“
I will be revealing that I managed to hack the Pilv
ikones and that I have ultimate
control over the weather. I really hope they don
’
t notice because I believe it will help our victory on our home turf. Anyhow, now is zero hour; things are going to happen fast.
”
“
So we have Legion Nine helping, but they have, what, maybe two thousand soldiers, tops? None of whom have really been trained. That won
’
t be much of a help, will it? Look, I like Zarfa and I don
’
t want him dead, but is revealing your ace this early worth the risk for his army?
”
“
Max, when he killed Ghast, he made it a public execution. He allowed many families that fell victim to Faraza to take part in exacting what they felt was justice. The mob relentlessly tore Ghast to pieces. People felt great and felt that a hope of putting this to an end permanently wasn
’
t a dream anymore. He now has over fifty
thousand willing to fight for him and the numbers are growing each day. Not all will come with him here, but a good amount will.
”
“
Okay, I can see where that would be an advantage. How many do you think we have?
”
“
You
’
ve seen it yourself, Max. Just step outside and look around. You can
’
t go anywhere without seeing people with the mark on their hand. We have a lot of support. Like I said, the government has taken notice of us. In fact, they are beginning to arrest people with the
“
C
”
on their hand, but this is only making us more popular. It seems for every arrest, ten more are fueled to join the cause. If even half of these people take arms when we send out the final call, there is no stopping us. So do you think you will be able to finish my final project that I asked of you?
”
“
Maybe, give me about a week. I have an idea for your little conductor bots. This is all so surreal. How long do you think it will be until the military gets involved?
”
“
Probably not until we destroy the other competition. As of right now,
to them
,
we are still a
small, worthless
rebel faction with many obstacles in our way. As soon as they see those fall, they
’
ll mobilize. You can be sure of that.
”
“
So you think they
’
ll plan to crush us as we cheer in victory?
”
“
Exactly.
”
They sat in silence for a moment longer, then Crimson began to smirk and giggle like an insidious little school child planning something mischievous.
“
What now?
”
Max asked.
“
Oh,
the plan that Zarfa had. His whole reason for coming here was to get the ability to hear where the raiders were coming from. They ride giant wasps that come out of the ground and he figured by being able to strike at their heart underground, they
’
d be at a disadvantage without their air support.
”
“
Why
’
s that so funny?
”
“
Because I c
onvinced him to make their battle
as public as possible and to wait outside, let the Faraza counter their assault and fight out in the open of the desert.
”
“
And lose their advantage? Why?
”
“
Oh, you
’
ll see. In fact, Legion Nine is strong
,
but the forces of nature can be stronger
. We will virtually be there for the battle on a live feed, seeing it from multiple points of view. I agreed to help, right? It shall be glorious!
”
Crimson chuckled as she went back to entering data into the terminal she was sitting at. She had nearly as much work to do as Max and she knew the seriousness of it.
*
*
*
*
“
This is Thomas Cudrow, president of Polyhelix. This is the correct communicator number to reach Badger, correct?
”
Badger had been sleeping when he heard the jingle for his voice communicator ring in his head. It woke him out of a sleep and he felt uneasy. If it was anyone from Synaptix, they would have directly communicated via his dreams or telepathic conversation. He hadn
’
t received a call on his voice communicator for almost ten years.
“
Yeah, it
’
s Badger. What the hell do you want?
”
he grumbled, sounding as grumpy as ever.
“
You. I know you are the only remaining commander of the Psyker Scream army. I also know that Zax and Surge were both your friends. I also know you want free will but the powers that be at Synaptix said to forget revenge and focus on destroying Polyhelix, resume the plan as if nothing had changed. Am I right?
”
“
Yeah, you
’
re right, but why are you talking to me? You know
the powers that be
are listening to you as we speak, right?
”
“
That I do. It is part of the reason I contacted you. You see, getting this channel was easy for a man in my position. Your cohorts, however, are a bit more…private, shall I say? Anyhow, I didn
’
t feel like going to great lengths to uncover who is at the top of Synaptix. I figured I would offer them a proposition through you.
