“Everyone, scatter,” called out a man near the front of the long column.
Sheridan and Cole dove under the cover of a bushy pine tree and sat down. They had been walking for close to eight hours with only a few rest halts to allow some of the weaker people catch up.
Cole glanced down at his watch. “I guess the mid-morning satellite is coming up over the mountains.” There were two Kurgan satellites the insurgents knew of that flew like clockwork over this area of the countryside. For five minutes, twice a day, everyone took cover and waited for the satellites to pass overhead.
“You know, I’m surprised how few troops the Kurgs sent into the valley,” said Sheridan. “If I were them I would have sent a couple of battalions to kill Komada.”
“I was thinking the very same thing, and I’m of the opinion that they’re not really sure where Komada is hiding,” replied Cole. “I suspect last night’s raid was one of several timed to all go in at the same time. The Kurgs threw their net real wide in the hope of catching or killing Komada.”
“That makes a lot of sense.”
“I know, that’s why I said it,” Cole replied with a wink.
Sheridan chuckled and reached for his water bottle. He took a sip of water and then offered his bottle to Cole.
“Cheers,” said his friend, taking the canteen from him.
“I hope the girls made it out of the valley last night.”
“I’m sure they did, or we would know about it.”
Sheridan didn’t want to dwell on Cole’s last words. They had already passed several people who had been wounded during the fight and had died along the trail.
“Looks like everyone is getting back on their feet,” said Cole, handing back Sheridan’s bottle.
The two Marines crawled out from under the tree and stood up. They quietly followed the rest of the survivors as they made their way to another hidden base a day’s march away.
“Michael!” called out Tarina, waving her arms over her head.
He saw her, smiled, and ran to join her. They threw their arms around each other and held on tight.
“Thank God you’re alright,” said Tarina.
“I was thinking the same thing about you,” he replied before kissing her on the lips.
“Hey, you two, give it a break,” said Wendy. “Come on, I’ll show you two gents our new home.”
With Tarina’s hand firmly in his, Sheridan and Cole followed Wendy as she led them down a narrow path through the woods. A minute later they came out into a small glade. A couple of makeshift tents had been built next to a flowing stream.
“It ain’t much, but as we’re leaving soon, it’s the best you’re going to get,” said Wendy.
“Looks great to me,” said Cole. “What are the sleeping arrangements?”
“You two get the one on the right, Tarina and I get the other one.”
Cole chortled and hit Sheridan on the back. “Looks like you got the raw end of the deal on this one.”
As night fell, Wendy prepared a stew over an open fire.
“Any luck reaching any of the SF training teams?” Sheridan asked Tarina.
She placed her communication device down and shook her head. “Not yet. The mountains may be blocking the signal, or they’ve turned their radios off.”
“It’s probably a bit of both,” said Cole. “If they’re with the rebel groups that were hit last night, they could still be on the run, and the last thing they will want to do is answer our calls.”
They all sat down around the fire and ate their meal.
“What’s in this?” asked Cole.
“Some kind of fish and some vegetables I’ve never seen before in my life,” said Wendy. “The woman who gave me the food said it was all edible. Why? Don’t you like it?”
“I never said that. I was just wondering what it was we were eating. That’s all.”
A rebel soldier walked out of the woods and waved at Sheridan. “Sorry to bother you, sir, but Komada asked me to fetch you and Mister Cole.”
“Did he say why?” said Sheridan.
“No, sir. He just asked me to bring you to him.”
“I guess we’ve been summoned yet again by his highness,” said Cole, setting his bowl of food down.
“What about us?” said Tarina.
“He just wants to speak with the men,” replied the boy.
Sheridan stood. “We shouldn’t be too long. Knowing him, he probably just wants to talk about what happened last night and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.”
They found Komada sitting on a log next to a roaring bonfire.
“Aren’t you worried your overly large fire will attract unwanted attention?” said Sheridan.
“These woods are full of loggers,” explained Komada. “We’ll just look like another logging camp to any drone that flies overhead. Come, take a seat.”
Sheridan and Cole sat down.
“Last night’s attack was a blessing in disguise,” said Komada.
Sheridan raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Over the last couple of nights I have had a recurring dream in which the road to the capital is wide open.”
“How does last night’s raid reconcile with your dreams?” asked Cole.
“Don’t you see it? The heretics are going in a dozen different directions all at once while they waste their time and resources trying to get their hands on me. The fools have spread themselves thin. The time is ripe for us to seize the capital from them.”
Sheridan leaned forward. “Komada, your followers here number less than two hundred men capable of fighting. It would take thousands of warriors to secure the capital.”
“I have sent word to all of my followers spread throughout the countryside to begin to make their way to the capital.”
“When do you expect them to start heading to the capital?” said Cole.
“Tomorrow,” replied Komada.
Sheridan shook his head. “Komada, please wait a minute and think this through. Tomorrow isn’t very realistic. You do realize it’ll take days for some of your people to get there.”
