by Sam Schall
“That was too close, Helen,” the woman said.
“I know, but it was necessary.” Even if Ashlyn never forgave her.
“Remember that when my daughter decides to make good on her threat to poach Anisimova from you.”
She threw her head back and laughed before sobering. “She’d better not try.”
Elizabeth simply smiled and Okafor knew she’d been played. Well, she deserved it. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t get payback. The only question was when.
Ash followed Anisimova to the sergeant major’s office. It didn’t surprise her when the blonde not only closed the door behind them but initiated security protocols so they wouldn’t be interrupted. What did surprise her was seeing the woman produce a bottle of whiskey from her bottom desk drawer.
“Are you ready to talk about it now?” Anisimova quickly poured out drinks for the two of them and handed Ash a glass.
Ash lifted one shoulder in a shrug and slumped back in her chair. “How badly did I fuck up with the general?”
“You didn’t.”
Ashlyn’s eyebrows winged up in surprise and Anisimova chuckled softly.
“Kid, she pushed you and she did so on purpose. She’s been worried about you. We all have. We know how much Loco meant to you. His death, coming so close to Lucinda’s, was going to impact you negatively. As the commandant, Okafor needed to know how badly. More than that, she needed to know if you could bounce back.”
“So she played me.” Ash didn’t know if she approved or not.
“She did.” The blonde took a sip of her whiskey eased a hip onto the corner of her desk. “Now answer my question. Are you ready to talk about it?”
Ash swirled her whiskey, watching the light refracting through it. Then she tossed it back, shaking her head when Anisimova offered her a refill. She’d drunk more in the time since Talbot’s death than she had in years. It was time to stop. Maybe talking with Anisimova, someone who knew the man and cared for him as much as she did, would help.
It sure as hell couldn’t hurt.
“You’ve seen the videos of what happened on Shennong.”
Anisimova nodded, her expression grim.
“Trust me, it was much worse in person. Some of those infected died within minutes of being exposed to the biotoxin. Others took longer. Those tried to get home or to find help. They died in agony.” Ash closed her eyes and the images she’d seen while dirtside returned as real as if she was once again standing on Shennong.
“Durga, it wasn’t just the people. Birds fell from the sky. Animals died where they stood. The only things left alive were vegetation and insect. It was eerie and reminded me of some of my worst nightmares as a kid.” She stood and placed her glass on the woman’s desk. As she crossed to the far side of the office, she shuddered.
“The only thing we heard when we left the shuttles was the sound of the wind and the occasional buzzing of an insect. It was eerie and we didn’t know if the precautions we’d taken would be enough to save ourselves, much less the taskforce.
“When Collins ordered me back to the ship, I knew the shit was about to hit the fan. We’d been expecting the Callusians to return. Nothing about their attack on the system felt right. Why use the biotoxin on Shennong instead of the capital planet or one of the more populated planets in the system? Then there was the question about why the Callusians ships left the system before our arrival. We’d seen enough of the system government by then to know it would have surrendered had it been given the option.”
“That’s why Collins set up the additional defense platforms and didn’t tell Fonteneau about them.”
Ash nodded. “Neither of us trusted Fonteneau but we didn’t have anything other than our suspicions to go on. So we read our senior officers and NCOs in on the situation and did our best to anticipate anything that might happen. But we fucked up. We didn’t think that bastard would try to deactivate the defense platforms with our ships in-system.”
She rubbed a hand over her face and drew in a shaky breath. “My shuttle made it back to the flagship before the attack began. But the decon process took several hours to complete. The other shuttles were held dirtside because we needed to get our people back to the DZ. Then they had to go through the initial decon process there before returning to the ships.
“Loco and the others made the decision, and Collins and I approved it, to return to the taskforce once they cleared decon. The other shuttles would return as soon as they could. By then, the battle had begun. We knew it was dangerous for the shuttle, but we were in the fight of our lives and every able body was needed.”
She paused, forcing herself not to relive the battle. She’d done so too many times, awake and sleeping, already.
“Both Collins and I tried waving the shuttle off. The fighting was intense and Collins had authorized what was basically our last-ditch effort to stop the enemy. We’d lost a couple of ships already. The others, including ours, were damaged. Our shields were failing. Just as we targeted their flagship, they targeted ours.
“You know what those moments are like. You don’t know if your shields will hold or if the countermeasures will work. You’re praying as hard as you can even as you’re doing everything possible to keep your people alive. It was at that point our countermeasures failed to take out all the enemy torpedoes.”
Fear returned with the memory of those last few minutes of the battle. A bead of sweat ran down her spine. For what seemed an eternity, her memories held her. Then she shook them off.
“That’s when we realized the shuttle was moving into position. We raised them and tried to wave them off. Loco.” She stopped and swallowed hard as emotion tried to close her throat. “Loco said they knew what they were doing. Each of them had talked about it and agreed this was their only course of action. H-he said it had been an honor to serve with me. There was a bit more and then they were gone. They intercepted the missile that would have struck the ship.”
Tears ran down her cheeks. “If they’d followed orders, they would have lived. They didn’t have to play the hero.”
