Warpath

by Randolph Lalonde

  “More who would pay to have me killed,” Tate said. He immediately regretted revealing that fact. The silence that followed made him wonder how interesting it really was to Wheeler, who was quietly looking through the window.

  The shuttle set down gently on a platform ringed with Order Knights bearing rifles, standing perfectly still. A woman in white and green robes greeted them as the door slid open. “Lucius Wheeler, Governor Tate. You are welcome,” she said with a bow. “None others are allowed inside.”

  The top of the building Eve had taken as her own while she spent time in the solar system was one of the worst designed the Governor had ever seen. Then again, that was counter to popular opinion. The main portion of the building below was an octagonal stalk that stretched for sixty-three stories, and the top was shaped like a giant onion. Round, white, and with windows that were typically long and tall, the thing was ridiculous. There were perhaps a hundred people in the solar system that could afford a night in the penthouse, and Governor Tate got the sinking feeling that Eve may have kicked out someone who could make life difficult for him later.

  Wheeler practically marched for the doorway, his hair flicking in the wind as he traversed the platform. The guards parted, and the doors opened. “I did not expect to see you,” Eve said, taking his hand for a moment then letting it go.

  “I’m surprised you weren’t told I’d be around by your new Citadel friends. They’re interesting people, right?” Wheeler said with a smile.

  “They are a driven people,” Eve said, turning to the Governor. “Thank you for indulging me, Governor. I am humbled by your system’s hospitality.”

  The room was circular, with plush furniture and stylized, elongated white sculptures of dogs and birds in alcoves along the walls between doorways leading deeper into the penthouse suite. The lights were low, and the white walls were shaded in red thanks to a hologram that dominated the centre of the room. A planet turned slowly, burning in hues of red and yellow.

  Eve motioned for them to sit down in the circular sofas in the middle of the room, and the trio equal distances from each other. “I can’t spend too much time with you, I’m afraid. There is a party scheduled for me later this evening where I’m going to meet some of the main social figures. Sometimes greeting the few at the gates can bring greater masses, I must attend.”

  Wheeler was staring at the hologram, his brow furrowed. Governor Tate decided to ignore him and the monstrosity above. “I’m sure duty calls,” he said, doing his best to be pleasant. “I have been putting out fires all day with companies who are low on workers. Your shuttles are picking people up at their homes every night. Your representatives are going to housing complexes and inviting people away from their jobs, from their lives.”

  “I’m here to improve life, and to build the Order’s numbers in this sector. The defence is only getting harder. Building a new society takes more labour and management than droids can be trusted with,” Eve said. “I have a number in mind, and when we’ve shown that many to the gates, I’ll move on.”

  “That Gate business, that’s new,” Governor Tate said, looking for a rational edge to the conversation.

  “I’ve made some refinements over the last few months. The Order of Eden didn’t have enough ceremony, enough pageantry to be satisfying to people. We’ve grown past the cash cult that Hampon started. We still take ownership of most of our initiate’s property eventually, but they trade it willingly for help in elevating themselves, so there is value, there is a trade, and ceremonies mark real progress.”

  Governor Tate looked to Wheeler, who actually looked a little angry as he gazed up at the hologram, and settled on the notion that the strange man would be no help. “I’m still facing worker shortfalls, and hearing nothing but bad news from some very powerful people. People who deliver on threats, make entire industrial sectors tremble.”

  “I’m sorry, perhaps you could repurpose non-essential robotics to fill the gaps?” Eve said, her pleasant manner fading. “This suite comes with eleven servant bots, I’m sure whoever stays here next could get along fine with two or three?”

  “I thought the Order and Regent Galactic were partners.”

  “You and the corporation you own a small piece of are contractors,” Eve said. “And I’m afraid there’s no clause that can make your employees feel unsafe in joining the Order. We know we’ll protect them, that there’s nothing you or your partners can do. You make them miserable, so I’ll make them whole. Don’t worry, once I’ve recruited twenty eight million, we’ll move on. Of course it could go higher, training could take time, and we may have to put some facilities on the ground just in case some of our new initiates are slower than others.”

