by Daniel Gibbs
The Leaguer stood there for a moment, and then to Calvin’s amazement, he smiled. “I do whatever is needed to obtain the information required. This one has strong religious beliefs. I used them to extract the information we needed. It's quite simple, we do whatever is required, without the silly rules you Terrans impose on yourselves from some fairy in the sky that doesn’t exist.”
Karimi was still covering the Leaguer with his battle rifle, taking in the events. “Demood, zip-tie his hands together. We’ll ship him out to the POW camp, and make sure the JAGs know about his crimes. Hopefully, they can make war crime charges stick.”
Mentally, Calvin stewed. POWs can’t be charged with most crimes committed while under arms. It’d take a miracle for this piece of human trash to get any punishment or for this girl to get justice.
The Leaguer laughed. “Wonderful. I get three meals a day while you keep fighting my countrymen… until we win anyway. I love how the Terran Coalition works.”
Something snapped inside of Calvin. Years later, he still remembered the moment as it occurred in almost slow motion. He drew his sidearm, chambered a round as he raised it, and aimed at the man’s head. “Tell you what, Leaguer. You say there’s no God? How about you find out.”
As soon as those words had left Calvin’s lips, he squeezed the trigger, sending a single round directly between the man’s eyes. His lifeless body crumpled over, and he fell backward. The girl had been watching it all; she didn’t scream, she didn’t flinch. She merely stared, then looked back down at the table.
“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Karimi screamed at the top of his lungs, taking a step forward and staring at Calvin with a wild look. “What the hell did you do that for, Private?”
Calvin slowly lowered his sidearm and returned it to the holster. “I took out the trash, Corporal.”
There was a pregnant pause as Karimi looked between Calvin and the dead Leaguer. “Okay, Demood. He drew a hidden weapon, you shot him. End of story. We clear on that?”
“Yes, Corporal.”
Taylor stared at Calvin with his jaw open. “You shot an unarmed POW?”
“Yes, I did. At times I’ve regretted it, at times I’ve wished I could’ve killed him five times over. You fleet guys… you don’t see what they do on the ground. It's different. So yes, I hate the League. I hate what they stand for.”
“Cal… we’re not supposed to be judge, jury, and executioner. The rules exist for a reason.”
“Maybe when this war is over, I can get myself straightened out. I’m sure I’ve got something wrong with my head. The worst thing is, I don’t feel anything. I don’t have remorse. I don’t feel bad for them. When I’ve killed fifty Leaguers in a day, I sleep like a baby.”
Taylor stared at Calvin as he spoke, his eyes opened wide. “Have you talked to a counselor?”
“Yeah. One told me once I have a personality disorder caused by trauma. Whatever that means. I’ve gotten good enough at faking it to pass my evaluations without raising too many questions.”
“That’s a little bit scary…”
“Don’t worry. I’m only interested in killing Leaguers,” Calvin replied with a smirk on his face.
Taylor turned back toward the weapon locker. “I guess I’d better get cleaned up and ready for dinner.”
“Sure thing. See you later in the wardroom.” Calvin said, wondering if he’d shared too much. Non-marines were hard to relate to at times.
Watching Taylor secure his sidearm back in the weapons locker and leave, Calvin reflected on how much he hated the League of Sol. But the truth is, I don’t hate them for what they do, I hate them for what they made me become.
6
Admiral Pierre Seville gazed out over the joint operations command floor on the League’s forward operating base in the Sagittarian arm. Its official name was the League Logistical Space Depot Unity, named for the League’s desire to reunite humanity, or so the Ministry of Information said. The installation was known to its crew, though, as Unity Station, which was far less cumbersome in Seville’s opinion. Dozens of officers and enlisted personnel manned the communications and intelligence installations around the room, updating sensor readouts and plugging in the latest estimations of CDF and RSN forces. What was clear to him was the infernal Terrans were about to launch a significant attack. Strappi strode up behind Seville, interrupting him. “Admiral, I have a report you may wish to see.”
