Enemies on All Sides (Maraukian War Book 4)

by Michael Chatfield

  The armor was damned hard to make and was resource intensive. They simply didn’t have the resources to create the Pluto armor. Also, they needed anti-matter to power them and unless they built an anti-matter reactor—which, admittedly, sounded like a horrible idea aboard a moving freighter—they could only wait until they found a source of power.

  Mark assured them that they would be able to generate anti-matter, but still there were a few science groups looking into different anti-matter generators to be made if needed.

  All of the officers and warrant officers got their own rooms. Ava had now moved all of her belongings into Mark’s. After finishing a day making sets of the E-14, she just wanted to do nothing for some time—watch some TV, maybe get some food.

  She had just got in when she got a message from her parents. She opened it and her eyes went wide.

  Your mother just had emergency surgery—nothing to worry about! You now have two younger siblings and finally a little sister!

  The message was from her father, Hael.

  She quickly called him up. In her vision, a screen appeared with Hael on it, his expression filled with happiness.

  “Ava!” He turned the screen over to show her mother, who looked tired as all hell but holding two little bundles to her chest that were weakly kicking around and trying to keep their eyes closed, fighting the sunlight that made it into the room.

  “They’re adorable. Did everything go wrong? What was the emergency?” Ava asked.

  “Everything is okay. I just went through emergency surgery to get them out as the medical professionals agreed that with the orientation of the twins there would likely be complications if we didn’t use surgery.”

  Ava was relieved as she looked down at her new little brother and sister. She couldn’t help but smile looking at them. “They’re cute as hell.”

  Thia laughed with her, just looking at the duo.

  She made all kinds of noises, trying to attract their attention but nothing distracted them from trying to hide in their mother’s shirt.

  She talked to her parents some, but she could see the tiredness in their expressions. “I’ll be back in a few months and we’ll have to get together,” Ava said.

  “You bet, little one,” Hael said.

  “I’m no—” Ava replied.

  “You won’t be in my heart. I remember when you were this small as well!” Hael proudly boasted.

  Thia shot him a look but didn’t reprimand him as a smile appeared on her face.

  Traitor! Ava complained at seeing her mother’s expression.

  “We’ll see you soon enough, Ava,” Thia said.

  “Okay,” Ava said. “Love you.”

  “Love you too,” Thia and Hael said as one. The channel cut as Ava returned to her and Mark’s room.

  She frowned as some unfamiliar emotions started to appear. She moved to the bed, a complicated look on her face.

  She hadn’t really thought of having children, and when she was told that she wouldn’t have any if she became a merger, she understood it. If she was to make that decision again, she would do it the exact same, to protect the man she loved and the people relying on her.

  Though there was a part of her that couldn’t help but think what if. What if I didn’t become a merger, that this war wasn’t necessary? Would I have been able to just stay in Crisidium, having a nice life with a person I loved, raising children and spending my time looking over plans for expanding Crisidium, trade agreements, and planning out raiding parties?

  Her life was so much more than that now. Though it felt as if she had lost something in getting where she was.

  Life wasn’t simple; she couldn’t just sleep through it. This life she had picked—she needed to make decisions all the time, to choose her path; if the path wasn’t there, then she needed to carve it out herself.

  It was freeing, but it was also stressful compared to what might have been.

  The door opened as Mark walked in, a frown on his face. Their link across the network was much deeper than others and she had been unconsciously leaking her feelings out to him, making him come back and check on her.

  She looked up, a lost look on her face.

  His face softened as he seemed to leave the trooper and fighter side of himself at the door. His face was still rough and his features were hard, but she could read him like a book, see the love that lay behind those eyes.

  They were worth it.

  She stood up and hugged Mark. She didn’t say anything as he wrapped her up in his big arms. She took a deep breath and all of those worries and fears seemed to just ease away.

  “You’re a better hugger,” Ava said.

  Mark’s soft laugh made her hold on tighter.

  “Well, I’ve been getting more practice.” Mark squeezed her a bit tighter again.

  Hypotheticals, the maybes and what-ifs—that didn’t matter anymore. She might not be able to have children, but everything she had right now she needed to grab onto with both hands and not let go.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Refinery Seventy-Seven

  Osdal System

  8/3556

  Johnny hadn’t expected Felicia to walk through his door so fast and so unannounced, but Carly was hot on her heels. His eyes widened as Carly threw a data chip before him. But he knew what it said. He understood by the look they were giving him.

  “Very well played, well played indeed.” Felicia crossed her arms and grinned.

  “Wouldn’t you if it was paying well and as easy?” He picked up the chip but didn’t do anything with it. He watched her face. He had already known her plans; without knowing them, he might not have been so forward with Moretti or with his move.

  Carly pulled out her own chip, and displayed the contents for them to see. “One ticket to Emarl.”

