“I see that your vision serves you well, Sergeant.”
“No complaints there, Brigadier.”
“Well then, show them what more you can do. Hoe about that tree? Too many leaves don’t you think?.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Sergeant took a starting position, aimed and shot. The shot tore leaves from the stem and with the onslaught of firing, the branches soon looked bare like they were in the midst of autumn. The prisoners watched him with ample respect despite Sergeant being an enemy for them. He then placed the gun back in its holster.
Henry nodded, “The pistol is working, I am convinced. There’s no problem with it. Let Major Vallery Monsan explain what’s going on over here. Vallery see if you can put some sense into these knuckleheads.”
“Yes Sir, I would love to.”
Vallery stepped forward and pointed towards Endy and Vandor and said, “You’ve just witnessed on these dumb test subjects how biogenetic resonance protection works. This chip was embedded in your heads, to avoid any accidental or deliberate attempt to injure or murder each other. This implant is set on your limbic system and is connected directly to the amygdala. And since I don’t expect you’ll to have even a cursory knowledge of what amygdala is, let me explain that too. The amygdala regulates all your emotions and with this implant that can be controlled. All of our genetic codes were written into the resonance, so if any of you tries to be violent towards other prisoners or the commanding officers, it will ping straightaway. And you can see the effects of the ping. Biogenetic protection causes intense headaches and if prolonged the subject may even faint. If you try to resist, the stronger the pain until you pass out.”
“I like it,” Mark Bontovic said.
“Right, Mark. Now nobody will be able to beat you up.”
“Can you do something to stop his constant talking?” asked Aurelia Braks, also known as Baby.
“Do I talk too much?” Mark asked her.
Mark’s constant chatter was known to be irritating, and Vallery stopped him. “If you so much think of having a conversation without my permission, I’ll pass you over to the Sergeant.”
Mark involuntarily froze as he noticed Colburn’s threatening green eyes.
Vallery continued. “Women and men will have separate barracks for sleeping. Visits to the barracks of the opposite sex aren’t permitted, but you will socialize in the same rooms. Permission for leaving these rooms will be issued by Commander Broncon only. Does anyone have any questions?”
Wilburn Mann, aka Sesame, looked at Henry and said, “I’ve got a question for the Commander.” His skinny face stiffened as he stepped up nervously and fixed his gaze on Henry.
Henry gestured him to speak. “What’s your question?”
He folded his arms and asked, “I want to know where you are taking us, if it isn’t a military secret, Brigadier.”
“That question is fine. Let me explain why you were taken out of Hades and exactly where you all have to go. First up, you’ll have been chosen for the abilities you’ll have. All of you were using those abilities for the wrong purpose and thus ended behind bars. But if you succeed in this assignment with me, your past shall be deleted.”
“How do you mean, Brigadier?” Baby asked, fingering the ugly scar that ran across the right side of her face.
“After this expedition, all of you will be set free from all former accusations and your files will be erased,” Henry glanced at everyone present – although they were watching him with interest, he wasn’t quite sure if they believed him. “You can choose planets in any of the known solar systems or at the periphery of mapped space for an absolute identity change. What’s more, you’ll get a hefty an amount of money for starting a new life.”
For Mann though all this was way too familiar and he knew that such deals came with shitty strings attached, “Nice! What’s the fucking catch?”
Henry responded coldly, “You only have to survive the planet we are visiting. The purpose of the assignment is to find the survivors of a civilian expedition and two marine units that disappeared on the planet’s surface.”
He did not even finish and could hear loud murmur among the prisoners; everyone wanted to swear or comment on something. Mann, who had taken over the role of the leader of the pack, shouted and waved his scrawny hands to try and calm them all down. He then cursed them, “I knew something was not right! We refuse to fly to that shit planet, wherever it is.”
Henry threatened back, “First, the planet is Godeena. Second, if you decline to fly with this group, you will be taken back to Hades. The problem does not end there. If you go back the biogenetic resonance device would not be taken out. I will personally ensure that the resonance codes are shared with your bitterest enemies in Hades. Believe me; they’ll be thankful to us for putting you all at their mercy.”
Everyone watched Henry with disbelief while, and Wilburn Mann hated to be put on the back foot, “This is bullshit. You are blackmailing us.”
“Yes, something like that. The President and the government have anyways written you off. They are least interested in your personal tantrums but definitely interested in the planet I spoke about. If you help government succeed in what they want, you automatically become a good citizen. This is your chance to return to normal life.”
“Fuck society. I don’t intend to go back,” shouted Endy van de Mort, slowly getting up off the ground.
“No problem, Ernado Kalsam will be thankful when you’re back.”
The mention of Endy’s his bitterest enemy in Hades did not go well with Endy. Kalsam was the one who had survived Endy’s bombs and will be waiting to blow Endy to smithereens. He was mad with rage but knew that any attempt to physically retaliate will leave him with a heavy head. “I see that you’ve got all the information on me and my acquaintances. I will go. Not because I like it but because I want to find every possible way to neutralize you despite your gadgetry.”
