Son of Justice

by Steven L. Hawk

  “I’m not sure I follow, Sergeant. How has he acted that makes him a poor recruit? What has he done that would dictate his removal from the Alliance Defense forces?”

  For the first time, Eli noted a real emotion. Twigg was smiling at the colonel.

  “He is a natural leader,” the sergeant replied. “One who leads through example. Not through threats or by creating fear. In the past ten weeks, he has displayed a remarkable ability to win allegiance and support from his men.”

  “Exactly!”

  “That’s right.”

  “Yeah!”

  Eli recognized the calls from the team members seated behind him as he sat immobile, stunned by the sergeant’s unexpected admission.

  “Silence!” Drah slammed his fist on the table and looked across the room. The shouts died out quickly. Having silenced the humans, the colonel refocused his attention on the Minith sergeant.

  “This is not what we discussed,” Drah spoke quietly in Minith. The sudden switch from Earth Standard language drew curious looks from the humans seated at the table. “This human must be taught a lesson.”

  “It may not be what we discussed, Colonel,” Twigg replied in his native language. “But it is the truth. The human should not be expelled. He should be promoted.”

  Promoted? The surprises just kept on coming. For the first time since Eli sat down, his leg didn’t feel the urge to bounce. The jittery nervousness he had previously felt had been replaced by surprise and relief. The sergeant was actually speaking up on his behalf—something Eli never would have expected. That realization was quickly replaced by another, more startling awareness as Colonel Drah’s features morphed from alarmed disbelief to angered resignation. The look the two Minith exchanged was clear for anyone who understood Minith expressions. By going against Colonel Drah’s wishes, Sergeant Twigg had just saved the career of a lowly, anonymous private and, in so doing, had sacrificed his own.

  “Colonel, please stop speaking Minith and address the witness in Earth Standard,” the major seated on the left spoke for the first time. He drew an angry, sideways glare from the ranking officer but did not look away. It was obvious he knew the protocol for these reviews and wouldn’t let the colonel run over the proceedings.

  “I apologize,” the colonel acquiesced, switching back to Standard. The look of disdain disappeared and was quickly replaced with a stoic, respectful smile that Eli couldn’t help but recognize as forced. “I was merely clarifying a point with the sergeant.”

  “Pardon me for the intrusion, Colonel Drah,” Eli interjected in Minith. The look of surprise on the colonel’s face at hearing his native language being spoken by a human was the fourth separate and distinct reaction to grace the colonel’s face in the past ten seconds. Eli found that fact pleasingly humorous, in a ruthless sort of way. He didn’t hesitate to amplify the colonel’s sudden discomfort another notch. “Perhaps you can explain to the panel how teaching me a lesson is the same as clarifying a point?”

  The room was suddenly filled with gasps and cries of surprise. Of the members of the review panel, only Titan seemed unmoved at hearing Eli speak Minith.

  Colonel Drah scowled at Eli from across the space that separated them. The look contained a heated mixture of angry promises and raw emotions. His dad was fond of an ancient saying that seemed to fit this situation: If looks could kill. Eli wondered how anyone, knowledgeable of Minith mannerisms or not, could miss the blatant hostility in Drah’s countenance.

  The colonel quickly recovered, though, and erased the threatening glare from his face. As before, he replaced the negative reaction with another fake smile. He then slowly turned his head until his attention was back on Sergeant Twigg.

  “Please continue, Sergeant,” the colonel commanded in an even voice that belied the storm Eli knew was still brewing beneath the suddenly calm exterior. “You were praising Private Jayson’s leadership abilities, I believe.”

  “Thank you, Colonel,” Twigg smiled in the Minith way, with a twitch of ear and upturned lips. Eli recognized that Twigg was enjoying himself. He also reveled in the fact that it wasn’t at his expense this time. He wondered what the sergeant’s future might hold. Angering a Minith colonel was not something a lowly sergeant accomplished with any degree of success. By speaking out against his superior, Twigg was clearly on borrowed time. The sacrifice wasn’t something that Eli would quickly forget. For better or worse, he was now indebted to the alien sergeant. “As I was saying. Jayson is a natural leader. But he has substantial abilities in other areas. He is a skilled fighter with every weapon we’ve trained with, as an example.”

