Black Legion: 04 - Last Stand (28 page)

"To what end?"

Ariaeus looked up at him and did his best to smile.

"I will bleed them out over weeks and months until just a handful will stagger out to their border. They will starve, suffer appalling deprivation and loss, and their only respite will come at the end when they think they have made it home."

Artaxerxes face lit up as he listened.

"Go on."

"Those last few will face an ignoble death at the hands of their own treacherous kind. I will use what little wealth I have remaining to assemble a small force of Terrans to finish the job, assuming they ever reach the border worlds."

The Great King nodded his acceptance and signalled for Ariaeus to rise to his feet. He held his hand up and turned his around to face the assembled officers of the Imperial Army.

"Noble Lord Ariaeus will be granted access to all worlds, bases, and ships as he continues his valuable quest."

He then leaned in closer.

"Do not return until every one of this so called Black Legion is away from my Empire. I never want to hear from them again."

* * *

Terran Titan ‘Valediction’, Tigrian Maelstrom

If Xenophon closed his eyes, he could believe it was five days ago when they had first arrived at Larissa to trade with the locals. At that moment in time, it seemed the fighting of Cunaxa and the dangers of the Imperial fleet were a thing of the past. Since then, they had been pursued and eventually trapped at Larissa, only to shatter the Medes once more before leaving. What had amazed him the most though, was that almost a thousand warriors from five different worlds had pledged themselves to him as elected Komes since the boarding action. It gave him a powerbase and the mandate he needed for a fuller plan to get home alive.

So much has happened, yet our numbers continue to fall and they never falter.

It was an unhappy thought, made bearable by the fact that all of his friends had made it through the fighting in much the same way it hard started. All of them except Roxana, who was still being looked after by the medics following her impressive encounter with armour piercing pulse rounds. A cool hand touched his forearm, and he shuddered a fraction. The fighting was days away, yet his body still betrayed him. He suspected it would be months, perhaps years before he would accept such a surprise as a welcome one, and not the prelude to something terrible.

"Are you ready, Komes?" said Lady Artemas, her voice quiet and smooth as silk.

He looked at her in her elegant fusion of Terran and Median clothing but still wearing the boots and armour that continued to mark her out as a warrior.

"My Lady," he said politely.

They both turned and looked out at the vast hall of the Titan Valediction.

"Stratiotes," he started.

It was the common vernacular for all the assembled warriors, and a term he had used specifically for this occasion. In theory, the term denoted the lighter armed infantry, although in the last weeks even they had been performing the same roles as the spatharii. In days long past the naval crew were known as the stratiotes. Xenophon used it as an inclusive term, one that would unite the factions of the Terrans.

"Larissa is a reminder to us about our strengths and weaknesses. When we work together as one people, motivated by what ails us all, we can do the unimaginable."

He nodded as he spoke, as if agreeing with himself.

"Yet when we split along familial or national lines, we fragment, and even the Medes can best us."

He pointed up to the ancient carved ceiling of the Titan's great hall.

"When we boarded the enemy flagship, we landed with warriors from a dozen ships in the fleet. There was no master, no Dukas, and no true leadership, just a desire to see the job done. I witnessed the power and dependability of our warriors, something the Medes can never match."

He paused and let this sink in.

"Even so, we left our worlds with a fleet of close to a hundred ships, including four hallowed Titans and over ten thousand of the best warriors ever seen. We can win a hundred battles and still the Medes will swallow us up whole."

This drew mutters of dissent from the Laconian ranks, but the rest remained silent.

"I therefore make this offer to you all. If you choose me as Strategos, I will lead this Legion out of Median territory and back to our own domains, and with as few casualties as possible. I will not throw away your lives on useless attacks. You will live to enjoy the wealth you have already attained."

He watched a small group of Laconians laughing at the rear but took solace in the fact they seemed to have little in the way of support now. Artemas leaned in and whispered to him.

"Your people have tasted victory and defeat, and they prefer what you have to offer. The results will confirm this."

He watched on as the next Komes from the Arcadians stepped out from the crowd and moved to the front to make his speech. Xenias smiled politely to the man before turning his gaze to Xenophon. At this distance they were too far apart to speak, but the simple nod of thank you was easy to see. Xenophon moved his head just a fraction in response.

Perhaps the vote will go the way I need. In any case, I'm sure Xenias will do his part to encourage his own people to make the right choice.

