by D. J. Holmes
Now and again a dot indicating a marine would flash or dim and disappear telling him one had been injured or killed. Two dimmed together when a large explosion rocked the entire building, making dust fall from the ceiling to coat McGrath’s combat armor. McGrath responded with several swear words.
“Major, I think you’re going to want to come and take a look at this,” Shelvey said seconds later.
“On my way,” McGrath replied as he checked the Lieutenant’s location and quickly made his way to his subordinate. “What is it?” he asked when he entered the ground floor room Shelvey was in. Instead of answering, Shelvey stood aside and pointed at a large hole in ground.
“Tunnels?” McGrath asked needlessly. He swore to himself. Culthrapori had been well prepared indeed. “No doubt they lead out to the surface several blocks from here. Do we have any drones left?”
Shelvey shook his head. “We’ve used them all trying to figure out the building’s new layout.”
“Then we go in blind,” McGrath said as he raised his plasma rifle and jumped into the hole. His amour’s HUD immediately switched to night vision mode.
“I can take point Major,” Shelvey said as he jumped in and was followed by three other marines.
McGrath was already on the move. He was not going to let Culthrapori escape. Not when so many marines had already died. Though he had to crouch in his combat armor, he moved as fast as he could. There was no time for caution. If Culthrapori was still in the tunnels, McGrath intended to catch him. And if he was already out, they needed to find out where the tunnel ended as quickly as possible so they could search for him. After about a hundred and fifty meters the tunnel divided. “Split up,” McGrath ordered as he took the left tunnel without breaking stride. When another fork appeared thirty seconds later he went left again.
For nearly a minute he moved as fast as he could through the tunnel. The silence behind him told him the other marines had all taken different forks. The he heard new noises. They weren’t from behind, but in front. I have him! McGrath thought. Seconds later he turned a slight corner in the tunnel and bowled into two men in militia uniform. Both let out cries of alarm before McGrath silenced them. As he disentangled himself from their bodies, he looked further up the tunnel to see five more men. To his surprise, two of them were in combat armor.
They moved towards him. Even as he prepared to engage them, he noticed one of the other men was dressed in what looked to be a rather fancy civilian suit. Culthrapori, he growled as he rushed the two militia in combat armor. With his plasma rifle still on the tunnel floor where he had dropped it in his tussle with the first militia, McGrath pulled out his nano carbon knife as he accelerated. His two opponents did the same. McGrath smiled a predatory smile. They probably didn’t want to cause a cave in. That was fine with him. He was no special forces marine, but he would bet on his knife skills against anyone else’s in a heartbeat.
With no space to maneuver, all three combat armor clad men crashed into one another. McGrath used his forearms and elbows to deflect the two blades thrust at his chest. Then he brought a knee up into the side of one of his opponents as hard as he could. As a grunt of pain filled the tunnel he pivoted to make use of his momentary advantage. Grabbing the other man’s wrist, he pushed his opponent’s hand and knife up and away. He thrust his own knife into the militia’s armpit with all the force he could muster in the confined space. When the militia cried out in pain McGrath doubled its volume by twisting the knife. He yanked it out and shoved the militia up against the tunnel wall. Snapping around, he was just in time to see the second militia aim a thrust at his throat. Ducking, he shot back up and returned the gesture. His knife met the militia’s chest armor plate, but McGrath kept thrusting and his knife slid along until it met the crease in the combat armor at the man’s neck. Adding extra pressure, McGrath forced the knife in with both hands. For a second the armor held out against the nano carbon blade, then it gave way. McGrath’s knife sunk into his enemy’s neck all the way to its hilt. The militiaman coughed and gargled as he began to drown in his own blood.
Though he was surrounded by the sounds of both men dying, McGrath ignored them and looked further up the tunnel. The remaining three men were standing exactly where they had been five seconds before. “Move one muscle and you are next,” McGrath rasped. “Drop them,” he added as he gestured to the weapons in hands of the militia who were in their normal fatigues. They both dropped them and backed away from the third man. “Culthrapori I presume,” McGrath said as he advanced. He reached out and grabbed the man in the suit before he overcame his fear and tried to run. Lifting him into the air he got a better look at him. “It is you,” McGrath said with a smile. Culthrapori spat on the face plate of his armor. Instead of enraging McGrath, it just made him laugh. “Yes, yes, that’s right. Just like a little child. You are nothing but a bully.” Turning, he cast Culthrapori back up the tunnel in the direction they had come from. “You two can get out of here,” he said over his shoulders. His HUD had already taken facial scans of them. They wouldn’t get far, and he didn’t want Culthrapori gaining some sudden courage from their presence. Dismissing them from his throughs he gently kicked Culthrapori as he lay on the ground. “On your feet. You are officially under arrest by the Imperial Marines. You will face trial here in New Delhi for your war crimes and perhaps even on Earth as well. Now, on your feet.” This time, instead of kicking Culthrapori, McGrath reached down and picked him up. Holding him in the air, he carried Culthrapori back up the tunnel as he held the Indian’s shoulder in a vice like grip.
