Something bleeped from Dave´s backpack. He didn´t recognize the sound at first, but then he scrambled to get to it quickly enough. He tore open the backpack and found the black box, green light blinking faintly if he held it just so.
He swiped the surface of the box, and a still image of Mark Novak appeared.
At first, Dave didn’t comprehend the message, as Mark was listing numbers and factors that meant nothing to him. But then he said that someone called Evan Hordvik had taken charge and that plans were being expedited.
"There´s nothing I can do anymore. I´m sorry. It will happen shortly, and I can only hope my stalling has given you enough time. Well, I guess the coming days and weeks will see. This is the final countdown. May God help us all."
Dave stared at the box. The message had been so different. Mark had been so different, so helpless. Dave had never seen him like that. And his words: the final countdown. What on Earth was going on?
"Are we too late?" Tina said, looking at Ramon. The younger man didn´t answer at first. Then he shook his head.
"There´s probably not much we can do about this. It´ll happen, one way or another. Unless…I have an idea. He said in the coming days and weeks, right? Weeks could give a chance," he trailed off. He walked a few steps away and studied his infopad, what Tina had called a tablet. He nodded to himself and came back.
"Okay, I have a plan. Tina, you need to stay here with Dave. I´ll take the shuttle." Tina looked up, obviously alarmed.
"Ramon, don´t you go and do something crazy. Your mother…" Ramon cut her off.
"She´s back on Aurora, and we are here. No, Tina, I won´t do anything crazy. Well, a little. I´m not sure we can stop this. But there is something we can do. I need to go right now. No time to explain. Just trust me, okay?" he said.
Neither Tina nor Dave said anything, so Ramon turned and entered the shuttle. The hatch closed behind him, and the engines started a few minutes after with a low hum that could be felt more than heard. The shuttle rose vertically until it was about fifty meters up. A bluish flame lit up on the rear end of it, and the shuttle sped up and disappeared through the clouds.
Chapter 11
Sue
Sue was having trouble sleeping, as usual. She looked at the watch and winced, 03:00. She refused to take sleep medication, even the safe kind her mother had suggested. No more meds, not if she could help it. Instead, she tossed and turned, and every time her eyelids grew heavy, something like a twig breaking outside or a gust of wind or a fan humming would trigger another memory. They came all the time now, which was difficult to cope with, but also freeing. Sue was, piece by piece, beginning to reconstruct who she really was.
She wasn´t at all what they claimed she was. She didn´t know why, but she had been thrown into jail and transferred to the Wardens. She had a vague memory of Dave, David Wagner, waking her up in the middle of the night, but that was it. She remembered feeling rushed and exhilarated by something he had said. Then, it was the strange memory of being on the Moon again.
It didn´t make sense, but she realized there was a whole set of memories she shouldn´t have, according to the doctors. Were the memories fake or were the doctors lying?
Either way, she would have to go to the doctor tomorrow morning and begin taking the full regimen of drugs again, and she suspected the memories would fade. That was an unfortunate side effect of the medicine that supposedly kept her alive. A sudden impulse made her wonder if it was a side effect or the primary effect.
There was a banging on the door, and she heard her mother mumble something as she went to open it. Jason was probably still asleep—that boy could sleep through anything. She heard the door open, and the howling of the wind drowned out her mother´s words.
The door slammed shut, and Sue heard soft footsteps. She got out of bed and dressed before padding out of her bedroom and into the kitchen.
A woman in typical Moon people clothing, a black and grey two-piece suit, sat with her back to her, speaking in a low voice with her mother. Beth seemed to notice Sue coming and looked up. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was half-open, as if she had been about to say something.
"Sue, I didn´t know," she began. The woman turned around, and Sue saw a face that triggered a flood of memories. A face she had seen once on a screen in Legacy, one that had landed her in prison. The face of a woman who had shown her there was a world outside of the Covenant. A world where no one had to be slaves in order to let others live in luxury. A world in which her father would still be alive. A world where she would be free.