  Johnny sat down. This time he didn’t pace; he didn’t do anything but sit.

  “It looks like everything is in motion.”

  Carly laughed. “Don’t look so glum and I have to applaud you, taking the refineries themselves. Knowing that they’ll have employment with you putting your assets on the line. Really is putting your money where your mouth is.”

  Johnny snorted but smiled at the compliment.

  “Have you asked them Yet?” Felicia asked.

  He actually hadn’t. All he’d done after his call with Moretti was start the move, start securing and moving all assets, along with the cargo and products he needed to help buy their way to Emarl. “I…” He struggled.

  Felicia sat before him, rubbing her hand through her white hair. “We’re all leaving then?”

  Carly’s lip curled into a small smile. “It seems that way.”

  “Then we can tell them together,” Felicia said looking to the two others.

  “But we can’t leave this system with nothing. There’s people who want to risk everything, who want to stay. They need a base and they need the opportunity to be able to support their families and those who also want to work with them.”

  Johnny could see this. “We should make that united front more real. Address all our unique properties and offer them the choice. Sell off or melt down anything that we can’t take.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Emperor’s Residence

  Roma, Hellenic System

  8/3556

  Cassius had given his office up gladly for Legate Zedra to go about her job. But the office he was now residing in wasn’t anywhere near as comfortable and it didn’t have the same view.

  This meant he was looking out at the wrong side of the palace, too, and this frustrated him.

  Julio and Fabius were still reporting in on a regular basis. Some of Zedra’s legion had already left the palace and had made their way in transport ships across the system. These were the first woken and her most trusted. Cassius had the opportunity to meet one of them. His name was Kaeso Galenus, and he’d taken an instant dislike to the man despite looking over his records. Cassius wasn’t supposed to like them,
though; he had an instant dislike to Zedra but at least she had Roma in her heart.

  His NIAI alerted him to an incoming message. Because Zedra didn’t have one, this was just simple. “Report to my office.”

  He laughed. Her office? Then his thoughts turned darker. What if he was kicked out more permanently?

  No, it wouldn’t happen.

  Cassius stood and made his way through to the opposite side of the palace. There he met Damus, outside his door. “Going in?”

  Damus nodded. “Yes.” He knocked.

  When she called through, Cassius led the way in, and stood before his desk. She’d moved everything around, and although this upset him, he actually liked the new setup.

  Zedra looked at the two of them. Her face didn’t give anything away and it seemed as though she were thinking before she spoke. “I believe there are systems in place that you can use to secure this office from any prying eyes and ears?”

  Damus nodded to her. “When you took over, I made sure everything was secure. There have been no breaches.”

  “Even from you?”

  Cassius watched as his legate lowered his head. Was he about to admit spying on her?

  “No, Legate. I have not breached your trust, nor would I.”

  “Someone is watching this office,” she said. “I have been extremely careful in my research. I’ve worked closely with everyone that I had to, but yes, there’s someone who has access in here.”

  Cassius looked to Damus. “There’s only one person whom I’d trust over everyone else and who would maybe have that type of surveillance.”

  “Moretti,” they both said at the same time.

  “Who is Moretti?” she asked. “I’d like to speak with him, now.”

  Cassius moved to his desk. “May I?” Using his codes, he brought up the secure comms channel codes for Moretti and he dialed him in, not using his NIAI because Zedra couldn’t see.

  “Moretti,” Cassius said. “Do you have some time for us?”

  There was some shuffling about and then a clear voice came through for them all to hear. “Of course, Emperor. What do I owe the pleasure to?”

  “I’d like to introduce to you to Legate Zedra of the Shadow Legion.”

  Moretti’s face then appeared in the room as a full conference call between them began. “It’s my pleasure to meet you, Legate Zedra.”

  “You’ve been the one with access to this room?”

  “I have, but once I saw that Felix had left, I remained without.”

  She looked to Cassius. “Everything I’m uncovering so far is simple stuff. Small power struggles within the senate. Mentions of Admiral Hesra and Rimateus are actually very minimal. However, there’s a lot of people pointing to this man right here.”

  “To me?” Moretti said.

  “Yes, but I know it’s not for the wrong reasons. I wanted you here so that I could confer. Now that I have your attention, would that be possible later on today?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then so be it. I wish to talk with Cassius and Damus first, then I will speak to you. Legate out.” She pushed the button she thought might end the comms call, but Cassius had to correct her. But the call ended a brief moment later.

  “I am going to tell you what I’m going to do, and if you want to be a part of this, you must swear your allegiance to these plans.”

  Cassius looked to her, then to Damus. A frown crossed Damus’s face but only for a brief moment. “Please continue,” Cassius said.

  “I’ve reviewed everything, where the senate stands and the Union. I will help stabilize the Union, but only so that Emarl can get the help it truly deserves.”

