Song of Blu

by J A Ebonlight

  Then there was Rolland. The way he was killed was unfitting of a man of his caliber…ambushed and stabbed in the back. He deserved to fight many great battles beside the king and grow old with kids, telling them of his battle like his grandpa told him. The fact that his family will have to hear of his death instead of his glorious conquests hurt my soul.

  I gritted my teeth as the servitor corps arrived to collect the bodies and give us supply. I was not surprised to see my general accompanying the unit. He was there with his entourage of ass-kissers. His shiny armor showed he has seen little to any combat since arriving here. I bet he sat in the background while his division was forced to attack that hive base. His smirk said it all.

  “As I understand, you and your company got drunk. Then one of your squads betrayed you, getting two dozen of your men killed and another dozen injured.”

  “The injured will recover swiftly. I request that you allow me to go after the traitors.” I said. He faced me with a victorious smile.

  “That’s enough, commander! You have blundered enough.” He said. I remained silent. “Upon recovery, return to headquarters and prepare for rightful punishment.”

  “For you or me?” I said. His eyes widened.

  “What was that?”

  “The only way Justin could have gotten in touch with the rebels is through open channels. I’m sure you would have been notified of open channels breaches by the servitor corps and choose not to report it to me.” I said.

  The general puckered up his chest and marched toward me with mocked intimidation. Our eyes met, and I didn’t veer away from him. The general knew my background by now. He couldn’t scare a boy who was raised by cold-blooded killers. I was beyond whatever fear he was trying to invoke.

  “I think you better watch yourself, commander.” He said in a low voice.

  “I will take that under advisement,” I said. The general glared at me a little longer and then whirled back to his ship. “Return to headquarters after recovery!” Then he was off. Alicia planted herself next to me.

  “Are we going to follow those orders?” She mumbled. She knew my mind.

  “We are going to gut the rebels and Justin. Court Martial be damned. I might can’t avenge Gary’s death, but I can Rolland’s.” I said. Alicia nodded.

  “I think you might want to tell the company this.” She said. She was right. I couldn’t lead the company down the path of hell unknowingly. I’ve been a blind follower all my life, and I wouldn’t do that to others. I hopped on a supply crate and looked down on what was left of my marines. I’d lost so many brave souls. An age ago, I would have sacrificed them all to accomplish the mission. Time never ceased to amaze me with its ability to change my identity as a person. Through my youth, I was a victim turned killing machine. Now I'm a leader and a marine.

  “I won’t hold you long,” I said to my marines. “Our glorious general wants us to return to headquarters where we’ll probably go back to doing manual labor. I will most likely lose my command. You all will be scattered and assigned to other companies. All your comrades here will probably be the last you see of them. However, I’m not going.” I admitted. My marine’s eyebrows rose, and murmurs spread among my Marines.

  “Where will you go?” Daryl said, stepping forward.

  “After Justin,” I said. That caught many people’s attention. “This is probably my last mission. I’m sort of a completionist, and the way I see it, those rebels and Justin is part of our mission. I’m going after them. The general gave us a few convoys to swiftly return to base, but I’m going to use mines to travel deeper in this city, to the rebel home base, and rip it out the ground.”

  “Hell yeah!” Jerry said. Many of my marines cheered and pointed their rifles in the air.

  “But I won’t order you to come with me. You must make that decision to disobey orders and get vengeance.” I said. As I watched my marines, a sense of pride swelled up inside. None of them even budge, nor did they look around to see if their buddies were going to move. Each and every one of them wanted vengeance. Vengeance for Gary, the light of the company, and Rolland the shield of it. As well as many other marines who died due to Justin’s betrayal. Jen stepped forward.

  “We’re all with you,” Jen said.

  “All right then, let’s find out where these rebels are heading,” I said, leaping off the crate. We made our way back to the skating rink. Inside was a prize I kept hidden from my general. He wouldn’t have made any good use of it anyway. It was a single surviving rebel troop. He sat against the wall, his leg ravaged and burnt by a grenade. It may heal, but only if we treat it.

