by Cole, Myke
‘Ugh. Still. Damn it.’
‘Well, shit. Who’s on the FOB?’
Crucible looked at the ceiling as he thought. ‘Before we got cut off, I know we had the Swedish Trollkarl Kar, the Indian Sahir Corps, and the Russian Spetznaz Vedma. Oh, and I think there was one of those Saudi Djinn wranglers.’
‘Saudi? I thought Muslims outlawed magic.’
‘They do in public, sir. But we supposedly outlawed Probes, too, didn’t we?’
‘Fair point. Okay, can you put your nose to the ground and find out why the hell this Major Constance is asleep at the switch? Get her unfucked and fast, Rick. Things are tight right now. We can’t afford mistakes like that.’
‘Roger that, sir.’
‘And once we get Constance online, maybe we can reach out to these foreign partners. Might be there’s something they can do to help?’
Crucible, about to answer, was cut off by the light rapping of knuckles at the door. A moment later, Carmela poked her head in. ‘Sir, sorry to disturb you, but the Indian attaché is here to see you, he says it’s urgent.’
Bookbinder and Crucible exchanged glances, arching their eyebrows. ‘That’s good timing. Send him in.’
Carmela paused. ‘Would you be willing to meet him out by my desk, sir? He’s got his . . . partner with him.’
Bookbinder nodded. The naga was enormous. It had barely fit through the door of the ready room. His office door was even smaller. He stood, brushed himself off, and motioned Crucible to go ahead of him.
The sight of Vasuki-Kai still made him nervous. The huge creature looked impatient, its many heads darting back and forth, multiple pairs of arms crossed over its broad chest. Dhatri stood beside it, smiling and relaxed as ever. His formal uniform was replaced by creamed-spinach-looking camouflage under body armor decorated with the subdued Indian flag and what Bookbinder assumed was an indicator of his rank, a black national emblem with a stripe. A carbine was slung across his chest, and a pistol nestled in a holster on his thigh.
Once Vasuki-Kai noticed their entrance, he began to gesture angrily with several sets of hands while his heads darted toward Bookbinder, setting up a chorus of vaguely Hindi-sounding hissing.
Dhatri placed a comforting hand on one of the creature’s elbows, and it quieted, shooting a glare his way from several sets of serpentine eyes. ‘His Highness wishes to express his condolences for the loss of Colonel Taylor and to congratulate you on your assumption of command. He also demands to know why he wasn’t informed of this immediately and invited to the change-of-command ceremony.’
Crucible’s jaw tightened, and Bookbinder swallowed. Remember, the naga think they rule over all humans, and this particular naga is a prince among his own kind. You have to treat him like royalty. He bowed deeply from the waist, motioning Crucible to do the same.
‘Please extend my sincere apologies to His Highness. Colonel Taylor’s death was sudden, and I’m not used to the protocol required in combined operations like this one. I trust that His Highness will understand that I meant no offense.’
Dhatri translated in real time. Vasuki-Kai’s arms crossed again, but much of the anger clearly subsided. Some of the heads drew upward into a regal pose. Others nodded.
There was a brief silence, then the naga issued another burst of hissing, this time more moderate in tone. ‘His Highness wishes me to inform you that he is concerned about the increased pace of attacks on the perimeter of this installation. He also notes that you gave a speech earlier—’
Bookbinder cut him off, patting the air with his palms. ‘Yes, I know. I apologize for not inviting you, it wasn’t intentional. Like I said, I’m still finding my feet here.’
Dhatri nodded. ‘His Highness says he is aware that this installation is cut off from the Home Plane and without resupply. He theorizes that you cannot hold out against the heightened pace of attacks. He notes that, without resupply, you will eventually be overrun.’
Bookbinder’s stomach fell. Don’t fall for it. Who knows what his agenda is.
He took a deep breath, trying not to show how the naga’s words affected him. ‘Tell His Highness that I am in the process of implementing security and austerity measures that will ensure our ability to hold this position indefinitely. I know I speak for my government when I say that we value His Highness’s counsel and respectfully request any inputs he may have to boost our sustenance and force protection efforts.’ Dear God, do all foreign exchanges sound this pompous?
