Ultimate Warrior (The Fight for Creation (Book Three)) (12 page)

Jason stared at Russell and slowly nodded his head. I’ll discuss it with the King.”

“Sir, I will not accept it; I’m really not deserving of it.”

“I’ll get back to you.”

Mitch stared at Russell and decided, “Private Slade, you have been given a battle field promotion to Captain and will assume command of D Company.”

Russell whipped his head around from the display and said, “I am not allowed to command.”

“The King has removed that restriction from your file and you are now free from that restriction. Your Company Commander was killed on the slope and you led D Company in his place during the operation. I gave you the promotion when you moved your command forward.”

“Sir, I respectfully decline the promotion.”

“If you intend to remain a Warrior, you will accept it.”

Russell stared at Mitch and heard him say, “Now you will have a company of Joes to defend. I trust you’ll do a good job. Now report to your unit or give me your resignation.”

Russell stared at Mitch and said, “I have no other place to go.”

“Then your Company will be your home. You’re dismissed.”

Russell stared at Mitch and knew that this is what the Cat meant by accepting what he earned. Russell stood, saluted, and left the room. He walked out of the Headquarters building and sat down on a bench overlooking the training fields. Pixie appeared and said, “You have to do this.”

“Tell me why. Would you want someone like me to be your commander?”

Pixie smiled, “I’m starting to think I’d want that. But Russell, you and those around you will hear the music. You can make a difference in the chances of your command’s survival. Mitch was right; there are a whole company of Joes waiting for you. Go and make them into something extraordinary.”

Russell stared at Pixie and then nodded. She disappeared and he stood and walked toward D Company’s barracks. He found Master Sgt. Semy waiting for him outside the barracks. Semy saluted and Russell returned it. “Congratulations, Sir.”

“Sarge, I tried to avoid this promotion but had it forced on me.”

“I’m glad you were unsuccessful.”

“What?”

“The Company has lost half of its Warriors and officers. We are substantially weakened and have a lot of work to do to be ready for any combat operation. The announcement was just made about your promotion and the men are excited at being in your command.”

Russell listened and heard the music in the back of his mind and said, “Form the Company and have them ready to teleport to the main armory.”

Semy nodded and ran into the building. Russell pressed his wrist unit and saw Mitch appear, “Sir, I request permission to go to the Realm’s main armory with my company.”

“Why do you need to go there?”

“To find the weapons for our armor and I would suggest that you go with us.” Mitch stared at Russell. “You should also have the weapons matched to your armor to get full benefit of them.”

Mitch nodded and said, “I’ll get you approval and notify me when you’re ready to go.” Russell nodded and the display darkened.

• • •

The Company of Life Warriors along with Mitch and Russell moved around the armory listening for the weapons that sang to them. After eight hours the final weapons were found and the Company formed up in the landing bay. Mitch looked at Russell and said, “I’m still hearing something.”

Russell nodded, “It’s faint. I didn’t hear it when the other weapons were calling us.” He looked around and said, “Whatever it is, it’s not on this floor.” He looked at the Company and said, “At ease. Wait here.” He turned and moved toward the elevators. Mitch followed him. Russell went up one floor and the music grew fainter. He stopped it and started moving down. As it dropped to the facilities lower levels the music grew louder. Mitch looked at him, “The lower floors house all the ancient weapons.” Russell nodded and the elevator finally stopped on the lowest floor in the giant armory.

Russell stepped out and looked around. He moved left and turned the corner of a huge wall of old gunpowder arms. He continued past them and arrived at a wall that had thousands of swords hanging in their scabbards. He turned right and moved down the long wall until the music was at its highest and stopped in front of thousands of Cainth Short Swords.

Mitch looked at him and Russell said, “We must arm our warriors with these swords.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. But these swords know.”

“These aren’t even the swords the Cainth eventually chose. This is one of the earliest types they used.”

Russell looked at Mitch, “What’s the difference?”