“No, you’re wrong. In my vision I saw the capital with our banner flying above it. We can’t wait. Now is the time to strike. Naturally, I’d like you two to come along to advise me how best to defend the city should the heretics try to take it back from us.”
Sheridan let out a tired sigh. “Komada, I think it’s madness to try to take the capital away from the government forces with your people. Perhaps now would be a good time for us to end our relationship.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Because I feel we can no longer teach you anything of value, and I think it would be for the better if my people and I were to leave.”
“I respect your decision, but leaving may be harder to do than you think.”
Sheridan narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“Three of your embedded training teams will be moving out later tonight with their fighters and making their way under the cover of darkness to the capital.”
In an instant, Sheridan knew they had been caught in a carefully woven trap. “I take it your people told them to stay off their comms devices to avoid being picked up by Kurgan listening stations?”
“Naturally. It makes good tactical sense to remain on comms silence when you are moving near the enemy. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“What a crock,” blurted out Cole. “You just want us there so you can cover your arse should anything go wrong.”
Komada shook his head. “The thought never crossed my mind, Mister Cole.”
“Bull crap!”
“When do you want to leave?” asked Sheridan.
“At first light,” said Komada.
“I guess we’ll see you then.”
Sheridan stood and looked down at Komada. “Understand this. We’re going only because I want to talk to my people. Interfere with that in any way and you and I will have a conversation where no one can see or h
ear us. Got it?”
“Major, there is no need to threaten me. You are free to talk to our people anytime you want to.”
“Except when you tell them to turn off their comms devices,” said Cole. His voice didn’t hide his contempt for the religious fanatic.
“If that is all, gentlemen, I think I will go lie down. I have a feeling the next few days will be taxing on my body and my spirit.” Komada stood up, bowed slightly at Sheridan, and walked away.
“I didn’t think it was possible to hate someone as much as I hate that man,” snarled Cole.
Sheridan put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Watch your temper, old man. Komada’s as cool and calculating as they come. He’s already played out the consequences of his actions in his mind a dozen times over. He knows precisely what he is doing.”
“Which is?”
“I have no idea, and that’s what scares the hell out of me.”
Chapter 6
The capital came into view on the second day of the march. Home to over thirty thousand colonists and government workers, the city was the business hub for the continent.
Sheridan looked over his shoulder at the cloudless sky and shook his head.
“What’s bothering you?” asked Cole.
“There’s been nothing in the air for the past twenty-four hours,” said Sheridan. “Where are the surveillance drones? I had expected to see at least one or two helicraft flying around. Instead, it’s as if the Kurgs have packed up their bags and gone home. I don’t like it, not one bit.”
Cole stepped out of the woods and onto a game trail. “I was thinking the same thing. But Komada’s people say the capital is empty. There’s not a single soldier left there.”
“And that doesn’t strike you as odd?”
“Of course it does. The Kurgs are up to something. I smell a trap.”
“Me too. As soon as you can, I want you to round up all of our SF team leaders. They need to be told to leave the city before anything bad happens.”
“What about us?”
Sheridan looked at his friend. “We’ll drag our heels for a day or so to give the illusion that we’re going to play ball. Then sometime in the night we’ll sneak out of the capital and make our way back to the ladies and get the hell out of here.”
As they entered the city, they saw numerous businesses and homes boarded up. There were less than a dozen elderly people standing on the streets watching as the rebels walked by. Fear and distrust were etched on their faces.
“I bet the majority of the people we’re going to find still living here are Komada’s followers,” said Cole. “Or those poor buggers who are too old and don’t want to leave their homes.”
“No doubt they’re praying the army comes back before Komada’s disciples begin another one of their purges,” said Sheridan.
Cole pointed across the street. “That empty garage looks like a good spot for you and me to set up our command post.”
“Yeah, it’ll do nicely. While I clean up and call back to Tarina, you can fetch the three team leaders.”
Cole gave a lazy salute and kept on walking.
Sheridan removed his pack and pulled out his comms device. He made sure no one was listening to him and called Tarina. “Snow White, this is Prince Charming, over.”
“I hear you loud and clear. Send your message, over,” replied Tarina.
“We’ve arrived and expect to be here no longer than twenty-four to thirty-six hours, over.”
“Any sign of the opposition?”
“None. Will call you again later tonight, Prince Charming, out.”
Sheridan deliberately kept the call short to avoid being detected by any Kurgan listening stations. A long chat usually resulted in an artillery barrage coming down on the hapless conversationalists.
No sooner had Sheridan tidied up the garage when Cole walked in with the three SF sergeants. He offered them some water and a seat on an old bench.
“Okay, folks, here’s the skinny,” said Sheridan. “I want all of you to go back to your respective training organizations and then sometime tonight I want you to quietly slip out of the city and make your way to Captain Pheto’s location.”
“May I ask why?” said Staff Sergeant Trang, a slender, bespectacled NCO.
“I’m ordering all of you off the planet,” replied Sheridan.