“Nothing to say?” McGrath asked as Culthrapori struggled against his grip. “Very well,” McGrath continued when Culthrapori made no response. He gripped harder on the self-appointed governor’s shoulder, making him scream in pain. Though it did put an end to his struggling.
When he got to the end of the tunnel, just to show off, McGrath jumped out of it still holding onto Culthrapori. As he landed he wasn’t in the least surprised to see Johnston and Somerville standing there. “I’ve brought someone who wants to have a word with the two of you,” he said as he dropped Culthrapori at Admiral Somerville’s feet.
Chapter 24
Many opponents of the Empire have been bent to the will of our Emperors and Empresses. Both Humans and aliens have come to see the light, with the right persuasion. Never in the history of our dealings with the Karacknids have they been swayed by anything but the threat of sudden and swift violence. This is the only threat they understand.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
“Culthrapori,” James said as he looked down at the skulking man on the floor. “It’s good to finally meet you.” As a small measure of sympathy for the pathetic excuse of a man lying in front of him started to well up inside James, he forced it down with memories of the civilians he had seen shot in cold blood. “I considered making a diplomatic request to come and speak with you. But I thought you might turn me down. So I decided this way would be better. I presume Major McGrath has informed you that you are under arrest?”
Culthrapori looked up at James, drew his head back and hurled a glob of saliva. James started to duck out of its way, but Johnston was quicker. With his lightening quick augmented reflexes he reached out and slapped the spit away.
“Now, now Mr. Governor,” Johnston said as he lifted Culthrapori to his feet. “That is no way to treat your betters. Especially one who is to be your Emperor.”
“He is no Emperor of mine. You are a tyrant and an oppressor!” Culthrapori shouted.
“Perhaps,” James said as he quickly reached out and placed a hand on Johnston’s shoulder. The General had been about to give Culthrapori a dig in his ribs. “You may be right. But I think I will let your people decide that. I doubt your judgement is twenty-twenty on the issue.”
“You have no right. No right at all!” Culthrapori shouted as he raised his fists towards James. “You have killed my people! You are a murderer! All of New Delhi will see it.”
> James couldn’t help but smile. In the last twenty years he had come across a number of politicians and leaders who had sought their positions simply for the power it brought them. It never ceased to amaze him just how easily they projected their own motives onto others. It always meant such leaders ended up on their own, for they could never trust those around them. His smile was as much one of pity as amusement. “One of us is badly deluded Governor. I guess we will have to find out who… Take him,” James said as he nodded to Johnston. He turned to McGrath, “Find us a room where we can have a more civilized talk with the Governor, preferably one with a view.”
“Yes Admiral,” McGrath responded before turning away to access his map of the Governor’s Residence. “This way,” he said moments later.
When they got to the office McGrath had chosen, James wasn’t surprised to find it a mess. Its windows had been blown in and something, a grenade or plasma bolt had torn the only desk to shreds. Still, there were several chairs knocked over that looked to be mainly intact. Picking one up and sitting it upright, he patted it and nodded to Johnston for him to sit Culthrapori down. He grabbed another one and turned it over to sit on himself. “Now,” he said as he placed his hands on his lap. “I know you’re not a complete fool. You couldn’t have taken power and held it for these last several months without some intellect. You have to know your situation is untenable. We have your militia’s main barracks surrounded. We can assault it at any time. Most of your other forces have been destroyed or are being hunted down. You may think you have loyal supporters within the civilian populace but they are massively outnumbered by those who hate you. You are not getting out of our clutches. You are facing criminal charges. Both in our Empire and here on New Delhi. Let me promise you this, whatever happens, you will be held accountable for the death of Olivia Cornell. Yes,” James said as Culthrapori‘s eyes widened. “I know about your attempt to kill Ambassador Bracey.” He lent forward. “You may not have succeeded in getting her, but you killed a citizen of the Empire, nonetheless. You will face justice for that… In addition, there is the long list of crimes you have committed here. I have a team working on documenting them all. What we have at this moment is enough to see you jailed for life. No doubt we’ve only discovered the tip of the iceberg. As I see it, you have two choices. Either you cooperate and we will show you some leniency. Or I hand you over to the crowds and let street justice be done.”
Culthrapori tilted his head back as if he was going to spit at James again. Johnston reached round and cupped Culthrapori ’s mouth and nose. “Swallow,” Johnston ordered forcefully. When Culthrapori didn’t respond, James saw Johnston’s grip tighten. Culthrapori started to thrash. “Swallow,” was all Johnston said. For several seconds Culthrapori struggled. Then he stopped. Very visibly he took a deep gulp. Johnston released his grip, though his hand stayed in front of Culthrapori ’s face. “Are you going to behave?” Johnston asked.
Culthrapori didn’t respond verbally, but he did give a very slight nod. “Good, now we’re starting to understand one another,” Johnston said.
“Indeed,” James said. “What is it going to be Governor?”
“I will not aid you usurper. You have no legitimacy. Not on Earth, and not here. I will gladly face the justice of my people,” Culthrapori said as he looked down his nose at James.
