Chapter Fourteen
Avahloh spun around and witnessed the rising plume of fire and smoke as, again, the strike force flew away at his back.
“Interesting attack run, Commander,” he said, walking towards the compound as the threat departed his airspace. Extermination Team 2 followed. He knew whatever the Pouncer had hit would have cost them a lot. He was eager to see what the target was and what damage it had caused.
When he exited the elevator and entered the compound, he didn’t even stop to check on the still-burning ammunition depot. Avahloh knew that it wasn't mere coincidence that the Pouncer had been crashed into that particular building. It was one of three ammunition depots in the compound, but given the countless buildings within the one and half square mile grounds, it was doubtful that the crash was random.
The damaged it had caused on the surrounding buildings was widely apparent, but the resulting effect on ammunition would only become apparent over time. Damage Control Teams ran about, trying relentlessly to put the fire out at the depot as well as the countless fires that abounded.
Avahloh found an elevator to the lower levels and took it down. He calmly navigated the halls until he arrived at the doors to Central Command. When they opened and Avahloh walked in, even more intimidating with battle shield and Gatling Gun still in hand, personnel were in a panicking bustle, dealing with the aftermath of the attack. The two Sub-Commanders and Kiel were still at the Holo table, dealing with the data as it streamed in. Avahloh sauntered over, set his equipment down, placed both his hands on the table, and leaned in.
“Reports are still coming in,” Coto began. “But so far, the damage assessment from the explosion is three buildings completely destroyed. Complete collapse of the sub structures beneath them as deep as the third sub level. A number of reserve anti-air guns as well, one hundred dead, and fifty wounded.”
Avahloh looked up at Coto. “When will you begin transferring your personnel out of Central Command?” He asked calmly.
“Transitions will begin as early as tomorrow,” Coto simply stated.
“Thank you, Sub -Commander. Keep me posted on the status,” Avahloh said. Coto nodded, then nervously moved away from the Holo table. Avahloh looked back at the holo and began analyzing.
Reik stood quietly by, reassessing the entire events of the day in his head. He had never before experienced a chain of events like today. He knew intense events were about to unfold.
Watching the ammunition depot go up in a huge ball of fire on the Holo table gave Reik an idea. One that may have to be put into effect soon. He'd have to check a few things to see if his theory was correct.
"Commander, 1st Narce. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to tend to my responsibilities in the field." Coto asked.
"Take your leave, Sub-Commander," Avahloh permitted. Avahloh stood there briefly obviously waiting for Coto to leave his command room. The room was silent. Avahloh stepped away from the Holo table and for the first time, walked to the front of Central Command. There he folded his arms and stared up at the giant display screen. Reik watched him as Avaloh stood unmoved for some time. He contemplated the outcome of today's attack. The heavy Weapons team did not perform too well, but the front gates did hold. Maybe he would break even. Reiks blood began to turn to ice as he noticed Avahloh's hand reach up to his Reaper mask and tap the button to his com. Everyone knew what that action meant. It meant he was communicating orders to Grim Reapers. Given what the result of the last orders that were sent from that com were, Reik was terrified. After a lengthy conversation, Avahloh's hand reached back up to end the communication. Reik continued to watch Avahloh as he stood starring up at the screen a moment more. Reik quickly looked away as Avahloh turned to return to the Holo table.
Reik stayed quiet hoping it would make him disappear from Avahloh's thoughts. Avahloh straightened himself and headed towards the doors of Central command.
"Sub- Commander, join me." Reik hesitated at first but then walked to face the inevitable. Avahloh was only a few paces outside the door when Reik joined him. He stood next him, ready to accept whatever was coming.
"Your assessment of the Heavy Weapons team, their reaction time, and capabilities was accurate. I applaud you for you accurate assessment of your own capabilities as well. But the team was needed and we had to put them to use to test what would work and what would not. Their first operation was indeed disappointing. That only means we will have to reassess their overall organization."
Reik finally breathed. "Yes 1st Narce."
They will need further training. Although I am not certain the mind of a Grim Reaper soldier will translate well through the compound soldiers, Extermination Team leader 4 will provide this for you. I have already communicated this to him and he will be in contact with you."
