by Dennis Young
Babs smiled. “Infirmary, at the training center. Mac called, and I flew down here overnight.” She glanced back to the monitor screen and decreased the volume. Talice only became aware of its sound as it faded. Babs looked at her again and took her hand. “Do you remember what happened?”
Talice closed her eyes again. “I… no.”
“Well, first of all, you whacked your face a pretty good one, then didn’t respond to Mac’s commtext or a knock on the door.”
Talice nodded slowly. “I’d been commtexting with Jance. Stood up, I think. Then… nothing.” She touched her face, feeling a swollen lip and a blob of pain gel on the side.
“There’s nothing wrong physically that I can find,” replied Babs. “Nothing new, that is. But your white blood cell count is up, and your red count is down. Neither is a good sign.”
“So the low red count… lower oxygen. I stood up too fast.” Talice closed her eyes again.
“And the infection from the bugs is growing. The Cemlac-12Ultra isn’t doing the job like it did. That’s why your white count is increasing.”
“Can you boost the dosage? Didn’t we do that before?”
Babs nodded. “You’re at the max, Talice. Any more and it will suppress your immune system even further. You’ll be susceptible to just about anything that can get into your system.”
“And the bugs are getting stronger. Like you said. Dammit. Just…” Talice took a ragged breath. “You said a year.”
Babs squeezed Talice’s hand gently. “I know. And I’m sorry.” She raised the bed to sitting position.
Talice gave her a panicked look. “Holy crap! What time is it?”
“Coming up on 0700. Why?”
“I need my wristcom. Jance is sending info.”
Babs shook her head. “Talice, you’re in no shape to go anywhere other than maybe the head. Escorted.”
“Babs, please.” Talice held out her hand. “I’ve got to do this. Jance has threatened to… well, to kill a lot of people. And maybe even put the blame on me. Or if she thinks about it, the Marines. And you know she’d do it.”
Talice forced herself to sit straighter. “Look… this is a combat situation. And I know you’ve done your share of field medic work. You’re patching me up, just like you would any wound. I’ve got to go back into the fray. Have to. Don’t make me sit around and wait to die.”
They locked eyes for a long moment. Finally, Babs sighed. “I’ll go get your comm unit. You stay put.”
The door opened, and Mac rolled in, followed by Jian and Tooley. Babs took her exit, with a sharp look at Mac as if to say, “don’t let her talk you into anything”. They gathered round Talice’s bed, looking somber.
Talice closed her eyes again. “Fuck.”
“Girl, what have I told you about that mouth?” Mac showed a weak grin.
“Mac, I’ve got it set up. Jance is gonna go down.”
“And she may have to wait until you’re back on your feet. Judging by your pale and drawn face, that may be a while.”
Talice met Jian’s eyes. “You two have talked about this, right?” She turned her gaze to Mac. “They’re going in with me. I need the final intel from Jance, so we can do our briefing this morning. I’m leaving Briggs in charge of the team once we get to wherever we’re going. You and Nikolay on TacOps. Rory will advise, if you need him.”
Mac listened without comment, then shook her head. “You heard the doctor. You’re going nowhere unless escorted.”
“I’ll have escorts. Jian and Tooley.” Talice turned to Jian. “Gear ready? ATV packed?”
Jian traded glances with Mac. “It’s ready, Captain. But you should listen to your doctor.”
“I listen well. Dammit, I’m not gonna let this kill me. Not yet, anyway. Not until I finish with Jance.”
Babs entered and handed Talice her wristcom. She scrolled through the messages as Babs left the infirmary again.
“Okay, nothing yet. She said by 0800 Hours, and the way she sounded last night, she’s probably still crapping her pants.”
Talice passed the wristcom to Mac, who read the message string with Jian and Tooley looking over her shoulders.
“You two really play a tough game, Captain,” said Tooley. “Wow.”
Talice motioned for the water cup at the bedside, and Jian held the straw to her lips. She emptied it in three swallows. “I’m guessing, but I think she’s going to head for Southland again, into the eastern forest area. More cover, more chances for ambush.”
