Battle Beyond Earth - Box Set (Books 6-9)

by Nick S. Thomas

  "What would you do, kill him?"

  "I will do whatever has to be done to protect this fleet. He has just endangered the entire fleet by interfering with a mission we have been waiting well over a week for. I dread to think how many lives will be lost because of this childish backlash."

  "I believe in him," she replied.

  "Because you know nothing. Take her to the brig," he said to Turan.

  "Captain Rogers, come in," said Taylor.

  But there was no answer.

  "Captain Rogers? Lieutenant Sommer?"

  There came no response.

  "What the hell?" Jones asked.

  They rushed to a console further down the corridor and could see a video feed of Santiago making some kind of address.

  "Shit!"

  CHAPTER 9

  "This is Lieutenant Santiago of the Resolution. I am here to tell you that there are elements within this fleet that do not have your best interests at heart. An aging Admiral who despite being a capable leader has let himself be led by another; the chain of command has been broken. The command of this ship, and of this fleet is no longer capable of operating in the capacity in which it is intended."

  Jones was still trying the comms while Taylor watched on.

  "Damn it, he's blocked all communication in and out," said Jones.

  "He is a fool, but not a stupid one." They watched and listened as he continued.

  "These are uncertain times, and we need leaders who will work to our needs, and work with one another. It pains me to say it, but our current leaders are incapable of that task. I have relieved Admiral Vega of his command. However, I would like to be the first to point out that I do not want his job. The Admiral was rendered incapable because of the actions of Colonel Mitch Taylor, who will be detained and punished according to the court of law. We need the right person to lead this fleet forward. I will continue to fight to protect this ship as is my duty, but we need an Admiral who can lead, and not be at the mercy of a renegade like Colonel Taylor.

  We are at present arresting all those unwilling to see this vision; the vision that the Alliance was founded upon. Within the next twelve hours, I will call all the ships’ Captains together, and we will elect a new Admiral of the fleet. Thank you, and good luck to you all."

  "The sad thing is he really thinks he’s doing the right thing."

  "Yeah, that’s the most dangerous kind of traitor," replied Taylor.

  "You know the worst part?"

  "Besides the obvious?"

  "There'll be plenty who support him."

  "What?" Taylor was astonished.

  "Think about it. People are disillusioned. They feel lost and failed. They've seen your face for a long time, and things have only gotten worse."

  "Not by my doing, though."

  "No, but that's not the way they'll spin it. Every leader eventually becomes despised. People always want change."

  "They'll get change all right, absolute destruction at the hands of Bolormaa if we can't stick together and fight this as one."

  Jones changed the viewscreens and looked at what was happening across the ship. A few small skirmishes were ongoing. Many prisoners had been detained on both sides. He finally found Rogers. He had a bloodied nose and was under arrest with several other crewmembers. Watched over by guards.

  "How do we play this?"

  "We need to gather our forces, and get the word out. The fleet needs to know that this isn't over. Santiago talks like he is in control."

  "Is he not?"

  "Not for long."

  "Just don't forget, there are no enemies on this ship. These are our people. They are disillusioned sure, but they are not the enemy," insisted Jones.

  "How many do you think really back Santiago?"

  "At least a good number by the looks."

  "They are fools."

  "Yes, but many would call us fools for following you. To those who don't know you, you seem like a madman. A wild and untameable beast, who goes and does as he wills."

  "Sure, I’m not denying it."

  "Maybe it is time for some diplomacy? We don't just need to win back this ship, we need to win back their hearts and minds."

  "Colonel Taylor," a voice called out from the screen beside them.

  It was Santiago. He was looking right at them. Taylor looked about and could see a camera in the corner of the corridor. They were being watched.

  "Give up now and no harm will come to you."

  "No, you've got that wrong, Santiago. This is an illegal action. Lay down your arms, and return Admiral Vega to his command," Taylor said firmly.

  "Your time is over, Colonel. It is time for a new approach."

  "Don't be a fool. You know nothing about war."

  "Wrong. I don't know about your way of war, and how far has it gotten us?"

  "We are still alive, aren't we?"

  "Barely, but this isn't living. You promised us everything, and now Earth is in ruins. The Alliance is almost finished. Our people were fools to trust in you. You were something great once, and nobody is denying that. But this is a different time. You can no longer give us what we need. Give yourself up, and we can move forward together. I don't want to see you benched. I want you to fulfil the role that you are supposed to. We are going to elect a new Admiral. Follow him, as you are obliged to, and we can do this together."

  Taylor looked furious. He was almost boiling over with rage.

  "Obliged to follow mutineers? I will tell you now; all I am obliged to do is remove you from power. You don't even see it, but you are a traitor and a coward. We had our best shot in a long time at going after Bolormaa, and you took it from us. I am giving you one chance. Surrender to me, but you will not be allowed to go on serving. A traitor will be treated as a traitor. Surrender, and face the consequences of your actions."

