by Wesley Chu
“Of course,” Kloos replied stiffly.
I believe he was expecting another answer from you, one more effusive.
“I would think less of him if he thinks that way.”
“Tell me, colonel,” she said aloud. “You’ve reviewed the mission objectives with Rurik?”
Kloos nodded. “Four hundred para supported by a thousand police should be sufficient to complete the objective. Crate Town is dense, but as long as we contain the perimeter, it is only a matter of time, Adonis.”
“What do you think of his plan?”
Kloos’s facial expression remained unchanged. He spoke after a small hesitation, in a measured tone. “The population of Crate Town is unknown. Estimates range anywhere from two hundred thousand to half a million people in an approximately six square kilometer area. There are three major roads leading out of the slum and five kilometers of perimeter to patrol, the rest bordering the water. The crux of the strategy will be wholly dependent on two factors: first, containment of the slum, which will be difficult. Second, the temperament of the residents in Crate Town.”
“Very astute, colonel,” she said, “but that isn’t what I asked. If I wanted a briefing on the logistics, I could have just looked at the same data. What are your thoughts on the tactical strategy? You and I must work closely, so speak frankly.”
“Risky,” he admitted. “A door-to-door search may prove problematic considering the population density. The slum is already on edge after the riots over Dumas. The checkpoints that were put up this morning might push tensions to spill over. However, the Adonis has made it clear that the capture of the Prophus Adonis is the primary objective. We do have a limited but sufficient number of Penetra scanners to conduct a thorough search.”
That is an accurate assessment.
“You have reservations, though,” stated Shura.
“If I may,” Kloos said. “I have some recommendations I’d like to offer the Adonis. I believe it will assist us greatly not only in locating the Prophus team hidden in Crate Town, but in mitigating the tension of the local populace.” He pointed at the map of the region on her desk. “Crate Town is divided in a way we can section off–”
Shura held up her hand. “I don’t need to hear it.” She stood up and walked to the window. “Tell me, colonel, does Rurik know who you are?”
“I introduced myself to the Adonis as soon as I arrived.”
“So he met you, gave you your orders, and then shuttled you off to me.”
“That is correct.”
She checked the time. “Let me guess. You two met at the pool while he was swimming laps?”
“That is correct.”
Shura turned and stared Kloos down. To his credit, he didn’t flinch.
You always err on the side of being overly dramatic.
“Lieutenant Colonel Mayur Kloos,” she began. “Decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for service during the Iranian offensive, a Sarvottam Yudh Seva for the operational evacuation of the Mumbai province, and twice-honored with the Sena Medal for bravery under fire. You are the fifth-highest ranking Genjix operative in the Indian military and the highest still fighting in the field. And you managed all this while outwardly fighting on the wrong side.”
“I wish I could have fought directly for the Holy Ones.”
She shrugged. “It’s easy to point in a direction and fire a gun. It takes skill and finesse to serve the Holy Ones behind enemy lines, and still have the enemy give you medals for it. For the Genjix, you were responsible for assassinating General Pratik Patel and General Gokul Avninder, the latter a Prophus vessel. You were vital in crushing the Myanmar resistance two days after the enemy had swept in and retaken Thailand. You bought enough time for our Chinese forces to establish a new front line to stem our losses.”
“You’ve read my entire file.”
“Your mother was a politician in India, your father a business mogul. Both were very successful and influential in the government and in business, yet you enlisted under a pseudonym. You are beloved by the majority of your men, with a reputation for being tough yet fair, and you have slowly nurtured a fanaticism for the Special Forces that are sympathetic to the Genjix cause.
“The hierarchy is also in the midst of maneuvering a promotion for you to colonel that will hand you command of the entire Para branch. You are also on several shortlists to become a vessel for several high-ranking Holy Ones once India joins the Genjix.” She paused. “Is that in your file as well?”
Kloos looked thoughtful. “No, no, it is not.”
Shura went back to her seat and leaned forward. “I do know all about you, Colonel Kloos. I would never accept you into my cadre because I believe you are destined for greater things for the Holy Ones than simply carrying out my commands. So…” She put her hand on the map and slid it off to the side. “Here’s my advice to you. Adonis Rurik is trying to establish his credentials in the field. I suggest you follow his orders to the letter.”
Kloos nodded. “And if I don’t, Adonis?”
“Your choices will be remembered, colonel, by someone who makes a point to know names and deeds and loyalties. Or perhaps by someone who doesn’t, who only cares about achieving personal goals. Change is coming to India. Good officers will be needed to rule. Officers who are vessels to be elevated to positions of power and influence in order to best serve the Holy Ones.”
“I see.” Kloos stood up and bowed. “I beg your leave, but I have much to do over the next few days. Adonis Rurik has ordered the perimeter of the slum reinforced by tonight. He wants to start conducting Penetra sweeps within the next two days. I need to review his tactical plan and see if there are any necessary modifications. I believe, however, his plan is fundamentally sound.”
“You have my leave, colonel. Good hunting.”
