The Ten Thousand: Portal Wars II

by Jay Allan

  The implications of Harris’ words were sinking in to Taylor’s mind. “So these men will always follow the orders of whomever they are programmed to obey….forever? No matter what the men themselves want? No matter what we do?

  “I’m afraid so, General.” Harris took a deep breath. “Whoever did this knows his business.”

  Taylor didn’t reply. He just stood there looking to the side, his mind racing with implications. He hadn’t thought it was possible to hate UNGov more than he already did, but the rage inside him was stronger than ever. What kind of monsters, he thought, would do this to thousands of their own soldiers? But he didn’t need an answer. He already knew.

  Chapter 28

  To All Member of the Supreme Secretariat:

  An emergency meeting of the Secretariat is called for 1pm, this afternoon, Geneva time. All members are required to attend. – The Office of the Secretary-General

  “I am here today on a matter of the gravest import.” Raul Esteban sat in his place at the head of the table. He was leaning back, half sitting, half lying in a motorized chair. The plush leather seat he normally occupied had been pulled aside. He was weak, his voice a barely audible whisper, amplified by a small microphone attached to a headset. There were loosely bandaged sores all around his neck and the lower part of his face. His eyes were filmy, and only a few strands of his once-thick hair still hung from his bald head.

  Four large guards, fully-armed and wearing body armor, stood silently behind Esteban. It was a violation of Secretariat rules for armed personnel to enter the chamber, but no one questioned the Secretary-General.

  For only the second time in its history, the Secretariat had been called to an emergency meeting, its exalted members roused from whatever else they were doing and summoned to UNGov HQ. They were now gathered, save two. Anan Keita was on Juno, his chair next to Samovich empty. The seat on Esteban’s left was also vacant. Chang Li was conspicuously absent. He hadn’t responded to the emergency call, and no one knew where he was. His allies looked around nervously, not sure what to expect.

  “Last night there was an attempt on my life.” Esteban’s amplified voice was weak and tinny, but his anger was obvious. “It was a well-planned and executed operation, one that likely would have succeeded without the timely intervention of Secretary Samovich’s internal security forces.”

  There was a ripple of surprise around the table. Everybody knew Esteban didn’t have long to live, but they were shocked and outraged that anyone would make an attempt on the life of a member of the Secretariat. They considered themselves untouchable, and most of them viewed any attack on one of them as a dangerous precedent.

  “I want to thank Secretary Samovich for his efforts. I will now yield the floor to him so that he may enlighten us further on this criminal act.”

  Samovich rose and looked out at the faces around the table. “Thank you, Secretary-General. I would like to begin by expressing my own outrage at this appalling crime.” He glanced back toward Esteban for an instant before continuing. “In cooperation with the Secretary-General’s security team, my operatives were able to capture several of the perpetrators alive.” He looked around the table again, watching for any reactions from Li’s allies. He suspected none of them had been in on the scheme, but he hadn’t been sure, not until he saw the shock in their eyes.

  “The prisoners were brought to Internal Security headquarters and questioned through the night.” He struggled to keep the excitement from his voice. “We discovered the truth, and I’m afraid it is extremely unpleasant. All of the prisoners have confessed, and their stories support each other. They were sent to kill Secretary-General Esteban by none other than Secretary Chang Li.” His tone was one of sadness, shock. Anton Samovich was a good actor.

  The room was silent, stunned looks on the faces of most of those present. This was a development none could have foreseen, an astonishing turn of events. Li’s allies looked skeptical, as if they suspected some sort of trick by Samovich.

  “Bring in the prisoner.” Samovich turned to face the sentry at the door as he spoke.

  A few seconds later, two guards brought in Zhao Min. They were half dragging, half carrying the barely conscious man into the chamber. They stopped behind Samovich, holding the slumping form of Chang Li’s top henchman.

  “This is Zhao Min, my esteemed colleagues, one of Chang Li’s personal operatives.” He turned toward the prisoner. “Tell this body what you told me last night. Who sent you to attack the Secretary-General?”