But while the corner of Crucible’s mouth rose slightly, Dhatri grunted as if he’d expected that response. He translated in real time back to Vasuki-Kai, who issued another burst of hissing.
‘His Highness says you misunderstand. The weather grows cold, ending the campaign season for the tribes. The intensity of the attacks you are experiencing now is nothing compared to what will come with the spring thaw. Any measures you implement will only buy you time. When the flowers begin to bloom in the pasturelands outside your gates, you will surely be overrun. His Highness says the Defender tribes are as numerous as plague insects. There are a hundred of them for each one of you. Even if they had no magic and no guns, if you are not properly resupplied, they will wash over this place like the sea.’
Bookbinder traded looks with Crucible. ‘He’s got a point, sir. They are a lot more active in the spring. We never had to worry about it before because of artillery and air support, but they’re not exactly plentiful right now.’
Bookbinder hung his head. ‘Well . . . shit.’
He knew he shouldn’t let the Indian liaisons see him like this, but he couldn’t help himself. Every time he tackled one problem, a new one confronted him. He couldn’t catch a break.
‘His Highness asks what your plan to obtain relief personnel and resupply is.’
Bookbinder sighed. ‘Well, I hadn’t exactly gotten to that part yet.’
Vasuki-Kai made a chorus of choking hisses that Bookbinder was fairly certain was laughter. One of his huge hands clapped Bookbinder on the shoulder. ‘His Highness says that he may be able to be of some assistance.’
‘Tell His Highness that I am deeply grateful for any assistance he may be able to offer.’
Dhatri turned to Vasuki-Kai and chattered for a long moment in Hindi punctuated by hissing. At times, their conversation grew animated. After a moment, the naga thrust a finger into the Subedar Major’s chest and hissed with some finality. Dhatri nodded, swallowed, and turned back to Bookbinder.
‘Sir, His Highness directs me to inform you that the Naga Raajya has its own Portamancer.’
Hope flooded through Bookbinder’s chest, weakening his knees. He paused for a moment before he trusted himself to speak. ‘And they can help us reestablish contact with the Home Plane?’
Dhatri and several of Vasuki-Kai’s heads nodded simultaneously.
Bookbinder clapped his hands together and allowed himself a broad smile. ‘Please extend my profuse and sincere gratitude to His Highness. This is wonderful news. How do we make this happen?’
‘My government has its own FOB in the Naga Raajya, this is the naga’s own domain. The Naga Raja, their king, has permitted us to establish a base around his palace. It is some distance away.’
Bookbinder frowned. ‘I thought we were the only country with a presence here . . .’
Dhatri blushed. ‘Yes, well . . . Sir, it wasn’t a widely distributed piece of information. But it’s true. His Highness has ordered me to share this information with you. He will not suffer this place to be destroyed with everyone in it simply so my government can keep a secret.’
‘Okay. How do we get in touch with them?’
Dhatri’s British- and Hindi-accented English sounded embarrassed. ‘This is problematic. There are no satellites in the Source, and we have relied on SINCGARS communications with our FOB. Unfortunately, the Source’s electromagnetic sphere is not well understood. There is frequent interference, and communications are not consistent.’
‘So, how do you keep in
touch?’
‘By envoy, sir. The trip is long and dangerous for a human. But nagas can do it with some difficulty.’
‘You send . . . runners?’ I almost said ‘slitherers’.
Dhatri nodded, ‘I’m afraid so, sir. It’s not efficient. Lately, we’ve been having a devil of a time getting in touch.’
Bookbinder turned to Crucible. ‘Is this that “Tiger Smile” thing that Taylor was going on about?’ He doubted Taylor would have wanted the Indians to know that code word, but it seemed that secrets were becoming awfully inconvenient given the current crisis.
Crucible shrugged.
Bookbinder turned back to Dhatri. ‘So, Subedar Major, what you’re telling me is that there’s a way out of this, but we’re going to have to walk there. Through hostile country.’
‘Very hostile, sir, I’m afraid.’
‘And how far is it?’
