The Last Hero

by Nathaniel Danes

  Just that morning, the world had seemed so simple. He thought he had a pretty good idea of how his life would turn out. Sell insurance, raise Anna, spend time with Madison, and then play with his grandchildren.

  Now his future held either a violent death on some alien planet, or losing his life to the ravages of physics. The more he thought about it, the more he wished that he could go back to the fantasy world he lived in that morning.

  Madison wasn’t due home for another half an hour. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon out of the liquor cabinet and sat at the kitchen table to wait.

  How the hell do you tell your wife that her husband and the father of her child is leaving both of them to fight a war in space?

  Trent knew that Andersen was right about everything. He was the best man for the mission, from both a military standpoint and public relations. He remembered the chaos of the days before the Kitright arrived. The mass panic nearly destroyed entire cities.

  If humanity needed to fight an interstellar war, they couldn’t afford such disruptions. His presence could help calm the fears of a public terrified of the unknown again. Andersen was even right about him not really having a choice. The government would be well within their legal rights to force him back into the military.

  What bothered Trent was that Andersen didn’t need to force him to do anything. A soldier’s life was all he ever wanted. It flowed through his veins as thick as red blood cells. A big part of him wanted to go, wanted to fight, no matter what the personal cost. Though he couldn’t deny it, he also wanted to see his little girl grow up and walk her down the aisle on her wedding day.

  None of that would happen if those beasts made it to Earth, and he was the best man to lead the first counter-strike. The monsters were real, and it was the job of every father to keep the monsters away. Sitting on the sidelines isn’t an option.

  Trapped in deep thought, Trent didn’t hear Madison come in.

  “What are you doing home? I thought you were picking up Anna?” She glanced at the bottle of bourbon and glass in his hand. “What’s going on?”

  “Sit down, honey.”

  “Where’s Anna?”

  “Your dad picked her up for me. She’s having dinner with them. Please sit.”

  Madison looked into her husband’s tormented eyes, seeing the fear and pain.

  “What’s going on? You don’t look right.”

  He waited for her to take a seat, studying her form intently. Madison’s wavy red hair and milky white skin had always attracted him. She placed a hand on top of his to provide a small token of comfort. He looked into her caring brown eyes and remembered their time together. It didn’t start like some Disney movie.

  After the mission in South Africa, the government had paraded Trent around like a national hero. The celebrity and warrior image brought with it a seemingly endless supply of beautiful women eager to bed the Trent Maxwell, “The Last American Hero,” as the newsnet had called him. He didn’t think it polite to disappoint any of them.

  Madison started out as one of the groupies, just another one-night stand. But she ended up pregnant. Trent stopped the excessive fornicating to explore an actual relationship with the mother of his child. To everyone’s surprise, including his, the two hit it off. Refusing to look like a beached whale in her wedding photos for all eternity, she had insisted that the wedding take place after Anna’s birth.

  Despite the awkward beginning, the marriage worked. Trent’s insides churned at the thought of leaving her. She deserved better.

  “There is no easy way to say this. So I’m just going to lay out the facts.”

  “I’m listening.”

  You poor thing, I’m so sorry.

  “Two Colonial Fleet officers came to see me today. New Earth has been wiped out. All of the colonists were killed. Murdered.”

  “Oh my God!” Her hand retracted from his. “What happened?”

  “They were attacked by a new alien race. A race we know almost nothing about. The Kitrights don’t know anything about them. They didn’t just attack the colony, Madison, they exterminated…everyone.”

  Madison leaned back in her chair to absorb the information.

  “When did this happen?”

  “Two weeks ago.”

  “Why isn’t this on the news? Why did they come to see you, to tell you this?” she said more than asked.

  Trent took a big gulp of whiskey. The liquid courage burned on the way down.

  “They’re making the announcement in two days. It’s a high-level state secret till then, so don’t tell anyone. Not a soul. They don’t want to tell the public until they can also announce a plan of action, hoping it will help keep people calm.”

  “But why tell—” the answer to her question hit her like a bolt of lightning. She slapped a hand over her mouth. “You’re part of their plan. Aren’t you?”

  She stood, sending her chair squeaking across the kitchen floor. Madison thrust a finger at him.

  “Of course, they have to send the big war hero. Don’t worry everyone...we’re going to throw my husband on some planet so he can get himself killed. Then all of you can sleep a little better tonight. Fuck that! You’re not going anywhere!”

  “Madison, please sit down. Talk to me about this.”

  “What is there to talk about? You’re not going anywhere. You’re no longer a soldier. You sell insurance for Christ’s sake.” She tossed her hands into the air. “Are they going to have you bore them to death by explaining the details of a term life policy?”

  “Honey, please calm down. I’m one of a handful of people in the whole world who has the actual combat experience to do this. You know that. In two days, there will be a press conference. I’ll be there. I don’t have a choice.”

  “Bullshit!” Madison paced wildly. “Why are you defending them? You didn’t say that you were going, did you? What do you mean you don’t have a choice?”

