“Nazi bastards!” Chava screamed while she struggled against the guards who picked her up to move her into isolation. “Monsters! I'll kill you! I hope the Forgotten Guns put a bullet in Hitler's skull! We will never stop hunting you! I'll hunt you just like you did to my family!”
Karim rubbed his forehead as they dragged Chava away. “We can't possibly keep track of every group that hates each other! Thank Aion the Sybil precogged this. You okay Hanns?”
Hanns nodded. “What was that about? She seemed so nice at first.”
Karim looked back to Chava. “She is from your continuum’s future, part of Israel's time travel project before it went rogue. They tried to use a time machine to assassinate several war criminals and dictators in your continuum.”
Hanns frowned as he thought. War criminals? He wasn't a war criminal. Still it worried him. He couldn't imagine what he or Emmerich did that warranted that kind of hatred.
∞
Hanns was finally alone. They had let him go off on his own to help fix singularity devices on level three. He used the opportunity to contact his base. It was time he updated them. He stepped into a darkened corridor and took out the peppercorn sized time travel device he had attached to the back of his teeth. The one they had not found in their search of his belongings. The one they had mistaken for a simple filling. It glowed when he pressed the sides.
“Hello?” came Lenz's voice over the small device. It didn't use a speaker, but carried sound waves across time.
“What is the key to victory?” Hanns asked.
There was a pause. “Objectivity.”
Hanns smiled at his own codeword. Lenz was alone. “I have an update for you.”
“Thank God,” Lenz said. “We wondered if they had executed you and Emmerich.”
“I have my target now and a way to escape. I will send you specifics soon. I need you to go ahead and get the boarding party ready for the next month. Detailed instructions on their objectives will soon follow.”
“Understood,” Lenz said before hesitating. “Are you sure about the weapons?”
“The weapons are the thing I am most sure about. These Aeon Legion soldiers are arrogant. They haven't faced a challenge from a foe like us in some time. My guess is they will adapt quickly, but by that point we will be gone with our objective. How are things on your end?”
“Several SS officers are now fighting over control of the project along with both the Heer and Luftwaffe. In fact, this is good because no one is in command at the moment.”
Hanns nodded. “That's good. What about the war?”
“The war is still in our favor. Right now we are preparing an air campaign against England. Only a fool could lose the war for us right now.”
Hanns hesitated for a moment. “Good work, Lenz. I will talk to you again soon. Go ahead and move things forward.”
“Yes sir,” Lenz replied.
Hanns pressed the device again. It went dark. He put it back in his mouth before turning. A figure stood in front of him obscured in shadow. Hanns started as he reflexively reached for a pistol he didn't have.
The figure stepped out of the shadows and faced Hanns. He was a blond youth in his early twenties about Hanns's height and slender in build with olive skin. A white mask covered the top of his forehead to his nose while he wore tight fitting clothing that changed colors to match the surroundings. Hanns's gaze shifted to a pair of aeon edged daggers that hung on the youth's belt.
“My Master wishes to speak with you,” the youth said in a formal tone.
Hanns expression remained wary while the youth extended his arm forward and touched his shieldwatch's holoface. The youth's holoface was a dull gray color rather than the usual blue. A holographic projection of another figure, tinted in grainy gray, sat on a throne. The projection faded just below the man's face though Hanns could see a shieldwatch on his left hand. Once the projection was before Hanns, the youth stepped back into the shadows.
“Greetings, Hanns Speer,” the man said from his throne. The projection slightly distorted his voice. “I would properly introduce myself, but I am afraid I must remain anonymous for now.”
Hanns's eyes narrowed before clasping his hands behind his back and facing the projection. “You have me at a disadvantage. Are you working with the warden?”
The man chuckled. “Certainly not. I am not so lowly as to be affiliated with the city government or the Aeon Legion. I serve no master. I just happen to have a singularity artifact that can detect cross time transmissions such as the one you just made. I also have access to the warden's records and notes, many of which keep mentioning a model prisoner who is helping them with their own singularity artifacts. Interesting that their model prisoner is plotting something.”
