by C. R. Daems
CHAPTER TWELVE
Faithful: The Prison at Suryah.
It was a warm sunny day, so I assembled my team on a grassy area on the second plateau well away from the barracks and dining facilities. The troops were dressed casually, and I had snacks and drinks prepared. Except for the few details I had been given, there wasn’t much I could tell them about the assignment. So, I spent the day walking around listening to tales of sightseeing, visits with friends and family, and the latest hot new boy or girl they had met. It felt like a family reunion. Rightfully so, since each of these individuals had served with me before: six on all three of my assignments and nine on two. It was a team any officer would be proud to lead—fourteen had earned the double dragon award.
"Our shuttles will be here tomorrow at eight. Anyone that’s going needs to be packed and there on time." I said, maintaining a serious expression.
"I don’t know, Captain," Ceder said, also trying to look serious. "Guarding prisoners does sound boring and more like something meant for the army, not the Guard."
"Maybe Commander Wexler has decided to give us a rest," Sergeant Nadel said.
"Or maybe he thinks we are worn out," Corporal Toch said.
"Or, maybe the Priestess Kelebek has more money than sense," Senior Sergeant Mintz said smiling.
"Or, we’re a status symbol for her," Sergeant Haber said.
"Just in case it isn’t any of those, you might want to make sure your weapons and body armor are in good condition," I said to nodding heads.
* * *
Hada walked with me up the winding trail that led to the shuttle landing pads at the top of the mountain. It was a cool morning, and the wind had a bite to it. When we reached the top, two shuttles were just coming in for a landing. My team was already there and shouldering their packs for loading.
Hada gave me a tight hug. "It’s been wonderful seeing you, Rivka. Next time we get together, I’d like to take you to meet my family." Her eyes were moist as were mine.
"I’d like that, Hada," I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek before turning and boarding the shuttle. She stayed, waving as the shuttle climbed through the morning clouds.
Three hours later we were aboard the Crouching Tiger and headed for the planet Faithful.
* * *
"You are the most talked about person in the Guard, Dragon Sapir. You impressed a lot of senior Jax personnel—officer and enlisted—with your performance at New Keif," Colonel Berger said as we sat having a private lunch in his meeting room. Although his hair had streaks of grey about his ears, he looked trim and judging by his ribbons had been in service for over twenty years, been wounded, and well decorated.
"It was an unfortunate contract. They tied your hands by restricting the type of weapons you could use in the building."
"That didn’t seem to bother you."
"We train to fight inside buildings. You don’t. And we were lucky." I wanted to avoid a comparison of services, as it served no purpose. We were all Jax.
"This assignment would seem to be something usually assigned to a new army lieutenant, not the Guard and not you."
"I’m hoping it’s every bit as boring as it sounds," I said and meant it. He snorted a laugh.
"Knowing Commander Wexler, I seriously doubt he would send you and your highly decorated team anywhere a volcanic eruption wasn’t expected imminently." He paused for a drink, and his expression turned serious. "That’s the problem with getting a reputation as a problem solver—you get all the nasty assignments."
"Isn’t that the definition of the Jax military?" I asked. He laughed and slapped the table.
"Yes, it is. Why else would they pay us the big credits?" He sat back smiling. "I like you, Sapir. I would imagine many who hear about your assignments will think you blood thirsty, vicious, and uncaring among other things, but I think you’re just the opposite and that dragon on your collar agrees with me. Good hunting and safe return."
"Thank you, Colonel. Fair seas and calm winds."
* * *
Because there was no spaceport at Faithful, the Crouching Tiger used its shuttles to transport us to the Suryah airport. The view from orbit revealed a planet somewhat like old Earth—although a third smaller—with three continents surrounded by lots of blue water. Jax also had a lot of water but only one continent. When we landed, we were met by the Suryah Royal Guards, which according to my assignment notes was the functional equivalent to the Jax Guard. They stood at attention with red berets and hip-length jackets, white slacks with a red strip down the leg, calf-length black boots, and rifles held resting on their shoulders. A middle-aged man approached and saluted.
