The Assassins Guild 4: Last Man Standing
Page 20
Jab spent the next three weeks flying around the planet over all of the major cities and farming communities. He made sure he was always upwind as he flew over them and he finally decided to fly over the one place he had been avoiding. He flew the small ship out of the city toward Ryshana’s former community. He arrived above the community and saw that the inhabitants were all moving out of the fields toward the center of the community. Jab’s eyes narrowed as he realized the Community Leader must have called a gathering. He stared at them from above and then made a decision. He turned the ship and started down toward the community.
The people in the gathering were shouting when they suddenly saw and heard the small ship moving in to land just outside the housing area. The huge crowd was silent and one of the women asked the community leader, “Did you request a law enforcer?”
The community leader shook his head, “No! I did not. That was to be determined by this gathering.”
The crowd was silent and their fears rose as they saw a senior law enforcer step out of the small ship. The Community Leader immediately recognized him as the law enforcer that took Ryshana away more than a year earlier. This one was dangerous!
Borgt walked up and stepped up on the raised platform with the community leader. Jab assumed Borgt’s personality and sneered, “What is the reason for calling the believers out of the fields for a gathering?”
The community leader bowed slightly and replied, “It was just reported to me that one of our young women has defied the Creator’s Laws. Immediate action is required to insure she doesn’t infect the true believers.”
Borgt stared at the leader and asked, “What law did she defy?”
“She has announced that she will not be forced to take a mate when she comes of age.”
Borgt stared at the community leader and said, “Bring her forward.” Three women dragged a young woman out of the crowd to stand in front of the platform. It was clear she was frightened; she was trembling and had her head down to her chest. Borgt stared at her and asked loudly, “Is this true?” The woman was too frightened to speak. She nodded and kept her head down. Borgt glared at her and asked, “How old are you?!”
“Nineteen,” the woman responded in a shaky voice.
Borgt glared at her and turned to the community leader who quickly said, “We can deal with her, Senior Law Enforcer.”
Borgt glared at him and said very deliberately, “IT IS FORBIDDEN FOR BELIEVERS TO DISPENSE PUNISHMENT!!”
“We are going to do no permanent harm, we’re only going to discipline her in the approved fashion. If she still refuses to change her mind, then I will request her to be properly disciplined.”
Borgt glared at the leader and then glared at the crowd. He turned back to the community leader, “It is within her right to refuse a mate until she comes of age.”
“But she says she won’t take one then, Senior Law Enforcer.”
Borgt stared at the woman in question and announced, “It is within her rights to refuse a mate at this time. Everyone here has made decisions that were changed after cool reflection.” Everyone looked at the trembling woman and Borgt said firmly, “I suspect after this meeting she will think about what is facing her if she continues to refuse. You will not harm her and I will return after she has time to reflect on her position. I will dispense the appropriate punishment at that time if she still refuses. Now all of you go back to work! The Creator’s forces depend on your crops to feed them.”
The crowd vanished in moments. Borgt turned to the Community Leader, “You will follow my orders!”
“When will you be returning?”
“When I choose to do so!”
The Community Leader flinched and bowed, “Yes, Senior Law Enforcer.”
Borgt glared at him for a moment, then turned and walked back to his ship. Ryshana’s former community were brutal in how they handled anyone that showed the slightest indiscretion toward their laws. It really didn’t matter, they would all soon be dead. He had punched a hole in the backpack and squeezed it when the crowd was gathered. He lifted the ship and suddenly saw Weldon appear on the monitor, “Borgt, I need your help.”
“How may I be of service, Second Cleric?”
“The senior military officers have been ordered to attend an audience with the High Cleric and I want you there with me to give me your advice. Are you up to it?”
“I am. It’s time I went back to work.”
“Meet me outside the meeting chamber at ten in the morning.”
“I’ll be there.” The monitor went dark and Jab realized this was an incredible opportunity. He flew back to the city and went directly to his quarters.
• • •
Five days earlier, the shuttles that had been forced to leave without being given an opportunity to speak with the High Cleric had returned reporting that all their planets had been destroyed. They begged for asylum on the Holy Planet. When asked why they didn’t go to another defended conquered planet, they replied that they were not allowed to do so.”
The High Cleric was angry and he told them he had ordered the senior officers from the conquered planets to his chamber and he would deal with their request after the meeting. The shuttles remained in space far out from the Holy Planet hoping for the best.
• • •
Borgt stood at ease behind Weldon at the meeting and he punched another hole in the back pack. He used his arm to compress the backpack multiple times until the High Cleric entered the chamber. Everyone stood up until the High Cleric took his seat. The High Cleric turned his attention to the Supreme Fleet Commander and he rose to his feet. “It has been brought to my attention that you have allowed more than half of our surviving conquered planets to be left undefended. I’ve just learned that all of them, along with all the believers on them, have been destroyed by the enemies attacking us.”
“That is true, High Cleric.”
“And the reason you abandoned that many planets is?”
