by Ken Lozito
Damon took a step closer and stopped himself. “One of those things took a member of my team. I wasn’t just going to let that happen. No one in Field Ops would do such a thing.”
“That’s good. There should be that kind of camaraderie in our line of work. I’m not questioning the courage of your team. I’m questioning how you handled the situation. A real team that’s been properly trained stands a better chance of changing the outcome the next time the berwolfs, or some other creature, attacks,” Connor said.
“Right. So how would you have done it?”
“The team I have in mind would be comprised of specialists equipped to deal with the situation. I would have used the drones, set my sharpshooters up high. They don’t need to go running through the forest to get a clear shot. I’d have had the rest of my team stagger their approach so we’d cover each other while we went in and got our man,” Connor said.
Damon shook his head. “Sounds good while we’re here, but out there it’s different. If another of my men got taken tomorrow, I’d go in there and get him as quick as I could.”
“You’d prefer to go on with business as usual. If you do that, more people will die,” Connor said and turned toward the audience. “Is Dr. Cummings here?”
A short balding man stood up in the crowd and raised his hand.
“Just a quick question for you. In nature, once predators begin probing defenses, do they simply go away?” Connor asked.
Dr. Cummings glanced over at Tobias, who nodded for him to answer. “Predators have been known to stalk their prey for extended periods of time. However, when a predator believes there is a competing predator encroaching on their territory, some will never leave and will fight to preserve what’s theirs. They’ll keep coming until the threat is annihilated or they cannot perceive a way to overcome the stronger predator.”
“You see, Damon, it’s not me. These are facts based on what we learned back home, except that the predators here seem more intelligent than what we had back home. Why else would they incapacitate your ATV before moving in on their intended target?” Connor said.
Mills shook his head and looked away.
“I’m not asking to take over Field Operations. I’m asking to train a new team as a proof of concept that will help secure the colony.”
Tobias stood up and came over to Connor. “I think we understand what you’re asking for, and I have a suggestion of my own for how best to handle this. Damon, you supervise field operations and will continue to do so, executing your duties as you see fit. I need you, but I also want you to consider what Connor has said.”
Damon glared at Connor, then gave a jerk of his head.
“I’m going to give Connor’s proposal of forming a new team a chance. I believe that in the original request Connor called them a platoon. This is on a provisional basis to get a better idea of how such a team would perform,” Tobias said. “Now, who has questions?”
“I have a question,” Damon said. “Where do you intend to get your volunteers? I won’t order any of my people to do this because it’s not something I’d do myself.”
“I only want volunteers. I’ll speak to various Field Operations personnel in groups,” Connor said and then turned toward the audience. “I will also be coming to your respective divisions because we’ll need the expertise of people like you and your departments to provide consultancies. Not all consultancies can be done from the safety of the compound.”
Multiple people began shouting their displeasure at this request.
Lenora stood up. “This is a perfectly reasonable request. Don’t you see that this is for our own protection? He’s not asking you to join the army. He’s asking for at least one member of your staff to be field qualified in the event they need your help. The better those guys can do their jobs, the safer we all are. I know when I go out in the field the security details that are assigned to my group do an excellent job at trying to keep us safe. But if someone like Mr. Gates can offer something better and lower the risk to our lives, we should give him our support. If you don’t, you forfeit your right to complain when it’s you out in the field and it’s your life on the line.”
Connor’s mouth hung open and he took a moment to recover. “Thank you.”
Lenora sat back down.
“Just remember, the motivation for all of this is to save lives. I’m not going to force anyone out into the field. This is our new home. We have to adapt to it, and that means sharing some of the burdens, which includes risk.”
“Thank you, Connor. You’ve certainly given us some things to think about. That’s it for today’s session. I hope you all have a wonderful day,” Tobias said.
Connor leaned in so Tobias could hear him. “I still need to speak with you.”
Tobias nodded. “I expected as much. Once the audience leaves we can talk.”
It didn’t take long for the audience to start emptying out. Lenora waved to him and left. Connor felt a soft tap on his shoulder and turned around.
Grace Bernstein stared up at him. “Is what you said true? If Steven had been part of your group, would he have survived?” she asked.
Connor saw the anguish in her eyes and the longing for some fleeting hope that could give her husband back to her.
“No, ma’am, I can’t make that guarantee. No one can,” Connor said softly.
Grace nodded and then allowed herself to be guided away.
“Nice performance,” Damon said. “Just now, I mean.”
Connor glared at the man, and his knuckles ached to strike the man’s jaw. “You’re a piece of work.”
“You’re the one selling these people on something you can’t deliver. A life without fences here on this planet isn’t possible,” Damon said.
“We’ll see,” Connor replied.
“You’ve only been here a few days. Talk to me after you’ve been here as long as I have. You don’t know the half of it. You act as if the berwolfs are the worst things waiting for us out there,” Damon said.
Before Connor could reply, Franklin called them over. Juan Diaz and Noah Barker were standing with him, along with Tobias and Ashley Quinn.
