Not Dead Yet

by Dennis Young

  Talice looked from Babs to Mac to Idowu. “Somebody better tell me what the hell is going on… Please.”

  Babs nodded to Idowu, who spoke. “Ms. Wyloh, you’ve been in stasis for half a year, the maximum we could keep you there. Some time ago, before this last mission, we had a breakthrough.”

  Talice looked to Babs, who nodded with a smile. “Told ya,” she said.

  “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you just call me in then? I mean… all this…” She stopped at Babs’s shake of her head.

  “We couldn’t, Talice. We had to be sure. We needed… we needed a way to test the protocol and be certain. Otherwise….” Babs drew a breath. “So we took a chance, let you live your life, and if we had the opportunity, decided we’d put you in stasis. To give us time to confirm our tests. Talice, I took a terrible chance, and I’m sorry.”

  Talice looked away. “You needed a body. Jance… or me.”

  Babs nodded, a tear in her eye. “There was enough of the infection still active for us to run a full-scale beta. It’s effective. It works.”

  Talice shook her head. “Didn’t we talk about this? Way back when? Didn’t I tell you I’d die just about the time you found a cure?”

  “Hush your mouth, girl,” said Mac, sternly.

  “Ms. Wyloh, it will still take time,” said Idowu. “We’re in the very early stages of your treatment. We know the new protocol works, not just to hold your disease in abeyance, but to kill the source infection.”

  Babs took her hand. “We brought you out of stasis three days ago and began administering the meds. They’re amazing, Talice. Doctor Idowu has led the team to this. It’s taken two years.” She wiped her eyes. “We’re all giddy as kids, just watching it work.”

  “How long until I can get out of here? I mean, I’m not ungrateful…”

  Babs laughed. Mac snickered. Even Idowu showed a smile.

  “You’re our guest for at least ten days. Then it’s back to PT, Marine.” Babs’s eyes were glowing.

  “No more Cemlac-12Ultra? No more S-H?”

  “Patches are still the best way for your body to absorb the medication,” said Idowu. “You’ll need less of the super-hydration fluid as you improve.”

  “How long? For the treatment, I mean?”

  “A year, maybe a bit more,” said Babs. “But we’ve got it, Talice. Your bugs are gonna be history.”

  Talice licked her lips, noticing they weren’t like sandpaper. “I guess I should thank Jance. But I’m not gonna.”

  Babs patted Talice’s hand. “Rest. Mac has orders to keep you in that bed at least for today. Then it’s light walking. To the Head, maybe the hallway.”

  A tear trickled down Talice’s cheek. “… Thank you. All of you.”

  Babs smiled. So did Doctor Idowu. So did Mac.

  Talice took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “Can I have a minute alone with Doctor Cromwell?”

  Idowu and Mac exited quietly. Babs sat close, watching Talice’s face. The door closed softly before Talice spoke. “Why didn’t you tell me Jance was sick?”

  Babs sighed. “What would you have done if I did? You’d have tried to help her. And she would have killed you.”

  Like almost happened anyway. Damn, Babs, you know me too well. “How did she know I was sick, too? How did she stay alive two years?”

  “Talice, I swear I told her nothing about your bugs. And I only did what I had to for her. I had to stay alive. To wait… for you to rescue me.”

  “And I suppose medical ethics kept you from telling me, right?”

  Babs paused before replying. “I had a much more selfish reason.”

  “…You wanted her dead.”

  Babs nodded sadly. “Going totally against every oath I ever took as a doctor.” The room was quiet for a long moment. “So what now?”

  “About what? You mean our dirty little secret? Hell, Babs, we saved each other. I think that’s worth something, don’t you?”

  Babs gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’d say it’s worth everything.” She rose with a smile and headed out the door.

  Talice laid her head back, breathing free. Free. What a concept, right? Damn. So close.

  She drifted, half asleep until a knock came at the door, and it cracked open. “Captain?”

  “Jian! Come in.” Talice buttoned her nightshirt Babs had left undone.

