by Matt Thomas
“You better be right, Bryan.” Jess snorted back. “They’re pissed, but I don’t think you realize just how pissed, or at who.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Major Liao was in the middle of briefing personnel numbers and the beginning of the weekly command and staff meeting in the conference room when the red light went on. Everyone stopped to look at it as though the light itself could provide more details about what was happening. Within a few seconds, text scrolled across the monitors at each desk spelling out that Eighty-Two Twenty-Two had made contact close to the city.
Xander shifted through the screens on his computer until he found the plan for the days operation. They were doing a recon of the area around the Hetarek shuttle area on the southern edge of the lake outside the city. Soon, that facility would be a secondary drop-zone.
A private message popped up in his screen from Sergeant Tennison.
"SIR NEED YOU."
He excused himself from the meeting with little resistance from the rest of the staff and crossed the hall into his office.
Sergeant Tennison and one of his analysts, Sergeant Lutierez waited for him on the other side of the door.
"Sorry, sir.” Tennison began, shoving a tablet into his hand. “But you need to take a look at this."
Lutierez pulled up a feed from the Loki on the main screen.
"Two-Two TICed up right outside objective Charlie about ten minutes ago. They were going in low intensity to get some surveying done and got engaged by a local patrol." He began.
"Some random thing we didn't expect?" Xander prompted.
"We didn't expect it, but I don't think it was random.” Tennison replied. “I think they beefed up security for a VIP going through the airfield. Loki had two Scythes sitting ready on the field. The weather is surprisingly good as you can see so it doesn't surprise me they'd be doing flight operations."
"So who's the VIP and where are they?"
Lutierez zoomed Loki out to a cluster of white office buildings south of the airfield. A small convoy of Hetarek trucks sat in a huge parking lot near the entrance.
"As soon as they made contact, this convoy stopped here, about a mile south of Two-Two. Collection sources with the team picked up a lot of comm chatter, and we saw a group of Hetarek and a human exit the trucks and enter the building. We're thinking its Iago and Othello."
Xander thought about it for a moment. Finding both the Speaker and his handler, Dirvrack, relatively isolated and so close to the team seemed too good to be true. "It could be another high-level collaborator." He said, already knowing it unlikely. He’d expect that they would know about another human working with the Hetarek.
Lutierez nodded cautiously. "Yes sir, it could be. We're pulling a ton of data now to see if we can narrow it down. But high security from the airfield, the human, the Scythes standing by as an escort..."
Xander agreed. "It paints a picture."
"It does, and it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility that they would bring in major personalities after some of the recent events. Especially after we took out Claudius and what happened with Banquo." Tennison provided.
He thought about it. On one hand, it made sense to to run with what they had. On the other hand, they were sending the team on a significant detour in the middle of a firefight without certainty that their target was there. "Keep working on it. I know what CHOPS is going to say."
His prediction came true. "I'm not pulling the team out of a fight on that." Berne said, shaking his head.
"I figured. They're working on getting more.” He gestured to the video feed. “How's it going?"
Berne pointed to the overhead view superimposed on a map. "They got into it pretty good. They've got about two squads of Hetarek engaging them from two locations. The team was just doing a drive-by of that objective, but now they're just trying to get these guys off their back. There’s a bunch of buildings Bryan's using for cover. The Hetarek are starting to look like they've realized they bit off more than they can chew, which is something."
Lutierez appeared on the OPCEN floor, waving Xander over. Xander excused himself and returned to the intelligence cell.
"Sir, we have reporting that Othello isn't on the Arabian Peninsula, and we also have objective Brutus telling an unidentified person that he, Brutus, just had a bad meeting with someone he called 'his new boss.'"
“Brutus is the guy we think is replacing Banquo - Hernandez. He’s the guy we think is the new regional speaker?”
“Yes, sir.” Tennison confirmed.
"And he said he had a meeting with his boss?"
"That's what he said, sir.” Lutierez said.
"Okay. Let me see if we're in business." He returned to the OPCEN floor. The radio calls came through in short, calm bursts. On the screens, it looked like the team had built some space between them and the Hetarek.
Xander relayed the information, and Berne lost some of his skepticism. "So Iago and Othello aren't home, Brutus met with his boss, and his boss is Iago."
The intelligence officer nodded. "That's our assessment."
"Let's see what Bryan says."
Popov keyed the radio and called in. "Beast Two-Two, Serpent Eight-Two, over."
A burst of static came over the radio, like someone keyed a mic while firing a weapon. They repeated their call.
"Go for Beast Two-Two." Bryan's voice was tight and clipped.
"Be advised we believe we have Othello and Iago in your vicinity. Over."
There was a long pause, followed by the team leader shouting over noise of the firefight around him. The screen flashed with gunfire. "Say again, Serpent Eight-Two, I didn't copy."
They repeated their message.
"Serpent Two Two, I can't fucking hear... Wait one."
On the screen they watched two figures emerge from a structure, certainly Howe and Siskind, and climb into their modified Komodo. The next transmission came through with the background noise more muted.
"Intel shows Objectives Othello and Iago near your position. Loki’s second view is looking at the building now. Over."
