by Andrew Mack
Willits looked at both of the guards. “Thank you, Sargent. I changed the time, we are good. Will you do a perimeter sweep on the loading dock and ramp extension before you leave. The Ambassador’s luggage, along with Miss Devanoe’s, can be left right there.”
The two guards saluted and began their security sweep of the area. The two dock workers began walking back up the ramp. Willits did the introductions. “Ambassador Bird, Miss Devanoe, I am Commander Nolan Willits, this is Commander Avery Jones, of the Delegate Ambassador Guard. We will be responsible for the security detail for your transport to Belinea.”
Ambassador Bird spoke. “Nice to meet you, Commander. Miss Devanoe tells me you were responsible for changing my departure time.”
Willits stood with his arms crossed behind his back. “My apologies Ambassador. Just a safety precaution on my part.”
Ambassador Bird responded matter-of-factly. “Honestly, most of the meetings needed to be canceled anyway, they were a waste of time. And who are these two?”
Willits pointed open-handed. “These are our pilots, cadets Trujillo and Tunsall.”
Ambassador Bird was confused. “Cadets?”
Willits could see this might be a problem. “Yes, sir. Top of the class at Odgins, they graduate next week.”
Alexis extended her hand first to Trujillo, still smiling, then to Tunsall. However, she never took her eyes off Trujillo. Ambassador Bird was confused and asked, “Commander Willits, pardon me. Are these cadets not Delegate Ambassador Guard? I spoke at great length with Director Kimakawa about getting the best for this mission.”
Commander Willits would try humor to defuse the situation. “I appreciate the compliment, Ambassador. Commander Jones and I are not used to such flattery.”
Ambassador Bird was now annoyed. “Commander, I was referring to experienced officers.”
Commander Willits stood a little more upright now. “I understand, sir. This transport is the most advanced the BRG and Council have to offer. Most pilots have little to no hours of time in it. Luckily for you, no one has more flight time in it than these two cadets.”
Ambassador Bird was still upset. He continued, “Commander, I am giving a speech to the Council, proposing to expand your Guard and become less dependent on the BRG. Miss Devanoe then keeps shoving me information about this terrorist group on Avola, and a terrorist named Taz being linked to them. Our trip is now at level red, and you’re telling me these two cadets are the best Kimakawa has got? No offense, gentlemen.”
Trujillo and Tunsall just slightly shook their heads. Willits waited for a second, before replying. “Ambassador, I understand your trepidation. But with all due respect, I have a great deal of experience in this. I can assure you that I am going to get you safely to Belinea.”
The Ambassador did not sound convinced. “Perhaps if I had a word with the Director .....”
But Willits cut him off, with a little bit of anger in his voice. “The Director chose me for a reason, Ambassador. Talking with him will only be a waste of thirty minutes from our departure. Stick with the speeches, let me handle the security. Got it?”
There was a long pause. Ambassador Bird still looked unconvinced. A staredown between Willits and Ambassador Bird was lasting more than ten seconds. Willits finally said, “I understand the magnitude of the mission, even better than you. I will get you to Belinea, sir.”
The Ambassador gave another long pause before finally saying, “I am unfamiliar with this vessel Commander. Where do we go from here?”
Willits still looked serious, adding, “Commander Jones will escort you inside and show you both your quarters, Ambassador. Cadets Trujillo and Tunsall will take care of your personal belongings.”
Jones opened his hand towards the entrance of the ship. “Right this way Ambassador.”
The Ambassador and Alexis followed Commander Jones onto the ship. After they were on board and way out of hearing distance, Trujillo looked at Willits with a disdain look. “You lied.”
Willits shrugged his shoulders and said, “Simulator, real-time. The Ambassador doesn’t know the difference.”
Tunsall said, “That’s not what we’re talking about. You said it was a special, combat mission.”
Willits, still confused. “And?”
Tunsall followed, “We are chauffeuring an Ambassador across the galaxy. I’m shocked we had to show credentials to the Dock Master.”