"Good day, Captain Sapir, and God’s blessing. I’m Lieutenant Kattan, your escort. If you have no objections, I will have my sergeant show your troops to their quarters while I take you to see our Supreme Leader. She is most interested in meeting you."
"Good day, Lieutenant Kattan. I’d prefer to see our quarters and the prisoners before I see your Supreme Leader. That way, I will be better prepared to address any concerns she may have," I said. His smile faded, and his eyes lost their focus for several seconds, then he nodded.
"One moment, Captain, let me check Imum Kelebek’s schedule." He walked several meters away and talked into a small hand-held device. He walked back smiling. "Yes, that will be acceptable. The Holy One has agreed to see you later," he said, turning and waving. A minute later four trucks and a limo could be seen approaching the landing pad. Several individuals in combat camouflage clothing helped the Guard load their luggage and equipment and get settled. The Lieutenant and I followed the trucks in the limo.
"Tell me, Lieutenant, who normally guards prisoners?" I asked, hoping the Lieutenant might provide an insight into why the Black Guard had been hired that the Holy One might not share.
"Depends on the prisoners. The army watches over military prisoners, the police over civilian offenders, and the Office of Conduct over violators of the faith. The men you will be guarding are political prisoners. They are accused of inciting the overthrow of our government," he said, giving the impression it had never happened before and required special handling. It will be interesting to hear Kelebek’s explanation, I thought. Kattan diverted any more questions by giving me a tour of the area. We had landed at a secured Air Force facility which supported fighters and light cargo planes. Some twenty kilometers after exiting the area, we skirted a medium-size town around half a million. It looked to be an expanding rural environment with most structures under five stories with lots of open land and no apparent manufacturing facilities. Two hours later, we approached a large modern city of at least several million, judging from the number of twenty-story plus buildings. We entered the city across a suspension bridge over a large river. Once over the bridge, we followed a highway which circled the city, then crossed the river again on another similar bridge. Ten minutes later, we left the main road and entered a gate guarded by men in grey clothing and Mfws slung around their shoulders.
"The Holy One has allocated this compound, OCC-7, to secure the political prisoners until such time as they can be tried by the Suryah tribunal. It has a ten-foot fence with monitors, a barrack for your troops, a dining hall, and a building with individual cells to hold the prisoners."
"What was it used for in the past?"
"It was used by several groups over the years to house prisoners of one sort or another. It’s very secure. To my knowledge, no one has ever escaped from this facility." He smiled. So why does the Holy One need the Guard, I wondered. I and the others were then given a grand tour. First stop, the barracks where our baggage and equipment were unloaded. Then the dining facility which I was told would have food delivered three times a day: seven a.m., noon, and six p.m. Next the control building, a small one-story building which held the electronic equipment that monitored the fence, the compound, and the prison. And finally the prison, a one story building inside an eight-foot fence. The building contained sixty standard jail cells separated
by a ten-meter hallway. Twenty of the cells were filled by men in white shirts and pants. They did not appear to have been abused.
"I have been directed to turn this facility over to you, Captain Sapir," Kattan said, smiling with what appeared relief.
"No, Lieutenant Kattan. Not until I have talked with Imum Kelebek, and she understands what the Black Guard will and will not do." I expected him to get back on the phone again, but instead, he walked over to a senior sergeant who had met us at the gate. After a few minutes, he waved me to the limo.
"Lieutenant Ceder, Elijah," I said loudly to get their attention. They were quick to attend me. "I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but when I get back, I expect you will be ready to assume complete control of this compound."
