by CR Daems
"That's excellent, Captain Sapir…" He paused, his mind racing with options although his face portrayed nothing. Eventually, the small polite smile, which had never changed while he thought, grew into a genuine happy smile. "No, this is important and the SUC should be informed immediately. We can clean up the loose ends. The Black Guard has cleaned up the mess and we owe you, but it's our problem now. I'll let you know when the meeting will take place, but I should think it will be in a day or two, so stay available." With that he nodded and cut the connection.
I laughed, idly wondering what surprise he was preparing for me. It should be a very interesting meeting.
* * *
"Good morning, Captain Sapir, who is he?" Geraldo nodded to Lieutenant Mintz who I had decided to bring along as insurance since I had no idea what surprise the good chairman had arranged. "This is a closed meeting as the information is classified."
"Lieutenant Mintz is my second in command." I held up my hand to stop Geraldo from interrupting. "He was involved in certain aspects of the investigation that I wasn't, and is here to answer any questions the committee might have that I might not have first-hand knowledge of." Seeing the four-armed SUC security guards present, I knew it had been a good decision. My attention would be on the presentation and answers, and not totally on my surroundings.
Sensing he had lost, Geraldo growled before continuing. "Representatives of the Safort Upper Chamber, I have called this closed meeting at Captain Sapir's request to discuss the raiders which she claims the Black Guard has destroyed. Captain, you may proceed."
I ignored his at Captain Sapir's request lie, partially because I had finessed him into the meeting and partially because it would not matter. "Thank you, Chairman Geraldo and members of the committee, for giving me time to speak. I think it's important for you to be aware of the facts we have gathered since it concerns Safort and not the Jax. Our concern was stopping the raiders–"
"It has taken you long enough," a man sitting in front of a name plate that said Mr. Cantoon Topeki.
"Yes, sir, it did. Captain Olmert assumed that Outpost was responsible for delivering the raider shuttles, supplies, and replacements to Safort, since they are in favor of a Helix Alliance, and successful raids would make the alliance attractive."
"You have proved they didn't," Geraldo said smiling.
"What makes you say that, Mr. Geraldo?" I asked.
"You have been monitoring the merchants from Outpost, Lariw, and Valhall, and have not found any evidence of their involvement," Geraldo shouted.
"Actually, the part of the assumption that was wrong was the part about who was delivering the raiders and replacements. Captain Olmert never considered that Safort merchants were ferrying the raiders in an out."
"Nonsense!" Geraldo shouted, as side conversations started up all around the table. "Shoot her! She's drawing her weapon." As he did the four guards began drawing their weapons. I had to stop reaching for my weapon and let Mintz take the first one or two, to ensure the tape would show I didn't have my weapon out until long after Geraldo shouted. Mintz took the first two easily and would beat the third, but I doubted he would beat the fourth. So, I drew and killed the fourth.
"She is an out of control killer!" Geraldo shouted again.
"Enough! Everyone sit!" I shouted. "Now that Mr. Geraldo has had his poorly executed slight-of-hand demonstration. I suggest we review the cameras in the room to show you the trick, and for me to explain a possible motive.
"I want her arrested!" Geraldo japed a finger in my direction.
"You will notice that the four SUC security men were stationed close behind Mr. Cantoon, from Dinkum, Mr. Sheelin, from Picrun, Mrs. Sharli, from Talua, and Mrs. Antenea, from Sandosk, all representatives that oppose the Helix Alliance. So, a forced shootout either got me killed and or one or more of those representatives. A win-win for those favoring the alliance."
"Yes, I want to see the tapes for this meeting," Representative Sharli said, her voice cracked like a whip. "This is beginning to feel like the attempt to kill me during our initial vote on the alliance."
"Damn you, Sharli. Just yesterday you agreed that She," Geraldo, his face purple with rage, jabbed a finger in my direction, "and Jax orchestrated those events to make it look like Outpost was trying to manipulate the vote."
