by Chris Hechtl
“Lucky me,” Waters grumbled. Perry gave him a look. “Yeah, yeah. Shut up and soldier. Bitch, bitch,” he muttered.
Perry snorted.
Perry, Waters, and Ryans attended a formal dinner with some of the remaining lords and court. Duke Rojer wanted to use their technology to go to war with their neighbors and brought it up in a side conversation. The discussion went around the table and finally caught up with the Terrans. The Terrans were thoroughly against it while the younger lords were all for it.
“Is that what you think we came here for? To be warlords?” Perry demanded .
Waters snorted and then muttered to Perry. “You can take the warlord out of the war, but not the warmonger out of the... oh hell.” He sighed and took a look around. There were now some hostile looks in the crowd. “I need a stiff drink.... in fact more than one.”
“No, better to do this with a clear head. Cold sober,” Perry said softly to him, watching the general talking excitedly about tanks attacking a castle. Perry got really pissed as the general and Rojer ignored him and began planning which of the three remaining neighboring Kingdoms to topple over first.
The Queen gave them all a quelling look. “Calm yourself gentlemen. I believe we have one war to pay for first? After all, we cannot pay for what we have already as it is. It'll take some time before the gaijin inventions make good on their investments, let alone the cost of the invasion,” she said. This made a few thoughtful.
“Then of course there are all the improvements you want. You can't have both. I believe you Dominus Jericho wanted better weather forecasting and improvements for your orchards?” The lord nodded and opened his mouth but the Queen continued, turning. “And you lord Pettigrew, you wish to have the machines... the combines?” she said turning to Ryans who nodded. “For the vast wheat fields of your lands?” The newly promoted baron nodded. “And of course Duke Rojer and Duke Pyror, you both want the trucks and machines to improve the mines in your duchies... as well as the roads to go with them. If we divert materials and people to go to war all these goals will have to be set aside.”
“We could pay for the war by sacking the countries we conquer,” the general suggested.
The Queen frowned. “And then my dear general? We would have more new subjects begging to be rescued from starvation and disease?” she asked and shook her head. He frowned thoughtfully.
“Not to mention that you've got a treaty with us... That is us Terrans that the technology we give you will be used only to defend your country. Not to attack others,” Perry snarled giving Rojer and the general dirty looks.
“There is that,” the Queen nodded.
The Duke sat back, eyes gleaming. “Indeed, I did want the machines to improve the mines... but can we not do both as we are now?”
“And who would lead the armies to victory?” Perry demanded. He turned to Pendragon. “General, forgive me, but a campaign in distant lands is best suited for the young.” The general looked a little crestfallen.
The general puffed up after a moment under the Queen's supportive gaze. “Besides you of course. For we would need you here to guard our lands and the lands of Duluth,” she said smiling. The general's old eyes gleamed.
“Why the gaijin of course,” Rojer said smiling tightly to Perry.
“Like hell. I just explained why we're not going through with it. We're not mercs,” Perry answered standing. The Duke stiffened. “We're not here to fight your wars and go around playing conquistador or war lord. You touch on my honor by suggesting it,” Perry said darkly.
“Break that treaty and I will break your neck,” he said quietly. The Duke colored but then paled as he saw the cold, shark like look of the gaijin soldier. Suddenly he gulped, Perry's eyes meant business. “I've been in war. What have you seen? One pitched battle?” Perry asked, quiet but intent. He waved, “that's nothing. Try day in and day out prolonged fighting. Not for months like you do, but years. Ten long fucking years of war, War our way,” he snarled. He gave the grim Master Sergeant a look. The Sergeant nodded grimly. He'd had his own taste of that and had no intention of sending his boys and girls into that kind of mess. “Conquering a nation and occupying it is a nasty long process that usually fails.” Perry grimaced sitting back down.
