Four holograms appeared behind the small group of ImpSec soldiers. Alke had recruited Zhu, and the images, in their various uniforms, were arranged across the corridor about two meters or so behind the ImpSec lieutenant.
Alke said, “Not much of a force, is it?”
“You’d think ImpSec would send grown men on a task like this,” Zhu replied.
“The young one is sooo skinny,” drawled Ioke.
Adrias laughed.
The men, startled, spun around and commenced firing their weapons at the holographic images. Steg stepped out into the corridor and fired, his Gauss weapon on its widest setting. Three men, their skulls flensed clean of flesh by the streams of electrons, fell to the ground. They had no idea why death had claimed them. The lieutenant and his sergeant spun around, and Steg fired again. The stream of plasma stripped the flesh from their faces, and they also fell, their screams ceasing in seconds. The corridor was empty of life. He returned to their suite.
“That was foolhardy,” said Denke. “Effective, though, I agree.” He and the others had watched the attack on the viewscreen.
Steg replaced the Gauss charge. “We don’t know what reinforcements might be out there.”
Alke’s hologram formed in the middle of the common area. “Well done, Admiral. I have a brief report. We helped General Mendoza avoid an ImpSec ambush. There may have been involvement by the Emperor’s Own; they diverted his convoy towards the location of the waiting ImpSec soldiers. The general will be back at the palace shortly. We cannot detect any other ImpSec presence nearby. Colonel Denke, we don’t know what’s delaying the squad promised by the Emperor’s Own commander.”
Denke frowned. “I trust they haven’t been suborned.”
“Do you think the Emperor’s at risk?” asked Jessie Brent. “Should we check?”
Alke said, “The Emperor is sheltering with a squad of guards he trusts. Mendoza has more men on the way; I believe they’re Special Forces.”
“Do you know which regiment?”
“Not yet, Colonel. I’ll let you know as soon as I can.”
“Sir, we should plan on returning to Wanderer. I’m not sure we’re safe, remaining here,” Jessie said.
“I’m torn between trying to assist the Emperor and heading to our ship. Alke, can you link me to Mendoza?”
“Yes, sir. One moment. There, he’s on.”
“General, how are you?”
“Safe, thanks to Alke’s warning and assistance. What’s your status?”
“We had a short meeting with an ImpSec squad. There are bodies here in the suites and the corridor. It will need a clean-up squad. No casualties on our part.”
“I shudder to think how you managed to get weapons into the palace. However, I confess that I’m pleased you did. I’ll be arriving shortly. My first stop will be to ensure the Emperor is safe.”
“I understand he’s sheltering with his personal guards. There’s evidence that some of the Emperor’s Own have joined with elements of ImpSec.”
“I’ve reached the same conclusion. They diverted my convoy towards an ambush. This is getting more difficult.”
“General, we’re discussing our return to Wanderer. We’re at risk here.”
“Steg, unfortunately, I agree. Until we’ve cleaned out these dissidents, I can’t guarantee your safety. That frightens me, and I apologize. Yes, for your safety you should return to your ship. We’ll continue to implement plans to provide your task force with starships and resources.”
“Good. We’ll depart as soon as we can.”
“There’s a shuttle on its way, Admiral,” Alke intruded into the conversation. “Five minutes. It’ll land on the main parade ground outside the palace. I’m sending a second shuttle loaded with Ebony Company marines and two war bots, in case your departure’s impeded.”
“General, you heard?”
“Yes. I wish you well. We’ll be in contact, both myself and the Emperor, as soon as we can.”
Steg led the way to the front of the palace. He was followed by Velez who was guiding Denke’s electrochair; Finch and Jessie were acting as rearguard. They traveled what seemed to Steg to be half a klick before reaching the checkpoints. The guards on duty looked askance at their weapons, and one attempted to stop their progress.
“Sir,” the corporal said, holding up his hand. “Weapons are not allowed inside the palace. Please surrender—”
Five Gauss muzzles immediately pointed at the soldier.
