“This one’s dead” said the medic to the male nurse trying to triage the new recipients. The nurse nodded off to his right and they carried away the stretcher to the morgue.
Parinya came out through the hatch desperate to go to the toilet. Dave tried to talk to her but could see she had other things on her mind. Alain jumped out and started barking instructions to the service crew. He caught site of Dave and said “another full house I’m afraid.”
Dave nodded. “You and your skipper, when did you last have a rest?”
Alain stopped. He had to think real hard. “Yesterday morning…I think.”
“Is this the last of the wounded coming back up?”
“That’s what we were told.” Alain spotted Parinya as she came back at a poor jog. “This is the last of the wounded right?” She nodded.
“Once you drop me down there I want you both to get some rest” said Dave.
“Come on then Sir. The sooner we offload you the better.” She even managed a weak smile.
But as they went to go the hatch, the service crewman put up his hand to stop them as others passed in crates of ammo. “Did you hear about Commander Chen Sir?” asked Parinya.
“Do you mean him getting wounded?”
“No, not that” she said and she told him about how he had started laughing from his stretcher.
“Really? Well he never ceases to surprise” said Dave “though you never heard that from me.” He gave her a smile.
“Of course not Sir.”
While Parinya was getting ready, Dave sat in his seat behind her and checked the latest cas report using his communicator. “Shit” he said as he read it. There were 31 dead and 16 wounded. ‘Forty seven casualties!’ One third of his marines were out of action.
He looked at the equipment losses and was grateful they had only lost one battlewagon and one fighter. Twenty one droids were destroyed. They had paid a heavy price in delaying the armour along the freeway. He rolled his eyes when he saw he had only 63 Torad and 39 Javelin missiles remaining. He knew then that he would have to go back to Chelora.
As the warthog surged out from the ship his thoughts returned to the marines. Being ex Special Forces he had a soft spot for the foot soldiers. ‘As always, it’s they who pay the biggest price. We’ve got to do this better.’
Chapter 20. Lewista 1015, 15 August
Erkum pushed the communicator across the table to Evie. It landed next to their new IDs. “Use this from now on” he said with a serious look on his face. “It looks like a vanilla commercial type anyone could have but it’s not. All calls are routed through a number of proxies so it will take them ages to get a location fix and hopefully you will be long gone by the time they work it out.”
He continued “Never, ever, call from this apartment. If you get into trouble, call shortcut 99. That will come direct to me and I will know your loc. You don’t need to say anything. Just make the call on silent. Only use that shortcut if you are in danger. If you need to call me otherwise, use shortcut 11.”
He leaned over and pulled some more stuff out of the bag at his feet. He slid the pistols across the table. They spun as they went and each ended up facing with the grip towards their recipient. Stow those weapons you have here. Anyone sees you with those then they will know you are up to no good. These are bog standard pulse pistols.” He looked to Madge and Judy. “No one here uses solid shot.”
He next placed a box on the table and opened its lid revealing what Madge correctly assess to be grenades. “One each” he said waving his hand over the box “stunners, big flash.”
“Flash-bangs” said Judy “nice!”
“Right” said Erkum “flush bungs.”
Judy shook her head with a grin and she repeated “flash bangs” emphasising the vowel.
“Flash bangs” he copied and Judy gave him a thumbs up.
“What’s this?” he asked pointing to her thumb.
“It means ‘good’” said Felis.
“Or OK” said Evie.
Erkum made a poor effort at the thumbs up but they all rewarded him with a smile. “I like it” he said with a grin. Then he changed his expression to be all serious. “Right when you contact Melnar, assume that he will be using all the resources of his corporation to track, record and ID you. This is the Mintoslum Corp, one of the biggest comms companies in the galaxy. Don’t underestimate him and above all do not trust him. He may well be genuine but he is a first tier aristocrat. Remember that.”