“He's right,” Waters nodded as all eyes turned to him. "Saw it in 'Nam, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It's no picnic. Hell ask Nate about the crap the Brits tried to pull to subdue nations they colonized and conquered a century ago. Not one went over well. They spent decades waging a guerrilla war. Some of those, like in Ireland and Scotland got real nasty and the innocent suffered." He shook his head and knocked back a drink as people murmured. Some of the crowd was growing ugly; they had turned on the gaijin in an instant.
Ryans held up a hand. “Tell me gentlemen what would you do with the country once you won?” he asked. They blinked.
“Er ah... why... ah... Rule of course!” a lord laughed. Several chuckled with him.
“And what about your homes here?” Ryans asked. A few blinked at that. “And how would you pay for the war and the occupying soldiers?”
The Duke frowned. “Occupying soldiers?”
“Of course. Once you've shattered their army, you've got to occupy the country to secure it and protect your interests. Which means your army gets broken up into penny packets to take control and maintain that control. No more army to go on conquering the next land. We're having trouble scaring up soldiers to go to Duluth as it is!” Perry said nodding. “That's what I and the Master Sergeant just pointed out to you!”
“Why, we shall pay for the war with the money we will gain from their treasury!” a lord said with a grin. He looked around to his fellows for support. Many nodded.
Ryans shook his head. The lord's grin congealed. “Ah. Point of order,” Ryans held up his hand. “I seem to recall you folks cleaning out your own treasury to defend your lands. Don't you think they'll do the same? After all, they're fighting to protect their homes, their families, and their way of life after all.”
A few lords looked around surprised and then began to mutter at that idea. Ryans nodded and cleared his throat as the concept sank in. “Right,” he said. The room grew silent again. “So you've conquered the neighboring lands, you’re far from home... How do you feed and supply the army? And the locals? You've destroyed their crops, shattered their infrastructure...” A few lords from Duchy Emroy started to nod at this glumly.
“And don't forget, their lords that survive will go underground. Many will resent being occupied. They'll fight a guerrilla war. No tavern or roadway will be safe... Any time a citizen, soldier, or lord is alone he's vulnerable to attack. Both there and even here in your own lands,” Waters warned. “Seen it, like I said.”
“Some will bring the war here, sending assassins to attack your families in retaliation. They'll send saboteurs to burn your lands and factories. To hurt you and your people, as you hurt them.”
A few looked a little concerned about that. “We're going to have a hard enough time in Duluth you know. Even with their own lords in charge it'll take a generation to get things sorted out. It's better to not bite off more than you can chew,” Perry snorted.
“That is... something to consider,” Lord Pettigrew finally said nodding.
“You do realize it's going to take ten or twenty years before the things we're giving you really get out there. If you attack your neighbors you won’t have the money to use for those changes... And the land you occupy will need more and more soldiers to defend your interests... not to mention money for their own improvements,” Ryans said. “Men and women you will need here to man the factories and the farms to support your own people and the soldiers as well.”
Lieutenant Galloway nodded. "Right and while you’re picking off one neighbor and digesting it the others will get upset. Some of the conquered people may find their way to them with stories... Possibly even captured samples of weapons or gunpowder. Given enough time they'll make their own... Or send spie
s to get the information... or assassinate anyone who's behind the wars.”
The general looked pale. He harrumphed.
“That will create an arms race. Some of your neighbors may fold and surrender when threatened. Others though may band together with their neighbors forming even mightier armies. Your army can only be in one place at a time, can you defend everywhere in strength?” Ryans asked. “Ask Duke Emroy and the lords with him how well that worked with the wall. If one army gets in, even without the new weapons they could wreak untold havoc. And again, if, that didn't happen and you did beat them, it could turn into a mess when they're occupied. You only have so many soldiers after all...”
“That's true,” a lord said nodding. He looked around for support. Several of the lords and ladies were reluctantly nodding.
“But we speak in conjecture. We're scaring ourselves out of the riches that we could gain!” a young lord exclaimed. “We could do this,” he said almost desperately, looking around.
“Maybe, the question you have to ask is, should you?” Perry asked.
