by Dennis Young
“Holy…” Talice lowered her voice and reached for her water glass. She drank half. “That’s spicy enough to raise the dead!”
Mac wiped tears from her eyes. She just nodded, unable to even reply.
“Must be those old taste buds of yours needing a jolt.” Talice laughed, then dipped her spoon again. The soup was just what she needed with the cold and rain outside.
Mac finally regained her voice and gave Talice a knowing look. “I talked to the team. Everyone is up to date.”
“Good. I talked to Dad about… things. No specifics, and I didn’t mention our stalker.”
“Help clear your head a bit?”
Talice nodded. “And I reviewed Colonel Fawkes’s info with him. Since none of it was classified, I needed his opinion. He’s for it. Did you hear from Babs?”
“No.” Mac placed another order on the kiosk and sat back in her hoverchair. “I thought you were going to send her a commtext.”
“I forgot. Too busy at home. Mac, do you realize when we move into the training facility, we can get funds for refurbishing and can actually draw pay for maintaining it?”
“A retirement home?” Mac chuckled.
“Don’t say that. Unless you just want to hang around while we go off and get shot at.”
“Speaking of which, any more intel on the mission?”
The server arrived with their meal and they dug in. Shredded beef with basil, chilies, peppers, and onions, served over rice. They savored the spices and ate quietly for a few minutes.
“Let’s do one thing at a time,” said Talice, between bites. “Fawkes said it would take some time before he was ready with details. He’s giving us time to think it over and get moved in.”
“Alright. So when can we do that?”
“Founding Day is coming up, three days businesses will be closed. If the team has no plans, that would be a good time to do it. A lot of the Base would be on leave.”
“I’m available,” replied Mac. “And you just had your vacation.”
“Works for me. Let’s get the gang together tomorrow night at The Bloody Tavern and talk about it. Besides, I know the boys love their dart games.” Talice rolled her eyes. “And yes, I’ll send a message to Babs.”
Mac looked away for a quiet moment. “What if they can’t get my DNA sequencing right?”
Talice didn’t answer immediately. “Then it’s you with your hoverchair and me with my bugs, lady. And if that’s the hand we’re dealt, we’ll play it.”
Mac showed a crooked grin. “Your daddy sure did some voodoo on you, didn’t he?”
“What does not kill us…” Talice smiled.
* * *
The Bloody Tavern was full, and while Rory, Briggs, Dosu, and Ollie dominated the dart boards, the rest of the team commandeered the fireplace seating. Talice sat surrounded by people who, for the last five years, she’d trusted with her life. Nikolay Polivanov, the resident computer expert, and his bride-to-be, Bělinka Orlik, the team’s ordinance and booby-trap whiz. Jian Hsu, “Junior,” martial arts specialist, and Martin Tanuu, Talice’s “second” when she stayed with Mac onboard Bird One and directed operations from the ship. With her bugs and health issues, even with Babs’s medical team keeping one jump ahead of the disease eating away at her insides, she didn’t always have the stamina for combat. Hence, Martin, and his previous experience with the team as a Marine.
Abie, their pilot, Jamal Orlando the engineer/tac officer, and Will Thomas, Bird One’s copilot/navigator, bunched themselves across from Talice, watching around. Junior rubbed shoulders with Talice, and Mac sat close by in her hoverchair.
This was her team, her life. Almost every person Talice knew and truly trusted was right there within shouting distance. It was a warm, private feeling, one she never wanted to end.
She spent most of the evening simply watching. Niky and Bělinka, though they had put their wedding “on hold,” sat with arms entwined and obviously comfortable with each other. Martin spoke quietly with Mac, leaning forward with elbows on his knees, nodding occasionally at Mac’s comments. Junior sat very close to Talice, his hand occasionally wandering a bit too near her thigh. She smiled inwardly, wondering how long it would be for him to work up the courage to make a serious pass. And what she might do when he did.