“These swords have a collapsible rod in the handle that can be extended to make them a spear.”

Russell picked one up and felt it vibrating in his hand. It was extremely light and when he pushed the slide on the handle, a ten foot rod extended. He looked at Mitch and said, “I’ll need these camouflaged and the scabbard attached to the Warriors uniforms. I don’t know what purpose they’ll serve but I sense we need to do it.”

Mitch stared at Russell and moved to the left and picked out a sword that called to him. It felt perfect in his hand. He pressed his wrist unit and said, “D Company, report to the first level.”

Mitch slowly shook his head and wondered what was going on.

• • •

Russell began D Company’s training the next day and continued it for twelve hours a day. He decided that the only way the sword could be used was to deactivate the Warrior’s armor. They spent two days deactivating their armor on command and using their camouflage uniforms to immediately disappear. The Warriors wondered what was going on but were soon able to do it in less than a second.

Russell called the Company into ranks and said, “I know you’re wondering about why I’m having you deactivate your armor. I wish I had a good answer, but the only thing I’ve been able to come up with is that we might encounter an enemy that can see us even in invisibility mode. If that happens, we’ll be open to be hit from orbit. I’m proud of the progress you’ve made with the maneuver patterns and you’re close to the level I want.” Russell hesitated and said, “But you’re not there yet. We will participate in a Regimental exercise in two weeks and you will have these patterns ingrained to the point where you will not have to think about it. Is that clear!”

“YES SIR!”

Officers, take your platoons and work your units until everyone knows them. Then combine your units and do it together. Now get to work.”

Russell moved among the four platoons and gave praise where warranted and criticism where needed. The Company was coming together and Russell saw the teams were melding into something special.

• • •

Pixie sat on a hill observing the Company. Most of the other companies in the Regiment thought the Company Commander was a sadist. They were glad they had not been put in his command. Pixie watched and saw a symmetry develop in their maneuvers that was different. She was curious about how they were going to perform in the coming exercise. She watched Russell and saw his Warriors were gaining respect for their commander. They thought he was tough but he was also fair. She looked at Russell’s thoughts and saw he didn’t care how others viewed him. He was determined that his Warriors were ready for any situation and have a chance of survival. The thing she found really interesting was that he was making them train without them using the music to guide them. She knew he was doing it because some of his units might be separated from him and not have it. “What are you doing?”

Pixie turned around and saw Mitch, “I’m watching D Company train.”

Mitch looked out at the fields and said, “What have you determined?”

“You should treat that Company like you would a Scout.”

“What do you mean?”

Pixie turned to Mitch and said, “You don’t have another company that can match them. You should just turn them loose and let them do as much damage as possible while the others hold positions. Putting them in ranks and restricting their mobility would be a mistake.”

“Do you really think they’re that good?”

“Mitch, he’s training them without music. They could take any company now. With the music they could probably take out the battalion.”

Mitch stared at the field and Pixie said, “If you make this a competition between you and Russell, you will be hurting yourself. I hope you can see that.”

“Maybe.”

Pixie looked at Mitch and began to wonder if she really knew him. Something had changed. He looked at her, saw her expression, and sighed. “I can feel myself doing it and I’m having difficulty setting his company up for being distinguished.”

“You’re worried that he’ll pass you in rank?”

“I guess I am.”

“This coming from someone that thought they didn’t merit a promotion.”

“It’s like a drug. It has a way of consuming you.”

“You are either going to grow and become the brilliant tactician I know you can be or you are going to lose yourself in your pride. You need to decide which it’s going to be.”

Pixie teleported away and Mitch stared at Russell directing his company as light faded and night took the field.

B
aron Slade went into the guest scheduling office and found Ana sending a young couple on a tour of the Royal Grounds. He waited until they left with their guide and Ana stood and bowed, “Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Please rise and good morning, Ana. I know I’ve told you before but you have done an outstanding job of taking care of my citizens that visit us. You have made a huge difference in the staff’s organization.”

