by Rob Howell
“What of the Maquonese we find?”
“Treat them as politely as possible. We don’t want to encourage the Maquonese to actively help the Humans. Don’t fire on them unless they fire at you, though make sure you search their houses for any Human weaponry.”
“And once we’ve gathered the Humans?” asked Fahrissthan. Tahnerif could tell her teeth were bared.
“Rei’shin, double-check the second barracks. Once we’ve gathered the Humans, we’ll house them there.”
The rei’shin’s voice sounded brittle. “Sir, I have several squads detailed to deal with them once we have accounted for all of them.”
“No. I don’t care what crimes the Foresters might have committed before. Their mates and young aren’t guilty of those crimes. You will treat them properly. Our honor demands it.” He paused. “Or do you wish to shame the pack?”
Fahrissthan didn’t respond immediately.
Tahnerif waited. The command frequency crackled slightly.
It was the only sound.
Finally, the rei’shin growled, “As commanded, I obey.”
Qarsh growled loudly enough to be heard through the comm.
“Qarsh, our complaint is with the Foresters. We shall not mistreat our captives. Do I have to repeat myself?” asked Tahnerif quietly.
“No, Pack Leader,” she growled.
Tahnerif continued. “Packmates, for five years I have led us on this quest for justice. Have you not heard my words during that time?”
The rei’shin didn’t respond.
Tahnerif continued. “Justice is putting those who slayed our packmates in front of a wall. Justice isn’t killing every Human we find. That is without honor. I’ve said this often, have I not?”
“You have,” answered Qarsh.
“Did you doubt me then?”
“No,” she muttered.
“Then why have you forgotten my words? Did the Slyest Prey steal your wits in the battle? Are you puppies who piss on everything when you get excited? Do you think the pack will forgive you if you bring dishonor to all litters to come?”
“No,” they answered.
“Then do as I say. Qarsh, use your squads to scour the perimeter and capture all Humans who surrender. Fahrissthan will ensure there’s enough room in the barracks to hold them securely. We’ll provide them all the food and water they need. Our guards will leave them be, except for routine inspections to ensure they aren’t attempting to escape.”
“Yes, sir,” chorused Fahrissthan and Qarsh.
Tahnerif waited for a bit, then switched to a private circuit. “Well, Akuwin? You said nothing.”
“Do the honorable thing. It sounds so easy when you say it.”
“You are, as usual, correct.”
“There’ll be some Humans who ‘try to escape,’ you know.”
“I do. And I regret that.”
“Oh?”
“If the Foresters are truly guilty, they should be properly executed. They should be allowed no hint of honor.”
“If?”
Tahnerif turned to look out the window. “I know you have questions.”
“It is very convenient, is it not, Kal’shin?”
“Yes. Very convenient that all of this seems to help the Zuparti. And Streetho.”
“We found nothing wrong with the video.”
“That’s true. We can’t prove the video doesn’t tell the truth. Yet I have never trusted Streetho. And there are ways of lying without saying something that is false.”
“Agreed. I don’t trust the Veetanho, either. I haven’t liked her since that first meeting. She’s playing us in some way or another.”
“You’ve always been the cautious one, Akuwin. That is why I selected you as my third rei’shin. I have known Fahrissthan since we were littermates. She has never declined a fight, and none shall say she lacked the courage to face any foe. Qarsh, too, is a warrior.”
“Am I not a warrior?” Akuwin growled.
“I meant no disrespect. You have, perhaps, more courage than they do. The courage to refuse a fight when you can. I need that in my pack.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“So, my task for you is to find proof. Scour every record here. Use any resource you wish. As far as we can tell, we surprised them completely, and they didn’t have a chance to wipe their systems. Find the evidence. it’s surely stored somewhere.”
“If they have any comprehension of honor, they have buried it in shame, deeper than any swampbeast would bury its shit.”
