Alex made a name for himself among us by fighting for what he knew to be right. Many of you rallied under his leadership on the battlefield, and many of you spoke with him about your own losses. As I said, he may not have been from here, but he was one of us. And now we welcome him home one last time.
Jack turned to face the casket and saluted, “Alexander Culloch, I am proud to call you a Hero of New Columbia. You went above and beyond what anyone expected of you, and now we welcome you home.”
The crowd gave their salute -or at least their attempt at one- and stood in reverent silence. The ceremonies continued on and the bodies of the dead were buried deep in the sands of Mars.
But the ceremonies ended on a much gladder note.
...
A few hours later, Val stood behind the podium and looked out at the crowd. Most of the civilians had been dismissed after the funeral services, and now only the military and governing figures of New Columbia remained. These proceedings were being broadcast live for the sake of the citizens, but for the continued operation of the city, many of the citizens had been dismissed.
She tapped the microphone and proffered a wide smile, "Today we have buried more than a hundred young men and women who gave their all for kin and country. But there are some whom we have not recognized. People who gave their all but were lucky enough to survive. Now we want to honor all of you, the heroes who made it back alive. When I call your name, please come to the stage."
Val began calling out names, recognizing the heroes of New Columbia, many of them receiving promotions for exceptional bravery and leadership, and many of them received medals identical to the one given to Maria for her destruction of Goliath.
She announced the next group of people on her list, after what had seemed like a million, "Seamus Connally and all surviving members of the First Irish Volunteers Regiment, we award you as Heroes of New Columbia for your outstanding courage, for fighting with no regard to yourselves, for refusing to retreat when there was even the smallest sliver of hope, and for sacrificing more than any other unit. You lead by example Mr. Connally, and the men and women of the FIVR are truly New Columbia's finest."
Seamus and his remaining men -they had suffered something like seventy-five percent casualties to their original numbers- made their way up to the stage. The melancholy pride was visible in each and every one of them. They'd have nightmares about the trenches for years to come, but they took comfort in knowing they had served and served well.
Before Seamus and his men could return to their seats like the rest of the units, Val stopped him. "Seamus, the rebellion would like to thank you in one more way. Soldiers of the FIVR, you may return to your seats." While the soldiers returned to their seats, Val grabbed a box from inside the hollow podium.
"We, New Columbia's high command, would like to ask that you take the position of Grand General of the New Columbian Army if you so wish. If not, then we gladly extend the offer of any lesser office you wish."
Seamus smiled, "Grand General of the Army, huh? I'd be more than happy to oblige with that."
Val smiled and pulled out a newly fabricated uniform, an olive-drab affair resembling something from the 1950s, albeit sleeker. "In that case, report to high command tomorrow. There a few elements of the government we need to discuss, General Connally. Welcome aboard." The two shook hands, and the ceremonies continued.
...
By nightfall, the various ceremonies were over. Stan walked into the small sitting room, now void of maps and computers. He looked at Jack and Val. "So… What now?" Stan sat down across from the pair, "We changed the course of Martian history, we've established a mostly working government, and we no longer fear for our lives."
Jack smiled. "I guess we start to live for once. Not that we'll have much free time for a while yet, but…" Jack suddenly remembered Land's warning, "But at least we have a new start. But we do have to maintain a functioning military, and Val and I had an idea about that."
"What might that be then, eh? Are you going to make me supreme commander of New Columbia? Ha! I just want to settle down, help raise Maria-"
Val stopped him, "It'll only be temporary Stan, a matter of two years while we get everything organized. It'll be a joint command, Land and Space. Jack'll help organize the actual government and policing since he's probably going to get elected as president, but Seamus'll work with the army and you'll get the Navy."
Stan chuckled, "Fine, but when this is all over you're both going to settle down and have a family."
Jack shrugged, "I think we should wait until the future is secured fully first."
Epilogue
One month later.
Stan sat at his new desk in the Grand Admiral's office in the Space Station Ur, the space station orbiting above New Columbia. He looked at Maria through a screen.
"So, how was school today, Moya Rosa? I know you told me that you have a mathematics test today." Stan spoke softly, truly absorbed in the duties of being a father and the Director of New Columbia's fledgling Navy.
Maria beamed with pride, though the years on the streets and the months of brutal war had robbed her of childish naïveté, "Well Stani, I made an 89, but I told Mr. Winters that I could do extra credit or whatever to make it a 94."
Stan laughed and spoke with a teasing tone, "Oh Moya Rosa, you do not have to. An 89 is sufficient for me, as long as you know what you're talking about. You don't have to break your back to impress me with good grades."
"Hmm… I think that's a challenge. Once we get New Columbia rebuilt, we're having a chess match, just you and me, Starik.” Maria smiled broadly.
"Who are you calling ‘old man’? I'll show you a thing or two about chess, Miss I'm-so-mature!" Stan playfully chided.
Maria laughed, but her smile faded when she saw two men in fatigues enter Stan’s room.
Stan frowned, “Yeah, I hear them too. But I’ll take you up on that chess match when I get back. I’ve got to go, Moya Roza, I love you.” Stan’s shoulders slumped momentarily, but he was happy again as soon as she responded.
“I love you too Stani, stay safe. Bye.” Maria ended the video-call, and Stan turned around in his seat.
"Alright Andrew, what brings you and Kenway into my office today?” Stan's voice had not a hint of aggravation to be found. He loved his job, even though it did interfere with much-needed family time.
Andrew, the kid who had gone to hell and back with Stan in the War, took his hat off of his head and held it in his hands, "Sir, the destroyer, Pride of Eboraci, is finally within the system. Erin Culloch’s successor ought to be on board, but as you know, we haven’t been able to recover any of the information regarding the true identities of the passengers on board. We should be expecting a firefight either way.”