  Trent stood to try and calm Madison down by reaching out to her. She refused his embrace.

  “When I was discharged, the fine print said the government can call me back into service in cases of emergency. They’ll classify this as an emergency. After the Secretary General of the UN explains what happened to New Earth, he’ll inform the world we’re in a state of war. Do you get it? An entire plant at war, and not with itself. Nothing like this has ever happened. He’ll also announce preparations for a counter-attack are already underway. And that I’m leading the strike force.”

  “No you’re not!” Madison yelled. She punched Trent squarely in the chest. “Ouch!” she complained, mourning her wrist.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded, rubbing her injured joint.

  Trent continued, “I either fight, or I go to prison.”

  She slumped into the chair. Her whole body defined defeat, from the downcast expression on her face, to how she seemed to crumple forward.

  “Why aren’t you mad? Why are you defending them for taking you away from your family?”

  Tears welled up in her lovely brown eyes. He rushed forward to try embracing her again. This time she allowed it.

  “It’s not that I want to go. It’s that I have to go.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “There’s something you need to see.”

  Trent stepped away and walked around the table. He pulled a holoplate out of his bag. Andersen let him keep it, so his wife could truly see why he must go to war. He placed the plate in front of Madison.

  “This is a holo of the attack on New Earth. Once you watch it, I hope you understand. I warn you, this is something you can’t un-see. It’s...very troubling.”

  Madison wiped away tears to prepare herself to press play. Once ready, the holo began.

  Trent didn’t watch. He concentrated on his wife. The frightful images danced off her wide-open eyes as she found herself unable to blink or look away. Seeing people, particularly children, ripped apart kills a little of your soul. He stood there watching his wife and mour
ned the part of her that he witnessed die.

  The holo ended.

  Madison sat perfectly still, not saying a word for a minute. Then she jumped up, sprinted to the kitchen sink, and vomited as her body fruitlessly tried to expel the images recently burned into her mind.

  “You see, I have to fight. I’m the best man for the job. I can’t let those things, these beasts get here.”

  Madison didn’t say anything. Tears dripped down her face. The silence was louder than if she had screamed at him.

  ***

  That night, Trent tucked a sleepy little angel into bed. He took extra time to study her face…the squirming movements of her tiny body…the delightful smell of the bubble bath she loved…the sound of her sweet voice. He tried to commit everything about her to memory.

  Scanning the pink walls dotted with ribbons and painted flowers, he attempted to soak in the innocence of a little girl’s room.

  Anna’s childish world of imagination, candy, dolls, playmates, and spoiling grandparents was for all purposes, perfect. His spirit sank. He was about to shatter that world.

  “Daddy?”

  Her voice pulled him back to her.

  “Yes, Anna.”

  “Why is Mommy sad?”

  “Oh, honey.” He pulled her covers up over her princess pajamas. “Sometimes mommies and daddies get sad.”

  “Did I make Mommy sad?”

  “Oh, no honey.” His heart broke. “Mommy isn’t sad because of you. You make Mommy happy.”

  “Okay.” She smiled.

  “Now you get some sleep. We’re going to have a fun day tomorrow.”

  Trent planted a gentle kiss on Anna’s forehead. He stood to walk out, but she stopped him.

  “Sing to me.”

  Her simple request warmed Trent’s heart.

  “You are my sunshine

  My only sunshine

  You make me happy

  When the skies are grey.

  You’ll never know dear

  How much I love you

  Please don’t take

  My sunshine away

  The other night dear,

  As I lay sleeping

  I dreamed I held you in my arms

  When I awoke dear

  I was mistaken

  So I hung

  My head

  And I cried”

  Chapter 3: The Pentagon

  “W

  hat time is the press conference?” Trent asked.

  They were in a government car, riding through the streets of Washington D.C. Those strolling along the sidewalks barely gave them a glance. Street vendors called out their wares, people spoke to each other as they waited for traffic signals to change, an absolutely normal world was outside the confines of this vehicle he wanted to abandon.

  “It’s in four hours in front of the Pentagon” Commander Andersen replied. “You cut it real close getting here. Wish you had come in the night before.”

  “I just told my wife that our marriage was pretty much over, and she would soon be a single mother. You can take your concern and shove it.”

  “Now, now, Major. That’s no way for an Earth Legion officer to talk.”

  Trent turned his head to look at Andersen. After a second, when the higher ranking officer didn’t back off his outrageous response, Trent returned his attention to the Potomac River they were now crossing.

  “It’s nice to be promoted already, but what the hell is the Earth Legion?”

  “It’s what the army is going to be called. There is the Colonial Fleet, and now the Earth Legion. The structure is going to be roughly based on the Roman model. Legion for division, cohort for regiment, centuries for companies, and so on.”

  Trent replied, “Stupid question. Why the hell does the army of the future reach back a couple thousand years for its name and structure?”

  “It’s a sound model. Honestly, the real reason is all PR.”

  “Seems to be a trend these days.”

