by Christi Smit
An old space pirate named Nash, who Locke had met only a few days earlier, was also there, flanked by Sam, both of them wearing dirty engineer overhauls. The highest ranked Lancer that had survived the battle of Santor, Diaz, had also been invited. The Lancer was in full battle armour, standing at attention in respect of the superiors he now found himself in the presence of.
“Welcome,” Gray said to Locke and Nathan as soon as he noticed them approaching the command table.
Both Titans nodded in reply to his words, silently taking up their positions next to the other Wolves.
“Good. Everyone is here. Before we begin our meeting, there has been a request. Second Lieutenant Diaz?” Gray said.
“Sir?” Diaz replied.
“Commander Sabian, during his lucid moments, has promoted you to Captain. Congratulations Captain. You will take over command of the Lancers until ordered otherwise,” Gray said. He nodded at Remy. She stepped forward and gave Diaz a wooden box containing his captain’s insignia.
“I am honoured sir. Thank you,” Diaz replied. The man was clearly in shock, but he accepted the promotion without hesitation.
Corporal Jay was the first to clap, he had fought with the man for many years and he had been instrumental during the battle on the rooftop.
Everyone else followed Jay lead, applauding Diaz’s promotion.
“Now down to business,” Gray paused, leaning forward, resting his old meaty hands on the side of the command table. “I am open to any and all suggestions.”
“We run, as far and fast as we can,” Sam blurted out. He was not a coward, but to him that was the most logical course of action.
Gray chuckled slightly. “Aye, that would be the smart thing to do. What about the rest of our people still fighting against the Beast and soon Lord Vincent? Do we leave them to their own fate? Or do we help them?”
Sam realized his plan was not the right one, nodding at Gray’s words, agreeing with them fully. They could not just turn and run away.
“We hide, re-supply, and then we take the fight to the enemy,” Xander said.
“Agreed,” Nathan said from Locke’s side. “We make them bleed for what they have done.”
“And then what?” Rivers asked.
“Then we kill him and blow up his ship, what else?” Nathan replied sarcastically.
Locke spoke next, silencing his Wolves with his words. “Brave, but foolish Lieutenant. Even if we could get near enough to him to kill him, or even find a way to destroy his ship, it will cost us too much. No, we have to stay alive and strike when the time is right, when our resources are strong enough to support our plans. We cannot win if we are dead, can we?”
Nathan reluctantly agreed. Locke had a point. It would be foolish to throw everything against the impenetrable wall that was Lord Vincent and his fleet.
“Earth,” Pyoter said.
Everyone looked at him in unison. All of them equally surprised at the giant Titan’s suggestion.
“Why would they care what Lord Vincent did outside of their solar system? Those bureaucrats crave wealth and power probably more than Vincent does. Not to mention that none of us have heard anything from that sector for more than a decade,” Gray said.
“They might feel different if their lives were in danger,” Locke added. “Even if they crave only wealth and power, they can’t spend it if they are dead. Most of them would piss themselves if they knew what was going on in the outer sectors. Their isolation could work to our advantage.”
“Earth Prime’s security is tighter than an ape’s asshole trapped in a lion’s cage. Without a summons or invite from the council we will never get in. They might even destroy us before we get the chance to state our case. You know what patrols the void around our home world. It’s suicide Gabriel.” Gray shifted back, folding his arms as he looked at the Titan captain.
Locke had no answer to Gray’s words. He was right, it was suicide. Earth Prime was unreachable, a fortress built to keep everything out that could threaten their way of live. He was about to concede Gray’s point when someone else spoke.
“I know a way,” Nash said.
Everyone looked at the retired space pirate, waiting for the man to speak.
“It’s very tricky, but you lot seem to know what you are doing. I can show you the way in, through a small gap, right into the heart of that system,” Nash said.
“And why would we believe a Rogue like you? How do we know you aren’t just bullshitting us for your own personal gain?” Gray asked Nash.
“Because you have no other choice, and look at me, I am minutes from dying, what do I have to lose? Besides, the women on Earth Prime are worth the trip,” Nash said, smiling at everyone that was looking at him.
Locke looked at Gray; a conversation took place between the two, wordlessly they decided with only a few looks and head gestures. “Show us,” Locke said.
The Grim Wolves will return in the Dawn of Extinction, the next epic chapter in the Gamma Nine saga.
About the Author
A bearded turnip gifted a human suit by beings from another universe. He spends his days writing and working at his day job. Day-dreaming about epic stories and far off planets consumes his almost every thought. He lives in a loving home with his partner and their feline overlord.
Follow @GammaNineSeries for more info and updates on Twitter.
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