‘About twenty-one hundred kilometers, sir. Maybe a little less.’ Dhatri paused. ‘I’m sorry, I’m know you go by miles, but I’m not sure that . . .’
Bookbinder stopped him with a wave. Twenty-one hundred kilometers was around thirteen hundred miles. Over hostile terrain, with no roads and no ability to resupply.
Help was out there, and so far away that it might as well be in another world.
Chapter Sixteen
Boots On The Ground
When you look at the Etymologiae and Physiologus of Pliny the Elder and Isidore of Seville, you get a bestiary of fabulous creatures from manticores and goblins to the fish and birds we see every day. Before the Great Reawakening, these writers were dismissed as primitive fantasists. But they wrote roughly a millennium before our own time, which fits with planar orbital theory and the notion of a ‘Source’ plane where magic exists as an elemental force. If that force could bleed into the Home Plane, then it stands to reason that the fauna of that place could find ways to cross over as well.
– Avery Whiting
Modern Arcana: Theory and Practice
‘You’re not going.’ There was an edge of emotion to Crucible’s voice that weakened Bookbinder’s resolve. Crucible was competent, careful, kind. He trusted the man implicitly. Maybe he was right? No. This is your task. You have to do this.
‘I don’t recall asking you for your opinion,’ Bookbinder said, trying to sound authoritative and failing utterly.
‘You can’t have it both ways, Alan,’ Crucible said. ‘You can’t be all buddy-buddy with me one second, then try to order me around the next. You wanted a friend and confidant. Well, you’ve got one. And I say you’re not going.’
Bookbinder rolled his eyes. ‘I don’t suppose we can go back to me being the stern and imposing CO for this part, can we?’
Crucible snorted.
‘Rick, I’m serious here. I have to do this. Me.’
‘No, you don’t. You are in command here. You can send a team.’
‘To go out into that wilderness? It’s practically a suicide mission, and you know it.’
Crucible spread his hands. ‘I do know it. And since when is it a good idea to send the post CO out to die?’
Bookbinder pounded the desk. ‘Since that CO has been a CO for all of fifteen minutes. Hell, Rick, we both know you can run this base a hundred times better than I can. The troops know and respect you. Rank isn’t the issue. Fuck, I’ll brevet you to full bird if that makes a difference.’
‘Now is not the time to have a crisis of confidence, sir! You should have seen their faces when you gave that speech. You’ve made a good impression, and they’re coming around. Those austerity measures were smart. You trust your people, you delegate. You’re firm without being overbearing. You’re a natural.’
Bookbinder shook his head. ‘I’ll admit that part went well. But it was one speech, Rick. I’ll even give myself the credit you’re extending to me. But the fact remains that even a natural talent still has to learn his trade. That’s what’s missing here. I don’t have the track record. I don’t know the right people. You, at least, ran the SAOLCC. Christ, look at the whole thing with the protocol officer! I had no clue whom to go to. If you hadn’t known about Constance and her propensity for preening over labor, we would have been well and truly screwed.’
He leaned over the desk and softened his voice. ‘You believe in me. I get it. But there isn’t enough time for me to learn as I go here. This has to be done right the first time.’
‘And somehow you’ll have the time to learn as you go leading a scout/recon mission?’
‘It’s more than that. It’s an envoy to a foreign government’s FOB, one that we’re not supposed to know about.’ He tapped the eagle sewn on his uniform, signifying his colonel’s rank. ‘The full bird will help some there.’
‘Christ, Alan. You’re a Latent Grenade. What if you go off out there?’
Bookbinder paused. ‘Yes, well. About that.’
‘What?’
‘I already went off.’
Crucible’s mouth fell open. He stood for a long moment before he closed it. ‘You’re fucking kidding me.’
‘Nope.’
‘But, nobody even noticed! I mean, you never Manifested! What school are you?’
‘No school. At least, none I’ve ever heard of. Jesus, sit down.’ Bookbinder gestured at the chair in the corner of the office.
Crucible kicked it. ‘Hell, no. What are you talking about?’
‘Okay, don’t freak out. All right?’
Crucible only stared.
