Diamond Cut: Book Three in The Glass Complex Trilogy

by John Hindmarsh

  “Have Echo use a rail gun and drop a small shell onto the building. I don’t care if there are casualties. We need to send a message to whoever arranged the ambush.”

  “Yes, sir. Firing now.” Two minutes later Nyx added, “Building destroyed. I believe there are no survivors.”

  “Good. Don’t mention this to anyone without my permission.” Steg did not want to cause an alarm and thought the less said publicly about the attempted ambush, the more confused his enemies would be. He had a strong suspicion ImpSec were responsible.

  “Yes, sir.”

  As the bus ambled along its programmed route, the passengers were intrigued by the scarcity of people on the streets and the few vehicles using the roads.

  “Did we miss a warning of some kind?” wondered Kirby aloud. “I thought we were visiting a busy city.”

  “Perhaps it’s a time of year when everyone leaves the city for some reason,” suggested Aadan.

  Steg said, “I’ll check. Nyx, is there a record describing why the city appears deserted? Is there a regular pattern of absence by the inhabitants?”

  “No, Admiral. There’s nothing in the briefing files we received from the way station. There is scarcely any media activity and nothing to indicate why the city seems deserted. I’ll check further if you require?”

  “Yes, please do so.”

  An hour later, after an uneventful journey, the bus slowed outside a large residential building and followed a driveway through to the front entrance where it halted. There were no guards or obvious signs of security.

  “Kirby, check the building and grounds as quickly as you can; make sure we’re not at risk. Set two marines on duty at the entrance. Our contract included a strong security arrangement, not nothing at all,” Steg said. “Nyx, contact the security company and find out what the problem is.”

  “Goes with the lack of people,” Finch said.

  “I agree. It’s today’s mystery,” Steg replied.

  Nyx said, “My call to the security company went to voice mail. I left a message for them to contact you.”

  “Thanks. Make regular sensor sweeps of the area around the building and let me know if you detect anything out of the ordinary.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Steg and his escort entered the ornate doorway, first pushing back two large double doors, which, to his surprise were not locked. Four Ebony marines moved ahead, ready to deal with any unknown presence. The floor was marble, and the hallway was decorated with what appeared to be expensive paintings and mirrors. There was no noise, no voices, nothing to indicate anyone occupied the building.

  Steg said, “I believe the ground floor contains reception areas and offices. There’s butler and housekeeper accommodation at the rear. The second floor is general accommodation with facilities for the marines. We’ll be on the third and fourth floors. Finch, you and Stacia can work out room allocations. Jessie, you and Aadan check the offices and local coms equipment; determine what we can use. Remember, we’re here for two or three days, and the official Homeworld delegation will arrive in a tenday or so to continue the embassy’s operation.”

  An hour later, they all assembled in the large reception room in the front of the building, still perplexed at its empty state. There were no guards from the security firm, no staff, no one at all, in the building.

  Kirby said to Steg, “Any conclusions?”

  He shrugged, as bewildered as the rest of the team.

  Jessie said, “Class it as one of life’s unknowns. All the rooms are furnished, clean, beds made, bath towels and linen laid out. It seems to be a normal state of affairs.”

  “We’ve had a delivery,” Kirby said. “All our supplies, including weapons. The transport vehicle was automated. No driver, no loader, no one. It’s starting to seem like the standard for the Alliance.” He looked at Jessie. “At least the Alliance, now. I’ve placed sentries out front and have patrols on a schedule. I’ve also set out sensors and security cameras.”

  “We are half a day, or more, earlier than scheduled,” Steg mused. “Perhaps the staff will turn up tomorrow.”

  Nyx broke into the conversation. “Steg, I’ve been monitoring weather patterns. There is an extremely low pressure weather pattern headed towards Kerra. The front edge has winds of two hundred kph or more, with extreme wind shear. If my sensors are accurate, the precipitation is both rain and large hailstones. At its current pace, the storm is thirty minutes away and will take an hour to pass over the city. There is a second system following; it will hit the city in about four hours. A third storm is on track to hit in about six or seven hours. Perhaps this is why everyone is off the streets.”