Thirty-Eight
A Plan
It is difficult for lightning to strike twice. I joined the Great War on the side of France, and went through thirty-two hosts within those four years, fighting in the brutal and ugly trenches in Belgium. I did not have the time or the ability to lead any of those men to success. They all died too quickly.
At the time, the Genjix had orchestrated the stalemate in the trenches, and the Prophus were trying to break that stalemate in either direction. We failed, and in doing so, allowed the Genjix to dictate the pace of the war and bog it down into a futile conflict. Their purpose was to continue the fighting at all costs, and they succeeded, dragging it on for four long years.
* * *
“This is the map of the entire site. It’s a lot of ground to cover, but really, the only thing that’s important is this building here, here, this one only on Thursdays, and whatever the hell this one here is.”
Cameron had spent five minutes the next day looking over Mogg’s sample of intel before deciding to pull the trigger on buying all that she had to offer for a cool one million rupees.
It was a princely sum to Ella, but the man did not bat an eye. They quickly completed the transaction, and before she knew it, they had months of construction blueprints, maps, manifests, power grid layouts, project plans, supply inventories, sewage system, etc… everything.
No wonder the Genjix wanted to replace the union as soon as possible. Mogg and her boys were definitely doing some extracurricular work at the site. Maybe they were planning on robbing the facility in the future or selling this information, as they had to Cameron. In any case, the data here was worth every rupee.
It also told Ella that she had been getting paid far too little. These Prophus had deeper pockets than she thought possible. She definitely needed to ask for a raise.
You do not even know the meaning of deep pockets. The Genjix–
“I’m asking for a raise, not selling my soul.”
Right now, the team was huddled around several maps of Crate Town, Surat, the Gulf of Khambhat, and the construction site. They had spent most of the day replenishing the rest of their supplies, having to get creative with some of the
ir resources.
For one thing, both Dana and Lam were wearing men’s fatigues, so everything fit loosely. Jax, who looked like he should have been playing basketball instead of being a soldier, was wearing pants that exposed his ankles. Nabin had had to roll his pants up.
Other than that, they were able to source most of the hardware they needed. The team complained that things weren’t as high-tech as they were used to, but they didn’t seem to mind too much. They’d worked with worse, they joked, although Dana compared the surveillance gear they got from the Fabs to antiques.
The only thing they were short on was ammunition. Manish and Aarav were supposed to take care of that. It seemed the coach had a small armory stashed away in the basement of his gym.
“How did you come by all this?” Nabin asked. “I mean, you two were only gone for a few hours last night.”
Cameron pointed at Ella. “The samrãjñī of Crate Town here has all the hookups.”
Ella preened.
“All right,” Cameron continued. “Teams of two. Dana and Nabin cover the southern perimeter. That’s where the administrative building is located as well the primary facility. Jax and Lam take the heavy construction zone in the middle. That’s where the buildings that look like Quasing housing vats and the power stations are located. Ella and I will cover the docks. If we put the two hosts together, it keeps everyone else invisible to Penetra scanners.
“We’re looking for Surrett Kapoor’s routine. The union boss said the minister has a pretty set routine and spends most of his days on-site making sure the trains run on schedule. We want to lock down his exact location and take him out.
“The Genjix may be using this facility as their primary headquarters. The union boss said a lot of foreigners are currently living in several of the completed buildings on the south end. Now that we have blueprints, we need better intel on the security on site: patrol schedules, patterns, unit strengths, all that. From what we can tell as of right now, it’s just cops and guards.”
Lam tapped the largest building on the map. “This central building, what are they calling it?”
“The Bio Com Array,” said Cameron.
Lam put a rock on it and the administrative building. “Whatever they’re building, this Bio Comm Array is a big deal. If the opportunity arises, we should try to gather intel to bring back to the Prophus. I have a feeling we’re going to need to be back here sooner rather than later, either to blow it up or take it over. In any case, the more we know, the better.”
“Satellites can’t pull anything?” Jax said.
She shook her head. “I contacted Command last night. Complete black zone. They have the entire region cloaked from satellite somehow. The Prophus are talking about sending a spy plane overhead, but that’s risky.”
“Dana, how do we get out of Dodge once we assassinate a major public figure and are wanted fugitives?”
Dana ticked off each point with her finger. “Planes, trains, and automobiles are all off the table. Airports and major roads have heavy checkpoints and the gulf is teeming with coastguards.” She grinned. “However, there’s one direction they don’t have carefully guarded.”
“What’s that?” Jax asked.
“Upriver.” She pointed at the map. “The Tapi is a major transport hub. We get a boat, sneak upstream to a rural area, then have the Prophus send in an extraction team to pick us up.”
“Clever,” Lam said. “What about–”
Wiry Madras appeared at the doorway. Lam quickly slid all the maps underneath the cot. The old woman rolled her eyes. “You’ve paid for my silence. Besides, if you’re going to hit that monstrosity out west, I’d almost help out. That stupid site has been nothing but trouble for Crate Town.”
“Can we help you?” Lam asked.
“You have a visitor.” The old woman stepped to the side and Hamilton walked in.
