Khan didn’t hide his feelings.
“What do you mean you’ve lost contact? This is not some lost trader. This is an Alliance general.”
Colonel Black was stoic in appearance.
“I know that, Khan. Nonetheless, the Alliance cannot be directly concerned with this conflict. It is a fight between those on Karnak. If the Alliance does get involved, then we risk war. Officially, neither the Anicinàbe, nor the Byotai military, can enter the conflict.”
Khan started to speak, but the Colonel spoke over him.
“There’s more. We have reason to believe that this Tahkeome may have landed Anicinàbe soldiers on the planet, probably disguised as settlers. They mean to take Karnak from beneath the noses of the Byotai, all as part of a popular uprising.”
Khan was angry, but Spartan was past that point.
“He must be alive. I refuse to accept he would be gone, just like that.”
He angled his head a little to the right.
“But then why would you be here? Just to tell me you don’t know where he is?”
Colonel Black gave little away, but he did lower his voice.
“I shouldn’t be telling you this, not anymore. But we received contact from one of the Khreenk mercenary units helping train some of the Byotai defence forces. They say a number of humans have been captured and taken to the capital of the Khagi mountain district. An underground city complex called Montu.”
Spartan gave Khan a quick look.
“So, we go to Montu and demand their release. What’s the problem?”
Colonel Black sighed.
“The Byotai don’t control Montu anymore. They lost contact six hours ago. Alliance Intelligence suspects an Anicinàbe unit may have taken the facility and is using it as a way of controlling the region.”
He looked down and lifted up his secpad. On it was an image of the border between the two quarrelsome races.
“Both sides have placed ships to their sides of the border and are blockading the six planets. They are taking the Demilitarised Zone seriously and will not allow military ships through. We sent in a delegation, but they were turned back, and we cannot admit an Alliance general was in the area.”
Khan hissed through his teeth.
“What about the Byotai settlers? They are innocents in this.”
Colonel Black didn’t answer him. He didn’t have to. That more than anything seemed to really anger Khan. He grabbed Spartan and turned him about to face him.
“They fought with us in the war. We can’t let...”
Spartan grasped his friend’s arm.
“Khan, I know. Trust me.”
He then turned back to Colonel Black.
“Okay, you’ve got my attention. I assume you’ve got something in mind?”
Now it was Colonel Black’s turn to look sheepish.
“Actually, I’m here without official Alliance backing. I’ve been given resources but no Alliance ships or military assets. They cannot help in any official capacity, but they are not blocking travel to the region. Assuming anybody can make it past the blockades.
Khan muttered.
“Let me guess, nobody has tried it yet, right?”
Colonel Black nodded.
“There are only a handful of private security companies left, and with military contracts no longer valid, they just don’t have the manpower or incentive to get involved.”
He looked to Spartan.
“However, I have made arrangements with a unit of unregulated mercenaries, a dozen of their best, all experienced combat veterans. It’s not much, but I have enough to carry out a small rescue mission.”
Spartan didn’t seem impressed.
“You’re taking a dozen mercs to run the blockade, in what? A cargo ship?”
Colonel Black lifted his lip slightly, betraying a grin.
“I was hoping you might be able to help there. Rumour has it your ships are operational...and fast. But are they ready?”
Spartan straightened himself and then laughed.
“My ships? I don’t have any. Special Weapons Division has three for the project, but even if I could get one of them through the Rift, I cannot travel into Alliance territory without clearance. Something I don’t have. Do you?”
Colonel Black turned away and considered his words carefully. It took a few more seconds before he looked over his shoulder.
“Look, I can take care of the clearance, if you can get a ship. You need to understand that anything you or any other private citizen does is without Alliance knowledge or consent. If you come, we will deny any knowledge of what you are doing.”
“So?” Khan laughed, “What difference would that make, anyway?”
The Alliance officer watched them both carefully.
“This mountain city, Montu, it’s mostly underground with a spaceport above it. Our drones show it is heavily protected. We need intelligence before we can act.”
“We?” Spartan asked.
Now the Colonel changed for the briefest of moments, baring the smallest of smiles.
“Yes, we. I’m coming with you. And I brought a friend on the way here. It seems Hyperion is a fertile recruiting area for hired guns.”
Khan lifted an eyebrow.
“Hyperion?”
Spartan’s eyes lit up at the name of the lush jungle world deep inside the Alliance.
“Bring him and meet us in Shipyard Six. We have things to discuss. I have a few things to attend to first.”
The Colonel made to move away but looked again at Spartan.
“How will you get the ship? Will CTC just let you do as you please?”
Spartan didn’t even bother answering the question.
“Just get yourself ready, Colonel.”
* * *
Shipyard Six, Kha’Dri World Ship, Taxxu Prime
Spartan and Khan waited with Kanjana nearby atop of a pair of metal crates. Behind them was the shape of a starship covered in scaffolding. Work crews were nowhere to be seen, but there were at least a dozen robotic welding machines making finishing touches to parts of the outer hull. Neither Mr Walker nor Captain Wilson was present.
