The Commander

by Kevin Groh

  Carter had to smile: »I just can’t imagine that they didn’t make a plan. After all, they distributed their scouts quite effectively. That requires good coordination. You must have heard that.«

  The soldier’s eyes were scurrying around, a sign that someone was thinking of a lie. While the guy was trying to explain to him why he hadn’t heard anything and that the enemies were a miserable bunch of narcissists anyway, Carter noticed that the man was always messing around with his pocket. His words were bubbling out of him faster and faster. He seemed very nervous. His instinct warned him.

  »Don’t you feel well?«, he asked and stood up quite leisurely from the table. »Uh ... yes, of course. I’m sorry, I’m just very upset. After all, I was a hostage. And this, please forgive the expression, ›interrogation‹ here is also not exactly calming for the nerves. Even if it’s polite.«

  Carter became restless. The pieces gradually came together to form a picture. When he had stormed the stairs with the twins, the man had looked at him motionless for three full seconds before screaming. Had he been frightened, he would have done so immediately. He had wanted to warn the opponents. Likewise, the other hostage had not stumbled but had deliberately bumped into the candidate so that Jimbo could shoot. The wink was a gesture meant to be ›Gladly done‹. That and the fact that the guy before him didn’t want to reveal the details of the enemy’s plans and became more and more nervous, gave Carter assurance that the hostages were moles. Their job was to stab their rescuers in the back. In his pocket, the soldier had to have a weapon or some other tool to do this. But how would Carter react? If he reached for his pistol, the man would be quicker because his hand was closer to his jacket pocket.

  The expression on the guy’s face showed that he wanted to pull the gun and shoot him in a few moments. To gain some time, Carter put two fingers to his ear as if someone had contacted him. »Yes,« he said, pretending to listen attentively.

  »Yes?«, he said, pretending to listen attentively.

  The man probably didn’t want to warn the others and waited with drumming fingers for Carter to end communication before attacking. At that moment he had the idea of how to get out of this situation. He shouted: »What?! They slipped past you and came to retrieve the hostage? Shit! Get back here! I’ll try to stop them as long as I can!«

  Then he looked at the man and said: »Looks like this isn’t over yet. Stay in here and nothing will happen to you.«

  The soldier seemed insecure as to whether to attack and Carter took advantage before changing his mind. He flinched pretendingly and asked: »Did you hear that?«

  The guy listened, but said: »What did you hear? I didn’t hear anything. What’s wrong?«

  Carter put a finger on his lips and the man nodded slowly and still didn’t seem convinced what to do. He stepped to the door and pulled the pistol. He wasn’t 100% sure if he was right about his theory, so he didn’t want to just shoot the soldier. He deliberately moved out of the room slowly and cautiously and a bit along the corridor, out of the man’s field of vision. He walked a few steps away and simulated fighting noises. He groaned, growled and fired some shots at the floor and wall by the door, so the guy thought he was wrestling with a contender. Since Carter was already openly suspicious, the man certainly didn’t risk him winning the fight to get to him. If his theory was correct, he should now leave the room and fall into his back. He moved close to the door and waited with his fist on his chest.

  As expected, the spy stepped through the door, but Carter struck him against his throat with his uplifted hand in a flash to disturb his breathing. He disarmed him and turned him so that he had pointed the gun at his head while holding the other arm around his throat. The man ruffled from the punch.

  »What kind of game are you playing, huh? Are you supposed to spy on us and then shoot us in the back? Just like the other hostage is supposed to do with the contenders?«, Carter asked demandingly. But before the spy could cough up any kind of answer, the horn sounded, announcing the end of the exercise. He let go of the soldier, who bent over and coughed hard. In the heat of the moment, he had completely forgotten that it was only training and he apologized by patting the poor guy on the back. »What happened?«, Carter asked the others.

  Leena replied: »We had just arrived at their base when the hostage simply turned around and mowed the three down frontally. Apparently, the hostages were camouflaged moles who were supposed to defeat us from the inside out.«

  Carter knew he didn’t have to say anything, but he wanted the feeling of fame and praise that it would bring him if he did. So he said:

  »I know I just caught our liberated hostage and wanted to interrogate him. The other one seemed to be faster.«

  As the exercise was over, Carter waited until the man had regained his senses and the two supported Urma down to the road where the transport shuttle was waiting. Banes and Dunn stood there with the disqualified recruits and contenders and the rest of them just arrived. As soon as everyone was around, the major clapped his hands, impressed.

  »That was the hottest show I’ve seen in a long time! You’re awesome and could really make a difference.«

  Even Banes seemed to be a little excited because he was very busy preventing his jaw muscles from smiling. »That was indeed an unexpected turn of events. The aspirants have two years more experience and they’ve already had some real missions.«

  He stepped up to Carter: »I was curious about how you would do as a leader, Sanders. When I first saw you, I thought you were just another one of those imaginary snobs who were only after fame and prestige. A narcissistic little prick.«

  While he said that, he pointed to the neglected candidates.

  »This assumption was wrong, I must admit. As a commander, you showed an extraordinary performance, almost exemplary.«

  The losers seemed ashamed, for no one looked over at them. The others looked satisfied with themselves, even those who were beaten.