Seville whirled around, startled by the morale officer’s stealthy approach. “Colonel Strappi… just the man I was looking for.”
Strappi looked back at Seville with a look of puzzlement on his face. “Sir?”
“It looks like our morale is falling again.”
“It’s hard to be in good spirits when we’ve lost most major engagements we’ve had over the last three months, Admiral.”
“What have I told you about needing a better outlook yourself, Colonel?”
Strappi looked appropriately chastened after that barb hit home. “I apologize, Admiral. I’m just apprehensive.”
“Now what’s this report you mentioned?”
“We’ve received a communique from a friendly freighter captain who observed a massive Coalition Defense Force and Royal Saurian Navy fleet departing Canaan. While there was a wide exclusion zone, this freighter happens to have some… upgrades to its sensor suite.” Strappi smiled thinly. “It would appear that they’re making a major move.”
“They've found us, at long last.”
“That was my thought, as well as the intelligence analysts’, sir.”
“What’s the status of our next set of reinforcements?” Seville asked.
“We should have another two space action groups, each consisting of a one Alexander class battleship, four Rand class heavy cruisers, and an assortment of escorts on station within the next week.”
“Good. That will bring us up to around six hundred capital ships. Coupled with the defenses of this station, I feel confident we can break the enemy’s advance and then start pushing back.”
Strappi nodded his agreement. “Of course, Admiral. You also have a request from the Social and Public Safety Committee to deliver your monthly report via hyper-com video link next week.”
Seville’s eyebrows shot up before he could fully control them. That’s a high enough bandwidth cost for it to cause disruptions to our network back to Earth. What could be so important? “Are you quite certain of the request?”
“Yes. A note was included that specifically addressed the cost. There has been some turmoil on the committee, and they’d like to speak with you in real time.”
“The last thing we need out here, my dear Colonel, is for the League to attempt to run this war by a committee from twenty thousand light-years away.”
“I’m sure they’ll not try to do so, Admiral. After all, they must have continued confidence in your leadership, judging by the number of ships sent as reinforcements.”
Seville cracked a smile looking at Strappi. The man is so transparent, at licking my boots. “A true observation. Make sure that our crews are ready to meet the imminent threat. I want all fleet captains to order random drills and instruct the senior officers to review our battle plans.”
“Yes, sir!” Strappi replied, bringing his fist to his chest in the salute of the League. “Any further orders, sir?”
“No. That will be all, Colonel. Dismissed.”
Strappi stalked out of the observation area, leaving Seville alone with his thoughts. So the Terrans have finally gotten brave enough to come for our most robust military installation aside from Earth itself. At least I’ll get another shot at Colonel Cohen and the Lion of Judah. We almost had her a few times… this time, she doesn’t escape. I’m tired of chasing that man across the galaxy. This ends with the Terran Coalition being ground into dust. When they get a taste of our latest advancement, they’ll find that their so-called God has abandoned them.
7
After arriving at rally point bravo, David had received
an eyes-only message from Admiral Kartal requesting his presence, along with his executive officer for dinner onboard the flagship of the fleet, RNV Elcin. Dutifully complying, he donned his black service dress uniform and instructed Aibek to join him. Stepping off of the shuttle from the Lion of Judah onto the hangar deck of the Elcin, he was surprised to find an honor guard.
“Commander, CSV Lion of Judah arriving,” a Saurian crewman intoned in perfect English.
“Thank you,” David said, standing at the base of the shuttle ramp, along with Aibek, who had walked down behind him.
“Please follow me to the reception, Colonel,” the crewman said, gesturing toward the exit from the hangar, some ways off in the distance.
“Of course,” David replied and fell in behind the young Saurian.
As they wound through the twisting passageways of the mammoth battleship, David engaged in some small talk with Aibek. “Remind you of home much, XO?”
“Yes, it does,” Aibek replied. “The smell, specifically.”
“I don’t smell anything different.”