Henry swept his gaze over all present and said, “Works perfectly for me. And by the way, I don’t just have information about you and your history at Hades. I know about everything that has happened to all of you since you were born, so you may want to think twice before acting smart. You have been given a chance, so make the best use of it. From this day on your past are forgotten. You have become my recruits now. Whoever won’t follow Sergeant Colburn’s orders will have to deal with me and I would not hesitate a moment to send you back to Hades. Believe me; I won’t take any shit here.” Every one of them wanted to lay hands on him but knew the painful consequence, so they refrained from saying anything stupid.
“Sergeant, place them in the barracks and have them change their prisoner clothes to military uniforms.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“They can have lunch then and after that, they are free until five o’clock.”
The Sergeant saluted him and ordered, “You heard the commander! Pick up the equipment with your name on it. I am going to show you what perfect soldiers are made of and rest assured I am going to make you all one. Start running. Don’t make me order twice.”
Before they left, Henry turned to Vallery and said, “Major, your equipment is in the office next to mine.”
Obviously surprised, Vallery moved her hand across her short black hair. “I didn’t expect to have my own office.”
“It isn’t acceptable that my deputy sleeps with the prisoners in the barracks. In addition, make sure that the emptied trunks are placed in the depot.”
“I understand,” she said and hurried off to follow the orders.
Nancy winked at Henry as he approached her. “The deputy is a true beauty.”
Henry smiled, “Am I witnessing a dose of envy or is it just plain sarcasm?”
She laughed and waved her hand, but she could not hide the blushes. Henry already knew her feeling for him and here was some more evidence; not that he intended to do anything about it. With no one speaking the silence was beginning to tu
rn embarrassing for Nancy, “I just wanted to say that she is beautiful.”
Henry nodded, “For me, knowledge and experience are more valuable in a deputy than appearance…” He looked towards Vallery who was calling out to two soldiers at the end of the runway. He had to admit that Nancy was indeed right, Vallery really was a beautiful woman and even the prisoner clothes could not hide her perfect body. She looked like a model smiling for a cover page shoot. “…Nevertheless, she is taken.”
Nancy raised her eyebrows. “And how do you know that?”
“She asked me if two more prisoners could go with her. One of them is her lover.”
Henry noticed Vallery approaching and gestured Nancy to silence.
“The prisoners’ clothes are placed in the depot as you have ordered.”
“Excellent. Let me introduce you both to each other. This is my best friend from the Academy, Major Nancy Bauer.”
Vallery smiled and stretched out her hand. “Vallery Monsan.”
Nancy accepted her hand and smiled. “Glad to meet you.”
“Pleasure is mine.”
“I have to say; I didn’t expect the Brigadier’s deputy to be one of the prisoners.”
“Me neither.”
“But I’m sure he has chosen a suitable person for the job.” Nancy did not want the statement to be a downer for Vallery.
“I hope I fit the bill.”
Henry responded, “You have already met all my expectations,” He winked at Nancy. “Except one, isn’t that right, Major Nancy?”
Nancy gave an angry look and changed the subject. “Unfortunately, I have to leave. I have to visit my cruiser and see how the equipment unloading is progressing. I have spent enough time here and I’m sure that my commander cannot manage without me for much longer.”
“I’m glad we’ve met, Nancy. You please carry on,” Vallery said.
“Feelings are mutual.”
Henry didn’t quite understand the reason for her haste, yet called out to her, “See you at dinner.”
She waved without turning back, “Yes of course.” Nancy was having a tough time with her emotions. She was in love with Henry from the first time she saw him, but Henry seemed to be oblivious to it.
The Preparations
IV
Henry woke up even before the military trumpet blew. He continued to lie on his back and looked aimlessly at the ceiling. This was the third day since they had arrived at camp and everything appeared to be coming together. Even the prisoners were peaceful as they had accepted their military objectives; besides, who would anyways want to mess with the biogenetic resonance devices fitted in their heads. Also, most of the equipment had been unloaded and placed in the hangars, and the next delivery ship was expected to come in only fifteen days later; which therefore meant that Nancy had to go back to her base.
The early morning trumpet just then echoed rhythmically through the base, while last night’s dream replayed in Henry’s head; a nightmare which came to haunt him regularly night after night. In that dream, he always saw the battle between the Anskers and the soldiers on that little hill. All the soldiers had his face, and they were all dying, one by one, on that large battlefield. The Anskers were charging past him but did not notice him at all. Henry was roaring furiously and shooting at them, but not one of them fell. It was scary as he could see his bullets tearing off their flesh and shredding their uniforms but still they continued attacking. The dream always ended the same way. After the terrible slaughter the leader of the Anskers would carry his head, shouting at him, “It was your fault! It was all, your fault!”
Just about then, Henry heard a loud knock on the door and he jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. Corporal Malcolm Knord entered the bedroom.
“Brigadier, your coffee is ready!”
“I am coming. Have you prepared all the data I had asked for?”
“Everything is on your desk, Sir. Would you need anything else?”
“No. I am fine.”
“If you need me, I’ll be in the hall, Sir.”
“Alright.”