  Twigg paused for questions, but received only nods to continue from the panel. He did so.

  “And he is clever. His problem solving abilities are unique.”

  “Can you give us an example, Sergeant?” the second human major asked.

  “Of course. Do we have the capability to view pacer video from the tower exercise?” He received nods from the panel. “I believe watching his actions on that occasion will provide adequate explanation.”

  It took several minutes for support staff to find the footage, but once found, a nod from Drah kicked it off. Eli watched along with everyone else in the room as he and his team came into focus on a large vid-screen located on the left wall of the chamber. They were at the demarcation point, discussing options. The look of defeat was evident on all of their faces as they prepared to launch an attack that was bound to fail. Then, Benson’s comment of, “Maybe we should ask the Telgorans for help” was heard by everyone and looks were exchanged by the panel members. On the screen, the emotions of the team began to change as they discussed their plan and hope for potential success began to emerge.

  The video showed Eli giving directions to Ellison on how, when, and where to move the team’s armor, then followed the rest of team into the cavern. There was a tense moment when the altercation between Free and Jayson was shown, but Titan quickly announced that the Telgorans would not hold Eli accountable for the attack since it was obviously self-defense on his part. The dash through the caverns was played in spurts, showing only the occasional frame to save time. The assembled Telgorans at the end of the journey were seen, then Eli’s comments to the team as they prepared for their attack were heard. Eli flinched mentally when the video showed the exchange of his pulse rifle for Free’s agsel staff. If there was any charge that might be valid, it would be him giving his weapon to a noncombatant. Oh well, it was what it was, and a casual look at the panel showed no concerns on any of the faces seated at the table. Maybe he had dodged that particular bullet.

  Finally, the attack itself played out on the large screen and Eli watched their advance from a distance some ten meters to their rear where the pacer tracked them. He watched as they stopped their advance, already clearly in firing range of the Minith who were positioned on the platforms ahead. It was also clear that the defenders were completely unaware of their presence. Their focus was to the front, where they believed the attackers to be.

  The pacer remained outside when he, Benson, and Childes entered the tower. Eli sat up and watched as the team, supported by Free from the far right, began taking out the Minith, not ten meters away. It was like shooting at still targets on the range, only easier because they were so close. He watched with pride as they made quick work of the defenders. Within ten seconds, all twelve of the Minith soldiers were twitching away. Eli noticed that Free managed to score hits on two different Minith. The Telgoran seemed like a natural, at least from close in.

  The video then showed Eli exiting the tower. He took a moment to check on the team, then made his way over to Free, where he retrieved his weapon and returned the staff.

  When the video ended, no one said anything for several seconds. Then Twigg filled the silence.

  “We’ve been conducting this tower exercise for years. In that time, no one—Minith or human—has ever found a way to accomplish the mission that is given. It was designed as an exercise that couldn’
t be beaten. We track each recruit’s movements so we know exactly where they are at all times. When they are in range of our weapons, we shoot them. End of exercise.

  “The charges of failing to follow orders and the assault of ranking soldiers that have been levied against Private Jayson are laughable. The orders given were simple and clear: attack the tower, defeat the defenders. ”

  Twigg paused briefly to look at Colonel Drah. Drah avoided eye contact, looking down at the table top.

  “The video we just watched shows that Private Jayson did exactly what he was ordered to do. He attacked the tower and he defeated its defenders. The fact that he was supposed to fail, but managed to succeed, should not be held against him.”

  * * *

  The panel review wound down quickly after Sergeant Twigg’s testimony, and the proceedings took on an air of finality and completion. Eli didn’t follow much of what transpired in the final stages—his surprise and shock at being defended by Twigg clouded his thoughts—but the comments Drah made regarding a private review by the panel and a final determination of Eli’s eventual status managed to sink in. His fate was now in the hands of the individuals seated at the long table.