The man-mountains and slender, all-too-British Ollie, were occupied with darts and brews, good-natured barbs tossed as often as the darts themselves, as others watched and shouted catcalls and hoorays as shots were made and missed.
Talice felt a tear growing in the corner of her eye. Dad was right. We’re still Marines, all of us. That’s one thing that will never change.
The hour grew late and the tavern began to empty. Talice called them all around and they crowded together in the cushions and the floor. The servers brought fresh drinks and baskets of snacks. Talice raised a hand for quiet, and the team gave their collective attention slowly.
“Okay, first the good news. We have work coming.”
“Hua!” The collective shout brought looks from the remaining clientele in the tavern.
“Second, we’ve received permission to occupy and use the old Marine training facility. However…” She took a breath and looked around at the expectant faces. “That means we also provide services and security. We can sign a three-year contract and move in as soon as possible after the legalities are taken care of. You all know the rules regarding on-base policies. So think about it before you decide.”
Talice looked to Mac, who moved forward a bit and spoke. “I’m going to play landlady at the facility. I’ll be moving in quickly and want to set up a schedule, so get back to me as soon as you can. The good part is, we’ll be closer to our roots. The bad part is, we’ll be closer to our roots.”
A chuckle went through the team, and they traded knowing glances.
“What about… cohabitation?” Bělinka squeezed closer to Niky as he blushed. “Gotta be with my man.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” replied Talice. “We’re all adults, and this will be our home for the next few years.”
“What about the work, Captain?” asked Junior.
The kid’s sharp, thought Talice. Always bringing us back to the important stuff. “Off-world. Again. We all know how much fun that was, right?”
Groans were heard, then Briggs spoke softly. “Stuff that! We have a job, let’s do it!”
“Hua,” said Mac, and Talice nodded beside her.
“Questions?” Talice waited. No one spoke. “Let’s have a toast. To new… adventures.”
They raised their glasses and drank them down. Talice looked them over, eye to eye, one more time. She knew they were ready.
So was she.
* * *
It was well past midnight when Talice reached her apartment. She prepared for bed quickly, set her alarm, and called out the lights. She turned one way, then the other. Her mind wouldn’t slow down.
She sat up in bed, did a bit of meditation, and lay down again. Closed her eyes. Breathed deeply. Finally fell asleep.
She woke, drenched in sweat. Shaking. She rolled off the bed trying to sit.
She went to her hands and knees on the floor, gasping for breath. Crawled to the night stand and popped open a bottle of S-H. Downed it. Lay on the floor in the dark. Slowly, she calmed.
Too much alcohol. Babs always tells me to watch my drinks. Lost count. Must have had at least four tonight. Dammit…
She sat carefully and checked her patch. It had come partway off, the adhesive edge rolled up on itself. She stood, staggered to the bath and voiced on the lights. Sat again, trying to calm her breathing.
Okay, lesson learned… again. Babs. Dammit, I forgot to message her!
She applied a fresh patch and waited as the meds flowed into her system. Finally, she was steady enough to walk back into the bedroom where she jotted a note to call Babs in the morning.
Just when I think this stuff is under control… Be glad to get back on the Base. Maybe it will
force me to think a bit more about what the hell I’m doing. That, or the team will be looking for a new leader.
She called off the lights again and pulled the covers close.
Dad was right, as always. What does not kill us…
CHAPTER THREE
Back to the Grind (Part Three)
The Art of the Deal
“He will win who knows how to handle both
superior and inferior forces.”
Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”
Bergan-Okafor Marine Training Facility (decommissioned)…
Bergan-Okafor was the original training facility for the Colonial Marines on Theia. The building complex is located at the northwest corner of a twenty-five hundred square kilometer plot of rolling hills and plain located east of Anchor Prime. The original land purchase was finalized in the early 3100’s (Olde Earth calendar) after the initial colonization of Theia during the Outward Presence Movement.