‘I may have to abort this, I don’t have a lot of practice.’ Bookbinder Drew his current, reached out for the foreign flow of Crucible’s magic and Bound it. He began to draw it into himself. Crucible’s eyes shot wide. ‘What the hell is going on?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Bookbinder said through gritted teeth. ‘It’s some kind of parasitic thing. I’m a magic thief.’ He began to feel his veins flush with Crucible’s magic, beginning to overwhelm his senses. The current was caustic, hot. Bookbinder glanced around his office, trying to look for a place to shunt the magic off to. There was no convenient chunk of blast barricade to use as a focus. He tamped down on the current, rolling his own magic back. For a moment, he worried that he would be unable, and would have to beg Crucible to Suppress him, but then he felt his magic obey him, releasing Crucible’s current to flow back into him. A sheen of sweat broke out on Bookbinder’s forehead as he slumped in his chair. ‘Damn it. I forgot that you’re a Pyromancer. I don’t want to set anything in this office on fire.’
‘Holy crap, Alan. I felt you . . . yanking my magic out of me.’
‘I know. I pull it into myself. It’s like I have magic for two people inside me. I can only hold it for a short time, then I have to project it out into something else.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like anything, I guess. I’ve only done it once before during a goblin attack. I pulled one of their sorcerer’s Pyromancy and Bound it to a chunk of concrete. The thing was on fire. We’re talking concrete. Burning.’
Crucible changed his mind and sat down. ‘Holy cow.’
‘I know.’
‘So not only are you . . . some kind of magic vampire, but you can create . . . magic stuff?’
Bookbinder shrugged. ‘That’s what it looks like. I haven’t had a lot of time to practice.’
‘Holy cow,’ Crucible said again.
‘I know,’ Bookbinder said again.
‘Sir, I’ve been with this program since its inception. I’ve never even heard of something like that.’
‘Well, we haven’t been out in the Source long, maybe that’s got something to do with it?’
‘This has to be studied. Why the hell didn’t you tell anyone?’
‘I only found out once we’d already been cut off, and the attacks had started stepping up. You’ll forgive me if the timing didn’t seem exactly auspicious.’
‘But, if you don’t know how to use it . . .’
Bookbinder raised a hand. ‘I’ve thought that over. If anything,
I see it as an advantage. At a minimum, this power is stable. At best, it’s the most diverse form of magic out there. If I can master it, it’ll bring us every advantage once we’re out there trying to reach the Indian FOB.’
‘Are you sure you know that’s what this is? You can drain other people’s magic and Bind it to inanimate objects? Maybe the stress of combat confused you.’
Bookbinder pounded the desk, then uncurled his fist, extending a finger toward Crucible. ‘Damn it, Rick. Don’t patronize me! I know what I’m talking about here. I’m a smart guy, and I’m handling things, so don’t treat me like a fucking invalid.’
Crucible patted the air. ‘You’re right, sir. I’m sorry.’
‘It’s okay,’ Bookbinder said, willing the color out of his face.
‘How the hell do you plan to master it?’ Crucible finally broke the silence. ‘I mean, even in SAOLCC we couldn’t . . .’
‘You couldn’t help me in SAOLCC anyway. This is new. You don’t know any more about it than I do. I’ll either figure it out on my own, or I won’t. I’ll make sure I have someone along who can Suppress, just in case.’
‘You’ve already decided on a team?’
Bookbinder nodded. ‘More or less. I’ve been thinking about it. This base needs all hands on deck to weather the coming storm until either we find help or the government finds a way to reach us. I’m going to take as little as I can. I’m assuming a base like this doesn’t have in-flight refueling capability?’
Crucible shook his head. ‘I’ll double-check with the air boss, but I highly doubt it. That’s a big air force thing. We never needed it out here. There’s some fixed-wing capability on the flight line, but it’s single-seater combat stuff. It’s primarily a helo flight.’
‘I thought so. So, air-dropping us is not a real option. And I’m not sparing a helo, even a Little Bird, just to have it go bingo-fuel halfway to our destination, then ground it for the enemy to rip apart. Air cover is the one of the bigger advantages we have over the Defender clans. The rocs and wyverns they throw at us don’t really hold up. I need every swinging dick in the air, so to speak.’