“I have a location in mind from where you can make your call. It’s a public place. I think it best not to risk taking our two human friends” he said and added with a grin “even though they look so lovely.” The grin disappeared quickly. “It’s just too big a risk and we don’t need to take it. I can take you there” he said looking at Evie.
“And Felis” said Evie.
That surprised Erkum a little. “Of course that will be fine.”
“When?” asked Felis.
“We can go now. I’m done here.”
Felis looked to Evie who nodded. He stood up collected his new weapon, checked its mechanism, noted the full charge pack in the grip, pocketed a flashbang and nodded his approval to Erkum.
Erkum stood up as Evie grabbed her new toys. He turned to Madge and Judy “You will be right here. We won’t be long.”
Madge wasn’t happy about being squeezed out but she couldn’t fault Erkum’s logic. It just didn’t make sense taking a risk at this stage. “We’ll be fine” she acknowledged.
“Good” and Erkum gave them the thumbs up with a grin.
Erkum led Evie and Felis to the elevator, which took them down underground. It was a well-lit area with signs pointing the way. They followed these around the corner where they came out into a huge tunnel. Down the middle of it ran two automated walkways, one on the far side going right and the closest one going left.
“This way” said Erkum and he led them over a bridge and descended onto the far side. He hopped onto the moving walkway and turned back to ensure they followed.
Felis kept a wary eye on the other pedestrians using the walkway. The tunnel and the walkway negotiated a corner up ahead. There were several other pedestrians ahead and they took hold of the inner rail as they went around the corner. Erkum did too and Felis and Evie followed suit.
Upon turning Felis could see the tunnel descending at a shallow gradient. He could see a good kilometre ahead and about 500m ahead there were dozens of people getting on and off the walkway. Signs blazed and beckoned pedestrians to come and shop at “Cientium’ which translated to ‘MidCity Plaza.’
Erkum turned back and announced “We get off up ahead.”
At that moment they all noticed the graffiti that had been painted over one of the signs. It said ‘24 no more’. “See” said Erkum “it’s starting.” Evie nodded. It was an encouraging sign she thought. ‘Yes 24th Plenum (referring to the Imperialist government) your time is up’ she said to herself.
They got off the walkway and headed towards an escalator. The density of people increased dramatically once they rose to the ground level concourse. It had been a long time since Felis had been amongst so many people and for someone who had lived crammed into a ship for most of the last fifteen years he somehow succumbed to a feeling of claustrophobia.
They had to slow right down and patiently interweave as bodies traversed the main concourse from all directions. Office workers in a hurry to get their desired brew in the morning break dashed smartly and in some case forcibly. One bumped into Felis and he reacted with a “Watch it!” The worker ignored him completely.
Erkum, up ahead and now separated by several bodies, turned his head, raised his hand to point to a position on his right and then pressed on in that direction. Felis who was next turned to Evie and said “Stay close.” He led with his body slightly side on and carved out a new direction through the milling crowd. Evie tucked in right behind him.
Finally they emerged out of the concourse and sought shelte
r in one of the restaurants that ringed the area. In fact it was only as he slid into a chair in the restaurant that he realised they were inside one almighty dome. As he looked up the glass roof above the restaurant he saw a series of circular levels. They tapered closer together as they went up. He counted around sixteen levels. Then it looked like the next one widened and the whole process started again. Each of these sections had different coloured lighting. They were in the light yellow section. The one above was a pale green and above that an orange. He could not make out the colours beyond that.
“Stay here. I’ll order” said Erkum. He noted their preferences and made his way inside. One of the reasons he had chosen this one was because there was no table service. He didn’t want anyone interrupting the call.
“Impressive bit of architecture” commented Felis to Evie. He was still looking up through the glass roof to the narrowing concentric rings of different coloured lights.
Evie was too focussed on the business at hand. “Yes I suppose it is” she said with no conviction.