"Yes, sir," they responded in unison. Kattan looked bewildered by their response, but recovered enough to open the door for me. The ride into the city to a secluded area with manicured lawns took an hour. The area included four well-spaced buildings: a long one-story barrack and dining hall for the Royal Suryah Guard, a two-story administration building for official business with the Holy One, a small one-story building for housekeeping supplies and maintenance, and a one story mansion which was Imum Kebeke’s residence. We passed two red-jacket guards in front of the administration building and entered a large circular foyer. I followed Kattan to an elevator—which we rode to the second floor—and down a long hallway to a room that looked like an executive waiting room. There were several large stuffed chairs with a small table next to each, a sideboard with an assortment of drink and snacks, and the paneled walls were decorated with pictures of the cathedrals around Suryah, each with a plaque giving its history.
"Imum Kebeke will be available shortly. Would you like something to drink or eat while you wait?"
"No, I’m fine," I said, wondering if the delay were to get even for my insistence in seeing the compound before our meeting or if she really was busy. It didn’t matter except to understand our client. I walked around the room reading the plaques and eventually to the large bay-window, which looked to the rear of the building. From there, I could see the Imum’s house off in the distance and guards in red patrolling the grounds. Farther to the right was the one-story building dedicated to maintaining the other two buildings. It was clear that must include the grounds, which were meticulously maintained. I turned when I heard the door open.
"Captain, if you would follow me, the Holy One has asked to see you," Kattan said, and I followed him down the stairs, through the foyer, and to a door guarded by two royal guards. When they saw us, one opened the door and went in. He returned shortly, holding the door open for us to enter. Inside, an elderly woman in a plain white robe and with long flowing grey hair sat lotus-style on a raised platform. Her angular face with its hawk-like nose and penetrating eyes combined with her elevated perch to make an impressive sight. A royal guard stood to each side of the platform and two more inside the door. I stopped a few paces before the steps to the platform and waited for introductions.
Kattan bowed low before speaking. "Imum Kelebek, Holy One and Supreme Ruler of Suryah, may I introduce Captain Sapir of the Black Guard."
"Welcome, Captain Sapir. It’s strange to see a woman in charge of a military unit. I hope the Jax isn’t treating my contract as unimportant." Her eyes narrowed as they watched me. I smiled.
"No less serious than the Suryah people take the position of Supreme Leader," I said. She gave a soft laugh, and then her face lost the smile.
"I’ve heard you refused to assume command of the prisoner compound. Why?"
"I wanted to see the facilities so I’d be aware of any potential concerns and could discuss them with you first."
"And do you?"
"Since you’ve hired the Jax to guard your prisoners, I must assume they are important for one reason or another, and consequently, you will have no problem with us killing anyone we think is attempting to free or harm them. Is that correct?"
"Yes. They must be held accountable for their acts of sedition."
"And if they attempt an escape?"
"I would prefer them alive to stand trial but dead rather than free," she said.
"The only reasons I can envision for wanting a foreign guard would be, one, because your guard is not adequate, or two, because you believe it will deter your adversaries, or three, because our deaths may incite the Jax to action."
"Yes." An amused smile appeared.
"You certainly know your Royal Guard and your adversaries better than I do. But the last person who played games with the Jax was decapitated and the rulers heavily fined."
"Is that a threat, Captain?" She glared down at me, which caused an amused smile on my face.
"No, Imum Kelebek, that is a one hundred percent certainty. There is nothing on Faithful that could stop a Jax invasion force. We live up to our contracts or die trying. But if we find a contract was not made in good faith, we cannot ignore the deaths that result. That would reward treachery and insult those who died trying to honor a faithless contract."
Kelebek sat quiet for a long time, eyes closed. I collapsed into a lotus-style posture and waited. I felt her eyes open and rose.
"Yes, I have been dealing with politicians for far too long. It has become too easy to think of people as pawns on the board of life and of little value except to achieve a result. Pawns on a chess board. We convince ourselves that only the final result matters." She paused to look at something in her lap. "I have several matters to attend to, but I would like you to join me for dinner tonight at eight if that is acceptable."