Hanns lifted his chin. “You want something.”
“We all want something, Hanns. What separates us from the rest of the stagnant hedonists and fools is just the scale of our desires. I don't know what you are after, but it must be something impressive, considering the lengths you are going to. I find ambition a noble quality. You must have a lofty goal if you have come this far to infiltrate the city. Well I have ambition too, but you and I need is opportunity.”
The man on the throne gestured to the masked youth. He stepped forward, drawing an item from a back pocket and presenting it to Hanns.
Hanns stared at the item with suspicion. “What is it?”
The man on the throne gestured to the item. “A final key to your plan, Hanns.”
The youth removed the covering to reveal a shieldwatch.
Hanns's eyes narrowed on the item as he took it with reluctance. He did not wish to take a Trojan horse himself. “One of the time devices?”
The man on the throne smiled. “Yes. It's linked to my singularity AI and it can remotely override Minerva's control of Tartarus for a short time. Don't worry. It's shielded. The prison's sensors can't detect it so long as you hide it from the eyes of the guards. It also contains a vast hard drive for data storage in case you need to take any information from the city.”
Hanns looked at the man on the throne, confused. “You wish to take control of Tartarus?”
“Oh Aion no. I wish to take something from it, but I need it separated from Saturn City first and you need to evade the Sybil's precognition.”
Hanns frowned while remaining thoughtful. The Sybil were a problem. He had learned a little about them, but that was another hole in his plan. He pointed to the masked youth. “Then why not send your assistant here? He seems skilled at breaking in.”
“Oh he is skilled,” the man said, knitting his hands together under his chin. “But the eleventh level is far too secure for him to break into and recover what is rightfully mine. And if the guards have proper warning then reinforcements from the Legion would prevent him from escaping. You though have access to nearly any level now thanks to your efforts to charm the prison staff. Now I see an opportunity for both of us and we can succeed if we work together.”
Chapter XXII
Challenges
With the Survival Test over we once again shift priorities. Strike team leaders must now rebuild their teams after so many tirones dusted. We take this opportunity to force teams to accept members that would unbalance their dynamic. Potential candidates include clashing personalities or others who were enemies in their home times; Saracens and Crusaders, Spartans and Persians, Romans and Gauls. On the second week we allow team leaders to trade in order to test their resourcefulness. Now we test their dedication by salting old wounds. All must put aside feuds from their pasts and work together. Each must be an Aeon Legionnaire first.
-From the personal logs of Praetor Lycus Cerberus
Terra fell off the horse again.
Zaid trotted on his horse closer to Terra. “Did they not have horses in your time?”
Terra groaned as she stood. “Horses are more of a hobby in my time. Most people have different ways of travel.”
Nikias sighed, shaking his head. “Tha
t's enough. Tiro Mason, you need to practice this part on your own. Now for the harder test.”
Zaid and Hikari climbed down from their horses before the optios led the animals away. Nikias had told them that learning to ride a horse was a useful skill since, in a lot of points in history, travel by horse was common. They had learned other historical skills. Yesterday she had used all manner of guns at a firing range. The day before they had practiced with bow and arrow.
Nikias touched his shieldwatch's holoface which changed the salient into a dusty mud cracked obstacle course. At first, Terra thought it was time for more exercise, but paused when she saw the line of parked automobiles. She couldn't help but laugh after recognizing the model.
Zaid and Hikari turned to Terra, brows raised.
Terra shook her head while wondering if the designer of this course was a fan of American cinema.
Hikari stared at the automobiles. “Is it a carriage or cart?”
Nikias pointed to the cars. “We will show you the basics of driving. Who wishes to try first?”
Terra smiled and stepped forward. “I can drive.”