James shook his head. “Do you hear that?” he asked. Culthrapori frowned. “Listen,” James demanded. Through the broken window, a low rumble of voices could be heard. Here and there screams and shouts broke out. “What do you suppose that is? Your supporters, gathering to demand your release?” When Culthrapori didn’t respond James glanced at Johnston. “Show him.”
When Johnston lifted Culthrapori to his feet, he didn’t resist. At least he’s learnt something, James thought. James stood and moved to the window and stood beside Culthrapori. At the far end of the residence’s garden, a small crowd had formed. Perhaps more than a hundred people. More and more were streaming in through the nearby streets. Several marines were on the perimeter keeping the crowd from pushing forward. “Listen,” James ordered again. “Are they crying out for you?”
As silence descended within the office, the cries of the crowd got louder and louder. Initially it was hard to make out exactly what was being said. But the cries coalesced into one chat. ‘Death to Culthrapori, death to Culthrapori!’ As the crowd grew larger and larger, the volume of the chant increased until it was absolutely unmistakable what they were after.
“There you have it,” James said to Culthrapori after letting him watch for nearly a minute. “Your people have spoken. Now, back to my two options,” he added as he nodded towards the chair Culthrapori had sat in. As Johnston brought Culthrapori back to his seat James continued. “Either you help us and call on your militia units to lay down their weapons. Or I hand you over to the crowd.”
“Traitors, they are all traitors!” Culthrapori spat. “They will be made to pay. You have probably bought them.”
James couldn’t help but give Culthrapori another smile full of pity. “Why would I bother? I have you in custody. They are here of their own free will… Now choose, you can have my justice or theirs.”
“You wouldn’t,” Culthrapori said defiantly, though the more he spoke, the lower his voice became.
“You have wasted enough of my time!” James said, his voice rising to match his impatience. “I should be on Earth, or even out on the frontline with the Karacknids. Instead I am here, wasting my time with you. Last chance, choose now.”
Culthrapori didn’t respond, instead he stared at James, anger smoldering in his eyes. James waved a hand dismissively. “Fine, have it your way. Take him out and give him to the crowd.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Culthrapori said as he was taken away by a couple of McGrath’s marines.
James watched them go then turned to Johnston and raised an eyebrow. “You’re just bluffing, aren’t you Admiral?” Johnston asked.
“You saw those dead civilians just as I did,” James replied. “They were murdered in cold blood. How many more of them do you think there have been?”
“Some I’m sure,” Johnston replied. “Perhaps many. But you know what they’ll do to him. Beat him to death, or hang him, or simply tear him apart.”
“And that’s not what he deserves?” James queried.
Johnston shook his head. “I’m not saying that. But it’s not exactly imperial decorum to hand over your enemies to crowd justice. I’m not sure this is the kind of example Empress Christine would like us to set.”
James couldn’t keep up the pretense any longer. He burst out laughing. “The look of concern on your face,” he said as he shook his head. “Of course we are not going to hand him over. But he doesn’t need to know that.”
Johnston’s lips tightened, then he shook his head too. “You had me worried there. When I’m the voice of reason, something has gone badly wrong.”
“Don’t mistake me, I would love to hand him over. It is just what he deserves. But I know we can’t do that. As much as we might like,” James replied.
Johnston nodded. “I’m glad I don’t have to talk you out of it.”
“This time,” James said as he winked. “Perhaps next time I’ll keep up the ruse longer and see how good your debating skills are. Now, let’s see how my real reason is going.” Standing, James moved over to the window again. The crowd had grown in size. So too had their calls for Culthrapori’s death. Glancing down, James saw the two marines in combat armor bringing Culthrapori towards the crowd. They were dragging him as his feet trailed along the grass. When the crowd recognized who was being brought to them, they let out an almighty roar. Their cries for Culthrapori’s death doubled in volume. “Okay,” James said as he glanced at McGrath. “Have them stop.”
James watched as the marines stopped and turned so that Culthrapori could look up at him. “Last chance,” James shouted down to the Indian. “Help us, or I hand you over.” Though he was more than forty meters
away, Culthrapori ’s glance over his shoulder towards the crowds was unmistakable. When he looked back, his whole body seemed to deflate. He nodded and slumped even further into the arms of the marines. James smiled. “Bring him back up here. He is going to record a message for his militia,” James ordered.
When the marines started moving back towards the residence, the crowd’s roars increased. James glanced at McGrath. “I think you’re going to need a few more marines out there.” He turned to Johnston. “We better contact Arjun and Kaia and see if they can get the crowds to disperse. They will have their justice. Just not today.” Stepping away from the window, James went back to his seat and sat down. His mind raced through a hundred different things. On top of getting Culthrapori to get his forces to stand down, he needed to deal with the diplomats from the other colonies that were somewhere in the capital. Then he would have to see to maintaining law and order throughout the colony. And no doubt there were some civilian casualties from his marines ‘attack. He fully intended to meet with their families and offer his condolences and whatever help and compensation he could. On top of all that, he had to find a way to restore a functioning government for New Delhi. As a hundred and one problems assaulted his mind, James couldn’t help but smile. Commanding a fleet in battle was far easier than all the politicking he constantly found himself being thrown into. At least I’m getting plenty of experience, he couldn’t help but admit.