Victim of Circumstance (The Time Stone Trilogy Book 3)

by Robert F Hays

  “I like Commonwealth law more better,” Edward said. “They sent people to learn about us and help us. You send people to rule us.”

  Colin turned to Marilou. “What do you think, Marilou?”

  “Ooo?” she replied. “You’re asking my opinion on galactic law?”

  “No, I’m asking your opinion of this man.”

  “Something is not right. The soldier is hiding something.”

  “I am hiding nothing,” Haaser said.

  “No,” Marilou said. “You are very worried.”

  “Being blind, these people have abilities of perception we don’t,” Colin said. “And Marilou has extra abilities on top of that.”

  “Pers…?” Haaser said. “Ah, yes, perception, we have learn.”

  “So,” Colin said. “What’s your proposal?”

  “First, all surrender weapons, include Commonwealth Ranger Scouts. Scouts will hand over all geography and medical research on this planet. Also hand over all medication for disease and give lady immune. We need for produce protection for people on this planet against blind disease. Rangers will be no prisoner. Will be return to Pellan.”

  “And what of your protection against the disease?” Colin said. “You said you want ours?”

  “We have antivirals, same as you, only limit supply, enough for us but not here people. We can also decontaminate for our soldiers who leave the planet.”

  “Will you rule this planet?” Colin said.

  “We will occupy, for use, the other four continents. This one will be protectorate of the Bund. They will have their own government and leaders under our over rule.”

  “Due to their disability and very high infant mortality rate these people are accustomed to having many children as few survive. With the disease eradicated, there’s going to be one hell of a population explosion. Until their culture slowly changes, they’re going to need room for expansion. They’ll need the other continents.”

  “We will make laws and educate them!” Haaser yelled.

  “Good luck on that one,” Colin chuckled. “What about the four other colony ships? I presume you also know about them.”

  “They go other place,” Haaser said. “Maybe Pellan.”

  “He is not in a position to give orders,” Marilou said with a smile. “Colin, you’re the one that can order him. Things are not as they seem. Just use your eyes.”

  “What?” Haaser exclaimed.

  “Yes,” Colin said and stared at Haaser’s shoulder. “Your insignia indicates you’re a supply officer. Why would your General send a supply officer? He should have sent his executive officer or someone in intelligence.”

  “I am officer. That is what you need to know.”

  “These people speak English, your English is terrible. So, why were you sent?”

  “I have other experience.”

  Colin stared at Haaser’s face. “You’re also blinking more than normal, lieutenant.”

  “That’s because he’s going blind,” Marilou said.

  Colin broke into a broad grin. “Lieutenant, you were sent because you were the only officer who could still see.”

  “You are wrong.”

  “General Tanz,” Colin said. “I know you can hear me. I’m ready to accept your unconditional surrender.”

  “Surrender?” Haaser said. “We can blast you from orbit.”

  “No you won’t,” Colin said. “Do that and you risk killing the only person who can save your Empire, the woman with immunity. You’ll also not land troops in isolations suits for the same reason.”

  “Save the Empire?” Haaser said.

  “Two of Berlin City’s 3V stations are now off the air. What did you do with the troops wounded in the fight with the Thai? Did you evacuate them back to Berlin City?”

  “They were decontaminate!”

  “I feel many people are becoming blind,” Marilou said. “Many more than we could count.”

  “Decontaminated on the outside,” Colin said, “but you thought with the antiviral in their systems they would be clear of the virus internally. The disease is now sweeping your main planet.” Colin looked down at his belt. “Admiral, your thoughts?”

  “I have just tried to contact the chancellery in Berlin City. No answer.”

  Colin looked up. “It looks like your spies got a whole lot of correct information, but one bit of bullshit. The antiviral we used.”

  Edward drew his bolo and slapped it repeatedly on the wood scabbard. The Pinoy drew theirs and imitated him. “Does this mean we fight them as equals?”

