“Two.”
“Okay. I need a volunteer to show me where Major Kuriko billets.”
“I’ll do it,” a young man said.
“No,” a tall, slender, dark-haired woman in the back stepped forward. “You have a bad leg. I’ll do it.” This woman looked as hard as stone. Her cold, blue eyes locked on Joe, and with a voice as sharp as honed steel she said, “I’ll take you to the bitch.”
“What’s your name?” Joe asked.
“Call me…Serenity.”
“Yeah…okay, Serenity. You, Isso, and I will go get Janet when the shooting starts—”
“Janet? Oh, yeah, Janet,” Serenity said.
“The rest will get out.” Joe turned to Serenity. “I need you to draw us a map, and quickly.”
○O○
All the allied soldiers, noncoms, officers, and commanders were watching their synchronized watches. No order would be necessary. At precisely 04:00 the attack would begin.
Nash looked over his map one more time, weighed his options. He considered those locations his scouts told him were likely strong points on the road. If he was unable to overcome the resistance on the road, then his E’meset contingent, by now across the river and south of the road pressing through the swamp, would have to bear the weight of the attack.
Nash’s mission was to keep this western element of the enemy engaged so they couldn’t be used to reinforce a weak point elsewhere. This could only be accomplished by a determined push to breach these defenses and get at the factory itself. Of the four arms of the attack, Nash had the farthest to travel under fire.
At 04:00, the area around the factory lit up like Time Square on New Year’s Eve…
○O○
Over his radio, Nash followed the course of the attack as he directed his own. The southern group had the best initial success. They were within twenty meters of the wall before they started receiving fire. The north and east assaults bogged down when they encountered automated machine gun nests high in the trees. These were newly added by the mercs, well camouflaged, and not on Nash’s list of things to look for. They inflicted a large number of casualties in seconds, causing the assault teams to recoil.
To counter these machine guns, the shoulder fired missiles, the AT-88s and Comets, brought to ward off enemy ground and air vehicles, were employed. This was a slow endeavor, but effective; but it seriously depleted their anti-armor and anti-air capabilities.
Nash’s force ran into serious resistance. His first wave of soldiers had waded the swiftly flowing waters of the river through the ruins of the collapsed bridge to emerge on the east bank about a half-hour before the general attack began. At 04:00, they started up the embankment, and as they did, command-detonated mines exploded in their faces, and well-prepared bunkers made of mud bricks containing machine guns swept the road. When Nash attempted to flank these positions down the raised sides of the causeway, his people encountered more mines, traps, and direct fire from enemy positioned in the swamp.
Nash had to call his troops back. They were being pummeled.
Medical personnel rushed to the fore as the wounded began to stream back. Through binoculars, Nash recorded the locations from which the tracers had erupted and, thus, identified three enemy positions over-watching the approach. Lowering his binoculars, his eyes beheld the battlefield. The bodies of his soldiers, his friends and neighbors, human and E’meset, lay unmoving out on the road. Nash switched his visor to infrared. There appeared to be no wounded out there. All the shapes were slowly growing cold before his eyes.
○O○
Tanny and Day’Ka spent the day getting to know one another better. Tanny learned that Day’Ka had no memory of his mother, only stories told to him by Nash and members of his mother’s family. Nash did possess a photograph of the two of them during happier times. Day’Ka had the picture, now, and showed it to Tanny.
His mother must have stood all of two meters tall. Her colors were vibrant; her large, green eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and her long hair was silver white and glistening. Her smile was lovely.
“Her name was Silseia Silumay,” Day’Ka explained.
“You look a lot like your mother,” Tanny said quietly.
“She would have liked you,” Day’Ka said.
The statement almost stopped Tanny’s heart. “What makes you say that?” she asked.
“Dad tells me she could read people; she could tell what was in their heart. I am not gifted in that way, Tanny, but I have known you long enough to know you are a good person, and so my mother would like you. Besides, you both fell in love with my father, who returned your love. Something I thought would never happen for my father.”