  The captive turned his head slowly. Samovich had ordered Zhao cleaned up for his appearance, but he still looked haggard and exhausted. It was clear he’d been through a very harsh interrogation. He stood, shaking, shrinking away from Samovich.

  “Come now, we have your confession on video, along with those of your co-conspirators. There is nothing to be served by a refusal to cooperate now.”

  Zhao swallowed hard. “Yes,” he croaked. “Chang Li sent us to assassinate the Secretary-General.”

  “There,” Samovich declared, slamming his fist on the table. “An admission from one of the lead perpetrators.” He motioned for the guards to remove the prisoner, and he looked over at Li’s empty chair. “And where is Secretary Li?” He turned toward Li’s closest allies. “Why is Chang Li not here? Why did he not respond to the summons?” He turned and faced Esteban. “Because he is guilty, that is why. Because he is hiding from the justice he knows he will find here.”

  Esteban’s labored breathing was loud through the amplifier. Samovich had briefed him before the meeting, but he was still enraged about Li’s attempt, and hearing the operative acknowledge Li’s involvement made his blood boil. He knew he didn’t have more than a week or two left anyway, but his ego couldn’t accept that anyone would have the audacity to challenge him.

  He cleared his raw throat. “In consideration of the information Secretary Samovich has presented, I would like to propose several actions.” Esteban paused, catching his breath before he continued. “First, I propose that this body strip Chang Li of his Seat, effective immediately and, further, that a Warrant of Execution be issued at once, directing all state security forces to terminate him on sight.”

  Samovich rose again, restraining his excitement and doing his best imitation of regret. “It is with great sadness that I must second the Secretary-General’s proposal. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us and cannot be condoned.” He stared over at Li’s allies. “All in favor?”

  His own people raised their hands immediately, as did those of the neutral block. Li’s allies paused, the shock heavy on their faces. He knew they were realizing it would be suicidal to continue to support Li. They glanced back and forth at each other before slowly, reluctantly raising their hands. Samovich watched, struggling to keep the grim expression on his face, to fight back the broad smile that wanted to escape. After years of planning and waiting, he was about to win the ultimate victory.

  “It is unanimous. Chang Li is hereby expelled from this body and declared an enemy of the state. He will be arrested and executed as soon as he can be found.” Taylor managed a solemn tone of voice, as if he regretted the entire situation.

  “Now for my second piece of business.” Esteban turned his head slowly to look over at Samovich. “You all know I am dying. It is now time for us to consider the future of this body, the leadership that will bring our noble experiment in world government into the future. Therefore, I propose that I step down from the Secretary-Generalship, effective immediately, and assume an advisory role as Secretary-General emeritus.”

  Surprised murmurs rippled around the table. No one had expected Raul Esteban to resign his position and power, not while he was still breathing.

  “This government, and this august body, are very dear to me. I am the last of the Founders, the final member of the first Secretariat, and nothing is more important to me than to ensure that UNGov moves into the future boldly, and with continued success.”

  Esteban s
truggled to raise his head, angling to stare directly at Samovich. “It is for that reason that I propose that Secretary Anton Samovich, who has served this body long and faithfully, be appointed the new Secretary-General of the United Nations World Government, and that he be sworn in and invested with the powers of the office immediately.”

  Samovich sat quietly, trying to keep the grin off his face. All the planning, all the second guessing, years of calculating and debating…and Drogov’s people blunder into Li’s attack on Esteban’s compound. Luck could make or break the most carefully conceived plans, and this time providence had cast its vote for Anton Samovich.

  “I second the motion.” It was Pierre Aguillard, one of Samovich’s creatures.

  “All agreed?” Esteban looked out across the table. One by one, hands were raised.

