by C. R. Daems
We walked in silence to the commando area where we found Colonel Wolfson in his office waiting for us.
"Come in, Captains," he said, acknowledging Drezner’s salute and waving to the chairs. "Have a seat. Normally, I would wait for your action report, but I need your report immediately. The contract with the ruling party on Lanzhou was a disaster. I need to understand the extent to which they were negligent. That will determine the penalty due the Jax."
"They weren’t negligent; they lied to us—" I started to say, but he interrupted me before I could continue.
"How do you know that, Sapir?"
"The rebel colonel’s last words when he saw me were, ’Po Tong did warn me that the Black Guard.’ The governor’s mother, Li Ming, said he was one of Lanzhou’s ministers."
"So… they play games with the Jax." He nodded almost imperceptibly, his eyes space cold.
* * *
The next morning, Drezner and I were asked to accompany Colonel Wolfson and a squad of twenty commandos to Lanzhou to meet with the ruling committee.
"I heard three Jax cruisers had joined us in orbit around Lanzhou. This should be an interesting meeting," Drezner said as our shuttle descended into the capital, Jinhai.
"I agree. Colonel Wolfson doesn’t look in a mood to negotiate."
We were met at the landing pad by a General Li Quin and an honor guard of ten soldiers dressed in white. He paled when the two combat shuttles accompanying us disgorged its twenty commandos and their armed, two-man jet-cycles. It was a short, quiet ride to the three-story marble building were the Lanzhou council conducted business. When we arrived, the commandos accompanied us into the building, taking up positions in the foyer and along the hallway as we proceeded to the meeting room, ensuring we would have free access to our vehicles should the need arise. Four commandos accompanied us into the meeting chamber.
* * *
"Greeting, Colonel Wolfson," said an elderly man with thinning hair. He sat in the middle, behind a long marble table. Five men sat to his right and left, each elaborately dressed in silks with a colored sash running from shoulder to waist and an open robe with colored markings on the sleeves. "I’m senior Minister Sato. We, the Lanzhou council, were sorry to hear of your heavy losses against the rebels." The others were all nodding in agreement. "We understand you feel an adjustment to your contract is necessary. We are divided in our opinion. Most feel that is the risks of war. You did win—"
"I’m not here to negotiate. Who is Minister Po Tong?" Wolfson asked. A rotund man with heavy Jowls, sitting at the far right end of the table, paled when the speaker pointed to him. "Captain Sapir."
As I moved in Po Tong’s direction, he rose, casting his gaze right and left, searching for a place to run. I released the catch on my whip, and it stretched behind me as I neared the table. It felt alive as I circled it over my head and lashed out and around Po Tong’s neck. I jerked it back and like the cork on a champagne bottle, his head separated from his neck and blood sprayed skyward. With a practiced twist, the whip coiled around my waist, and I locked it in place. I hoped Rosin, Kott, Jaffe, and the others were watching. It wouldn’t bring them back, but it just maybe might prevent a repeat and save lives.
"That is the penalty for treachery against the Jax. Po Tong knew the size of the rebel force was double the size negotiated, that they were not rabble but well organized by someone he was in league with, and that they had military grade weapons. Had we been aware of these factors, the contract would have been written for three hundred army and one hundred commandos as a reserve. You therefore owe the Jax for two hundred army, one hundred commandos, and a twenty-five percent penalty for the deception," Wolfson said.
"But we weren’t involved in Po Tong’s scheme," the elderly man whined, looking at the other for support.
"You initiated the contract, so you are responsible. If we thought you were involved in the scheme… You would be talking to Captain Sapir of the Black Guard." He smiled, if I could call that twitch of his lip a smile. "You have twenty-four hours to transfer the required funds to our account. Our fleet will leave as soon as the transfer is complete." He turned, and Drezner and I followed him back to our transportation.
"I always wondered if the rumors about those whips were true," Wolfson said as he entered the shuttle. "Now I know."