“True. I think they do have some understanding of honor. There is nothing in their Merc Guild record about a massacre such as the one the Trackers suffered. That means they act honorably most of the time, or they routinely hide their shame. Either way, it won’t be easy finding the evidence.”
“And if I do?”
“Then I charge them under Merc Guild rules, give them a fair trial, and stand with our kin in the firing line when the day comes.”
“If I find proof they didn’t do this deed?”
Tahnerif’s muzzle tightened. “If they’re innocent, I have brought shame to us all. I’ll bear that burden. Do not try to protect me. I freely made this choice.” He bared his teeth. “And if you find nothing, we’re still on the knife’s edge, and we must act as seems right.”
Tahnerif spent the rest of the day organizing his command post and keeping an ear open for reports of atrocities. To Tahnerif’s surprise, Fahrissthan’s kin shot no Humans ‘trying to escape.’ The Foresters, and their people, while clearly angry and frustrated, acted like professional mercs. Captivity was always a possibility.
As the days stretched, and the Foresters didn’t counter-attack, however, tempers started to fray. Reports of brawls in the Human barracks surfaced. None of the brawls were part of escape plans, so Tahnerif ordered the Zuul ignored them.
However, his kin were far worse. Brawling was rare, but duels of honor cost him several good soldiers.
It came as no surprise when Qarsh stomped into his office one morning.
“Kal’shin, this is ridiculous!”
The kal’shin bared his teeth. “I agree. No proper Zuul would ever charge into his commander’s office like this. Put yourself on report.”
“Arrrgh!” Qarsh took a moment to compose herself. “As you command, sir. After I do my required PT and wash dishes for a few hours, can I do something productive? I’ve met every damn tree within sight. Pissed on most of them. We’ve been here for nearly a score of this world’s days, and I’m sick of the rain. My fur hasn’t been dry since I stepped off the shuttle. Washing dishes would be the best use of my talents since I got here.”
“And what, specifically, would you suggest?”
“We’ve readied everything we want to take from the base. Let’s execute these Humans and go to Peninnah where we can get rid of a bunch more. The Slyest Prey should sink them in this swampy muck.”
“How do you propose we get to the remainder of them? If we eliminate those who are here, who are mostly support personnel, and deal with the company on Peninnah, what’ll their main company do? What about Edmonds? What if the remaining Foresters stay on Earth where we’d have a tough time getting to them?”
Qarsh clenched her paws into fists. “We can’t wait here forever. Those cowards have probably returned to that pesthole they came from.”
Tahnerif leaned back, tapping a claw on his desk. “Perhaps. One cannot know what the enemy will do. Yet I don’t share your belief in their cowardice. They have always fought well against us, and their success rate with the Merc Guild is excellent.” He stood up and stared at Qarsh. “In any case, it is I who commands this pack.”
“For now.”
“What was that? I didn’t hear you. Good thing there’s no one present to hear anything that might sound like a challenge, so there’s no need for me to kill you.”
Qarsh growled.
“Have you found any Humans outside the base?”
“Have I reported
finding any?”
“No, you haven’t.” Tahnerif took a deep breath. “What do you think? Are there any out there?”
Qarsh waved her forepaws across each other. “I think there are, but none that are close by. However, there are vantage points farther away from which to watch the base.”
“True.” Tahnerif clicked his comm. “Fahrissthan, how are the heavy weapon emplacements coming?”
“On schedule, sir.”
“Good. Can you release any squads from that work or guard duty?”
“Undoubtedly. And I can release myself, as I’m not doing anything other than scratching my ass.”
“Good. Take four squads. Draw full ration packs. I want you to sweep across the hill ridges and ensure there are no Humans spying on us.”
“Yes, sir!” shouted Fahrissthan.
Qarsh’s muzzle tightened.
Tahnerif bared his fangs slightly. “Fear not, Qarsh. I want you to keep the bulk of the patrols on schedule, but get two squads to serve as a reaction force should Fahrissthan flush anything out.”