  Damus didn’t speak; he stared, and then the message came across to him, in private. “You want to do this, to save the Union?”

  “I don’t want them warring over stupid things. If we get rid of the rot like we said, the Union will stabilize properly. There will be no more life lost. I do not want to go against the Victor Corp—you know this.”

  Cassius glanced back to her; she was watching them, knowing they were talking.

  “It’s all right,” she said. “I know you need to make this decision together. You have each other’s backs, that is clear. The other legates will follow you?”

  Damus knew they would. “Julio and Fabius are loyal to the legion. They will.”

  “And your answers then?”

  “You have our full support.”

  Zedra nodded. “Then we shall start to identify the cancer within before cutting it out.”

  “You intend to kill them?” Cassius asked.

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The Yard

  Ark Orbit, Emarl System

  8/3556

  No matter how much they seemed to do or organize, there was consistently something coming in from all over space.

  Hall sat with his head deep in information city. It was a good thing he was used to managing large operations. This, however, was larger than most things he’d overseen in his life.

  Comms chatter came in from Captain Archibald and he answered it, expecting good news. “Captain,” Hall said. “Report for me.”

  “We’re just entering the outskirts of Sol’s systems. Contact with Dominguez and the Westerly Three Crew has so far been good. We should have more information as things start to move in the next day.”

  It was good news and he’d be very glad to pass this onto Mark. He knew how much getting General Dominguez off that forsaken planet meant to him. It also meant they’d finally have no ties there, and everyone they needed would be heading here.

  “Good news indeed, Captain. I’ll be waiting for you and Dominguez’s reports on the evac.”

  “Yes, sir,” Archibald replied. “Once things are moving in the right direction, I’ll comm you.”

  With VCF Hope arriving at its rally point outside of Sol, they could start the real procedures. Several more hits of information came his way and he reviewed each of them with care.

  VCF Novum was a little behind on its schedule, but it was still within his requisites. They really needed them all to be there together, to leave together. Dominguez and her people were seasoned troopers; they all knew what they were getting into now. But, backup was a good thing. Moretti had informed him that there could be lots of repercussions in the area. There seemed to be a lot of ships moving about and they both worried over this bit of news.

  Moretti came through on comms next for him. “No rest for the wicked,” he said on answering the call.

  “Boy, you sure must have been wicked then.” M laughed.

  “Do you have any news for me, or are you just spitting shit in my direction?”

  Moretti got straight down to it. “Captain Austen’s been working on Promise’s upgrades and they are complete. And the people of Masoul are locked loaded and on their way.”

  “All of them?”

  “I don’t think there were many who stayed behind, maybe a few outback families who just didn’t want to budge.”

  “What was the total count there?”

  “Two point one million, give or take a four percent margin of error.”

  This confused him. “What?”

  “There’s no accounting for any pregnancies—that’s a guess that some of the population are carrying.”

  “They’re still an asset, though, right?”

  “Of course. Most of their military force and leaders I know personally.”

  Coming from Moretti, that meant a lot. If he vouched for these men and women, then they were a high standard. “That’s all good to know. The amount of people descending on this system is unbelievable.”

  “I’ve seen the numbers and the plans. Good job they’re not all turning up on the same day. Imagine that?”

  Hall shook his head. At least arriving in different months it gave them all time to come around, be sent to where they could settle and set up homes. The people in the system now were preparing for all of this and it seem
ed they had everything scheduled well.

  “Just let’s not throw them in at the deep end and have them come in early with some new tech. Okay?”

  Moretti nodded. “Charles and his mergers are working on ways to get us about much quicker, but I don’t think it will be anytime soon. We’re good. If I hear anything else, or there’s information you need, I’ll comm again. M, out.”

  Hall moved to get himself a drink before he settled in for some more work. He wanted to make sure that he knew where all the different inter-system freighters were. It was like connecting a large dot-to-dot, their routes and courses all plotted and showing on his screen in one huge 3D web.

  He drank from his cup, and rubbed the back of his neck. Either he’d been sitting too long, or looking at the computer screen for too long. Tension headaches weren’t fun; he’d nip this one in the bud before it could get hold of him.

  Displaying the freighters’ routes around him in a large 3D holo, Hall walked in and out of its spider-like threads, making sure each ship was on target. Everything looked good and his thoughts finally turned to getting some rest. He glanced to the clock, only to realize he’d been awake once more for over fifty-three hours straight. However, no sooner had he made his way to the door, when his comms went off once more. He let out a chuckle and went back to his desk.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Zalos Station

  Orbiting Tricticus

  8/3556

  Pela had never expected this place to be so huge. Flying in was something else. There was no comparison to Malazar Skill School that catered for ten thousand students by the time she left. But this next place was a working facility, in space. Possibly over a hundred thousand people crewed in here, all living, breathing, and working together. It astounded her.