Tanny lowered her head as a feeling of shame washed over her. Here she sat with this dead woman’s son, and in her heart, she was angry. She looked up at Day’Ka who was gazing at the photo with such love in his eyes that it hurt Tanny to look at him. She glanced again at the picture. There stood Nash upon a rock, next to his wife. He was happier than she had ever seen him.
Day’Ka turned to Tanny and said quietly, “You make him this happy.”
“Was that a statement or a question?”
“Both.”
“You sure you don’t read minds?”
“I do not.”
Tanny took the picture from Day’Ka and placed her fingertips atop the image of Silseia Silumay. She said to herself, I am sorry for having been presumptuous.
After lunch, Tanny decided that she and Day’Ka would go to see Mr. and Mrs. Mitchel and demand whatever information was available.
As they walked through the hallways and corridors of the city, people stared. Day’Ka seemed unaffected, but Tanny was becoming very uncomfortable.
“It’s because they’ve not seen an E’meset in here before, is all. They are probably wondering how I’m breathing,” Day’Ka suggested.
They climbed aboard a tram, and as they did, three people got off wide-eyed at the sight of Day’Ka.
“What?” Tanny shouted at them. “You don’t mind them out there in the blue…out there fighting alongside your husbands or wives, but you don’t want one inside your little fantasy land…is that it?”
The tram pulled away, leaving all those back at the stop and the people still on board the tram stunned.
Day’Ka, who was twenty centimeters taller than the tallest man on the tram, looked about at the shocked faces of the other humans on board. “I’m sorry,” he said in concise clear English to everyone, “we’re having a family problem, and she’s a little upset.”
All eyes turned toward Tanny. “Yes, you heard him right; it’s a family problem, and none of your damned business!”
At city hall, they were, again, met by stares and whisperings, but Tanny kept her cool this time. As the two approached the receptionist in the mayor’s outer office waiting room, Tanny took Day’Ka’s hand and squeezed, then winked up at him.
When the young man behind the counter brought his head out from behind the monitor he was stunned to see this enormous E’meset standing in front of him.
“Pardon me,” Tanny said, “we have a very serious matter here with this local fellow and he demands to see one of the mayors right this very minute. Do you understand?”
The fellow behind the counter nodded and slowly backed out from behind the desk to disappear through a door behind him.
“You know he’s calling security,” Day’Ka observed.
“Not if that guy mentions us to Mr. or Mrs. Mitchel first. They have a special affinity with you people. I’m sorry…I meant to say with the E’meset. You people sounds condescending, and I never want to be that again.”
The door opened and the receptionist reappeared. He pushed a button and a door to the right of his desk opened. “Right through here, please.”
“See,” Tanny said.
Beyond the door, they entered into a room filled with computer terminals. Several people were responding to communications and monitoring various systems and su
b-systems, all of which was controlled by Indra.
They were led past a door marked “Authorized Personnel Only.” As they came abreast of this door, it opened. Inside, Tanny heard the odd squelch of the ancient radio, but did not understand it. Day’Ka’s sensitive E’meset ears had heard a few words over the radio, “Charlie Oscar this is Recon six actual, I have the first two elements in position—” as the door closed, Day’ka whispered to Tanny that he had recognized his father’s voice.
They were led into an office where Dave and Kathy greeted them both warmly. Dave approached Day’Ka and placed his left hand in the center of Day’Ka’s chest and said “Lar mehn Dareva duce.”
Day’Ka placed a hand each in the center of Dave and Kathy’s chests and responded with, “Iowni tava tavataw Tuva.”
“Oh,” Tanny said surprised, “you all know each other?”
They looked at her and said in unison, “No.”
“Ah… it just looked like—”
“It is a standard E’meset greeting, Tanny,” Day’Ka said.
“Dr. Eltanie Austrini,” Kathy said with a big smile. “We meet again. The last time was at Rick’s Place. You were with…oh, I see. You want to know about Captain Rastaban.”
