Strong and Courageous

by Daniel Gibbs

  – Lt. Colonel Talgat Aibek

  “You have got to be shitting me,” MacIntosh said out loud after reading the message. Gripping his tablet with such strength his knuckles turned white, he flung the tablet across the room with enough force to damage the wall and shatter the usually durable piece of computing technology.

  A moment later, his adjutant, Major Melanie Roberts, rushed in. “General, are you okay, sir?”

  MacIntosh shook his head. “You know what the problem with putting an unorthodox idealist in charge of the largest, most capable warship ever designed by human beings is, Roberts?”

  “No, sir.”

  “He goes off the reservation at the drop of a hat because he can’t see the big picture! Worse, now we have no way of plausible deniability if the Monrovians win!”

  “I’m sorry, sir, I’m a bit lost here.”

  MacIntosh opened his mouth then closed it. He waited a moment to calm himself. “You haven’t been read in on the situation, so I can’t tell you about it. I’m sorry too. I lost my composure.”

  “If I may, sir, you did want a unique commander for the Lion.”

  “That I did. Well, I’ve got the most unorthodox Orthodox Jew I’ve ever seen. I hope he doesn’t mess this up because it’ll be a PR disaster if he does. That’s the last thing we need right now. Our people’s morale is up, the League is on the run. Any change to the negative will be catastrophic.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help, sir?”

  “No. Just pray that God is looking out for our people,” MacIntosh replied sourly.

  “Always, sir.”

  “Carry on, Major.”

  Roberts nodded respectfully and walked out of the room, leaving MacIntosh to stare blankly at the wall. Damn you, David, you better not have screwed up all the work we’ve spent all these years on with some misguided need to be a hero.

  15

  The command shuttle’s rear ramp swung down as Calvin glanced around the area. Dozens of sisters in battle armor lined both sides of the shuttle as both an honor guard and a real protection force. As the ramp continued to lower, he saw Mother Superior Sarno and her aides standing in their religious robes, wearing full habits. Forget all the other sacrifices they make, Calvin thought to himself. How the heck can they stand wearing those robes in this kind of heat? It speaks to dedication almost as good as the Marines. Almost. David stood at his right, both of them still wearing full combat armor and carrying battle rifles. Colonel makes a halfway decent combat Marine. Put him through some training, and he might be able to keep up with a few of my recruits.

  As soon as the ramp touched the dirt, Sarno and the rest of the nuns walked out of the shuttle; Sarno was the first to set foot on the hard, red clay. Kaufman stepped forward and addressed her. “May the Lord be with you, Mother Superior.”

  “And also with you,” Sarno answered.

  Calvin brought himself to attention, as David had as well.

  “Colonels, I see you made it safely,” Sarno said, looking at David.

  David smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Any word on getting some real bullets?” Calvin said, drawing a sharp look from Sarno.

  “Remember the terms of our agreement, Colonel Demood. You will obey the rules of our order if you wish to fight with us.”

  When he opened his mouth to send another zinger, Calvin thought the better of it. “Yes, ma’am,” he finally said, echoing David’s approach.

  “Sister Kaufman, what is your assault element’s status?”

  Kaufman stepped forward. “No fatal casualties, Mother Superior. We have full control over the base, and all enemy combatants have surrendered. Unloading of our gear and billeting of the sisters who have landed continues.”

  “Very good,” Sarno said, nodding her head. “I would like to tour the facility.”

  “Of course, Mother Superior. This way, please.” Kaufman gestured in front of her. “I would be honored to escort you.”

  Calvin followed David’s lead and fell in behind the procession of nuns. “Sir, why are we tagging along?” he whispered into his ear.

  “I don’t think we’ve got anything better to do,” David said, keeping his voice low to match Calvin’s.

  They had trudged across half the parade ground when a younger nun ran up and presented herself in front of Sarno, curtsying. “I apologize, Mother Superior, but it is urgent.”

  “What is it, child?” Sarno asked, her tone patient.

  “Soldiers and a man who claims to command them have arrived at the gate. They claim to be our allies and wish an audience with you.”

  Calvin watched as Kaufman and Sarno exchanged raised eyebrows. “Is our command tent erected?”

  “That is still in progress, Mother Superior.”

  “Then bring the leader of these purported allies to us in the hospital I was briefed we had taken control of. As it is secure, we will meet with him there.” Sarno turned back to Calvin and David. “Would you care to join us?”

  “Yes, ma’am, we’d be happy to,” David said respectfully on behalf of both of them.

  “Good. Sister Kaufman, please lead the way.”

  The nuns marched quickly through the Monrovian military base, leaving Calvin impressed with the fact that what appeared to him to be an elderly woman could easily set the pace for a group of battle-hardened soldiers. The group passed through the entrance to the hospital, which was guarded by multiple sisters with battle rifles, as well as fixed heavy weapons emplacements, squad service weapons, and at least one anti-aircraft missile battery.

  Kaufman led them to the lobby, crowded as it was with nuns carrying heavy equipment and supplies. Standing out though, was a distinct group of men. Several wore Monrovian military uniforms, while most of the others were clothed in unassuming civilian attire.