“You wouldn’t… Saurians have a highly tuned sense of smell compared to humans. Our ships are more pleasant than yours. Some of us have to take medication to be able to avoid vomiting on your vessels.”
“Seriously?” David asked. That’s crazy… I can’t smell anything different about the two ships.
“Yes. I have a strong stomach, though. Not to worry.”
“Are you pulling my leg?”
“Never, Colonel,” Aibek said with a toothy grin.
The crewman that was leading them stopped, then turned to his right and opened a hatch. “The wardroom is here, sirs.”
“Thank you again,” David replied, offering a smile as he stepped through the hatch and into the Saurian version of a wardroom. Surprised somewhat that it looked suspiciously similar to a similar space on the CDF ships, he took in the various displays. Just like the Lion of Judah, and other vessels he had served on previously, there was a large plaque for the ship adorned with the awards it had won over its time in the Saurian fleet.
“Come in, come in, gentlemen,” Kartal roared, a glass of some kind of drink in his hand.
Upon seeing Kartal, David immediately brought himself to attention, as did Aibek. “Colonel David Cohen, reporting as ordered, sir!”
“As you were, Colonel. Tonight, we are simply gathering as brothers and sisters united by war. Please, get a drink and sit. My stewards will begin to serve our dinner shortly.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” David replied, relaxing his stance and posture. I don’t care what the admiral says, it's hard to be relaxed in an environment like this where I feel like he’s watching every interaction we have. He walked over to the bar and flashed a smile to the steward behind it. “What’s being served this evening?”
“Red and white wine, sir, along with a premium Saurian ale, straight from our home planet,” the Saurian standing behind the bar replied.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had Saurian ale before. I don’t suppose it’s kosher?”
The Saurian laughed. “We do have a bottle labeled kosher, sir. Would you like a glass?”
“Why not…” David replied. I wonder if this stuff is really kosher or if they’re just saying it is?
“Make that two,” Aibek interjected.
“I didn’t realize you drank, XO,” David said in surprise.
“I don’t really like human alcohol. Especially that stuff the CDF serves. You’ll see,” Aibek replied with a broad, toothy smile.
The steward passed over two large mugs of frothy Saurian ale, which David and Aibek gripped carefully. David nodded his thanks and took a sip; the harsh flavor of the drink burned his tongue immediately. He made a face involuntarily as he swallowed the ale, avoiding the near disaster of spewing out of his mouth due to the sour taste.
“Not your cup of tea, Colonel?” Aibek said.
David managed a weak smile. “It's, uh, different.”
Aibek laughed uproariously and gestured to David, speaking to the nearby Saurian officers. “A true warrior this one! He managed to swallow some ale!”
The rest of the Saurians, including Kartal, laughed and a few even applauded. “I see our allies have pranked you,” another CDF officer wearing a full bird insignia said to David. “Colonel Jorge Vela,” he continued in English with a slight Spanish accent.
“It would appear so,” David remarked while extending his hand. “Colonel David Cohen.”
“The illustrious commander of the Lion of Judah, in the flesh.”
“I wouldn’t know about all that, Colonel. Just another ship driver. What about you?”
“Staff officer to Admiral Kartal. I push extraordinary amounts of paperwork.”
“Never ends, does it?” David replied. “I can never get ahead of my administrivia. If I get close, more shows up from a pocket universe dedicated to generating more forms.”
Jorge snickered and took a sip of his mug of ale, which he swallowed with ease. “Such a true statement.”
“I take it you’ve got some experience with this stuff?”
“It’s an acquired taste, not unlike exceptionally high proof human alcohol.”
“Fellow warriors,” Kartal said, his voice carrying above the rest and demanding attention. “Please, join me at my table to give thanks and enjoy the night together before we join the battle tomorrow morning.”
Small talk melted away as those in the room heeded the admiral’s request. David realized that each place setting had a little paper card with the name of an officer on it; he touched Aibek’s arm and pointed without being too obvious.
