“Thank you sir.” Alex saluted and walked out of the office where he was met by base personnel and they proceeded to show him to his quarters. He walked with orders in hand. He expected the packet to be lighter than it felt, but he also knew whatever they contained, would help the cause of those who had been lying to him his entire life in order too keep balanced a mythical world where the scales were already laden on one side. While the other side was a throng of men who had attempted to destroy a world, family and friends that he loved, either place you put your weight, the ones checking the accuracy of the scales needed to be brought forth and answer for the tainted ambiguity of balance.
His thoughts kept him so focused that he didn’t notice the turns or the rooms that he passed on the way to where he would bunk for the night. The door was open and the guard had left, by the time he entered his room it was 2247, he had only a few hours to rest. After locking the door he placed his orders beneath the mattress. He started removing his combat boots, and wondered how his brother was doing in the north. It seemed it had been a few days since he spoke to him, but he knew it would be even longer before he did again. His thoughts soon focused on the rest of his family, his mother and father. Were they still alive? Would they still be proud of him? What would they have done if presented with this information? It doesn’t matter he thought, what matters is if he can stand by his decision and live, or die knowing that the world of public opinion was a child shitting itself in a playpen, while he was away at war fighting for its diaper.
A knock on his chamber door pried him from a hazy dream that soon faded back to darkness from where it came. Before he could stand from his bed to great the visitor, the alarm clock sounded, confirming that it was time to be on the move once again. He turned off the Alarm and moved to the door. He didn’t bother looking at the nameplate on the grunts fatigue as the door opened, he just looked at the man who was holding in his outstretched arms a new folded uniform as well as a new pair of combat boots.
“Good morning sir, Brigadier General Baldr wanted me to come by and give these to you. He said I should also take your old boots and old fatigues to make sure they don’t wander off.” He was timid in his request. Alex noticed this but laughed, Alex was less than twenty years of age, and this man, probably in his thirties, was asking for his clothes.
“At ease, uh?” Alex looked for the nameplate, then his patch. “Gunny Hayes.” Alex took the uniform and boots and turned as the Gunnery Sergeant relaxed in his stance. Picking his old uniform up off the ottoman, and his boots from the floor, he decided to engage the man in polite conversation. “Where are you from Gunny?”
“Actually sir, I am from the Independent Colony, I was brought in by General Baldr when I was young. I ran away sir, I was looking for excitement and have been here at this facility for approximately thirteen years or so.”
Alex put on the bottoms of his uniform and was amazed. They were much smoother than the burlap bottoms he had been wearing the previous night. Living in a war torn city he made what he needed to survive, and now this gift was something that he felt proud of. Nights would no longer be spent hunting rats and squirrels to survive. Raiding pantries in homes only once a week to conserve the limited and ever depleting stockpile of Anderhill and the nearby villages and townships. The jacket, bore his name on the breast, and gave him an overwhelming sense of pride. But the pride slowly ebbed as he bent over to tie his boots, and then the revelation came.
It came as the dawn did moments later, he was no longer just a child of the war, fighting for survival. He was now a mighty hammer, forged from blood, looking for a nail to strike. Still crouched he reached for his orders and stood tall for the first time since the war began months before, the muscles in his back spoke to the different feeling, but he wasn’t listening, taking a deep breath he muttered quietly. “Remember the Burden,” and then looked at the man still waiting in front of him.
“Gunny, I want you to dispose of that uniform in a manner you see fit and find a new home for the boots. There are many men still out there that do not have their basic needs of battle met, and I know the snow and rain will be falling soon in the mountains” He looked at the packet and then at the clock by his cot, 03:47. “Now if you would please lead me to the platform, I have orders to carry out.”
Hayes saluted and turned to lead Alex to his point of departure. His boots were tight and echoed through the passageways as they set out, making a turn here and there. Men stopped and saluted him as he passed and he gave a nod to each of them, making sure to look into the eyes of each person as he passed. These were people who didn’t ask to be here, like him, they were brought at the request of others to perform a duty. Some minute like running messages back and forth from councilor to councilor. These were people whom he had never met, but by default, had put their lives in his hands, unprejudiced as to whom he may save, to him all were fruit of the same tree.
The train let loose three short cries at the platform, pleading to anyone else who was destined to climb on board. Alex shook the hands of the Gunnery Sergeant and stepped onto the train, nodding at the conductor. He was taken to his quarters within one of the cars and slid into the compartment, alone. With a small jolt the train pulled foreword, looking out the window at the quickly ending platform and the walls of the tunnels lined with creates and saw men peering back at him for a moment, disappearing as the engine picked up pace. Still holding the packet, which would instruct him on what he was to do next, he decided it was best to keep it out of sight till it was needed. He placed it underneath his seat and rested his head against the back of the chair letting his thoughts disappear knowing that his questions, old and new, would soon be answered, one at a time.
