Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) (32 page)

Chapter 13. Lewista 2130, 21 September

Meeka was paraded through the spotlights of the media as a war criminal. Meelanda had insisted on being there. She thought it a poetic touch by Felis to arrange for the handover in front of the Ripple building. It would make for good publicity. As would the Republican and Federation honour guards. She liked the dishevelled look of the troops. They looked like they knew how to fight and she wanted that conveyed in no uncertain terms.

Meelanda kept her speech short. It was all about sending a signal that the Republic had defeated two enemy fleets over Cheklin. It was here to stay and would welcome all those who wanted a new future free from the Imperialists. The money shot was at the end with a close up of Meelanda, her jaw set firm and her eyes penetrating straight at the camera. “If you seek a better future, now is the time to act.”

Julian Pious had wanted to also give a short speech but he had agreed in the end with Meelanda that now was not the right time. The support from the humans was evident in their honour guard. That was demonstrable. But best not to feed any uncertainties about who called the shots in the current alliance. This was and should be seen to be a rogan alternative.

Dave was grateful when Felis intervened to convince Meelanda that the troops needed to rest rather than to celebrate.

Chapter 14. Resolute over Checklin 2300, 21 September

Dave finally arrived back on board the Resolute just after 2300. It had been a hell of a day. He hobbled down from the warthog and was met by Ivan. Ivan’s expression betrayed his concern. “Don’t worry Ivan. I’ll survive” said a weary Dave. He hugged Ivan and said loud enough for all to hear “Thank you. You saved our bacon today!”

As Ivan pulled away he caught sight of Jim and Tammy. There was sorrow etched in both their faces. He looked at Dave and asked “How many?”

“Far, far too many. More on that in the morning. I need to have Mary look at my foot and then I need to rest.”

Chase agreed to assist Dave down to the medbay but Mary was still in theatre with the more seriously wounded. Dave collapsed in a chair and excused Chase. He started to think about….

It was almost 2330 when Mary came out and found Dave asleep in the chair in the waiting area. If the truth be known she was dog tired herself. She asked the male nurse if he knew what was wrong with the Commodore. He pointed to his foot. “Antenna stay pierced right there” he said pointing to the top of his foot.

“When’s the last time he had a tetanus shot?” asked Mary.

The male nurse never got a chance to answer. “This bloody afternoon” responded Dave as he woke up. “And I’ve got the puncture to prove it” he added pointing to his shoulder.

“Touchy aren’t we” said Mary reproachfully. “Come on. Let me have a look at this foot. You’re not the only one about to fall asleep.” She had his boot off in no time flat, gave a seemingly cursory inspection and asked “Doc do this?” Dave nodded. “Good job. You’re good to go.”

“Is that all?” asked Dave disbelievingly.

“What do you want, some nice tender words? Well you have a wife for that, don’t you?”

“Terrific. You know you need to work on your bedside manner.”

Mary laughed and then added “But you’re not in bed Dave.”

Despite his fatigue Dave could not but laugh.

Fifteen minutes later he emerged from his ensuite, clean from a shower. The water had freshened him up enough to remember something. He opened the rogan backpack he had used during the day, retrieved the two controllers for the mass exchange devices and locked them away in his wall safe.

A wry smile came across his face. He had wanted to demolish those devices rather than run the risk of them falling into the wrong hands. It wasn’t that he doubted the integrity of Draag but in a war like this you never knew what turn of events could change things. At least this way Dave felt he could show good faith by giving them the devices but safeguard against their use. The only weak link in the chain he realised was Branish who had wiped the data from the Mintoslum computer system relating to the controllers. He had seen Dave take the controllers. But somehow Dave didn’t think he would have to worry about Branish. There was no logic in that thought just a gut instinct.

Dave got into bed and sent a good night blessing to Rihan, who he pictured already asleep in her bed millions of kilometres away. He was asleep in less than two minutes.