"Actually, Mr. Geraldo, I was following Captain Sapir's excellent advice: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. I believe before the vote last time you attempted to have me detained so I couldn't vote," Sharli said.
"I too want to see the tapes," Mr. Cantoon said to nodding heads all around the table. It took thirty-five minutes to retrieve the tape and to arrange to have them played on the room monitors. It was clear my hand was nowhere near my Mfw or Laser when Geraldo shouted, and that I had not drawn for a second or two after Mintz. It was also evident that those guards were stationed so close to the representatives as to make them quasi-shields.
"Now," I said. "To the possible reason to shut me up. The merchant ships that delivered the raiders were the Iris and the Hermes; Safort merchant ships, owned by Representatives Geraldo, Morandi, and Termman, who purchased them just before the first vote to join the Helix Alliance." Geraldo sank back in his chair as all heads turned in his direction. "To continue, we took pictures of the men leaving the Hermes and followed several groups. That led us to their camp, which is located in a wilderness area on the borders of Talua and Poloma, and owned by Representatives…you guessed it. Mr Geraldo, Morandi, and Termman. One of those houses was used as an exclusive brothel for the raiders and stocked not with willing prostitutes, but young girls kidnapped during the Raiders' early raids–" I had to stop as the room erupted in shouting and multiple side discussions. An hour later, the three representatives had been arrested and taken to jail for subsequent arraignment, and Sharli was appointed Chairperson. Then, after an hour break, I was allowed to continue.
"Thank you, Chairlady Sharli. The Talua police have taken possession of the raiders' camp because it was inside Talua borders. I have a chip with the faces of the men leaving the Hermes and the dead raiders. You will see the match. We also have three raiders that survived our encounter, but doubt they will tell you anything on advice of their lawyers, paid for by whoever backed them. We and the police have statements from the women they kidnapped and used, and the woman who acted as the house matron." I paused for a drink of water. "Unless you have questions, I think that concludes my presentation."
It didn't. They had questions that went on well into the night.
* * *
"Well, the Jax Committee trouble shooter has done it again. Very impressive," Captain Olmert said as I joined her, her XO, and Colonel Vogel.
"We," I said, noting the sarcasm in her voice.
"I failed miserably, "Olmert said, her voice now had a hint of anger. I wasn't sure if it were directed at me or herself.
"Not true, Captain. You rightly assumed it was Outpost who sent the raiders, and logically their merchants were smuggling the men and equipment into Safort. Your investigation was thorough and proved conclusively they weren't directly involved," I said, and held up a finger to stop her from replying. "Had I been here initially, I would have concluded the same thing, and would have had to conduct the same investigation. That saved me a lot of time and forced me to probe for alternative ways of delivering the raiders to Safort. Besides, I had previous experience on Safort, and knew Geraldo favored the Helix Alliance and wasn't to be trusted. They were clever but not as clever as the Jax. To team work!" I said raising my glass in a toast.
Vogel laughed. "We all believe the Jax military is a family, but you may be the only Jax officer who acts like we are family and not in competition. You developed the commandos' FIST course, and have them feeling special again; General Issac calls on you as if you were one of his units to do the dirty work that saves army lives and they know it. No, Captain Olmert, Sapir means what she said and proves it with action. So, here's to the Jax family," Vogel said, ra
ising his glass. He took a sip and smiled. "I've heard that the three SUC representatives you identified as having colluded with the raiders have been cooperating with the Safort justice department, and have provided proof that Outpost was behind the raids. They were quick to capitulate when they found they were going to be prosecuted as raiders."
Vogel was right. The commandos were friendly, mingled freely with the Black Guard team, and spent considerable time discussing FIST and Black Guard training.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Planet: Jax, Sasser Mountain
When I landed at Sasser Mountain, Hada was there to meet me and dragged me off to our favorite spot to meditate. "You are going to tell your adopted sister all the gory details that will be left out of the debriefing and your after-action report," she said with an evil giggle.
