War's Reward (Free Fleet Book 6)

by Michael Chatfield

  The dread hadn’t disappeared, but it looked more manageable now.

  “You don’t know about the CAMC led runs?” Wesom asked, actually sounding shocked.

  “The what?” Fal asked.

  “Well it started with Commander Henry,” Wesom said, Fal rolling his eyes at what he was sure to be one of Wesom’s extravagant tales.

  ***

  Elisati walked though the halls of Parnmal. The Free Fleet were there in numbers that she had never seen before. The HCD’s had arrived days ago and been put on light duties. Many of them were still wearing powered armor that hid their missing limbs and serious injuries.

  Many were reserved and dark, others were in groups and while laughter seemed to be a faraway dream for them, she could feel them pulling themselves together.

  Scarred black armor from the ships that had fought since the Free Fleet was created was placed on the walls, the names of those that had fallen, etched into them.

  Henry’s powered armor rested there, the blood cleaned from it, it’s armor still rent and holed as he stood guard over his Commandos. He had died in this very corridor, on the very spot his armor now rested.

  The Commander of the Armored Marine Commandos, giving his life for his people.

  This was the heart of the Free Fleet, hallowed ground. She looked at it all, remembering the plans that had been talked about behind closed doors. Doubts filling her mind.

  Everyone that came into Parnmal would see the names of those that had died in the defense of the Union.

  Everyday the wall grew with more names. It was an almost holy place to the people of the Free Fleet. Elisati had found herself staring at those walls more than once seeing names that seemed similar and all so strange.

  She tried to think of the men and women behind those names and she just simply couldn’t.

  Veterans walked through talking in hushed voices about how someone had died to other veterans, or the fallen’s family members or talking about the moments they had laughed, lived and shown the universe how alive they truly were.

  It was a powerful place and it left her tired every time she went to it.

  Salchar was due back in a few days, the Kalu delegation wandered through Parnmal with a Commando guard.

  A few of the Commandos weren’t happy with having Kalu roaming around their home, but many others especially the navy personnel were there to slap them upside the head and tell them how the Independents had watched their asses even when they didn’t know about it.

  The Free Fleet was made up of people from all different creeds, colors, races and backgrounds. While some might be angry with the Kalu, the majority knew aiming their anger at the Independents was just idiotic. Time would tell how the relationship between the Free Fleet and the Independents would go.

  Elisati knew there were already politicians that had okayed certain operations that were aimed at distancing the Free Fleet and the Independents from one another.

  These days they’re okaying any kind of operation that looked to make the Free Fleet weaker, which meant reducing their allies. She sighed and sat back in her offices chair.

  A message came up on her screen.

  Salchar is in Parnmal system, moving to Parnmal yards and then to Parnmal.

  “Well, let the games begin,” she said, knowing that as soon as Salchar was on Parnmal then the political strategies that had been cooked up would come into effect

  She pulled up a live broadcast on the incoming forces.

  All traffic was dead in Parnmal except for the maneuvering warships and shuttles that sped from them to Parnmal station.

  She muted the running commentary watching as those shuttles came to rest in Parnmal’s bays.

  Ramps lowered and Commandos marched out. It was a powerful display.

  Each and every person was a hardened veteran.

  Their armor sported the blackening of Kalu weapons fire, peppering from being too close to incoming rounds.

  They marched from their shuttles and the ship’s own holds right past spectators into what was the Free Fleet side of the station.

  Not one of them paused, not one broke ranks.

  It went on for a time, shuttles being moved to storage as new shuttles landed and dropped off more Commandos. She felt a trickle of fear run through her. These people were not going to take shit.

  Reporters were pushing to get closer, a few turned their shots, getting a view of the crowds. People were yelling at the Commandos as they went past. Some cheering, others calling them warmongers and baby killers.

  The Commandos did nothing and continued marching.

  Then someone threw something at the Commandos. She held her breath but they did nothing. Commandos that had been on the station longer and were acting as security, moved forward.

  More things were thrown on them as fights broke out between supporters and attackers of the Free Fleet.

  The Commandos marched forward into their home as the security forces moved the crowds back.

  “Enough!” A voice barked, out from the ranks a Commando walked others flanked him. He took his helmet off, yells and cat calls coming at him.

  “I SAID ENOUGH!” His voice bowed them into silence.

  “If you have a problem then talk about it.” Something hit Salchar in his face, the halls went silent as it dripped from his face.

  “Well that wasn’t very nice,” he sighed shaking his head. “If they don’t want to respect our home, then we don’t want them here.”

  Voices started yelling in protest as more food and items were thrown at the Commandos.

  “Daddy!” Somehow the young voice of a child cut through the noises of the room.

  “Formation!” One of the Commandos called. Ten Commandos moved around Salchar as a little boy came running from the doorway to the man.

  The camera saw tears in Salchar’s eyes as he ran to the little boy, hugging him and turning his back on the crowd as fruits hit his back.

  The Commandos tightened around Salchar and Henry, taking fruits and food. The Commandos in a line marched forwards, pushing people out of the hangars and wherever the Commandos walked.