Dave looked up at Day’Ka. “What’s your part in all this?”
“Captain Rastaban is my father, sir.”
“You speak an excellent English,” Kathy observed. “Sir Reginald Gawain, was it?”
“Yes, ma’am. How did you—”
“We often visit at the Fish. I remember seeing you in Regi’s class. He told me your story, but never the name of your father. I hope you’re proud of your father. He’s a very good man.”
With these words, Tanny burst into tears and sat down.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Kathy was quite worried. “Did I say something?” she asked Day’Ka.
“No. She’s in love with my father, and very upset, as you can imagine.”
“Yes,” Dave said looking at Kathy, “I can imagine.”
They went over to Tanny and Day’Ka knelt down placing his arm around her shoulder. This time it was she who buried her face into his chest.
“Doctor Austrini, what can we do?” Dave asked.
“You can tell me where this boy’s father is. You can tell me if the man I love is still alive!”
“Doctor, Day’Ka…Nash is fine. He is resting right now. They are going to attack the factory where the mercenaries are holding the hostages.”
“Tonight?”
“Early in the morning. You know this is a secret, right? We don’t know that there are not merc sympathizers still in the city. If you leak this information it could cost lives, even Nash’s life.”
“We will say nothing, sir. Anon’non Lu’aya.” Day’Ka said.
“I know you won’t. You have too much to lose.”
“Oh, my God.” The reality of the situation began to close in on Tanny now, and she was shaking. “What can we do?”
“Doctor,” Kathy knelt before her. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to do as all the other men and women with friends and loved ones out there are doing. Go home, wait, and pray.”
Chapter 10
THE GIFT OF EYA’ETEE KI KEE
Nash called three of his missile bearers forward. He pointed out the locations of three bunkers where the enemy machine guns controlled the causeway. “The first two bunkers are within range of the AT-88s,” he explained, “but the last one is outside the effective range of the weapon. The three of you will cross the river and take up positions behind the rubble of the old bridge, then without being seen, creep out onto the path. From there, two of you will launch your missiles simultaneously, and in the confusion, the third AT-88 will run at least a hundred meters forward, then engage the third bunker.”
The three soldiers were an E’meset and two humans. The E’meset’s name was Dalthna, the two humans were Specialist Melvin Rodgers, and Corporal Barbra Meldenhal. Nash would send them out in the order they arrived, which made Corporal Meldenhal the winner of the Purple Heart run. She showed no concern over her selection.
As soon as Nash relayed his order, Dalthna spoke up, “Min too lee ah’yah henan.” It was obvious by his gestures he was talking about Barbra.
“What did he say?” she asked.
Nash bit his lower lip. He knew that Dalthna thought he was being chivalrous by asking to take the dangerous run from her, but such an antiquated, and apparently chauvinistic, gesture would not have been appreciated by the young corporal. “He says that as an E’meset, he is faster than you are and wants to make the run.”
“Well, that may be, sir, but I think I’m fast enough for a hundred meters. Thank Superman for me, but I got this.”
“Okay,” Nash said. “Good luck to all of you.”
As a diversion, Nash told the left flank to open fire on the area of the third bunker as soon as the first two were destroyed. Hopefully, the gunner in the third bunker would concentrate on them and thus allow Corporal Meldenhal to run up the right side of the road and get within range.
Nash watched as the three slowly forded the river and got into position. They would have to acquire their targets fast, and fire, because the enemy gunners had night vision-equipped respirators, as well.
It seemed to take forever. At last, all three stopped and lay still on the surface of the road. Dalthna was more or less in the center or the road. Two meters to his right was Specialist Rodgers. Between them and about a meter behind was Corporal Meldenhal. The two gunners nodded at each other, popped up on one knee, fired, and then immediately fell back prone. The explosions were horrendous, the concussions pounding, but the two enemy bunkers disintegrated in bright flashes of blue light and large columns of gray smoke.