  Samovich was watching Li’s closest allies, trying to imagine what was going through their heads. Li was gone suddenly, expelled from the Secretariat with a death sentence on his head. Now his avowed enemy was about to step into the Secretary-General’s chair. They were realizing, he knew, that they had to supplicate themselves to him, to ease themselves away from the disgraced Li and into his good graces. Samovich smiled as he watched each in turn raise their hands.

  “It is unanimous.” Esteban’s weak voice silenced the room. “Anton Samovich, you are now the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Government.” He waved to the guards standing behind him, and one of them pull his chair back slowly. “Rise and take your place at the head of this table.”

  Samovich walked toward the Secretary-General’s seat as one of the guards slid the chair back into place. He stood for a few seconds looking out over the rest of the Secretariat. “I want to thank you all, and especially Secretary-General Emeritus Esteban, both for his confidence and for his years of exemplary leadership, from which I have learned more than I can easily list.”

  A round of applause followed, loud and enthusiastic. Finally, he thought, as he lowered himself slowly into the chair…after all these years. Anton Samovich was Secretary-General, the most powerful man in the world.

  Chapter 29

  From the Journal of Jake Taylor:

  I feel a strange kinship to General Ralfieri. I see in him myself two years ago, struggling to deal with the terrible truths he has learned too quickly. I pity him also, for I know where the road ahead of him leads. I understand the pressure, the self-loathing, the dark path he must tread. I know, because that has been my road, and still it goes on, into the darkness with no end in sight.

  Ralfieri was silent, staring at Taylor with a look of horror on his face. Part of him couldn’t believe what the AOL’s commander had just told him, but in his heart he knew it was true.

  “I’m sorry, Antonio.” Taylor was sympathetic. He couldn’t imagine what his new ally was feeling. He put his hand on Ralfieri’s shoulder. “I know it is hard to accept.”

  “There is no way to reverse the procedure? No way to prevent UNGov from controlling those men?”

  “I’m sorry, Antonio.” Taylor had felt the same outrage and despair when he’d first learned what had been done to the men of the Black Corps. “Dr. Harris knows his business. When he says he is sure, I’ve never seen him be wrong. And he had no doubt, no doubt at all.” Taylor paused, giving Ralfieri a chance to absorb what he’d said. “The irreversibility is deliberate.”

  “I don’t know what to do. Colonel Black’s people have captured Secretary Keita, so that buys us some time, at least.” The word had just come through. They’d found Keita hiding in a large crate in a supply dump. He was on his way to headquarters under heavy guard. “With any luck there isn’t anyone else currently on Juno who can override your orders. And Colonel Black’s rearguard is on the Portal, so we’ll know if anyone else arrives.”

  Ralfieri took a deep breath. He’d addressed all the soldiers on Juno, and virtually every one of them, Black Corps and UN Force Juno alike, had rallied to Taylor’s cause. He’d been surprised at the response, at how quickly the men of his army were ready to join their former enemies. Some, he was sure, were more enthusiastic than others. Many were probably going along with comrades. But he realized they all knew what UNGov truly was. They’d all been taken away from friends and family and shipped to a foreign world. They had fought well, but not for UNGov. They’d given their all for their comrades, the men standing next to them in the line.

  He’d been relieved by the reaction. He’d been dreading how he would handle a splintered force, with thousands of men under arms remaining loyal to UNGov, and he was thrilled not to have to go down that road. Things were under control for the moment, but he realized as soon as UNGov got someone else of a top command level to the planet, the Black Corps men would be turned against him again. They would struggle to control their wills, to stand with their new allies, but they would fail. And they would attack Taylor’s army and the men of UN Force Juno. It would be a bloodbath, and a tragedy Ralfieri didn’t want to imagine.

  “We need to get the Black Corps off Juno, Jake. As quickly as possible. Before another Inquisitor gets here and turns them on us.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” Taylor nodded as he spoke. “And then we need to get the rest of the army offworld while we have this respite, before the enemy starts sending men through the Portal. If we stay on Juno, UNGov will simply send more and more troops through until we are destroyed.”

