Uprising (Gateway Series Book 3)

by Brian Dorsey

  “It will not happen again, ProConsul,” replied Sarius, his head looking toward the floor.

  “You are right, Senator. It will not.”

  “Might I say, ProConsul,” added Senator Lucretia, “that was a brilliant move—utilizing the attack to further consolidate your power. That will allow us to significantly increase the resources put toward Dolus.”

  “It will,” replied Astra, “but we must deal with these Followers.”

  “Once the military has assumed control, we will begin reviewing records of all servants. I will assign units to identify anyone, regardless of class, thought to be involved in suspicious activity or that have originated from areas where there is support for the Word movement. They will be segregated and then interrogated,” said Vispa.

  “Very well, General Vispa,” said Astra. “But we must also look into the possible threats from groups resistant to my authority.”

  “Of course, ProConsul. These groups are well documented, but we will increase surveillance and put pressure on their leadership. Now that I have control of the magistrate, I will use the courts as well by appointing military courts in place of civilian ones in cases of possible sedition or treason.”

  Astra leaned back, her hands gripping the arms of her chair. She let out a long, comfortable breath. “Now all I need is for that rabid, insubordinate bitch Martin to bring me Stone’s head on a platter so I can rid myself of her as well.”

  Chapter 9

  “Attention!” shouted a lieutenant as Stone walked into Colonel Vae’s command post.

  “At ease,” ordered Stone.

  “Good afternoon, Sir,” said Vae. “Welcome to 1st Brigade’s command post.”

  “Nice to see you, Colonel. I thought I would come by for a sitrep and to see your operation.”

  “Of course,” replied Vae, walking to a digital map at a nearby table. “We’ve overseen the emigration of approximately 15,000 into the protected cities—”

  “Approximately?” asked Stone.

  “Sorry, Sir. 15,293 have moved through our lines in the two standard months as of this morning’s reports. We have stopped 204 possible insurgents with 140 confirmed to be Followers of the Word.”

  “And attacks?”

  “We have experienced fifteen attacks on our boundary locations, ten of which have been suicide attacks. We have also responded to eight requests for support from local authorities in the interior.”

  “I am aware of the attacks in the cities,” replied Stone. “And your prompt responses have saved lives.”

  “Thank you, Sir. It seems, despite the attacks, the cities are functioning.”

  “Functioning but on edge,” replied Stone. “I’ve spoken with local authorities and they fear more agents are in the cities and plotting larger attacks.”

  “I can provide a company to assist—”

  “Thank you, Colonel, but this mission calls for special-operations-capable troops.”

  “The Scout Rangers?” asked Vae.

  “Yes, I received word this morning a unit had arrived in orbit. I have asked them to meet here as your intelligence files are the most in-depth in regards to attempted infiltrations. Once they review the data, I’ll have them meet with the local leaders’ security officers.”

  “Do you know who will be leading them?”

  “I do not; I made the request through Akota command and it was granted by the Shirt-Wearers, but the response only stated a unit would be dispatched.”

  “How has Scarus and 1st Brigade been doing?”

  “They’ve made progress but it’s slow going,” replied Stone. “He has taken some casualties and a few villages have still been caught in the middle.” Stone paused. “How is your unit dealing with Maxa’s removal?”

  “My senior officers have reported the occasional dust-up, but no events of mutiny or even significant disruptions…just talk, mostly.”

  “We must keep an eye on it, Colonel,” warned Stone. “The last thing we need is a revolt within our own ranks.”

  “Of course, Sir,” replied Vae. “I have—”

  The green light above the entrance to Colonel Vae’s command post illuminated.

  “What is it? I am with the General,” demanded Vae.

  “The Scout Ranger commander has arrived, Sir,” came a voice through the intercom.

  Vae looked up toward Stone, who responded with a nod.

  “Let them in,” replied Vae.

  Stone turned toward the door as it slid open. Standing at the entrance was a pair of brilliant green eyes staring back at him.