“Hamilton!” Ella exclaimed. She bounded to him and gave him a hug. She was genuinely happy to see him. Mainly because she had thought the Genjix had killed him that day, but also because she was sorry for how poorly she had treated him.
“Um, hello Ella.” He looked decidedly uncomfortable and patted her head a few times.
“Don’t ever pet my head like that again,” she snapped, before she remembered to be nice to him. “How did you find us?”
Lam raised her hand. “I went to a cyber cafe and called the wakeup service. An analyst named Wyatt patched me through to the auxiliary here. He got us the computer equipment we needed.”
“If I may,” Hamilton said, saluting. “It’s an absolute pleasure and honor to work with you, Commander. If there’s anything I can do to support these operations, please put me to good use.”
“He never said that to me,” Ella grumbled.
That’s because you are the opposite of a pleasure to work with.
Ella had a sharp retort at the tip of her tongue, but she stopped. It was true. She had been a brat to her auxiliary ever since they met. She should do something about that. Ella tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey Hamilton, may I speak with you?”
He followed her out the door. “What is it, Ella?”
“I just wanted to say sorry for being such a jerk. It’s this stupid alien. Io’s been driving me crazy.”
Sure, blame me for your faults.
“It’s quite all right,” Hamilton said. “I’ve heard that the transition for a host can be traumatic. That’s why auxiliaries have extensive preparedness training in the event the tragedy occurs.”
She pursed her lips. “Just so you know, I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.”
“Of course not, that wasn’t what–”
There was a knock on the back door leading to the alley. Ella’s first reaction was to throw her arms in the air.
Really?
Everyone in the other room filed out, weapons drawn. Dana moved to the door and, with one hand holding her pistol, placed the other on the handle. There was a brief pause followed by two more knocks. The pattern repeated three times. Dana nodded and pulled the sliding door open. To Ella’s surprise, Manish and Aarav walked in carrying a long crate.
The old coach looked amused at everyone in the room pointing guns at him. “I guess we came to the right place. I got the ammo you asked for. We have three more crates outside. It was a bitch to haul over. Since when did they set up checkpoints into Crate Town?”
“How bad is it?” asked Lam.
“One at every major street,” said Aarav. “It’s causing awful traffic.”
Hamilton raised his hand. “I had to pass through one on the way in. It took two hours. It wasn’t this bad yesterday.”
“How did you smuggle this gear through?” asked Nabin.
Manish shrugged. “They weren’t looking for contraband. They had Penetra scanners.”
A terrible realization passed through the group. Cameron frowned. “The slum isn’t small. There’s no way they can blockade every intersection.”
“There aren’t that many ways out,” said Ella. “Half of Crate Town borders water and the other half was walled up back when the city tried to prevent the slums from growing.”
Cameron walked over to the table. “Nabin, what’s the range of Penetra scanners these days?”
“Top of the line can go two hundred meters. Most only fifty to a hundred, and can detect through anything that isn’t denser than lead. Buildings and other electronics will dampen its range somewhat.”
“All these places to hide and nowhere to hide,” Cameron muttered. “Still, that’s a lot of ground for them to cover. We should be safe here.”
The Genjix are closing in, Ella. These Prophus are as good as dead. Now is your last chance. Slip out the door while they are all distracted. If you come with me to the Genjix, I can guarantee your safety. They may even reward you.
But this game wasn’t just about survival. Doing the right thing was an intangible currency that Ella had to factor into her decision. And these people here, they were good people. Th
ey were fighting the same people she should be fighting. Also, if she joined the Genjix, what would her amma and Burglar Alarm and Bijan and everyone else think of her in the afterlife? They would be so disappointed. She knew she would feel ashamed.
Ella planted her butt into the chair. “That’s my final answer. Don’t ever suggest that to me again, alien.”
Stubborn fool.
Wiry Madras barged into their dining area, huffing and puffing. “The police are doing a door-to-door search of the entire slum. Several patrols have clashed with the local population and riots have broken out. One of them is two blocks down.”
“So that’s their plan,” said Cameron. “Madam Madras, do you have a place we can hide? A hidden room or attic?”
She nodded. “I dug a hole underneath the building. I hide my opium there. It will cost you though.”
“Sure, whatever.” He signaled to the door. “Bring the rest of the ammo in and stow our supplies there.”
“Cam, the Penetra scanners will detect you anyway,” said Lam.
“I know,” Cameron replied. “I’m going to lead them away.”
“We should go with you.”
He shook his head. “It’ll be easier evading the patrols and scanners with as few bodies as possible. Stay with our supplies. Maintain radio contact. I’ll ping if things get bad.” He yanked Ella out of the chair so hard she almost fell. “You’re with me. Hurry, gear up. We need to run!”
Thirty-Nine
Flight
After the Great War, I stayed in France. I was determined to be involved on the world stage. I leveraged my host’s position as an aid to Marshal Philippe Pétain and persuaded the French Minister of War, André Maginot, who was also a Prophus host, to build a series of defensive forts along the eastern border of France.
These fortresses, nearly sixty total, would become known as the Maginot Line. When World War II broke out, I was eager to test my designs and make my mark on the world once more. As history will tell you, it was an unmitigated disaster.