Henry turned on the cold water and slowly washed his face to come back to senses. He looked at his green-blue eyes in the mirror and stroked his fingers through his short, crew cut black hair, touching the gray streaks over his ears. Several tiny scars adorned Henry’s face; the largest was on his nose, and it cut his full lip at the corner. Henry remembered well when he had got it. Freddy Bolton was not loved by the kids in his crew, but he was two times bigger and stronger than them and he literally used his weight around. That fateful day, Freddy was especially in a moody and wicked frame of mind. Henry had refused to give him his mother’s cherry pie, so he pushed him to the floor and gave him a violent blow across his mouth with his nailed boots. That was the first time in Henry’s whole life that he had lost control. Henry then beat the crap out of him and till date didn’t know where he got his strength from. In the end, he made Freddy eat the pie, which had fallen on the floor, and post that, Freddy never crosses path with Henry or the group. Henry became a hero among his friends that day.
Many years had passed since that event, but Henry remembered it as if it were yesterday. He stroked his unshaven beard. He hated the norm of shaving every day in the Army, but he couldn’t overrule it either. Henry took his laser razor and hurriedly made a couple of strokes across the chin and refreshed his face using some lotion. He looked at the face in the mirror with satisfaction.
“It’s a new morning, Brigadier. It’s time for business!”
Coffee was on the desk, still steaming in a large tin cup. A heap of equipment had been removed, so the office seemed a bit larger. He picked up a thin data disk and pressed a button at the bottom of his computer screen. All the data had been updated; Malcolm had done his job extremely well. Nancy had also done her best to get it all, and he had to thank her before she left. Henry took a good gulp of the coffee and called Malcolm on the communicator.
“Malcolm, call Major Nancy Bauer!”
“Yes, Sir. Major Vallery is here, and she wants to talk to you.”
“Let her in.”
Vallery looked fresh, something he himself wasn’t. She saluted with a smile on her face. “Good morning, Commander! Am I too early?”
Henry showed her to the chair. “Good morning, sit down. Would you like some coffee?”
A knock at the door interrupted them.
“Come in,” he said and then continued talking to Vallery, “Go ahead. I’ll have to keep the door open or else all this shouting will cause my vocal chords to go on strike.”
Vallery laughed and sat down. Malcolm appeared at the door holding a cup of coffee in his hand. “Major I brought coffee with a dash of milk for you.”
Vallery smiled and stated, “You remembered well, Corporal!”
Malcolm blushed at the compliment, “It’s only my job.”
While he put the coffee in front of her, Henry asked him, “Did you contact Major Bauer?”
“She’s on her way,” Malcolm responded.
“Great. Thanks!” Henry said as Malcolm moved to the door and closed it shut behind him.
Having taken a sip, Vallery said, “You have an excellent assistant.”
He leaned back in his chair. “True. The data I had asked for is on the desk. The coffee is excellent.”
Then he leaned forward, took his cup of coffee and had a gulp. There was another knock at the door at that moment and Vallery called out, without waiting for Henry to respond.
“Come in!”
Nancy stepped in, also with a cup of coffee in her hand. “Good morning!”
“Good morning!”
“Henry, you don’t look like you had a good night’s sleep,” she said, looking at his dried out face. “Bad dreams?”
Sometimes Henry got a feeling that Nancy could read his thoughts. Then he responded, “Something likes that.”
Nancy nodded as she quite understood th
at it could be the Anskers again.
“When do you fly back to base?” Henry asked.
Nancy looked out the window toward the runway, “Sky is clear. We’ll take off at exactly ten.”
“Then you have enough time to go through your morning training regimen. It’s useful to get some exercise you know, to limber up and to keep your body weight down.” Henry gestured at her, almost running his hand through her imaginary curves.
Before Nancy answered, she sat down at the other side of the desk and took a sip of coffee. “Haven’t you ever been told before that age or weight of women is not a topic of discussion?”
Henry smiled as he seemed to hit a chord somewhere. “I’ve heard something like that. However, since you were appointed cruiser commander-in-chief, you’ve seemed to relax a bit. It doesn’t appear that you have visited the gym ever since. I care about you, you see.”
Nancy winked at Vallery, who was laughing, and said with a smile, “I’ll show this big fella what running is – we should have a race! He shouldn’t have called me fat.”
“I haven’t called you fat.” He protested, I may have observations bur I do understand being courteous,” and then with a smirk continued. “You are maybe a little plump but not fat.”
She tried to make act serious but gave in and laughed, “If I didn’t like this coffee so much, I’d throw it at you.”
“Luckily I know that and hence make my verbal moves at the right time.”
Their laughter was broken by the thunder of the cruiser jet’s motors. Furious, Nancy got up and pushed aside the window blinds. “What the hell, is going on? I told that idiot Farenhall not to start the motors until…” She broke off in the middle of her sentence. “Henry, it seems that you have a visitor!”
“What visitor?” he got up from his seat to have a look. Henry peeped out through the window to see the clouds of vapor pouring from the cruiser’s thundering jet motors. Around the same time, about ten fighters flew over the Headquarters building, to make a touch at the nearby runway.
Godeena: SF Novel Page 7