  “Mor…Major Skye,” stammered Stone. “I thought you were—”

  “We rotated out of the invasion training, General,” replied Mori. “So the Shirt-Wearers directed my battalion be sent to support you.”

  Stone stood silent, his gaze still focused on Mori. Although her face was not painted, she was in full combat gear and her hair was tied in the familiar braided tails she wore into battle. He wanted to speak but couldn’t form the words.

  Seconds seemed like minutes as the two stared at one another.

  “General, Sir,” spoke Vae, breaking the silence. “Perhaps we should discuss the tactical situation?”

  “Yes, of course,” answered Stone. “Major Skye, your Rangers will be very helpful here. Although we’ve reduced number of attacks in the cities and pushed the Followers back in this region, we are still seeing attacks in the area. I want your troops to carry out raids against suspected insurgent strongholds within the city. Colonel Vae can provide a good overview of security issues as well as details on insurgent weapons and tactics. When you are done with the Colonel, the local security officers for Inotib, Ezah, Elleb, Nager, and Arerrac will provide intel on the suspected locations of trouble spots. After that, you will carry out raids on these locations, minimizing civilian casualties whenever possible.”

  “Perhaps, General, we should speak first,” said Mori, her eyes wide and mouth slack. “We have—”

  “Yes…I…” Stone didn’t know how much Vae knew about his relationship with Mori and he didn’t want the first meeting between one of his brigade commanders and the leader of the special operations teams to be unprofessional. “I want to make sure you are up to speed on the tactical situation before we discuss other issues.”

  “Other issues?” guffawed Mori. “Is that…” She paused. “Yes, Major General Stone. When I am fully briefed, I will schedule a meeting through your staff.”

  “Major, I…” Stone suddenly realized how Humani—and un-Akota—he had treated Mori. “I didn’t mean to…I was—”

  “If that’s all, Sir,” interrupted Mori. “I should get to work. That is why I am here, isn’t it, Sir.”

  He could see he had hurt her…again. “Mori…Ino’ka—” He paused, realizing he had used her Akota name in front of a Humani, a betrayal of privacy to the Akota. “I’m—”

  “If that is all, Sir?” interrupted Mori, her eyes full of pain and frustration.

  “Yes,” he replied, trying to convey his regret about his actions. “We’ll talk later.”

  ***

  Stone slouched in the chair at his desk, swirling a half-empty glass of whiskey in his hand. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. “Stupid,” he said aloud, thinking of how he had treated Mori earlier. Another deep breath, and he pulled a status report from his desk. He started to read the report, but his thoughts drifted to first time he had encountered the Followers. He saw the innocent look on the young girl’s face as he pulled the trigger and she fell.

  He took another drink. The warm sting of the alcohol tracing its way through his body did little to counter the chill running down his spine. Taking another drink, he slouched back into his chair. Exhausted from the day, and his past, Stone drifted off to sleep.

  The buzz of someone at his door startled Stone. Jumping to his feet, the remaining alcohol spilled onto the floor and Stone’s trousers. “Damn it,” he cursed, patting at his leg. “Come in,” he ordered.

>   The door slid open and a pair of familiar green eyes stared back at him.

  “Ino’ka!” he almost shouted. “I…I’m glad to see you.”

  “I finished going over the intel with your Colonel Vae and just needed to—”

  “Yes,” replied Stone, eager to make up for earlier. “I—”

  The impact of Mori’s open hand across his cheek silenced him.

  “I just needed to tell you you’re a son-of-a-bitch,” snapped Mori.

  “I’m sorry, Ino’ka,” he replied, his jaw stinging. “I—”

  “First, you treat me like a stranger…then you say my Akota name in front of a…a Hanmani.” She grasped his shirt, pulling him toward her. “What’s happened to you?”

  “I don’t want to hurt you. I—”

  “Well, you did. Do you know what it felt like…” She paused, clinching her teeth. “…what it feels like to see the man you love after months and to be treated like…” She paused again. “Or is that the way you want it to be?”

  “No,” replied Stone. “Don’t you think I wanted to take you in my arms the second I saw you?”