"I think this was a huge evolutionary step for the Black Guard, a historic event unless I'm wrong. This was not a military assignment, at least in the normal sense. It was the type assigned to professional government level investigators or trouble shooters. Even the find-and-kill part involved closing all the loose ends and providing legal proof for a court of law," I said, voicing my conclusions while on the flight to Sasser Mountain.
* * *
Hada managed to talk me into visiting her parents, whom I was beginning to think of as my adopted parents. While there, they continued to immerse Hada and me into civilian life. Hada's choices unconsciously tended toward activities involving family and eventually a home, husband, and children. I was beginning to think I would like teaching, and was considering taking Choje Abbaya up on his offer to be his apprentice. After all, wasn't that what I was currently doing, teaching the next generation of Black Guard? So, I was tending towards activities that helped me understand civilians and the demands of married life, children, and making a living. A bonus was the comfort of a loving family of which I was quickly becoming a part.
* * *
Back on Sasser Mountain, I quickly fell back into my routine: working with the new officer candidates, reviewing and revising the curriculum, monitoring Wuji exercises, and spending as much time with Hada as I could, knowing we would soon be on assignments.
"Captain Sapir," Corporal Yardon said when he was within hearing distance. Hada and I had been sitting under one of the shade trees, discussing our trip to visit her parents, and my intention to ask Choje Abbaya to be his apprentice. When I looked up, Yardon stood panting, obviously having run from Wexler's office. "Commander Wexler would like to see you immediately."
"Duty calls," I said to Hada, and began a slow jog to the office complex. Inside, Wexler's door was open.
"Come in Sapir," he said waving to a chair. "General Issak, would like your help in solving a problem he is having." Wexler snorted.
"A similar problem to New Keif or Heibei?" I asked, hoping it wasn't. We had been lucky in both instances, if the two deaths at New Keif could be counted as lucky.
"Yes, if you mean an ugly problem he doesn't have a solution for, and it involves a building," Wexler snorted. "Like you, Issak doesn't like his troops being killed if there is an alternative available: a Black Guard named Sapir. They didn't give me much information. They have fifty raiders in a twenty-five-story building with a couple hundred hostages. From that information, we are supposed to put together a team, in case you might need help." Wexler shook his head in frustration. "Well?"
"Two teams of eight with a lieutenant," I said, and shrugged.
"Why?" Wexler's head jerked up.
"No idea but it will give me options," I said, with another shrug.
"You’re right, Sapir. No sense trying to plan, not knowing what you will encounter or the details of the current situation," Wexler said in a resigned voice. "Let's see who is on station and eligible for an assignment."
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Planet: Zanoga, A Roll of the Dice
The troops were still sorting out their equipment as the shuttle rose toward the Black Leopard.
"I'm sorry the team isn't fully prepared, Captain," Elijah said, without an attempt to make any excuses.
"You did well to get everyone to the shuttle on time. General Issak has a problem which he considers urgent; therefore, we are late since he is in Zanoga and we are not even on the Black Leopard," I smiled. "But then, Generals are usually disappointed when the person they want is not standing next to them. You and the teams did well, considering you had no notice."
"Do you know what he wants?" Elijah asked, looking calm, but I sensed she was nervous.
"No. I don't believe he knows either. Probably a miracle to avoid the disaster he is anticipating. This is the cost of being successful the last two times he called on the Black Guard,"
"You keep raising the bar, Captain," she said, managing to stifle a smile.
"Unfortunately, in our business, the bar is either rising or falling. Elijah, my advice is not to worry about it. You will perform better if you don't stress over things you can't control," I said. "We will see what he wants and then do the best we can to help. In my experience, General Issak is a good man. He is not one to sacrifice his troops if he can help it, and knows fighting in a building isn't the army's forte. It's the Black Guard’s."
When I exited the shuttle, Colonel Helon stood waiting.
"Welcome aboard the Black Leopard. For better or worse, you have become General Issak's go to man." He laughed. "Building is synonymous with Black Guard, which is synonymous with Sapir. Come, it’s dinner time and Captain Ippolit has invited us to dine with her. She delayed dinner so you could attend, hoping you wouldn't have more pressing matters."
