by Jim Roberts
"If you understood anything, you'd know I didn't have a chance. I would have died out there. Olympus...rounded up the survivors of the massacre. My mother and father. I was pulled from them like a babe from a womb."
She was no longer looking at Whisper. Her eyes seemed to stare vacantly into the space around them.
"I had tried to fight back, kicking and biting; anything I could do to stop the invaders. A man from Olympus took me aside and gave me a choice. I could...kill my family and survive, or die with them, shot to shreds. I was only four I think, I don't remember. He gave me a sword−just a small blade, and told me to...cut their throats while his men held them."
She let out a soft giggle, a moment of quiet madness as she related a memory long held deep within herself.
"I remember them screaming at me, pleading for me to drop the blade and join them. I pleaded as well. I begged the man to let us go. He only said one thing to me."
Agrippina looked Danny square in the helmet. "War is cruelty." She paused, as if the phrase brought her peace. "And somehow it all made sense."
She closed her eyes, as if she were trying to visualize a memory in her mind's eye.
"I don't remember much...but I do remember the feel of their blood spraying across my face as I opened their throats. That bitter, iron taste. You never forget it. It was a baptism. It was my rite of entrance into Olympus. A new life..."
She trailed off, her voice dying away. It was a long moment before Danny responded.
"Who was this man you spoke of?"
"A great man. He trained me, built me from nothing into an executioner. Someone able to bring the enemies of the Brotherhood of Olympia to its knees. His name is Tiberius. He is the Legate of Olympus, second only to the Imperator. He made me who I am. I owe everything to him."
The woman halted, as if she realized what Danny was thinking behind his cold faceplate.
"You think I'm a monster, don't you Callbeck? Well, I'll tell you this much...I never killed anyone who didn't have it coming."
Whisper was stunned by the confession. It slowly dawned on him−the massive gulf between himself and this woman. She had been through more pain and suffering in her life then he could even imagine. It was buried behind her facade of feral beauty so deeply, it was like a cancer, eating her away from the inside.
A wave of pity washed over Danny Callbeck as he regarded the woman for a long moment. Agrippina broke the silence.
"So, Danny Callbeck, no one chose this for me. I chose it for myself. I lost my name on the field of war, on the ground where my parent's bodies lay. Whoever I was before died that day."
"I'm sorry." Whisper said, his head bowing.
"I don't want your pity!" Agrippina spat. "I'm finished, in every way. What difference does it make if you know all of this now? You think I'll tell you anything that can hurt Olympus?"
"Why not? They tried to kill you."
"There is no room in the Brotherhood for failure. I don't blame them for that."
"I saved your life."
Agrippina snorted. "For what? To die in some prison? Why don't you just push me out of this airplane now and be done with it."
"I need you to tell me about the Code."
"Didn't that fool Mobus tell you all the truth your heart desired?" Agrippina replied, snidely.
"He told us it was being used in the Centurions, to link them together in combat."
The assassin chuckled, "That idiot scientist didn't have idea one what we were planning for the Code. It is so much more than a simple way to make useless Centurions act like a team."
Whisper was becoming exasperated. "What then! What is the Code of War?"
Agrippina shook her head. "Hun, whatever else it does, Olympus will take it back, soon enough. Then...I promise you'll find out."
Whisper sighed. It was more than he thought he would get, but it wasn't much. He slumped back against the fuselage of the aircraft. Agrippina looked at the stealth soldier for a moment, running her eyes up and down the elegantly designed Whisper suit.
"There's something I've been wondering." Agrippina asked at length.
"What?"
"I've never seen your face."
The statement caught Danny off guard. Agrippina smiled at the Canadian soldier's discomfort.
"We're always so busy kicking the shit out of each other, I never get around to asking."
"This is my face now." Whisper said, gesturing at his helmet.
"Who knows when I can get another chance like this, Whisper, or Danny Callbeck or whatever your name is. Show me who exists behind that metal skin."
