A vehicle suddenly drew towards them. It stood out for the simple fact it had three Rhepoys sitting on the roof. Rhepoys they recognised instantly.
“Madan,” said Rossman in amazement as the vehicle drew to a halt and the door slid open. Griffin was first out the door. She looked exhausted but in one piece. The others poured out, and finally Lee stepped out to report to Rossman.
“Sir, MIA marines found and recovered, reporting for duty,” he said as he saluted.
Bosque staggered out last. She took a few uneasy paces, collapsed to her knees, and threw up.
“She’s okay,” insisted Griffin as she smiled and assisted her fellow Marine.
Rossman looked both pleased and frustrated all at the same time.
“Corporal, you disobeyed a direct order.”
“Yes, Sir, and I kept my oath to the men and women I serve beside.”
Clearly, Rossman was ready to forgive him, but Sanson stormed into the scene. He looked ghostly pale and was sweating even more profusely. He looked seriously unwell, but still vented all of his anger towards King.
“Colonel! I want this man arrested immediately!”
“Ah, shit,” muttered Lee.
“Sir, I must appeal to you. Corporal King has gone above and beyond the call of duty to rescue Marines previously MIA. Not only that, but he’s now bolstered the numbers of our company for the operation to Delphi.”
“I don’t care, Colonel. This man defied my express orders that he received before my very eyes. I will not have insubordination among the ranks! Arrest this man immediately.”
“Sir, if I may?”
“No, you may not. Carry out my orders, Colonel, or I’ll find someone who will!”
Rossman looked distraught and disappointed, and yet he had no choice.
“Sergeant Stone, you will arrest Corporal King and detain him within our vehicle until such time as he can be collected by MPs.”
“Yes, Sir,” he replied with as little enthusiasm as the Colonel felt.
“You’re kidding me, right? I did my duty, I’m here to fight when you need me, and you want to punish me for that? Do you have any idea how to lead?”
Colonel Rossman’s shoulders sank. Lee’s hope of a reprieve was now finished as the General’s demeanour turned to utter disgust and contempt. He stormed over to the Corporal as Stone stripped him of his weapons.
“You dare question my fitness to lead? You insolent little boy!”
He smacked Lee across the face. His head was knocked aside, but he took the blow well. It seemed to hurt the General more than him, and he gasped for air as he dropped to his knees, clearly unwell.
“General!” Rossman rushed to his side, catching him before his head hit the sand.
“Take him away. Take him away!” he screamed.
Rossman signalled to Stone to do just that and turned back to the General. His eyes rolled back and forth, and he had trouble seeing. His whole body was soaked through with sweat and his skin blotchy.
“Medic!” Rossman shouted.
“Nonsense, get off me!” Sanson pushed the Colonel away and got back to his feet.
“I’m fine. It’s just this bloody heat and the discipline of your…”
Before he could finish, he collapsed again. This time his head bounced off the hard packed sand, and Rossman rushed to his aid once more.
“Medic! Come on, get some help here!” he yelled as he checked the General’s pulse. Everyone watched on in horror.
“Medic!”
Chapter 4
Lee had been waiting anxiously for hours in the back of an Otter. The door had been left open for airflow, but it wasn’t helping much. At least he was in the shade. Corporal Griffin and Rusu had been posted guard over him; though clearly saw him as no threat. He wasn’t even restrained. Not that they needed to. There was nowhere to run. Even if he wanted to escape, the alternative was bloodythirsty Prians, many of whom would want him dead more than the General himself. He could hear footsteps. Colonel Rossman appeared at the doorway and climbed aboard.
“Finally, can you get me out of here yet, Sir?”
“Sorry, but the General’s orders stand. You disobeyed direct orders, and you must face the consequences.”
“And the General? Will he face the consequences of leaving Marines behind to die? I did my duty. Who will call him accountable to do his?”
“That’s not the way it works, and you know it.”
“So, he’s held to a different standard to us?”
“Of course he is. He’s our commanding officer.”
“He’s a disgrace to the Corps, and you know it.”
“Corporal, you cannot…” Rossman tried to scold Lee, but he interrupted him once again.
“The hell I can! You got me here knowing I was a Marine you could depend on. I know all that bullshit about my cousin you fed me is true, but it’s a half-truth. You needed Marines that were reliable. You expect that of us, and we expect it of those we follow.”
“You may expect it, but you cannot demand it. That’s not your choice.”
“Tell me, how can a Marine be expected to respect an officer who will not hold themselves to the same standard they expect of those under their command? What does that say about them, and the orders they give? We’re too late going to Delphi, and you know it. Our recon mission was a farce. It proved our intel was wrong, and that we were in the shit a lot deeper than anyone thought, and what did the General take from that? Nothing. When will he answer for that?”
“That remains to be seen,” replied the Colonel wearily.
“What do you mean?”
“The General’s not in good shape.”
“Sir, I thought he was just suffering in this heat,” Griffin said.
“He’s being looked at right now. The heat isn’t helping, but his health is far worse than that. He’s suffering from Hylexion, a local disease that is particularly unpleasant.”
