by Brian Dorsey
Stone remained seated and gave a nod of appreciation as the rest of the table rose to join the toast. As they returned to their seats, Vatarus leaned toward Neo.
“I think the battlefield may be less complicated than this dinner. If only you could enlist the Lady Ophelia into your regiment.”
Neo returned a smile of relief to Vatarus.
“Oh my!” gasped Ophelia in a playful response. “Could you see a lady of a First Family in fatigues in the muck and mire?”
“I most certainly could not,” replied Stone with a duplicitous smile.
The evening continued in the same manner, a little awkward and occasionally comical. As the dinner concluded, the quests retired to the ballroom to engage in more “strategic” mingling. In her element, Astra quickly flitted from one group to another graciously accepting compliments and giving them when required, all the while with her new toy in tow. Stone couldn’t help but be impressed; her conversations were tactical works of art. The epitome of social grace, she was never too complex or controversial—even though she had the political wit to talk most senators into a corner.
Stone had just found his own mental quiet place and had begun to grow numb to the glad-handing when Astra dragged him into a small group of high-ranking officers speaking with her father.
“Colonel Lucius!” proclaimed Dominotra in a loud voice as the couple came near, obviously feeling the wine. “Let me introduce you to your new Brigadier.”
As Senator Varus stepped out of the small circle, Stone’s new commander came into view.
It was Cataline Tacitus.
And he was a Brigadier.
“I have been looking forward to having you under my command, Colonel,” said Cataline, soaking up the shock painted across Stone’s face.
Stone was certain that Cataline’s negligence with security procedures had something to do with the Gateway virus. In his mind, Cataline’s body should be decomposing in the crucifixion fields with the other traitors and murderers.
Dominotra saw the tension and spoke.
“Following the Terillian attack on Gateway Station and given our rapid mobilization, General Tacitus has been assigned a position commiserate with his experience and his family’s status. I am sure with such leadership, the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division will soon be ranked among the most famous of our people’s illustrious history.”
Stone felt Astra’s hand squeezing his fingers white. A quick glanced at her father’s face showed his growing concern about Stone’s response. Feeling the pressure of Astra’s grip and Dominotra’s stare, he held his eyes on Cataline.
A few seconds passed that seemed an eternity.
“Congratulations on your promotion, General.” Stone almost choked on the words.
“And yours as well, Colonel,” replied Cataline, his mouth curling upward in a contented smile. “We will have to discuss my plans for the regiment, Colonel. I am anxious to hear your recommendations.”
Recommendations? In his mind he had already knocked the pompous ass unconscious. The 25th was Stone’s regiment and that paper-pushing, over-bred, elitist son of a bitch would have nothing to do with how he commanded his regiment. He felt his skin growing hot.
His gaze locked on Cataline, Stone felt Astra’s death grip on his hand and took a deep breath. “I will have to get settled in first. Perhaps in a few weeks I can come to your headquarters and brief you—”
“I think it would be better, and more appropriate, if I were to visit your headquarters,” interrupted Cataline. “Perhaps I could do a quick inspection.”
Stone felt his dinner start to work its way back up his throat. Sooner or later he would have his day with Cataline. Politics be damned. “As you wish, General,” Stone replied in a slow, tempered voice, trying not to explode. “I shall have my executive set up the details with your staff.” He glanced toward Astra. “Please forgive me, but I am still getting settled to my quarters and I believe my fiancée has promised me a tour of the city.”
“Beg my forgiveness, General,” interrupted Astra coming to Stone’s aid. “I am a woman and only desire to spend time with my fiancé as he has been so often away in service of the people. Please indulge a lady’s request.”
“Of course, Lady Astra,” smiled Cataline. “I would be remiss if I did not allow you time with the Colonel before he is called away to service yet again.”
“Gentlemen,” said Stone as he turned and made his way toward the exit with Astra at his side.
As soon as they cleared the hall, Astra let loose.