"Colonel Marsden," she began, but the woman cut her off.
"Please, Susan. Just Renee," she said. Sue felt her feet weaken and hurried to grab a chair, all while staring at the woman who had come into their home.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I´ll make some tea," her mother said. No one answered.
"Dave told me to say hi," Renee began, a smile forming. Sue shook her head.
"Dave. I´ve come to understand we escaped together, but…" Renee took her hand.
"Susan, just listen to me for a while. They have taken your memories away from you. I will tell you everything I know. Some of it is my own story, and some I´ve learned from Dave or your friend, Mark."
"Mark Novak," Sue said absently. In her peripheral vision, she noticed her mother turn and let out a squeal. Everyone knew of Mark Novak.
"Listen well. We don´t have much time," Renee said. And Sue listened.
Renee
"Do you remember how we met?" Renee began. Sue nodded slowly.
"I was your prisoner. You ambushed us and took us prisoner. Me and Rory."
"Just the two of you. Your friend was dying. We didn´t have the means to treat him as we would have liked. My brother, Conrad, did what he could for him, but it wasn’t enough."
"They executed him. Like he was disposable," Sue said. Renee cringed. She remembered checking the site after the enemy had left, finding the charred remains of the bandaged body with bullet holes in it.
"They looked like Janissaries," Sue said, "but different."
"Luna Brigade," Renee said. "They use a heavily modified version of the suit and helmet. They have a few types of weapons the Janissaries aren´t issued. Ruthless types and highly specialized. The Luna Brigade is our most feared enemy. Was our most feared enemy," she trailed off. Would she ever adjust to the fact that her homeland was history? She saw Sue nodding. So she had heard of what happened in the North. Most people probably had although few understood what it entailed.
"I´ve been told you were sent to Legacy, and you were imprisoned," she said.
"Yes, I think it had something to do with you. Yes, now I remember. They asked if I believed you told the truth, and I, I couldn´t…" Sue sat staring at nothing. Another memory, Renee thought. How must it feel to have a part of her life taken away only to have it returned piece by piece in no particular order?
"Counselor Novak, Mark, cut a deal and managed to get me sent to the Wardens. That´s where I met Dave. He´d seen something," Sue said. Renee motioned for her to continue, so she did.
"We escaped. He said they were going to kill us both. So we went south into Corpus territory. I think we split up."
"Yes, he told me what happened. Corpus headhunters were chasing you. You were captured, but he managed to escape. He knew there was nothing he could do for you, so he went east before cutting back into the Covenant proper. He lost a foot while attempting to cross the Belt. Got pretty badly banged up, but he managed to get to Charlestown."
"Charlestown? He was here?"
"Yes. I think that must have been while you were down in the Corpus. Or maybe you had already left for Luna by then."
"Wait, I have to get this straight. He was here in Charlestown. What happened?"
"He got help. We have friends here, and your friend, Mark, up in Legacy managed to set up a transport west. An airship brought him across the Rift before it was shot down by a Covenant scramje
t. Dave parachuted out, and after a brief capture by Warden Rangers, our people secured him and brought him into Buchanan."
"Buchanan. I remember that name. Just before the Luna Brigade came, while I was your prisoner."
"When the Moon people invaded the North, a few hundred French escaped through the woods into Buchanan. We´re trying to rebuild our lives there." Renee shook off that thought. "Well, anyway, Dave lives there now. He´s a free man."
"Free," Sue said. "What does that mean?"
"Well, I think it means different things for different people. I imagine having your father still alive would be part of it for you. And your mother soon…"
"And Jason wouldn´t have to stand in the town square, waiting to hear if he´s chosen for Service. No fear of being selected for the Corpus," Sue said.
"Alright, Sue, we can talk about all this later. For now, we need to get you out of here."
"What about Mom and Jason?"