"Yes, I’d like that, Imum Kelebek." And to hear the truth, I mused as I rose and exited the room.
* * *
A Sergeant Asker, who was a Royal Guard, arrived at the compound just after seven and delivered me on time to Kelebek’s residence, a round, two-story gold-veined white-granite building. It appeared a modest structure for the leader of a country. Six five-meter wide steps led to a single door guarded by two royal guards. Accompanied by Asker, I was admitted without a word. Just inside was a circular foyer with a cream-colored marble floor inscribed with the Suryah crest: A purple shield with a gold torch lying behind an open book. They were bordered on the left and right with a man sitting on a rearing warhorse and holding a raised sword. Behind the shield was a larger shield that produced a star-studded black border. The walls and ceiling were white and bare of pictures. A semicircular staircase with a purple runner led to the second floor. The door had no sooner closed than a tall man dressed in a light-grey suit appeared.
"Good evening, Captain Sapir. If you will follow me, I will escort you to the Holy One." He led me straight into the house to a circular hallway. He turned right and at the third door, which was open, stopped and indicated for me to enter. Kelebek stood as I entered.
"Good evening, Captain Sapir. Welcome to the official residence of the Supreme Leader of Suryah, which it is my honor to occupy at the will of God." She was dressed in a long white robe as before with no jewelry or medals. The room was white and the walls bare. Two high-backed chairs with dark-red velvet padding on the seat, back, and arms sat on a large circular cream-colored rug. A small ebony table sat next to each chair.
"I thank you for inviting me, Imum Kelebek. You have a very restful and interesting house."
"Yes, it was designed to provide a serene place for the leader to relax and think about her responsibilities. Please sit. You may call me Imum, if you wish," she said, as a short thin man entered with two small trays and placed one on each table. "Appetizers and drinks. Stuffed sausages, chick peas with herbs and spices, deviled eggs, and a garlic chick-pea dip. If you do not like something, do not feel obligated to eat it." She smiled and picked up one of the round balls and began eating. I doubted the food was poisoned, so I picked up the same shaped ball and took a bite. It had a strange but subtle blend of spices that I found tasty.
"We don’t drink alcohol. Not sure of your preferences, I had them provide hot mint tea, coffee
, and water."
"I don’t drink alcohol, Imum, and would enjoy trying your tea and coffee," I said, pouring a cup of the tea.
"I’m glad you were direct when we met. It’s refreshing. Far too often, no one says what they mean, and you must attempt to infer their meaning from the words they use." She laughed softly. "And half the time their real intent is not what the words infer." She took a sip of tea. "The UF, United Freelands, believes its government, way of life, and religion is perfect. Of course, we believe the same about ours. The difference is that we do not feel the need to interfere in their lives. They on the other hand, believe they have the right to tell us how to conduct our lives and incite those among us who are discontent to overthrow the government. They sneak across our border illegally, not only criticizing our laws but providing dissenters with money and weapons. Since they have broken our laws and are inciting violence, I’ve had them arrested. Based on history, the UF will demand we release those arrested, claiming they were visiting friends, then they will threaten various forms of boycotts, and finally they will attempt to rescue the prisoners." She stopped to dip her bread in a creamy greenish-looking spread, took a bite, and then a drink of tea before continuing. "The question on your mind is why do we need the Guard when we have our own military? Because the UF is a military state and devote most of their vast wealth on weapons and their military, they will strike hard and fast with superior weapons. I had hoped…"
"To pit the Jax against the UF."
"Yes, and it was wrong and stupid as you pointed out. I release you from the contract and will pay whatever damages the Jax feel appropriate. And I personally apologize to you."
I picked up one of the sausage rolls and chewed on it as I considered what she had said. I did not know whether her government was good or bad, or whether their religion was kind or cruel, but that was not my concern. The Jax did not attempt to overthrow governments or religions and, in general, did not support rebels. History has proven rebels are seldom better than the governments they overthrow and many times worse for all their good sounding intensions.