by JR Handley
“Go ahead,” she replied, “and try to repeat my message to the other outposts, but do not disturb me with your results, successful or otherwise.”
When the officer acknowledged, Nhlappo added with a slight catch in her voice, “If… if my sons are alive, tell them to stand tall like I taught them.”
Disconnected the link, Nhlappo bit her lip until the blood flowed and kept on until the pain cleared her head. Standing to her feet and gripping a handle on the ceiling of the Stork, she addressed what was left of her command. She linked her comms into the other Stork as well.
“We don’t know the situation. Sergeants, check your Marines. We’re exactly five mikes out from our landing zone. If they’re gonna shoot us down, we should detect the rounds now. If things go as planned, we’ll be in the hangar bay shortly. It’s late in the day, so ensure your night vision optics are functioning and ready. Make use of your time – Nhlappo out.”
Fifteen and a half minutes later, the two remaining shuttles from New Detroit began their coasting descent pattern and landed safely inside the designated Beta City hangar. Once the Storks landed, the rear ramps and side doors opened. Marines from New Detroit poured out to form a secure perimeter around their birds. As per Marine doctrine, one pilot prepared for an emergency take-off, while the other prepared to use his onboard weapons to make a last stand.
An armed contingent from Beta City approached the birds in a tactical formation. Neither side sure what the other would do, helmets collectively began looking for areas of cover. Realizing that things would quickly deteriorate, Nhlappo slung her carbine and stepped forward, raising her hands in the universal gesture of good will.
“Field Marshal Nhlappo here,” barked the former training sergeant, in full parade deck glory. “Stand down, and take me to your commander – this instant.”
Without meaning to, the Marines around her started to snap to attention before catching themselves. When it appeared that the silence would only be broken by the sounds of carbine fire, two Marines stepped forward. It was the Jotun and the human sergeant who had cut her off.
So this is Marchewka, thought Nhlappo. Very commanding, after years of that sniveling Spartika, I can work with this. Looks like the sergeant got himself a promotion as well.
The Jotun’s voice thundered through his voice box.
“Stand down, Marines! We aren’t at war – yet,” said Marchewka. “You’re in my den now. I will allow you to leave in peace if we don’t reach a compromise. Though, I can’t say the reception you would receive should you return to Detroit City would be positive. Leave your security, bring your staff, and follow me. We’ve much to discuss.”
Having said his piece, Field Marshal Marchewka turned and walked away. The recently promoted captain she had spoken to, the one that cut her off, appeared confused. He looked at his commander walking away, back to her, then jogged off after Marchewka.
Stunned at the Jotun’s abruptness, Nhlappo told the Marines in her Security Company to stand down, beckoned her staff to follow, then trailed behind the enigmatic Marchewka.
— Chapter 41 —
Late Afternoon, Post-Revival Day 3
Hangar Bay 24 Delta, Beta City, Serendine
Beta City Integrated Command
The 24 Delta Hangar Bay had been filled with tables, chairs, and holo-projectors, in preparation for the diplomatic meeting between Field Marshals Nhlappo and Marchewka. True to Jotun tradition, Marchewka had ensured food, drink, and décor matched the occasion. Regimental flags were placed by tables, and holo-displays projected images of past glories.
Lance had secured himself a glass tarngrip tea and was starting a second while Nhlappo and her staff settled into their assigned chairs. The joined tables created a large semi-circle with a single elevated podium in the center for the speaker. After the tense reception, Lance wondered if this meeting was a futile waste of time as he looked at Nhlappo’s emotionless face.
Who’d have thought a human would ever dare to be so bold to revolt against the White Knights? Horden’s Blood, the world is certainly a strange place, thought Lance.
Knowing that he would play a crucial role in this diplomatic meeting, Lance took another large gulp of the calming tea. Marchewka scaled the center platform and towered above the assembled Marines. Wasting no more time with frivolous banter, his four hands gripped the podium as he spoke.
