Rikas Marauders
Page 61
Rika held back what she wanted to say about Zim’s HQ and their requests. Barne and Niki weren’t her enemies, and she recognized that she was still on an adrenaline high from combat.
Getting shot out of the sky had a way of bringing out her aggressive side.
Barne stopped in front of one of the doors and gestured inside. “Your office, Captain Rika.”
Rika stepped into the room—which was almost ten times the size of Major Tim’s back on the Golden Lark—and looked it over. There was a desk with a mech-safe chair behind it, a few others in front of the desk, plus a couch along one wall—carbon fiber to ensure it would survive hard, steel asses. In one corner stood an equipment and armor rack, complete with full recharge and resupply.
“Wow, Top, this is nice. I didn’t know we were going to get this fancy.”
Barne snorted. “Fancy, my ass. I’ve seen generals with offices that would have put kings to shame. Everything here is about operational efficiency.”
Rika leaned against the desk and let out a long breath. “OK. Our top priority is to find out who shot at us, and if they’re going to hit us again. Here, or on the ships.”
“If it’s anywhere, it’ll be here.” Barne sat on the couch and leaned back. “If they could have hit the ships, they would’ve before. Now that they’ve tipped their hand, Major Tim will be on high alert. Guy’s tighter than a jackrabbit’s asshole, so nothing will get through up there.”
Rika laughed. “Lovely visual.”
“Seemed to fit, pun intended.”
Rika rolled her eyes and pushed off her desk to pace across the room. “So what do you think? Niets? Local baddies? Theban military haters?”
Barne shrugged. “Could be all of the above. A lot of ‘Theban patriots’ left their military after Thebes joined the Septhian Alliance. Some of them are operating as merc outfits to pay the bills, others are not—which makes me think that someone is funneling them money from somewhere. Maybe old military commanders.”
“And you think that the Niets could be behind it?” Rika asked. “Subterfuge and subversion really isn’t their game.”
Barne raised an eyebrow. “Except for that little thing last year, where they bamboozled us into almost killing off half the Theban leadership. I think they’ve got a new strategist close to the emperor’s ear. We shouldn’t expect the same old tactics as the war. Times are changing, and so is Nietzschea.”
“An evolving Nietzschea, just what we need.”
“With your permission, Captain, I’d like to bring First Platoon and all the DIs down.”
“You miss Leslie and Chase?” Rika smirked.
“Always. I want Leslie’s platoon because I know how she operates, but just the one ‘toon because I want to make this compound look like a soft target when it’s anything but.”
Rika eyed Barne. “How long do you think we have?”
“Well, they fucked up the local ATC and killed Link towers across half the continent. On top of that, they got SAM launchers on a dozen ships in the harbor. They were smart, too; they knew that would be easier than getting the weapons into the city, but they fired one from that high-rise to push you out over the water.”
“Making us an easy target,” Rika finished for him. “That was savvy. If Ferris wasn’t a nutjob, we’d all have died out there—or at least gone for a good swim.”
“Nutjob? What did the Ferryman get up to?”
“Something very fitting to his name. He took the ship underwater.”
Barne whistled in appreciation. “He’s gonna win some bets. There’s always been healthy debate about taking one of those dropships underwater.”
“Well, we lost an engine and crashed.”
“Hmm…maybe just half points, then.”
“Aw, crap. It never rains, it shitstorms.” Rika tapped her head. “Tim’s on the Link. Get Leslie and her platoon down here; don’t bring all the DIs, though. I want people to think the bulk of our forces are still on the ships.”
A smile crept across Barne’s face, and he gave a sly nod. “I like the way you roll, Captain. I’m on it.”
Barne left her office, and Rika responded to Major Tim.
The major made a derisive noise.
Major Tim didn’t respond for a moment.
Rika was about to deliver a snappy rejoinder when it occurred to her that, despite his general assholeishness, Tim was right.
Rika had not been aware that David, her P-COG general counsel, had been the one to uncover the Nietzschean subterfuge in the Albany System.
For that alone, she owed him her thanks.
Rika was grateful for the Major’s concern, and told him as much before they closed the connection.
Rika drew a deep breath and flopped onto the couch. “Good.”
* * * * *
The knock on Rika’s door was sharp and sure. Rika called out ‘Come’, and a moment later David entered, taking in the room with one long sweep of his eyes.
“Barne works fast, doesn’t he, Captain?” David said as he turned to Rika.