  Jian smiled as he approached. Talice sat up. Opened her arms. Gave him as big a hug as she could muster.

  “I heard you’re going to live. That’s good.” Jian smiled.

  “You too. Geez, Jian. We both nearly died.”

  “Part of the business, right? Look, I was in for a quick scan, now I’m headed out of town to visit my parents. But I wanted to stop by.”

  “You’re all healed up? New lung? They put me on ice for half a year!”

  He nodded and showed his million-creditmark smile.

  Their eyes met for a quiet moment. “Got time for an old lover when you get back to town. Wanna look me up some time, Marine?”

  He smiled again. That damn, disarming, honest smile. “I’ve got your number. Don’t I?”

  In more ways than one, thought Talice. She just nodded.

  “See you soon.” He kissed her gently and waved goodbye from the door.

  Be still, my fucking hormones. Pun intended. Talice closed her eyes and chuckled. Laid her head back on the pillows for a moment, thinking. About everything.

  She reached for the tray at the bedside. Found her wristcom. Thought for a minute, then typed out a message.

  Hi Dad. Still alive. Hope to see you soon and tell you all about it. Love to you and Mom. Talice.

  Semper Fi

  Epilogue

  “Those who are able to adapt and change in accord with the enemy and achieve victory are called divine.”

  Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”

  The Office of Lt. Colonel Harlan Fawkes, one-half year later…

  Talice and Mac walked into the HQ office. Walked. Side by side. Mac was still slow, and fatigued by the end of the day, but she was on her feet most of the time now. Insisted on it. With a look that would take no other answer.

  Fawkes had commtexted, asking for a meeting. He had news. And maybe more. Sergeant Lallement escorted them to the office they knew well. Knocked and opened the door to announce them, then left with a knowing smile to Talice.

  Well, that’s just weird. But nothing really new, I guess.

  Fawkes offered chairs and tea. They accepted, and as he sat at his desk, coffee in hand, Talice regarded him. He’s a fine man, no doubt, but nothing about him has really changed. He does his job, goes home each night, and comes back the next day to do exactly the same thing. Maybe that’s why it didn’t work with us. Too predictable. Nothing new. Nothing unexpected.

  “First,” Fawkes said, breaking the silence, “Mac, it’s great to see you on your feet again. And Talice, I hear you’re healing as well.”

  “Doctors should be paid more than anyone on the planet,” said Talice. “Neither of us would be here without them.” She gave him a tilt of her head and a sharp eye. “You said you have news. How can we help you?”

  Fawkes set away his coffee cup and passed his SLATE to her. “The Marines are finally converting the old Nemesis stronghold on Crius to a base of operations. It will take time, probably two or three years, but the process is under way. And of course, there are politics involved.”

  Talice and Mac perused the SLATE, then handed it back.

  “We’re looking for experienced people to teach our special-ops personnel about the planet, how operations during the takedown of Nemesis went, what they might expect from similar groups, that sort of thing.”

  “But no actual combat?” asked Mac.

  Fawkes nodded. “Advisors and trainers only. Twice per year to the installation, observing operations during drills and training. We’re offering a five-year commitment.” He paused. “We’re looking at you, Talice, and your team.”

  He walk
ed to the sideboard, refreshed his coffee. Talice knew he was giving them a moment to contemplate.

  He sat again, drank, then continued. “Colonel Vicker has extended his time in office a year to oversee the operation. But he’s put me in command, and I’m offering you and your team an opportunity to be part of it. The Marines need you, Talice. There’s not another team in the system like yours.”

  Talice considered her words. “I can’t speak for everyone, but it sounds interesting. And we’re staying out of the politics. We’ve had our fill. No more.”

  Fawkes nodded at the last. “Might be difficult.”

  Both Talice and Mac shook their heads.

  “No it won’t,” said Mac. “We’re contractors, nothing more. Any hint of politics or favoritism, we’re out. It will be in the contract.”

  Fawkes gave them a pained expression, but nodded.

  “When can we get details?” asked Talice.

