Black Guard, The (4 page)

"I’d prefer not to have to engage
the rebels in street-to-street fighting in the city." Drezner said.
"And you could have problems depending upon the effectiveness of our
initial attack, and how the rebels choose to split their remaining forces. With
half their present force, they could easily overrun the couple of hundred
guarding the estate."

"We will drop you and your team at
the governor’s estate, but I can’t afford to assign any commandos to you based
on the rebel force Captain Drezner appears to be facing," Wolfson added
with a shrug. "Sorry, Captain Sapir."

"I understand. I think that’s a
wise decision. Captain Drezner, in which shuttle would you like the
Guard?"

"CS6, over to your left. I’ll keep
you posted on our status, and I’d like you to do the same. If it looks like you’ll
be overrun, I’ll try to send you support."

* * *

It took several hours to load the
shuttles and reach Yuan Province and the governor’s estate. The shuttle landed
on a manicured lawn a hundred meters in front of the estate, a luxurious,
three-story structure. When I trotted down the ramp, a Yuan Colonel, a small,
plump man, came running towards me.

"Are you the Guard? How
many?" he asked while looking up at the five shuttles hovering above us.

"Yes, I’m Captain Sapir of the
Guard. We number twenty-four."

"Where is the army going?" He
pointed to the other five shuttles which were now moving away. "We need
more troops here to protect the governor."

"They are going to engage the
rebels’ main force. So, it’s unlikely we will see more than a couple of hundred
rebels, which between your forces and the Guard we should have no trouble
dealing with. For now, I need you to give me a tour of the estate so I can deploy
my team."

His face paled as he watched the shuttles
disappear into the distance.

"Colonel?" I prodded.

"It’s Colonel Ou Yang. The
governor isn’t going to be happy." He motioned toward a red-bricked
stairway, ten meters wide that led up to the entrance, located on the second
level.

"Sergeants Rosin, Solow, have your
teams check out the grounds. Lieutenant Ceder, you will accompany me." I
nodded to Colonel Ou Yang who led us up the stairs and into a large, circular
foyer with another wide staircase in the center, which led to a third level. As
we entered, a tall man came striding down the stairs. He smiled.

"I’m Governor Li Ho Lew, and you
are the Black Guard, judging from your uniforms. How many men did you bring,
Captain?"

"Sapir. There are twenty-three in
my team. They are outside becoming familiar with the grounds. I’d like a tour
of your house and an introduction to those persons who are part of your
household, so that I can deploy my people."

"Twenty-three isn’t many. How many
army?"

"None, they flew off after they
dropped off the Guard," Ou Yang said.

"That’s unacceptable!" Ho Lew
said, frowning at me. "Get them back! And you need more guards."

"Well, while you are trying to get
the army back here and arranging with the Jax for more Guard, I’d like that
tour."

"I gave you an order,
Captain." Ho Lew said, giving me an angry look.

"I don’t command the army, nor do
I negotiate contracts for the Guard. Whoever did negotiated for the size of my
current team. And, you don’t give the Guard orders, I do. So, I’d like that
tour so we can get started doing our job, while you take care of the other
matters." I had to admire the governor for managing to keep his composure—more
or less. He did look a little flushed, but his voice was under control when he
finally spoke.

"Yes, I should have known. You’re
only a captain. I will talk with someone in authority." He smiled,
thinking his childish remark a rebuke.

"You’re absolutely right, Governor
Ho Lew. I’m sure a man of your importance will be able to rectify the
mistake," I said with a small nod. He had no more power than me to change
the current deployment or it wouldn’t be what it was—and we both knew it.

"Chang!" no sooner had he
said it, than an elderly man in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie
appeared from a side door.

"Yes, sir?" he said, bowing low.

"Give the captain a tour of the
house and introduce her to my family." He walked away without another
word. His day obviously wasn’t going well, and I suppressed a smile.

"Captain, if you will follow me.
We might as well start on this floor."

The house looked big from the outside,
and it was. The first level was dedicated to the servants and estate
maintenance. Specifically, servants’ quarters, kitchen, laundry, household
supplies, and repair facilities. The second level, officially the first floor,
had fourteen rooms for guests and daytime activities. He led us through a
reception room, formal dining room, a smaller breakfast room, game room, four guest
bedrooms, library, media room, dayroom, and three bathrooms in addition to
those in the guest bedrooms. On the third level, there were thirteen rooms
exclusively reserved for the family: six bedrooms with bath suites, family
room, three game and media rooms, two studies, and a library.

His wife Mei, who looked about ten
years younger, son Yul, age eight, daughter Jia Li, age six, and mother Li Ming
were currently in residence. After a brief introduction with each, I met with
the team leaders.

"Rosin, Solow, your teams will
rotate every eight hours. One Guard on each of the entrances. Colonel Ou Yang
and Chang will provide us with a short list of who is authorized to enter the
house. Everyone else needs approval. One Guard on each family member, in his
sight or outside the person’s room at all times. That leaves you to roam and
monitor your team. Lieutenant Ceder and I will coordinate our times. Our priority
is the governor. Any questions?" When no one said anything, I continued. "Sergeants,
you can determine who takes the first shift." I left and found Chang in
the kitchen.

"Captain. Can I help you?" He
bowed. He probably did a lot of that working for the governor.

"We are here to protect the
governor and his family; however, if possible, we will endeavor to protect you
and the other servants. The minute there is a sign of trouble, you need to find
me. I won’t have time to look for you."

"Thank you, Captain." He
bowed again.

* * *

Sergeant Solow was just coming out of
the kitchen door while conducting his rounds when he saw me coming down the
hall. He nodded and waited.

"What’s your current deployment,
Solow?"