Chapter 15. Eltikin to Raidom 2345, 21 September

The watch officer read the message from Cheklin and hailed Veego in his cabin. But the Admiral was fast asleep, so the watch officer raced down the deck to the Admiral’s cabin and after a good minute managed to wake the Admiral. He read the message on the watch officer’s communicator, took a deep breath in and said “Give me a few minutes. I will consult with the Director but be prepared to come out of warp and then warp to Cheklin.”

Veego walked down to the guest cabin and woke Angina and Evie who were sharing the cabin. He showed them the message and waited.

“We need to go back don’t we?” asked Angina. Veego nodded as did a tired looking Evie.

Veego hailed his watch officer “warp to Cheklin.”

Chapter 16. Slidwon 0200, 22 September

Torine looked at the device she held in her left hand and confirmed that the security systems had been high jacked. She unlocked the front door to the apartment with a simple press of her finger onto the device’s screen. She gently pushed the door ajar, waiting a few seconds to confirm no audible alarm sounded. The device confirmed no silent alarm had been sent. She carefully entered. Her right hand was by her side holding the handle of a slender blade, which was razor sharp.

The mods to her eyes that allowed her to see in multi-spectrums automatically adjusted to the dark by selecting infrared. She knew the layout and was careful to avoid the hallway table with the ornate artefact that the owner had received from the First Consul.

The mods to her hearing organs could easily detect the rhythmic breathing coming from the bedroom on the right. She already knew there would be two occupants, her target and the poor unfortunate who had thought himself so lucky to have scored.

She had considered the option of using a pistol instead of the blade. But she wanted to use the blade because there would be no doubt about what was intended here. But she well appreciated the need for speed. Much would depend on the relative positions.

She slid into the bedroom to find both her target and her lover sound asleep. Her target was facing into the back of her lover. She would deal with the target first. With a light touch she moved to her target. In one motion she placed her hand over the targets mouth and with the quickest of flicks severed her neck artery.

Raitah wanted to scream but could not. She did however struggle, even as her life force was draining out of her. ‘How….’ was the last thought she had.

Her lover was truly unfortunate. He rolled over when Raitah’s knee collected him in the back. But in the dark he struggled to make out was happening. He barely managed to mumble a “What…” before he felt the stinging sensation of Torine’s blade sever his neck open.

Alas Torine was not able to stem the flow of blood from the unfortunate and it spurted out with violent force for each of his remaining breaths. Torine was splattered with it all over her upper body. As soon as she confirmed they were both dead, she used a towel from the linen closet to partially clean herself.

She took it with her. Later she would destroy it along with her disposable gloves and the clothes she was currently wearing. There would be no evidence to link her.

Chapter 17. Resolute over Checklin 0800, 22 September

Dave had been meditating now in his cabin for a good twenty minutes. Tears were flowing down his cheeks. Keeping his eyes closed he grabbed a tissue from his pocket and wiped his eyes. ‘What a butcher’s bill’ he thought.

He took a deep breath in and returned his focus to his inner world. He repeated his mantra in time with his breath and soon dropped back into the velvety dark blue space he loved so much. There was serenity here no matter what was happening on the outside. It didn’t wash away the pain from so much loss but it freed him from its grip. It gave him detachment while still allowing him to care. It cushioned the blow as it were and for that Dave was grateful.

A few moments later he was lost in the space. He regained physical awareness ten minutes later. He was still tired but that was more physical than emotional. The surprising thing for Dave though, was that the question he had posed at the outset of his meditation had been answered, even though he had no recollection of pondering it during meditation.

He had woke early despite his fatigue. He knew he had to make an important decision whether to stay or return to Qwantum. But his tired mind could not really think clearly. Politically he should stay and maybe strategically he needed to as well. But there were grave risks involved with that as he still had no missiles and it would most likely be three weeks before some arrived.

But now as he rose gently from his cross legged position he realised that the most important factor was his people. They needed to be looked after. They had just suffered a huge loss with over 50% of his marines killed. He remembered his guru’s teaching ‘if it comes down to a choice between looking after the task or looking after the people, always choose the people. Only then can you achieve the task.’