"Yes 1st Narce." Reik didn't want to chance anymore words than he needed to.
"Will there be anything else Sub-Commander?"
"No 1st Narce."
“Continue with your duties then." Avahloh said then walked back into Central command. Once Reik finally heard the doors of Central Command compress shut behind him, his body almost seized. That dismissal meant Avahloh did not expect to see Reik return to central command anytime soon. He wiped both hands across his young face and painted heavily. He glanced over at the blood on the floor, left from the cadet that was exterminated just minutes earlier and felt relieved he had been saved from that same fate. This Commander was unpredictable and potentially volatile. There was no telling what kind of chastisement was coming or if there would be praise. His head was saved from the chopping block. But that was this time. Who knew what to expect in later dealings with different results as compared to the 1st narce broadcasted expectations? It was unmanageable. Reik decided right then and there, he did not want to do this anymore.
He promptly left the halls outside of Central Command and headed towards ground level. He knew where Coto would be going and began to track him down. Eventually Reik caught up with Coto on the ground level. "Sub-Commander!" He called out as he approached Coto with haste.
"In my forty years of service I have never been a part of such a display.” Coto began as Reik approached him. Reik listened impatiently, although he knew that comment was a lie and that Coto was only upset because he had been the direct target of that display. "He totally circumvents the chain of command. That is not acceptable in an Edwards Command Room. Post destruction or not, this is still an Edwards Command." Reik calmly continued to listen to Coto rant. "That cadet made no error. Anyone would have analyzed that data the same way. His time has been short in that command room, but things will have to change!"
"I agree with you, Sub-Commander," Reik cut in. "Things will have to change."
He held Coto's gaze firm. Coto calmed.
"I'm glad you agree, Sub-Commander. After the impossible situation you were placed in, I have to say, I am not surprised. Let's walk and talk."
Below in Central Command, Kiel stood close by Avahloh.
“Was it necessary, Commander?” Avahloh asked Kiel.
“Yes, 1st Narce. I see now that today's earlier display was a necessary statement,” he admitted. “I think we all now respect your foresight.”
“That is all I ask, Commander.” Avahloh stood quickly and headed back towards the doors of Central Command.
Kiel followed. As Avahloh walked the halls, headed to his quarters, Kiel's voice echoed behind him.
“Commander, a moment of your time, please?” Avahloh stopped and turned to face him. “As usual, your analysis of the situation was astute and intuitive. I ask that you forgive the rest of us for not having the foresight that you wield at your leisure. However, I have a question to ask of you and I ask, not in doubt, but with a sincere effort to understand.”
“I understand the spirit in which you wish to communicate, Commander.”
“With the different things that you have said to me today, some of them appear to be contradictory in nature in spite of the results.
”
“As I told you before, I need them to trust me.”
“You move and make decisions without explanation and initiate unorthodox techniques that scare the hell out of every officer. I am confused. After today, how do you get them to trust you?” Kiel asked.
“It is not enough to simply have men follow orders. They must be totally invested in the objective. When all other options are gone, they will look to you, the leadership, to show them how to get to the objective.”
“And how do you get them to trust your orders?”
“Simple. Every decision you make must earnestly be about the objective.”
To be continued…
About the Author
Influenced at an early age by the writings of R A V Salsitz (“Where Dragons Lie”– The Dragon Trilogy), Timothy Zahn, (Star Wars -Heir to the Empire series), and Kent Smith (Future X), Dorsey Jackson began his fantastic journey of writing. He always felt motivated by the vast and diverse opportunities of the world. This is reflected in his approach to writing. He writes the way he lives. Although he is greatly influenced by the Sci-fi and Military Sci-fi genres he strives to never let his pen be constrained by genre expectations and leaves himself open to the possibilities of blending influences. Find out more at www.dorseyjackson.com
Other books by this author
Please visit your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by Dorsey Jackson Jr:
The Order Series
O R D E R
The ORDER minis Series
Crest and Shield Book One
Crest and Shield Book Two
Crest and Shield Book Three (Coming soon)
Only available at dorseyackson.com
Two Kill a King (Short story)
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