She scrubbed away her tears. Then she was in Anisimova’s arms. Together they mourned for each of those on the shuttle but most especially for the man who had been friend and brother by choice.
“He made the same choice you would have. The same choice I would have, Ash.” Anisimova led her to a chair and waited as she was seated. Then she sat next to her. “You know that, just as you know he’d kick your ass for letting his death knock you for a loop like it has.”
Ash nodded. She knew it but that didn’t make the loss any less.
“Look at me, kid.”
Ashlyn did as she said.
“You’re always going to miss him. Just as you’ll miss Lucinda. They were more than fellow Marines. They were your closest friends and you knew they were two you could always count on.”
Ash nodded.
“Don’t try to ignore your feelings. Experience them and move on. Holding it all in will only hurt you and it does a disservice to them.” She reached out and rested her hand on one of Ashlyn’s. “But you need to do more. You celebrate their memories. You teach those coming up the ranks about them and keep their memory alive in the Corps. You remind Jake about his Uncle Kevin and Aunt Lucinda and how much they loved him. And you take the fight to the enemy once we are in position to do so. Make them pay for the deaths of our friends and for the deaths of every Marine under your command.”
Ash closed her eyes and nodded. Anisimova was right. It was time to focus on the future, not regret the events of the past. If only doing so was as easy as recognizing the need.
“That means finding a replacement for Loco.” Something she wasn’t ready to do yet.
“And Okafor isn’t going to force you to do so – yet. There’s plenty of other things you need to do first. And, when you’re ready to start considering candidates, I’m here to help.”
“Thanks.” She grinned then. “We could tell the general you’re join
ing my staff.”
Anisimova laughed and shook her head. “Don’t tempt me. The hardest thing I’ve ever done as a Marine is remain safe on Fuercon while I watch the rest of you take the fight to the enemy.”
“I can imagine. But you need to know how much we appreciate knowing someone who understands what it means to be on the front lines is sitting where you do. You and Okafor know what it means to be a Marine. More than that, you know what it means to be a Devil Dog. That’s a hell of a lot more than we had under the previous administration.”
Which was putting it mildly.
“I hope so.” Anisimova smiled and leaned back in her chair. “There’s one thing the general didn’t tell you. Other than when you are meeting with your mother and me about the new protocols, you are on leave for the rest of the week. The same order has gone out to the others in the regiment who were on the mission with you. Spend the time with Jake. Recharge and give yourself time to recover. You’ll be busy enough next week when you return to duty.”
“Why don’t you join us this weekend?” Ash suggested. “No work. I promise. But it will help Jake to see you.”
“I think it will help me to see him.” Her expression softened and a small smile touched her lips. “He was so grown up at Kevin’s funeral. It about did me in seeing him marching next to you as you and the others carried in the casket.”
“I didn’t know he planned to do that.” And it had made her extremely proud. “He told me later that he’s going to be a gunny just like Uncle Kevin.” She grinned as Anisimova threw her head back and laughed.
“That must chap your mother’s ass.” The blonde laughed again. “Her family is thick with outstanding officers, present company included. To hear her grandson wants to be a lowly gunny.” She chuckled almost evilly.
“Oh, I think we can cure him of that ambition by the time he’s old enough to enlist,” Ash countered. “And I think I need to thank you.”
Anisimova frowned. “For what?”
“For this.” She waved a hand to indicate the office and the talk. “The others have tried to talk to me about what happened, especially Mom. I know they understand. But they weren’t there. More than that, they didn’t know Loco like I did. But you did. You have been to battle with him. You know what sort of Marine he was because you helped make him who he was. But it goes beyond that. You were there when our friendship and professional relationship began and you’ve seen it grow over the years.”
“Aw hell. Now you have me doing it.” Anisimova reached up and swiped at her own tears. “We’ll raise a glass to our friend this weekend. Now go home and spend some time with Jake. Most of all, quit beating yourself up over what happened. It wasn’t your fault.”
Ash stood and crossed to the door. Then she paused and straightened her shoulders. Anisimova was right. She needed to come to terms with what happened. It might take time to finally accept she wasn’t responsible for what happened but it would come. She had to believe that. She’d never fully get over losing Talbot or Lucinda Ortega. But she would honor them. They were her friends, her family by choice. More importantly, they were Marines. It was time she remembered that.
Ooh-rah.
7
Government House
Caspian Bay, Midlothian
“Quiet!”
Jensen Vreman slammed his open palm down on the table, rattling glasses and startling those gathered. Almost as one, every head turned to him. Expressions ranged from surprised to angry, terrified to belligerent. Not that he cared. He had more important things to worry about than bruised egos. Their system faced the largest and most dangerous crisis of in memory. Worse, they were to blame. That left him to find a way to save not only their necks but his own.
Well, to be more accurate, Alexander Watchman was to blame for all the problems they now faced. But they allowed it to happen. Watchman went from useful tool to dangerous enemy a long time ago. Unfortunately, they didn’t recognize the danger until it was too late. By then, he held the real power and used it to operate behind the scenes, manipulating politicians and businessmen however he wanted. When the Administrative Bureau realized the dangerous road he’d gone down with the Callusians, the noose had already tightened around their necks.