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  “I…the Humani officers aren’t used to displays…” He paused, letting out a frustrated breath. “It’s complicated.”

  “Well it shouldn’t be. And that’s the problem.”

  “Ino’ka,” replied Stone, stepping close to Mori and gripping her arms tightly. “I need these men to follow me…what we are doing here is important.”

  “You think I don’t know that,” replied Mori. “But you don’t have to be—”

  “They aren’t Akota; they’re Humani. And they need to know they are being led by a Humani.”

  Mori stepped back, breaking Stone’s hold. “So you’re turning your back on—”

  “I’m not turning my back on anything. I’m trying to lead these men and keep as many of them alive as possible while stopping this planet from falling into the hands of the Word.” He grabbed her arms again, pulling her toward him. “Just because I acted formally when we met doesn’t mean I don’t love you, Ino’ka. I’m playing the role I need to in order to accomplish the mission.”

  “Playing a role,” huffed Mori. “A leader leads and their troops follow. If you are playing a role, then they are following a lie. An Akota would not—”

  “They’re not Akota,” growled Stone. He exhaled, lightening his grip on Mori’s arms. “That’s the point. I can’t treat these men like Akota, just like I wouldn’t treat Akota soldiers like Humani.”

  “Well…I…” Mori looked down at the floor briefly before looking back up toward Stone. “But I don’t know what to think anymore. First, you take this command without even discussing it with me. Then, I barely hear from you all this time. And then…” she paused, “…you treat me like a stranger.”

  “I have to keep my professional and personal lives separate when I’m—”

  “Separate?” interrupted Mori. “How is that even possible? An Akota—”

  “I’m not Akota!” shouted Stone.

  Mori stepped away from Stone.

  “I mean I’m not all…damn it,” cursed Stone. “You can’t expect me to just forget about my life before I met you.”

  “I know what you meant,” replied Mori flatly. “You’re still lost, and working with these Hanmani is only making it worse.”

  “I’m helping these people. Can’t you see that?”

  “And losing yourself,” replied Mori.

  Stone looking into Mori’s beautiful green eyes. He knew his words would hurt, but he needed her to understand. “I’ve felt more like myself for the last few months than I have in a long time.”

  “I see,” replied Mori, slightly nodding her head as tears began to roll down her cheeks.

  “No, you don’t,” said Stone. “I’m not saying I don’t love you and don’t want to be with you…I’m just saying I can’t become something I’m not.”

  “It’s not becoming something you’re not…it’s becoming what you were meant to be.”

  “And if I dealt with these men like Akota, this mission would fail and the Word would sweep over this planet,” retorted Stone. “Is that what you want?”

  “I want you,” she replied. “We are meant to—”

  “I can’t live my life based on a dream,” interrupted Stone. “I have to do what is best for the most people, and sometimes that doesn’t fit perfectly into what you’ve envisioned our future to be, Ino’ka. And do you think the Shirt-Wearers would have given me this command if it didn’t fit into the Akota agenda?”

  “I don’t…I…damn it!” cursed Mori. “Why does this have to be so hard?”

  “You mean a relationship between a Humani First Family officer who turned against his government and the only female Ka-itsenko?” posed Stone. “Nothing about our relationship is, or should be, easy, Ino’ka,” he continued with a smile as he again stepped toward her. “It’s hard…but it has to be.” He pulled her head into her chest. “Do you love me?” he asked, placing his hand on her head.

  “Yes,” she answered as he felt her arms wrapping around his waist. “But it—”

  “And I love you,” he replied, moving her shoulders back so he could look into her eyes. “But it’s not going to be easy…and I will make mistakes.” He placed his hand on her cheek. “A lot of them.”

  “Just don’t forget at your core, you’re Akota, Magakisca,” she replied as he felt her hands on his cheeks. “They all are lost Akota, and you can help them find themselves.” Mori’s hands tightened around his face. “—If you don’t allow yourself to get drawn back into a past that is a lie. Your future, and ours, lies in what can be—not what has been.”