"Lead on, Colonel. I'm already an hour late." I smiled.
"It always astonishes me that the highest rank in the Black Guard is captain. We have over twenty ranks, seven over captain. You have only six ranks and the highest is captain, not counting the Black Guard commander."
"Our organization is much smaller. Besides, it's faster to go from private to captain, only five promotions, and there is no arbitrary promotion barrier between enlisted and officer ranks."
Helon laughed. As we approached the Captain's private dining room, two marines stood guard. One opened the door, peeked in, then stepped back for us to enter.
"Welcome aboard the Black Leopard," Ippolit said. She was a tall thin woman in her forties with short curly auburn hair and a narrow face which looked welcoming.
"Thank you for delaying your dinner," I said, noting a full commander standing off to the side.
"How could I do less for a chance to talk with the most talked about man in the military? A good and a bad thing, in my opinion. Excuse my rudeness. Captain Sapir, let me introduce you to Commander Filberto, my XO."
"Pleased to meet you, Captain Sapir," he said, in a surprisingly soft voice considering his impressively large physique.
"Colonel Helon, what is the latest from Zanoga?" Ippolit asked.
"Fifty raiders landed on Zanoga and took control of the Zanoga Resort and Casino, planning to grab the money and leave. But the space gods ruined their plan, and the Zanoga army showed up before they were ready to leave. Then a Jax cruiser entered Zanoga space, precluding the raiders' heavily armed merchant ship from being any help to those on the ground. Since the raiders have a couple hundred hostages, it has the potential to be a planet-size cluster fuck. The Zanoga government wants the Raiders killed, and the hostages released unharmed. The casino wants the money recovered and the casino undamaged. The Jax wants its reputation untarnished with the minimum loss of Jax lives. Everyone's solution is Captain Sapir." He grinned.
"See, that is the reason it's bad to be too popular. Come, let us eat." She smiled. "This may be your last good meal for a while."
We departed the Black Leopard, a day and a half later. I wasn't surprised to find General Issak at the landing pad when I departed. I gave a low bow in respect of his rank.
"General Issak, this is Lieutenant Elijah, my second in command," I said.
Issak nodded to her. "
I'm Sorry, Sapir, I'm hoping you will have a miracle solution up your sleeve, or, if nothing else, see a solution we've missed."
"What is the problem?" I asked, wondering if it would be the same as what I had heard.
"Fifty Raiders invaded the Zanoga Resort and Casino almost two days ago, planning a hit and run robbery. It should have been successful. They have a well-armed merchant ship in space, but their timing was off. As they began to force their way into the casino, several army personnel arrived for a night of fun and games. They saw the raiders entering and immediately alerted their local garrison, who were there in less than an hour, trapping the raiders. The government called the Jax for support, and again the raiders’ luck failed. A Jax cruiser was within a day's travel. Like the last time we have a contract, but it has a clause restricting us from significantly damaging the hotel and casino. The clause is unnecessary as there are over two hundred hostages. Consequently, bombs and heavy munitions are out, with or without the clause." He paused for questions, then continued when I didn't say anything. "The casino is also a fifteen-story hotel with over three hundred rooms and had an occupancy rate of sixty-five percent when the Raiders arrived."
"Do you control any part of the building?" I asked, quelling the urge to cross my fingers.
Issak smiled for the first time. "Yes. The Zanoga army rushed the casino when they arrived but suffered significant losses as there were too many civilians running loose. They had to be careful shooting; whereas, the raiders didn't have to worry since they didn't care about hitting civilians. When the Jax arrived, the raiders abandoned the casino and moved their hostages into the hotel above. That gave us control of the casino. They control the hotel, elevators, and stairs, using the hostages as shields. Even if we were not concerned about shooting the human shields, they have created barricades using room furniture. Our losses would be prohibitively disproportional."