The name derives from the heads of the committee established during base construction and the subsequent agreements for Marine assistance during the soil crises: The Honorable Casandra Bergan, first Prime Minister of Theia, and Major General Talib Okafor, first commanding officer of Northland Marine Base.
The training facility consists of a collection of offices, barracks, equipment maintenance bays, storage facilities, and hangars for ground, air, and spacecraft. The original complement was fifty officers and four hundred enlisted personnel. This grew to a maximum of one hundred seventy-five officers and nearly three thousand enlisted before the opening of the newly-completed training facility located two hundred kilometers south of Northland Base.
Currently, the Bergan-Logan grounds are in the process of decommissioning, maintained by a crew of maintenance and security personnel. All training activities have recently been transferred to the new, yet unnamed, facility. At this time, no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the training grounds or structures.
* * *
Moving In, and a New Beginning…
Founding Day came and went with fireworks, parades, and parties. Talice thought to sublet her apartment, then changed her mind, and paid another year’s lease up front. As Mac was at the end of her lease, she opted to move to the training base for the three years she and Talice signed.
Briggs, Rory, and Dosu all took up residence as well, while Niky and Bělinka were “considering options.” Junior, Ollie, and Martin declined, but set up bunk areas for temporary stays when they were training or on security detail.
After a few days of settling in they held a christening dinner, dubbing it “Stay Alive Hotel.” Since alcohol was not allowed on Base, the party was at The Olde Place, and the team did their best to drink the place dry. Talice monitored her intake carefully, drinking club soda with a twist most of the night.
By 0200 Hours everyone was staggering out the door. Talice, Mac, and Briggs stayed behind for a final round at a corner hightop in the otherwise deserted tavern.
“When do we get real work, Captain?” Briggs sipped his final dark ale and looked between the two women.
“Tomorrow, we rest. Day after, we’ll hold our first briefing. I’m meeting with my contact tomorrow for the goods.”
Briggs nodded, as did Mac. “In that case, training starts the day after, right?”
Talice nodded.
“How long? We need at least thirty days to get ready.”
“We’ll have it. Mac promised she’ll start slow and not try to kill us too quickly.” They chuckled round and touched glasses.
“This may be some rough stuff,” said Mac.
“Oh? Rougher than what?” Briggs drained his glass.
“A different kind of fight.” Talice gave Mac a warning glance. “Dirtier. Something we’re going to talk about at length at the briefing.”
Briggs considered for a moment, then shrugged. “Okay. I can wait that long. You need an escort back to Base, Captain?” He grinned.
Talice shook her head. “I want to talk to Mac for a few minutes. Get your hangover voodoo going and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
Briggs waved a salute and moved his bulk carefully between tables and out the door. Talice motioned for the server and ordered hot tea for her and Mac.
“Not another word about this until the briefing.” Talice looked Mac in the eye. “I need you sharp and at your best. If this goes down the way we think it will, we may all need therapy when it’s over.”
Mac looked away, then back. “I’m sorry, Princess. Right now, it’s tough for me to focus. I’ll be better without the hangover tomorrow, I promise.”
Tea was set before them and Talice drank. “Let’s both get a good night’s sleep and see Fawkes tomorrow. We’re all on edge, waiting for something to happen so we can move forward. This time off has really hurt us.”
“I know. Look, I’m headed back. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Mac hugged Talice, then found her way out. Talice watched, shaking her head. This crap with her legs really has her down. I sent Babs a message three days ago and she hasn’t answered. The Base infirmary got a commtext yesterday saying she was extending her leave a couple more days. She deserves the time off but damn, I really need to talk to her.
Talice paid her tab and headed out, pacing the darkened walkways. She wasn’t ready to head back to the training facility and took a booth in an all-night diner two blocks from the metrolink station, drinking tea and nibbling on French fries and gravy.
We’ve got to get our focus back. We’ve gotten soft and sloppy. I need to start thinking about the team without Niky and Bělinka, too, just in case. The rest should be okay for a couple of years.