  “Not quite,” Colin said. “I believe you have the advantage.”

  “Corporal Young,” said a voice from Haaser’s belt. “This is General Tanz. Come to my headquarters, we will negotiate.”

  “Negotiate what?” Marilou said. “There’s nothing to negotiate.”

  Chapter 29

  “What the frigging hell?” Jim said as he walked from his front door and looked up.

  A solid stream of stratos passed over his house and turned toward a small hill to the west.

  “We’s a goin’ ta war!” Sam called from a distance. He was closely followed by Chris and Chock.

  “Who the hell is going to war?”

  “We is. Ah calls up the Home Guard four hours ago.”

  “I’m the head of government, I’m the Prime Minister, I didn’t ask for the use of the military. Where the hell is the constitution?”

  “Ah’m the commander of the army. Ah is the one who calls them up.”

  “So why wasn’t I told?”

  “Ah calls ya twenty minutes ago.”

  “I was on the can. My pen phone deactivates when I go to the bathroom.”

  “We couldn’t get through since then either,” Chris said.

  “Yeah, yeah. I was talking with Colin. The leaders on that planet are trying to talk their people out of the wholesale massacre of that German division.”

  “Why should they stop them?” Chock said. “The elders of my tribe say that there is only victory when your enemy no longer lives.”

  “Chock, shut up,” Jim said.

  “I’ve got your ranger suit,” Carol said.

  “Thank you darling but I don’t know what we’re attacking yet.”

  “Berlin City,” Chris said.

  “Berlin City?” Jim said. “The virus is there. We have over two hundred thousand troops in those Time Stone modules and not one that’s protected. We snapped them up before it was available”

  “We’s a doin’ it with the Casia Home Guard,” Sam said. “They’s had that immune stuff done. We zap them with them Time Stone thaings and take them thair in the corvette.”

  “Holy hell,” Jim said. “That’s a worse plan than the Rhode Island Boy Scouts attacking the Soviet Union.”

  “They’re blind, Jim,” Chris said. “That disease now covers two out of the four continents on that planet. In the two days it’ll take us to get there, the whole planet will be populated by people walking into walls.”

  “Who the hell concocted this dumb ass plan?”

  “I did,” came Peter’s voice from behind Jim.

  Jim turned to see Michael, Halbert and Peter.

  “Let’s talk as we walk,” Halbert said. “You have a date with destiny.”

  “Oh hell, how dramatic.”

  “Darling, would you put your Ranger suit on while we walk?” Carol said. “I want you protected.”

  “Sort of protected. It still won’t stop a pulse rifle.”

  “Here’s your laser pistol dad,” Michael said.

  “My whole family wants to get me killed,” Jim said. “Halbert. What’s your part in all of this?”

  “I’m the spy.”

  “You?”

  “Yes, the Bund offered me governorship of Hebram if I cooperated. My ancestry is part German.”

  “And everything he told them came directly from the Secret Service,” Peter said.

  “It was a setup?” Jim exclaimed. “You put my s
on in danger with a Bund invasion of that planet and it was all to set them up to spread the virus?”

  “They were on the point of finding out anyway,” Peter said. “We’ve uncovered half a dozen spies in high positions in the Commonwealth Government. There are probably more we haven’t found. One of them would have given them all the details, including the correct antiviral medication to use.”

  “So, you sent my son knowing that this would happen.”

  “No, the plan to try to infect the Bund with the virus only came about after Haugen blabbed about the existence of the planet in the council meeting. Remember, we didn’t even know of the virus’ existence until after your son got there.”

  “Haugen is a stupid asshole,” Jim said.

  “More than that,” Halbert said. “He’s a traitor. He was the Bund’s other spy. I told the agent from the Bund that the drug used on that planet was Comiratanin, which doesn’t work. They didn’t fully believe me until they found out that you were stockpiling the drug.”

  “Yes,” Peter said. “That spybot autoserve as you called it. He ordered it and financed it.”