  “Aah. The storms could be the answer. Search local media and see if you can find any weather warnings. Kirby, bring your marines inside. They’ll need to shelter. Everyone, make sure all the doors and windows are locked down. When everything is secure, brace for a major weather impact.”

  Steg was relieved they had a possible answer for the deserted city although he was not completely satisfied. He was prepared to accept the explanation until something else happened.

  He said to Kirby, “Keep your marines alert. There’s more to this than a series of storms, no matter how violent they might be.”

  The building, as solid as it was, shook violently when the storm hit. Windows, assessed as firm and solid, rattled and threatened to break. The heavy doors, held firm by plasteel shutters, shook violently with each gust. Marines paced the floors, checking for breakages and damage. The noise of the storm’s transit was akin to the roar of a destroyer lifting off from the planet’s surface, and it continued on and on. There was little conversation; people grew tired of trying to shout above the crashing thunder of the storm.

  Steg timed the duration of the storm; Nyx’s estimate of one hour was accurate. The sudden hush was a major contrast to the recent roar. Everyone stirred and two marines started to release the front entrance door barriers

  Nyx’s hologram formed in the middle of the room, her eyes flashing red. She said, “Admiral, I found some low power media stations. Do not send anyone outside. Look for mechanisms to lower shutters over all doors and windows on all floors. This is urgent.”

  Steg turned to Kirby, “Go. See if your marines can find the mechanisms that Nyx mentioned.” He turned back to the hologram. “What’s the problem?”

  The red eyes had stopped flashing.

  Nyx said, “Large animals follow the storms to their breeding areas. It’s a journey of thousands of klicks. There’s a major breeding ground south of here, about five hundred klicks away. Kerra was built across one of the major migration paths before the original settlers became aware of the dangers. That was hundreds of years ago. The animals—Karnae—are protected—it’s against the law to kill them except if they attack you. The legal penalties are substantial if anyone does kill one, whatever the circumstances. Karnae migrate every fifty years, and they are protected under a treaty with the government. Their migration season is now.”

  Jessie, wide-eyed, said, “I’ve never heard of them.”

  “Wild animals have a treaty?” Finch asked.

  “Yes, they’re highly intelligent, which is one of the reasons they’re protected. The migrating herds are followed by scavengers that are more dangerous. Karnae look like a mix between a Calypso water beast and Terran buffalo, and a typical male will weigh ten tons or more. Their predators—Jarats—are six-legged and cat-like. An adult Jarat weighs between four and five tons.” As Nyx described the animals, two small holograms formed beside her. The images communicated a ferocity that her words had omitted. “Jarats indulge in feeding frenzies if one of the Karnae is seriously injured or crippled. It’s a primitive process, I suppose.”

  No one spoke for a long moment. Kirby returned and said, “We’ve found controls in the basement. Are you certain we need to—”

  “Yes,” said Nyx and Steg simultaneously. Steg continued,. “As soon as possible. Nyx will explain later. We’re in dan
ger.”

  “You should be safe after about ten hours,” confirmed Nyx.

  Kirby left again to instruct his marines. Sounds—very much like the roaring of large animals—were increasing in volume. Another sound commenced, closer, as the shield mechanism was triggered, sliding large plasteel panels across windows and external doors. The building interior grew darker and external sounds faded away. They were, Steg hoped, safe inside the now metal-coated building. It was late in the day; tomorrow, he planned to pursue with the local Homeworld agents the question of why the building had been so exposed, and he and his team put at risk. He suspected ImpSec had reached here, inside the Alliance. The alternative was the local agents had been extremely negligent.

  CHAPTER 26

  SOMETIME IN THE EARLY MORNING, Steg had heard the plasteel door and window coverings rolling back. Now, a stray beam of sunshine was playing on his face, and he slowly opened his eyes. Nyx’s hologram was at the window, looking out into the street. He nudged Finch who moaned, yawned, and sat up, suddenly awake. She looked at the hologram.