  Taylor turned toward Major Samuels. “Bear, go with General Ralfieri and help him coordinate getting his people through the Portal. Commandeer any available transport you can find.”

  Samuels nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “Thank you, Jake.” Ralfieri extended his hand toward Taylor and the two shook warmly before Ralfieri and Samuels turned and walked away.

  Taylor pulled out his com, punching in the code for Major Young. “Karl, I need you to begin coordinating our people and getting them to the Lorus Portal. We’re leaving Juno.”

  “I’m on it, Jake.”

  Taylor could hear the relief in Young’s voice. He knew his people would fight if he ordered them to, but the war on Juno had been an apocalypse, and his people were all near the breaking point. It only served the enemy if they stayed to fight wave after wave of UN forces. It was time to go.

  “I’ve assigned most of our transport to ferry the Black Corps and Force Juno troops to the Portal, so do the best you can with what you’ve got.” Taylor paused then added, “Keep them moving, Karl. I want us off this planet as soon as possible.” He thought of Black and his men at the Portal, alone and exposed.

  “We’ll manage, Jake. I’ll get them there.”

  “Thanks, Karl.” Taylor cut the line. No one would force march the men harder than Frantic Young…except maybe Hank Daniels. And Taylor had another job for Daniels.

  “Hank, you feel up to some serious duty?” Daniels was standing a few meters away. He’d just been released from the field hospital, and that only because he’d driven every doctor in the place crazy until they let him go. He looked ready for action, but Taylor knew he wasn’t 100% yet. But he needed every senior officer he had, and Daniels was one of his best. And he was perfect for what Taylor had in mind.

  “I’m good to go, Jake. I’ll take care of anything you need.” Daniels was still in moderate pain, but he masked it perfectly. “What can I do?”

  “I want you to put together a force of 1,000 men, all Supersoldiers, and position them here.” Taylor held up a small pad, pointing to a spot on the map it displayed. The position was a strategic one, along a defensible ridge and positioned to cover the army’s retreat to the Lorus Portal. It was a good spot to intercept any forces moving from the Oceania Portal.

  Daniels smiled. “You got it, Jake. I’ll start with the survivors from my battalions and add what I need from other units.”

  “That’s fine, Hank.” Taylor knew he was going to have to do a lot of adding. There weren’t many of his own men still in the field. Exactly 202, Taylor’s NIS forced into his memory.
“Take anybody you need, but choose them well. You’re going to be the last people to leave Juno.” Taylor reached out his hand. “Except for Blackie’s rearguard and me, of course.”

  Daniels grasped Taylor’s hand and shook it briskly. “Thank you, Jake.” Daniels was a true warrior, and the idea of sitting idle at a time like this was unthinkable. He was grateful to have an important job and to see that he hadn’t lost Taylor’s trust. The disaster that had befallen his troops when the Black Corps first appeared wasn’t his fault, but he blamed himself anyway.

  Taylor knew exactly what Daniels was thinking. “You’re welcome, Hank.” He paused then added, “Take it easy. No heroics. You’re people are just there in case. With any luck, Blackie’s people will fall back on your line, and we’ll all transit together.”

  * * * * *

  “General Taylor, Colonel Black is reporting enemy forces moving through the Portal!” The aide was rushing toward Taylor, shouting the report as he approached. “He has placed his forces in a defensive position around the Portal, and he reports that all enemy efforts to push through so far have been repulsed.”

  Taylor felt like he’d been slapped in the face. The cessation of enemy traffic through the Oceania Portal had never been explained, but he’d hoped it would continue until he and Ralfieri managed to move the rest of the army through the Lorus Portal. About a third of the forces had passed through already, mostly Taylor’s unmodified units and the wounded who could be easily moved. The Black Corps had been spread out across 200 square kilometers, and the shortage of transport was slowing their move to the transit site. The Lorus Portal was hundreds of klicks from the battlefield, across a long stretch of difficult and rocky terrain. Even force-marching Supersoldiers needed time to travel that far.