  “Give me a couple of days. Then you can present it to the group.”

  Talice rose, gave Mac a hand from her chair. “You’ve got my number. Thanks.”

  * * *

  They took the metrolink back to Anchor Prime.

  “Well?” Mac nudged Talice, waiting for an answer.

  “Did you see the ring?”

  Mac nodded. “Yeah. You were on ice when they got married.”

  “Waited until I was out of the way, right?” Talice shrugged. ”Do we want to do this again, Mac? Rory’s done, I think. Niky, probably. Jian and Tooley have talked about their own team.”

  “There’s damned little left to do, Talice. We’ve cleaned up the whole planet. Not to mention Crius and Eos. Either we take this job or retire.”

  “Put ourselves out of business, did we?” They laughed together.

  “Tell you what,” said Mac. “Let’s get the team together at The Bloody Tavern. Like old times. Someplace comfortable to talk it over.” She gave Talice a look. “What about you and Jian?”

  “What about us? We’re teammates.” Talice grinned. “With benefits.”

  “You were pretty serious about Fawkes, Princess.”

  Talice nodded.

  “And…?”

  “What do you want, Mac? I’m still getting used to the idea I’m not gonna die of bugs. Or get shot. Again.”

  Mac patted her new legs. “We’ve all got new lives ahead of us.”

  “So let’s just live a little, okay? I’m hungry. Let’s go to that Thai place you like so much.”

  “Sounds good. Think you can take the heat?”

  “After the last year, I think I can take anything. I’m alive.”

  Mac nodded. “We all are.”

  “And we’re gonna live it like it’s our last day.” Talice closed her eyes and smiled. “Then do it all over again tomorrow.”

  About Sun Tzu

  Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, a widely influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. Aside from his legacy as the author of The Art of War, Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and East Asian culture as a legendary historical and military figure.

  Sun Tzu's historicity is uncertain. The Han dynasty historian Sima Qian and other traditional Chinese historians placed him as a minister to King Helü of Wu and dated his lifetime to 544–496 BC. Modern scholars accepting his historicity nonetheless place the existing text of The Art of War in the later Warring States period based upon its style of composition and its descriptions of warfare. Traditional accounts state that the general's descendant Sun Bin also wrote a treatise on military tactics, also titled The Art of War. Since both Sun Wu and Sun Bin were referred to as Sun Tzu in classical Chinese texts, some historians believed them identical prior to the rediscovery of Sun Bin's treatise in 1972.

  Sun Tzu's work has been praised and employed throughout East Asian warfare since its composition. During the twentieth century, The Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use in Western society as well. It continues to influence many competitive endeavors throughout the world, including culture, politics, business, and sports, as well as modern warfare.

  From Wikipedia and related references.

  Author’s Note:

  I’ve incorporated quotes from The Art of War that pertain, at least in part, to each chapter of this book. I did that to impart a bit of history and realism into my obviously-fictional account of the Marine Corps centuries from now, on another world. I also did it to help me focus on each chapter, as Sun Tzu taught, and always hold the mission priorities in my mind. Just like Talice did.

  About the Author

  Dennis Young’s writing experience began somewhere around the third grade and has continued since. Once through the grueling trials of school (grade, high, and college level, surviving all with a flourish) he found an outlet for his imagination in the world of fanzines and fan literature. Writing for friends, family, and once in a while actual publication, his appetite was only whetted.

  Working in the International Construction industry, he found opportunity to direct his writing talents to presentations, articles, and project management.

  In the early 2000’s he began assembling The Ardwellian Chronicles, an Epic Fantasy Saga of six novels and three compendiums totaling more than 1.3 million words.

  With the Chronicles published between 2007 and 2018, he then turned to the genre of Military Science Fiction and The Mercenary Trilogy, detailing the adventures of Talice Wyloh.

  His next foray was into SF adventure and The Earthfleet Saga Volumes One and Two, with further books in the works.

  Never one to say no to a challenge, more genres lay in the future for his exploration.

  Stay tuned…

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