Nikias gestured to the cars. Terra walked over and opened the door which lifted upwards rather than opening to the side. She sat in the driver's seat, turned on the engine, and drove around the course. Terra finished the course and parked in front of her strike team or at least what remained of it after the Survival test.
Hikari frowned and glared at Terra. “How did you do that?”
Terra shrugged. “Almost everyone learns to drive where I'm from.”
“Good, Tiro Mason,” Nikias said. The centurions had started memorizing everyone's names. “I mean that was terrible! You should quit,” Nikias added in a halfhearted tone. All the centurions still tried to discourage the tirones, though Terra knew this wasn't personal, but another part of the training.
Nikias touched the glass face of his shieldwatch. “I'll give you one point for driving safely and two for completing the course. Next time, try to make it through the course in under a minute.”
Zaid was next, moving into the driver's seat. He stared at all the controls and steering wheel for a long moment before getting out. “I think will need a few hours in the strategy study first.”
Hikari shoved Zaid aside as she jumped into the driver's seat. She flipped through the various controls until she found the key. When she turned it the engine roared to life and Terra could swear a slight smile touched Hikari's lips.
Nikias took a step forward. “Excellent, Tiro Hikari. Now slowly tr–”
Hikari found the gas pedal. Tires squealed as the vehicle shot forward.
Nikias raised an eyebrow. “You think she knows how to use the break pedal?”
Terra shrugged. “If she did, do you think she would use it?”
Hikari sped through the course, taking out a few rails, but made it through the course without the car being too damaged. She opened the door and glared at Terra as if daring her to do better.
Nikias nodded. “That's one point for time, Tiro Hikari. If you had not wreaked half the course, then that would have been four points.”
Terra faced Hikari before turning to Nikias. “I want another try.”
An optio approached, interrupting Terra's next attempt at the course.
“Centurion,” he said, saluting. “Replacement for this strike team.”
Nikias nodded. They were past due for a replacement. A few days had passed since the survival test. Only Zaid, Hikari, and herself remained.
Zaid stepped forward. “Replacement? I assumed I would trade for new members?” He no longer wore his helmet or chain mail, having replaced it with the Legion's armor. He still held a scimitar at his side, though as a secondary weapon to his aeon edge.
Nikias shook his head. “No, Trio Zaid. Trading is only allowed during the early phases. After week five, only centurions may authorize team member exchanges.”
The optio gestured to another tiro who stepped forward into the dry mud cracked course. Terra instantly recognized the relaxed posture and confident smirk. She wondered if the instructors had chosen him just to annoy her.
Roland approached, eying the three team members. An aeon edge hung at his belt and much of his old armor was gone, now replaced with new legion equipment. The white tunic with red cross still covered his torso. He frowned when he saw Terra, but scowled when he laid eyes on Zaid, something Terra had never seen Roland do. He turned to Centurion Nikias. “You didn't tell me there would be a Turk.”
Nikias raised an eyebrow. “A what? Never mind. If you have a problem, tiro, then endure it or fix it. We sometimes have to work with people we don't like.”
The optio raised an eyebrow. “Is that why you tried to strangle that Persian?”
Nikias laughed. “Yeah that was hilarious... I mean that was different. He was out of line.”
The optio shook his head and turned to Zaid. “Strike team leaders will have new tirones assigned to them. You are more than welcome to complain to Praetor Lycus. However, I would sooner marry a Faceless than expect Praetor Lycus to give you what you want.”
Zaid's jaw clinched as he glared at Roland. “Name?”
Roland stiffened. “Roland Delmare.”
Zaid nodded, his posture still tense. “A Frankish name?”
Roland smiled, trying to appear disarming. “I was a simple keep guard before this. Nothing of particular note.”
Terra looked from Roland to Zaid, wondering if Zaid caught the lie.
Zaid's own gaze narrowed. “You are lying.”
Roland's smile vanished.
Terra's smile appeared.