“We’ve survived an ImpSec trap. ImpSec didn’t. Are you sure you want to take us on?” asked Steg
The man tried to hide his fright. His companions backed away. His future held no offer of assistance from them.
“A Gauss, on wide beam, can strip off your flesh. It’s as though you were dipped into a boiling vat of oil and left there until only bones remain. The result is permanent,” Steg cautioned.
“Frek, Steiner, back off, will you.” The speaker was one of the corporal’s men.
“Take your friend’s recommendation,” Finch said. “I’ve seen enough dead bodies this morning.”
Steiner dropped his hand and backed away, joining his companions. He said, “I suppose, as you’re leaving, it’ll be okay.” One of his men punched Steiner’s head; it was not a gentle blow. Two other men held his arms.
“Sir, you may proceed,” one of the other guards said.
“Thank you,” Steg said. “Come on; our shuttle should be down.” He led the way past the inspection station. He estimated there were only another hundred meters or so to the exit.
Steg used his comlink and said, “Alke, what’s the status of the shuttle?”
“We had to run off a fighter. His craft is now scattered over half the city. We think he bailed out successfully. Shuttle one is down safely.” There was a short pause. “Shuttle two is down, also safely. There are troops trying to block the main front stairways out of the palace. Their uniforms have that striking snake symbol.”
“Damn them. How many?”
“A squad of ten, sir. It seems to be their favorite number. The shuttle has fifteen Ebony Company marines with Sergeant Riddell in command. He has two war bots—your Ebony Company discovered them in Wanderer’s inventory. Ioke had no record of them in her war equipment inventory. Riddell tested these two and said they seem to be unused and in excellent condition. He plans to send out the bots first.”
“In that case, we’ll wait,” said Steg. He turned to his escort. “We’ve got a small ImpSec squad at the front steps. The shuttles have landed. Riddell brought some Ebony marines with him plus two war bots. Apparently, the machines are in excellent condition, and Riddell intends to lead with them. I said we’d wait. We need a vantage point.”
“We could use one of the side rooms, sir,” Jessie said. “I think they overlook the parade grounds.”
They headed into the room Jessie indicated and looked out the large windows. She was correct. They could see the two shuttles on the ground, and Riddell had already disembarked the bots and his marines.
“Steg, there are men at those stairs—the front ones that look like they could hold hundreds of people.” Finch pointed and raised her weapon. “Should we help?”
“No, Finch. We’ve had our fun. It’s time our marines got some exercise, don’t you think?”
“Very well.” She looked disappointed.
“You can join Ebony Company if you wish,” said Velez. “I’m sure Kirby would welcome you. The pay isn’t bad, and you get to travel to exciting places.”
“No,” drawled Finch. “It’s too much fun being with the admiral. Besides, he needs me to look after him.”
Steg ignored the exchange. He was focused on the action below. The war bots were tracked machines, each larger than a limo although squat, and had a projectile weapon mounted in a swiveling turret. Other weapons protruded from the front and rear of the machine. When both bots were clear of the shuttles, they opened fire, producing a deafening roar of thunder and a hail of exploding sh
ells. They scoured the stairs and the balcony half way to the entrance. Bodies tumbled, and men ran. A heavy weapon returned fire, hitting the closer of the two units, which, undamaged, appeared to hunker down. The war bot repeated its fusillade, this time with heavier shells. The ImpSec weapon fell silent.
“It’s time we moved out,” Steg instructed. “ImpSec seem to be having second thoughts. Velez, show us how fast you can get Denke down the stairs in that electrochair. Or carry him and leave the damn thing here.”
“Quicker to carry, sir,” confirmed Velez, pulling Denke out of his chair before he had time to protest. She added, as she lifted him over her shoulder in a fireman’s lift, “Can we keep him, sir?”
oOo
CHAPTER 16
COLONEL DENKE WAS COMPLAINING BITTERLY to Dr. Yi. “Lin, you have no idea what it was like. She lifted me out of that damn chair and ran with me over her shoulder. It was—it was—”
“What was the alternative?”