Willits was now a little annoyed. “Well, mission experience before you even graduate, you’re fucking welcome.”
Trujillo was stunned. “Mission experience? We are babysitting an Ambassador and driving a golf cart.”
Trujillo and Tunsall said nothing. Willits continued, “If you think I am playing games, you have permission to go back to your simulators. I can find two other qualified, more experienced pilots.”
Tunsall, after a pause, said, “Then why us, Commander?”
Willits continued. “You can fly this thing?”
Trujillo responded. “In our sleep.”
Willits softened his tone and voice. “Good, because the list of people I trust keeps getting a lot shorter. I asked Master Sergeant Evans for her two best, and she gave me you two.”
Tunsall looked curious now. “What are you not telling us?”
Willits spoke. “What I know about this mission is a hundred times more than you. You two have zero hidden agendas, and neither of you knows jack-shit, which is why you are here. Nothing would bring me greater joy than a boring trip to Belinea. But my gut tells me something different.”
Trujillo now had a different tune. “What are you not telling us?”
Tunsall asked, “What do you think will happen?”
Willits said, “You ain’t carrying that sidearm for show.”
Trujillo and Tunsall glanced at each other before turning back to Willits. Willits continued. “Now shut up, do as you are told, and let’s get out of here. Tunsall, do a physical pre-flight check of the ship. Trujillo, help me with the luggage.”
Trujillo was still a little pissed. “Why isn’t he carrying bags?”
Willits picked up a bag. “Because the better pilot flies first.”
Tunsall took his hand and slid it on the outside door of the ship, carefully inspecting the engines with his tablet. Trujillo looked pissed and kept staring at Willits.
Willits just looked at him and began walking with the luggage. “Did you really think I didn’t read the file?”
Belinea 1.12
Avola
Valmay Opposition Group Headquarters
Bosa Provence
The Valmay Group’s Base was inside a massive cave on the side of a mountain. The enormous doors had already closed, and all five ships had just landed. Steam was still coming off them as the doors opened. Octavious and Kaya all got off with the other soldiers. They began walking over to the Control Tower Area. Octavious looked at Kaya as they continued to walk together. He said, “Are you alright?”
Kaya, perplexed by the question, said, “Yeah.”
After a long pause, she asked, “Are you?”
Octavious said, “Yeah, why?”
Kaya said, “I’ve seen rocks move faster.”
Octavious rolled his eyes. He said, “I offered to switch.”
Kaya quickly answered. “And trust your shot? I’d be running for my life.”
Octavious replied, “You hit a couple of stationary soldiers from thirty meters away…”
Kaya cut him off with “It was more like eighty meters away.”
Octavious said, “It was thirty…”
Kaya stopped walking and said, “It was eighty meters. This is why your shot sucks. You can’t tell the difference between thirty meters and eighty.”
Octavious smiled and kept walking. Kaya trailed behind. Cortes and Rendon heard the whole conversation and were both smil
ing and shaking their heads. Rendon, Octavious, and Kaya walked up to a woman who was waiting for them outside. Former Ambassador Syren asked them both as they approached “Successful mission?”
Kaya nodded. Octavious shrugged his shoulders and said, “We got the Vait, and no one was killed, so ….”
Syren was wearing a long white robe. With her hands in her pocket, she said, “Octavious, the last shipment of Vait you sold to the Invicto Guild is less than half of what you could have made selling it on the black market, let alone the Council or Majavkee….”
Octavious glanced at Rendon, who had just slightly bumped into him. He looked at Rendon and said, “Get that Vait back to Bisi. Download the intel off those ships’ computers.”
Rendon asked, “Paint the Fighters?”
Octavious looked at Rendon first, then turned to Syren and said, “Not yet, I may have a plan for those. Ambassador Syren, monetary gain is not the primary objective. I will not sell to the Council. The Belineans will simply use the Vait to construct more ships, increasing the military capacity of the AuFa. The Invicto Guild aligns with the Logistical Cargo and Trade Corporations, operating independently of the Council.”