Whisper regarded Agrippina for some time, wondering if he should.
Hell with it.
He reached up and unattached the helmet/neck connection link. Immediately, he was plunged into darkness. He lifted the helmet off his head, keeping his eyes closed. He set the helmet to the side and opened his eyes.
He could almost feel Agrippina's smile. "Oh my, sweetie. You are a cute one, aren't you?"
Chapter 25
War is in the Air
Rebel Safe Zone, Sadoma, Zimbala, November 26th
With faces as long as the chances of their mission succeeding, Joe, Krieger and Rourke watched as the Zimbalan rebels wrapped Isabella's body in a linen cloth. Brick had insisted he help, folding the wrap around her face last, so he could say a proper goodbye.
"I'll see you, luv." He kissed her on the forehead before allowing the rebels to finish.
Joe let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He'd just gotten off the comlink with Colonel Walsh, having had to explain the last few hour's turn of events to the Unit Commander. Joe could tell the Colonel was saddened at the loss of Cordova, but Walsh's job was to keep the mission on track. For the time being, the Barbarian was on overwatch above the city, ready to provide anything the team needed, be it gun support or surveillance.
Beside him, Krieger knelt to pet his newfound dog. Joe knew Isabella's death had hit the Russian as hard as any of them; the Russian just had a different way of dealing with it. Rourke had cleaned the blood from his hands and was now inspecting an AK-74 he'd retrieved from one of the supply boxes, replacing the rifle he'd lost. The SEAL was stoic in the presence of a teammate's death, even though he'd only known Isabella for a few days.
It was time to fight. They could grieve for fallen comrades later.
Jade Masters, having given the final commands to her URAF soldiers for the withdrawal to the next location, joined the Peacemakers at their pow-wow.
"I am sorry about your teammate. My people will take the body with them and see her buried. If at a later time, you wish to retrieve her..."
Joe nodded. "Thanks, we're grateful."
"We're almost ready to pull out. We're heading to the east district to set up our secondary location. Jacob Muzenda is waiting for us there."
Krieger smiled. "Good! Little man survived!"
"Yes, he's fine. But a lot of people died in the massacre. There's no way to tell for sure, but reports are in the thousands, maybe tens of thousands."
Joe shook his head. So much death.
"What is your plan now?" Jade asked the Staff Sergeant.
"We can't leave. Our mission isn't over."
"Haven't you seen enough death? There is nothing here for you now. Get out of the city while you can."
Joe threw a frown at the young rebel lieutenant. "Lady, if you think we're gonna let Musabe or Olympus get away with killing one of our own, you don't know us."
"No I don't. But I know that you will get yourselves killed." She looked them over, shaking her head. "Whatever you choose, I wish you luck."
She turned around and walked away to join the rest of her soldiers. Joe dashed forward and caught her by the arm.
"No. We can do this, but we need your help."
Jade tugged her arm away. "You've already cost us much, Mister Braddock. I'm sorry, but..."
"This is the one good chance to take down Musabe and get Olympus out of
here once and for all. Jacob Muzenda said there was some sort of plan to attack the Capitol Building, right?"
Jade scoffed. "It wouldn't work. The building is the heaviest guarded in the city. We'd never be able−"
Joe interrupted her. He was fighting now. He had to make her understand.
"Look, I know you have no reason to, but I'm asking you to trust us. If you help us get through the defense, we'll hit them. And we won't miss."
His eyes pleaded with hers. But she shook her head. "It's suicide. The plan was foolhardy even when Donald Muzenda had originally planned it."
"Take us through it, quick."
From the corner of his eye, Joe saw Brick walk over to join them. The SAS man's eyes were wane, but hardened and ready. Joe didn't have to ask to know what the SAS man wanted now.
Jade sighed, then gave a final order to abandon the HQ to her subordinates. While the last of the rebels filed out of the safe zone, Jade pulled a piece of paper from her pack, as well as a pencil and jotted out a rough plan of action.