  He was surprised to find he didn’t really care what judgment they might come back with. He had done what was required and, given the chance, would do it all again in the exact same fashion. Well . . . with one possible exception. His initial encounter with Free hadn’t been particularly enjoyable. Given another opportunity he’d prefer an introduction that didn’t involve thousands of volts coursing through their bodies. He smiled with the recollection.

  “Private Jayson,” Colonel Drah’s direct address brought Eli back to the here and now.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Return back to your barracks and remain there. You will be informed when we have concluded our review. Do you have any questions?”

  “No, sir,” Eli replied. He noted the colonel had taken a cue from Twigg and was now effectively concealing his emotions. Learning that the human seated before him understood and spoke Minith probably had some influence.

  “Very well. You are dismissed,” he informed the private. He pushed himself from his seat and announced to the assembly, “This panel is adjourned.”

  Eli sat unmoving and watched the panel members rise and make their way to the private doorway located behind their table. As befitting such a formal occasion, each member of the panel appeared stoic and resolute. None looked in his direction.

  Except for Ambassador Titan.

  Titan stood, waited for the other panel members to exit, then raised a finger, indicating he wanted a word. Eli simply nodded, stood. The bustle and murmurs of the crowd behind him let him know that the observers and witnesses were making their own, noisy exit through the doors at the rear.

  Eli marveled at the man’s size as he approached. He wasn’t as large as a Minith, but standing at nearly seven feet tall and weighing almost three hundred pounds—still muscle, even at his age—he was the largest man Eli had ever met. He was also one of the most important. Not only was he the human emissary here on Telgora, but after Eli’s father, Titan was the person most responsible for the defeat of the Minith twelve years earlier. He had destroyed the Minith home planet and led Free’s people in a successful underground assault against the Minith bases here on Telgora. That attack, which led to the freeing of Telgora from Minith domination, had been the inspiration for Eli’s tower assault only a few days earlier.

  “Ah, Eli,” Titan greeted the younger man. He gave Eli a solid handshake, then pulled him into a crushing embrace. Fortunately, it lasted only a second or two. “It’s been too long, son.”

  “Two years, give or take a couple of months,” Eli agreed, rolling his shoulders in an effort to dispel the pain from the unexpected hug. He also glanced over his shoulder to see who might have observed the greeting. Most of the crowd had already left, and the few remaining were walking away from them. Only Free was left, still seated. The young Telgoran was watching.

  “Don’t worry,” Titan said, lowering his voice. “Your secret is safe with me. You father filled me in on your situation and asked me to respect your request for anonymity. Not sure why you’d take that route, but who am I to question it?”

  Eli considered citing his reasons but quickly decided not to bother. It was a complex thing, growing up as the only son of the most popular man alive—not to mention, the greatest warrior in human history. On one hand, he had advantages that were beyond compare—superior educational opportunities, advanced military and physical training, knowledge of how the Alliance was formed, how it operated and managed to survive. He couldn’t imagine not having access to these privileges and did his best to use them as a way to improve and prepare for the future—a future he was convinced resided within the Alliance Defense Force.

  “Thanks for understanding.”

  “General Treel has been briefed also should you run into him,” Titan said.

  “Treel? Treel’s here on Telgora?” When Eli was three, his father introduced him to the Minith soldier, who was a prisoner on Earth at the time. Treel and Eli spent a lot of time together and formed a strong bond that continued until the Peace Wars ended. When the war ended, and his father moved them to Waa, Treel’s son, Arok, became Eli’s closest friend.

  “Yes, I thought you knew,” Titan explained. “He’s here to observe Arok’s graduation.”