"Dave said you wouldn´t leave without them, so I have a plan. First, we need to do something."
"What do you mean?"
"What meds are you taking, Susan?" Renee asked. Sue thought for a moment.
"Only those the doctor administers. The self-administered drugs are here, some of it. I quit taking them. They gave me headaches. And memory loss, I suspect," she said. Renee nodded.
"Bring whatever you have left. We need them for later. And take me to the doctor´s office. We need to have a serious chat with that quack."
Tina
Tina stood staring after Dave long after he had disappeared into the darkness. What a curious young man. Why did he have this communication device, and why did he receive a message from one of the enemy warning him of an imminent attack? She shook her head.
She took out her tablet, which they apparently called an infopad here, and tapped it.
"Ramon, when are you going to tell me what you´re up to?" she said. The voice that answered was a little distorted, but not like the old comms she was used to from her days flying scramjets.
"To be honest, I don´t know. I´ve contacted Shefania, but the ark isn´t equipped for war."
"Did you really think she would go to war? Ramon, she´s from Sanctuary. To them, humans killing other humans is anathema. In fact, from what she´s told us, for most species, killing their own is like a cardinal sin. Unforgivable."
"I know, I know. But we cannot sit around, watching these slave-holding bastards eradicate the others."
"I get it, Ramon." Tina paused for a moment. It was a shame not to be able to defend the people here against what the slaveholders were doing. A thought began to form in her mind.
"Ramon, is the Ark in orbit?"
"Yes. But Shefania says we should return as soon as possible. The slave-holders have orbital weapons platforms up there that may pose a danger to both the shuttle and the ark, and the longer it stays in orbit, the better the chances are that the ark may emit trace signals that alters the platforms. We cannot lose the ark."
"Is she mad at us for breaking the rules?" Tina grimaced. Of course she was. The non-interference rules were there for a reason, and she and Ramon had broken them willingly.
"I would say furious, but yes. What can you expect? We put the ark at risk. Tina, I´m out of ideas here. She won´t budge, and I´d hate to just turn my back on this. Still, she´s right. We should get out while we can."
"Hold on for a moment, Ramon." Tina inhaled the mountain air deeply. Not as cold as back home on Aurora, but still crisp. She released her breath and relaxed her tense shoulders. She had an idea that wouldn’t budge.
"We broke the rules, Ramon, and we were right to do it." She paused before she spoke again.
"I think we should do it again."
Evan
The room was silent save for Evan´s footsteps. The main assembly of Strategos Command, also called the war room and the auditorium, was huge, and as Evan paced, his footsteps echoed. He stopped and stood in front of a screen that covered an entire wall. The screen depicted a continent. Most people in the Covenant had only seen the eastern part, if they had ever seen a map at all. The men and women gathered here had studied the map in detail for years in preparation for the day they all knew would come. Many had waited for fifty or a hundred years for this day. Generations, although that word held a different meaning for the Moon people than for other peoples, had been waiting and dreaming of this day.
Evan looked at their faces: hardened faces, warriors’ faces. He caught the eye of First Janissary Ivanov, who returned a menacing stare like he was daring him to make a move. Ivanov was an untrustworthy ally, and Evan would have liked not to depend so much upon the sneaky New Moscowite. But he needed him, at least for now.
"Status, subject people forces," Evan said quietly.
A staff-officer from Strategos Command took a step forward.
"Sir, Janissaries are at high alert. Wardens are at high alert. Africa Corps has moved out and will be available within two days." The Africa Corps consisted of the remainder of the forces that had opposed them when the Covenant conquered Africa, 8,000 battle-hardened men and women strengthened by 2,000 new conscripts, who had by now finished two months of training. The Africa Corps would be crossing the Rift once the main enemy force had been taken out and would strike through the Dead Zone all the way to Buchanan. Evan didn´t expect them to leave much behind, but the Dead Zone had to be cleaned out anyhow or the Covenant would never be truly safe. He nodded to the officer, who stepped back.