Rendon walked away. Ambassador Syren was trying to plead her case. ”It is also becoming increasingly difficult to sell to the Invicto Guild because of the embargo.”
Octavious understood, “We will cross that bridge when we get to it. Find me another independent contractor not aligned with the Council, and I am open to selling to them as well.”
Ambassador Syren tried a different tactic. “Supplies and weapons cost money. You obtain more money by selling more Vait, Octavious.”
Octavious looked at Kaya before speaking. “The small percentage we keep for weapons and ammunition provides security for the miners. We lose that security when we give our enemies the wealth to build more ships and weapons to defeat us.”
The Ambassador countered, “The miners’ wealth is basic needs. Food, clothing, shelter, and a Quill education. Your wealth is the power to hold this territory.”
Ocativous sounded confident. “Principle is the greatest wealth we have, Syren. There must be righteousness in what we preach. Otherwise, we are ruling in fear, which cannot be sustained.”
Kaya managed to change the subject as Ambassador Syren was perturbed. She said, “No word from the Belineans?”
Ambassador Syren, a woman much shorter than Kaya, humbly spoke. “Nothing, as of now. But keep stealing their Vait, and it will get their attention. At some point, they will send much more than a few Aufa regiments to support the local Majavkee security.”
Kaya was befuddled. “Their Vait? It was never theirs to begin with. Do you think they will send more troops? “
Ambassador Syren was somewhat confident. “Sooner than later, yes. You just laid waste to one of their garrisons. I’m sure it’s still burning. They aren’t going to pretend it didn’t happen.”
Kaya sounded angry. “If we only harvested our own Vait, here, in the Bosa Provence, and stopped attacking their bases, then what? They leave us?”
The Ambassador thought it was a good question. “It’s possible, Kaya. They are getting plenty of Vait from their resources. The eyes of the Council could see it as a diplomatic compromise.”
There was a pause before Octavious spoke. “There will be no diplomatic compromise. They are also not going to leave. They are going to mine all the territories they control until there is no more Vait to mine. And then, they will come for ours. It will not be limited to a Battle Carrier Group. It will be a full invasion.”
Ambassador Syren asked, “Is that what you think?”
Octavious began to walk away. He answered, “No, it’s what I know.”
Kaya looked at Syren before walking away with her brother. After a few steps, Syren raised her voice and said, “Octavious, you have brought great awareness to this cause. In history, you will be looked at as someone who saved Avola if you can barter a peaceful negotiation. But if you continue these vicious attacks, you will lose the sympathy of the Council. The other Avolian Ambassadors are calling you terrorists. You are only providing evidence to the narrative.”
Octavious stopped. He turned around and said, “Evidence to the narrative? Do you truly believe there is a narrative where they don’t invade, Syren? You believe in your heart, they desire peace?”
Ambassador Syren asked softly, “Octavious, what is the alternative to negotiation? War? Against them? You would not last one day.”
Kaya, coolly but confidently, said,” We just took out an entire garrison, stole two Sirator fighters and a giant cargo ship full of Vait, all with only nine soldiers. I like our chances.”
Octavious gave a small grin. Kaya just squinted her eyes, still staring at Syren for doubting their capabilities. The Ambassador, now looking at both of them, calmly said,” This is only the beginning. Eventually, the innocents will start dying.”
The three stared at each other. After a few seconds, Octavious said, “I will not succumb to some form of Totalitarianism, Ambassador. Negotiation ends without basic freedoms, and our death will happen before we give that up. If innocents die, so be it, that will be on their soul.”
The Ambassador quickly countered, “No, Octavious, that will be on your soul too.”
The Ambassador turned around and walked away. Octavious and Kaya briefly looked at each other before turning around themselves and headed into the Control Tower.