  Finch said, “Nyx.” She waited until the image turned around. “What are you doing?”

  “I think we should be worried. There’s something happening.”

  Steg jumped out of bed. “What do you mean?”

  “My sensors show activities around the building that I consider atypical. Armored units arrived about ten minutes ago. I can’t determine whether they’re guarding the building or preparing to attack it. There is little electronic chat. The Alliance must have effective shielding for their military communications.”

  “Are you certain they’re military? Is Kirby on duty?”

  “The major posted guards—two marines—about an hour ago. They’ve disappeared. He’s worried and wants a meeting with you as soon as you’re available. We had a brief discussion about whether the units are military or not and couldn’t reach a conclusion.”

  “Tell everyone to meet in twenty minutes. Ground floor. Alert me if anything happens before then. I want the marines armored. On second thoughts, I want everyone armored and equipped with weapons.” Steg was already on the move. He asked, “Is Dreamer safe?”

  “I’ve detected no threat to me or the yacht.”

  “Are there any news media broadcasts today?” Finch asked. “Reporting yesterday’s migration havoc, for example?”

  “I listened to two early morning media broadcasts. They were mainly confirming clear skies and no storms. Both sources ignored the wild animals. I suspect most buildings are connected directly to news media sources, which is why I’ve been unable to hear anything more.”

  “Of course. We may have a similar connection here, in the building. I’ll get Stacia to check, later. Nyx, contact the local Homeworld agents. I need to meet with them urgently.”

  “Yes, sir.” She replied after a short period. “No answer.”

  “Try again, every fifteen minutes until you get someone. We’ll visit their office at opening time or after we sort out the military.”

  Steg, dressed already, headed out the door carrying his helmet and a Gauss rifle. He was armored, and Ebony was slung over his shoulder. He shouted back, “Hurry up, Finch. This is an emergency.”

  Finch muttered under her breath as she rushed to catch up. “I’ll kill the man, I really will.”

  On the way down the sets of wide stairs, Steg spoke again to Nyx. “Tell Echo and Amber we’re experiencing some odd issues here. Instruct them to move closer to the way station in case we require support. They should remain shielded, though.” The two destroyers were equipped with heavy weapons and, if danger threatened, would provide additional protection. Or cause more chaos. “They can start a sensor search for ImpSec warships. I suspect there’ll be some in this system.”

  “Yes, sir. Someone is trying to hack into my electronics. Should I backburn the link?”

  “Yes. We need to give whoever it is notice we’re not harmless.”

  Thirty seconds later, as Steg reached the ground floor meeting room, Nyx said, “Mission successful. I believe I burnt out a major computer installation. Military hackers.”

  “Alliance or ImpSec?”

  “Indications are it was ImpSec. I tracked links to the Imperial Embassy.”

  “Good. Do a search for possible ImpSec forces on the way station and in this city. See how many are attached to the Western Empire Embassy, for example.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Worried faces turned to face Steg when he entered the meeting room. Kirby was the first to speak. He said, “I’ve lost two marines. They went off the grid without raising an alarm. I’m reluctant to post more and thought I should confer with you before taking further action.”

  “Sir,” interrupted Nyx, “our marines were captured by a squad of Alliance soldiers—a special force of some kind. I’m trying to penetrate their communications.”

  ‘Major, we’ll venture out, armed and armored. Re-apply the plasteel shielding, in case these soldiers plan to attack us. I want Finch, Stacia, Tessa, Jessie, and Aadan to remain indoors. You’re responsible for protecting the building if we fall.” Finch seemed to want to object; instead, she grasped her Gauss weapon. Her expression was grim.

  Steg continued, “Nyx, if this Alliance force takes action against us, I want you to wipe them out. Help protect the building; guide and advise Jessie. Commence your undocking process now. I want you to land at the spaceport. Inform Echo and Amber they are free to capture all the ImpSec starships they can find. If they can’t take them over, they are to destroy them.”