"One guard with each family
member. Li Ho Lew is in his study, Mei Lew is in the game room with her
children, and Li Ming is upstairs in the study off her room. Two guards are
roaming the grounds, and one guard at each entrance: front, back, and service."

"Good," I said as I continued
down the hallway.

Corporal Glick nodded as I passed the
study. On guard duty, a nod was sufficient acknowledgement. At the game-room
door Private Nadel stood guard. Inside, Private Ganz and Corporal Judt stood
against opposite walls.

 
"Good day, Mei Lew."

Mei looked up from where she sat at a
small table with her two children playing a game with tiles. The table had a
leather top with a map-like design and the tiles contained beautifully painted
pictures. Three dice appeared to control the movement of the tiles.

"Are guards necessary in the
room?" she asked, in a manner one would chastise a servant.

"I have detailed one Guard for
each family member. They are experienced guards and under orders to protect
your lives. Their positions will depend on circumstances but always to ensure
your safety."
Worth it or not,
I mused.

"That can be very invasive. What
if I don’t like it?"

"In that case, I would assign you
and your children’s guards to your husband and his mother. But then they won’t
be available if the rebels manage to reach the estate, and your fate would
depend upon their goodwill. Most are kind to children."

"Who do you think you’re talking
to? I’ll report you to—"

"Mei Lew, you either want security
or you don’t. If you do, the Guard will decide how best to provide that
security because that is our job. Your husband can certainly tell us he no
longer wants the Guard, in which case, we will leave. But we are not your
servants. We do not fetch or carry or provide entertainment."

I nodded and turned on my heel. She was
still muttering as I closed the door behind me, leaving Judt and Ganz fighting
to maintain a bland expression. I took the stairs to the second floor and found
Private Lipkin outside of Li Ming’s suite. She nodded as I approached and
knocked at the door.

"Who is it?"

"Captain Sapir."

"Come in."

Li Ming sat in a lounge chair with a
book in her lap. A pot of tea, a cup and saucer, and some small cakes sat on
the table next to the chair. She was a small frail lady with sparkling eyes
that suggested a sharp mind. The study was a restful room. One wall had shelves
which contained a large collection of books of every shape and description. A
large picture window with maroon drapes dominated the far wall and looked out
over the front lawn. Paintings hung on the other two walls.

"Lady Li Ming, I just stopped in
to answer any questions you might have."

"What do you think, Captain? Will
the rebels overrun the city and this estate?"

"The rebels out-number the Jax
army, at least, ten to one, so it’s unlikely the army can contain them without
help. So, it will depend on the ability of the Yuan military to stop those that
break off from the main force to attack the estate."

"Well then, Captain, can you hold
a hundred or two? Because the Yuan military is no better than the rebels and
less motivated."

"We could hold, but we couldn’t both
hold and protect you if hundreds manage to reach the estate."

"So you’ll desert us?" she
said without emotion, but her eyes had an amused sparkle.

"The Guard does not abandon those
they protect. That would not fit with our tradition or our duty. We are the
Guard, not an army who the rebels can expect to meet them on the battle field.
Then because our numbers are few, they will rely on force to overrun us. And
finally, they will believe we are standard military trained and their equal. No
tactic can survive that many mistakes."

"I almost look forward to seeing
the rebels." She smiled.

* * *

I left the governor for last. When he
said to enter upon my knock, he was sitting behind a large redwood desk, which
had papers spread out over half its surface. He looked up and frowned.

"Good day, Governor. I just
stopped in to see if you had any questions."

"Shouldn’t your troops be outside,
not guarding the rooms we’re in?"

"We are guarding you and your
family, not the building. You have an army to do that, and they are supported
by the Jax army."

"What good are you then?"

"We could leave if you feel we
aren’t needed," I said, trying to hide a grin. I could have tried to
explain the Guard provided protection the military didn’t, but he was frightened
and not in a mood to listen to reason. A simple yes or no question would save
me the frustration. Besides, this approach was less stressful and more amusing.

"You’re very arrogant!" His
voice rose and his tone became master to servant. I wondered whether his wife
took after him or he after his wife—similar reactions to things they didn’t
want to hear. I felt sorry for Chang and the other servants. They had no choice
but to apologize for speaking the truth and probably stopped trying at some
point.

"Probably not as arrogant as the
rebels will be when they come. Governor, we are dedicated to protecting you and
your family or to die trying. If you don’t feel you need that protection, we’ll
leave."
And this looks like one of those die trying situations.
Ho
Lew stared at me for a long time, his face shifting through a series of
emotions: rage, anger, disbelief, resignation, and finally settled on stubborn.

"Do whatever you do," he said,
and returned to shuffling through the papers on his desk. I left feeling that
the situation was under control. My team was deployed as best I could, given
our numbers, the Ho Lew family understood the reasons for my current deployment—like
it or not—and I went to bed satisfied.

* * *

I woke with a buzzing in my ear-implant
signaling a message on my Mfi. When I lifted my arm, Captain Drezner’s face was
displayed on the screen.

"Judging by the hour, I assume you
have exciting news for me." The gray light of dawn had barely begun.

"You could call it that if you
have one terrific sense of humor. Yesterday, we landed a klick behind the
rebels with the intention of trapping them between the Yuan’s military
defending Ebao and us. We inflicted heavy casualties initially with the help of
our five combat shuttles; however, the rebels have a few military grade
weapons. They destroyed one shuttle and put another out of commission. As they advanced
toward the Yuan military ranks our shuttles became less functional, and we are
now using them mainly for reconnaissance. During the night, they overran the
Yuan military and now occupy Ebao. That means we are going to have to fight
them street-by-street, which will somewhat improve their odds. It also means they
will need fewer troops to slow us down and will likely break off a group to
attack the governor’s estate. Is that exciting enough?"