She rolled over onto her side, closed her eyes and tried to sleep.
A minute later the image of Hec remonstrating with her out in the corridor popped into her mind. A pang of regret manifested physically as a stinging sensation in the back of her head just above the neck. She instinctively moved her hand to rub it and sat upright in the process.
It was then that she realised she was sweating. “Fuck it what have I done” she muttered out loud. She took some deep breaths in, stood up and went to the ensuite, ditching her tee and shorts as she went. She ran the water luke warm, stuck her head under and ran her fingers through her curly hair.
As the water ran down her super fit body she flexed her right arm and saw the tautness of the muscles as the water splashed off them. ‘It’s me who’s been uptight’ she thought and instinctively she shook her right arm to release all the tension in it. ‘It’s me who failed out there this evening. Gee what have I done? You’re a fool Meg Songa, a bloody fool.’
She turned off the water and dried herself. There was barely a fine mist to wipe away from the mirror because the temperature of the water had been so low. She leant over and stared into her eyes. She saw guilt in the reflection. It had been a long time since she had seen it there…a very long time indeed.
Meg had never been accused of being a procrastinator. She knew what needed to be done. Meg had often been accused of being impulsive. But she saw no other alternative if she was to get any sleep tonight.
She dressed back in her tee and shorts. Opened her cabin door and walked to the next cabin. She tapped on the door lightly. It opened almost immediately.
“Yes?” said a wary Hec. He too had been lying awake on his bed unable to sleep.
“Can we talk…in the officers mess?”
Hec nodded and followed her to the mess. Only the night light near the coffee machine was still on. They left it that way and sat down at the nearby table. Hec waited for her to speak. He did note that there wasn’t the hard edge to her demeanour.
Meg took in a deep breath. “I want to apologise for my behaviour early on.”
Hec had not expected this. He nodded.
“You were right about the subalterns, this being their first action and all and I was out of line when I dressed them down. It looks like they were not the only ones having difficulties first time round.”
Hec nodded. He realised that it had taken a lot for her to admit this. “This, what you are doing right now, is a good first step.”
She nodded relieved that he thought so. “I’ll speak to the officers in the morning. I just wanted you to know now.”
“So we can both get some sleep?”
She smiled weakly and nodded.
Chapter 51. Spectre over Q2, 0715, 30 August
Sheldon was hailed by 2nd Lt Becky Johnston, his quartermaster, when he had just got out of his morning shower. She was the watch officer and by the tone of her voice was excited and worried at the same time. After quickly drying and donning his uniform, he jogged out of his cabin on B deck to the elevator, cursed that it was taking so long and then he ran into the command centre on A deck.
“What is it?” he asked as he entered.
Becky pointed to the hollow and he could see a plethora of icons ascending from the planet. “Crikeys there must be hundreds” is all he could muster.
“They’re all small commercial shuttles of one ilk or another” advised Becky. “I tried hailing several but they just ignored me. How do you want to respond?”
But before Sheldon could, they were hailed “Spectre this is Rollinium Control” hailed John Conrad “I have Lt Cmd Art Simons wanting to speak to your commander.”
“Go ahead this is Lt Cmd Sheldon Brice.”
“Sheldon I’ve been asked by the local authorities here to advise you that the flood of craft you are seeing are friendly. Please don’t fire on them.”
“Yeah we see them all right. What are they doing?”
“Escaping here while they can on whatever craft they can lay their hands on. Most are aiming for Margvon. Some of the bigger ones are going further afield.”
“But Margvon is controlled by the Imperialists.”
“They know that but they can’t stay here. Besides most fear the Imperialists will be back seeking revenge. They would rather face being treated as illegal migrants than as supporters of the Resistance.”
“So what, these craft are then going to try and return to take off more?”
“That’s what the local authorities wanted but I doubt many will come back. There’s a fair amount of uncertainty down here and rumours are flying around all the time. I fear it’s going to get very nasty down here before it gets better. Not everyone’s happy to fall in line with the Resistance.”
“So what they don’t control all the spaceports?”
“They reckon they control about half of them. But even here where their supreme HQ is there’s unrest. Don’t be surprised if they ask for help in maintaining law and order.”
“That’s not really our concern.”
“Look if things get ugly down here then it will be your concern, well at least securing the Rollinium spaceport. We’re going to need that to handle the supplies.”
“Isn’t that what you’re doing?” asked Sheldon.
“What the whole four of us and a few droids.”
“Oh I see” responded Sheldon. He pondered for a moment. “I’m loathe to commit our marines at this stage. We’ll wait and see. The Resolute should be here in a few days.”
“You may not have that time. It’s your call” said Art “but I’m advising you to send your ground forces down here now. Their presence will help secure this vital facility and they are tangible commitment from an ally. By the way what’s your supply situation? Do you have any spare missiles for our support droids?”
“We’re pretty skint on ship missiles but you can have our remaining ones for the support droids. Are you in charge down there?”
“My role is to liaise with the Resistance but my wife, LCmd Sue Chalker, she’s heading up Q2 Control.”
“Your wife? Well that’s a handy arrangement!”