  “So far they’ve found two ImpSec squadrons of ten destroyers each, plus fifteen frigates, all shielded. We don’t think the Alliance Navy is aware of their presence. My friends will enjoy taking control of ImpSec starships. They’ve been waiting for the opportunity.”

  “There may be more. Tell them to keep searching.”

  “Yes, sir. What about Alliance warships?”

  “Keep them under observation. I don’t want to fight them, just the opposite.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Steg continued his instructions. “Finch, keep trying to contact our local agents. You want to speak to Henri D’Luze. He’s married to a Homeworlder and is retained by the family. Jessie, I want you to try for Valle at the Alliance Intersystem Affairs Department. Send him copies of our official documents and find out why there’s a military unit attacking us.” Steg considered capturing two of the Ebony Company marines constituted an attack. “In the meantime, we’ll take action. I’m running out of patience.”

  Sergeant Riddell returned from his task and advised Major Kirby, “Sir, we re-shielded all of the building except the front entrance.”

  “Good. Steg, we’re ready.”

  Kirby and Steg led Ebony Company as they forayed out to recover their missing marines. Steg was confident their armor would protect them against most antipersonnel weapons. If the Alliance force had heavier weapons, they all would be at risk. An armed squad of fifteen Alliance soldiers was in position just outside the front of the property. Kirby signaled for his marines to spread out as he and Steg neared the waiting force.

  Steg searched for a senior officer and didn’t find anyone with officer insignia. “Who’s in charge?”

  “Not you, that’s for sure.” The man’s accent was harsh. His companions laughed.

  Steg could see more men further down the street with armored transport and heavier weapons. “I expect a polite question to be addressed in a similar manner,” he said to the Alliance soldier.

  The man shrugged. As far as Steg could determine, the soldier did not link with anyone.

  Steg sub-vocalized to Nyx, “There are two mobile weapons platforms—they look like mortars—currently unattended. They’re far enough away from other buildings to not damage anything else if we eliminate them.” There was an expanse of green parklands around the Homeworld building and grounds, empty of people. “Have Amber destroy them. That should attract some attention.”

&nb
sp; Steg and Kirby waited patiently just inside the gateway onto the property. Ebony marines were scattered between the building and the high-walled boundary. Steg, prompted by Nyx, after a minute had passed, began to check off the seconds. “Twelve seconds. Ten. Nine. Eight.” The Alliance soldiers stared at him in bewilderment. Steg continued. “Five. Four. Three. Two. One.” He gestured at the two mobile mortars, and the Alliance soldiers turned to see what he was pointing at. Amber’s targeting was precise. A small rail gun shell landed with tremendous velocity on target, vaporizing the two weapons and the trailer-load of explosive shells. The unexpected shock wave hit the Alliance force, both further down the road and at the embassy entrance. Some fell, while others were blown against their transport equipment. Steg, Kirby, and the marines had braced against the concussive impact and remained upright. Small pieces of metal pinged off their armor as fragments flew. The soldiers further down the street shouted in confusion, shocked at the unexpected destruction of their heavy weapons.

  “Major, bring your men forward,” Steg ordered.

  He headed down the road, pushing passed the Alliance soldiers who were stunned and still dazed. As far as he could determine, no one was seriously injured. Steg headed to a military vehicle that appeared to be a control unit, its roof covered with antennae.

  “You’ve created major consternation,” said Nyx. “I’m now connected to their network. These soldiers are from a home guard unit. They’re not as experienced as Alliance expeditionary special forces. The senior officer, a major, is seeking guidance from his commander.”

  Ebony Company had formed up behind Steg and Kirby, and the marines followed the two men towards the Alliance soldiers, marching in a carefully measured cadence. They were professionals and wanted to demonstrate this to the Alliance force. Their armor was black, their visors were down and also black, and their weapons were black. While there were only eighteen marines, they were a powerful force, and wanted their two comrades back, safe and unharmed.