“Well, she could’ve let me wheel my chair—”
Dr. Yi had seen the video. “Down those stairs with the possibility of another ImpSec squad arriving?”
Denke frowned at the doctor. “You’re spoiling a good moan, you know?”
Lin laughed. “I wouldn’t worry. I understand a video of you bouncing on the sergeant’s shoulder is top of the viewing list for Ebony Company and Wanderer’s crew. There’s talk of sending a copy to your boss, General Boston.”
Denke sank further into his chair. “Damn. I blame de Coeur. Okay, Doctor, when can this plaster come off?”
“According to the equipment here,” she tapped the machine in question, “whenever I want to remove it. My assistant agrees with the computer. I’m still learning, and I have a few years to catch up. It’s an interesting challenge.”
“I can imagine. I thought you’d retired?”
“As far as the Imperial Navy is concerned, definitely. However, I cannot imagine sitting around with no work to do.”
“I know it’s a major gap, but would it be that difficult to catch up?” Denke sat straighter, his reason to moan forgotten for the moment.
“In some ways, a broken leg is a broken leg, and I’m discovering that treatments are similar for basic injuries, so yes I could catch up. The medications, instruments, and equipment are the real issues. The goo you call plaster is different from what I used. The surgical robots and their software are total unknowns. It would take a couple of years of intensive study for me to upgrade my practitioner status. I can manage medical facilities, though.”
“Do you know when Dreamer’s taking you to Homeworld?”
Dr. Yi shrugged. “I’m in no hurry. As Finch, Jessie, and the others say, being with Steg is an adventure.”
The medical aide interrupted their conversation. “Colonel, it’s time we removed it—the plaster, not your leg; well, not this time. The process is painless and will take about five minutes.” She turned to Dr. Yi and asked, “Do you want to try—”
Denke looked worried, and the doctor laughed. “I’ll be an official observer, for now. Denke, I think there’s a meeting later, I’ll see you then.”
“Sure, Doc.” He asked the aide, “Are you sure my leg will be all right?”
“Why? Didn’t you like being carried over Velez’s shoulder?”
Denke, without his plaster although still limping slightly, joined Steg, Kirby, and Sullivan at the far end of the conference table. Finch and her two Fain companions, with Jessie, Dr. Lin Yi, and Aadan, were at the other end. The two Acolytes were also present. Ebony Company sergeants were watching by relayed video. All were enjoying the spread laid out by the catering staff, and identical food had been set out in the other messes.
Steg knew the AIs were all listening and he said, “Alke, do you want to join us?”
In reply, three holograms formed on one side of the table. This time they wore their formal white uniforms.
Steg said, “Conference time. Dreamer’s docked with us, as some of you know. The two destroyers have been cleared of explosive traps. Ioke sent in sniffers, and they found nothing suspicious. I understand the Emperor is safe; two companies of Special Forces have reinforced the guards loyal to the Emperor. They’ve undertaken to protect both him and Mendoza.”
“I don’t envy the general’s task,” said Denke.
There was a murmur of agreement around the table. “I agree.” He continued, “I’ve sent a message to Tziksis we’re heading his way. At some point, we’ll need to explain the additional destroyers. After we meet with Tziksis and his people, we’re going to the Arkadie System, the center of the Alliance government. While some of us have had passing involvement with their military, we’ll be exploring new territory when it comes to their politics. I’ve received briefing papers from the Glass Complex, the Emperor has promised to send a detailed file, and Tziksis may have some background knowledge for us. It’s a pity their ambassador wasn’t available while we were in the Eirie System. Jessie, even though your Alliance knowledge is dated, you may be able to help me.”
“Yes, sir. I agree, my knowledge is going to be 150 years or so out of date. Not that I knew much about the inner workings of the political class.”
“Understood. Kirby, I want you to increase the training regime for Ebony Company.” He ignored the soft moans from the sergeant’s mess. “Denke, how many Specials could we recruit? How upset would Boston be if we grabbed a battalion or two?”