“Of course,” Duke Rojer said with a sniff. “It's the honorable thing. To bring the savages to civilization, that's the honorable thing.”
“If you’re going to bring up honor... what about breaking your word of honor with us?” Perry asked, beating Ryans to the same question. The Duke's eyes glittered. Ryans was now certain as to who was really behind this and why.
“You would also insult my honor," Sue said quietly in the sullen silence. Duke Rojer gave her a disdainful look. "I'm a doctor...a healer; the best there is on this world, the best you're ever going to get.” She gave him a dirty look.
“I came here to help others, not to watch you kill them. I'll have no part of it." She shook her head. “If you break your solemn word to us then you are the savages without honor. Think about that,” she said eying him.
“And what will you do? It's not like you can stop us," a young lord said snidely from down the table. Heads turned in his direction.
“Simple, we leave,” Ryans said giving them all a look. “And we take everything we have with us.” He glanced at the others who nodded. He caught the gleam of satisfaction in Rojer's eyes. He realized suddenly that he'd been set up.
A few of the lords looked amused. A few others looked appalled. “No one has ever gone back through the vortex,” a lady said fluttering a fan and looking slightly triumphant.
“Then again, we could always go to another country if we can't get back through the vortex. Start over there,” Perry said toying with a knife. Someone down the table hissed as that hit them. He smiled. It wasn't a pleasant smile.
“I think you'd find that hard to do," a lord said darkly.
“No, no I don't,” Waters said smiling grimly. The lord put his hand on his belt knife. “I wouldn't son,” Waters said very softly. He took out his Berretta and set it on the table in front of him. The lord froze at that.
“If I die you're going with me,” Waters said eyes cold and dark. The lord looked to a nearby guard.
The Queen cleared her throat. “There will be no violence to the gaijin. On my honor and the honor of the Imperium. They have full immunity to do and go where they will,” she said. She eyed the lord. “That means they have the right to do as they please including killing you if it pleases them.”
“And you agreed to this?” a lord asked surprised and dismayed.
“Of course. It was a part of the price we had to pay for their cooperation,” the Queen replied. “Our Imperium was imperiled after all. You yourself signed the agreement.”
“Ah,” the lord nodded. “And not going to war is another?" he asked. He clearly hadn't read the document or understood it Ryans thought. Then again he could be one of Duke Emroy's lesser lords.
The Queen nodded. “Of course. The House of Lords can look over the treaty again at their leisure. I believe we've copies. After all, with the exception of Duke Emroy and those lords embattled by the siege, each of the high lords signed it,” she smiled grimly as that shot went home. “Duke Sung just sent back his signed copy as well. All have signed it,” she said. “Even the lords of the Duluth,” she said, watching as they stared at her. “Including you, dear brother in law,” she turned a wintry smile on Duke Rojer.
“I do believe I am excessively wearied by all these high spirits. I think we should get some air,” she said getting up. The Terrans instantly got up. The lords were slow to follow. “Coming?” the Queen asked, hand on Ryans' arm. Deidra had her arm on his other arm. Zara had Perry by the arm. Galloway bowed to his dinner companion and then followed the Sergeant and Sue as they left the table. Together they walked out.
<==={}------------>
“That didn't go well,” the Queen murmured to them quietly as they walked through the halls.
“Ya think?” Waters grumbled. He looked away as she gave him a shut up look. “Sorry ma'am,” he mumbled.
“Quite right. You should be. You do need to keep a rein on your temper,” the Queen remarked. Her lips pursed.
“Yeah,” Perry sighed. “I've done better, sorry your majesty.”
“That was some funky fruit punch,” Waters said tottering a little.
Perry nodded. “Yup, I know we needed to unwind, but I think we're three sheets to the wind and lost it in there. At least you have that excuse. Shit.” He sighed shaking his head. “We were set up.”
“He baited us. Rojer. He set us all up. He set that entire thing up to drive a wedge between us,” Ryans said looking at the Queen. She nodded looking away. He glanced at Perry and Galloway. Both looked thoughtful and then grimaced.