"All of our reconnaissance of the Capitol building shows massed Olympus presence at the south, east and north sections of the base." She quickly stenciled in a building beside the large courtyard to the west of the Capitol building. "Olympus forces on the west end of the courtyard, however, are limited to a few guards and a tower, here."
"So what was the plan?" Joe asked, following so far.
"We cause a massive diversion here," Jade pointed at the eastern section of the encampment. "We use flaming trucks, armed with C4 and drive them at the gate. Our people leap out up the road and we detonate the vehicles against the HESCO barriers. It won't cause much damage, but it will pull most of the interior defenses to that area. A team then enters through the west side, killing any guards with stealth and moves into the building at this entrance, here." She pointed to the west side of the Capitol building.
"From what we understand, the President's office is on the top floor. He sleeps and eats there, so it's almost certain he will be there at all hours of the night."
Rourke looked over the plan, "That's a pretty insane operation, Joe."
Braddock smiled, "I know. That's why it's going to work."
Jade shook her head, "You don't understand, they have Cerberus drones and new tanks we've never seen before in there, as well as over two hundred Centurions and Legionnaires, easy. If the diversion doesn't work, it'll be a death trap."
"What about Sarah, Joe?" Brick said, his voice sounding like harsh sandpaper.
"If she's still alive, she has to be in here, somewhere. There's nowhere else Olympus would take an important captive. If we take the risk, we can get her and knock out Musabe in one go."
Bowser yipped below them. Krieger smiled. "My good friend here says it will work. I agree too."
"It will work." Joe said, the plan already forming in his mind. "Please, just help us, Miss Masters. Just until morning, that's all I'm asking."
Joe knew he was asking a lot. The rebel lieutenant's face was a mask of indecision. The risks were great, but the rewards were more than ample. A chance to get Musabe out for good, and in turn free them from Olympus. Jade looked at them, her mind made up.
"Alright. But we have to move quick. The Capitol building is about two clicks away. It'll take about an hour to have the diversionary team standing by. The north district is heavily patrolled by both ANDU and Olympus forces. It won't be easy, so we'll have to be ready to move quick."
Joe nodded. "Alright. Let's go."
The plan was in motion. Joe knew that the next few hours would define the future of this country, and in effect Africa itself.
They could not fail.
It was not an option for Joe Braddock.
It was time to make the peace.
Chapter 26
Sarah and the One-eyed Man
Capitol Building, Sadoma, Zimbala, November 26th
Sarah sat on a couch in the spacious conference room on the top floor of the Sadoma Capitol building. Inside, two Centurions stood at attention−their emotionless helmets watching her every move. She wanted to sleep, but knew she'd never be able to. She was a prisoner and she wanted to be awake for as long as necessary in case an opportunity arose that she could take advantage of.
She was scared, but it was more of a defense mechanism; an automatic response rather than a true feeling. She had been in hard scraps before. This may be the biggest, but she knew how to stay level headed when things looked their worst. Her mind went to Brick and his annoying Russian friend. She hoped wherever they were, they were okay. She knew the chances of her seeing them, or anyone else for that matter, were less then slim.
She was still shaken from her trip under the arm of the dark soldier. Leaping into the sky like gravity meant little to him, she had thought at first he was going to drop her. But instead, the cyborg had held her tight until the blood had drained from her head and she had passed out.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the door to the room opening. The Centurion's snapped to, only to relax as the one-eyed Olympus Commander entered the room. His grey-streaked hair was dishevelled and he looked like he hadn't had a decent sleep for days. Sarah guessed the man's best years were long behind him. In his hands he had a bottle of water and a folded paper bag.
He made his way over to where Sarah sat and dropped the items on the small coffee table in front of her.
"Some water and food." He said, his voice commanding, but tired.
"Thank you."