  “Of course,” Eli exclaimed. He had been so caught up in his training, he had little time to consider that Arok was going through the Minith version of basic on the other side of the planet. He wondered how Arok had performed for his human sergeants but knew without asking that the Minith had excelled, as usual. Since the age of seven, Eli and his alien friend had been put through most of the same training. The only major differences involved their spare time. Eli preferred studying military history and scouring libraries for insights into ancient battles and tactics. Arok devoted his discretionary time to additional combat and weapons training. Their individual tendencies usually revealed themselves when the two sparred, which was daily. Arok was a beast who could fight all day and then some. He usually got the better of Eli, except for those times when Eli was able to pick up on the other’s most current fighting style and use it to his advantage. When that happened, Eli described what he had uncovered and how he used it against Arok. Once explained, Arok promptly corrected the pattern, or concealed it well enough to once again get the better of his human foe. It was an ongoing, circular process that made them both better.

  “Yes, and unlike you, Arok’s not hiding who his father is. Which makes it possible for Treel to visit.”

  Eli didn’t rise to the bait. He looked around and noted that only Free remained in the room with them. He nodded to the Telgoran, who returned the gesture.

  “Ah, yes,” Titan stated, seeing the interaction. “Our good friend, Free. That’s what I wanted to speak to you about.”

  “About Free?”

  “Yes,” Titan acknowledged. He tilted his head down and looked into Eli’s eyes. “Thanks to you, it appears our independent thinker has taken a liking to the warrior lifestyle. He wants to know how he can join the Defense Force.”

  “What?” Eli was confused. Telgorans didn’t join the alliance forces. Despite being members of the Shiale Alliance, they kept to themselves in their underground caverns where they didn’t have to interact with outsiders, especially the still-hated Minith. They had existed in relative seclusion for . . . well, forever. Forays above-ground, even for alliance business and meetings were rare. At their insistence, Titan generally spoke for them and represented their decisions and interests. It was a responsibility that Titan took seriously. He was adamant in representing them in a manner that protected them in all ways. Eli’s dad often joked that his old friend was more Telgoran than human, and Eli respected the large man for his dedication. “How’s that possible? Doesn’t he need the comfort of the Family mind to survive?”

  “Usually, but Fr
ee is an anomaly among the Family,” Titan explained. “He can’t access the mass mind. He’s a one-of-a-kind specimen, who’s been living on the fringe of the Telgoran community since he was born. He hasn’t been shunned. The Family doesn’t do that. But he’s a loner in a world that doesn’t understand the concept. Do you know what the Family calls him?”

  “They don’t call him Free?”

  Titan laughed. It was a hearty sound that started in the gut and filled the room.

  “No, no. The word they use to describe him equates more to ‘loner’ or ‘alone.’ ‘Free’ is the name I gave him, kind of by accident,” the large man stated. “Although he’s Telgoran, he and I are very much the same. We’re outsiders among our own kind. He’s an outsider because he can’t tap into the mass consciousness that defines his people. I’m an outsider because the people of Earth don’t know how to deal with me.”

  “That’s not true,” Eli argued. “The people on Earth consider you a hero.”

  “Spoken like a human who’s lived more than half his life—and all of his adult life—on the distant planet of Waa,” Titan replied, with a shake of his head. “For a smart young man, who knows more about the Minith than probably any other human, you don’t know a whole lot about your fellow humans. Ninety-nine point nine percent of the people on Earth are glad I’m on Telgora and not on their planet. When was the last time you were on Earth?”

  “You know I haven’t been back since I was six, almost seven,” Eli answered.

  “Well, you probably don’t remember much, but it hasn’t really changed. Earth is still populated by billions and billions of peace-loving citizens, who tremble at the very thought of having an argument with their neighbor, much less wielding a rifle. They certainly don’t enjoy my company—a person who wiped out the lives of billions of sentient, though aggressive and murderous, beings.” Eli, like all humans, knew the ambassador was almost single-handedly responsible for destroying the Minith home planet. Though that act had saved humanity, and allowed the Minith to be defeated, it hadn’t gone over well on Earth.