“Sir, these men…”
“Sergeant, do not let recent events cloud your memory. You gave Lieutenant King the same ice-cold welcoming as this, and he turned out to be a very different man than any of us could have expected. Now it’s possible these two criminals could be nothing more than they seem, but to judge that way without any evidence would be a tremendous mistake. A mistake I don’t intend to make again. We cannot afford those kinds of mistakes. We have to be smart, and we have to change our way of thinking.”
“Yes, Sir,” replied Stone hesitantly.
“Between us, resources are thin. The 15th is now active, formed from the most loyal of the Rhepoys we could recruit, but we still have no platoon leaders. In fact, we’ve not received any replacements from Empire regulars. Sergeant Stone is presently acting as 2nd Platoon Leader, the role your cousin fulfilled under my command. You will command Bravo Squad under his platoon,” declared Rossman to King.
It was a lot to take in as he looked over to the troops he was to take charge of. Leading a squad didn’t bother him, but he had zero experience with the Rhepoys.
“Right now, the 15th is a single company. We cannot risk expanding too quickly. We must know we have Prians loyal to the Empire. Get to know your squad, Corporal, because any day now we’ll be heading out and likely into action. You better be sure they have your back, and I need to know you’ve got mine,” said Rossman.
“Yes, Sir.”
“The Company is dismissed, Sergeant.”
“Yes, Sir,” he said, taking up position front and centre.
“Company, attention!”
They came to attention with a respectable discipline and timing.
“Company, fallout!”
They quickly split up. The sun was already quite low in the sky. King and Nelson had missed the day’s training. They didn’t mind, but now King had been given the position, he was eager to get to know his squad.
As the Company dispersed, there were cries of excitement and panic. King reached for a weapon, only to realise he was still unarmed.
“Come on!” Rossman led them toward the sound of the excitement. He hadn’t drawn a weapon, but he did seem concerned. They turned a bend and found a group of Empire Marines gathering before a large projection screen on the side of a building. It was the same type every base had. Used for announcements and news, and sometimes even entertainment.
Camera footage from a news drone was showing the bloodied bodies of Marines and Human civilians as well as Prians and Rhepoys.
“What the hell is this now?” Rossman asked as the news story continued.
“Vicious and bloody scenes at Beraz were recorded this afternoon where we have received reports of mutiny. Local forces turned on Empire Marines and civilians. It is a blood story of murder and mutiny. One more town falls to the scourge which appears to be spreading across the world of Rhamprox, causing many to ask, when will the Empire respond to this threat and protect the people who live here? Many are asking why Empire Regiments wait at Bodhan while these vicious murders go on. What is the Empire going to do? When will General Sanson deploy Empire troops to deal with this horrifying situation?”
“The news footage was gruesome, and many were horrified by what they were seeing. King couldn’t help but feel the same. He’d never seen such a horrific scene before.
“Sanson, damn it. We can’t wait around any longer,” said Rossman.
King looked to him for orders.
“You aren’t gonna fight a war empty-handed, Corporal. Draw your weapons, and you’ll carry a Guardian at all times, is that clear?”
“Yes, Sir,” replied Lee.
He stormed away on other business, leaving them in bewilderment.
“Guardians, they really use those things out here?” Nelson asked.
“Damn right they do, and they’ve saved all our lives more than once. You should have seen your cousin with one. He was almost unstoppable.” Sergeant Stone had been listening in.
Lee shrugged in surprise. “Joey using a Guardian, for real?”
He shook his head, smiling at the prospect of it as they went to the Company armoury. They went to the Guardians first. Lee took one from the rack and held it out. The pressure of his grip caused it to activate. The guard encased his hand, and the blade shot up before his eyes. Somehow, it felt powerful in his hands. He’d never used the real deal, only training versions.
“They really get to use those things around here?”
“I guess so,” he said as it retracted and folded away. He dropped it down onto his thigh where the magnetic clamp locked it in place. As he looked up again, his gaze was drawn to the rack of Aquillas. He paced over to the rack and drew one out. A surge of power flowed through his body.
“I never thought I’d get my hands on one of these beauties again,” he said with a smile.
Chapter 3
“Corporal, come with me.”
Lee was awoken from a deep sleep and found Rossman at the foot of his bed. He coughed and spluttered, trying to get words out despite his dry throat.
“Yes, Sir,” he croaked, pulling on his uniform as quickly as he could. He moved forward, but the Colonel was pointing back at the table beside his cot. He looked to see he’d left his Guardian behind.
“Never, ever be without it. You might think it’s some relic, but it’ll save your life one day.”
“Yes, Sir.” He picked it up and clipped it to his side before joining the Colonel.
“The General has called me to a meeting, and I want you there.”
“Sir?” Lee was surprised.
“I need officers on my staff, but right now I don’t have them. That means the likes of you and Sergeant Stone are going to have to fill some big shoes. I need you to be able to fulfil the duties your cousin did. I know it won’t be easy, and I know it’s not the job you were trained for, but you are a leader.”
“Sir, the last time I led anyone, I screwed up.”
