, I’m afraid he is not familiar with the military. Perhaps you could explain to him?”

  Shaking his head in disbelief Optio began, “As you wish, ma’am. During the reign of Emperor Ciaus about eight hundred years ago, the Third was chosen to spearhead the conquest of Japan, the last civilization to be added to the empire. Shortly before Japan had fallen into a futile society called the Kamakura period. Japanese power was divided among numerous futile lords, who trusted each other even less than the Romans. The battles were fought one noble house at a time, which should have been easy, but the little bastards were tenacious as hell. The third was chosen because it had been billeted in China for years and the Legatus convinced Ciaus his men were experts in both eastern and western warfare and fighting techniques.

  “Once the conquest was finished, and with the entire world under Roman control, Emperor Ciaus decided he needed to establish a special legion, one devoted to counter insurgency. Since by this time the Third had become his favorite, and already well versed in all the major fighting styles and tactics, he recalled the Third to Rome. The Third was then reorganized into ten-man teams. The teams could be deployed at a moment’s notice to defend the Empire against insurgents, malcontents and various undesirable rabble. To better hone their skills, the teams were rotated between counter insurgency and protection assignments. The Third was assigned to protect not only the Emperor but also all the Imperial Ministers.

  “Most of the other Legions have become nothing more than glorified policemen. Not the Third. The Third are the best of the best, the elite. If there is a difficult situation you can rest assured members of the Third will be there to restore order.”

  Clearly this was not some bluster to be showered on a raw recruit. James could feel the Optio’s pride as he spoke about the Third. This five-foot ten-inch package of bone, mussel, tendons and ligaments was dedicated to his unit and his mission. And James was beginning to believe his earlier comment that he and his men were prepared to die to protect them. The realization left James able only to say, “Thanks.”

  “I’ll explain James situation a little later,” Cassandra said, “but now I want to hear more about these Senate Surveillance teams. I’m surprised we haven’t heard about them before.”

  Turning back to Cassandra, Optio continued, “I’m not surprised Dr. Vespus. Remember they are illegal. I don’t think the Senate wants anything known of their existence. We only learned of them by monitoring the communications of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Initially the Surveillance teams seemed harmless. Just a few ex and wan-a-be-legionaries traveling around and covertly collecting information for the Senate.”

  “One moment Optio,” Cassandra interrupted, “James do you know who the head of the Senate Intelligence committee is?”

  James was shaking his head in disbelief, “Let me guess. Is it Kukulcan?”

  “You are a quick study.” She said, “I’m sorry please continue Optio.”

  “Yes ma’am. After several months many of the Surveillance teams dropped off our sensor array. We had no idea what happened to them, or where they went, until some of our assets began diapering.”

  “Assets?” Cassandra questioned.

  “Yes ma’am. Human assets. We had people positioned all over the globe collecting human intelligence. You know the important stuff, the stuff you don’t learn from simply monitoring communications and satellite imaging. The little bastards began punching holes in our human network. We were slowly developing blind spots all over the planet.”

  “Optio, couldn’t the police be brought in to expose the Surveillance teams? I’m sure there would be a huge public outcry, if it were known the Senate was conducting covert operations.”

  “No ma’am. They were very clever. They started with some of our most … how to say it … oh you know unsavory characters. Don’t get me wrong these were important assets, but not ones we wanted to be associated with. We couldn’t send in the police and they knew it.”

  “After they removed several of our pawns, some of our more important pieces began having accidents. The Senate Teams were good. They were able to have some very mysterious accidents happen to some of our more visible people
. The accidents were all explainable, but our intelligence units were convinced they were not accidents. We figured out they were carefully orchestrated hits.”

  “And you think one of these Surveillance teams, or hit squads is on the hunt for us?” James asked.

  “Yes sir. Josephus said he was certain a Surveillance team would be sent after you two.”

  “Did he tell you why?”

  “No sir. The reason is unimportant, and it does not affect our mission. We will get them first. I promise.”

  James sat back and contemplated the Optio’s words. This place gets stranger with each layer that is pulled back, he thought, and sincerely hoped Optio’s earlier boast was more than just bravado.

  Returning from the kitchen with two large oval trays loaded with food were a smiling Corvin and Amicus. They set them on the nearest table, and Corvin asked, “Optio, should I notify the others?”

  “No. After you have had something to eat, take a tray up to the monitoring room for team three, and then recall team two patrolling the grounds.”

  The meal Corvin and Amicus had assembled was very good, of course since they missed dinner at the Villa, many hours earlier, both Cassandra and James were starved. They ate with abandon and had no problem keeping up with the soldiers. There was fish, chicken, beef or pork several different sauces, beans and rice. Cassandra had opened a bottle of red wine and shared it with James. The others stuck with iced tea or water. They were so intent on eating there was very little discussion. As dinner came to an end the sun was just setting over the mainland. “Optio,” Cassandra said breaking the silence. “I think I would like to walk down to the beach and watch the rest of the sunset, is that acceptable?”

  “I think so. I’ll have team one catch up and discreetly follow as soon as they return from taking team three dinner.”