“So, this is all part of the stage three test, is it?” Khan asked.
His expression barely concealed his amusement. Spartan nodded, trying to act seriously. They were both well aware that stage three was listed in the strategy as full trials prior to acceptance into the Alliance military.
“Exactly. Full trials as required by the contract.”
He then looked to Khan.
“Alliance Military has been stalling on the last stage of the project. If you ask me, they are getting cold feet about making the final investment to get the brigade into service.”
He glanced at the ship.
“The General is all that matters, but the mission could have an upside.”
Khan laughed at the very mention of a business decision by Spartan.
“I’m serious, Khan. If this works, well, can you think of anything better for the programme than a success like this? Imagine the ship, with our Grunts and machines expanded into a full brigade. Power projection without the risk.”
“Yeah, it will be great, assuming we aren’t all dead.”
Kanjana listened to both of them, but so far she’d had nothing to add. She was like this most of the time, and instead she pointed in the direction of a small group.
“Here they come.”
Both Spartan and Khan watched as they approached. There was a single large figure with them, and at the front the Colonel. He didn’t stop until he was in front of Spartan. At his side was a single Jötnar, wearing their locally made armour and all baring blades and firearms. Spartan broke out into a wide smile while Khan moved forward.
“Olik!”
Their arms crashed together, and the Jötnar laughed loudly. Olik looked to Spartan.
“You promised to visit our little paradise. We’re getting impatient.”
He released Khan and moved to Spartan,
grasping his forearm tightly. He was the smallest of the three, yet still massive by human standards. In the time since the war, Spartan had bulked up considerably, but even his vast bulk was nothing compared to that of Olik. Their muscles tensed, and Olik began to move Spartan’s arm through sheer physical strength. Finally, he stopped, and the two embraced. Even Olik was impressed at the size and speed of his old friend.
“Been working out?”
Spartan laughed.
“Something like that. Got to love the cellular rejuvenation therapy offered by CTC. Hell, I might be getting younger with every year that goes by. The technology taken from the Biomechs is paying off time after time.”
His expression changed to something more serious.
“Olik, you honour all of us by coming here.”
“How could I not? The General fought alongside my kin. He is now one of us, and Gun. Well, I want to know how anybody managed to capture him. Trust me, we are not impressed!”
Khan noticed how much calmer Spartan was already.
“It’s been much too long since we were all together.” he agreed. “Now we just need to get the others back.”
Spartan turned his attention to Colonel Black.
“We finally have something to do worthy of the Jötnar, don’t you think?”
The officer removed his tunic and folded it on his right arm. He followed it by adding his cap and then insignia. Underneath he wore a beige jacket, unmarked and reinforced with straps.
“From now on, I am no longer an officer in the Marine Corps. Not until this is all over.”
Spartan looked to the Jötnar and then to the Colonel.
“So, you, and two Jötnar. That’s it?”
Khan grinned, and Olik laughed loudly. Olik spoke so loudly he drowned out the others.
“Training recruits on Hyperion is getting boring. We ended the war, and now there is nothing worthy of our time. Maybe we should have left a few Biomechs to give us an excuse to keep our knives sharp, eh?”
“I see your sense of humour hasn’t fully developed, little brother,” replied Khan.
Olik returned to the subject with an almost subdued look.
“Yes, Spartan, that’s it, plus whatever you can bring to the deal.”
He rubbed his hands together gleefully, and Spartan smiled as he considered his answer. He looked back at his pet project.
“We’ve been working on this project for six years now, you know that. Our negotiations with CTC, On'Sarax, and the Alliance were what created the Special Weapons Division.”
He pointed to the Jötnar.
“We founded this division with a single goal in mind, to build the most advanced and powerful military unit. One that could combine the strength of our existing fighting units and the tech handed over by On'Sarax and her kin. Never again will we enter battle in conflicts where we are outgunned.”
He then pointed to Olik.
“You’ve been testing our latest tech on Hyperion and preparing recruits.”
His hand next moved to Khan.
“And you’ve been working with On'Sarax to get the interface technology working with the new armour.”
Khan nodded again.
“But none of this equipment is ready, not even close. We guaranteed the Alliance a complete upgrade that would put the next generation expeditionary force into the field. The contract includes all required tech, ships, weapons, and training, and all within a decade. This, my friends, will be our legacy.”
“So?” Colonel Black asked.
Spartan shook his head.
“That was seven years ago, and before the Alliance cut a third of our funding. We’re a long way from being fully operational. A stipend from all Alliance planets is funding half of the project, with the rest coming from CTC investments. When it is ready, it will be under Alliance command, not mine, and it’s not ready in any case.”
Colonel Black didn’t look convinced.
“Really?” The last paper I read said your name was at the top as the commander of the entire force, at the request of the T’Kari and Khreenk governments, if I’m not mistaken.”
Khan wiped his chin with the back of his hand and looked to Spartan.
“I told you they would push to get you back.”
Spartan shrugged.