“As you command.”
“And I’ll assign you and your squads the next pass. Fahrissthan’s squads will probably want a break.”
Qarsh huffed harshly.
“Get back to work, Rei’shin.”
With a smack of paw on chest, Qarsh left the office.
* * * * *
Chapter 21 – Lt (j.g.) Maxwell Jackson
Forward Base Maquon
Near Jeriasker, Maquon
Jackson woke up to the sound of Steele retching.
“What the fuck?” he asked as he grabbed his GP-90.
“It’s nothing,” she rasped.
“Did you drink some water? Are the rations bad? I don’t feel sick. Do you have an allergy?”
“None of that.” She puked again. “Shut up and leave me alone.”
Suddenly, it dawned on him. “You’re fucking pregnant.”
“Nice choice of words, asshole.” She retched again. All that came out were long tendrils of spit.
He smiled despite himself. “I suppose so.” He glanced around. The binoculars sat on the ledge overlooking the base. “I think I’ll keep an eye on the base for a while. It’s your turn to get water, right?”
Steele nodded, then immediately turned and retched again.
Jackson settled himself into their perch. This keeps getting better and better.
He peered through the binoculars and watched the Zuul moving around, busy as beavers, though he couldn’t quite tell what they were doing.
After a bit, Steele slid into place next to him. Her face looked pinched and white, and she resolutely stared at the base.
“No way to get the Maquonese to help us, right?” Jackson finally asked.
“Some would, I’m sure, but they’re placid leaf-eaters who make sloths look busy.”
“Not much good in a fight.”
“Why do you think they hired us?” She shrugged. “We can probably get food and supplies from some I know, but I’m hesitant to ask. The possibility that the Zuul get a clue we’re up here is too much to risk.”
They both glanced at her stomach.
“Yeah,” Jackson agreed. “Are there any retired Foresters in Jeriasker?”
“Quite a few, actually. I’ve been thinking about my old platoon sergeant and his wife. They own a farm about forty klicks to the west.”
“Think they can help us get food?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. We don’t know who hired the Zuul to attack us or what they want. The vast majority of Humans on Maquon are Foresters. The Zuul are going to keep an eye on every Human they find on the planet. We’d do that, and the Zuul aren’t stupid.”
“You’d be safe if you went to them.”
“Safe?” She snorted. “Not happening until the colonel or a Human company retakes the base.”
“They could help you get off the planet and return to Earth.”
“I’m not leaving, el-tee. Don’t suggest it again,” she snarled. “I may be pregnant, but I can still kick your cherry ass.”
“My momma’s son can hold his own,” he snapped. Then he glanced at her with a smile. “But it wouldn’t surprise me if you could. That doesn’t mean you’re the best person for this job.” He gestured at the base. “Whatever the hell the job is.”
“Yeah.” She paused. “I’m sorry.”
“Forget it.”
“You asked the right question,” she finally said.
“What question was that?”
“We need to start thinking like mercs again. What is our job?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s what we have to figure out.”
They thought for a bit, until Jackson looked back out over the valley. “I don’t understand.”
“What?”
“I really thought the Zuul were going to level the base, take what they wanted, and burn the rest.”
“Wasn’t a bad guess.”
“So, what are they doing?”
She pointed. “See that group of Zuul on top of the northwest barracks?”
“Yes. It looks like they’re building a shed.”
“I bet they are. I’ll also bet they have a SAM launcher or something like that to put inside when it’s done.” She pointed again. “Down along the river, see that Zuul shuttle next to the boathouse?”
“Another hidden launcher?”
“Maybe. But I think it’s more likely they’re moving remote mines into the boathouse and emplacing them in the river after dark.”
Jackson peered through the glasses with increased focus. “There,” he muttered. “There and there, too. Another SAM launcher and three quad-mount MACs.” He grimaced. “Those, I see.”
“They’re setting a trap.”
“Anyone who tries to land here is fucked.”