“What the hell was that about, Tyler?”
“I can’t believe that bastard is my brigadier,” Stone snapped back. “You should have told me. That arrogant prick has no place commanding a brigade.”
“Do not forget your place, Tyler,” snarled Astra as she looked up toward Stone, her fury evident. “Cataline Tacitus is the patriarch of the Tacitus family and is entitled by birth to command. He is—”
Stone’s glare caused Astra to pause. He looked at her with an intense but vacant stare, as if she no longer existed as a person. “Lady Varus,” said Stone in a slow, cold, and calm manner, overtly displaying the explosion of anger that lay just below his quiet tone. “I am aware of the requirements of this society. I have been fighting—” He firmly grasped her wrist. “—and killing for it for almost two decades.”
He continued to hold her wrist firm and his eyes locked onto hers. He could see her grow uncomfortable with his glare. “You have several admirable qualities,” he continued, “and I am on the whole honored to make you my wife. But you think me less a man because of my aversion to silly parlor games and political intrigues. The importance of these political games is not lost on me, nor is their importance to your family’s honor. And do not think I fail to understand how important this is to my family’s status. But, unlike you, I do not live in the vacuum of the ballrooms and dining halls of Alpha Humana. I am a warrior of the Elite Guard. This colonel’s uniform doesn’t change that, just as it does not remove the markings placed upon my chest when I took my oath to serve my people so many years ago. I will do what I have to when it comes to politics, but this is not about politics.” He pointed back toward the direction of the dining hall. “That man is not fit to command and I say that not as a member of a damn First Family, but as a soldier who has seen battle and knows the true measure of honor, and it is not in a name, Astra Varus.”
For once, Astra said nothing.
“Don’t challenge me again in matters you know nothing about,” he warned. Stone released his grip and Astra quickly stepped away from him. He could tell he had truly frightened her.
“I meant no disrespect, Ty,” she retreated. “I know little of military matters as you say. Of these things I know only what a woman is told by men who know better. I was only trying to ensure we adhere to social dogma. Openly challenging a First Family patriarch without irrefutable evidence would be political suicide. I only mean to protect you in the manner in which I am well versed. Please forgive me.” Astra placed her hands on Stone’s chest. We can learn of each other’s worlds, Ty, and better complement one another. I am sure after we are wed and get to know each other in more social settings we shall not have problems such as these,” she added, embracing him, not unlike a scolded dog returning to its master.
Stone slowly began to regain his composure. He realized he had actually frightened Astra, an emotion Stone was sure she had rarely, if ever, felt. He also knew that Astra thought herself to be of better blood than him and when angered she was not afraid to at least imply that point. It was a price that Stone was willing to pay, however, for the sake of his family—just another duty he had to perform for his family and his people.
He also knew that Astra was right, politically speaking. Cataline would stay his commander and there was little anyone, even the Varus family, could do about it. But maybe he had shown her enough of a glimpse of the monster that he kept dormant when in the company of normal people to make her think twice about unleashing her so
cial superiority on him again—at least for a while.
“Perhaps we should let the matter go and I will attempt to handle my issues with the general on my own.”
Astra gave a quick glance up toward Stone. He saw a hint of trepidation in her eyes.
“On your own?”
“I mean I will not make my problems with him public fodder.”
“You see, Ty, we are already beginning to understand each other,” said Astra with a sigh of relief as she took his hand. “Let us put this nasty event behind us.”
As they walked down the passageway to his quarters, Stone began to wonder just who had won their little argument. He couldn’t ponder the question too long; he had to meet his new regiment tomorrow and figure out how to work with his new commander without killing him.
***
The next evening Stone sat at the desk in his quarters waiting for his key subordinates to arrive. The 25th had just returned from training maneuvers and had been granted two days’ liberty, so Stone had delayed officially assuming command until after the break to allow the men some time to wind down. While his men were enjoying a well-earned break, Stone had called his senior officers in to get a gauge on what he had to work with. As his people geared up for war, the Humani military swelled quickly and the data links had not been fully updated with new officer billets, so Stone would have to get to know his principal officers face to face.