The sun was shining on his face as he made his way down the stairs and onto the platform below. A small group of men were at the bottom waiting for him. Turning back he realized why the trip had been so quiet. Behind him was the northern mountain range; the entire journey was made under ground. The revelations kept coming to him, the lies deeper, and he had to fight the desire to ask the men around him how deep this rabbit hole went. Turning back to the small company waiting for him the men were called to attention by the Master at Arms. Twenty-three men stood at attention while their commander turned and walked towards Alex. Looking quickly over the men he realized they were all captains or commanders of vessels. The men in charge of each boat he was about to direct into the unknown. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the men who came with him started off loading supplies from the stowage cars and moving them to the trucks parked nearby.
Alex saluted and called back to them. “At ease men. You have all been selected for one reason or another for this endeavor. Our mission is relatively unknown to even myself. I have sealed orders for us and will not open them until 1700. At that time I will inform you all, over short radio as to what our orders will be. Until then I cannot brief any of you, including my own crew. What I can tell you is that this mission will dictate the end of this conflict. If we are successful, it will be a blow to the enemy. Please board transports and go to your command posts. In one hour every ship will taxi out of cove and from there I will inform all of you the direction on which we will sail. Dismissed.”
The commanders moved swiftly to various trucks and transports directing their men to where they need to be. Alex watched as they all carried out his words to the letter, unquestioning as to who he was or why they had to do what they were told. He felt an arm around his shoulder and a familiar voice ring in his ear.
“I don’t know why they love you so much at command, One, but I enjoy watching everyone continue to kiss your ass.” Alex turned and saw Elijah’s friendly smile. It was a welcome sight.
“You know, if anyone saw this, I’d have to send your ass to the brig.”
“Eh, they wouldn’t know where it’s at in the first place.”
Alex turned shaking his friends hand before embracing him. “So they sent you out here too huh?”
“Well, th
ey asked me what command I wanted a few hours after you had left to go to Central. I told them I would only serve under one man, and I was brought by truck late yesterday, we left around 2300. It was the only safe way through the mountain’s since I couldn’t be brought here in first class like yourself.”
They both shared a quick laugh before Alex spoke again. “They give you any information on this Opp.?”
“No sir, they told me that you had a packet, and when the time was right I would be informed. It’s not quite as open as what we wanted joining up with them, but I don’t think they could take a piss without us right now.”
The last truck pulled up next to them and the rear door opened. Alex stated the obvious “Looks like this one is ours. After you Eli.”
Elijah saluted him in a half mocking manner, “Yes Sir, Admiral Sir. I’ll move my ass all the way over to give you more leg room Sir.”
Alex laughed at his friend “Driver, to the brig.”
“Driver do you know where the brig is?” Eli asked condescendingly
“No Sir’s I’m sorry, what’s a brig.”
Elijah kept laughing as Alex spoke, “Never mind,” he said rolling his eyes, “To the Naglfar, and double time, we need to be first out the blocks.”
Elijah drummed on the headrest in front of him, excited to be with his friend again. “Let’s get this bitch rolling,” he said looking at Alex as he laughed laughing, “Sir.”
“Where is everyone else?” Alex asked.
“Well, your brother is with Captain Raymond teaching Urban Assault at the rate of one squad a day on a fourteen day rotation until they see fit. He wanted to come with me, but I knew whatever we are about to do you want him as far away from this as possible, keeping Aaron with him. Ortega is with Four, Five and Six starting up a new execrated boot camp on the south edge of the mountains specializing in gruella and rural warfare, switching with the urban units. And the rest of the men are in charge of their own platoons prepping them for combat support. I was actually told that several of the VNA Black Ops commanders and men have been called back and filtered through the various training.”
“Who replaced them on the fronts?” Alex Inquired.
“I haven’t the slightest clue. But what it sounds like from one of the Black Ops commander is that the plan is to infiltrate Anderhill and once it is secure use the Armada to sail around and drop off a landing party on the Western coast of Mispellem.”
Alex wasn’t entirely thrilled with this information and his voice reflected it. “Is there any idea where their command is?”
“All signs point to the Capital, but I’m not sold. I know there’s conflict, but to have the entire city behind this movement and keeping it as quite as it was for so long? People talk Al, and something of this magnitude requires word of mouth.”
“I agree Eli, but the problem is there is nowhere else and to end this we have to take the capital, we have to take it and show these people who we truly are. I have to show them that this cause isn’t an oppressive or a liberating one from the lies, but a change in culture and presenting them fairly with an idea. Showing my countrymen, that even though I’m commanding a foreign army, our goal is to stop the hatred that is still engrained only a few generations after the Great War. We don’t have to force our values, we just have to let people know there are options and they can choose.”
“Alex, I’m still learning all these philosophical ideals that you seemingly have been born with.” Eli put his hand on his friends shoulder, “But you have led me true so far, and I’m still alive. And I will continue to bleed beside you no matter the cost. Let’s just enjoy kicking a little ass along the way. Otherwise I’m going to have to let all the men know you cried like an old woman when we snagged that chick flick out of the video store in the ‘Hill, and I know you remember that.”
The driver laughed, and Alex looked at his friend as if to ask him how insubordinate are you going to get.