It was a bleary eyed Crystal who Dave passed as he entered the mess. She had pulled the dog watch and was heading back to her cabin. They exchanged nods. Dave detected a shift had happened in Crystal. There wasn’t the edginess in her expression that had been her constant companion since the loss of John. He hoped it was a turn for the better.

He found a sombre Jim sitting with Argha at a table. He could see that Argha was still very fragile. It was obvious morale had taken a massive hit despite the victory. Dave grabbed some juice and cereal and sat down with Ivan who was on his own in the far corner.

“Good morning Sir” said Ivan. There was a little hesitancy in his voice.

“Good morning Ivan. You see the cas figures?” Ivan nodded, his face turning grim. Dave continued in a low voice “our marines are spent, we’ve lost 80% of our droids, no missiles and most importantly morale has plummeted. We gotta go back to Qwantum. The main fleet will be arriving there on the 29
^th
. They can refit and repair the minor damage, hopefully restock us with droids and missiles but I just don’t know what can be done about our marines. They’ve probably borne too much.  Maybe not spent but certainly too vulnerable to commit to another engagement like the one we’ve just had. What do you think?”

“I agree with all that but I’m not sure Ms Orocash will take that too kindly.”

“No she probably won’t. She needs to recall her own fleet so we can recover. I’ll speak to Pious and Draag this morning. They’re more likely to understand.”

Chapter 18. Neeblo 1000, 22 September

Dave had finished his case for a return to Qwantum. Silence reigned as both Julian and Felis pondered both the need for this course of action and the implications.

Julian was concerned for the signal it would send politically but his heart and his head knew that Dave’s force had been through so much since May. ‘Yes it’s been only four months’ thought Julian ‘and they have suffered so much. But so much more still needs to be done.’ He looked down at his own mangled left hand. He knew he had Dave to thank for saving him. He knew also that he had taken time out to recover from the ill treatment he had suffered back on Beta Phi. And here he now was back in service. ‘Yes they need some time out, but how best to spin this?’

While Julian pondered so too did Felis.  He recalled how Dave had hobbled into the conference room. It was symbolic perhaps of Dave’s command and perhaps of his own force. How he wished he had the option to redeploy.  He took another look at Dave. His eyes were scrutinising him just as they had done after the surrender of the Kunter. Felis too knew that he owed his life to this man. He knew that the reasons being advanced were valid but what he needed was time.

“Can you delay your departure till our fleet returns? I asked for their recall yesterday. I expect their answer later today. Also I need to seek approval from the President.”

“I understand” replied Dave “We must leave by the 24
^th
if we are to get to Qwantum in time for the main fleet’s arrival.”

“Is that important?” asked Felis.

“It is to me. That minimises the time we are without missiles. I hate being so vulnerable.”

“You know we manufacture our own missiles here.”

“Yeah but we both know they are not the same.”

“Could your ships be reconfigured to take ours?”

“In the short term, no. And if we are thinking long term then it would be better to build a capability to manufacture our missiles here.”

“Actually, that makes a lot of sense” said Felis.

“The transfer of such a capability” interjected Julian “would be subject to council approval. I alone could not authorise it.”

“Well perhaps you should canvass this option as it would definitely be to our mutual advantage” responded Felis.

Both Dave and Julian were thinking the same thing, namely that it might be beneficial in the short term but do they really want to be providing a technological edge to the rogan, even if this faction is currently on their side.

The silence, while the two humans pondered was noted by Felis. He too was well aware of the sensitivities involved. But he did not want to muddy the waters at this moment. “Anyway it’s something for you to consider” he proffered tactfully. “Right now though I agree you need to replenish. Let me confer with the President.”

Chapter 19. Mintoslum Facility 1600, 22 September

They gathered outside the Mintoslum facility for a commemorative ceremony. The late afternoon sky threatened to unleash a storm. It was humid and you could smell the impending rain. All around was rubble and the detritus of the battle that raged over the area just 24 hours ago.