  "I am sorry to see that you cannot see a better way, Colonel. It will bring me no pleasure to have to fight you. I…"

  "Fight me?" he interrupted, "There will be no fight. There will be your defeat, and the loss of whatever resources and men and women that it costs to achieve it. Their blood will be on your hands, on both sides. You brought this upon us. United we are strong, but you are the one who has driven a divide between us. Shame on you."

  He opened his mouth to speak, but Taylor smashed his hand down into the screen. His fist crashed through it and destroyed the console. He drew out his pistol and took aim at the camera.

  "I am coming for you, Santiago!" he roared.

  He pulled the trigger, and the camera was blown apart. He was breathing heavily as the anger surged through him.

  "That could have been handled with a little more...diplomacy," said Jones.

  "Fuck diplomacy. This child is ruining everything we have worked towards."

  "But he has to have support. He could never have achieved this without plenty of it. People are desperate, barely clinging on to their existence. They need hope, and he has given it to them, or at least the illusion of it. There is nothing like a big change when things look so bleak."

  "Fools, they’re all damn fools."

  "Yes, they are. Haven't we all been fools at the worst of times?"

  Taylor didn't want listen. They could hear the rumble of boots as troops rushed towards them.

  "Come on. We've got to move," said Jones.

  They rushed onwards and away from the sound of the incoming troops.

  "I can't believe so many would turn against us."

  "People are desperate. You'd be amazed what that can lead to."

  "But after all that we have done, they would turn on us? It’s crazy."

  "I doubt most of those following Santiago even thought about you or any of us. It's not about us. It's about what he is promising them. He’s told them what they want to hear. Not the hard realities that they face. He has promised them the world, and it's an enticing offer."

  "But he can't deliver on it. If Bolormaa arrives and he is in power, or whomever he decides to put in
there, we will be smashed. That is a certainty."

  "But they don't know that. This is what you have never understood."

  "What?"

  "Politics. Sometimes what people need is not always the truth. They need to be told everything is going to be okay, and that they're going to get what they want."

  "And when a politician can't deliver that they are hated for it."

  "And there is the circle of democracy for you. You pushed your way to the top, and now you have to live with how the system works."

  "Nobody ever elected me."

  Jones laughed. "Yeah, and maybe that's the problem. You've been calling some big shots way above your station. And now things aren't looking so great, you're going to take the blame for it. You can't tell me you haven't been here before?"

  Taylor groaned, as he knew he had been.

  "Why the hell can't people just work together against this threat? What is the matter with them?"

  "Why can't they be flexible, that is what you are asking?"

  "Yes."

  "You've never bent to anyone's will, ever. You ask one thing and do another."

  Taylor stopped.

  "You sound like you agree with them, Jones. Do you?"

  "No, but I do understand why we’ve got to this position. I will follow you to the very end, because I know where your heart is. But most people never get to know you as I do. I thought like Santiago did a long time ago. I disliked you just as much."

  "Great," snarled Taylor.

  He couldn't believe it.

  "But you know I don't feel like that anymore. Once I got to know you, things changed. But most people never get that opportunity. Try to understand them."

  They heard more footsteps up ahead and ducked into a side room, waiting in the darkness as the troops went on by.

  "What do we do?"

  For the first time in a long while, he had no idea. He didn't want to have to start shooting. He could easily take back control of the ship by force, but it would cost many lives.

  "These people, they are disillusioned, but they will follow a strong leader. Right now that seems to be Santiago, but that is just an illusion. Show them otherwise, and they will come back to us."

  "Fickle people."

  "Maybe we would be, too, if we were kept in the dark. We always know what is going on because we are there calling the shots, or with those that are. But for the rest of this fleet, they have no idea what is going on. All they know is they keep losing friends as each week goes by. They are not the enemy."

  Taylor slung his rifle on to his back. He had to avoid using it at all costs. He sighed, accepting how tough it was going to be. He was so used to shooting his way out of situations, but this was different. These were his friends, his comrades. Even many who he could not name he would call his family. That family now wanted to stop him from doing what he was best at. He drew out his Assegai, but powered it down so that it was nothing more than a baton.

  "This isn't going to be easy."

  "No."

  "Why do they have to make it so hard? After all that we have done."

  "Don't blame them. This is Bolormaa's doing. She is the one who has caused this and pushed our people to the very edge. Blame her, and that leech Santiago. He saw his chance to grab power, and he took it."

  Taylor tightened his grip on his Assegai as if imagining it was Santiago's throat.

  "He cannot be left to continue on like this. This is a mutiny, and there is one way you deal with a mutiny."

  "We'll deal with that when we get to it. But there will have to be some amnesty once it is over. We cannot afford to lose so many people."

  "First things first, let's get Rogers and find the rest."

  "Turan won't have given up, will he?"

  "Not a chance."

  "All right, let's do this."

  They stepped out from the room and found Razor blocking their path. They hadn't even heard her arrive.

  "What the hell are you doing here?" Taylor asked.

  "Saving your ass, I reckon. Looks like you've got more problems than just Bolormaa now."

  "You have fought the system your whole life, and now you want to defend it. I thought you'd love to get in on a rebellion?"