  Elisati looked to the commentary a rolling blast coming across the bottom of the screen.

  Protestor’s attack three-month old child as Commandos come home.

  Heated Welcome at Parnmal.

  Protestor’s being banned for voicing opinion.

  Salchar uses his own child for public opinion.

  “This is going to be messy.” A new message declared a meeting was already being called in order to deal with the latest issues from the varying members of the Union in an hour.

  Not waiting around I see, she thought, standing and preparing herself. She sent a message to her aides and assistants.

  ***

  “Look at how big you’ve gotten!” I said, talking to Henry, holding him as I walked into the Free Fleet sections of Parnmal. Commandos were talking in dark tones, but none of it phased me. No matter what had happened I was with my boy.

  “Henry!” Yasu said running over to us. People looked in shock, Yasu had been known for her light moments, but nothing like running across an open room, smiling to see her boy.

  “Mommy!” He said smiling and holding his arms out to her. She grabbed him, hugging him tight without using the powered armor’s strength.

  “I tried to stop him from running out, but he does have a few of his father’s tendencies,” Cheerleader said, Min Hae, Ashota, Gogs, Kalvin and Monk with her.

  I hugged them all, smiling at our reunion, bowing to Ashota and Kalvin.

  “I have heard much of you War-leader Kalvin. I thank you for coming to Cheerleader and Quarst’s aide,” I said bowing even more deeply.

  “You give me too much credit. Cheerleader and her Fleet fought with ability and should be given the credit for the battle,” Kalvin said, dipping his head to me and then Cheerleader.

  “I agree, Cheerleader and her fleet rose to a hard task, serving as an example to all,�
� I said, smiling at Cheerleader, she looked wooden, her face tight with emotion.

  I brought her into a hug.

  “I should have saved more of them,” she said into my shoulder.

  “You did your best I have no doubt. I watched every minute of it. You and your people fought with every fiber of your being. Be proud of them and yourself,” I said, bracing her again before letting go.

  I could see a wetness to her eyes as I moved away.

  She gave me a sad smile as Min Hae cleared his throat.

  “It seems that the Planetary Governor’s are calling a meeting of the Union heads, including us,” Min Hae said.

  “Well that was quick,” Yasu said, not sounding pleased in the slightest.

  “When?” I asked.

  “In an hour,” Min Hae said.

  “Well they can wait a little longer. I just got home. I’m going to spend some time with my wife and boy before they get a shot in at me. Are we prepared Min Hae?” I asked.

  “Yes we are,” Min Hae said, his eyes moving to Kalvin and back to me.

  “Good, good,” I said thinking.

  “Well I hope that we can all meet up a bit later in somewhat less formal conditions, out of our powered armor. For now, I am going to steal my two men before one of them has to go rushing off to some political crap shoot,” Yasu said.

  “So I have been instructed, see you later,” I said, we parted I felt a hand grab mine, our armored hands holding one another.

  “So what have you been up to?” Yasu asked Henry who broke into a smile telling us about his school, sleep training, how he had made friends. He left out a few of his latest excursions that Cheerleader had written to us about.

  We got to our room, Krom checking it before we walked in.

  Henry was feeling tired by then. Growing so fast meant he needed more sleep and food than human boys his age would need before the Syndicates changes.

  Yasu put him to sleep, me watching as he curled under his covers, holding a powered armor styled teddy bear.

  “Night Henry,” Yasu said, standing against my arm that rested on her shoulder. She touched my hand, the two of us watching our boy fall asleep.

  After a few minutes we walked out of the room, turning the lights off.

  “We’ve missed so much,” I said.

  “Well we’ll just have to make up for that,” Yasu said, looking to me with those almond colored eyes.

  “How did I get so lucky?” I said, hugging her through our armor and kissing her.

  “By being not what I expected but what I needed,” she said, smiling up at me.

  Her smile turned to a pout.

  “Now out of that damn armor and come take a shower with me,” she ordered.

  I opened my powered armor as fast as possible, getting more than a few laughs at my exaggerated speed.

  “You are silly,” she said, getting out of her armor.

  “And you’re slow,” I said, picking her up.

  She squealed and giggled, hitting me at the surprise lift.

  “Oh if your trainees could see you now,” I said.

  “Then my suitors would easily double,” she said.

  “Oi, your mine, all mine!” I said, walking into the bathroom.

  “Yes I guess so,” she sighed kissing me.

  I let her down and we looked at the shower.

  “Well rank does have its privileges,” I said, looking to the massive shower,”

  “Hmm that it does,” Yasu said pressing her battle suit’s collar, the fabric expanded and she let it fall from her body. Her olive skin and firm muscles kept hold of my eyes.

  “Seems someone’s at attention,” she teased, walking in the shower and turning the water on, making a show of it all.

  “And whose damn fault is that!” I said, pulling my battle suit off.

  Water cascaded over us as I pulled her close, kissing her.

  “I thought you had a meeting?” She said, pushing me back slightly.

  “Yeah, they can wait,” I said kissing her neck.

  “Tease,” she accused.