  “Tell me about it. I would much rather have one of the new warships they’re planning to build than deal with this crap all the time. Although, the logic behind it does make some sense.

  “For the first several years of this war, it will pretty much be an American effort. Our forces were the most powerful the world ever knew, naturally we’re the best equipped to get this whole thing started. Plus, our draw down wasn’t as complete as advertised.” He winked at Trent. “We left some pieces of military infrastructure in place and have been quietly bringing it back to life. That’s why the Pentagon is being repurposed, back to military use. It will be the nerve center for the Fleet and Legion.

  “This is a global effort. We’ll be drawing on the resources of the whole planet. We’re doing some cosmetic things to make it look less American.”

  The car pulled into the Pentagon parking lot, stopping in front of the main entrance.

  “Let’s get you ready for the press.”

  “What am I supposed to do at this thing?”

  “Look tough, like you can’t wait to start fighting again.”

  ***

  Trent didn’t know if he looked tough. He spent the entire press conference standing behind the Secretary General, trying not to sweat too much under the late June sun in his brand new, all black, Legion uniform.

  At first sight, it reminded him of the Nazi SS uniforms used in World War II. He hoped no one else would make the same connection. Not exactly the smartest PR decision for a bunch of people who seemed consumed by little more.

  When the Secretary mentioned him by name, Trent stepped forward into a blizzard of bright lights emanating from a phalanx of holo recorders focused on him. Other than that, he stood there trying to look tough.

  Whatever the hell that means.

  For now, the bullshit part of his new assignment was over. It was time to start building an army, or legion for that matter. Man would once again don the cloak of warrior. Trent felt excited to be part of it. The thrill of returning to military service also made him feel guilty. He already missed Madison and Anna.

  “Let’s get started,” said an older black man with silver hair. He stood at the front of the large wooden conference table surrounded by men and woman in black and gray uniforms. The room was buried deep within the bowels of the Pentagon.

  Trent knew the man as General Fairbanks, the last Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Now he was the top commander of a military force that could just about fit into the meeting room where he stood.

  Not one for meetings and anxious to get to the heart of matters concerning his mission, Trent raised his hand.

  “Yes, Major?” Fairbanks said. His deep voice alone commanded respect.

  “Sorry if I’m jumping the gun here, but...my mission. Who is on my team and where are we going, sir?”

  “Have no fear, Major. Your mission is our top priority. We want to get you and your unit off planet in two months.”

  “Two months! Sir...if I may? That seems like an awfully short timetable. I have no idea who is on my team. It will take us time to train and develop some type of unit cohesion, and that’s after we form.”

  “Your team is being formed as we speak. They should be here in five days...”

  “Who are they?” Trent asked.

  “I was getting to that, Major,” Fairbanks shot back, reminding Trent of his place in the reformed military hierarchy. “They’ll all be former military. We’re trying to recruit several members of your team from South Africa. We won’t know how many of them take us up on the offer for a couple of days. The rest will come from a variety of other countries. I’m told it will send a nice message if the first legion unit is composed of several different nations.”

  Trent was glad to detect the general’s distain for PR.

  “Does that answer your question?”

  “Yes, but I still don’t know the where.”

  “Ahh, yes, the where.” Fairbanks strolled around the table. “Computer, bring up sector 00159-2.”

/>   The holo display function of the conference table kicked in. First, it showed the galaxy and then the scene rapidly zoomed in on the specific solar system Fairbanks’ numbers referred to.

  “Computer, highlight the fourth planet.”

  The display enlarged the planet. Trent stared at it, and it seemed to stare back at him. It was beautiful in its own way. It looked a lot like Mars, but with massive oceans and white clouds.

  “This is where you’re going. We strongly believe there’s an enemy base on this world. Your mission will be to drop in in advance of the Fleet strike force, gather intel on the enemy, and aid in the primary assault.”

  “If I may, sir? How do we know there is an enemy base on this planet? We learned about this race only after they attacked New Earth. I leave in two months. What strike force? There’s no way the Fleet will have warships by then.”

  “All questions I would ask if I was in your shoes. As you know, we have hundreds of probes out in deep space mapping the universe. After New Earth, we shot commands to all of them through the gate, ordering them to report back immediately with all of their data. Specifically, we were looking for a type of signal the New Earth defense grid detected. It’s a marker for their tech. Find the signal, you’ve found their tech; find their tech and you’ve found them.”

  Fairbanks finished a slow walk around the table and again stood at its head.

  “You’re exactly right about the Fleet or the Legion for that matter. It’s going to take a decade to get Earth on a proper war footing. That’s why this little piece of space is so special, so right for this mission.

  “Computer, back out to system map, wide view. See here?” Fairbanks pointed at a clump of dark matter. “This is a gate right on top of the planet. We believe they have it heavily fortified. Come through there, and you have a fight on your hands. We could have a ship heading through that gate in a year. But we don’t have a Fleet, and more importantly we don’t know a damn thing about the enemy.