  “I will try,” he replied. “But you must also let me lead these men the way I see fit…and understand they don’t think like Akota.”

  “I’ll be a good ozuye,” she replied, using the Akota word for warrior. “And follow your orders,” she smiled.

  He leaned down to kiss Mori.

  Stone stumbled and fell into the couch by his desk as Mori pushed him backwards. Her weight pressed down on his waist as she straddled him.

  “But tonight, General,” she smiled, undoing the belt holding her sword and sidearm. “You belong to me,” she added as she began unbuttoning his tunic.

  “Yes, ma’am,” replied Stone, his hands sliding from Mori’s face to the buttons on her uniform.

  “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to touch you,” he said.

  “Yes I do,” she replied. “Now shut up, soldier, and take off my shirt.”

  “Yes ma’am—”

  The light above Stone’s door buzzed green and a young lieutenant burst through the door as it slid open.

  “What are doing, lieutenant?” shouted Stone, rising as Mori jumped to her feet.

  “General…I…” The young officer paused, seeing Stone and Mori standing next to each other, both their uniforms partially undone. “I didn’t…”

  “What is it?” demanded Stone, buttoning his shirt.

  “Uh, yes, Sir,” stammered the officer. “We just received word of another attack, this time at the main civilian security offices in Inotib.” He paused again. “I’m sorry, but you did not have the ‘No Entry’ light on…and you said to report any major attacks in the—”

  “Yes, Lieutenant,” replied Stone. “Notify the rest of my staff and I want a transport ready in ten minutes.” He looked toward Mori, who seemed more annoyed than embarrassed. But she wasn’t Humani. “Major, I would like you to join me.”

  “Maj—,” Mori paused, her frustration clearly growing. “Of course, General,” the words shot out like bullets. “I will have your staff give me the location of your transport,” she added, grabbing her service belt, which held her sword and sidearm. “Now, if I may be excused?” she added, snapping to attention and saluting before turning and storming out of the room, almost knocking the lieutenant off balance.

  “I’m sorry,
Sir,” offered the lieutenant.

  “You’re fine, Lieutenant,” replied Stone. He had no idea if Mori was pissed about the interruption or about him calling her by her rank. But Stone was sure he would find out soon enough. “Let’s go,” ordered Stone, grabbing his belt.

  “Do you have early casualty reports?” Stone asked his aid as he adjusted his holster while hustling toward the transport.

  “Incomplete, but at least fifteen, Sir.”

  “Is the scene secure?”

  “Colonel Vae reports local security forces have set up a perimeter and he has dispatched a platoon of infantry to support.”

  Two soldiers and a captain standing at the entrance to Stone’s transport came to attention and saluted.

  “At ease,” ordered Stone as he stepped inside his transport.

  “We are ready to launch, General,” said the captain, following Stone inside. “I and a squad of my men will be providing security for you.”

  “Security?” Stone heard Mori’s voice.

  Stone turned to see Mori and two Scout Ranger officers standing at the entrance, her face now painted in red and yellow diagonal stripes covering her face, with a black handprint covering her lower jaw.

  “Of course, Major,” replied the Humani captain, his eyes wide as he took in Mori’s warpaint; it was clearly the first time he had seen a painted-face warrior. “All flag officers receive a security detachment when traveling into possibly hazardous areas.”

  “A warrior doesn’t need…what did you call it…a security detachment?” replied Mori.

  “But Major, it’s the regulations—”

  “It’s okay, Captain,” interrupted Stone. “Akota warriors have different practices than the Humani.”

  “Yeah,” replied Mori, stepping close to the captain. “Akota officers don’t need protection,” she continued, looking over the captain’s shoulder directly into Stone’s eyes.

  “Nor do Humani,” replied the captain, drawing Mori’s gaze again. “But we do show respect and concern for our superiors.”

  Mori’s green eyes burned holes through the Humani captain, her jaw clinched tightly.

  “I think we have discussed this enough,” said Stone, breaking the tense silence. “We need to get to the scene.” He depressed the intercom on the bulkhead. “We’re ready for takeoff,” he said.