“I don’t see why, half of the Helions still blame me for the burning of Spascia. In any case, that’s a fight for another time. Right now we need transport to the demilitarised zone, do we not?”
Colonel Black nodded, indicating for the man to turn around.
“In any case, when they are operational they will form part of the Alliance military. But if they are not ready, well, we’ll have to come up with something else.”
Spartan shook his head.
“I think we might have something that can help though, maybe.”
He turned around and pointed to the ship. From the front the vessel looked similar to a Crusader, with the traditional prow and superstructure. The rear half was subtly different, with large nacelles and less mounts for weapons. The single biggest change was the ring. The massive circular section extended out from the sides of the vessel to completely surround the ship. A number of large doors were open, and as they watched, more than thirty figures emerged from inside the ship. Each was the size of a man, but encased in a dull iron skin that looked more like armour.
“You’ve seen them on the videostreams, and we even demonstrated the engines last year.”
Olik said something, but he couldn’t quite hear. He stopped and waited, but the Jötnar waved him on.
“Let me introduce you to the first experimental starships to come off the CTC production line, and of course, their trainee crews.”
The doors on the port flank hissed open in unison.
“This is Titan. She is the first of the Confederate class ships; what we hope will become the leading ship design in the new class of assault ships. A high-speed, fully networked ship design that can fulfil a variety of combat missions. They will be fully modular, with components that can be installed in ships of different sizes. This is the ultimate addition to the existing fleet of Crusader Conqueror and Liberty ships.”
He bowed with a fancy flourish, and Olik laughed again, only now realising how much he’d missed his friend.
“Confederate?” Olik asked.
Spartan gave him a mischievous look.
“As the man running the Special Weapons Division, I get to make these kinds of decisions. Yes, and there are two more like her.”
He pointed off to the shapes of subsequent ships behind her.
“Euryale and New Carlos.”
Olik sighed and shook his head.
“All named after our battles in the Uprising? You need to let go, old man, you really do.”
Spartan laughed.
“Perhaps.”
The thirty crew continued moving towards them, stopping in a neat line, two ranks deep. Khan was not surprised, but Colonel Black took an involuntary step backwards. He clearly knew what he was looking at, and his automatic reaction was to keep away.
“You are using the former foot soldiers of the enemy as crew for ships?”
Spartan laughed, but Colonel Black seemed uncomfortable.
“Not quite. The Thegns are free, but they are not particularly welcome in the Alliance, for obvious reasons. Out here they have a chance for a life, a better one than they had as cannon fodder for the Biomechs.”
Khan grumbled in agreement.
“They are quick learners. Many are working in the engineering teams or testing equipment on the ships. More important, they will follow my orders.”
Colonel Black shook his head in stunned surprise.
“Very well. In any case, we just need to get to the surface. Are these the same designs I saw back at the conference on Terra Nova?”
Spartan rubbed at his chin while looking at the crew. They had been called Thegns in the past, the synthetic humanoids used by the enemy as foot soldiers. Their sk
in was armoured, and they had been a brutal and ruthless enemy. He knew; he’d both fought alongside them, and against them. He shook his head to cast aside the images of battle and to the experimental ships.
“The designs are very similar, with a few tweaks for the engine system. All three are functional and are currently being put through their sea trials. I am due to take New Carlos out for additional tests on the engines within the week. Titan has just been refitted, and is ready for immediate service.”
Colonel Black gave it a thought and turned his attention to Khan.
“We’d better get loaded up. I’ll get any local intel sent directly to us en route.”
Olik nodded slowly and then struck Spartan on the shoulder.
“I brought my own gear, hope you don’t mind?”
He walked away in the direction the Colonel originally came from.
Spartan watched him move further and further away. It meant a great deal to have him back, but without Gun it felt hollow. They had spent a lot of time on this new project, but the time that stuck in his mind the most was their visit to the battlefield ruins of Spascia ten years ago. He’d known at that point he wanted to do something constructive, a project that would occupy both his mind and his body.
“Tell me about her,” said Colonel Black.
The Colonel broke his concentration, and he found himself looking at the face of a man he realised he barely knew. They’d known of each other, and in the last few years had met at meetings and demonstrations. Unlike General Daniels, this was a man he had no real bond with. Even so, the Colonel appeared to share his concern at the vanishing of Daniels, and that was enough for now. The two walked down the flank of the ship, leaving Khan to speak with the Thegns. The ship was big, far bigger than the existing Liberty destroyer, the workhorse of the Navy. Colonel Black noticed the lines were similar to existing ships, but there was still something alien about it.
“She’s special, a fusion of ideas taken from the Biomechs and mixed with our own. She’s big enough to carry a full company of marines or equivalent, is well armoured, and equipped with a powerplant more powerful than a Crusader.”
He pointed to the nose, but Kanjana touched his hand and stepped out in front of him.
“May I?”
Spartan shrugged.
“Go ahead.”
Kanjana walked up to the vessel and touched the cool metal plate as though it was a large beast.
Lords of War (Star Crusades: Mercenaries, Book 1) Page 7