Artemas could see he was thinking something, but even she was unable to guess what it was. She followed the direction of his eyes, but the crowd had already moved, and Xenias had merged back into the surroundings.

"You keep your little secrets then, Xenophon."

She looked back at the crowd.

And I will keep mine.

* * *

There were always a good number of warriors in the gymnasium, but all of them had moved aside to watch the spectacle of the challenge. The voting had been dragging on for more than six hours now, and the last count had actually delayed the scheduled light-speed jump. Out of a mixture of boredom and frustration, Xenophon and his friends had headed down there to burn off some sweat, but instead the workout had turned into a challenge.

"This is what you want?" asked Glaucon.

Tamara laughed.

"Oh, yes, old man. It's time to explain a few things.”

Glaucon and Xenophon faced off against Tamara and Artemas with blunted training blades. All four were stripped down to their training clothes and wore neither gloves nor footwear. The only piece of protective gear was the thinly padded head covering that was actually more of a coif normally worn under combat helms. The weapons were metal but edged in soft plastic that would absorb most of the impact.

"I don't think so," growled Glaucon playfully.

It was a sparring match, nothing more, yet all four of them took it as seriously as an actual battle. As might have been expected, Tamara made the first move by hurling her weapon at Glaucon. He managed to beat it aside, only to find the teenager jumping up at him screaming.

"Xenophon!" said a loud, brash voice.

Artemas and Xenophon, both who had squared off against each other, paused for a moment and looked to the entrance. The armoured bulk of Xenias entered, along with a number of the newly elected Dukas for the Legion, including
Timasion, Xanthicles, Cleanor, and Philesius. The last of them to enter was Chirisophus, and he seemed especially pleased with himself. Xenias spoke first before the Laconian could attempt to gloat.

"Xenophon, I am pleased to inform you that the Legion has voted for a traditional command with a single Strategos and Dukas for each of the major contingents."

Chirisophus nodded and then stepped ahead to block him off.

"I have been selected at Strategos due to my greater combat experience and leadership."

He then paused, as though he was trying to select the right words. His face even dulled a little, and it gave the impression he was being forced to do something against his will.

"The Legion has decided to reinstate the Topoteretes, and you and Xenias have been selected."

He took a short breath before continuing, even though Xenophon seemed numbed at the news.

"I do not always agree with either of you, but I can now see that to lead this Legion I will need both of your wisdom. Will you help me lead this...mongrel Legion?"

Xenophon looked to his friends, each of whom gave him the nod. Even Glaucon who lay on the ground with Tamara's elbow in his throat nodded.

"Very well. What are your orders?"

Chirisophus licked his lips before speaking.

"No orders, just a request."

"Anything," said Xenophon.

"What would you advise we do next?"

That was the first time he had heard the Laconian commander say anything he considered even remotely sensible. It surprised him so much that he almost forgot that he had now become both a Komes in the Legion but also one of the two Topoteretes.

"Just one thing, Strategos."

Chirisophus smiled. It was the first time Xenophon has used a title of his without his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"We should head home."

Ariaeus

Median general and Cyrus’ second-in-command. The young rival of Tissaphernes but powerful and ambitious. He commanded a fleet that was double the size of the Legion as well as over 20,000 automaton stratiotes. Famous for leading a series of revolts in the border lands against central Median control. He was a loyal friend of Cyrus but never fully trusted by the Terrans.

Arkeisios

Second-in-commander to Dukas Phalinus, the trainer of Artaxerxes conscripts and responsible for establishing the defences of the Cunaxa Nebula. A Zacynthian, like his commander.

Artaxerxes (Emperor of the Medes)

The half-brother of Lord Cyrus and leader of the most powerful Empire in the known universe. Artaxerxes was a shrewd tactician and ruthless in ambition. His personal fortune and Royal Fleet were the envy of every Terran world.

Artemas of Caria

The beautiful daughter of Lygdamis, one of the Median governors of the independent Ionian Territories and niece of Cyrus.

Artemis (Komes)

Commander of the elite Epilektoi unit station on the Titan Valediction. Close friend of Kleandridas and famous for taking the Alliance battle standard at Aegospotami. One of the most experienced junior officers in the Legion.

Clearchus (Strategos)

Clearchus was a famous Strategos, possibly the most famous human leader in the last hundred years and the military leader of the Black Legion. Two metres tall, strong and an expert on space and ground combat. Like all Laconians, his body tough and strong through continuous training and conflict. He missed the end of the war with the Alliance and had been exiled to one of the League’s distant outposts until being found by Cyrus.