Her tone alerted Felis to her state. “There is no need to worry. This is just a preliminary contact. I’m right here with you.” Evie nodded. She appreciated the support but her nerves were still frayed. “Just remember” continued Felis “we want a neutral location that Erkum’s happy with and we want it tonight.”
“Happy with what?” asked Erkum as he placed the cups down and took his seat.
“The location” said Felis.
“Yes, good point.” He brought out his communicator and entered some text. “Any of these would be good” and he passed it over to Evie. She nodded. He picked up his cup. “Drink up” and he took a sip.
They sat there in silence. Not so the tables around them. After ten minutes they started emptying. The morning break rush was over. Erkum gave Evie a look which said ‘Now?’ She drained the last drop from her cup, picked up her communicator – the one she’d been given earlier this morning – and made the call to the number she had been given yesterday by Melnar’s assistant.
“Yes Evie” said the assistant “transferring you now.”
She recognised the smooth deep voice of Ciantus Melnar as he thanked her for calling back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t available yesterday. It was a busy day.” He laughed lightly. “Every day seems to be busy at the moment. I would like to meet. Perhaps over lunch at Chekka’s. It’s a lovely restaurant in the city. I can send a hopper for you.”
Erkum was listening in to the conversation on his communicator and shaking his head at Evie.
“I can’t make lunch. Dinner would be good. Pegoo’s at 1900 perhaps.”
“Oh I’m sorry I have engagements this evening and I am away tomorrow. The best I can do is mid-afternoon. We could still meet at Chekka’s. As I said transport won’t be a problem.”
Erkum nodded.
“OK Chekka’s at 1500 then. I won’t need your hopper, though thanks for the offer.”
“All right then 1500 it is. I am so looking forward to this.”
“Me too Mr Melnar.”
“Ciantus please.”
“Of course. See you then.” She terminated the call and looked to Erkum. “It wasn’t on your list?”
“No but it’s public enough. I will check it out beforehand. You did well.”
Evie smiled weakly.
“What did you think of him?” asked Erkum.
“Smooth, very smooth” she replied “but you would expect that from a tier one aristocrat.”
“Well you should know my dear” said Erkum.
“We need to have alternate getaway routes” said Felis “and we need to check those out now.”
Erkum stood up. “We need to go anyway. Our times up.”
Felis and Evie followed him out the restaurant. The concourse was almost empty now in stark contrast to when they arrived. Erkum led them back down to the walkway. “Can you find your way back to the apartment?” he asked. Felis nodded. “Right, you two go back now. I’ll check out Chekka’s and the routes and meet you back there in two hours. That will still give us enough time to make the meeting at 1500.”
Chapter 21. Rollinium 1055, 15 August
“I’m pleased with what I’ve seen Ivan” said Dave, which was a bit of an irony considering everything around him was covered in debris or dust. But Dave saw all of that as inconsequential. “As I said before, I think we got away lightly considering. The thing is Ivan we didn’t plan on this, any of it, the deployment, the casualties or the missile expenditure. It’s happened and it was my call, not yours. Yes it’s been brutal but if we handle this right with these rogan in there” he said pointing to the room they had hastily made into a conference centre “then we will have climbed a rung on the ladder, struck a blow. We can turn an isolated group staring down the barrel of oblivion into an ally that can help us win this war.”
“I realise all that” said Ivan. He paused for a bit and then added. “At least with Beta Phi and Klaster we secured territory that we could use for the next stage. Here, well, it’s…all doomed.”
“Look Ivan” said Dave keen to get this out of the way. “Forget the places, forget the things, it’s all about the people. If we play this right in there, then we will have gained four billion supporters give or take.”
Ivan looked at him askance. “Have you forgotten the fact that in twelve months’ time anyone left here is not going anywhere, well not fast anyway.”
“Where there’s a will, often there’s a way. Besides we won’t need all 4 billion.” Dave gave him one of those smiles that carried a sense of mischievousness. Ivan shook his head in disapproval but then couldn’t help himself but smile too.