She glanced up, feeling eyes on her again. Then her wristcom buzzed.
Hello, Talice. It’s been a while. Jance.
Fuck!
* * *
Northland Marine Base: The Office of Lt. Colonel Harlan Fawkes…
Talice slept little that night. By 0600, she was awake and preparing notes for her meeting with Fawkes. He needed to know she was being stalked, and likely, if Jance knew Talice’s whereabouts, she knew the others’ as well. And while the Base was probably safe, somehow Jance was tracking her in the city. Possibly the same way as before, through their wristcom.
But we got rid of the old ones, and the new ones were purchased through civilians, and double-blind. How the hell…
It didn’t matter. She’d turn over the info and let Fawkes have Marine intel work on it. Maybe they could double-back on the trail and locate Jance as well. That might wipe the smug smile off her face.
Talice and Mac hopped a metrolink to Northland Base. They left late in the morning, and it was past midday before they arrived. They gave their names at HQ to an orderly neither was familiar with, then waited. Then waited some more. After an hour, they were shown to Colonel Fawkes’s office and ushered in. And did a double-take as they did.
“Mr. Evans. Good to see you alive and well.” Talice shook Gorg Evans’s extended hand. Mac nodded, not extending hers.
“I’ve asked Gorg to join us for the briefing on the first phase of the mission,” said Fawkes.
The orderly reappeared with tea and sandwiches as Talice and Mac traded wordless glances.
“I’ve been working with… another operative on Crius since our return from Eos,” said Evans. “Only in the last few days have we gotten decent intel, as she is not in a position to communicate often.”
“She,” repeated Talice. “You’ve got someone imbedded with the slave traders?”
“Not exactly.” Fawkes motioned to the tray of food and drink. “Our contact is in the procurement section.”
“… Meaning?” Talice’s face was growing very, very rigid.
“Meaning she’s doing everything possible to keep kidnapping and mistreatment to a minimum. Talice, this has been going on for a long time. This contact is a former… well, she’s an escapee who came to us.”
“How would they take back an escapee?” asked Mac, shaking her head.
> “She allowed herself to be recaptured. She went in willingly, to do what she could to save others,” said Evans.
“Holy shit,” whispered Talice. “What can we do?”
Fawkes looked at Evans, who continued. “First, there’s an encampment of laborers where Nemesis has a small ‘engagement nook’, as they call it. About a dozen women, a couple of men, and twenty or so Nemesis personnel. We know our operative’s schedule for inspection, and we can provide you with that. Phase One is shut down the place, rescue the women and men, and pull the operative out. No prisoners, no survivors. And plant a body.”
“What?” Talice nearly stood.
Fawkes paused as she slowly calmed. “Talice, you’re a mercenary. You do this for money. This is not a function the Marines, or any official government agency, can handle.”
“So we plant a body, presumably in place of your operative in case Nemesis comes checking and counts noses? What about ID? What about DNA checks? What about—”
Mac laid a hand on Talice’s arm. “Let the colonel finish. We need to know everything.”
“The plan is…” Fawkes paused, cast a glance to Evans, then looked at women again. “You’ll have to burn the place down, make it look like a rival gang has raided them for the hostages. Make sure none of the bodies are recognizable.”
Talice sat stunned. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Still, in the back of her mind, she was certain this was not the first time an operation like this had been conducted. With Fawkes in charge? Probably not. Only the higher-ups would know. And with Evans here, it says this is really hush-hush. And dirty.
Mac chuckled. Talice looked at her, as did Fawkes and Evans. “Remember the conversation we had with you-know-who about being dirty?”
Talice blew a breath and sat back. Finally, she walked stolidly to the sideboard, drew a cup of tea, handed it to Mac, then one for herself. She looked to Evans, who declined. “Alright, Colonel… we understand this is not a routine mission. Not that any of them are routine. We’re listening.”