“Yes it is.”
“OK I’ll take your advice and commit our marines and droids. I’ll place them under Sue’s command while they are down there. But I reserve the right to extract or redeploy them.”
“Yeah that’s fine. I’ll let her know” said Art as he smiled at Sue who was sitting next to him.
“Well let’s hope it remains quiet till the Resolute gets here.”
“We can but hope!”
Chapter 52. Neeblo 1630, 30 August
Felis felt a degree of satisfaction as he eyed the now completed command centre for the Resistance. The centre was now assembled. He gave Soma a smile. Soma smiled back even though he was dog tired. Around them the rest of Soma’s crew were either leaning against a wall or sitting on one of the chairs. They had been at it since 0700. “Moment of truth” announced Felis.
“Yes” said Soma and he shot one of his crew a glance. The switch was thrown and the power surged through the terminals and most importantly the holo display. “Aagh” said Soma with a weary glee “lights are good.” Soma turned to another of his crew. “OK terminal 1 status?” he asked.
One by one the status reports came in. There was a malfunction in terminal four but otherwise all tested positively. The malfunction was soon fixed and ten minutes later Soma declared “Up and running commander. Pity we can’t do a full test of the active sensors but the passive ones are working and I see no reason to think the active ones won’t either.”
“Good work Soma” said Felis. “Good work everyone.”
As Soma and his crew packed away their gear Felis received a call from Bakun. The contact at the Mintoslum complex was right to go tomorrow evening. A hopper would collect him tomorrow morning. He hung up and pocketed his communicator.
Chapter 53. Raihma 2300, 30 August
It was a very reluctant Benchin that tapped on
the bedroom door of the first consul. But Emilius had been quite specific and so he felt duty bound to comply even though he knew he would earn the ire of Emilius anyway. ‘Such is the lot of the assistant to the first consul’ said Benchin to himself.
“Yes what is it” said Emilius who, though he had retired early, was still lying awake in his bed.
Benchin opened the door and entered. “You asked to be advised…”
“Yes, yes, what is it.”
Benchin handed him the ePaper with the report from the Fleet about the operation to retake Q2. Emilius rolled his eyes and his face contorted like he had just swallowed poison. But to his credit Emilius did not shoot the messenger this time.
No, he knew who was at fault here. He recalled all too well the conversation he had with the Grand Imperial Admiral. He could hear Benistom now, urging him to wait and then in a bold show of determination, hitherto unseen, actually warn the first consul that it would end in disaster. “Mass matters” Benistom had counselled “It’s better to wait and use the full force of a whole fleet.”
Emilius’s mouth twitched involuntarily and he flicked a wave at Benchin. Benchin made his way to the door. As he was closing it he caught sight of Emilius turning over onto his side in the foetal position. Benchin knew that there would be no more demands on his services tonight.
Part 5
Where Angels
Fear to Tread
They were no angels or anything of that kind
That ventured forth into the enemy’s lair
Hardened warriors with steeled minds
Set with purpose and prepared to dare
They would take the fight to best the foe
Some for duty, some for friends
Some for love or the quid pro quo
Some out of guilt or to make amends
But they all served the common cause
To end the evil and stop the spread
To bring hope and a new set of laws
Where all could live free of fear and dread
Chapter 1. Lewista 1100, 31 August
Frino Maligus had to take a second long look to make sure. He angled his head to see past the others in the line ahead of him. The figure ahead that had been escorted through the spaceport security with a wave of the hand definitely looked like the head of the ISS. Frino recognised the head of the local ISS too as he came forward to greet her. As the pair shook hands he saw her in profile and said to himself ‘That’s interesting. So what are you doing in this neck of the woods, Angina Slirinus?’
He took a snap with his communicator and added a short statement ‘Following’
Frino was one of Raitah Pratin’s chosen few on a mission to ensure that Cheklin would stay in the fold when the coup was enacted. He knew that Slirinus was marked. He also knew that she rarely travelled. She had more than enough minions for that.
He waved his FIA ID at the security desk, keen not to lose contact with Angina. The security desk officer noted the verification light on the scanner and waved him through without further ado. He thought about his luggage but quickly concluded that he could retrieve that later. What mattered right now was the figure ahead.
Chapter 2. Lewista 2200, 31 August
Felis’s head rolled back for the umpteenth time. Blood flowed from the cut on the left side of his mouth. His instinctive efforts to wipe it away were frustrated by the restraints that held his arms tight behind the chair. His head ached. Inside his scull someone was banging a loud drum and his swelled left eye threatened to burst.
He wasn’t sure how much more he could take. He was praying to fall unconscious. He did not want to be awake any longer. The big dark shadow in front of him pulled back and the smaller one came forward. He hated the big one but feared even more the smaller one. The beguiling almost smooth tone uttered again “Where are your friends Draag?”
Felis hated the way he drew out his name. It was annoying the shit out of him but he was beyond reacting to it. If the truth be known he doubted he could raise his arms if they were freed let alone fling a punch.
A sudden shaft of light pierced the darkness of the cell. Words were exchanged too low for Felis to decipher. The big shadow came forward again and Felis instinctively tensed to receive the next blow. Instead the shadow went past behind him. ‘So this is how it ends’ he thought.