Nodding his understanding, Aibek followed David around the table to find their seats.
To David’s surprise, they were put right next to Admiral Kartal near the head of the table. Waiting politely and observing that no Saurians spoke, David too was silent as everyone found their seat. Once that was done, Kartal clapped his hands together, and the stewards began to bring out a first course: salad for the humans and a hash with what looked like raw meat for the Saurians.
“Please join me in blessing our food,” Kartal said before leaning his head back and closing the scales over his eyes. The Saurians followed, while David bent his head forward and closed his eyes. “Prophet, protector, keeper of all life and creator of the universe, hear our prayers. We ask You to bless this, the food we have gathered and hunted in Your name, through the abilities You bestowed upon us. Bless the warriors that join with me tonight, bless the just cause for which we fight, and grant us victory against evil on the battlefield tomorrow. In Your name, we pray, amen.”
“Amen,” David said, as did many others.
“Now eat!” Kartal said, a broad smile on his face and his voice happy and full of life, before taking a large bite of the meat hash. “Colonel Cohen, thank you for coming this evening. I had hoped to meet you sooner, but there’s never been any time.”
“No, Admiral. Time is something we seem to have precious little of these days,” David replied between mouthfuls of salad.
“Tell me, seeing this fleet… what emotions does it evoke in you, the son of the man who once saved the Terran Coalition?”
“Pride. Immense pride in the ability of our soldiers and allies, coupled with dedication to our cause. Also, humility at the price paid to enable us to field this fleet.”
“Some Saurians question the wisdom of allying with a race who, a short time ago, was our sworn enemy.”
Is he testing me? “I suppose some humans might as well, Admiral. As a student of history, I’d tell you that humanity is replete with examples of prior enemies becoming the best of friends. In fact, there’s a rather famous Indian expression I’m fond of… the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
“Do you view us simply as the enemy of your enemy, Colonel?” Kartal asked, one scale raised over his right eye.
Oh good grief, now I’ve stepped in it. “Not at all. The few Saurians I’ve had the honor to serve w
ith are friends in every aspect of the word,” David replied.
“Good recovery, Colonel,” Jorge said from across the table.
David felt his face warm.
“I see that General MacIntosh has been working on your diplomacy, Colonel,” Kartal said while smiling in the toothy Saurian way.
“He tries, sir. So do I,” David said, grinning himself. “I’m still quite direct.”
“So am I. I rather enjoy it.”
“Colonel Cohen, do you believe our two races can be long-term allies?” one of the Saurian flag officers asked.
“We’ve been allies for some time now. I believe we will continue to be allies and eventually usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.”
“Having served among the Terrans before and now, I believe they are every bit as honorable as we are,” Aibek interjected. “At times, more so. I have seen incredible displays of courage, sacrifice, and dedication to duty. Humans as well as Saurians seem to have been made by the Creator.”
“Careful where you say that, warrior. The wrong priest might challenge you to blood combat,” the flag officer replied.
“Not on this ship,” Kartal said. “Here, that is the prevailing belief. Still, I find the way humans do things to be so… different. You all seem to have different beliefs.”
“Don’t Saurians?” David asked.
Aibek shook his head. “No, almost all of us share the same religion. Some do not believe in anything, but our primary belief system has been the same for several thousand years after our great Prophet visited Sauria and corrected us.”
“Humans come in all shapes, sizes, colors, creeds, and beliefs, Admiral. It’s part of our strength.”
“I’ve come to see that in the last few months. Diversity of thought through different experiences. It can be a formidable tool in battle.”
As they finished up the salads and meat hash, the stewards came back out and quickly removed the used plates. Much like a CDF ship, everything was done with clockwork precision. David mused inwardly that the Saurians had to want to show off that they were just as good at pomp and circumstance as their human allies. As the main course was set down, a similar meal for both species, though David’s piece of what he assumed was red meat was far more well done than the Saurians; Kartal’s looked like it had been seared on a grill and served.