  “How did you catch on to that?”

  “His brother-in-law bought a controlling interest in the company that makes Comiratanin immediately after the spybot got into the secure room. He then quadrupled the price.”

  They kept walking over a grassy hill and toward a small valley where the stratos were landing.

  “Germ warfare?” Jim exclaimed. “That’s illegal.”

  “It’s not killing them, yet,” Peter said. “So far, it’s just incapacitating them. That’s why we have to strike fast. We have to get medical teams there before they start dying of things like dehydration because they can’t find water.”

  “But how many millions have to be medicated? Do we have enough of that drug?”

  “There’s five pharmaceutical companies under the tightest security yet imposed in this war turning it out by the transport load.”

  “Why aren’t the Germans doing that?”

  “This is the most virulent virus in the history of man,” Halbert said. “The doctors, researchers and drug company workers are getting hit as fast as the general public. You can’t make drugs if you’re blind.”

  They topped the hill on the road leading to a valley. Ranks of Home Guard were either marching, standing or sorting equipment.

  “So, what’s the plan,” Jim said.

  “Occupy the chancellery in Berlin City,” Peter said. “Most of the members of the Bund central government live near the city so you just round them up. Your commanders are being briefed now.”

  Jim turned to Chris. “You’re wearing a flight suit. What’s your part in this?”

  “Cargo master on the corvette. I take the mini Time Stones to the planet surface in a shuttle with the pathfinders and zap you all back to reality.”

  “So what do I do, sit and watch?”

  “No,” Peter said. “You, Sam, Matt, Dan and Chock will take charge of the chancellor’s office itself and announce a military occupation on their radio. Our analysts say that the outlying planets of the Bund will instantly capitulate once the central government is gone. One of them already has.”

  “So, we leave over two hundred thousand troops sitting at my house and me and a bunch of my drinking buddies are going to occupy an empire.”

  “It’s not the first time,” Peter chuckled.

  Jim looked left to an open field. A company of home guardsmen spread out into a fighting formation. An instant later the entire company vanished.

  “Holy shit!” Jim said. “We’re really going.”

  “You’ve been preparing for this for a year,” Chris said.

  “Why wasn’t I told of the plan?”

  “Your communications with Colin might have given something away,” Peter said.

  Jim turned and kissed Carol. There were tears in her eyes. “All these explanations are getting too damn complicated. I think I’ll just go with the flow. I’ll be fine darling, we all will.”

  “Jim,” Harry called from the field. “Your bunch is with the command group, we’re up next.”

  “Where’s Matt and Dan?” Jim said.

  “They’s already out there,” Sam said.

  “Chock,” Muna called as she ran up waving a set of beads. “You have to wear these. They’ll keep you safe.”

  “Woman,” Chock said. “My skills as a warrior will keep me safe, not beads.”

  “Shit,” Muna said. “I’m a peacenik and I’m preparing my man for war.”

  “Karla,” Jim said as he took off at a fast walk. “Things change, people change.”

  “You know who I am?” Muna said.

  “Of course,” Jim replied over his shoulder. “And Peter, we all know you’re straight so cut the fairy act.”

  Jim joined his friends in the middle of the field.

  “Men,” Harry yelled. “Within minutes we’ll be in action on Germania. When we materialize you’ll have to orient yourself quickly. We have to move out in a hurry. Arm your weapons and put the safety on. I understand there’ll be no side affects from the Time Stone.”

  “Just mild nausea,” Jim yelled then a thought occurred to him. He turned to call to Peter. “What about the planet’s automated defenses? The people going blind won’t affect them!”

  “Our agents on Germania are taking care of that!” Peter called back. “They know the correct medication!”

  “What about…” Jim said then was hit by a slight twinge of nausea. Peter, his family and the other bystanders vanished. They were replaced by bleachers and stands.”

  “Quickly orient yourselves and move out!” Harry yelled. “We have to make way for the next group.”