“That he does, though I understand that a lot of the progress down here came from your keen eye, as well.”
David shrugged. “I just make sure the contracts are favorable. I may have also spotted some deals here and there.”
Rika laughed and gestured to one of the chairs. “I wasn’t expecting so much false humility from you, David. Major Tim told me that I have you to thank for not delivering the Theban Alliance to Nietzschea last year.”
David sat and gave her a warm smile. “It was a group effort. No one’s an island.”
Rika laughed. “And the h
umility just keeps on coming. Was I wrong to question it?”
David reached up and rapped a knuckle on the metal ridges atop of his elongated skull. “A lot of people think I have unfair advantages—or they just think I’m a freak. The right attitude can diffuse a lot of jealousy and ill intent.”
Rika laughed. “You know…that’s an entirely different class of problem from what mechs have. No one ever accuses us of being unfairly intelligent, and when push comes to shove, they’re happy to put us out front to absorb the bullets.”
David smiled. It was a kind expression that started with his eyes before his lips began to turn up. “Things aren’t so different for P-COGs, when it comes to evaluating usefulness. Granted, the personal stakes are often not as high as for you. But if I fuck up an assessment or miss a connection, a lot more than just one soldier dies.”
“I’m starting to understand that pressure in a new way,” Rika said. “I can’t imagine what the Old Man feels.”
“Weary, I suspect. That man doesn’t just have the Marauders on his shoulders. He’s the last, best hope for Genevia.”
Rika raised an eyebrow. “This conversation sure took an unexpected turn. What do you mean by that?”
“When it comes down to it, General Mill is fighting for Genevia. Not the Genevia you grew up in—the one before that. I can barely remember it; I was just a boy when we elected the string of corrupt governments that led us to war with Nietzschea. Not that an honest government could have avoided the war, but I think they could have won it.”
“But the general remembers that Genevia?” Rika asked.
“He does.” David nodded somberly. “I believe the spark needed to rebuild Genevia is within him, and him alone. Well, perhaps that’s a bit melodramatic. He fosters the spark in others, but only he has the means and the drive to realize his vision.”
Rika considered David’s words for a moment, turning them over in her mind and wondering what they really meant.
Most of her life had been spent either fighting Nietzschea, or living with the grim fact that the enemy had bested her people—who she didn’t like much better than the enemy. Since joining the Marauders, her focus had been on staying the Nietzschean advance toward the Praesepe Cluster.
After the Nietzscheans were defeated in the Albany System, some talked about what it would be like to drive them back from Genevian space, but most considered that to be nothing more than wishful thinking.
Even if all Praesepe rose up as one, they couldn’t field a fleet a tenth the size of Nietzschea’s. The only reason why Emperor Constantine hadn’t crushed Septhia already was because his forces were spread thin across his vast empire.
Everyone really knew that the best chance the nations of the Praesepe Cluster had was to make an assault too costly to be worth it.
Finally, she asked, “Does the general really believe that we could defeat Nietzschea at some point?”
“Genevia was the greatest adversary Nietzschea faced in five hundred years. The conflict weakened them enough that many of the nations on their fringe have formed substantial alliances and are successfully holding them back. If we prove that Constantine can be stopped, then we could form a broader alliance with those nations. One that could crush Nietzschea once and for all.”
“Those are some great aspirations,” Rika straightened up and sat forward on the sofa. “But for now, we just need to survive whatever is happening here on Iapetus.”
“Agreed.” David straightened his back and folded his hands on his lap. “I’ve been reviewing the data as we spoke, and I agree with your assessment that a second attack is likely. I also believe that you were the intended target of the attack. The ordnance expended to take down your dropship exceeded the material value of the ship and its contents by over threefold.”
“What about the value of four mechs?” Rika asked. “We’re worth a lot.”
David nodded. “Yes, but if the attackers knew that there were four mechs aboard, they would not have sent such a small force after you. I also factored the likelihood of capturing mechs in usable condition into my valuation. Mech capture is very rare.”
Rika laughed. “Yeah, we tend to go down fighting. Capture is not a favorable outcome for us.” David nodded soberly, and Rika realized the same was likely true for P-COGs. “So, what if our attacker isn’t as smart as you and figured they’d get a functional mech in the deal?”
David’s brow furrowed, and he wiggled his fingers where they lay folded on his lap. “Maybe it would be a wash. I can’t assume they’re too stupid; they did manage to do a number on the local Iapetan defenses and infrastructure.”
“Or they know the right people and have money.”