  Compared to this eventful Wednesday, the rest of the week was hardly worth mentioning. He had a little argument with Kelly because she wanted to go on a trip with him on the weekend, but he didn’t feel like it. It wasn’t enough to get one of them not to sleep in the room, but they didn’t talk much and each of them stayed largely alone. She spent her Saturday with Leena and he lazed around with Rod.

  Carter said to him: »I’m telling you, she’s turning a mosquito into an elephant. We spend the whole week doing sports, taking lessons and whatnot. Then you are not on duty at the weekend and can finally relax, and she wants to do something ... As if I wanted to waste my day off in some shopping mile.«

  Rod asked skeptically: »Excuse me Carter, but are you complaining that your gorgeously hot girlfriend who loves you and has sex with you wants to spend her free time with you? It sounded a bit like that.«

  Then he had to smile: »Yes, I’m sorry. It’s just that I just don’t always want to do something big.«

  Rod crossed his arms behind his head while lying on the meadow. »Well, that’s why I like being single, my friend. I do whatever I want. I never have to justify myself, never ask anyone for permission, never apologize, never give in or show consideration for anyone. If I want to chill, I just do it.«

  »Then why are you so keen on Leena? If you’re that content alone, why do you want to bring trouble into your life?«, Carter asked him.

  Rod got suspicious and seemed to feel caught.

  »I don’t know, everything is different around her somehow ...«

  »If you work on your car, do sports, eat something, spend your free time, you’re missing something. You can’t talk to anyone about what you’re experiencing and you lack that. I know the feeling, dude.«

  Rod changed the subject: »Next week is the retro week ... that is so unnecessary. Swords, clubs, and bows are totally inefficient. Even weapons pimped out by the T’zun are still old-fashioned and completely useless against a modern weapon. The Lorgans will certainly not attack us with a sword.«

  Carter
replied: »Of course they will. They use ritual arm hatchets, halberds, and axes in close combat as if that were still necessary with the claws. You’re much better off with a sword than with a rifle. In melee combat, front-line soldiers are killed without a melee weapon.«

  »Maybe, but a bow? Let’s be honest! As a hobby for nerds like you that might be okay, but in combat? You might as well throw stones!«

  »Wait and see, Rod. I bet if Jazzir shows you how to do it right, you’ll look at it differently.«, Carter said.

  Rod raised his hands to appease: »I’m not saying that it’s not admirable or that it doesn’t look impressive. But the Lorgans won’t give up just because they find our attacks so stylish.«

  The two discussed for a while, but Rod didn’t want to be convinced and Carter saw no reason why he should have. Everyone had to choose their own weapons. Nevertheless, he was very curious to see how Jazzir used retro weapons effectively.

  The Retro Week

  They were very excited on Monday. They hadn’t forgotten how Carter had crossed blades with Jazzir. Although not all of them appreciated the benefits of a sword, these ancient weapons seemed so exotic and extraordinary that they all found it interesting. The T’zun awaited them on the drill ground shortly after breakfast. Behind him, along the entire length of one side of the field, were metal perforated walls with countless types of weapons. In addition, there were small barrels everywhere, in which long weapons and swords were stored. Jazzir was topless and the bright fur on his chest shone in the morning sun. »This week we are trying out all sorts of weapons that have long retired as war equipment. Nevertheless, there are always dead soldiers who have died from the same weapons that, according to the command staff, they were never supposed to encounter. For this reason, there is the retro week. My ambition is not for you to master all this, don’t worry. Even mastering one of these weapons takes years. No, just practice a little. Hopefully, you can at least prevent them from killing you with them. The one who knows the handling and some techniques with a weapon is much more difficult to hit with it.«

  That sounded plausible, so the recruits nodded approvingly, even if Jazzir didn’t need their approval at all.

  He continued: »The weapons you see here are divided into two categories. Probable and unlikely. This refers to how realistic it is to be confronted with them. The next five days will be divided by weapon type. Today: bladed weapons, tomorrow staff weapons, Wednesday bows, Thursday blunt weapons and Friday specials like axes.«

  Without further ado, he grabbed a long sword from the perforated wall.

  »Blade weapons mainly refer to swords. Double-edged, single-edged, straight, curved, daggers, short swords, one-and-a-half-handed, two-handed, European, Asian, Karygian, Mokabic, there are countless variations. The sword has been the central weapon of mankind for over two millennia.«

  Carter asked: »What do Karygian and Mokabic mean?«

  Jazzir paused and then explained: »Karygia and Mokabi are two continents on Basura’Tanoh, our original homeworld. There these weapons were developed and used for thousands of years. We are quite similar to you on that end.«

  He asked them to each hold a sword. »Since we can’t learn the art of swordplay in one day, I’ll show you a few tricks. There are many ways to fight with swords. Blade to the front, blade to the back, two simultaneously guided weapons, double swords, and other special features. We focus on the use of a single weapon, with the blade pointing forward. We test it with different models.«

  The first was about simple one-handed swords, as they had used them the last time. Just like then, Carter was under-challenged and bored. For this reason, Jazzir demonstrated the simple exercises for repetition to the group and then showed him some more advanced techniques in a duel. Of course, there wasn’t enough time for proper training and Carter felt that his teacher regretted that a little. They were allowed to practice during the day with curved single-edged swords that were completely different. Shortly before dinner, there was a fun session with heavy two-handed swords, some of which were longer than the height of some of the women. Jane could only grab the top of the handle standing upright if she stretched her arm at least halfway up. The handling of such a huge and massive weapon seemed rough and not very useful to them. Jazzir reminded them that enemies like the Lorgans had a high body mass and had to be hit very hard for them to get harmed. Thrashing into a target with full force was a liberating experience for them all because it felt more like a fighting act than firing a firearm with focus.