“Yeah. They’ll either get shot down as they try to come in, or they’ll be allowed to land, then taken prisoner.”
Jackson rolled over and looked at Steele. “I’ll bet they’re setting traps for the Algonquin and the Huron up in orbit, too.”
“You’re smarter than most shavetails. They have to have something up there. Even with Galactic Union restrictions, you don’t put a unit down on a hostile planet without controlling the orbitals. They may not know what ships we’ve got, but they damned sure know we can get more troops here.”
“So, there’s our job. I may be the newest el-tee in the unit, but I don’t think it’ll help our job prospects if we let the Zuul trap our regiment.” Jackson’s face twisted into a wry smile. “You know, I’m the fastest, toughest banger in SoCal, but even so, I’m not sure I can fuck up Zuul warships without a bit of help.”
Steele snorted. “Yeah, and I’m the fastest, toughest, pregnant, retired corporal you’ll ever find, but I’ll need more than you to be able to do much.”
“What are we going to do?”
“We gotta figure out a way to extend our communicators. Bounce them off some sort of relay. One way or another we have to warn the regiment about what’s going on.”
Jackson shook his head. “Even if we can, we got no way to know when one of our ships is up there.”
“Don’t necessarily need to. What we need is someone in the orbitals who can relay the images we’ve saved on the binocular hard drive.”
“That’ll be a helluva risk for whoever does it. The Zuul are going to be watching for omnidirectional broadcasts, and if they know a Human ship is in the system, they’ll look for direct traffic. It’d have to be someone we can trust, someone who’s willing to take that risk.” He grimaced. “Everyone I know on this planet is dead, captured, or pregnant. I ain’t gonna be much help.”
“Last I heard, we’ve got a week or so before the Algonquin’s supposed to be here.”
Jackson shook his head. “I don’t know how we’re going to be able to convince someone in that time.”
Steele stared at the base. “Neither do I. Not in a week. It’d take us at least
a day to get to anyone I know in Jeriasker.”
“It’d take longer than that. The Zuul must have set a curfew in Jeriasker, and they’re probably doing random patrols looking for Humans. We’re fairly conspicuous here.”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “And they’ll be keeping track of every photon that leaves this planet.”
Jackson looked out over the base. “Got to find a way to trap the trappers.”
“And do it right when the Algonquin gets here.”
“Or before. If we can, we need to make sure they can see what we’ve done so they have some sort of warning.”
Steele unconsciously rubbed her belly. “And gives us a chance to live.”
“My momma’s boy ain’t too fond of suicide missions.” He paused. “The obvious answer is to make the base’s fusion plant go critical. That’d draw enough attention, but I can’t see how we can get out of the blast radius.”
“There’d be no way to get the Maquonese civilians out of Jeriasker.”
“To be honest, I wouldn’t know how to blow the plant anyway.”
They stared at the base for a while.
“What’d they do with the bodies?” Jackson suddenly asked.
“Huh?”
“We had, what, two hundred people on that base?”
“More like five hundred, counting the contractors.”
“I don’t see any bodies in the streets.”
“Me neither. If they’re setting up shop, they’d want to hide them.” She paused. “You’re assuming the Zuul killed everyone.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Why would they? It’s bad business.”
“Sometimes, I forget it’s a business.”
“Never forget that, el-tee.”
“You think some are still alive down there?”
“I’d guess most of them are.”
“Where would they be? I suppose there’s some sort of jail.”
She chuckled. “Yeah, but it’s just a few cells for drunk idiots. It doesn’t hold more than a dozen or so. The easiest thing to do would be to put them in one of the barracks.”
“So, we need to figure out which one.”
“I suppose.”
“What? We could use the help.”
“Yeah, but to do what?” She gestured at the base. “I saw well over a company’s worth of Zuul. More like a battalion. Even if we could rescue whoever’s still alive and arm them, we’d still be outnumbered.” She glanced up. “And they’ll have orbital support.”