  “Payback,” I countered.

  Chapter Don’t Catch a Tiger by The Tail

  I took a detour on my way to the auditorium.

  Krom and Shreesht already knew my plans so the two squads covering me didn’t even miss a beat as we turned away from the auditorium.

  We arrived in what was now being called memorial hall.

  The Commandos spread out as if to give me my space.

  I saw a few of them touch names as they passed, someone they knew and someone they had lost.

  I walked to Henry’s statue. I patted his shoulder, looking at the silver lines etched into the scarred and pitted black armor of a Free Fleet warship.

  “I’m about to do something that’s going to change things forever,” I said in my helmet, talking to Henry.

  “You gave your life so that others might live. I’m going to sacrifice my position to secure our people’s future,” I sighed, emotions making me heavy. “My fight is coming to an end. I will do all I can to secure the future of the Free Fleet, but no one knows the future. Hell if you told me I’d be standing here leading the Free Fleet out of a war with the Kalu and into forming an empire of it’s own. I would be a little dumbfounded,” I said, getting out a weak laugh.

  I took a breath, looking around. So many names, so many people. I had to make sure their sacrifice meant something. I would not let the politics of the Union drag the Free Fleet down and make it a shell of what it was.

  I tapped Henry’s shoulder he would have understood the familiar gesture.

  I walked through the hall, my hand passing over the names I knew.

  George Everez, the kid who had done little but cry the first day I met him as we were recruited into the Syndicate’s scam. He had become a brilliant young man. He had trained Commandos on Mars even with prosthetic limbs.

  He had grown up in those short years more than some people did in their entire lives.

  Hoi, the large man that had been a police officer and one of my leaders during the Recruitment.

  My hands passed over Janice and Dave’s names, my eyes were wet and I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks.

  Squad mates, people that I had fought beside to hold off our enemies or take their fortifications. Other’s I’d talked to, reamed out or seen.

  Kurft who I’d done simulations against, armorers that had checked my equipment was working. Gunners that had protected the lives of me and my personal ship crew. Or that I had protected with my own ship’s broad side.

  My hand stopped on Boot’s name, around him were the names of his command staff and that of his ship.

  I remembered the conference’s we’d had, the times I’d talked to him on his bridge, his ship filled with life and purpose. Now it was gone.

  I took a shaky breath, looking back. I didn’t see those silver names in my blurry eyes. I saw the faces of those that I had the pleasure of serving with.

  I drew myself up straight, not caring about the tears or who was watching.

  My hand came up as I held two fingers to my forehead. I held it for a few seconds before bringing my hand down. It was the cleanest salute I had ever done, my people deserved only the best.

  I turned and walked away, resolve filling me.

  Being Commander of the Free Fleet was only a position, one that I was happy to fill. Yet it was not just a tittle that drove me to do what needed to be done. It was my duty that had given me the tittle. Even if I wasn’t the Commander of the Free Fleet, I would care for it and look after it as I would look after my boy Henry.

  The best way I knew to do that right now, was to pass on that title and those duties to one that had been by my side ever since he pulled a katana out of my shoulder.

  ***

  Rick looked up from the table seeing Salchar enter and walk towards the Free Fleet’s section, with Rick was Min Hae and Monk. Around the auditorium each system that had joined the Union had their
own booth with a placard showing what system they represented.

  The Independent Kalu were also making an appearance, given their own positions for the systems they represented. Many were captains with Kalvin speaking for them and the council.

  Planetary governor Elisati was acting as chairwoman of the Union. It was her job to keep the peace but also fight for her own system. A rather tricky position to be in.

  She pressed a buzzer which sent a musical note through the room, discussions ended and people headed for their seats.

  Rick looked at the number of reporters that filled the room. The Union representatives wanted to show the whole known universe something.

  “Thank you for convening for this session on such short notice, a number of complaints have been filed by the representatives of Chaleel, Ershue, Urshval, and Ouquishar. I believe we shall begin with the Chaleel,” Elisati said, looking to the representative of Chaleel.

  “Thank you chairwoman,” the representative said, looking around the room, staring at the Free Fleet’s position.

  “Well she seems happy,” Salchar said, relaxing in his seat.

  “Right back at you,” Rick said, he didn’t miss Salchar’s grin.

  “Union representatives, in recent times we have been beset by the Syndicate, and then the Kalu. We paid the Free Fleet to protect our people and our planet. To give them a future. The Free Fleet came and they burned my planet to glass, they bombed it, tore fields apart, growing towers. Work of the last years was decimated and left in ruin.” She let that sink in.

  “Entire families will be without workable property for months, this is with the Free Fleets demand of payment for bringing destruction down on our planet in an unprecedented scale. Millions died under the Kalu, billions if you start tallying it all up and the Free Fleet watched it happen. They did not protect their people,” she looked again over the committee.

  “They held a contract to defend Chaleel, instead they burned it down. They demonstrated their own true worth, their ability to destroy. I move to pass a motion to have them stripped of their military power and have them placed under the charge of the Planetary Defense Force,” she said, her eyes moving to the Free Fleet area.