  "Santiago is a choir boy. He's got no clue, and he's not my kind of man. I signed up to win this war, and he isn't the one to do it."

  "I couldn't have said it better myself," replied Jones.

  "What can I do?"

  "Santiago has blocked all communications but his own."

  "You want me to unblock them?"

  "No, block everything. All access to video and audio communication. Complete blackout."

  "What, why?" Jones asked.

  "Because it is time he knew what it's like to fight in the dark. We have lived it time and time again, but he hasn't."

  "You think that's a good idea?"

  "Santiago would never have moved against us unless he had plenty of support on board. He knows we have a company here, and he has seen what we can do. He will have detained as many of our people as he can. We won't have numbers in our favour, but we do have one thing."

  "What?"

  "Skill, individual skill, and fighting power. The marines and crew of this ship have not seen the kind of combat we have. It's time they were taught a lesson."

  "Got it," Razor said and moved to leave them.

  "Remember these are our own people. They were as brothers and sisters to us yesterday, and tomorrow they might be again," said Jones.

  She nodded in agreement before vanishing without a sound.

  "You really believe that, Jones? You really believe this can be solved so easily?"

  "People are fickle. Sure they have lost their faith in you now, but that can return as easily as it left. We have to show them that we are better than Santiago is."

  "That shouldn't be hard."

  "He'll be searching for us. Nothing is more dangerous to him at present than having you roaming freely aboard this ship."

  "Nothing more dangerous than I am? You’d better pray Bolormaa doesn't get word of this clusterfuck before we get it under control."

  "You can bet she'll know about it before long. Seems like there isn't much she doesn't know about these days."

  "You don't think Santiago is working with her, do you?"

  "No, he's an idealistic fool, not an arsehole."

  "People can be both."

  Taylor led the way towards the last location they had seen Rogers.

  "How long do you think it will take Razor to sort that blackout?"

  "Not long, she's a resourceful girl," replied Taylor as he carried on.

  They could hear gunfire in the distance as brother fought brother, but they had to keep moving forward. It wasn't long before they reached the floor where Rogers was being held, at a sick bay ward.

  There two guards on duty. Taylor peered around a corner and watched them. Their rifles were slung on their shoulders as if they weren’t expecting any trouble.

  Fools.

  He holstered his Assegai and stepped out casually, walking towards them as if he were one of them.

  "What are you doing?" Jones asked.

  Taylor knew it was hard to pick out friend from foe right now. Present no threat, and it was even more difficult. He turned and dipped his head slightly as he talked to Jones, hiding his face and pretending to be in conversation.

  "You know Bolormaa is out there. She'll be coming for us before long. You think Santiago is up to the task?"

  Jones smiled as he played along.

  "I guess we'll soon find out, but this kind of strife can't be good for our odds of surviving an outright fight."

  It was the only thing he could think to say, and the guards weren't really listening anyway. They were young and green. Taylor was within reach of the first one when they realised his identity, but it was too late. Taylor grabbed the first and smashed him against the far wall. He went down out cold to the floor. The other went for his rifle, but he
had no chance of getting it in the time it took Taylor to leap forward. He pushed his hands down to cover and delivered a brutal elbow to the marine’s face. Blood spewed out across his face, and he went down. They weren't even sure if he was alive, but it didn't matter. They couldn't change what had been done.

  The doors before them opened, and the muzzle of a rifle poked. A marine came out of the room to check on the commotion. Taylor grabbed hold of the barrel and yanked it forward. The man was thrown into Jones as he lost his grip on the weapon. Taylor spun the weapon around as two others in the room lifted their weapons to fire. Rogers was sitting between them with his hands in restraints.

  "Don't do it!" Jones yelled, locking the man in a chokehold behind him.

  The other two continued to raise their weapons. Taylor fired at one and put a single shot between his eyes. Rogers leapt up from his seat and grabbed the weapon off the other. He kicked his knee out and smacked him in the face with his own rifle. He went down hard, but he was still conscious. Jones hauled the other inside. He was out for count. Rogers looked in despair at the dead marine beside them.

  "I had no choice," said Taylor.

  He looked genuinely remorseful, and both Jones and Rogers knew it had to be one of the hardest kills he’d ever had to make. Rogers put the weapon down and reached in for the keys from the man he had knocked down. He did not dare resist. He released himself and hauled the man onto the chair, restraining his hands behind his back and attached them to the chair. It was as they should have done to him, and were foolish not to.

  "What the hell is going on, Colonel?"

  "You don't know? Didn't you see the broadcast?"

  "What broadcast?"

  "Santiago has taken over the ship and arrested the Admiral," said Jones.

  "What? That's crazy. I assumed this was Bolormaa's doing."

  "No, she is nowhere to be seen."

  "So the report of her attack, that was real? We had a chance to get her?"

  "Seems like it, but Santiago has fucked us completely."

  "The rest of the fleet needs to know."

  "And they will, but first we have to take back control," Taylor said.

  "How bad is it?"