  “Talk,” I said, walking in front of him. All my marines stood behind me, armed to the teeth and pissed off. The lone rebel took in all he needed to see.

  “What’ you want to know?”

  “Where’s the secret rebel base in this city?”

  “You think I’m going to tell you lap dogs that? Nah! USA! USA! USA!” The rebel hollered.

  “What does USA stand for?” Alicia asked.

  “United Spheres of America!” The rebel lackey said. I bashed my boot in his face, and his head smacked back against the wall. The rebel lingered in a dazed.

  “What’s their obsession with America anyway?” I asked.

  “In history, America broke away from the kingdom of England. At the time, England was arguably one of the most powerful empires to ever exist. America not only broke away from this powerful nation but ended up becoming one of the most powerful nations in history, on the back of slave labor, though.” Darryl said.

  I appreciate being able to ask Darryl these questions now. Now that he knew I was in a gang, I could feel comfortable asking him these hard questions. I’m sure Alicia would be just as capable, but it felt good having options.

  “I see. So they want to recreate those ideas.”

  “It won’t work,” Jen added. “Back then, America promoted ideals that weren’t exactly popular at the time: Personal freedom, split between religion and government, the ability to go from poor to rich. All of these ideals are embraced in the kingdom right now.”

  “What about democracy!” The rebel lackey said.

  “We can elect―”

  “We can elect officials to rule beside the king, not rule period.” The rebel lackey said.

  “Until the king proves himself unworthy, I don't have a problem,” Alicia said.

  “But what happens when he proves himself unworthy? What can we really do to the man? Not only does he have trillions of people who worship him, but he has the raw power to wipe away armies. If he goes evil, we’re fucked!”

  “Enough!” I said. “We are not here to debate ideas and government. I want an answer!” I whipped out my blade and held it to the rebel’s face. I pressed it hard enough where it nicked him.

  “Come on, man!” The rebel lackey said.

  “Look, our traitor coms went out around a general area. So we will find this base. The only difference is with or without your help. You don't help us. We let that leg of yours worsen. Plus, my helmet sensors show internal bleeding in your body. You’ll die slowly before the day is up.” That was a lie, but he wouldn’t know.

  “Oh no, I’m bleeding on the inside too!” He said and started hyperventilating. It’s hard to believe that this guy once had my life in his hands with the surprise attack.

  “Tell us, and we’ll fix you up and call for servitors to treat you. Don't tell us, and we leave you to become delirious. Trust me, you don't want that. It’s the worst feeling in the world. On the edge of death, fearing if every second will be your last. No hope in sight. It’s a hell on its own.” I said. The rebel’s face went pale, and his heart rate quicken.

  “Okay, okay, relax,” he said with his hands up. “I don't know the exact location. I just know what the building looked like. It was a big house in a district of big houses. There’s some big radar thing that they reverse engineer from the Metas that makes it hard to find them or something. I don't know how t
hat works.” I looked to Darryl.

  “The Metas are AIs that went rogue. From what I read up on, they have this jamming field that makes it impossible to communicate through or even find them. If the rebels reverse engineer that tech, this must be some head honcho here.” Darryl said. I glared at the rebel.

  “Tell me more about the leader there?” I said to the rebel.

  “He’s a big-time general. He was chased to this planet by the king’s special forces. That’s all I know!”

  “I see,” Darryl said. “The general was cornered here with his prize. Now he’s playing hardball with the king.” I stared at the rebel for a few more moments and then retreated back.

  “Call the servitors legion. Have them send a med-aid team here. Put some ichor to help him until they arrive.” I said, pulling up my omniwatch and projecting a screen. I called my general, who answered with a tired expression.

  “General, I’ve found the location of the rebel headquarters on this world,” I said. The general facepalmed and exhaled deeply. I couldn’t help but grin slightly.