"Status, special operations," Evan said louder.
Strategos Jenssen, chief of the Luna Brigade, took a step forward.
"Sir. Luna Brigade is ready to deploy. All teams in starting position, sir. Cyber corps is already inside their network. All assets ready to wreak havoc, sir," he said, grinning as he took a step back. Evan grinned back. Jenssen was a reliable man, and if he said they were ready, they were.
"Status, Strategic Assets." Evan turned toward Ivanov instead of looking at Strategos Alexandrov, the officer delivering the status update. Ivanov had a look of anticipation. You really want this war, Evan thought. Evan didn´t want it, but he had long ago realized that it had to happen or the Moon people would live in fear forever. This war would end that once and for all, and only then could they realize their full potential.
"Sir. Missile Command is on high alert, sir. Orbital platforms are all loaded and ready to deploy. Air defenses on high alert, sir." Evan motioned for Alexandrov to return to his place.
"Status, Moon people assets," Evan said. Strategos Janev, his former commander from Camp Sharpe, took a step forward and puffed out his chest. Evan already knew all the answers. War had a logic all of its own, and there was no turning back once the wheels were in motion.
"Sir. Moon people assets are ready. Five battalions are standing by off the southern coast, recently navigated secretly through the Floral Sea from Africa. First airborne battalion is standing by, all airships fueled and ready on the tarmac of Atlantis airport deep inside Corpus territory. First armored infantry brigade and third artillery group are ready in the North. Give the order, and we are ready, sir." Strategos Janev was a talker, and Evan had long ago made it clear he didn´t like the man. He had good people under his command, competent people who would lead while Janev posed.
Evan nodded for him to return to the others.
He needed a moment to think. Could it still be stopped? Evan didn´t care that it would mean the end of his short reign as leader of the Covenant, but he did care that this was a crucial moment. There would never be a moment when they would be more ready. If war was inevitable, he´d rather start it himself when everything was ready and they had the best shot at ending it quickly. The nightmare, nuclear missiles striking at the heart of the Covenant, was all too likely to happen if they didn´t act decisively. They needed to be smart.
"We´re ready to strike," he began, noting the faces in front of him. Some looked eager and feverish, while others understood the danger and looked somber. Some were
sweating, obviously fearful of what was about to happen. Evan waited. If there had been any other option left, he would have taken it. War was an ugly thing. He´d seen it with his own eyes. But he loved his people, and this would free the Moon people of the one weakness that had held them back since Descent. The one thing that truly threatened their existence.
"Give the order, Hordvik. Do it now," Ivanov snarled. Evan shot him a deadly look.
"Do not tell me what to do, First Janissary," he snapped. He turned his back on him and addressed the others.
"We´re ready, but in order to prevent an effective counter attack, the Luna Brigade teams need to take out all of their strategic assets." Strategos Jenssen took a step forward again.
"I assure you, Sir, we can do this," he said. Evan gave him a quick nod.
"So, here we stand at this most decisive moment in the history of the our people. Strategos Jenssen, I trust you to handle this in the best possible way.” Evan paused for a moment, before he spoke again.
“If we fail, we fall. If we succeed, we will make history. The Moon people has always been conquerors. But we are not invincible. We can still lose it all, remember that. Every day, we live on the knife´s edge. Conquer or be conquered. Kill or be killed. Rule or die. This is how we have lived for two hundred years, and it has taken us this far. Now, once again, we shall release the dogs of war. This time, we shall conquer the world. Send them in."
Chapter 12
Dave
Dave was walking as fast as he could. He figured it would take him approximately fifteen more minutes to get to the car and then a few minutes to drive back to the Frost Observatory. Novak´s message had been ominous, and he wondered if it could be as bad as it had sounded. Surely, the Moon people wouldn´t risk everything so soon after their conquest of the North—or would they?
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