Stan smiled, “Well, that’s one thing we know how to do, isn’t it?”
…
Julia tied her brown hair into a professional ponytail, giving her youthful face a much more severe look. She tossed a black duster over her basic naval suit. The back of the sable leather vestment was emblazoned with Aerotec’s signature logo in red: an eagle with wings outstretched atop a flying rocket. She patted the pistol at her side while she looked down on the ratty city below. Well, I guess that Father let the space radiation get to his head. The entire city looks destroyed from here. Either that or the slums are just part of its appeal.
“Alright Mendenhall, dock us and open the doors. I don't think some measly rebels can take over a space station crewed by Aerotec’s finest.” She spoke softly into her communicator, her voice almost feline.
The mechanical arms of the docking station latched onto the ship and helped it into the docking bay, and docking ports connected to the entrances to the ship. Julia spoke into the external intercom, but the frequency was no longer picked up by the station itself, only transmitting to a select few commanders.
Her voice boomed in their ears, “People of New Columbia, fear no more the traitorous deceivers who threaten you with
primitive firearms and populist words! I am Julia Land, CRO of Aerotec, and I've come to deliver you!"
The boarding doors opened, and Julia was met by a platoon of men and women on one knee pointing guns in her general direction.
A large man standing behind them spoke, his Russian-accented voice booming through the room. “Ah, Miss Land. I assume that as Chief Risk Officer for a company that exists only in name, you realize that you aren’t picking a fight with us and leaving here alive. I ask that you surrender immediately, and we’ll take you to your father.”
Julia stopped in her tracks, her fists clenching. She took a deep breath and spoke, “Fine. We surrender. But if my father is alive, then surely he’s told you about the Cabal. But what you don’t know is that a fleet has launched from-”
“Save it for the rest of High Command. Come along.” while Stan spoke, several of his soldiers rushed to Julia and handcuffed her, leading her away. She went willingly, and soon she and the crew of the Pride of Eboraci were in military custody.
…
Above the moon, Titan, a large ship pulled into orbit. It was entirely black, with geometric accents of red, and sported a pair of massive railguns on its bow. Below on the icy surface, an Aerotec base cowered in fear. The ship hadn't shown up on the base's sensors, but now it was too late.
In the bridge of the large ship, a large man clad in black sat in a chair looking out of the bridge's windows. Displays showing a live feed of the planet's surface and various firing solutions were projected on the thick glass.
One of the man's underlings spoke in the eerie silence of the command structure, "Commander Borkov, we have twenty vectors to fire, and all of them will thoroughly destroy the base."
"Da. Fire at will, but only disable the base. We want it to be mostly safe for us to take over, without the intervention of Aerotec. Load EMPs and Light Ammunition." Borkov's voice was deep and rumbling, and his orders were immediately headed.
The massive guns underneath the ship began launching their ammunition. EMPs to disable all of the base's electronics, including the modern breathing devices and air purifiers, and light ammunition to open holes that would render the base's atmosphere to be more methane than oxygen.
The people in the base screamed as the first rounds impacted, and the communications array let out an urgent message towards home.
…
Stan stood in an interrogation room. Jack and Val were with him, and across from them was Julia Land.
Stan sat down before he spoke kindly, "Now, Miss Land, your father has fully surrendered to New Columbia's government, and as such you are no longer in command of Aerotec's assets. You have two choices: Either you can join us and work for the good of humanity, or you can join your father in prison."
Julia scoffed and crossed her arms, "Oh I don't think you understand, Mr. Vulkov. About a month ago I received reports of Aerotec facilities being attacked by our," she paused as if she was looking for a safer word, "Competitors. Or rather, we received threats from our competitors due to this nasty civil war business. But we have reason to suspect that the threats have long been part of a bigger plan beyond the scope of your petty minds."
Jack laughed, "Ma'am, if I saw a flying pig I'd just accept it as part of life. We know about the Cabal and their threats."
Julia rolled her eyes, "Of course father told you. But I don't think these are any ordinary threats. I think they've been planning to overthrow my father's business for a while, and may already have been working on delivering forces to places that are harder to protect, like our further missions, Titan, Enceladus, or Ceres."
Val figured it was her turn to ask a question, but was interrupted by an urgent communication from one of the Intelligence units. She turned to the communicator, "Bravo Six, what is it?"
The other line was silent for a moment, but a voice came from it, "Miss Ballew, we're receiving a communication on Miss Land's craft. It's coming from the Aerotec base on Titan."
Everyone in the room shared a look of concern, and Val replied, "What's the message?"
The man on the other line repeated the message in front of him, "'We are being bombarded from orbit. Titan 1 base is to be presumed lost. Send help soon.'"
Julia spoke from her chair, "Well, I guess this means I was right. And if they're bombing Titan, just you wait until they show up here. They'll want the city intact, but they won't hesitate to enslave, pillage, and rape the populace. But considering that this was one of our better colonies, I'd say they'll be a while. Probably a year and a half at most for the Titan team. They'll want to kill you dead nice and quick like, or at least block you off from all trade and besiege you."
Jack, Stan, and Val traded a look, then spoke simultaneously. "We can handle it."
…
Borkov looked down at the destruction through the feeds. Excellent. But if I know Vulkov, he won't be so easy to beat…
He growled out an order from his seat in the bridge, "Alright, raid their facilities for foodstuffs and basic supplies. We have a journey to Mars ahead of us. The rest of our fleet will deal with the other territories. But New Columbia is mine."
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