“Maybe, but not as much as the news would have us believe. I read your file, every single bit of it, even the classified and redacted information.”
“You were able to access that?”
“I have my contacts. I’d never have busted you out unless I knew for certain that you were more than people were saying. You definitely screwed up, without a doubt, but no more so than any of us do. We all make mistakes, but it’s how we move forward in spite of them that really matters. You weren’t given that chance because you took the fall.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“The General won’t like you. He’s a gentleman, and unless you went to the right school and can talk like a gentleman, he won’t accept you, so it’s better that you don’t speak at all, do you understand me?”
“Yes, Sir.”
They entered one of the larger buildings in town and into an elevator that had to be taking them to the top floor. The doors opened, revealing floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out across the town. They had to be fifteen floors up or more, higher than anything else for as far as the eye could see. In the middle of the room were a crescent-shaped operations table and more than a dozen officers around it. At the centre of them was the General. He was in his late fifties at least, maybe even his sixties. He held himself with grace and confidence, and a calm and cool-headedness.
“Colonel, come in please,” he insisted as the two of them closed in, but Rossman gestured for King to stay a few paces back and away from the table.
“Sir, how can I be of service? Rossman asked politely in a tone and accent entirely different to the way he spoke to the rest of their regiment.
“You have heard about the murders at Beraz?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“We had hoped this was another isolated incident, but we have received word that violence has broken out in Delphi. Human civilians have been murdered in the night. A small UTC force was overpowered, too. The Mayor is asking for assistance.”
“Yes, Sir, we should provide assistance to the people
of Delphi immediately.”
But the General looked put out.
“We will indeed advance to Delphi to provide our support, but the Delphi Field Force I am assembling here is not ready to march.”
King could see the frustration in the Colonel’s body language even without seeing his face.
“How long until you are ready to embark, Sir?”
“Three days.”
“A lot can happen in three days, Sir.”
“I will not depart this facility until we’re ready and prepared to do so. We’re still waiting on essential supplies and several detachments. We will not leave until we are ready.”
Rossman sighed.
“Who is this Corporal you bring with you?”
“Corporal King, now of the 15th, Sir.”
“Well, Corporal, step forward.”
Lee looked wary, but Rossman ushered him forward to the table where he could see it spread out as a map of the area. The General went on.
“We have violence and murders here and here, mutinous actions in two towns, and violence against Empire citizens in the capitol, Delphi. We’re three days from being ready to march on the city, which we must do. It is the trade capitol of Rhamprox. We must protect our citizens and those Prians who work for us. The Colonel here doesn’t like to wait three days. What would you do?”
Lee looked to Rossman, who nodded for him to go on. He stuttered, trying to find his words, and then remembered his training. He was taught to be decisive. It was all he knew.
“I would send troops now, Sir.”
“How? We’re not fully prepared for such an operation.”
“Then send an advance party. A recon force that can establish a presence in the city and deal with localised violence.”
“And you have such a force in mind?”
“The 15th Loyal Volunteers are ready to deploy, Sir,” added Rossman.
“The 15th, Rhepoys? And what makes you think you can trust these locals? You of all people, Colonel, should know the dangers of trusting these savages.”
“I am aware, Sir, but I also know we need them. We need manpower far beyond our own number.
Sanson didn’t look impressed to be interrupted by the Corporal even though he’d invited him to the table, expecting him to speak only when spoken to.
“Go on,” he groaned.
“Sir, I can understand your distrust of the Rhepoys. I more than anyone distrust them, for they killed my cousin, but I believe in the Colonel’s work. Let us go to Delphi today as an advance recon unit. The worst you have to lose is a few Rhepoys.”
“And a fine officer of my staff.”
“Sir, if my faith in the Rhepoys was unfounded, then better you know now. I am willing to risk my career on this.”
“And your life?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Sanson rubbed his chin, pondering the idea, but he smiled as he realised how much he liked it. He didn’t care for the Rhepoys, and so losing some of them seemed like no real gamble.
“Then go to Delphi, but also know you’re taking well-armed Prians with you. If they turn on the populace and use their Empire supplied equipment to bring further suffering, on your head be it. I’ll have three shuttles prepped with orders to get you there and be ready to get you back out.”
“Yes, Sir,” replied Rossman confidently.
He saluted and strode away with King. They didn’t share a word until the elevator doors were shut. That’s when the smile stretched across the Colonel’s face.
“That was some big balls you showed there, Corporal.”
“It’s the only way I know, Sir. I’m good at getting myself into trouble. Just not always so good at getting back out of it.”
“We’re flying to Delphi, do you have any idea how big of a deal that is? Aerial transport is kept to a minimum on Rhamprox. The atmosphere causes massive wear to the engines, and visibility can often be too dangerous to fly. The shuttles are reserved for the most important and urgent of uses.”
“So this really is kind of a big deal?”
“Absolutely, but we’ll only be able to take one platoon. You got us into this, so 2nd Platoon is taking this.”
King could barely believe it. It had all happened so fast.