Nash’s left flank’s burst of rifle fire looked like the opening of the gates of hell. Their bullets ripped into the remaining bunker and the area around it.
Corporal Meldenhal rose and rushed forward. She’d gotten about sixty meters when an enemy soldier in the swamp off the road to her right must have seen her silhouetted against the left flank’s muzzle flashes, and he dropped her with one round.
Seeing this, Dalthna leapt to his feet and ran toward her, firing from the hip into the swamp as he ran. As he reached Barbra, she handed him the AT-88. He had no more extended it and placed it on his shoulder than three bullets slammed into his body. The two in the chest he seemed to absorb, but the one in his right leg dropped him. He staggered back up on his good leg aimed and fired…the rocket arched through the night like a meteor. The impact of the missile and its fearsome explosion destroyed the third bunker entirely.
Just as the missile left the tube, Dalthna saw an enemy soldier in the swamp rise up and take aim. He threw himself over Barbra’s body and the merc’s three bullets struck him in the torso, ending his life, but saving Barbra’s.
Without orders, twenty CDF soldiers ran forward. They placed an incredible amount of suppressive fire into the swamp and recovered Corporal Meldenhal and Dalthna’s body.
As they got her back across the river and inside the wood line, Nash was there. The medics went straight to work on her. As soon as the meds took her pain away, she noticed Nash by her side. With a bloody hand, she grabbed Nash’s arm. “Why?” she asked. “Why’d he do that?”
Nash took her hand in both of his and bent close to her. “He did that to save you. He must have seen someone worth saving. Remember that as you live the rest of your life.”
Nash rose and took one of the medics aside. “Is she going to make it?”
“Sir, it’s a painful wound. The bullet shattered her hip and right greater trochanter, the top of her femur. The E’meset assure us that the algae from the cave can cure her as long as we can stem the flow of blood and stabilize her. But she’s going to need a trip to the cave, and it’s over three days from here on foot.”
“We’ll have the V-tols back before noon.”
“I hope so, sir. There will be more wounded. But sir…
she’ll make it.”
“Thanks, Doc.”
Returning to the edge of the wood line, Nash found his E’meset chief of scouts waiting for him. They spoke in E’meset.
“Nash, they have fled back toward the metal house, but stopped by the grove of Kannun trees. I think there are more dirt huts with long fire guns there.”
“How many huts?”
“Perhaps half a hand. It is another of these places they cross with bullets.”
“Yeah,” Nash said. “And this time, they’ll be watching out for rockets.”
○O○
No one inside the room with Joe could mistake the sound of the start of the battle for anything but war.
Joe stood to the right of the door and Isso to the left. When Joe gave the signal, all the women in the room let out a short loud scream. The doors burst open and the two merc guards raced in, weapons at the ready. Joe and Isso made it look easy as they clubbed them in the face with the butts of their weapons. The two fell unconscious to the floor.
The cold, dark woman, Serenity, grabbed one of their weapons and struggled to remove the safety in order to shoot them. Joe quickly took it from her. “There will be no murders here today. We’ll tie them, and if they survive they go to trial. Got it?”
She did not answer.
“Now, let’s go get Janet Lindsey.” As Joe turned to leave, Serenity quickly bent down and snatched one of the merc’s bayonets from its scabbard and placed it in her belt behind her back.
“What are you going to do with that?” Joe asked.
“I’ll not be taken again without a fight,” the dark woman said.
Joe studied her a moment then turned to talk with one of his men. “Sergeant Cimarron, you still have your flare, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“As soon as you get everyone clear of this place, fire it.”
“What about you, sir?”
“You just get these people out of here and fire that damn flare. As you are leaving this place, turn around and watch the roof. Good luck.”
“You too, sir.”
Joe and Isso led the way following the map that Serenity had provided. She followed close behind. As Joe had anticipated, her map was none too accurate, and she was constantly adjusting their route.
The Blue of Antyllus Page 14