“Field Marshal Nhlappo, you came here to discuss diplomatic relations. A diplomat, I am not. So, speak frankly, human. Since our last conversation, we have unflooded our city, found a solution to our food and water issues, moved to secure the orbital elevator, and uncovered the means to bolster our numbers. Those numbers will be made all the deadlier through the application of our advanced technologies and tactics. What is it you have, human? We know your command has rebelled and assume you to be dead.”
Marchewka’s voice echoed through the hangar bay as he finished speaking. All eyes shifted to Nhlappo. Expecting to see her squirm, Lance shuddered as he glanced over. She stood from her chair in a jerk causing the battle-scarred combat helmet she had placed on the table to topple to its side. Righting her helmet on the table, she then tucked her hands behind her back and looked toward Marchewka.
She’s officially just lost everything. Her command. Her negotiating leverage. Yet, she stands tall like the Grand Marines of legend, defying the odds. Could I be so at one with myself against that?
“I may have lost my command, but you know that is not all I offer. A single command is a small thing compared to the Marines that control the entire Tranquility System. Those Marines are mine, they’re Human Legion, and they’re fiercely loyal to me,” said Nhlappo as she pointed toward the sky. “That alone has merit, but I bring more value to the table. I know how to unlock the pregnancy blockers. Without that key, no matter how large your army, it will wither on the vine under the crushing Tranquility sun. Finally, I also bring knowledge from outside this system, and this has a power all its own”
Nhlappo began to pace back and forth behind her command staff as she spoke. The faster she walked the quicker the words flowed out of her. Lance eyed Marchewka and could see his ears were perked and listening.
“I see the value of your Marines and the strength of your leadership. You’ve done what I could not in a fraction of the time. I’m not asking you and your Marines to subjugate yourselves to yet another regime. Together, we would be unstoppable. Ally with us. Join the Human Legion, and we can further our aims. Freedom, that intoxicating drug – it can be ours! Freedom can be won, but only together.”
As the final words spilled from her mouth, Nhlappo stopped. She looked almost surprised at her own eloquence. It was the first emotion Lance had detected since she arrived.
“Damn, but she’s passionate,” thought Lance.
As everyone turned to look at him, he realized he’d said it out loud. Too impressed by Nhlappo to be embarrassed at his lapse in bearing, he merely nodded at everyone and continued.
“Okay, I get your pitch. Together, we can fight our tyrannical overlords, end the barbaric Cull, and free our people. Great. But what about the motherland, Earth?”
Looking surprised to be questioned in this manner, Nhlappo took a moment before answering.
“If we build a solid enough foundation, the Trans-Species Union will have to negotiate. First, we must win the war in front of us. Freedom will follow. On the honor of your oath to the Protocol of Uij-Aohlaw, the one which included fighting for your species should the time ever arise, I implore you to join the Human Legion.”
From the way her eyebrow arched as she answered, Lance wasn’t sure if she believed her own words. A ping from Xena indicated Marchewka wanted him to stand down. Looking to his commander, he gulped another swig of tea.
“I took the Protocol of Uij-Aohlaw oath to my people, and I have no love lost for our overlords after the treatment my mother received,” said Marchewka. “Upon my honor, and hers, I will make good on the oath. Human, I had intended to joi
n your Human Legion, but questioned your resolve after the loss of your command. You have stoked my passion and my hope for the future. We will join this Human Legion. Any who choose to remain loyal to the Human Marine Corps will be iced and can wait for the unlikely return of our absentee overlords. Moving forward, we too are a part of this Human Legion.”
Then it happened. The smallest smile contorted Nhlappo’s lips. It was just a moment, but Lance caught it. Observing the emotion sent gears turning in Lance’s head.
She’s just a human trying her best to be an officer and a leader. Doing her drenting best to help her Marines and her kind. Maybe we aren’t so different?
There was some joyous commotion as the forces all breathed collective relief at the new alliance. Between Marchewka’s words, Nhlappo’s conviction, and his fellow Marine’s hope, Lance started to believe himself. For the first time, the future could be theirs to carve out. It wouldn’t be easy, and there was much to address on Tranquility-4 first. A mutiny led by this Spartika, and the Hardit New Order, being the primary concerns.