  “Tell me, Mr. Blu. Out of all the marines fighting across this planet―marines far more experience, stronger, tougher, smarter, and just all-around better―couldn’t find the rebel base, but you could?”

  “Because most of the resistance fought in this region are gangsters hired by the rebel general here to buy time. We manage to capture a rebel and squeeze him for information.” The general glanced upwards and looked at him.

  “Impossible, rebels suffer a memory wipe once they’ve been compromised. They are worthless for information.”

  “We’ve found out that the rebels have reverse engineer Meta’s jamming array. They probably can’t even sense that this rebel is still alive out here. Luckily, we were able to track Justin’s helmet to a specific area. With this prisoner’s help, we have the info on which area the rebels’ are held up. I just thought I should let you know before I go.” I said.

  “Hold on now. Don't you dare attack that base all by yourself. You will need my division to take the base.”

  “I don't think so.”

  “Do you hear me, commander? I’m ordering you to stay put until I arrive there.”

  “Can’t do that. Bye.” I said and then hung up on the general. I set my omniwatch to radio silent and told the rest of my troops to do the same.

  “We are about to enter the jaws of the beast. Death is likely, but the prize of victory is too sweet to ignore! If intel is right, the rebels have something that the high king of ten thousand worlds wants. If we manage to save it and give it to the king himself, a luxury of rewards awaits us.” Everyone liked the idea of rewards from the great high king. The only compensation I wanted was freedom from my general’s ire. “You do not have to worry about our general if we win. Even he cannot punish us for aiding the high king himself. So here it is, do or die. Who’s with me?”

  “Hoorah!”

  Entry 15

  Phoenician Date: October 20, 1026AR

  Military Time: 10:53

  Phoenician Classified World: Alexandria Prime

  It took us three days to reach the jamming zone. We were running low on supplies and had to improvise by ransacking abandoned buildings. My marine rule-breaking attitude grew dimmer by the day. Their need for vengeance also waned. So easily do time erode emotions. It made me wonder how deep Justin’s hate must run for him to hate the kingdom with such passion and vindication. A new sympathy grew in me, but I was still going to bring Justin down. As we stalked in silence, one of the open channels played through our coms.

  [“This is Freedom Leader. How are you all today? Ready for another sermon?”]

  “How can we hear them on our intercoms? I thought we were in a jamming zone?” I asked Darryl.

  “I don't know...” Darryl said, rubbing his chin. “I think the Freedom Leader drops the jamming signal just for these sermons. Pretty risky for propaganda.”

  “That means during these sermons, we can track them down?” Alicia said.

  “Everyone look up Justin’s helmet ID. His ID number is SM97586,” I said. We all activated our helmet's nav systems. It was linked with the battlecruiser in orbit that gathered data and rebuilt it. I’m sure somehow, the rebels knew when our Battlecruiser wasn’t in orbit around their location, so they’ll never capture them outside the jamming zone.

  “I got a location!” Jen said.

  “So do I,” Darryl added. Many of my marines also gave their answers.

  “We got it. As long as they keep talking, we can catch Justin.” I said. We moved in silence through the abandoned city.

  [“As always, I tend to give food for thought to my fellow people,”] The Freedom Leader said. Then suddenly, there was static and some swearing.

  [“I’m bout sick of this”] An unknown but familiar voice said, entering the broadcast.

  [“Who is that? How did you get into my broadcast?!”]

  [“I just killed the right people.”] The unknown voice said. I knew for sure who it was at that time.

  “Oh wow,” Alicia said, giggling.

  “I’m not a fan of our general, but our warmaster, I’m a mega fan. I’d follow that man to the land of death and back.” Darryl said.

  [“Well, if it isn’t Warmaster Noxxic. Never thought I run into you again. The kingdom is a small place.”] Freedom leader said.