Belinea 1.13
Space Port Earth, 15:55
On the other side of Earth, a large transport ship in orbit slowly opened its back cargo doors. A small, black, single-pilot attack fighter emerged. The cockpit glass was lightly tinted, and the fighter had no running lights. The small angular engines fired up, a bluish hue on the inside. The attack-fighter gained speed as it flew further away from the large transport ship. The pilot was wearing a dark blood-red helmet that covered his entire head. A simple four-centimeter wide visor was cut into the helmet in a semi-circle around his eyes. The visor was entirely translucent silver, allowing him to see out but preventing anyone from seeing in. He dropped the accelerator throttle all the way, and the attack fighter moved even quicker. He hit a couple of controls then returned his hands to the stick. In the distance, but rapidly approaching, was Space Port Earth.
In the control tower of SPE, a DAG corporal surveys the flight map. Suddenly, he sees a large blip on his screen. It almost lights up the whole board, making it unable to decipher between the smaller ships coming and going. A few seconds went by, and the board almost returned to normal. But instantly, another blip hit the screen. It lit up the whole screen, making it incapable of reading anything. The Corporal turned around in his seat and shouted out, “Commander, there’s a problem.”
The DAG Commander, a female officer, came over to the Corporal’s screen. “What is it, Corporal?”
The Corporal sounded nervous as he said, “The screen, Commander. It just lit up and froze. I can’t see anything.”
The screen began to come back to normal before another blip lit it up again and rendered it useless. The Commander, now beginning to realize what it was, hit a couple of controls on the Corporal’s control panel. “We are being jammed. Did you see any ships on your screen before this happened that were not registered?”
The Corporal looked confused. He said, “Commander?”
The Commander was fully engaged now. “Any ships not registered, Corporal? Anything approaching the base at high speed or jumping out of Hyper-EXtension?”
The Corporal was simply bewildered “I... I don’t know, Commander.”
The blip went off again, this time lasting longer and causing more blindness. The Commander turned around and sprinted back to her station. Hitting a few buttons, she then shouted into the speaker. “DAG Control, this is the Control Tower Commander, get me the AuFa Operational Commander on Duty, stat, we are being
attacked.”
The small attack fighter closed in on SPE. It was still about twenty seconds away. The Pilot with the blood-red helmet kept hitting a few more controls. The jamming of the frequency was working. He began to run a scan on SPE, getting an entire readout of the Port. He then hit a few more controls, and the area for Dock 5 lit up yellow and was blinking. He then locked in on that area and directed the attack fighter to that position of the base.
The Control Tower was completely buzzing now. Everyone was looking out the windows, trying to see if they saw anything unusual. The female DAG Commander was now yelling into the speaker again, “AuFa Watch Deck, get those F-81’s up, now.”
A voice came over the speaker, “Commander, do you have a visual ID on the attacker?”
The Commander was talking fast. “Negative. But we are being jammed. I am sure you are too. So whatever it is, it doesn’t want us to see it.”
Suddenly, one of the officers pointing at the glass window, shouted, “Commander! Over there, across flight deck Alpha. Is that some sort of attack fighter?”
Everyone turned. Most did not see it, but a few did. The Commander spoke into the intercom again. “AuFa Watch Deck, visual on something approaching Alpha Deck.”
The black attack fighter rapidly approached the Alpha deck. It slowed down to maneuver around the prodding dock stations so it could line up with Deck 5. As it slowed, it then hovered, opening the covers to let it’s two guns out. However, there was no ship there. Confused, the Pilot with the blood-red helmet rechecked his controls. Deck 5 was highlighted and currently blinking, but nothing was there.
Two F-81 Sirator’s launched from the AuFa Watch Deck. They quickly accelerated and made their way around the Port. Weaving in and out, they made their way to Deck 5. One F-81 fighter identified the black attack fighter. Noticing the guns out, it hastily took a shot at it.
The Pilot of the black attack fighter was puzzled. It was supposed to be here. Where was it? He then glanced up and saw the two F-81’s in the distance. He veered his ship to the right, just as one of the F-81’s fired at him. It missed narrowly. He accelerated the fighter into attack speed. The two F-81’s began to chase him.