And no one did a damned thing.
Vreman knew the reasons. Some had been too scared of Watchman revealing what he knew about them, their families or their business dealings. Others approved of his actions and hoped to manipulate the Bureau into backing him against Fuercon and the others the system had supposedly been allied with. Instead of dealing with the threat Watchman presented to each of them, the men and women sitting around the table dealt with the situation by pointing fingers. While he understood—hell, he’d done his own share of finger-pointing—it solved nothing. Not in light of the latest revelations of the depravity of the Callusian war effort and not with Fuercon and her allies breathing down their necks, demanding satisfaction.
“This bickering accomplishes nothing.” He made eye contact with each member of the council. Only a few held his gaze and he made note of those who looked away the quickest. Most were those he suspected of working with Watchman on his ill-advised scheme with the Callusians. One, however, surprised him by how quickly he looked away and Vreman made a mental note to look deeper into his relationship with the former Intelligence Czar. “The Fuerconese ambassador arrives in less than an hour. I have no doubt he brings with him a final demand from his government that we cooperate with the investigation into Watchman’s activities or face the consequences. Are any of you willing to risk Harper and his allies declaring war on our system or, worse in many ways, pulling all military support from our sector? Do you want our people left helpless against the Callusians? Or are you going to do whatever it takes to save not only your own skins but our system?”
Silence filled the chamber. Vreman leaned back and waited. As he did, he made a mental bet with himself about who would speak first. One corner of his mouth twitched in an effort to smile when a small, painfully thin man midway down the table stood. He won the bet, if you could win when betting with yourself.
“You’re making too much out of this, Vreman,” Dominic Delespino said. “Fuercon will do nothing as long as we stand strong against their demands.” Delespino glanced around the table and, seeing several heads nod in agreement, seemed to grow more confident. “Fuercon has no right to tell us how to run our government and it has no claim on any of our citizens. President Harper must not be allowed to dictate anything to us.”
Vreman snorted in derision. As foolish as the argument was, the fact Delespino made it—and believed it—was even more so.
“They have every right to do just that, thanks to Watchman.” Vreman activated the virtual keyboard in front of him and input a code. A moment later, the holo display above the table came to life. Every other person present gasped, a few even gagged, as images of what happened on Shennong appeared. “This gives them every right, at least in their minds, and this is why we can no longer refuse to discuss the situation with them.”
“W-what do you mean?” Delespino paled and his hands shook before he shoved them into his pockets. He never had been a good card player and his nerves betrayed him yet again.
“We do what we were elected to do. We protect our system and our people. If that means working with the Fuerconese, we do so.” Vreman leaned forward and steepled his hands in front of him. “Each of you know as well as I do that we need the Fuerconese and their allies to keep this system secure. Or would you rather we take our chances with the Callusians?”
Instead of answering, Delespino sat almost as quickly as the blood drained from his face. This time, Vreman made no attempt to hide his smile. Delespino had been a thorn in his side since joining the council. Perhaps his wife was right and it was time to clean house. Fuercon’s demands certainly gave him the opportunity. It was risky, but if it prevented Fuercon from withdrawing its support—or worse—it was worth it.
At least he hoped so. Otherw
ise, he was about to make a very big, possibly fatal, mistake.
He entered another series of commands using the virtual keyboard. The holo display faded away. A moment later, the doors at the far end of the room opened and a dozen uniformed members of the capital guard entered. Hands on their sidearms, expressions grim, they took up positions around the room.
“What the hell is this?” Admiral Horace Boniface stood and looked defiantly around the room.
“This is called taking a proactive stance.” Vreman nodded and the guards moved in. “Horace Boniface, Dominic Delespino, Charles Logaine and Sarah Lamar, you have been tied to the treasonous actions taken by Alexander Watchman. Investigators from the Intelligence Bureau discovered irrefutable evidence showing your complicity in his actions. Those actions, as well as your complicity, are in violation of the laws of our system. They also formed the basis of your conspiracy against our allies. Further, your actions gave aid to the enemy and cost untold lives. You will be held in custody until time to hand you over to Fuercon.”
He stood, his expression cold. “Before that happens, you will be questioned by Major Rudolph. He will find out, one way or the other, if you know anything that will assist in locating Watchman.”
Vreman smiled slightly as the four paled at Rudolph’s name. Not that he blamed them. They knew the major’s reputation. Before Watchman decided to cut his losses and flee the capital, Rudolph had been one of his closest associates. Watchman trained him and the younger man was as ruthless as the former Intelligence Czar. He was also loyal, to Vreman at least.
“You have as long as it takes to transport you to your cells to decide how you want this to play out. Know this, the rest of us will do whatever it takes to protect Midlothian, even if it means sacrificing the four of you. Watchman isn’t here to save you. Cooperate or not, it’s up to you.”
He nodded and the guards quickly pulled those he indicated to their feet. They were roughly searched and then secured. Most stood silently, too stunned by the unexpected turn of events. Delespino, however, sputtered and struggled against the guard holding him. Vreman chuckled softly as the guard kicked him in the back of the knees and took him down.