“Driver you are not to repeat any of that, or you will be thrown in the brig.” Elijah said half laughing
“Yes Sir.” The driver said unsurely.
“You know damn well he doesn’t know what the brig is!” Alex yelled
Elijah kept his fifteen minutes of stand up going, “I’m not sure I know what the hell it is either!”
The drive down towards the harbor only took them a few minutes and gave Alex an overview of the surrounding countryside. The road led away from the small northern mountain range through a small tree line and down a hill to the coast. It wasn’t a paved path, which told Alex that Command didn’t want any trace of road from the railroad to the harbor that your average thunderstorm couldn’t wash away. It was smart because it was an easy way to wash away any lead that a MLM scouting party could track. Making the final turn out of the tree line, Alex could see the marina.
It was extensively built, and a wonder for the time that had been put into it. On approach, the drive told him that the area use to be a remote fishing village which was incased from the world due to the mountain range. It made it nearly impassible by foot or motorized transportation, which was why the rail tunnel was its only access, it was not a location that visitors would trek without reason. There were a few outbuildings around the parking area and a fortified entrance to the marina itself. The bay was equipped with high breakwaters of rock and steel along with two lighthouses that had been retrofitted with torrents and other fire power incase of a water assault and defense of the harbor. The entrance channel was approximately four hundred yards wide, which would allow two boats to sail comfortably through it at a time. Inside the anchorage area and turning basin, there were nine larger vessels lowering from dry dock into the water. To the left of that, there was a small wharf, which housed the smaller landing craft and warships. Alex had never seen such grandiose cruisers in his life. The small fishing boats and dinghies he learned to navigate up and down the streams and aqueducts were mere child’s play when it came to the armada placed in front of him.
Upon stepping out of the transport, Alex panned his body to it all in order to try and take in the gravity of the moment. Never in the history of humanity had this many vessels sailed together, and he was the man in command.
Elijah whistled casually and walked down towards the water seemingly unimpressed by the situation. Alex caught this out of the corner of his eye and bent down picking up a small rock and tossed it at his friends back. It didn’t seem to faze him as he put one hand in his pocket and kept on strolling.
“You’re kind of ruining the moment.” Alex shouted after him
“I’m just trying to figure out which one of these dreadnaughts I get to sun bathe on, I bet you we could put a roller coaster on one of these things and no one would even notice.”
“You’re a dick!”
“Are you coming or what? Because I have no idea where the hell I am going. Ask the wonderful driver if he knows where I can find the gift shop out here.”
The driver looked inquisitively at Alex who closed his eyes and shook his head. The driver handed his commander a single sheet of paper he read it quickly, folded it, and placed it in his pocket. After taking a deep breath and letting him go for a few more yards, Alex quickly jogged after him down towards the docks. “We are on the other side of the harbor, we need to take one of these small skiffs over to it. She’s called the Naglfar and her sister ship is the Gungnir.”
“So you’re telling me, I have to take a boat, to get on a boat? Who’s in charge of this operation?” He turned to look at Alex who was already giving him a scolding look. “Oh that’s right, YOU are. Sir,” he tapped on the shoulder interrupting one of the men unloading one of the transports. “Where doth lie my water Chariot?”
The sailor looked panicked before forcing out his reply “Sir, I believe it is the boat at the end of pier seven. Sir.”
Before Eli could continue being a smart ass, Alex spoke. “Thank you sailor, carry on, we need to be out of the bay in less than thirty minutes.”
T
he sailor nodded and Eli shooed him away. He lowered his voice and turned to Alex with his signature grin still on his face. “Maybe he knows where the brig is.” Slapping Eli on the back Alex started walking down the docks full of men loading supplies and sailors and soldiers scrambling to find their posts.
Half way down the dock, Alex stopped. A smell found its way to the admiral’s nose. It was a mixture of salt and an absence of anything else. An absence of smell that one can only explain as ‘fresh’ for it was free of any other contamination. It wasn’t a foreign smell to him, for in the caves near Falcons Crest, where the water flowed underground, there was this smell. The euphoria of home briefly presented it self to him, and it gave him a calm he hadn’t know for years. He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply letting it fill his lungs saturating his soul. He had learned and lost much in the last year of his life, and it was fitting that he would sail on unknown waters to amend the wrongs he faced.
Opening his eyes he saw his friend standing, waiting for him at the end of the pier and the boat that was waiting for them. Moving to the end of the dock he noticed Eli’s smile.
“I believe your chariot is waiting for you my liege.” Eli said bowing and putting his hand out as if to help him into the boat.
“Thank you, eh,” Alex leaned in closer and spoke into his friend’s ear. “What rank were you commissioned with anyways?”
Quietly Elijah responded. “They told me, that decision was left up to you sir.”
Alex shook his head and smiled at the reply. “I could make you a General you know that right?”
“Well Al, Sir. I wouldn’t give a damn what you made me. Because there’s no way in hell I’m going to listen to any of these men other than you. You’ve haven’t steered me wrong yet and let’s face it, you are the only one of these commanders out here that knows and has seen firsthand what we are up against.”
Pillars of Glass Page 15