“Traps,” said Jian, then looked at Mac. “What about a drone? With heavy forest, it won’t be much help.”
“We’ll use it anyway,” said Talice, before Mac could reply. “Any help is better than none.”
Babs reentered pushing a cart of medical items, and joined the bedside crowd. “I’m going to pump you full of S-H first, then we’ll see where you are. If you can stand for more than five minutes without passing out, then I’ve got a vitamin and hormone push ready to go that will boost your red blood cell count for about forty-eight hours.” She looked at Mac, then back to Talice. “You can take it orally, but it’s better in a drip.”
“What about speed-injectors?” Talice held her hand out, and Babs took it. “Do whatever you have to. Get me on my feet for two or three days. After that, it really won’t matter.”
“You’re asking me to do things that are against your safety.”
Talice nodded. “You said yourself, I’m as good as dead. What difference does it make? Get the meds set up and flowing.” She took them all in. “Let me rest until I hear from Jance, then we’ll do the briefing right here. It’s not gonna be lengthy.”
Mac’s face was nearly a mask. “I’ll stay if you want me to.”
“Mac, right now I need to clear my head and think. We’ll talk later.” Talice motioned to the door. “Double-check everything, Jian. And make sure Bělinka’s pulse carbine is ready to go.”
Jian nodded. Everyone but Babs left the infirmary. “You know I couldn’t do this back at Northland Base. Too many prying eyes,” she said.
Talice laid her head back and shrugged. “I know. Thank you.”
“Let’s get this moving. I’m going to need to do some soul-searching of my own after all this.” Babs began to string the IVs on the bedside rack.
* * *
Talice was resting when her wristcom chimed. Resting as well as she could, with two needles in her left hand and another in her left forearm. She raised the device with care, that she not rip Babs’s beautiful taping job apart, or pull the IV stand over on top of herself.
Coordinates for your starting point in the attachment. Be there by 0800 in two days, ready to fight. Two guards each, no engagement with either. I’ve got tech, suggest you do the same. Kiss your ass goodbye. Jance.
Talice nearly laughed out loud. Yeah, about what I figured. At least I’ve got a little time.
She typed out a message to Abie with the coordinates, then another to Jance. Message received. I’ll be there. Then you can kiss my ass, bitch. Talice.
Abie’s acknowledgement came in a minute later. Mac rolled into the infirmary with tea and a breakfast plate for both of them, and they ate in silence for a bit.
Talice showed the messages to Mac, who nodded, and asked, “What can I do right now? Anything?”
“Keep me from going crazy the next day or two. Oh, wait…”
They laughed together.
“Once we’re on site, just do what you’ve always done, Mac. Talk to me, keep me informed and advised, help keep us all safe.”
“What about this vid and net thing? Did you hear back from the network?”
Talice shook her head. “I’ll bet Jance has passed along the info, though, and you can watch for their people at some point. They’ve probably got remotes set up all over the place.” She paused. “I sent my commtext signature back to the TWN office. Somebody’s gonna get rich, even if it’s not me.”
“Talice… why?”
“I signed it over to you. I
n case I don’t come back.” She looked at Mac. “I know you’ll do the right thing if I’m not here.”
Mac started to answer, then shrugged. “If they use drones, want me to shoot them down?”
“If they get in the way, gosh, I can’t imagine what might happen. Malfunctions, you know, stuff like that.”
“Yeah, 10mm malfunctions work pretty well.”
They chuckled again.
Mac grew serious. “I’m going to set up the speed-injectors in your HCS. You’ll have three in case you need them.”
“Thanks. With this boost,” Talice waved at the IV stand, “I should be okay for a couple of days. But combat will drain my energy, and I don’t know how long this is going to take. I imagine Jance is going to drag it out for her perverted pleasure. And the net.” Talice looked away for a minute. “I still don’t understand her reasons for hating me.”
Mac laid a hand on her arm, careful of the IV tubes. “Doesn’t matter anymore, like you’ve said. Whatever it is, you can’t let it distract you.”