CHAPTER FOUR
Returning Heroes
Commander Wexler was a thin, tall man with silver-gray hair which contrasted with his black uniform. His only decoration was a red dragon with three stars above it on his right sleeve. His strong base voice cut through the chilly morning air to the assembled Guard, who stood listening in the open area behind the headquarters building. This was not the typical mission critique and everyone knew it—tradition had been tampered with and an accounting required.
"The information we were given for the Lanzhou contract was intentionally under stated. We were told approximately five hundred poorly armed and organized rebels. In fact, there were over a thousand, and they were well armed and organized. As a consequence of those fabricated numbers, we sent one hundred army to quell the revolt and twenty-four Guard to protect the governor. The army performed well, killing over two-to-one but the combat shuttles lost effectiveness when the rebels overran the Yuan military and entered the city of Ebao. The commander on board the War Horse reinforced the ground forces with fifty commandos, which was insufficient to fight the seven hundred remaining rebels. Seeing the disparity in numbers, the rebels split into two groups: four hundred to hold the army in place and three hundred to attack the governor’s estate the Guard protected. The best the army could do was position its forces between the rebels in the city and those attacking the estate to prevent more of the city forces aiding those at the estate. The force sent to capture the governor overran the Yuan military defending the estate and arrived with two hundred operational and forty wounded." He paused for a drink of water.
"The Jax Guard has always had a reputation as the premiere bodyguards in the civilized worlds and having no equals. We have always considered tradition and duty one and the same, and that has always meant fighting to the last Guard." Wexler paused and stared at me before continuing. "Captain Sapir, who commanded the Guard at the governor’s estate, believes tradition and duty are not the same, and that duty comes before tradition. Choosing duty over tradition, she chose not to defend the estate and split her force. We must consider, therefore, whether she should have stayed with the governor and defended the estate rather than take him and his family into open country. Could she have stopped the two hundred forty rebels from entering the estate and killing everyone? Tradition clearly demanded she try." He stopped for another sip of water as he surveyed the assembled Guard, stopping at me.
"Reason says her unit may have inflicted great damage on the rebels, but in the end, the Guard would have been defeated and the governor either killed or captured. The worlds would have understood our failure and applauded the valiant effort. Instead, she split her force, sending the men off with the governor, his family, and servants. Captain Sapir and seven women remained, pretending to be servants. The commander of the rebels split his force, sending half his able bodied men after the governor. With the rebels relaxing at the estate, the women were able to kill all except for a few who deserted. Two Guards died during that action. Captain Sapir and the remaining women were subsequently able to approach from behind the rebels who were confronting the force protecting the governor and destroy their remaining force. The results were excellent, and I believe the occasional linking of the word ’black’ with ’Guard,’ referring to our uniforms, will now forever be one word—Black Guard. Black as in the color associated with death, and the outcome of fighting the Guard. However, I fear the consequences of other team leaders choosing to separate tradition and duty when facing an attacking force. Tradition will guaranty you have done your duty. If you choose to separate the two, and you are wrong, you will have violated our code and will suffer the consequences." He paused seem
ing to look at each person present.
"Enough, the Captain and her team defeated over two hundred rebels and saved her client and his family. A feat that reflects favorably on the… Black Guard. In recognition of their courage and achievement, the committee has awarded the double dragons to their rank insignia and each enlisted has been promoted to the next higher rank." He snorted. "The officers get our congratulations on a job well done. Dismissed."