“Aren’t we vaccinated for all that?”
“Yes, but cases have been known among Marines. The doc speculates that the General’s lack of exposure to the conditions here have made him particularly susceptible.”
“Will he make it?” Lee asked with honest concern in his voice.
“Quite honestly, we really don’t know. He’s undergoing treatment now.”
“How long until we know?”
“Five days.”
“What will happen in five days?” Griffin asked.
“The General will either pull through or he won’t.”
It was a shock to them all.
“The mission, it can’t wait that long. We’ve wasted enough time already,” said Lee.
“I can’t agree more, but we aren’t going anywhere. The General cannot be moved in his current condition, not even by air. We are to take up quarters at the garrison barracks here and stay put for the time being.”
“What does that mean for Lee?”
“The General’s orders stand. You are under arrest, but so long as you give me your word that you will not cause trouble, you’re free to move about the barracks. So long as you stay well clear of the General. That goes for everyone, in fact.”
“That won’t be a problem. What am I gonna do, run off to live with the locals?”
“I’ve seen men do crazier things in desperate times.”
“Yeah, well I’m not desperate. I did the right thing, and anyone with a heart will agree with me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“How? He rescued us when nobody else gave a damn.”
“I hate to break it to you, Corporal, but you are expendable. So am I. We do a job. We do what we’re told to do. There’s no room for individuality there.”
“Isn’t a Marine supposed to show initiative, Sir?”
“Sure, and if you’d just taken off without asking my permission and the permission of the General, you might have gotten away with that excuse, seeing as you were ultimately successful in your rescue efforts. But you made it
official, and the General will look a fool if he lets you get away with ignoring his direct orders.”
“And he doesn’t look a fool for leaving Marines out there to die when five of us brought them home without a single casualty?”
“You know that’s not how it works. You’re free to move about, but don’t go too far, you hear? You can keep your Guardian for your own defence, but you may not handle any other weapons, okay?”
“Yes, Sir,” he replied angrily.
The Colonel was gone in a flash as Griffin helped Lee up. He was aching from sitting for so long.
“You really got yourself in the shit this time, didn’t you?” she joked.
“Always,” he replied with a smile as he got out. Bosque was sitting up against the front wheel of the vehicle. She looked exhausted and almost as ill as Sanson had.
“You okay?”
“Sure, she’ll be fine.”
“What the hell happened to you?” He looked at her bloodied bandage and general state of her.
“We gave her Bhanza to ease the pain and seal her wounds.”
“Bhanza, isn’t that stuff strong enough to knock out a Bivol?”
“A Bivol? Has anyone even ever seen one of those?”
“You kidding me? I’ve seen strange enough shit to believe it. Madan told me some of the tribes deep in the deserts still ride them in battle, but what were you doing giving her Bhanza, anyway? Do you even know what that can do to a Human?”
“We do now,” Bosque coughed.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like hell.”
“You should have seen the Sergeant. One minute she was on the ground out of action, and the next she was running at the enemy without her armour. She ran through a wall of fire to engage the rebels in hand-to-hand. She tore them apart and cut them down before we could even catch her.”
“That was real?” Bosque asked in disbelief.
“Damn right, it was. I ain’t ever seen anything like it. You were a total badass!”
“I…I kind of remember some of it, but it was more like…a dream,” she said as she threw up once again.
Lee began to laugh, but she didn’t look impressed. “You were stoned off your face.”
“I…I…” she stuttered.
“It ain’t nothing to be ashamed of. People pay good money for an experience like that. You got it for free and killed the enemy while you were at it. That is badass.”
“Really?”
Lee went on, “Some people they talk, some fall asleep, others get aggressive with their friends. You went right at the enemy and fought for those around you. That’s the most badass trip I’ve ever heard of,” he said with the voice of experience.
She didn’t look convinced but looked to Griffin and saw that she shared the same sentiment.
“We don’t even know what Bhanza does to Humans. Some say we can’t survive it, and here you are, probably due a medal once the after-action report goes in. That goes for you, too,” she said, turning to Lee.
“You’re joking? The General has it in for me. I’ll probably be getting transport right back to the prison where I came from.”
“We won’t let that happen, will we, Sergeant?” she asked Bosque.
“You’re one of us King. You risked it all for us, and you have to know we’d do the same for you. We won’t let you be taken anywhere.”
“As much as I appreciate it, I don’t think you’ll have a choice about that.”
“Yeah? Watch us. In a period of inactivity, the 15th has kicked ass, and nobody can deny it.”
He smiled in return, wishing he shared her positive outlook, but his superiors had burnt him too many times to believe it. The two of them helped Bosque to her feet and hobbled to the town, heading for the recently abandoned barracks. They took Bosque to a barrack room and laid her down to rest and sleep it off. Lee headed to a tower to lose himself in his own thoughts. He reached the top, leant over, and took a breath of the sweet air. The sun was going down and the temperature becoming more manageable. Compared to what he’d been accustomed to it was positively comfortable.