“It won’t, trust me.” They held each other’s gaze for a long moment. “Mac, if I don’t come back… and even if I do… thank you. I love you like a sister.”
“You’ll be back. And I’ll be waiting here, Talice. Just like always. You’re the toughest fighter I’ve ever known. Jance has nothing for you. Nothing.”
“And these fucking bugs just better stay out of the way. I’ll deal with them afterward.”
“Hua. Let’s go get ‘em, Princess.”
* * *
Bird One lifted just after midnight the following evening. Zero Dark Thirty, in some archaic military jargon, Talice learned. She had been out of bed half the day, exercised lightly under Babs’s watchful eye, then sat once more for a quick exam before they headed south, and whatever waited there for them.
“You’re as good as I can make you. I know Mac will take care of your needs when you get there. Just… dammit, Talice.” Babs had sat before her, her lips a hard line.
“You’ve kept me alive longer than promised, so I’m using someone else’s days and hours.” Talice glanced at herself in the mirror. “I look like hell. Geez, Babs, I’ve lost what, two or three kilos in the last thirty days?”
“But your muscle tone is good, and strength, too. It’s your stamina I’m concerned about, not to mention your immune system. No telling what you’re going to be exposed to in that jungle.”
Talice had shrugged. “Won’t matter. Either I’ll come back and you can cure it, or I’ll be dead. Not much choice.”
They embraced lightly. Babs gave her a kiss on the cheek. “For luck. And good hunting.”
Talice had eschewed the “pervert undies”. Fuck it. I’m not gonna make Mac or anyone else watch my heart stop beating.
She dressed in dark cami pants, a halter-bra, and sleeveless top. Then struggled into her HCS alone. I used to do this in a minute flat. Now it’s more like five. And I’m sure not limber as I was. Fuck that, too.
She stood at TacOps, fully armed and armored, ready to go, as they were about to land. Jian and Tooley waited in the ATV. Talice hit the intercom. “Abie, I want you out of here once we’re on the ground. Preferably in orbit where Jance can’t reach you. Don’t forget, she’s still got that fighter.”
“Okay, Captain, but what if you need emergency evac?”
“We’ll deal with it. We’ve got the ATV, and as long as it’s running, we can probably get away. If not, it won’t matter.”
Mac watched Talice carefully from her still-broken hoverchair. Jamal simply hadn’t had enough hours or days to fix everything. In fact, Bird One was only partially repaired, with emergency power running some subcritical equipment. Like life support. Engines, weapons, TacOps, and navigation were the top four now.
“I can put us in synchronous orbit, and we can be down in about fifteen minutes.”
Talice considered. “Alright, but no chances. If Mac says get the hell out, you do it. Understood?”
“Hua, Captain. We’ll be ready. Take care.”
Talice clicked off and turned to the team that had gathered around her. “Briggs, you’re in command of ground cover out and in. Mac and Niky are our eyes.” She laid a hand on Nikolay’s shoulder. “Rory’s on the starboard minigun, Jamal has the port side and the Hellbores.”
Briggs nodded. “Don’t mess with Jance, Captain. Take the shot.”
Talice gave him a nod. “Mac, you’ve got final say on stay or go. And that means the ship and team first.”
Mac nodded wordlessly. Her eyes were wet.
Talice looked to Nikolay and hefted Belinka’s pulse carbine. “This is for her, Niky. And if there’s any way possible, I’ll use it for the killing shot.”
“That is not important, Captain,” he replied, stone-faced. “Your life is. Come back to us.”
Talice took a look around once more at Briggs, Ollie, Dosu standing like an obsidian statue in the corner. Rory, his leg still in a cast. Mac. Nikolay.
“If this is goodbye, it has been an honor serving with all of you. My friends.”
They all straightened. Mac stood, with a bit of help from Nikolay. Even Rory struggled to his feet. They saluted.
Talice returned it. Held it, looking into all their eyes. Dropped her hand away.
She hit the intercom again. “Abie, take us in.”
“Hua, Captain, Commencing landing approach.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The Dreams in Which I’m Dying
(Part Two)
Hammerfall
“Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity.
Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.”
Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”
Eastshores Forest, Southland Continent…
“Comm check. Mac, you there?” The tones in Talice’s ear told her Nikolay’s two-way encryption was working. Encrypted going out. Encrypted received, then translated not once, but twice. Then encrypted going from Talice back to Mac, where the process was repeated. Anyone intercepting the comm would have to crack it twice, both ways. And one of the codes used was Olde Earth Russian. Talice was willing to bet there were damned few people on Theia who knew the language like Niky did.
In theory, by the time the encryptions were cracked, whatever was going to happen would have happened.
In theory.
“Loud and clear, checking on All-Channel. Tooley, Jian, confirm.”
“Hua, received.” Jian.
“Online and clear.” Tooley.
“Stay close, but not too close,” said Talice. “Ten meters apart, sit tight for just a minute. Check your internals and Headup display. Safeties off. Mac, give us your drone feed when you’ve got it.”
A corner of Talice’s visor lit with an overhead view of the forest.
“At one kilometer, I’ll descend as necessary. I’m thinking two hundred meters will be optimum.” Mac again. “What about the network drones?”
“Fuck ‘em. They can take all the vid they want. If they crash, they’d better not land on us.”
“Copy. Remember, this isn’t jungle, it’s forest. About the worst you’ll run into are wolves or snakes. Probably more like raccoons and feral cats or dogs.” Mac chuckled on the intercom.
“Yeah, and AP rounds from a pulse rifle. Jance seems to prefer those to HE.” Talice glanced to either side, seeing Tooley and Jian crouched and watching. And listening. All their comm would be on All-Channel, to simplify Niky’s encryption, and to make sure they were all on the same page.
She glanced around, letting her eyes adjust to the low light and constant gentle movement of the forest. She listened, hearing nothing threatening. Yet.
“Captain, this is Rory. Be alert for two forest sounds. Stillness and sudden movement. If it’s really quiet, that’s not good. Animals are hiding. If birds in the trees take flight, that’s not good either. Means they’ve been startled.”
Talice nodded to herself. “It’s like tha
t at my folks’ place, right. Good point, big guy. Thanks.”
“Clear left, Captain.” Tooley.
“Clear right.” Jian.
“When she comes, it will be quick. Jance won’t shoot you in the back, is my guess, but her henchmen might. Be Marines, guys. Alright, go silent. No comm unless necessary.”
A single acknowledging click from each sounded in her headset. Then one from Mac.
Talice moved away slowly. There was no hurry. She knew Jance would likely use the henchmen to make the first move. Test her defenses, so to speak. Locate Tooley and Jian. She’d make a game of it, just like… Like she already has. She’s a fucking adrenalin junkie, just like me.
Talice slid behind a tree, peeking both ways. Nothing. The forest deepened as she crept forward. “Stay up with me, guys, flanked and watching.”
“I’ve got two drones sighted. One with a TWN insignia, the other camo.” Mac.
“Don’t be fooled. Check for armament.” Talice waited, crouching and watching.
“No armament on either. The TWN is mounting two cameras, the other just one.”
“You’ve got the 10mm, right?”
“Yes, but I can’t use it you said.”
“Only if they come after the drone.” Talice watched, concerned about the distraction. “Look, do what you need to do. Just give me a heads-up if you see anything from above. We’ve got to focus here.”
“Hua, going silent again.”
Talice knew Mac was worried sick. But she needed her eyes and ears for the job. “Tooley, report.”
“Clear. Quiet.”
Too quiet? Talice zoomed in to his position, then over his shoulder and away. “Watch to your left. Movement.”
Gunfire erupted. Tooley shouted in her ear. Then his pulse rifle report echoed through the intercom.
“Tooley!”
“Here, no damage. They’re just testing. No one in sight now.”
“Feint,” said Jian. “Stay sharp. Captain, watch behind you.”
Talice turned, seeing nothing. Then brush crackled and limbs above her were cut to shreds by auto-fire. She ducked, rolled, and came up firing, a three-second burst. Rolled away, ending prone behind another tree. Then silence again.