  In the evening they sat together in the dormitory and wondered who they’d like to strike at with such a sword. The most chosen opponent was, of course, Banes, but also other tormentors in the life of the recruits were among them. Especially Leena, who could never overcome some memories of how her father had abused her, imagined the use of a sword vividly. They were still completely perplexed that Carter was allowed to practice with Jazzir. Some of them had even stopped moving to watch the two. Rod, Leena, and Kelly already knew about his preferences and the small collection on the wall.

  »What makes you think you want to learn to fight with a sword? I mean, what is the likelihood of ever being able to use it these days?«, Urma asked.

  Carter replied: »It wasn’t easy to find a teacher here on Utopia either. It’s rare even on Earth.«

  »Your father must have been thrilled ...«, Jimbo bantered.

  »Oh, you know, he actually thought the idea was pretty cool and he was even jealous that he could never learn it. We’re both big movie fans, you know. Medieval, superheroes, and fantasy are our favorites. I guess that’s why it always fascinated me.«, Carter thought.

  Jane asked if another hobby wouldn’t have made more sense in retrospect. Her aversion to these old-fashioned weapons was clearly noticeable.

  Carter said: »Swordfighting and archery are not just about defeating your opponent. It’s about body control, striving for perfection and above all a calm mind. It has many parallels with martial arts, which is why such weapons are used in many forms of martial arts.«

  »Nevertheless, it is a barbaric way of killing. Such a thing was not given up without a reason.«, Jane insisted with a wrinkled nose.

  Tom replied: »So when I look at these flamethrowers, cold guns and the other heavy weapons, I would honestly prefer a sword. A bullet in the shoulder is hardly more pleasant or more humane than a cut, at least in terms of suffering.«

  They discussed it for quite a while, but it got late and the next day approached. Since the retro week was physically very demanding, they immediately went to bed.

  On Tuesday the weather got worse, so Jazzir moved the lessons to the simulation hall. To make it more realistic, he made the room look like a human-Asian mountain temple with an incredible view. He showed them a number of different staff weapons. »There is not the one, perfect form of staff fighting. The type of movement depends on what kind of weapon you have in front of you. Typically you start with a simple staff, a so-called Bo, or Kun, as it is called by my people. You can practice all movements with it because it has no attachments. The simplest style is to grab the weapon at one end and point the other side forward. This corresponds to the fighting style with any staff weapon that has only one attachment. This includes spears, naginata, halberds, and glaives. It is not always easy to make the correct movements because the weight of the blade can be quite large. However, the attacks are often controlled from the center.«

  He showed them both variations and they were very impressed. He whirled his staff so fast that it was partly only visible as schemes. »The center is the right approach if the weapon has two attachments. Double pikes are a prime example. Such weapons were rarely used, however, both by humans and by T’zun. The handling is a bit more difficult and you have less range.«

  They could admire different models of such weapons everywhere in the room. »I can understand why we should be able to fend off a sword, but who still uses something like that today?«, Tim asked and held up an old and decora
ted spear.

  Jazzir relaxed in front of the group and explained: »It’s true that this will probably not happen to you very often in normal fights. But you think very narrow-mindedly. For millennia, your species thought they were alone in the universe. To this day, many people are convinced that they are the most superior race. Pride is a trait that seems typical of your species, just like greed and ignorance. You had to realize, however, that you are not alone in the universe. Just because the cultures you know fight mainly with firearms doesn’t mean there aren’t any other beings out there. Maybe they are fighting with swords. I know the desire of many space-traveling soldiers to explore the unknown vastness of the galaxy. There are creatures you don’t know yet.«

  »Have you discovered any clues to new species yet,« Leena asked.

  Jazzir thought for a moment before reacting: »There are a few. Isolated reports, sightings of strange ships, planets with ruins of unknown origin and some creatures have even been seen several times. The point is, no matter if you encounter creatures with swords, fangs or with completely new powers, the more you know, the higher your chances of survival are. That’s why we do this.«

  The whole day was limited to guided exercises with staffs and combat training, during which they suffered many bruises. Carter thought the training was great and had the most fun of them all. He and Rod fought against each other, but Rod had absolutely no talent for such weapons. He got hit on his fingers more often and cursed every minute.

  That night, they were all too tired to talk. Kelly seemed to be less tired from the lessons than he was. »I did martial arts for a long time, don’t you remember? We used to call that ›warm-up phase‹.«, she laughed and he knew she was pulling his leg.