"Don't bother. You won't be here for much longer." He turned to leave.
"You're the Tribune's bodyguard, aren't you?"
The veteran stopped in his tracks. "Yes."
"What's your name?" Sarah asked, trying to get the man to stay a few moments longer. She needed any information she could get.
"Falco. Eat."
"That man, your commander. He's kinda mad, don't you think?" Sarah took the plastic bottle and opened it.
Falco turned back, his stark black body armor glistening in the fluorescent light of the room. "He is my charge. I have sworn to protect him."
"He's insane."
Falco lashed out suddenly and kicked the coffee table with such force, it flew across the room. "Don't you ever say that about my master!"
Sarah's heart was pounding. She'd obviously touched a nerve. "He's going to get you all killed."
"He is the only hope for my brotherh..." Falco stopped, realizing he'd said too much. "You rest Miss Anders. It won't be getting any easier, you know."
"I know who that machine is."
Falco cocked his head, as if egging her to continue.
"What did you people do to him?"
Falco didn't answer. Sarah could tell he was wondering if he should continue speaking at all. "Why do you care?" He answered at last.
"He was my friend."
"I don't care."
"He was captured a year ago." Sarah said, trying to hold back her emotions. She needed to stay level headed. "You put him inside that machine. That's why he remembered me. It's David Walsh isn't it?"
A thought seemed to occur to the Olympus veteran. "That's why the Peacemakers wanted you, wasn't it? You knew the Colonel's son."
Sarah nodded. "Yes. I had heard rumors of what you people had done to him. I was going to use that information to buy my way out of the country, in order to tell the world what Musabe and Olympus have done here."
"You should prepare yourself, Miss Anders. You will never be leaving this country."
Sarah grit her teeth, seeing past the threat. "Olympus will never be satisfied, will it? You could own the world and it wouldn't make a difference."
Falco half turned, as if only partially listening to what she said.
"David is gone isn't he?" Sarah's voice sounded meek as the truth began to dawn on her. "Whatever is in that thing, it's not really him anymore, is it?"
"No Miss Anders. David Walsh is dead. I know, because I killed him."
Sarah felt her lower lip quiver
.
Falco pressed on. "He was tracking Olympus for his old man. I was sent to hunt him down. I found him−stuck a sword in his back. We decided to use him as our personal science project; to fashion a soldier like none the world has ever seen."
Sarah grit her teeth, trying not to cry. David...
"My master will bring this country to its knees. I'm sorry to say you won't be here when it happens."
Falco made a bee-line towards the door and exited the room. Sarah heaved an enormous sigh and buried her head in her hands, trying to maintain control.
She had to stay strong. She told herself Brick wouldn't forget her, or the promise he made to Donald on his deathbed. She wasn't necessarily afraid for herself. She was afraid for the future of a people she'd lived with for two years. She was afraid that if she died, everything would amount for nothing.
She knew the fate of the country of Zimbala was intricately tied to her. And she hated herself for it. Sarah prayed to god not to let her suffer long; to let the end come quick.
She hated waiting.
* * *
FALCO MADE his way down to the second floor of the building, where Octavia had had Prometheus moved for the time being. She'd set up a very primitive working area where she could repair the hulking super soldier during the night. She barely noticed Falco as he entered the room−a converted commissary that now served as a makeshift laboratory.
"The woman knows about David Walsh."
Octavia didn't look up from her work. Prometheus was laying on one of the commisary tables, the weight of the massive body buckling the struts.
Falco went on. "I think the plan our Peacemaker friends had was to pull her out and use her knowledge and reporting skills to denounce Olympus in the public eye."
"Well−" Octavia said in between scans of Prometheus's armor, "−she won't be doing that now, will she?"
"Mmm." Falco mumbled.
"What's on your mind, old man?" Octavia asked, still not looking in his direction.
"The Master, he's...I'm worried."
"Titus is under a lot of pressure. He will have to get through this on his own."