“You're right. Damn. I didn't see it,” Galloway growled, “sneaky.”
“You’re not used to dealing with politicians face to face,” Waters growled.
“Well, what's done is done,” Ryans replied. “Get some water and aspirin, all of you. And check the troops,” he ordered. He shut off his blue tooth for a moment and leaned over to them. “Go to standby Omega protocols just in case someone decides to kick things over,” he ordered.
“Right,” Waters said nodding. His body flushed with adrenalin. The alcohol was still in his system but now he was more alert.
“Omega protocols?” Deidra asked. He gave her a look then walked off.
“Just some precautions like doubling the guard,” Perry said dragging Sue off in a different direction.
<==={}------------>
“Well! That went very well! Very well indeed!” Serena said, grinning. Her husband chuckled. “Though I'm concerned about the gaijin's threats. Could they do something as drastic as all that?” she asked pointedly.
He frowned, humor and relief that his little ploy had worked suddenly forgotten. “That I'm unsure of. I believe they've tied themselves to the Queen so much that it will be difficult to untangle.”
“But not impossible,” she murmured.
“No. Which is something to consider before we move again,” Rojer replied thoughtfully.
<==={}------------>
“We're going to have to keep most of the war making materials and machines under wraps,” Ryans said in the meeting the next morning. “Perry and I are switching to Omega one protocols on our data. We're locking that down and other things. All IT devices will be password and biometric security enabled as of this afternoon,” he said firmly. He gave them a cool warning look. “That means you've got till dinner to set it up. Sydney here will double check to make sure it works.”
Sydney looked surprised and then shrugged. He knew better than to argue when the boss man looked as grim and determined as that. “Anyone who forgets will have their ass in a sling, so get it done. It only takes a couple of minutes,” Ryans growled, shaking his head.
“What the hell happened?” Wanda asked, eyes wide.
Sue grimaced. “Warmongers in the cabinet, that's what, the lords want to use us to go play conquistador.” Quietly they took turns relating the story, including being set up by Rojer.
“Oh hel
l no,” Wanda sighed, head bowed. “Fuck no,” she said in pain, shaking her head back and forth vehemently as she clutched at it.
“Yeah, my sentiments exactly,” Sue said. Others nodded.
“It's not going to happen,” Ryans said determined to end it before it began. He then touched his phone to open all channels. Not everyone was there of course. “All personnel, this is Six. I want an inventory done by 1800 as well. Focus on IT, weapons, and vehicles. We can't put the genie back in the bottle but we can damn well keep more of it from getting out if we have to. Let’s hope we don't have to.”
Perry grimaced. “We're going to go into the buddy system like we did when we first got here. Don't screw it up. Keep your eyes and your ears open for trouble, but don't jump at shadows,” he warned. “Locked doors, keep everything of value under lock and key. Prop a chair under your door at night or sleep in the camper. Guard on all vehicles and equipment. We're going to have a hell of a time if this gets any uglier,” he said. The others nodded, cold sober.
Chapter 24
“What is going on?” The centurion who acted as the senior aide to the general asked, looking at the men. All were gaijin; all were taking notes of the armory inventory.
“Oh just doing inventory,” Edsfield said looking over the crates. He was checking the serial numbers Max had thoughtfully incorporated in every crate, weapon, and round. It had helped them get rid of a bad batch when they first started production.
“Oh?” the centurion asked suddenly uncertain.
Edsfield shrugged. He was famous now because of his shot. “Yup. You know how it is with the brass. Gotta get the paperwork done, the boss wants it ASAP.”
“Oh. Carry on then,” the centurion said walking off, confused.
“Anything?” Lewis asked.
“Nope. We've got everything that's ours and we've got a hard count on what's left. Time to move on,” Edsfield said. “The rockets?”
“Disabled,” Patterson replied. Edsfield nodded. “Wouldn't want them blowing up after all,” she said mockingly. He snorted.