First to enter the room was Senior Major Barilus Bruni. Stone had heard a little about Barilus through the grapevine. He apparently had a solid record and led a company as a captain during the mining uprising.
Bruni represented himself well in person as well. Close to two meters tall, his well-groomed, dark mustache showed a peppering of grey. A scar from a bullet wound on his left cheek indicated his combat experience.
“Greetings, Colonel Lucius—”
“Come in, Bruni,” interrupted Stone. “If we have to go through the formalities of introduction, the meeting will take a week. Besides, political niceties do little good in the field.”
“Very well, Sir,” smiled Bruni. “I am here to answer any questions you have.”
“So, Major,” asked Stone, “what is your assessment of the unit?”
“Honestly, we are in pretty good shape, sir. Although clearly not up to par with a Guard unit,” added Bruni.
“I understand, Major,” replied Stone, accepting the compliment. “Please continue.”
“Of course, Sir,” Bruni continued. “We performed very well in our last exercise, scoring especially high in insertion methods and battalion coordination. We were also evaluated as above average in marksmanship.”
“What’s your assessment of the exercise parameters?” asked Stone, attempting to dig a little deeper.
“Parameters, sir?” he asked.
“Yes. Did the exercise provide an adequate opportunity to both train and evaluate the
unit?”
“Well, Sir,” started Bruni, “these exercises are designed by High Command to fully—”
“I don’t want the political answer, Major,” interrupted Stone. “Give it to me straight.”
“No B.S.?”
“No B.S.”
“Well in that case, I would say it was hard to properly gauge our performance.”
“Why is that?” asked Stone.
“The parameters, Sir. They didn’t really challenge our initial tactical plan. The insertion was not adequately resisted and follow-on logistical support was never interdicted.”
“I see, Major.”
“I have more, Sir,” replied Bruni. “Furthermore, our ammunition supply was effectively endless, our wounded were allowed to return to our ranks following each day’s scenario, and our opposing forces were two new regiments; they actually placed themselves in a crossfire situation in one scenario where they would have inflicted more damage on each other than us.”
“So it was a typical High Command exercise,” said Stone with a smile on his face.
“Pretty much, Sir. All flash and no substance. That is not to say we did not perform well, we just were not pressed in a manner to fully evaluate our combat readiness against anything other than an armed mob.”
“Fair enough, Major,” said Stone. He liked Bruni’s honesty regarding the status of the unit. He seemed to be a man he could work, and hopefully go into combat with as well.
“Who else have you brought with you, Bruni?” continued Stone.
“I have brought both battalion commanders, the captain recently assigned as our staff and intelligence officer, and the commander of our recon platoon.”
“Let’s bring them in and see what we’ve got,” replied Stone.
Next to enter was Major Victor Gates. Stone was instantly impressed.
“Major Gates, according to your record,” stated Stone, “you have reached terminal rank due to your commoner status but have stayed in the service and apparently…” Stone paused as he flipped through Gates’s record. “…have ranked well even against your First Family counterpart, Major Atticus Vatarus. That either speaks volumes about your abilities or Vatarus’s incompetence.”
“I like to think my record speaks for itself, Colonel,” replied Gates. “And I am honored to be ranked alongside an officer as fine as Major Vatarus.”
“Well said, Major,” replied Stone. “Let’s bring Vatarus in.”
Atticus Vatarus strode into the room like he was on parade. “Colonel Lucius, Sir, Major Atticus Vatarus of the Vatarus family has the pleasure of making your acquaintance and honor of serving under your command.”