“Captain Scipio, much of what has transpired up to this point has been due to your ingenuity and ancient knowledge,” said Marchewka as he pointed two of his four hands at Lance. “I would like you to discuss the reorganization of our combined forces with our honored ally, Field Marshal Nhlappo.”
The color flooded from Lance’s face as he was put on the spot. Every eye in the room pulled toward him. Hayley squeezed his leg under the table and smiled at him. Shocked, not being one for emotions, he opted to ignore Hayley and get to business. Standing to his feet, he addressed Nhlappo.
“Field Marshal, as we are now allies, let me fill you in on some points my commander was intentionally vague about. My AI, Xena, has just updated your Aimees with intelligence information. As this information is now available to you, I will just touch on the highlights,” said Lance. “During our mission to unflood the city, we discovered an icer cache of thousands of Sangurian warriors, as well as an untold number of iced Marines. By our estimation, there could be millions. While I won’t go into detail about the Sangurians, as the information is in your Aimees, I will say our mutual discontentment with the White Knights should align them with us. If not, we may regret taking them off ice as they are a fierce race of warriors.”
Nhlappo’s face, already pale, turned to chalk. Lance couldn’t help but wonder if she knew of these icers.
“While those potential numbers are encouraging, it also presents extra mouths to feed. This has been an issue for us, as we assume it has been for you. A Hardit engineer by the name of Ledatic and our very own Tech-Major Terloar have devised, and are in the process of building, a fully autonomous habdisk system to create food. Each habdisk, once functional, will be able to feed an entire regiment. A method to seal and preserve excess food has been developed, as well. Looking outward, preservation technology they are working on might allow the food to survive and be eaten in void conditions.”
Nhlappo’s staff, once bleak in appearance, now buzzed around her. Each one scrolling through the information on their Aimees and whispering information to each other.
“With this information, Field Marshal Nhlappo, tell us your battle plan and I will see if our knowledge of this planet can assist. I have instructed my AI to give you access to the holo-displays if you need them,” said Lance before retaking his seat.
Nhlappo looked at Lance then said something to a Marine by the strange name of Tizer. Tizer began punching information into his desk display. Within seconds, an impressive holo-display of the planet projected on the hangar deck in front of Marchewka’s podium. The three main cities on each continent were highlighted. Walking in front of the podium where Marchewka stood, Nhlappo pointed to the holo-display.
“Given these extra numbers and the potential to feed them, I suggest the promotion of a third field marshal. With three field marshals leading three separate forces, we take, hold, and fortify the major cities: Detroit, Beta, and Kalino. By holding these three cities, we will have a strong presence on each major landmass. You are already entrenched here in Beta City. I will retake Detroit City from my former XO, the traitorous Spartika. That leaves Kalino City. Given your ancient knowledge, Captain Scipio, what do you know of Kalino?”
Finishing a gulp of tea, Lance frowned at having to speak again. Standing, he offered up a brief explanation.
“Kalino, Field Marshal, was shut down while I was on ice. Once we secure Beta City and the continent of Serendine, we can go there and reawaken the base. We can assume there are icers there. At the very least there will be a base compliment of Marines in cryo, if the Hardits haven’t slaughtered them in their icy sleep. Getting to them won’t be easy,” said Lance.
Taking a pause, he queried Xena to update the rotating holo-display of the planet Nhlappo was standing next to. Structures began to materialize on the surface of the island of Cardamine. As everyone’s eyes looked to the floating holo-display of the planet, Lance continued.
“We’ve been gathering information from older era Marines, like me, and updating our maps with every base, outpost, factory, and supply depot. I’ve also added the two Hardit incubation stations you saw from the air while en route. As you can see, one is on Baylshore and the other is on the southeastern tip of Serendine.”
The mention of the Hardits caused Nhlappo’s staff to stop what they were doing and focus on Lance. Assuming this information must be important, he offered them all he knew and requested that Thorn’s security detail fetch Ledatic and Basil while he spoke.