There was a pause as the team leader undoubtedly checked the screen with the satellite feed. "Serpent Eight-Two, what building number is that?"
"No building number. It's outside the target area about four clicks south."
Another long pause.
"We're in the middle of a pretty good gunfight right now, Serpent Eight-Two."
Xander grabbed the radio, hoping his voice would convey the strength of the Intel. "Roger, Beast Two-Two. Our assessment of the targets is strong. You ran into their security which is why the opportunity is there."
They waited for Bryan to make up his mind. It didn't take long.
"How do I get there?"
"We will talk you through with Loki."
"And once I get there what do you want me to do?"
At this, Berne grabbed the radio himself. "Kill/Capture."
There was a pause. Xander could practically hear Howe’s brain planning his next steps. "Beast Two-Two copies. Splitting into two elements. Alpha will proceed to target area. Bravo will remain this location to continue TIC."
On the screen, activity intensified. The team lay down a heavy volume of fire while eight of them piled into one Komodo, heading south. The screen displayed a break down of who had fallen into which element, roster numbers appearing in neat columns in the corners.
The images switched, the primary, higher resolution image stayed on the Komodo. Xander relayed directions through Popov. Twice they had to take detours because of other Hetarek and Metic Ahai in the area.
They arrived at the office complex, parking on the other side of what had once been a small park, using the overgrown landscaping as cover.
Through a thermal lens, the blurry dots of body heat took up over watch positions, the team splitting again, with three on the east side of the building and four on the west.
"Beast
Two-Two Alpha in position. Bravo reports breaking contacting and RTB."
“Serpent Eight-Two copies all. Good hunting.”
With the first element lying in wait, and the second element returning to base, the screens got suddenly calm. As did the OPCEN floor. All eyes were on the building, the Hetarek Komodos parked out front and a clearing available in the old parking lot that would be perfect for a Scythe landing zone.
“We’ve got movement.” Sure enough, a Scythe appeared in the corner of the screen, slowly approaching to land. Heterak figures emerged from the building. And one human form. Xander and Berne held their breath.
*****
The word came through that the Scythe would be redirected to avoid the disturbance at the nearby airfield. The Speaker felt relieved, knowing that they could get back to the vehicles outside and get moving. Being stuck in an area so close to a firefight was far from ideal. While he'd seen more than his share of violence in his years of service to the Hetarek, the orchestrated butchering was a far cry from combat.
Since Kevak Akkad had ordered them to remain in the region, they had lived in the cold and rain. Between the parched planets of the Twins, and a lifetime with the Hetarek, the constant drizzle wore on him. He looked forward to returning to the desert, even if Kevak Akkad and his temper awaited them. Matters had gotten worse, especially since the locals rose up against Hernandez and butchered him. Only chance kept Khuu Divrack from attending what had been a scheduled execution of rebels. A Scythe in need of repair kept the Speaker from being the decapitated, butchered human on display outside the ransacked compound. Of course, logic dictated that Darga Kahil and his Crimson Guard would have accompanied Khuu Divrack, and he doubted that the humans, even the Runner soldiers, would have survived the encounter.
They made their way back down the central stairwell wrapping itself around what had once been an atrium lined with marketing photos for visiting customers that were decades overdue. The double glass doors at the end of the hallway showed the Komodos fifty meters away, on the other side of crumbling concrete planters. The trees shook and blew as a Scythe lowered itself onto the parking lot, sending debris flying in all directions. He felt relief at seeing his ride out of the region’s constant battle and bloodbath. He hadn’t realized he had been holding his breath. The day’s frustrations had become a metaphor for everything that had happened in the previous months. He pictured himself basking in the warm sun, being berated by Kevak Akkad but knowing his failure would likely keep him far away from this region. His pick for the new regional speaker seemed capable enough to not require his constant presence. Neither did the planned butchering of any Runner human who dared to attempt an invasion. No, he could divorce himself from the atrocities committed on both sides in this area, and return to his third-hand ignorance.
Two body guards went first towards the Scythe, followed by Khuu Divrack and Thrulk, with a handful more escorts following behind him.
They made it ten meters out of the building. The first blast knocked the Speaker backwards. He found himself laying on the pavement nearly blind and deaf. Blotches flickered in front of his eyes as he tried to stare at the strangely clear sky. The ringing in his ears blocked out nearly all sound. His vision resolved, and he saw rounds flying inches over his face. He rolled to his side instinctively. Dirvack, or the top of his torso, head, and one of his arms, lay within arms reach. The eyes were bulgy and swollen. Blood came from his mouth and pooled where what was left of his body dissolved into the ground. He couldn’t see Thrulk, but with the smoke and bits of pavement and Hetarek still falling around him, his bodyguard could be concealed anywhere.
He craned his neck back. From the trees at the edge of the parking lot, he saw flashes. Closer, within feet, rounds impacted the pavement around him.
They're trying to kill me. He thought.
With the sudden realization, he looked at the scene closer around him. Several of the guards were dead or dying. Others fought fiercely. The closest Komodo burned.
I can make it. He thought stupidly. I can get up and run to them. They're right there.