Atticus, first cousin to Colonel Romanari Vatarus, was definitely of noble birth and he wanted everyone to know it. His uniform, personally tailored, fit like a glove. He wore the ornate ring that designated him as a graduate of the elite Xenus Military Academy. Even the hilt of his traditional officer sword was decorated with gold-inlaid braiding. Stone rose from his seat to greet Vatarus.
“Shall we dispense with the formalities and speak freely, Major?” asked Stone, trying to gauge his all-too-proper major.
“Aye, Sir,” replied Vatarus. “Pleasantries aside, I am pleased that command of this regiment did not fall to some whelp who’s Senator-father has finagled some backroom deal that will get me or my men killed due to his incompetence. You may be in command because of your political affiliations, but I do not doubt your ability to command.”
Stone was taken aback. He had not expected such a frank statement from a rising star in the Vatarus family. Not only had Atticus Vatarus commented on the same fears Stone had regarding political appointments, but he had mentioned concern for his men. He was still obviously arrogant but maybe he could back it up with his actions. Hopefully Vatarus would work out as well.
“I can promise I will lead this regiment to the best of my ability, Major Atticus Vatarus,” replied Stone in the formal way, with which Vatarus was obviously pleased.
“I believe my staff officer is next, Major Bruni?” asked Stone.
“Yes, Sir. Your staff officer is a direct transfer from the Guard.”
Stone’s interest was piqued. The idea of another Guard officer in the unit brought a smile to his face. He assumed it was one of the captains from 2nd Regiment. Perhaps Captain Nelson. Stone had heard good things about him. As the door opened and his chief staff officer entered, the all too familiar walk and bouncing red hair was unmistakable.
“Emily!” exclaimed Stone forgetting himself.
Quickly regaining his composure, he continued, “Captain Martin, what a pleasant surprise. I had thought the 1st Regiment was to—”
“When I found out where you were going, Sir,” interrupted Martin, to the obvious chagrin of Vatarus, “I requested a transfer and Colonel Hastings approved it, so here I am to cover your ass again.”
“More like she requested a transfer ten times until Hastings got sick of saying no!” blurted a lieutenant as he burst into the room.
It was Jackson, another of Stone’s former captain
s, which confused Stone almost as much as the series of undignified introductions clearly annoyed Vatarus.
“What are you doing here, Jackson?” asked Stone.
“Well I figured Emily wouldn’t know what to do without me so I had to come along and keep an eye on her keeping an eye on you.”
“That’s Captain Martin, Lieu-ten-ant,” snapped Martin, her face turning red with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. “You have lost the right to call me Emily both by your loose morals and now by your rank.” An audible huff escaped her lungs. “Only a fool would request a demotion…but I could always count on you to make the wrong decision.”
Martin turned away from Jackson. “Colonel Stone, may I present your Recon platoon commander, Lieu-ten-ant Jackson.”
It was getting late and if he didn’t break up the meeting, he was sure Martin would end up kicking Jackson’s ass and Vatarus’ head would explode from the lack of formality in which she did it.
It was definitely an interesting group of officers.
“Well, Gentlemen, and Captain Martin, I think that will be enough for tonight. I truly look forward to working with you all. You are all released for the remainder of the liberty. I will see you all at 0700 in two days.”
“Aye, Sir,” the group replied almost in unison.
“Good to work with you again, Major. I mean, Colonel,” said Jackson, who had waited as the others left. “Thanks for breaking up the group hug early. I am getting my new recon platoon together for some extra individual combat training. They’re pretty ragged right now.”
“You had better get to work then, Jackson,” replied Stone. “Time is probably not on our side.”
“Aye, Sir,” he replied as he saluted and headed out the door to catch up to the others.
Chapter 6
A group of fifty young men stood in a circle in the nearly empty gymnasium with Hugh Jackson in the center. The men seemed physically fit and in all outward appearances looked like excellent stock for a recon patrol. As Jackson called them out one by one, however, he methodically dismantled their airs of confidence and made a mockery of their individual combat skills.