  “That is it,” Wheeler said, a note of realization in his voice, not outrage. “That’s Kambis, I can see her moons.”

  “Yes. Citadel and I decided we had to make examples of the terrorists in the Rega Gain system. I wanted them to burn Tamber, but they resisted, something about the size of the spectacle being more effective and Tamber being too well defended. I think it sets the appropriate example. It’s quite pretty too, an improvement on the half terraformed world that it once was.”

  Wheeler stood up and paced a few steps. “How is it that you’re just as messed up as the last person who last used that body?” he asked, running his hands through his hair, snapping strands as he encountered knots. Then he spoke with increasing ferocity and volume. “Oh yeah, you probably don’t know much about her, Gloria Parker, my old First Mate. They scooped her brains out to get yours in there, but they must have left a dollop of crazy behind, because that’s a planet you just scorched!” He turned on Governor Tate then, whipping a pointed finger in his direction. “I told you I would deliver Rega Gain, all I wanted was Tamber, you and the Order could have the rest.”

  “You didn’t tell me,” Eve said coolly. “He didn’t tell me either.”

  “You didn’t give anyone a chance!” Wheeler said in a burst. “You came across the nebula and sent ships to set fire to worlds! Citadel is a monster, and you’re slipping into bed with them! Does Clark know you’re making deals with the worst gang in the galaxy?” He turned to the Governor who was enjoying the show. It was good to see Wheeler put in his place. “Tate, you have no idea what she’s brought here. These people could take control of the Order, just yank the reigns away from her in a week, maybe they’ve already started. I got into their database, just the one they let their kids and special visitors see, but I saw enough. It took Sol Defence sixty-three years to kick them out, and they’re still paranoid that some Citadel spies are still around! This,” Wheeler said, pointing at the rotating hologram of Kambis on fire. “This is them! This is what they do for shits and giggles when they think someone is stepping too far out of line, the only difference is that they can reveal themselves now that they have Eve under control.”

  Eight Order Knights entered the room, and Wheeler laughed. He looked at the Governor then. “Good luck, really,” he told him. “Do everything she says, give her everything she wants, then I might see you someday.” He disappeared completely, and Governor Tate was left alone with Eve and her eight armoured Knights.

  “That man is nothing but bad luck,” Eve said.

  “So I’ve noticed,” Governor Tate said. “I’ll take my leave, if you don’t mind. I think I have some security concerns to address.”

  “I understand,” Eve said. “Do we have an understanding regarding my recruitment needs?”

  Governor Tate stopped, half risen from the sofa and tried to answer as naturally as possible. “I only ask that you give me some warning, so I can try to placate my partners with indentured workers, or robots, as you recommended.”

  “I think that is only fair,” Eve said.

  Governor Tate made his way to the shuttle as quickly as he could without running. Once he was inside he let his frustrations out by bashing the seat in front of him hard enough to feel the solid frame beneath the padding. He was alone again, he didn
’t care so much before, but somehow having Wheeler around made him feel like he was going to somehow roll back the clock, become a more vital man again. An interesting man who wasn’t sneered at by most, and envied by the rest. He saw the same possibility for his entire solar system with Wheeler around, and the people in it. He silently vowed to improve life for the people he owned once the Order was gone and the economy was in balance. He would not be forever known as the Governor who used an entire solar system for his own gain. There had to be a better legacy for him, with or without Wheeler.

  Chapter 25

  A Visitor In The Night

  Governor Tate woke from a deep sleep. He could swear he was dreaming of his childhood, his time with his family at the lakeside in Dol-Ne, when he was still innocent and the order of the day was play.

  He had his arms around a new companion robot he’d ordered that evening. It was a mild consolation, made sweeter because it looked so much like Eve. There was something about using that image that made it easier for him to quiet his mind before falling asleep.