Zaid crossed his arms and stared at Roland. “I recognize that garb. Are you a knight?”
Terra turned to Zaid. “He is.”
Zaid looked at Terra. “You know him?”
Terra nodded. “Yes. I am pretty sure he is a knight. I have seen his swordsmanship skills. He's good. He is a liar though and a cheater too.”
Zaid turned back to Roland. “Typical of a Frankish barbarian. I will try not to make assumptions, but remember that I am watching,” he said before turning to speak with Nikias.
Hikari looked at Roland. “What is a Knight?”
Roland shrugged. “A fancy word for a soldier.”
“So you are a brute then.”
“I didn't say I was a brute.”
Hikari shrugged. “A soldier is a fancy word for brute,” she said before walking back to the course.
“She must be from a rude culture,” Roland said before turning to Terra. “Well are you going to chastise me as well?”
Terra continued to smile. “Nope. Seeing your ego deflate almost made the torture worth it.”
∞
After shooting practice and afternoon exercises, Nikias canceled Zaid's team practice for a simulated mission. Zaid almost protested, but then hesitated at the futility of it. Nikias led them to a large salient before he transformed it into a busy market square. People in colorful attire walked in the large crowded square. In the center of the square was an odd bright white item that floated in a fountain, appearing out of place compared to the ancient looking market.
Nikias pointed at the item. “Time tourists leave junk like that in times where it doesn't belong. These don't usually cause problems, but the Legion cleans them up to be safe. Your mission is to retrieve the item without being noticed.”
Zaid regarded the crowded street with narrowed eyes that searched for ambushes or traps.
Nikias looked at his shieldwatch. “You have one hour.”
Zaid gave a few hand signals, telling them to move into the salient with caution, but when the natives spotted Terra, the salient vanished. Mission Failed read across their shieldwatch. After they left the salient, it reset to the crowded street.
Hikari stepped forward. Zaid watched her, but said nothing. He had grown use to Hikari's insubordination, but learned when to trust her and when to hold her back.
Hikari jumped into the s
alient and ran across roofs. She stayed carefully out of the sight of the natives. She stopped near the center. She tried to make the final approach, but each time at least one person in the crowd spotted her. When the salient reset, she tried again with the same results.
Between attempts, Nikias stared at his reflection in his shieldwatch's glass face. He then used a Restore. Terra noticed that when the Restore ring passed, Nikias's scar was in a different spot. He then nodded his approval after inspecting his scar as though it were a new hair style.
Well that solves that mystery, Terra thought.
Hikari was about to try a fourth time when Zaid nodded to Terra. Terra then grabbed Hikari's shoulder. “That's enough.”
Hikari moved as though to attack Terra, but then hesitated. Hikari knew attacking Terra only wasted energy and didn't really hurt Terra that much.
Roland stepped forward. “You know I–”
Zaid silenced him with a glare. “Remain silent for now, Frankish barbarian.”
Roland frowned, but offered no challenge.
Nikias glanced to his shieldwatch again before turning to go. “Just let me know if you pass. You have about half an hour left. I'll check on you then.”
Zaid then had Terra distract the crowd with a disturbance on the other side, but Hikari was still spotted. After the next try Zaid paced the edge of the salient in frustration. “Why? They give us weapons, battle scenarios, night missions, and hostage rescues. Then they tell us to put our weapons away pick up trash with stealth?”
Terra watched Zaid pace when someone tapped her shoulder. She turned to find Roland with a rather sheepish expression. “What?”
Roland gestured to the item in the center of the square. “I can get that, but you have to convince the Turk to let me.”
“Zaid,” Terra corrected while crossing her arms.
Roland sighed. “Sir Zaid of the scowling Turks then. Listen. I can get us past this test, but I need someone to vouch for me.”
“Vouch for you? I was the first person to see past your lies. Why should I do anything for you?”
Aeon Legion: Labyrinth Page 28