“Sir, these people are far from ready to stand on their own two feet,” said Staff Sergeant Romero, a broad-shouldered man with long black hair. “If the army comes back, they’re going to need us to help them.”
“I agree. However, our presence here is, in my opinion, counterproductive. I want this mission to end before any of you are killed or captured by the Kurgs.”
“Sir, did this order come from the fleet, or is this something you have decided to do without authorization?” asked Sergeant Sterling. The man had piercing blue eyes and a sharp mind.
“Watch your tone, Sergeant,” snapped Cole. “You may be SF, but he’s still a major.”
“First Sergeant, I wasn’t being disrespectful,” said Sterling. “I just want to know who is giving the orders.”
Sheridan stood and fixed his gaze on the three NCOs. “I’m giving you the order. You can object to it when you’re back to the fleet. Until then, I’m your superior officer, and you’ll follow my orders.”
“May I ask what has caused this change of heart?” asked Sterling.
“Because Komada is allowing his followers to commit war crimes, and I don’t want his actions to taint you or our armed forces.”
“That’s good enough for me,” said Trang. “I’ll have my people out after dark as ordered.”
Romero nodded his concurrence. Sterling looked as if he still wanted to discuss the issue. A piercing glare by Cole ended the debate. Sterling sat back and nodded.
“Good,” said Sheridan. “First Sergeant Cole can provide you with the coordinates of Captain Pheto’s new location. It’s a two-day march from here so pack accordingly. She knows you’re coming. Hopefully, transport will be waiting to pick you all up and take you back home to the fleet.”
“Say, sir, didn’t you say earlier today that you wanted to check how Komada was doing?” said Cole.
Sheridan had said no such thing, but he got the hint; Cole wanted to talk to the three sergeants without an officer being present. Sheridan picked up his rifle. “Yeah, I think that sounds right. I shouldn’t be too long. Good day, gents.”
A half hour later Sheridan returned. In his hands were several Kurgan ration packs.
“Where did you find those?” Cole asked.
“There’s an abandoned military warehouse a couple of blocks from here,” explained Sheridan. “The door was wide open, so I helped myself to some rations.”
“Did you check for booby traps before stepping inside the warehouse?”
Sheridan shook his head. “Sorry, I forgot to.”
“Don’t be sorry, sir, be careful. Now, what do we have?”
“Kurgan Army stew or some vegetarian meal.”
“Hand over the stew,” said Cole. “No one ever got ready for battle eating nothing but veggies.”
Sheridan chuckled and tossed him the meal. “How did your chat with the sergeants go?”
“Fine. I just reminded them that they’re still in the armed forces and how the chain of command works. They’re so used to being on their own that they think they can do and say whatever they please.”
“Remind you of anyone we may know?” said Sheridan, ripping his ration pack open.
“Yeah, us, but we’re in charge, and I don’t take kindly to people I outrank questioning my boss.”
“Let’s eat up and take a stroll through the city. I’m curious to see what the rebels have done to prepare themselves for the inevitable army counterattack.”
Chapter 7
They were late.
A nagging fear gripped Tarina Pheto in the pit of her stomach that something had gone wrong. She checked her watch and let out a deep si
gh as she shook her head. Tarina glanced up at the unfamiliar stars high above Kandara-Minor, looking for any sign of her contact. Instead, she watched as dozens of ships began their descent through the atmosphere. Their long, fiery streaks along the night sky marked the beginning of the Kurgan Empire’s attempt to crush the rebellion gripping the planet.
“Tarina, I’ve got their signal,” whispered Wendy Sullivan, holding a small tracking device in her hand.
“Where are they?”
“You won’t believe it, but they’re coming down among the Kurgan troop carriers.”
“That’s crazy. Are you sure?”
“Positive,” replied Wendy, handing her friend the tracker. “See for yourself.”
Tarina took the device and looked down at the screen. What she saw didn’t make any sense. Their Special Operations contact was right in the middle of the Kurgan invasion force. A second later, the craft dropped out of the formation and flew in their direction.
“I’ve got them on the comms channel,” announced Wendy, “and you’re not going to believe who it is!”
Tarina looked at her friend. “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Who’s coming?”
“Colonel Wright,” replied Wendy with a big smile on her face.
Neither woman had seen their former commanding officer since he had been severely wounded during a rescue attempt several months back. His spine had been so damaged they never expected to see him back in action.
A darkened shape appeared above the open field. Tarina and Wendy stepped back into the woods as the ship’s landing thrusters kicked in. Dried leaves and grass shot up into the air from the engine’s powerful downblast. Just before landing, a set of lights switched on, illuminating the ground underneath the shuttle craft. The landing struts touched the ground. Almost right away, the engines turned off, plunging the clearing back into silence. A side door slid open, and a squad soldiers ran out to secure the landing site.
Tarina and Wendy stood still. After all they had been through, the last thing they wanted was to be mistaken for the enemy and shot by their own side.
“Captains Pheto and Sullivan, please step forward for positive identification,” said one of the soldiers.
Insurrection (The Kurgan War Book 6) Page 3