But instead of his head being twisted he felt the restraints slacken. His shoulders registered the pain as the blood rushed back into his arms but his brain overrode it. Something unexpected had just happened and Felis’s mind was playing catchup.
He felt the huge hand of the big shadow lift him up, though Felis struggled to stand on his own two feet. He was bundled forward towards the source of the light. His eyes struggled to focus. He gave up on the left one altogether and out of the right made out the doorway before he was pushed through it.
Out in the corridor there was a weak light but it still hurt his eye. Slowly he adjusted and could see the back of the smaller shadow, now transformed into a member of the Internal Security Service (ISS). Felis wanted to ask ‘What’s happening?’ but he could not get his mouth to move properly. Instead he mumbled something that was ignored by those around him.
Another doorway, another shove from behind and then the big shadow barked from behind “Sit.” Felis did as he was directed. The ISS thugs exited, closing the door behind him. Felis took in the room as best he could. It looked remarkably similar to the one he had just come from before they had turned the lights out.
The door opened and a figure dressed in a smart business suit entered and sat on the only other chair opposite him.
“I must apologise for the way you have been treated Commander Draag” said the figure “but they don’t take kindly to spies around here, especially those who are supposed to be dead. My name is Angina Slirinus. I head the ISS. I very much want to meet with Meelanda Orocash. I have a proposal to put to her that I think she and you will find very interesting indeed.”
“I have come a long way Commander” continued Angina. “There is not much time. You are free to go. I have a hopper outside that will take you to wherever you desire. You will not be followed. Consult with Ms Orocash and contact me when you are ready. I will come alone to a place and at a time of your choosing. You can scan me. There will be no attempt to lure you or her into a trap. I merely want to talk. But I need to do so tomorrow. As I said there is not much time.”
There were a million and one reasons why Felis should not trust this person but something in her voice convinced him to do just that. Besides this was the best offer he had since his capture three hours ago. He tried to speak but mumbled instead. He tried to purse his lips but it was useless so he just nodded his ascent.
“Excellent. Thank you” said Angina to Felis. “Better get you cleaned up before your flight.”
Chapter 3. Muntikis 2340, 31 August
“Oh Felis” said Evie as she and Erkum helped him aboard the hopper. Felis tried to give a weak smile but couldn’t. In fact his lips had swelled so badly now he could barely mumble and that was despite the cold pack that he had been applying for the last forty minutes while Oscren flew to Muntikis to pick him up.
Evie sat down and supported Felis in the adjacent seat while Erkum sat in the opposite seats. She tried to comfort him by putting her arm around him but when she placed her hand on his left shoulder Felis reacted by sitting bolt upright and putting out his hands to stop her.
Evie felt helpless at that moment. It was obvious he couldn’t talk and that hideous left eye of his looked terrible. Felis pointed to her leg. She couldn’t work out what he was meaning by it.
“I think he wants your communicator” said Erkum.
Evie pulled out her communicator and gave it to Felis. Felis began typing as the main cabin lights went out and the hopper took off. Evie switched on the internal reading light so Felis could see better but realised, after a grunt from Felis, that its glare was too bright for him. She switched it back off and let Felis finish
in the subdued light.
He handed the communicator back to her and she read his message. “What?” she exclaimed and showed it to Erkum.
“No way that’s going to happen” said Erkum emphatically. Felis reached out and grasped Erkum’s forearm and stared into Erkum’s eyes with his one good eye. Erkum felt Felis’s intent. “It will be up to Meelanda. We’ll discuss it tomorrow. You need to rest.”
Felis shook his head and tapped the communicator highlighting the current time.
“Why does it need to be done now?” asked Evie.
Felis began typing and then showed her.
“Well that maybe her timetable but it’s not ours” responded Evie.
Felis was exasperated at this frustratingly slow means of communicating. He typed ‘There’s something big going down. Please trust me!’
Evie looked into his good eye as sincerely as she could and nodded. “OK we’ll talk it over with Meelanda when we get there. Now rest. It won’t be long.”
Felis nodded his thanks and eased himself back into the seat.
Forty minutes later they touched down in Neeblo. Felis alighted, his head thumping again. He needed some more pain killers. But he knew he had to hold it together for a little longer.
Inside their lodgings, which were in an adjacent building to the command centre, Meelanda listened to Evie explain the situation. She kept glancing at Felis who she thought should definitely be horizontal and resting at this stage. But here he was downing some more pain killers and looking like he had been run over by a truck. When Evie finished Meelanda looked at Felis and asked “So you reckon we should trust the head of the ISS?” Felis nodded. “Why?” she asked.
Felis grabbed the communicator and began typing. But he got frustrated. He stopped and blurted out as best he could “I just do.”
Meelanda scrutinised Felis. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Erkum shaking his head next to Evie, who was nodding. Meelanda sighed and exhaled. All her logic said this was a trap but it was obvious Felis thought otherwise. She found herself asking ‘can I really trust his judgement?’
Audacity (Warner's World Book 5) Page 36