“You’re no slouch at this twisted logic, either, Captain Rika.”
“Survival trait. Thing is, for me, it all breaks down at some point. Ultimately, I always have to go with my gut.”
“No one can isolate all variables.” David shrugged and leant back in his chair, unfolding his hands and placing them palms down on his legs. He didn’t seem to know what to do with them half the time. “Nothing is perfectly certain. Ultimately, with everything, we all have to make a call. Go with our gut, as you say.”
“So what does your gut say?” Rika asked
“That—at this point—Nietzschean influence is immaterial. There are local elements at work, and they are connected. Thebans here on Iapetus want you dead, and those Thebans are both well-funded and have ties to influential people.”
“So we wait for the next attack?” Rika asked.
“No defense has a single element, and rarely does a victory come from a single offense. I believe that Niki should provide the data to Major Dala—scrubbed in small, but noticeable ways—to give them something. Their response—both Dala’s, and Zim’s HQ in general—will tell you much. At the same time, I shall reach out to Dala and foster a relationship. I’ve studied her activities on the local nets and feed; she likes modified men, has a thing for big brains like mine. It’s not her main turn-on, but it will get me in the door.”
Rika couldn’t help but let out a short laugh. “You’re going to seduce Major Dala for intel?”
David shrugged. “If it comes to it. Spotting the patterns within human reaction is easy—P-COGs outstrip even AIs at this, because we have more first-hand experience. With some simple evaluation and observation, I can create a perfect persona to appeal to another human.”
“Are you doing that with me right now?” Rika asked.
David grinned. “Rika, I would never need to do that with you. Our goals and personalities are already very well aligned.”
Rika snorted. “That’s a bullshit answer, if I ever heard one.”
David shrugged and pulled a pouch of coffee from his jacket. He tore the corner off with his teeth and then poured it down his throat. “I never said I was a great actor. However, what I do know is that you wanted to meet with me before you were so inconsiderately shot out of the sky.”
“I did. Though—and I think you’ll agree, Niki—the matter is less urgent than the recent attack.”
“Tell me anyway, if you would, Captain. It’s always nice to have more pieces to the puzzle.”
Rika let out a short laugh. “I think this other matter is a whole different puzzle.”
David squeezed the last few drops of his coffee pouch into his mouth. “Captain. There’s only one puzzle.”
Rika found herself wondering how much of David’s bizarre mannerisms were natural, and how many were a result of the modifications the Genevian military had made to his mind. He spoke calmly, but he fidgeted incessantly. His tone and speed of speech varied so much that it was impossible to establish a baseline of any sort. Every word he spoke could be a lie, or they could all be truth.
Still, he seemed honest, and the Old Man trusted him, notwithstanding his part in stopping the Nietzscheans from taking Thebes.
“I want to free the AIs,” Rika
admitted plainly.
David’s eyes went wide, and for the first time, he seemed genuinely surprised. “The AIs.”
“The seven aboard our two ships.”
“Eight,” David corrected, nodding at Rika’s abdomen.
“Ensuring Niki’s freedom is a mere formality.”
David tapped a finger against his upper lip. “Still, it is a formality that must be observed.” His finger tapped faster and faster, then suddenly stopped, his eyes going wide once more.
“Niki! You’re a part of the movement amongst the AIs.”
<‘Movement’ is a very generic term,> Niki replied, her mental tone guarded.
“Uprising? Rebellion? Insurrection? I don’t know enough to properly quantify it. Even a casual observation of news from distant locales is enough to realize that something has changed with the AIs in the last two decades—though few signs of it have been apparent in Praesepe.”
“I’d like to hope not,” David replied. “Though I must admit, a way to ‘free’ the AIs aboard our two ships is not readily apparent to me. I assume you have some plan?”
“Asylum,” Rika said without further elaboration, and David’s eyes widened for the third time, before a smile grew on his lips.
“I see. That could work. There would be hurdles, to be sure, but it has merit.”
“What about the Old Man?” Rika asked. “You’re loyal to him, and he won’t be happy about this.”
David snorted. “Nor will Major Tim. But fundamentally, the Old Man would not be opposed. In Genevia’s former glory days, AIs were free. Citizens, even. If he wants to bring that back, he cannot deny them this.”
David shrugged. “I’m not in his inner circle—though I am friends with some who know him very well. I think…I think maybe he views it more like protective custody—that he would free everyone if it were safe to do so. But he needs some for success and others he wants to keep safe.”