Crixus

Laconian politician and former general. Leader of the Thirty Tyrants on Attica during the occupation and considered both a hero on his homeworld and a tyrant on Attica.

Cyrus

Half-brother of the Emperor. Tall for an Imperial but still lithe and quick. Lived in self-imposed exile following the death of his father, rather than risk the wrath of his power-hungry brother Artaxerxes. Secretly arranged for groups of mercenaries to mass at the Cilician Gates. Their mission was the usurpation of the Emperor himself.

Erika Montoya

A Terran politician on the planet Attica. After decades of service for the state, she became one of the Thirty. One of the few officials to survive the pogrom following the reinstatement of democracy. Rumoured to have business dealings with the Laconians and born into one of the richest estates in the Alliance.

Ezekiel Manus

The Kybernetes of the Black Legion cruiser Vendetta, who took over command of the ship following the death of the kentarchos.

Glaucon

Friend of Xenophon. A playboy from one of the richest families on Attica. A strong democrat that grew up with Xenophon. He joined the democrats on Attica and aided their revolt against the Tyrants prior to his exile. He escaped with Xenophon after being accused of helping one of the collaborators. Known for his bitterness towards Clearchus for the death of his brothers in battle.

Gryllus

Xenophon’s father, murdered on Attica. Member of the Thirty but fought publically for citizens of Attica. Considered a hero after being murdered by Xenophon. In reality killed by Montoya and her henchman.

Julius (Dekarchos)

Dekarchos of the elite 6
^th
Spatharios on board the Arcadian Titan Olympia. Assisted in the evacuation following the disaster and commended for bravery under fire.

Kantos

Fencing instructor from Attica. Served with the Black Legion. Had not been heard of after having been exiled for sedition after fighting the Thirty Tyrants on Attica. His brother was killed prior to him leaving Attica to join the Legion.

Kybernetes Maxentius

The executive officer of the Terran light-cruiser Drakonis.

Meno the Thassalian (Dukas)

A scarred mercenary commander that commanded the Titan Poseidon. Rumoured to be one of the richest Terrans in the fleet, if not the entire Terran territory. He was violent, ill tempered, but a great tactician. His Titan was the most sophisticated and powerful in the Legion and led the vanguard to the climactic battle against Artaxerxes.

Menon

A disgraced Satrap that turned to piracy and slavery on the Imperial frontier. His politics were confused and his allegiance uncertain until his actions at the climax of the battle at the Khorram shipyards where he saved the life of Artaxerxes. Not to be confused with Meno the Thessalian, one of the commanders of the Black Legion.

Pasion (Komes)

Commander of the Night Blades. A strong supporter of Dukas Xenias and one of the first Terran officers to be involved in the fighting at the Cilician Gates. Quick to anger and very distrustful of the Medes, he was also an expert in the use of heavy weapons and explosives.

Roxana Devereux

Officer in the Alliance Navy, friend of Xenophon. Met on Attica before enlistment. A confidant and tall women with thick auburn hair and grey eyes. She was almost the same height and build as Xenophon and spent time both in the Alliance military and working as a mercenary prior to the expedition.

Tamara

A young teenage warrior with the Black legion. A runaway with experience of smuggling and black market dealing.

Tissaphernes

Median Satrap and high lord of the rich regions around the Cilician Gates. Close friend of the Emperor and major rival of Cyrus. His power and influence was second only to his scheming and politics.

Xenias (Dukas)

An Arcadian soldier and commander of the Olympia. He took a vast contingent of 2,000 mercenaries with him to join the Ten Thousand. His junior commanders included Komes Pasion, leader of the Night Blades.

Xenophon

A citizen of Attica and rumoured to be a pupil of Kratez. Saw limited service during the Terran Civil War. Prefect of the Inner Wards on Attica. Eventually forced into exile with Glaucon. Blamed for death of his father Gryllus, who fought for the rights of the citizens with the Thirty. Joined the Ten Thousand mercenaries that fought for the rebel Prince Cyrus against the Empire. Though an ardent Attica loyalist, he showed sympathy towards the Laconians and argued against continuing hostilities with them all his life. Famously single for most of his life, avoids getting too involved with any one person. He was tall and slender, with cropped blonde hair and dark blue eyes, and known for being introverted, highly conservative and intellectual.