* * *
"Well, Captain Sapir, the double dragons look very attractive. I’m envious. That honor has been given to few individuals over the years. I’ve never heard of an entire team earning it," Tzadok said as I joined him for breakfast. I had to admit, I did like the look of it. Normally, a single red dragon on the bottom of the right sleeve designated Guard rank of a private, one stripe on top of the dragon a corporal, two a sergeant, and three a senior sergeant. For officers, one star a lieutenant, two a captain, and three the Guard commander. The recipient of a double dragon award had two red dragons facing each other rather than the standard one. I loved it, but I’d give it up in a heartbeat to have my team whole again. Not one of the ten lives was worth it. "Dragon Dobrin will be joining us tomorrow. Until you are given a new assignment, we will be your instructors. You and Hada Attali, who will be arriving within a week, will be given the opportunity to train for dragon rank." He said before popping a small pigeon-egg in his mouth. I smiled.
"Hada’s dream," I said, hoping with all my heart she would realize it.
"What about you?"
"I don’t know. It’s Hada’s dream. She’s just pulled me into it." I laughed. "A beautiful dream."
Tzadok nodded. "Yes, I suspect it was her father’s dream, and he pulled Hada into it. Dragon rank has little to do with the Guard, other than recognition of achievement."
"What achievement?"
"Conquering yourself. The ability to quiet the mind, to be at peace with yourself, to see what is rather than what you or others want to see," he said, looking thoughtful. Now that he voiced it, I realized that was what I felt from him when we fought.
"That would be a worthwhile dream, Dragon Tzadok."
* * *
I stood waiting at the landing pad as Hada’s shuttle approached. When she stepped out, I couldn’t help but notice she looked older. A smile lit her face when she saw me, and she flew across the pad into my arms.
"Oh, it’s good to be home again," Hada said, hugging me tightly.
"Yes, home." This was my home. As we walked hand-in-hand down the trail to the main compound, I realized I had found what I had lost all those years ago—family. The Guard had become my family and Hada a dear sister.
Hada took hold of my sleeve and giggled. "I wonder if they have a double dragon for the collar."
"You’re incorrigible, Hada. How was your assignment in Wuhan?" I asked, and was surprised to see the sadness in her eyes.
"By the Guard’s standards, it was successful. There were three attempts on the Prince’s life. The first two were solo, and we stopped each of them with only minor injuries. The last attempt was by a group of six. They were armed with military-grade, multi-functional guns. I lost two. Two died to protect a worthless specimen of a man. He treated everyone like they were stupid and beneath him. It was my fault."
"Why?" I asked.
"I didn’t like him, so I tended to stay out of his sight. I let him intimidate me. I should have had more guards on him because everyone had a good reason to hate him, and I should have been there when the attack came!" She made no attempt to wipe away the tears that ran down her cheeks. I took hold of her by the shoulders so she was facing me.
"Look at me, Hada." When she did, I continued. "Who are the elite of the Jax military?"
"The Guard," she sobbed.
"And what are you?"
"A Guard captain."
Who is your superior?"
"Commander Wexler."
"Do our clients outrank Commander Wexler?"
"No, but…"
"The Black Guard is hired to protect their lives. We are not hired to be their servants. We do not fetch or carry or do tricks. They adhere to our rules or we leave."
"Yes, Captain Sapir," Hada said. "I was weak, and my people paid the price."
"We cannot stop our people from getting killed. I lost ten." I felt a lump in my throat and my chest felt empty. "It’s the nature of the business we are in, but we should not let our contracts stop us from doing our duty," I said. Hada gave me a questioning look. "To protect them in a manner which maximizes our people’s chances of surviving."
Slowly a smile appeared on her face. "I’ve heard my sister has declared duty is the highest priority. I agree with you. A duty to our contract and to those we command." She laughed. "I’ll wager you gave that governor ulcers."
"I almost made him a eunuch…" Her mood lightened as we sat at our favorite spot, and I recounted several of my incidents with the governor.
CHAPTER FIVE
Molova: Prince Badal
The next couple of months with Tzadok and Dobrin were demanding—fight for a couple of hours, rest, exercises, rest, meditation… Each night I’d drop into bed exhausted and aching from Tzadok and Dobrn’s many reminders of my mistakes, yet pleased with the small improvements I’d made. It ended one morning, when Commander Wexler found us during a rest period. Jax administration, officer quarters and dining facilities, and training areas were on the first level or plateau at Sasser Mountain. Sergeants’ quarters and facilities on level two; corporals and privates on level three; and recruits on level four.