  “Head for that big gate!” Someone yelled. “Your location is the National Soccer Field west of the chancellery!”

  “Damn,” Harry said. “It’s the secondary drop zone; the primary must have been unsuitable.”

  “Problems?” Jim said.

  “No, just an extra thirty minute drive down the throughway.” Harry pressed his ear with a finger. “Our scouts have taken the junction of autobahns seven and nine. No resistance, not even civilians on the streets.” He turned and yelled. “Bring up the troop carriers! Jim, you and your group take the second scout navigator.”

  * * *

  “Wow,” Matt said, looking down the empty streets they passed. “I know that disease is extremely virulent but I still don’t understand how it could’ve spread so fast.”

  “They set it up themselves,” Jim said. “All their advancements in transport and communications. Back on Earth, how far did you live from work?”

  “About fifteen kilometers,” Matt said.

  “With the high speed throughways and the ultra high speed underground tube system you can live one hundred and fifty kilometers from work, get there in thirty minutes, and casually eat breakfast on the way.”

  “What would that do?” Matt said.

  “Say a guy gets off work, passes an infected person on the way to his transit, that’s all it’d take, he goes the hundred and fifty kilometers home in thirty minutes. His wife and kids are then infected; next morning the kids spread it locally at school and his wife takes it to work a hundred and fifty kilometers in another direction. It’s then spread three hundred kilometers in twelve hours. From there it’s exponential.”

  “Yep,” Dan sighed. “Next day is Saturday and they pack the kids into the family strato and go see grandma on another continent.”

  “Jim,” called the voice of Harry from the vehicle’s communications system. “The Secret Service agents have reported that the Germans have landed troops that can still see. They were probably stationed on one of the planet’s moons. I’ll take the bulk of our forces to intercept them. You take Bravo Company Second Battalion and take the chancellery.”

  “But the enemy will be exposed to the virus,” Jim replied.

  “It will take two weeks before they go blind,” Harry said.
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  “Damn,” Jim said.

  “Let me out,” Chock said. “I want to go with Harry’s team.”

  “Chock, are you determined to get yourself killed?” Matt said.

  “All of you have seen battle,” Chock said. “For my honor and the honor of my tribe, I must go.”

  “Let him go,” Sam said. “He’s gotta see the elephant once in his life.”

  Jim turned to see a troop carrier slowly overtaking them. “Flag down that troop carrier,” he called to the driver. “It’s from Charlie Company.”

  * * *

  “Chancellery up ahead,” called the driver. “Taking the off ramp.”

  “Any word from Harry?” Jim said.

  “Third battalion is currently engaging the enemy,” the driver said. “No news other than that.”

  Jim looked up to see the sparkling granite walls of a huge building in the distance. The impressive domed structure was surrounded by equally impressive additional buildings. Between them and the building complex was a huge park with lawns and young trees.

  “This park was a major slum ten years ago.” Jim said. “Now look at it.”

  “Enemy combatants detected in the park ahead!” the driver yelled. “They appear to be digging in close to the chancellery.”

  “Damn,” Jim said. “I hope it isn’t the main body. We only have a company. What’s your commander going to do?”

  “Attack anyway,” the driver said.

  A large explosion ripped the ground and several trees fell in the park next to the road.

  “Slowing down,” the driver said. “I don’t want to get ahead of the troop carriers.”

  “Wise move,” Matt said. “This scout’d be toast with just a near miss.”

  “I’ll man the pulse cannon,” Dan said and slid the canopy open. A platform with a seat flipped out on one side and a weapon pivoted up in front of the seat. Dan climbed into the seat and Matt helped him do up the seatbelt.

  A second and third explosion tore up the road in front of them and the scout swerved to avoid the new craters. The sky was now full of flashing beams of orange light and flying sparks that buzzed by them.

  Troop carriers swerved and weaved through the trees, pulse gunners on top firing their weapons which made a loud popping sound.