  The artificial companion’s warmth felt real, the sounds and motions of her breathing were perfect. Normally high quality a companion provided such comfort that he slept through the night. He started looking around the room and was startled by the weight of someone sitting on the bed. “Don’t panic, Ansel, or should I call you Governor? No one has called you by your first name in a long time, have they?” a soothing voice asked him. He couldn’t quite figure out if it was male or female. “That restoration system they replaced your appendix with is really good, it’s going to take a minute or so for you to fade.”

  Governor Tate tried to fumble his way out of bed but found that he couldn’t move. “What’s going on? What have you done?”

  “I’ve killed you,” said the figure sitting at the foot of his bed. “You can’t feel it, but your organs are shutting down. I’m just keeping you company so you don’t have to die alone beside that thing. The rest of my trio thought it was fitting, but I guess I have a little more sympathy for you. You’re a living being, even if not for much longer.”

  “Why?” was all Governor Tate could think to say. His vision was getting blurry. “Help me!” he tried to shout, not at his assassin, but to anyone, even the useless bot who feigned sleep at his side. It came out as a whisper. He was having trouble breathing.

  “We’re replacing you with someone who is going to look just like you, but they’re going to work for Citadel. Wheeler gave you up the instant we cornered him, provided all the information we needed to infiltrate your home and a great record of your private life to save his own. We’ll have no problem inserting an imposter. In fact, I guarantee that, after you die of that poison in about nine seconds, he’ll enjoy your life more than you ever did. We’ll even get that approval rating up, maybe put some low cost life improvement measures in place so your legacy is a good one. Don’t worry, we’ll do a better job of running things, you’ll look pretty good in the end.”

  Governor Tate tried to breathe, but his body remained still. The world was fading, and all he could think of was how much he wanted Eve and especially Wheeler dead.

  Chapter 26

  A Choice Between Friends

  Finn was in full armour. He still wasn’t used to the bulkier, heavier suit. The practice of putting technicians and engineers in full armour was proven many times over though, so he wouldn’t argue with it. He interrupted Remmy mid-yawn with his thought. “Did you see what David did yesterday?” he asked.

  “Yeah, saw it in the mission report. Took me three hours to go through the mandatory sections, but I couldn’t stop watching,” he said. “I’m sorry you lost your engineering team.”

  Finn said; “thank you,” then tried to change the topic as quickly as possible. “I knocked myself out using the recommended sleeping dose last night, but I still feel like I didn’t sleep a wink.”

  “Stress,” Remmy said, suppressing another yawn. “Followed by waiting.” He gestured at the busy launch bay aboard the Blessed Mission. They were waiting in the rear section, where ships were moving on and off with regularity as interior repairs were getting underway. Every uniform they could think of was on display as they carried kits and supplies aboard. Crews from the Triton, British Alliance, Haven Shore and the Rangers were boarding, all dedicated to getting the Blessed Mission into shape as quickly as possible.

  A shuttle from Haven Shore dropped its hatch open and a wave of skitters, too many for Finn to count, surged forth. A tall, older man in a loose Haven Shore construction uniform followed them out. “Remember, you’re just pulling unsalvageable systems, no building, no improving, and absolutely no improvising!” he shouted after them.

  “Lee!” Remmy called out to him. “How’d they get you off the ground?”

  “Wait at the lift!” he barked at the skitters before turning towards Remmy and approaching with a surprised smile. “I haven’t seen you in two months, how’s it going?” he said, extending a long hand.

  “Ups and downs, lost the Warlord, lost Kambis,” Remmy replied casually. “But I found a collection of ancient animated shows last week, so I’m pretending it all balances out. This is Lieutenant Billy Finn. Engineering branch of,” Remmy hesitated, looking at the Warlord marking on his armour.