“Sir, I’ve not even met 2nd Platoon yet,” he protested.
“Yeah, well, it’s going to be trial by fire for you. I told you I was going to throw you in here. It was never going to be easy, but it’ll be a few hours flight, so you can get to know your squad in the air. Form them up. We embark in one hour.”
“Yes, Sir.”
* * *
They’d been in the air for twenty minutes and not a word had been spoken. Lee was all alone now with his Prian squad, aside from Nelson to his right, who was no more talkative. They were grim-faced, or maybe just lacking emotion. He wasn’t sure. He looked uneasy, for while he’d led a squad before, they’d been Human. He wasn’t sure how to approach these aliens, and he had no idea if he could trust them.
“Any of you boys from around here?” Lee finally asked.
For a moment there was no response. He wondered if he’d insulted them somehow, but he knew he had to keep trying.
“Any of you live around these parts?”
“We are all from a town far south of here,” replied the one sitting directly opposite.
His tone was cold and his voice coarse as if he hadn’t even wanted to answer, and yet that seemed like progress for Lee. The door was open, and he was going to seize on his opportunity.
“Dharan,” he replied in a tired tone.
“And all of you are from this Dharan?”
“Yes. We swore allegiance to your Empire and came to fight together.”
“That’s a brave thing to do. My brothers and my cousins also signed up together. Sadly, we were separated.”
“You were not allowed to fight together?”
He shook his head.
“We fight together, or not at all.”
He nodded in appreciation. “I’m Corporal Lee King. What’s yours?”
“I am Naider Madan.”
“So, you lead this bunch?”
“Under you, yes.”
“And you?” Lee asked another.
“Only Rotaru speaks your language, my younger brother,” he said, pointing to the one sitting to the left of King, “The others are still learning. They can make out simple commands now.”
The language barrier was something Lee had not even considered. Serving alongside aliens was still a bizarre concept to him. They looked like powerful fighters, but it was more than a little concerning that the enemy would look just the same.
“You’ve heard about the mutinies, Madan?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me, if so many are turning against the Empire, and taking up arms against them, what makes you different? Why are you still loyal?”
“When the Empire first came to this world, my people were near our end. Several tribes had formed against us. My people have long been the finest and most honourable fighters on this world, but against such odds, we could not win. An officer of the Empire came to our aid, and my people were saved. That officer was the grandfather of the Colonel.”
“Colonel Rossman?”
“Yes. We owe a great deal to him, and we will not forget it.”
They were heartening words, but he was still not sure what he could believe. He had no idea who he could trust in this world.
“And you, why are you here?” Madan asked.
“My cousin died at the mutiny at Horproxa.”
“The Khurrals. The Colonel was mistaken to trust them.”
“Khurrals?”
“The tribe who live mostly in that region. They are not to be trusted.”
“But you are?”
Madan recoiled as if deeply offended.
“Hey, this is all new to me. I meant no offence. I’d just like to know who I’m serving with, and that I’m not gonna get a knife in the back.”
&
nbsp; “If anyone here was to put a knife in you, it would be from the front,” he replied sternly.
He wasn’t sure whether to take solace in that or not.
“So you do this because of an obligation?”
“Yes.”
“When will that end?”
“End? I don’t understand.”
“When will you no longer owe the Empire for what they did for you?”
“So long as the Empire fights for us, we will fight for the Empire.”
Lee sighed in relief and relaxed. He knew he couldn’t take everything they said at face value, but he sensed that they were there for the right reasons.
“Where we’re going, there are Prians killing locals, both Humans and other Prians. You have no problem fighting against your own people?”
“Is that the first question Humans have asked one another when going to war?”
He shrugged. “No, I suppose not.”
“We might be the same race as our enemies, but we are not the same people.” added Madan.
“No, I see that now,” he replied with a smile, content he’d finally broken the ice with them.
“Look, I’m new around here. I don’t know much about your people or this planet. I never expected to come here, but sometimes that’s the way life goes. I’m not the most experienced or the smartest, but I am fair, and I put everything in one hundred percent. You do the same, and we’ll get along fine.”
Not another word was spoken, and yet they all seemed to be on the same page. Even Nelson was nodding along in agreement. He was glad to have had some dialogue with the squad, but they remained silent for the rest of the journey, and that left him and Nelson to dwell on what was to come at Delphi. Neither had ever been on an operation with so little intel. They didn’t have much of an idea what they were getting themselves into, but it was exciting.
Lee fell into a daydream, thinking of his cousin and the rest of the family they used to hang out with. It brought a smile to his face, although it still seemed hard to believe Joey was gone. He never imagined the possibility that they would not see each other again. Going to prison had seemed like the worst thing that could have happened to him, but there was always life beyond it. But not for Joey. The anger inside him was brewing. He wanted revenge, and he didn’t much care for who the subject was. He wanted to get his hands on the enemy, on the savages who had killed his namesake. Yet he had no idea what that would even be like. He looked to Madan and his muscular bulky form, wondering if that’s what the enemy would be like. Every one of them was the size of Nelson.
The Last Empire Box Set Page 9