He mulled over everything he’d been through, reflecting on how he could have done anything differently. He kept coming back to the same conclusion.
“Quite beautiful isn’t it, when you’re not being shot at?”
He turned sharply in shock, thinking he’d been alone, but Sergeant Stone had crept up on him. He was leaning over the wall two metres to his right.
“I think so. I’m still not sure. I haven’t exactly had time to think it over.”
“You know how much rich assholes pay to go to desolate planets, where they gawp at open landscapes and not the hustle and bustle of the inner planets?”
He shook his head, for he had no idea.
“Trust me, a lot, and we get it for nothing. This is why many sign up for the Corps, to see the galaxy. Experience the things that people back home can only dream of, or watch at the movies. This is the real deal, seeing the ragged frontier for yourself. That’s a big draw for a lot of folk, but I am guessing it isn’t yours?”
“Hell, I don’t even know why I signed up anymore. It’s not like anyone cares anyway.”
“Really? From what I see you care a lot. I’ve known plenty of Marines who got themselves into a heap of trouble because they didn’t give a shit or liked to stir up trouble. But you, you’re a different breed altogether.”
“You think you have me figured, Sarge?”
“No, but I can take a stab at it.”
“Well, go on then.”
“You signed up because of how you grew up. A big family that did everything together, and you wanted the same thing here. And you’re willing to do anything to protect that family, am I right? It’s that exact reason you find yourself in all this trouble, because you put that family first, no matter what.”
He smirked, and the Sergeant could already see he was on to something.
“You aren’t a troublemaker at all. I figured you all wrong. You’re the exact opposite. You’re a fixer.”
“Yeah? And so how does that help me?”
“Because for you to get through a court martial, you need the respect and support of those who serve beside you. I misjudged you. It’s funny, because I did the same with your cousin. I thought he was an entitled and arrogant asshole when I first met him. When I met you, I figured you were a troublemaking asshole who thought the world of himself and was going to get good people killed. I was wrong about both of you, and you know what? That is refreshing.”
“I’m glad we provided you with some entertainment.”
“I’m with you, Corporal, and so is everyone in the company. When we go into battle, we have to know we can depend on those around us, no matter their rank. It’s probably the single most important quality of a Marine, and you have it. So, trust me when I say we have your back. Whatever we can do to help you get through this, we will. Because I know you did everything you did for the right reasons.”
“Yeah, and look where that got me first time around?”
“It got you here, didn’t it? A life in prison would be a life wasted, but that wasn’t your fate. For whatever reason, life brought you here.”
“My cousin’s death and Rossman’s guilt brought me here,” he said dismissively.
“You’re right.” Rossman climbed up to the tower beside them.
Lee initially looked sheepish but soon realised he no longer cared, as the Colonel joined them at the lookout point.
“I did feel guilty for your cousin, and I did seek you out because of it, but I won’t apologise for either of those things. Joey King is a hero, and I won’t undermine that. I honestly had no idea what I would find when I came looking for you. All I knew is that you were famous for a complete screw-up. Well, we all make mistakes, and the Empire isn’t exactly forgiving. I figured there was more to your story, and I gave you the benefit of the doubt, and guess what? That choice saved my life. You saved my life.”
“That’s my job, Colonel.”
“It’s your duty, and not all who wear that uniform understand or respect that.”
“Well, General Sanson sure don’t,” he snarled.
“That won’t be a problem anymore.”
They looked surprised at his words and waited for him to go on.
“The General passed away about thirty minutes ago.”
“He’s dead?” Lee asked.
Rossman nodded.
“From what? I thought he was just dehydrated and feeling this heat?”
“Hylexion got to him. The doctors believe he may have been suffering from it for days without notifying them.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? He hated you and everything you did.”
“That doesn’t mean I wanted to see him dead.”
“What now, Sir?” Stone asked.
“I’m the ranking officer here, but Samson’s staff won’t accept me to lead this operation. I have sent out a despatch of this news, and we will await orders.”
“Sir, we cannot afford to wait. We have waited long enough,” pleaded Lee.
“That choice is out of my hands. This is a major operation. Were we in combat, I could assume command, but at this stage, it’s not going to work. We hold here and await further orders.”
“And then what?”
“The operation to Delphi must continue, but we need someone in charge. A new CO will be appointed from the staff here, or a replacement sent to take Sanson’s place.”
“All the while the rebels get stronger.”
“Let’s worry about our own people first. This conflict isn’t going to end overnight. Sanson’s death is a loss, but it may be the best thing that has happened to us. We all know he was not the man for this job. His glory days were long behind him, and he wasn’t up to this work.”
“We all knew it, Sir. I’m just surprised to hear you say it.”
“I wish I could have done more before now to get a better leader for this operation, but that was not my call. I may be candid here, but be under no illusions; these opinions go no further. As far as the galaxy is concerned, Sanson was a hero. He was not a bad officer or an evil man, but his time was up, both as a man and as a Marine. We’re going to move forward, you hear me?”
The Last Empire Box Set Page 17