They all went into a nearby conference room located behind the stage. A fresh pot of coffee waited for them, and they all sat down.
“Governor, I don’t see why we need to indulge this request. There’s a lot more to worry about—bigger things than the local wildlife,” Damon said.
Connor frowned in confusion. What was Damon talking about?
Tobias held up his hand. “Not now, Damon. The decision’s been made,” the governor said and turned to Connor. “Alright, Connor, we’re all ears. What is it you want to do?”
“I’ll need a designated space to train my team,” Connor said.
“We can provide space here at the compound—” Tobias began, but stopped when he noticed Connor shaking his head.
“Not here. I need to train them away from here. There are too many distractions, too much comfort. Are all the forward operating research bases in use?” Connor asked.
Tobias pinched his lips together and looked over at Franklin.
“How far away did you want to go?” Franklin asked.
“Doesn’t have to be on the frontier or anything like that. Just more than a few days’ walk from here,” Connor said.
“Are you serious? What are you going to do with this team?” Damon asked.
“I’m going to train them, make them into a cohesive unit that’s highly disciplined and able to adapt to new situations,” Connor replied.
“You mean you’re turning them into soldiers,” Damon said.
“If that’s what it takes, but you can’t argue with the thousands of years of history backing me up. Were you a soldier?” Connor asked.
Damon shook his head. “No, I was in law enforcement.”
Connor held in his surprise. Tobias had people with only a law enforcement background running security for the whole damn compound? Mallory was a good man, but he had to k
now he was getting in over his head.
Franklin cleared his throat. “How many people do you intend to bring?”
“Ideally between thirty and fifty, but I’ll start with as few as ten. There’ll be some who will quit and there’ll be some who won’t make the cut. We’ll need some equipment and supplies, but we’ll be somewhat self-sufficient,” Connor said.
“We have a research base just twelve kilometers away that’s underutilized. You’d need to share it with the field team that’s there, but I think it could work if we had a barracks there. What else?” Franklin said.
“Weapons. Diaz informed me that you restrict their use and prefer to use deterrent-type force like the SD-15s. Nonlethal weapons have their uses, but there comes a time when a deterrent isn’t enough and more than one predator will need to be put down to make them leave us alone,” Connor said.
“That is out of the question,” Tobias said.
“You need to reconsider because no matter how we frame it, we’re the invaders here. I prefer a peaceful resolution, but sometimes it comes down to them or us, and we need to be prepared. Locking up the military-grade weaponry isn’t going to prevent that. Please, Tobias, trust me to do my job. My team needs not only to learn how to use the weapons we have, but they must be comfortable with them. But I’m not going to have them annihilate a species so we can be comfortable,” Connor said.
Tobias drew in a breath and glanced at his wife. “I don’t like this, but I’ll give you clearance for them.”
“The other thing I’ll need is priority access to engineering teams and Noah,” Connor said.
Noah had been nodding and listening, then gave a start when his name was mentioned. “Me? What do you need me for?”
“To help us with some of our technological hurdles,” Connor said.
“I’m happy to help you, Connor, you know that, but there are so many people waiting for me already with projects of their own,” Noah said.
“Do those projects directly impact the survivability of the people involved?” Connor asked.
Noah swallowed hard and looked at Tobias helplessly.
Franklin cleared his throat. “We have some engineers on staff who can help.”
“I’m sure they’re very good, but I need the best, and by most accounts I’ve heard, that’s Noah,” Connor said.
Franklin looked at Tobias. “How about we designate a chunk of Noah’s allocation to what Connor needs each week and take it from there?”
“Don’t I get a say in this?” Noah asked.
Tobias smiled. “Of course, go right ahead.”
“What do you need that you think only I can do?” Noah asked.
“For starters, we’ll need changes to the standard Field Operations equipment that will require upgrades to things like suit computers. I want to be able to deploy my own drones and have them fly reconnaissance that’s patched directly to us and not Command Central. And about three or four more things,” Connor said.
Noah looked intrigued. “I’m sure I can do some of that an—”
“We’ll work something out,” Tobias said, cutting Noah off.
“I need command authority within Field Operations and Security,” Connor said.
“Why?” Tobias asked.
“We’re going to be working together, and I don’t need anyone having to run to someone like Mills to see whether they should follow an order from me when we’re out in the field,” Connor said.
Tobias glanced at Franklin, eyebrows raised.
“It’s done,” Franklin said.
“That’s it? You’re just giving him command authority?” Damon snarled.
Franklin’s brows pushed forward. “The man was a colonel in the NA Alliance military with decades of experience commanding platoons like the one he’s proposing. What more do you need?”
Damon clamped his mouth shut and just shook his head.
“How’s this going to work?” Tobias asked. “Officially, Field Operations and Security isn’t a military by itself. It’s more of a law enforcement agency mixed with the old-style park rangers.”
“Well, we’ll need a new division then, one that’ll provide the framework Connor needs to put his team together so we can all work in concert,” Franklin said.