  The tall Foreman didn’t wait for the rest of the introduction, but extended his hand. “I’m Lee Romita, one of the Senior Foremen on Haven Shore. Well, guess I’m a general builder now, just got an enlistment invitation from the Triton and the first place the commander sends me is here. Nice that it was an invitation and not a draft, but if they knew my wife, they’d know she would force me to go, if I didn’t want to go already.”

  Finn shook his hand and nodded. “That’s Triton Fleet. Not enough highly skilled people to go around. How is Haven Shore?”

  “Well, people are talking about what happened to Kambis. A lot of people are thinking of leaving, but no one’s sure they would be much safer in any other solar system. Besides, most of the well armed ships have joined Triton Fleet, so chartering a lift out of this solar system is expensive. Doesn’t much matter to me anymore though, the family and I are going to be aboard the Triton, I think. One of the Fleet ships, anyway. When I enlisted this morning, everyone else signed up. I’ll never forget the fireworks when Kambis went up in flames, anyone who does that is worth fighting. Felt like the world was ending last night, but they say Tamber’s atmosphere’s so thick that there’s not going to be any noticeable difference with Kambis burning. Your military bases down there are all back online, in case word hasn’t reached you.”

  “I heard,” Finn said. “Do think we’re going to have more supply problems with the trade from Kambis gone?” he asked.

  “I think so, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the supply barge that’s docked along the starboard side. I’d say the British Alliance are putting their backs into getting this bird back together,” Lee said.

  “Yeah, you hear anything about what they expect in trade?” Remmy asked.

  “Sure, it was in this morning’s briefing when I went up to the Triton. New Admiral in charge and Governor Anderson has given them a little chunk of land for them to build a military base on Tamber. I’m sure we’re getting more than supplies and people to fix that ship in trade for the land, but I’d say this is a good start to an alliance we can all see working. Big trading going on last night, I hear your Captain Valent and Ayan have been making deals too. I’m guessing we’ll see more cooperation, now that the Order has made an impression that we won’t soon forget. They say fires will burn on Kambis for a hundred years. Makes me wonder what chemicals they had in storage on that planet.”

  “Guess we’ll never know,” Remmy said.

  “Unless we test the air, I’d imagine the atmosphere’s pretty thin there now though,” Finn added.

  “That’s just the thing,” Lee said. “It’s going to build up and thicken again with the ash and smoke. That planet will probably look black from orbit in a week
.”

  “I should have thought of that,” Finn said. “Must be tired.”

  “Don’t talk about tired,” Remmy said, fighting a yawn. “You’ll keep me tired, and we’ll yawn all morning.”

  “So, what are you two doing here, waiting for a ride?” Lee asked with a chuckle.

  “A shuttle from the Triton’s picking us up,” Remmy replied. “Has a comms expert and a commander who is going to take us to the Fallen Star. It took a heavy hit during the fighting, most everyone was killed, including Doctor Messana and all but one of her technicians. There’s an old vault they need us to get into. Last night something inside activated and killed the entire crew with some kind of radiation blast.”

  “What? I didn’t hear about that,” Lee said. “That’s terrible.”

  “I know,” Remmy said. “I’m going because I’ve been through that ship before. They say there’s no harmful radiation left, but we’ll be sealed up, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “I volunteered,” Finn said, fighting a yawn. “But now I don’t know why. I could have stayed here and been just as useful.”

  “You’re off shift, Lieutenant’s orders,” Remmy said. “If the engineer we’re meeting on the shuttle is any good, we won’t need you. You could go get some rack time.”

  “As soon as my head touches the pillow I’ll be wide awake, I’ll bet any amount of leisure cred I wouldn’t get any sleep and I’d be bored out of my mind,” Finn replied.

  “I know that feeling,” Lee said. “Well, good catching up, but I have to be going, otherwise my new team here is going to get started without me.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder, where the crowd of skitters were waiting in a stacked box formation. Some of the little round domed, multi-legged droids were flashing red and quietly whooping at not being given permission to go through the ship’s interior door. Lee started walking towards them, some of the whoops got louder at the sight of him approaching. “Oh, hold on.”