“My scientists and engineers determined that the only way to prevent all of our planets from being destroyed was to consolidate our forces such that at least three hundred warships were stationed at each planet. With the numbers of warships in my fleets, we could only provide a defense for eighty planets. To avoid losing all of them, I was forced to remove the forces from seventy-nine of the planets.”
The room was silent and the high-ranking clerics at the table surrounding the High Cleric were shocked by the Supreme Fleet Leader’s admission. The High Cleric glared at the commander and said, “Have any of the planets you’re currently defending been attacked since you pulled the forces from those planets?”
“No, High Cleric, they have not.”
The High Cleric continued to glare at the Fleet Commander and smiled, “It has been brought to my attention that your son’s family joined him at the planet you are personally defending.”
The Commander somehow managed to keep his expression neutral. There was a spy on his ship that had to give the High Cleric this information.”
“That is true, High Cleric.”
“So, you put your family ahead of all the believers that died on those planet’s.”
“No, High Cleric; I did not.”
“Are you suggesting they did not come to meet you on your ship?!” the High Cleric asked angrily.”
“No, I am not.” The Fleet Commander paused and saw the High Cleric glaring at him with an angry expression. “I ordered my son to take the shuttle with his family on it back to the planet they came from and he was ordered to remain on the planet with them. They died when the planet was attacked by our enemies.”
The High Cleric’s expression instantly changed to shock. “Why did you do that?!”
“Because they were not following your instructions, High Cleric and I couldn’t allow them to be given special treatment.”
“Is that why you’ve refused to allow the ruling clerics from the destroyed planets asylum on the planets you’re defending?”
&
nbsp; “No, High Cleric.”
“Then why have you not allowed them to go to the defended planets?”
The Fleet Commander was silent for a moment and then began responding, “High Cleric, I’ve been forced to make some brutal, heinous, decisions to defend the planets we’ve conquered. Those decisions weigh heavily on my soul and it’s knowing that I was following your orders that allows me to live with myself. I know I was doing the Creator’s will. However, the ruling clerics from the destroyed planets blame me for their loss and if I allow them to go to the defended planets, they will sow seeds of sedition and work behind the scenes to stop me from following your orders.”
“Did you tell them that you were following my orders?”
“I did, High Cleric. You told me to defend the conquered planets to the best of my ability and I had no other choice but to abandon some of them to prevent the loss of all of them.”
Borgt leaned forward and whispered in Weldon’s ear. Weldon nodded and, in the silence, following the fleet commanders statement he said, “High Cleric.” The High Cleric turned to Welden and he said, “I suspect those ruling clerics also blame you as much, or even more than the fleet commander. They will not be your friends if you allow them asylum on the Holy Planet.”
The High Cleric stared at Welden and then nodded. He turned to the cleric commanding the fleets and said, “Destroy the shuttles.” The High Cleric turned back to the Supreme Fleet Commander and knew that this one would do as he was told. If he chose to execute him, his replacement might not be as loyal. He leaned forward in his chair and said in a deadly tone, “You will not abandon any more planets! Any of your subordinates that allows a planet to be successfully attacked will be immediately executed, is that clear?!”
“Yes, High Cleric,” the commander replied.
Borgt was whispering in Welden’s ear again and he turned to the High Cleric, “May I make a suggestion, High Cleric?”
The High Cleric turned to him, “Go ahead.”
“I believe that having your senior officers here to hear you in person has made a large impact on them knowing how serious your instructions are. I recommend that all of the senior officers hold a face to face meeting with their subordinates and play the recording of what you just ordered to them and impress on them directly what the consequences will be if they fail.”
The High Cleric smiled, “That is an outstanding suggestion, Second Cleric.” He turned to the fleet commander, “You will do exactly that upon your return to your commands.”
The fleet leader glanced at Weldon and replied, “We will do as you order.”
The High Cleric thought for a moment and ordered, “The recording of this meeting will be shown to every ship in our fleets and the seriousness of my orders will be made clear to all of them.” The High Cleric turned to the cleric commanding the fleets above the planet. You will call a meeting of all the fleet leaders and then have them meet with their subordinates. This will continue until everyone has been covered.”
“What about the Berserkers, High Cleric.”
“Especially with the Berserkers, Cleric! Assign one of your fleet commanders to hold a meeting with all of them!” The Cleric bowed and the High Cleric turned back to the Fleet Commander, “I will be sending you some assistance. You are defending eighty planets and I’ll be sending a hundred and sixty of our newest warships back with you to assist in defending the conquered planets. Their scanners are capable of detecting the enemy warships much further out from the planets than the warships you’re currently using. Put two at every planet and use them wisely, Fleet Commander.”
The fleet commander was shocked. He bowed and said, “Thank you, High Cleric. They will make a huge difference in our defense.”
“Your advice on how to set up the defense of the Holy Planet has worked perfectly and I want to repay you for your advice.”
Everyone in the room knew that the defense of the Holy Planet didn’t need anywhere near as many ships as were present but the High Cleric used the moment to blame their presence on the Fleet Commander. It was a wise political thing to do. The High Cleric left the chamber and the attendees left immediately.
Welden turned to Borgt, “That was outstanding advice you gave me, Borgt.”