“I’ll consider it. For now, you’re Search and Rescue,” Tobias said.
“I’d like you to transfer Corporal Diaz under my command,” Connor said.
“Now wait just a damn minute,” Damon snarled.
“Hold on a minute,” Diaz said. “I volunteer. I’ve been working with Connor all week. I want to join his team, and to be honest, Connor is going to need all the help he can get.” Diaz turned to Damon. “Meaning no disrespect to you, sir, but I think it would be the best fit for me.”
Damon’s nostrils flared. “Fine,” he said and looked at Franklin. “Are we done?”
“Not yet,” Connor said. “I’ll want to speak to your direct reports tomorrow morning.”
Damon looked like he was about to spew fire. “Tobias, I want to confirm that I have the authority to block transfers of individuals whose roles are critical to Field Operations.”
“I’ll leave that to Franklin,” Tobias said.
“I’ll give final approval for any transfers, but you can certainly bring me your concerns,” Franklin said.
Connor tried not to smile, and that seemed to infuriate Damon more. The Field Operations commander left them, and Tobias blew out a low whistle.
“He’ll come around,” Franklin said. “Mills is a good man.”
Connor didn’t say anything, but he wasn’t convinced that he and Damon could work together. The man was territorial and took everything personally—not the best traits in a commander.
“Well then, I wish you luck with this,” Tobias said to Connor.
“I appreciate the show of support. I know this can’t be easy,” Connor said.
“Why? Because you’re not supposed to be here?” Tobias asked.
“That’s part of it.”
“We’ll see what happens,” Tobias said.
“Come on, Connor,” Franklin said. “Let’s get you set up. I’ll find a place at headquarters for you and Diaz to work while you get this up and running.”
“Thank you. Oh, one more thing for Tobias,” Connor said. “Mills is right. There are only so many people I can pilfer from Field Ops before it becomes a problem. I know you have a schedule for waking up the colonists on the Ark, but can you prioritize certain types of individuals? Former military experience would be good, people like Diaz who have infantry experience, anyone with hunting and survival experience. People like that.”
Tobias glanced at his wife. “You said he wouldn’t be trouble, and now he’s treating the people on the Ark like a mail order catalog.”
Ashley gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. “No one said starting a colony would be easy, love.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Tobias said.
“Really? I’ve been asking for additional personnel and you’ve been putting me off, but Connor gets special treatment.” Franklin laughed and looked at Connor. “Tomorrow you get to try to convince a bunch of people who are settled to leave all that behind for a while to be trained in a job they might not want,” Franklin said.
“Sometimes people will surprise you,” Connor said.
They left the auditorium conference room, and Connor was already making lists in his head. He pulled Diaz and Noah aside.
“Thanks, guys. If you know someone who would be a good fit for the team, I want to know about it. Don’t be shy about it either, Noah,” Connor said.
“Wait. I’m just on loan,” Noah said.
Connor grinned. “For now.”
“But I’m not a soldier,” Noah protested.
“Neither was I,” Connor said. “Don’t look so scared. I want your input on the technical stuff, and I’ll show you things like how to shoot a rifle. It’ll be fun. Plus you’ll gain a valuable perspective by doing some field
work.”
Noah considered it for a moment and then nodded.
“Let’s get to it,” Connor said.
Now the real work would begin. Building the team he had in mind wasn’t going to be easy. He and Diaz had their work cut out for them, but it was a start—at least for now.
Chapter Fourteen
In the weeks that followed, Connor worked nearly around the clock. He only needed a few hours’ sleep in order to function, which was one of the benefits of the nanite suite he had. Dr. Marashi had taken a sample of the nanites from Connor’s blood to see if he could duplicate them. Long-term exposure carried a risk of the body rejecting the nanites, rendering them ineffectual. The nanites Connor had in his system were experimental and cutting edge, which was why only his old platoon had access to them. They’d needed to cycle them at least once a year to avoid complications. Since Dr. Marashi hadn’t been able to reproduce the nanites, Connor was reluctant to let them go. They simply offered him too many advantages, including quick healing abilities, for him to go back to living without them.
“Are you sure about this?” Diaz asked, glancing down at the three chevrons that adorned the arms of his uniform.
“If I wasn’t sure, you wouldn’t be here,” Connor said.
Field Operations had a similar command structure as the NA Alliance military, which Connor attributed more to Franklin Mallory than Tobias Quinn. Quinn was adamant about not having anything that functioned as a military, believing that having standing militaries created as many problems as it solved.
“I have to say I really didn’t think Mallory would go for the change in plans,” Diaz said.
“You saw that research base. It wasn’t going to work,” Connor replied.
They were standing in Connor’s temporary office at the Field Operations Headquarters. The interactive wallscreen had lists of supplies and personnel records of the squad they’d put together.
“That’s another thing. We easily had more volunteers. Why aren’t we taking everyone we can get?” Diaz asked.