  [“First true thing you said out your mouth since I been here, Billy.”] Warmaster Noxxic said. I was a bit stunned by their history, but last I remember, the warmaster was over four hundred years old and spent most of his life in the military. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had all kinds of old rivals from his innumerable battles.

  [“Ha! Glad to see you still the same deluded old fool. I guess you would still be a loyal lapdog after gaining your own legion. What do you call it? The Warhounds. What a boring name.”]

  [“Boy! I’m two centuries your senior. Don't try to gall me. It’s about time you stop your childish rants about the king and come taste my blade.”]

  [“Even after all this time, you still choose to follow the king? He’s not human. Humans following the king are like house cats following a Lion.”] Billy said.

  [“That’s actually a good comparison.”] The warmaster admitted.

  [“Yes, following a leader with they have no natural ability to overthrow if he goes rogue. That goes for his children too.”]

  [“To be honest, I rather be a house cat following a lion. At least I know I’ll be safe. See, you never faced the ferocious Leones, the endless Enfys, the cold, logical Metas, or the vile witcher cults. You’ve never encountered these threats, so you don't understand how the king’s children are humanity's best hope for survival.”] warmaster said.

  All that interested me greatly. I never fought Enfys, witcher cults, or Metas yet. The way the warmaster spoke of them concerned me greatly. If someone as wild and fearless as he feared these aliens and AI, they must be true threats to humanity. I will one day fight these threats, and I wondered if I’ll ever be ready for them.

  [“This may be true, but the king, instead of using his best warriors to fight these threats, he used them to crush a rebellion.”]

  [“Don't play dumb! You know the only reason we marines are here is for you red, white, and blue bastards. When a planet falls into rebellion, the king leaves the world to its own devices unless external forces enter the fray.”]

  [“You hear that, people? The king lets us kill each other instead of bringing peace. He doesn’t care about your planet or bringing it stability. He’s only here for me and my brigade.”]

  [“Why should he get involved?! It’s not his fight. The logic is, if a planet falls into rebellion, it’s the ruling faction’s fault. Therefore they must fix it or allow the rebellion to sweep them away.”]

  [“Then what? What if the rebellion wins?”] Billy said.

  I was also curious about this conversation. The king sounded like a man with many gray layers, which made me consider Justin’s stances. I
awaited the warmaster’s response.

  [“Then he approaches the world and gives them a choice: realign with the kingdom or prepare for another war.”]

  [“You hear it from the horse’s mouth, people! The high king will sit while you all kill yourself and then come in when the fighting over to force you to submit. Let’s not forget that rebellions usually happen because of the margrave system that the king installed to rule worlds.”] Freedom Leader said.

  “Sheesh, the king doesn’t sound good at all in this light,” Jen said.

  “I’m sure there’s a good reason,” Alicia said.

  “Of course it is. The high king hasn’t ruled for a thousand years by being a manipulative bastard.” Darryl said.

  “Maybe that’s the only reason he has ruled for so long,” Jerry added. I knew Rolland would have words for that response, but I had none.

  [“You need to pick up a history book. The margrave system was a necessary evil. Back then, the margraves held all the resources required for expansion through the stars. The king needed a way for them to invest in the venture. He promises them worlds, and with that promise, the elite funded the expansion to all our worlds, which led to our abundance of resources, endless opportunities, and easy living standards.”] The warmaster said.

  [“Necessary evils. The logic that every tyrant uses to justify their action. Even though he’s going to watch as these poor people kill themselves to take their world back just to force it back into servitude.”]

  [“Wrong. The king knew the margrave system wouldn’t last but couldn’t forcibly remove it. That’s why he let these wars happen. These rebellions are far too organized to be developed by a bunch of house folk. I can’t say anything more than that, but the king won’t reinstall the margrave system if these rebellions win. He’ll allow the people to choose their own elective leaders within his structure and give the people back their power. All according to plan. Warmaster out, I’ll be seeing you soon.”]