Dave ushered him to walk to the conference room. “You do realise we need to go back to Chelora and the sooner the better.” Ivan nodded as they entered the temporary conference room.
Chapter 22. Phantom over Checklin 1200, 15 August
“Damm” said Aubrey as she read the signal from Dave. She checked the time. “Damm” she said again.
“What’s wrong?” asked Phil, who had the watch. There was only he and Aubrey in the command centre.
“We have to warn Evie.”
“About what?”
“About the fact that Melnar’s company developed the device that caused that anomaly in Qwantum.”
“Oh shit. The last we heard was an hour ago. She’s supposed to be meeting with him at 1500.” Phil’s mind was racing to analyse the options. “Do you want to break cloak?”
Aubrey shook her head. Phil looked concerned. “Advise Whiskey 8 to power up. I’ll be there in ten.” Phil nodded. Aubrey hailed Tola “Meet me in my cabin.” She walked quickly to the elevator and was back in her cabin in under a minute. She shut the door and was pulling on her combat fatigues when the knock came. “Come in Tola” she yelled.
Tola opened the door and came in quickly, shutting it behind her. “What’s up? You going someplace?”
“Yep” she said and filled her in on what had just happened and what she planned to do.
“So I want you to take charge here. I’m just going for a ride down to Alpha 1, making a call and coming straight back. If anything happens and you don’t hear from anyone within 24 hours, I want you to return to Chelora. Do you understand?”
“Shouldn’t I be going down?”
“Probably” confessed Aubrey “but I’m all dressed now” and she gave her a big smile. Tola frowned anyway. Aubrey grabbed her rifle from her closet, hooked her webbing over her shoulder and ushered Tola out the door. “Now remember do not uncloak for any reason. 24 hours – no word – go home. Got it.”
“Yes I’ve got it. But it’s broad daylight all the way. You could get detected.”
“Minimal” said Aubrey dismissively. “I’m leaving the ship in good hands. Got to go” said Aubrey and she jogged down the corridor to the elevator.
“Good luck” said Tola. She was disappointed in herself for not convincing her skipper that this was a bad idea. ‘But no matter now�
�� she said to herself. The die was cast and she had no alternative other than to let things play out and this latest intel probably meant that would end badly.
Frustrated she walked back to the elevator. It had already taken Aubrey down. But it was quick and she was soon on her way up. Aubrey’s actions had surprised her. She had not known her to be so impulsive. From her own experience she had found her to be a steady hand.
The door opened and as she stepped out she recalled the Fulmar battle report in which Aubrey, having realised the danger to the transports, committed the Hermes to an attack on the rogan capital ship, the Drakush. ‘Gee’ she said to herself ‘and that was the end of the Hermes.’
She entered the command centre and was immediately asked by Phil “Is she going?” Tola nodded and sat down in the captain’s chair. Phil was pacing around the floor agitated.
“Get everyone else in here Phil” ordered Tola.
Whiskey 8 launched and headed on a bullet run for Alpha 1. There Whiskey 7 and a team of marines were providing a firm base for Evie’s team. There was no time to take the longer and safer route over the pole.
As Whiskey 8 accelerated under cloak to the planet’s surface Alice entered the command centre, saw Phil all agitated and Tola the epitome of concentration and wondered what was up. She didn’t get a chance to ask.
“Here’s the plot” said Tola and gave her a very condensed rendition of what had just happened. “If and only if we have to intervene I want you to send a message to Evie warning her about this Melnar guy.” Alice was still trying to digest it all. “Do it now Alice” said Tola authoritatively. “Phil, I’ve got the watch. You’re on battle systems.” Phil stopped his pacing and looked to Tola but otherwise didn’t respond. “Now Phil!” she reiterated.
“Right” he said - having something specific to do helped.
“Where’s Neo?” barked Tola.
Audacity (Warner's World Book 5) Page 23