“He’d hang me and shoot you. Or maybe the other way around.” He looked thoughtful as he continued. “There is a possibility. Six months ago we retired about twenty percent of our Special Force—budget-driven decisions. A lot of those who were forced to retire early would join us. I can start to recruit if you like?”
“Do it. As many as you can. I’m promoting Kirby to major, and you’ll remain as colonel for the moment. Congratulations, Kirby.”
“Can you promote me? I’d enjoy being a brigadier.”
“Denke, if we need to, I will, whether Boston agrees or not. I’ll bump you up, depending on how many battalions you build. You’re now part of my task force. When—if—we allow you to return to Jochum II, Boston can worry about whatever your rank is. You’re with us for the duration.”
“I understand, Steg. I’ll send out messages—there are some networks I can tap into—and see who I can persuade to join us.”
“Good. Anyone with questions? Yes, Ioke?”
“Sir, the two new—well, newly acquired—destroyers are underway, heading to Djii, with Zhu in charge. All three are shielded and empty, so they’re traveling fast without humans on board. One of them, it was Echo, I think, detected a trace of your favorite aliens. The other one is called Amber. We suspect there’s something evil in the contact based on the data relayed back to us.”
“Jessie, Kirby, Denke—Finch and Aadan, too—we’ll go to the bridge. Everyone else can continue their meal. We’ll provide an update when we have something to communicate. Alke, please set up the big screens with plotted positions.”
“Yes, sir.”
Steg and his team gathered at the largest of the big screens on the bridge and examined the multidimensional display. Ioke’s hologram explained the plotted positions.
“Sir, this is Wanderer, heading to Djii, over here. As I said, we sent the destroyers ahead. Here, as they exited the Cobalt Nexus, the first destroyer recorded an alien presence—a small frigate—and sent a message back to me with full sensor details. The alien starship fled when it apparently detected the destroyers. Imperial shielding is not as good as ours. They got a trace on its heading, and the destroyers are waiting for our instructions before moving out of the Cobalt system. We’ve done some analysis and suspect some of the oddities detected by the destroyer represent the ‘evil’ that you sense. Zhu would like to investigate in combination with the two destroyers.”
“What do you think, Jessie?” Steg asked.
“Downside is if the starship headed to a base or joined other Xesset ships. Zhu,
even with the support of the two ex-ImpSec destroyers, could find himself overwhelmed. Remember, the two destroyers are running on automatic systems. They don’t have AIs in control.”
“Aah—Jessie?” The hologram looked as guilty as an AI could manage.
“Yes, Alke?”
“We persuaded the Acolytes to copy off two clones, and we uploaded them while we were in orbit in the Eirie System. You were all so busy—”
Steg grimaced. His niggle about the AIs was increasing. “Alke, in future, request permission from either myself or Jessie before you copy any more clones.”
“What about the other six we generated once we knew how to do it?” The hologram looked even guiltier.
“How do I discipline an AI?” Steg asked.
“Sir, I don’t think you can,” Jessie said.
“You could disconnect all our sensors and links?” Ioke had a thoughtful expression on her hologram face.
“No! We’ll confer with you in future, Admiral,” Alke said. “We were trying to plan ahead.”
“Understood. Zhu can continue with the two destroyers and track the Xesset starship. He is to report regularly to you, and you will inform me and Jessie of anything they discover. Hmm. You’d better add Denke, Sullivan, and Kirby to the list. Zhu and his escort are not to engage the aliens unless they’re attacked, and there’s a need to defend. Understood?”
“Yes, Admiral,” replied a chastened Alke. The suggestion of losing all external links had not appealed to the AI.
“How long will it take for Zhu to catch the Xesset starship?” Denke asked.
“Sir, we estimate thirty hours. That’s about ten hours faster than Wanderer can arrive there unless you want to strap in for the entire trip.”
“We’ll follow at a reasonable speed,” Steg said. “When we reach Cobalt, we’ll wait for a message and either join him or continue to Djii. Any other items?”
Alke said, “No, Admiral. That’s all.”
oOo
Diamond Cut: Book Three in The Glass Complex Trilogy Page 10