But they're trying to kill you. They'll kill you before you get there.
He checked the Hetarek again. They didn't look like enough to fight back and simultaneously keep him from leaving. Besides, their principle was dead already. Maybe they wouldn't care.
He braced himself, shoving his hands beneath his shoulders. His aged body hurt as he tried to get his knees under him. Yes, he would run. Dirvack had plucked him off the Twins. He’d brought him to Earth. Every time the Hetarek wanted to kill him, to discard him, to send him to some work enclave, Dirvrack had protected him politically while Thrulk protected him physically. With Dirvrack in pieces, Kevak Akkad’s wrath would come down solely on his shoulders, if he made it to the Scythe, if he made it to where heartbeats before he had desperately wanted to go.
Now he had to flee. They might not kill him if he gave up his secrets. They might not kill him if he repented. They might not make an example of him he they could use him for their own purposes. If he gave them hope, telling them the truth about the desperate Hetarek situation, they might return the favor.
His muscles, such as they were, tensed and he started to pick himself up.
Claws grabbed his shoulders. Thrulk pulled him back, rolling on top of him to shield him from the fire. He shouted instructions into his ear, not ordering compliance, but begging that he allow Thrulk to save his life. The Hetarek placed his body between the Speaker and the human soldiers, shoving him forward towards the Scythe. Blasts continued. Gunfire continued. The remaining Komodo and warriors from the Scythe recovered from their shock and began firing. He glanced over his shoulder, and two warriors gathered what was left of Dirvrack, even as the humans continued their effort. Each stumbling step took him further away from a hope that, until that moment, he had forgotten that he had. A hope that would take him away from the Hetarek. A hope that would let him live and certainly die amongst his own people rather than at their hand. As he looked over his shoulder, Thrulk’s ignorance of human expression kept him from recognizing the wave of thirty years of indoctrination burn away with the firefight. Thrown bodily into the Scythe, as the ramp closed behind him, he began to wonder whether he had been saved or nearly saved.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
"That doesn't look like the Pacific Northwest." Lieutenant Colonel Berne correctly observed. The screens from Loki showed desert and rocks with a smattering of Hetarek structures and ships.
"It's Southern California." Xander answered. "We tracked Iago's ship here after the hit."
"So Iago's still alive?"
Xander nodded. "We watched him walk off the ramp and get to that larger building about two hours ago. It’s kind of hard to miss a human amongst the Hetarek."
"What about Othello?"
Xander shrugged. "I won't be able to confirm it probably for another few days. There were definitely Hetarek KIA but it's hard to tell without some more collection."
"But you think we got him?"
"Given how far they are outside their pattern right now I'd say so. But I've been wrong before."
Berne laughed. "So you've used up all your wrong answers then?"
After the long night, pouring through reports and trying to track down whether the got the targets, he couldn’t bring himself to return the laugh. "Wouldn't that be nice."
"You sleep at all last night?"
"Sure." Xander said.
Tennison stepped on the floor, another report in her hand. "No he didn't."
Taking his chair, Berne took a long, noisy sip of his coffee. "How bad did we stir the hornets nest?"
"Pretty bad.” He replied. “I don't know why they went to SoCal instead of the Peninsula. Loki picked up a ton of movement around Seattle before we retasked it to follow the shuttle."
Berne put down his oversized mug. "We have any more of that coffee cake?"
Xander handed over the nearly empty
tin that had been sitting on Berne’s desk overnight. The Chief of Operations picked at the crumbs. “I think Hamlet is there. Along with Romeo and Lear.”
That got Berne’s attention. “What makes you say that? Can we hit him?”
“We have a ton of reporting and activity down there. We don’t have many collection assets that we can point there, but what he have are lighting up. But, no, sir, we can’t hit them. We don’t have any assets. The new Loki isn’t armed, and a Slingshot would take too long. Thunder is way out of position.”
“That’s fucking great. We finally find them, almost all of them, and we don’t have an asset we can kill them with.” Berne grumbled.
“That’s about right, sir.”
CHOPS stewed for a moment. "What's down in SoCal for the Hetarek, anyway? Some kind of regional center?" Berne asked.
"It's more of a military hub for the Americas. He's probably literally rallying the troops. I’ve been staring at it all night, and, sir, I think there’s a hatchery there."
“Now I definitely want to kill it.” Berne replied. “We’ve been looking for that hatchery for a long time. Can we take it out with a Slingshot?”
Arush piped up. “Sir, we can totally take it out with some Slingshots. But that would winchester Thunder. We’re going to want those rounds to hit some targets the night before we land. Plus, Thunder is way out of alignment to hit that area. It could take half a day for them to get into position from where they are now.”
“And, with the real Loki out of commission, we’d leave the team without any overhead support at all.” Xander mentioned.
Berne continued to fidget, finally tossing the empty tin across the room into a garbage can. "I was thinking last night." He said. "We've been worried about tipping our hand. What if we use the hit as a cover?"
Xander thought for a moment. "You mean we make them think we were there to hit Othello?"
"Yeah. I have Bryan keep a lower profile. Do some surrogate ops. Stop getting in these massive gunfights. What do you think?"