  A tall, broad-shouldered man in a well-pressed uniform stood up and walked confidently toward the group of nuns. I can smell brass a mile away.

  “General Harvey Monahan, formerly the commanding officer of the Monrovian National Guard. Unknown to our civilian leaders and most of the people on our planet, also the leader of the resistance against Prime Minister Fitzroy and her band of murderous thugs,” he said while extending his hand out to Sarno.

  Sarno looked down at Monahan’s hand, then took it in her own and shook it. “General, I will confess, I am most shocked at your appearance here.”

  “There are people throughout the government and the military that abhor the actions of our leaders, Mother Superior. I will begin by apologizing for firing on your vessels. I did so under penalty of being shot by the prime minister. There was simply nothing I could do.”

  “I understand, General. I am very thankful only a few of our sisters died when our supply vessel was destroyed.”

  “Do you plan to move against the government? My forces are set up in cells across the planet. We stand ready to help you topple this regime and restore order and humanity to Monrovia.”

  “We’re not here to affect regime change, General. My order is here to liberate the camps and set up safe zones for humanitarian evacuations.”

  Monahan’s face twisted, a clouded look of distaste momentarily displayed.

  Calvin stared at him intently. Yeah, he’s about as thrilled about this as I am. We ought to be out there smashing the Monrovian government’s heads in.

  “Mother Superior, I must protest that I don’t see how we can save all the religious citizens on this planet without decapitating the government, the police, paramilitary units, and the National Guard. With those institutions neutralized, citizens that believe as we do would be free to express themselves once more and escape. Today, regardless of what faith you have or even if you question the idea that there is no higher power, you must hide that belief within you and mention it to no one, never write it down, and try to throw suspicion onto others. People are snatched from the streets and their homes in the dead of night. Our entire planet lives in a state of terror.”

  Sarno
’s face retained its mask of serenity, coupled with a harsh stare. “General, we are here to save lives, not take them. We will use the least amount of force required to complete our mission, and I will tell you for the last time that our order does not engage in regime change. If your planet should rise up and remove its government, then perhaps that would be a different question. Today, again, we’re here to liberate the camps and evacuate as many as we can.”

  “Is the CDF involved in this operation?” Monahan asked, looking directly at David as he spoke.

  “Absolutely not. Those of us here, including me, Colonel Demood, Dr. Tural, and Colonel Amir, are strictly volunteers. We’ve all taken a leave of absence from our duties in the CDF.”

  “The Terran Coalition can’t spare a few thousand soldiers?”

  “General, our government isn’t willing to declare another war right now.”

  “Yes, because we don’t have any important minerals. God knows, if there were a supply of lithium on this planet, you’d do anything needed to safeguard the supply and make sure it flowed into your war machine,” Monahan said, his voice testy.

  “I speak only for myself, not the Terran Coalition. And I’m here, along with my fellows, to do whatever we can to help.”

  Monahan shifted his focus from David and back to Sarno. “Will you allow us to assist?”

  “Any who wish to fight under our banner are welcome. However, you must agree to abide by the rules of our order. The first of these is that we avoid casualties at all costs. We use stun weapons when at all possible. Your soldiers must agree to this condition, or we will not fight side by side with them.”

  “And how exactly do you stun enemy aircraft?” Monahan said, his tone sour and sarcastic.

  “We don’t. There are areas we accept must include death, and we will use lethal force if and when it is required. Until that time, we avoid casualties. Are we clear, General?”

  Calvin found it difficult not to snicker. She must’ve been a TCMC senior drill instructor. That general just had poop thrown all over his brass, and she told him to polish it up to boot.

  “We’re clear, Miss—”

  “You may address me as Mother Superior Sarno or simply Mother Superior.”

  “Yes…Mother Superior,” Monahan finally grated out.

  “I believe if we agree, I will take my leave of you all for prayer and supplication for our mission.”

  “Of course.”

  Calvin thought he looked eager to get out of the room. I would be too.

  “I will meet you all later in the command tent,” Sarno said before turning away, her robe sweeping after her.

  “That is one tough lady,” Calvin said after the nuns had departed. “Had to be a Marine.”

  David smirked. “Because only Marines are tough?”

  Monahan crossed his arms in front of him. “This business of not using lethal ammunition is silly.”

  “It’s their party, General. We’re just tagging along,” David said.

  “Yeah. Well, it’s my planet. I’ve been fighting here a heck of a lot longer than any of you. I’m going to go collect my troops and get them situated.”

  “Good luck, General,” David said while extending his hand. Monahan took the offered hand and shook it before walking out.

  “Pleasant fellow,” Calvin said.

  “After what he’s been up to the last however many years? I’ll give him a pass.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “How about we go find some grub?”

  Calvin grinned. “Now you’re speaking my language, Colonel.”

  “We’re off duty. The name is David.”

  “Yeah… I’m a Marine. Sir.”

  David laughed. “Let’s go.”