“Our Hardit engineer, Ledatic, tells us the incubation stations were created by the New Order to breed more Janissaries since their conversion process neuters them. We need to squash these, lest the New Order continually respawns. Ledatic is… volunteering to help us in hopes of saving his species from the fate of the New Order. Our security detail is bringing him here now to answer any questions you might have. Field Marshal Marchewka, do you have anything to add while we await Ledatic?”
When Lance paused, he glanced over at his commander, and the Field Marshal was staring at him with a strange look on his face, even for a Jotun. After an awkward pause, Marchewka spoke.
“Captain Scipio, my mother trained you well and you continue to surprise me. You’ve more than demonstrated your ability to command. Colonel Grigonna will become the field marshal of the third wing of our military, and you will absorb her command – the 6907th TAC Regiment. At the conclusion of this meeting, we will meet to finalize the new TO&E before we disseminate it. Let us leave that tediousness until later.”
A cough from Nhlappo turned all the attention in the hangar bay to her. The wrinkles on her forehead revealed her surprised face. Raising her hands in front of her she shook her head and half-smiled.
“Field Marshal Marchewka, my perception of Jotuns as all being overly formal with promotion ceremonies, pomp, and circumstance was obviously unfounded. You surprise me, in a good way. I, for one, am happy we have decided to strike this alliance and agree with your decision to promote this once humble sergeant to the rank of colonel,” said Nhlappo.
“Yes, this Human Legion will be a new beginning for Jotuns, as well as humans. Perhaps us Jotuns will continue to surprise you, as you humans continue to surprise me.”
Clacking chains and shuffling, followed by the clomping of armored Marine feet indicated Ledatic had arrived. The Hardit’s scarred tail drug the ground behind him as it had been shackled to prevent him from using it as a weapon. The holo-display of the planet flickered out of existence as Ledatic took its place. He lowered his entire body in front of the collective body of scowling Marines.
“Hardit Ledatic, tell us what you know of the New Order,” said Marchewka. “We have agreed to spare your life in exchange for your knowledge and the promise of your species continuity on this planet, speak now and honor your word.”
Ledatic’s three eyes raised and looked to Lance. Lance shifted the sword on his back, and the Hardit let out a slight yelp
before growling words into his voice box.
“The scum who calls himself ‘Supreme Commander’ Tawfiq leads these New Order abominations. Almost a century ago, my kind found the old Makoni spaceship factories. We realized this tech was not standard White Knight technology. It was different – maybe better. We spent our years studying this technology and reverse engineering it.”
A fist slamming the table caused Ledatic to jump and cower. The fist belonged to Nhlappo and words soon followed the echoing thud.
“This explains Hardits with void technology and our inability to deal with their aerial assets! Frakkers have been planning this uprising for a century, and we stumble into it. Is it just the Makoni spaceship factory or are there other locations where they are building these craft?” said Nhlappo.
“If I was Tawfiq,” Ledatic growled the words into his voice box, “I would also be reinforcing the Serendine spaceship factory. From the limited information I have been entrusted with, I estimate this factory likely constructed the craft that decimated your fleet.”
Ledatic coughed and snot came out of the black nose at the end of his snout. The Hardit likely thought Nhlappo might shoot him where he stood by the hatred burning behind her eyes. Marchewka’s voice box sounded the next question.
“Hardit, we know of these incubation stations being used by the New Order. Do these Hardits have other means of repopulating their numbers? Field Marshal Nhlappo’s forces observed a Hardit craft breaking orbit. Where would they go?”
“Tawfiq is vile, but smart,” said Ledatic with a snort into his voice box. “Where she would go? I do not know. If she did leave, the artificial wombs you speak of are surely active. She must have great confidence in the superiority of her forces.”
Marchewka and Nhlappo continued questioning Ledatic. Their inquiries shifted from his knowledge of the Hardit New Order and probed into the technology he was assigned to developing to feed their troops. The Hardit, while broken of spirit, answered their questions. Lance could see talking of science brought joy and pride to Ledatic as his ears and tail perked ever so slightly as he spoke of the projects he was tasked with. After their inquiries, Ledatic was taken away. Lance pinged Thorn and told him to give Ledatic extra rations when he was back in the brig. Marchewka begin addressing the group as Lance finished sending the message.