"Captain Sapir, I have a new assignment for you on the planet Molova. It’s somewhat nontraditional and for that reason well suited for you. The country is divided into six independent states, run by princes acquired through heritage. They meet periodically to work on the laws of the country, which tend to be based on religious principles. Baba Badal, the Prince of Surat, will be traveling to the capital in a few weeks for the semi-annual meeting of the princes to vote on a number of new laws and revisions to existing ones. This year, his vote will be the tie breaker on most of the important changes. Because they involve religious beliefs, emotions are high, and he feels the need for additional guards to protect him and his family until he is back on his lands. He has contracted with us for bodyguards for him and his family. He heard about Lanzhou and specifically asked for the captain who was in charge. You will have three teams of five with a senior sergeant for each. You have your original team plus two new senior sergeants and five privates." He paused, awaiting questions. When I had none, he continued. "Your team should be assembled within the next two days, and you will depart three days later. Try to keep tradition and duty together, Captain Sapir. That will keep me happy," he said, and left.
"That is good timing, Rivka," Tzadok said. "You need time to assimilate what you’ve learned over the past months. More training at this point would have little benefit, if any. Until we can meet again, your main focus should be on meditation. And it would be beneficial if you would relive every fight with Dobrin and me. I think you will find the exercise enlightening."
Dobrin nodded agreement. "You’ve made progress but are a long way from your goal. You have the raw ability. Your biggest impediment, as is everyone’s, is the ability to empty your mind of distractions so that you can see clearly. May tradition and duty guide you on your assignment." He smiled.
* * *
"I’ll be sorry to see you go, Rivka. These last few months have been glorious, having my sister with me and training with dragons. I know Commander Wexler is nervous about anyone considering tradition and duty as separate, but you’ve helped me see the difference. Losing two members of my team had my dreams in chaos. You’re right. I forgot we’re in the business of killing and dying and our duty goes beyond protecting our contract. As team leaders, we have a duty to protect those under us." She grabbed me in a tight hug. "I may have dragged you into my dream, but you’re helping me keep it alive. I love you, Rivka Sapir."
By the time we were ready to leave, the eight new members of my nineteen person team had been assembled. Two new Senior Sergeants: Wahle and Zinn, a woman, joined Solow as team leaders. The six new members, one a woman, completed the three five-person teams and permitted me to have two women assigned to each team. Looking at the new members brought back the missing faces of those who had died on Lanzhou, and I swallowed a lump in my throat.
"This will be an unusual assignment, as the party we are contracted to protect will be traveling and will reside in a government building in the capital, Hezuo. We have been hired because Prince Badal holds a deciding voice in an upcoming meeting of the princes and therefore the probability of trouble is high."
"I’ve heard you value ’duty’ before ’tradition,’" Private Eisen, a new member, said. I took that as a question rather than a statement. One that the new members would have on their minds and that would need clarification.
"I feel duty is the bedrock of the Guard. Those that hire us know that we will die defending them if necessary—that is our tradition. But our purpose, duty, is to defend our client. Dying serves no one if our client dies. So, I do not ask that we abandon our tradition, only that we remember why we were hired." My old team nodded in understanding. The new members seemed to be divided, some nodding and others with their eyes downward deep in thought. "When we get there, I will assign each team to guard one of the Badals. And I will want one member of that team to be physically with that person at all times when they are not alone."
"We are going to follow them?" Senior Sergeant Zinn asked. "I doubt they are going to like that."
"I don’t care. In their home, we can control who comes and who goes, and for the most part, know who belongs in the building and who doesn’t. When we’re in someone else’s domain, we can’t control who’s there or determine who’s friendly or who’s not."