“It was just the logical thing to do, Second Cleric.”
“No one else saw it. You’re free to go about your business. I’ll contact you before the next meeting.” Borgt bowed and left for the top of the building to board his small ship. It never hurt to make sure. He flew out over the city and released some spores. He spent the rest of the week traveling from city to city and community to community. After five months, he knew his mission was over.
Chapter Twenty
Jab was sitting in his quarters and heard the door chime. He walked over and saw Welden standing outside. He opened the door and Welden stepped in, “I need to ask you a question, Borgt.”
“Yes, Second Cleric.”
Welden walked in and sat down on the sofa, “Why have you built a cabin out in the forest?”
Borgt sat down on the sofa beside him and shrugged, “I actually didn’t have it built. It was already there and I just paid to have it remodeled and furnished.”
“Why?”
Borgt sighed and lowered his head, “Second Cleric, there are times where the sorrow of losing Ryshana is over powering. I need desperately to release it but I can’t do it in my quarters.”
Welden nodded slightly, “You don’t want to show weakness.”
Borgt nodded, “I never know when I’m being watched. I desperately need some alone time to work my way through this. The cabin is where I can go and let my emotions have free rein.”
“I’ve seen your tension, Borgt. I’m giving you some time off.”
“How long?”
“However long it takes for you to get over her. Go to your cabin and find yourself.”
“But what if you need me?”
“Things are running smoothly and the High Cleric hasn’t called a meeting in quite a while. You’re not needed at the card game without Ryshana to serve us and I can handle everything thrown at me.”
“Thank you, Second Cleric. Are you feeling ok?”
Welden shook his head, “I just feel really tired. I think I’m coming down with a cold or something. I’ll be fine. Enjoy your alone time.”
Welden left Borgt’s quarters and he knew that it was time to leave. He gathered up some clothes and headed to the top of the building. He informed the guards he would be gone for a long time and they noted it in their records. The cabin was supplied with months of food and water and he should be fine. He lifted the ship and turned away from the city. He looked far out to the right and could see Ryshana’s former community in the distance. He turned away from it but felt immense guilt. “DAMN!!” He huffed out a breath and turned toward the community.
• • •
He landed just outside the houses and the community leader met him at the open port, “SENIOR LAW ENFORCER! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE!!”
Borgt’s eyebrows came together, “Slow down and tell me what’s going on.”
“The day before yesterday, four women attacked and severely beat the woman you ordered to be left alone. She’s barely alive.”
“Take me to her!” Borgt ordered. They arrived at the woman’s cottage and Borgt went inside with the community leader. There was blood everywhere, on the walls, floor, and bed she was lying in unconscious. The bones in her face were clearly broken and at least one of her arms and legs were broken as well, she was unrecognizable. The community leader was shaking in fear and Borgt leaned down and picked the woman up. He walked out of the cottage and found a huge crowd had gathered outside. Borgt looked at them and asked, “Who did this?”
Four older women stepped forward out of the crowd and one of them answered with no fear, “We did, Senior Law Enforcer!”
“Why did you disobey my orders?”
“Because that unbeliever was starting to convince other young wom
en not to accept a mate. She was poisoning our community.”
“You realize I could kill you for this?” Borgt responded.
“It had to be done, Senior Law Enforcer. We know the consequences of what we’ve done.”
Borgt stared at them in silence for a moment and said, “You did the right thing and I’ll not punish you for it. You do not have the right to kill her and I’m taking her with me to carry out her punishment. You are to be commended for your adherence to the Creator’s Laws.” Borgt walked through the crowd and one of the women asked the community leader, “Why doesn’t he just kill her here?”
“You are a danger to our community, Alice! If she dies here after you beat her, then you would be in violation of the edicts. We are not allowed to kill a believer. He’s taking her away to avoid having to kill the four of you! Now get out of my face!” The four women walked away to the angry glares of the assembled crowd. Who made them the community’s enforcers?”
• • •
Jab laid the woman on the floor of his ship and saw the swelling on the side of her head. He raised his communicator and took four images before he put it away. He thought for a long moment before he pulled the two middle fingers on his left hand into his palm. A tiny syringe rose out of the back of his hand and he injected the woman with it. Tal had insisted that he bring it with him in the event his cover was broken and he was beaten by the Inquistors. He shook his head and then pulled another syringe out of his hand. He injected the woman again, lifted her head gently, and put the backpack under it. He went to the controls and then lifted the ship. He flew out over the forest and disappeared. The community leader watched the small ship disappear and knew that the law enforcer was going to dump the body in the forest. He fell into a chair and took deep breaths; he was lucky to be alive.
• • •
Jab flew the small ship to the cabin and slowly moved it under a dilapidated metal shed. He shutdown all the power and went back to the woman and saw remarkable changes had taken place. The bones in her face were mended and her arm and leg were also straightening out as he looked at them. The swelling on her head was gone and her front teeth were halfway out of her gums. The genetic repair shot would get her body back to normal but he wondered if she would be ok mentally. He lifted her, carried her into the cabin, and laid her on the bed. He went to a chair and waited.