Ana smiled and said, “That comes from being a Warrior’s wife, Your Highness.”

“I’ve been asked to go to Bristone and I want you and your daughter to go with me.”

Ana was surprised by the request, “Thank you but I have a lot to do here.”

“I’ve assigned Jacob to handle things in your absence. I’ve been notified that the Crown wishes to recognize those that died during the last battle. I know you would want to be there to see the honor being given.”

Ana looked sad and said, “I’m not sure if I can handle it.”

Russ slowly shook his head and said, “Joe deserves your presence there.”

Ana looked up quickly and then nodded.

“We’re leaving in the morning. See Kelly about what you need to take with you for a visit to the capital.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

• • •

The Baron’s ship arrived in orbit above Bristone and Russ turned to Ana. “Both of you are quite beautiful.”

Ana smiled and said, “Genia could make anyone look good, Your Highness, but thank you.”

“Are you ready?”

Ana sighed, forced a smile, picked up Genia and said, “I guess so.” Russ looked at his navigator and said, “Teleport us to the coordinates.”

Ana suddenly appeared in a giant room that was filled to capacity. She looked around and saw hundreds of high ranking military officers as well as thousands of members of the Royalty. She looked around and saw the King and Queen of the Bristone Realm sitting in front of her on their thrones. She immediately put Genia down and bowed.

“Please rise, Mrs. Tarver.” Ana straightened up and felt fear at being the object of the Royal Couple’s attention. Suddenly she heard, “Officers, Attenshun!”

Every officer in the room stood and saluted her. What was going on?

King Jon Robbins stood and said, “Mrs. Tarver, thank you for coming on such short notice. We are here today to pay honor to Private Joe Tarver and the contribution he made to the defense of the Bristone Realm. He is being awarded the Realm’s highest honor; the Bristone Star. His actions in saving his partner during the last battle led to the survival of more than eight thousand of our Warriors and he is deserving of all that the Realm can do to recognize his bravery. He will be brought here and interred with the other heroes and honored by a grateful Realm.”

Jon stepped down and came to Ana and placed the medal around her neck. Ana was stunned by what was happening. “You will be given the pay of an Admiral for the rest of your life and your daughter will have all of her care and education paid for by the Realm. We know your loss is great and we share your sorrow. I know that you are proud of your husband and the Realm wants you to know that we share your pride.”

The Room stood and cheered and Ana felt her tears but didn’t know what to say. Finally she managed to say, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Queen Miranda Robbins came down and picked up Genia, “You have a beautiful daughter.”

Genia tucked her head into her shoulders and giggled. Ana looked at her and said, “Yes, I do.”

Jon looked out and said, “Please come and welcome the wife of a Hero of the Realm.”

The crowd rushed forward and Ana was overwhelmed by their joy for her.

• • •

Finally Ana and Russ teleported back to his ship after they had finished the parade through the streets to receive the cheers of the gathered crowds. She looked at Russ and said, “Does this mean I have to leave now?”

Russ smiled at Ana, “There will always be a place in my home for you, Ana. I was really hoping you would stay. I’ve come to depend on you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” They sat down and Ana said, “I don’t understand.”

Russ looked at her, “What?”

“Joe didn’t save those Warriors. He was killed early in the conflict.”

Russ took a deep breath and said, “The Warrior he died saving is the one that saved them. If he had not done that, everyone would have died that day.”

“Did that Warrior receive a medal?” Russ stared at Ana saying nothing. “Did he?”

“He refused it, Ana.”

“Why?”

“He felt that he was undeserving. He insisted that without Joe saving him, his actions would have never happened and the King agreed with him.”

“I want to meet him.”

Russ said, “He can’t come to my home.”

“Why not?”

Russ stared at Ana and after a long moment said, “Your husband’s partner was my son. I’ve stripped him of his title and told him to never come back.”

“What did he do?”

“He put his life ahead of other Warriors. He was not what he should have been.”