  A few hours after General Monahan revealed himself to be the leader of the resistance movement and sent shockwaves through the CDF team and the nuns, David found himself walking through the military installation they had captured. Some sisters were busy marching prisoners into holding areas, while others erected static defenses and brought air defense systems online. The hospital attracted his attention again, even though he’d been there earlier in the day, thanks to Dr. Tural’s presence outside, directing traffic.

  Adjusting his path, David made his way over to the doctor. “Salaam-Alaikum, Dr. Tural.”

  “Wa-Alaikum-Salaam, Colonel Cohen,” Tural said. “How are you doing, sir?”

  “I’m honestly a bit shocked we survived the trip down.” David cracked a smile. “It was more than touch and go there for a moment.”

  “I’m thankful at times that my place is deep within the ship; I rarely know how close we all come to dying daily.”

  “Mother Superior told me they lost most of the medical supplies. How bad is the situation, honestly?”

  Tural shook his head. “Not good, sir. I thank Allah we managed to take this hospital intact for the most part, and while we don’t want for basic medical supplies, the more advanced materials, especially for battlefield wound treatment, are lacking.”

  “I’ve set in motion obtaining new supplies, but it’s going to be at least thirty-six hours before they arrive.”

  “The sisters have also insisted on treating all enemy combatants and civilians.”

  “I can see that… they’re even more stringent on saving lives than we are. Calvin was complaining loudly to me a few minutes ago that he’s not allowed to use lethal ammunition except against vehicles and power armor.”

  “I am concerned that we won’t have enough supplies left to treat our casualties. The sisters will undoubtedly suffer combatants wounded in action,” Tural insisted.

  “Doctor, I hear you. But to these folks… all life is sacred. Period. They’ve got a very rigid code of honor. You or I aren’t changing it… besides, I’ve known you to insist on treating all wounded, regardless of who they are.”

  “Of course… that’s my duty as a doctor. I must treat all patients without regard for who they are or what they’ve done. However, this is a situation where I would invoke the proverb of trust in Allah but tie your camel to a tree.”

  David laughed. “You grew up on New Arabia, didn’t you?”

  “One of its moons, sir. A heavy G environment that had approximately 1.3 normal earth gravities.”

  David frowned. Heavy-G causes all kinds of health problems. He’s lucky to be alive. “That must have been hard.”

  “Yes, it was. My younger brother didn’t survive. It tested my faith and still does to an extent. You see, I think my parents believed that Allah would grant us a miracle because of our faith. I’ve come to believe that God helps those that help themselves, as one of my Christian friends put it.”

  “That’s not for me to judge, Doctor,” David said. “But here, we’ve got an opportunity to help people. I think these nuns are the best opportunity we have to do that, right here, right now, on this planet.”

  Tural nodded his agreement but did not speak.

  “Can you get me a list of supplies we need in advance of a more formal resupply mission?”

  “Yes, of course. Do you have something in mind?”

  “Well, this planet has drug stores, warehouses, and military bases. If we need things, let’s shop local first,” David said with a smirk.

  It was Tural’s turn to laugh. “Colonel… I have to say, I love how you put a positive spin on the worst situations.”

  “I haven’t always been that way. Blame Colonel Aibek, our recent success in the war, and a changing of perspectives after Sheila died.”

  “Do you still believe she appeared to you?”

  David turned his head to the side and peered at Tural. “Some days, yes…some days, no. Honestly, I try not to dwell on it. All I know is that what happened that night gave me the strength to carry on. Since then, the things that have happened have continued to give me that inner strength we all so desperately need.”

  “I wish I’d been able to give you a more definitive answer.”

  David shrugged his
shoulders. “The Torah makes clear that we have to accept some things by faith. Miracles imply faith, and not everything is explainable. How we define the margins… is our faith. I look at our universe and the mystery of how we arrived here and believe an all-powerful being explains it. An atheist thinks it’s random chance. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? I guess we’ll find out when we die, but my faith is unshakeable.”

  “Not even in the face of horrendous loss?”

  “No. The Lord gives; the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord,” David replied to Tural’s puzzled expression. “The book of Job.”

  “I see, sir. Well, I’d better get back to setting up this hospital properly. It won’t do itself.”

  “Good luck, Doctor. I’m going to grab a bite to eat and attend the briefing the sisters have called for to discuss our strategy. I’m curious to see what insights General Monahan can offer… this is, after all, his planet.”

  “Ila’liqaa’, Colonel,” Tural said, an Arabic expression for “until we meet again.”

  16

  Calvin walked through the flaps of a large tent bearing the symbol of the cross; for some reason, the sisters wanted their HQ operation outside of the administration building on the military base and were adamant about using only the equipment they had brought with them. David and General Monahan had already arrived, as had Sarno and several younger nuns, whom he recognized as what passed for platoon and company commanders, including Kaufman. They still had their battle armor on but had changed it back to an all-white configuration and exchanged their helmets for habits. The juxtaposition of battle armor, nuns’ habits, and gleaming battle rifles were more than a bit jarring, even for Calvin, who had thought he’d seen just about everything at his age.