”
“
What if they don
’
t like that you chose to use me as a mediator?
”
“
Well, then this conversation hardly matters. Seeing as you haven
’
t been given a directive to hang up on me, I assume they
’
re interested in what I have to say.
”
“
They
’
re telling me to let you say what you have to say.
”
“
Good. Well
,
what I have to say is this. Both of us have the same goal. Overthrow the government and establish our own. We both seek total control over the globe, starting with the
two largest world powers
, Alexarien and Ilyeion, correct?
”
“
Correct,
”
Badger responded, much more awake now but sounding even more annoyed.
“
We have both suffered great losses in leadership of our armies, however, have we not?
”
“
Agreed.
”
“
So why not put aside this petty squabbling over power, control, dominance? Let
’
s cut a deal, perhaps? We help each other out in dealing with this rebel faction. For me, my main enemy is my own son Zarfa, leader of Legion Nine. For you, it is this anonymous Crimson Army. We can strike now on our own and probably be victorious, but at a great expense to our own power. Individually, we will both be so weakened that neither of us could recover fast enough to challenge the government
’
s military. Together, however? It should be no trouble destroying both rebel factions then marching on in our coup d
’
état. So I say we do this. Let us help each other out, no more backbiting, and we set solid boundaries now so there is no arguing when the bloodshed is over.
”
“
What are your conditions? They want to know, not me. I could give a crap.
”
“
Oh, you will care, my friend. The first target is Zarfa, your chance at exacting revenge. Anyhow, I am gracious and reasonable. The terms are this—I take Ilyeion, you take Alexarien. I am giving you the more advanced civilization of the two. As for all of the third world nations that are struggling to get by? It
’
s a fifty-fifty split once the war is over. Simple as that, no more fighting. Let
’
s be civil, please?
”
“
They concur. It
’
s a deal, but if you show so much as a sign of double-crossing them, they are not afraid to crush you like an ant. As for me, how are you going to feel about me taking your son
’
s life myself?
”
Badger questioned, aroused by the prospect of shedding Zarfa
’
s blood.
“
I care not. I was going to try to convert him to my way, but he learned of me before I had intended. He took his stand and so did his rebellious sister. I shall slay them both, just as I did their incompetent mother. She thought she could convince me to stop my plan, but I had to teach her a lesson about that. Anyhow, do what you will. They are already dead in my eyes.
”
Thomas
’
s voice was cold and emotionless. Badger felt as if he was talking to the devil himself the way he was so ready to execute his own children.
“
I see. Well, we are glad that you have come to your senses and decided to side with us. Seeing what a vicious person you are, we are glad to not be fighting against your cause. May we both succeed, Thomas.
”
“
Oh yes, one last thing. I expect some support to the battle that my son announced to take place in three days from now. It is outside the city of Ilyeion in the desert wasteland. He discovered where the entrance for the Faraza
’
s underground
facility
is. Send me ten thousand support troops and we should be able to kill those peasants.
“
Also I have some intelligence that tells me Crimson and her little accomplice will be distracted that day. It may be a good time to send another assassination attempt? It
’
s your call. I know you guys are smart and could possibly figure something out. Anyhow, if we crush Legion Nine, I will immediately mobilize the rest of my army to strike in Alexarien. I look forward to seeing your competence in the battlefield. Until then, ciao.
”
The communicator went dead and Badger lay there in his bed
motionless
. He had a gut feeling this was a bad omen, but he wanted his revenge. He was shocked that the leaders of Synaptix were so quick to make a judgment on this alliance proposition. He didn
’
t think or worry about it for too long, though. He just got comfortable again and closed his eyes to sleep.
“
Get up. You will be leading the entire Psyker Army to Ilyeion. A helicopter is coming to get you now. Be on the roof in twenty minutes.
”
“
The entire Psyker Army? He only asked for ten thousand support troops. Isn
’
t the whole army nearly
fifty
thousand?
”
Badger questioned back telepathically to the mysterious messenger.
“
We know what he asked for. But we still don
’
t trust him. If this is a trap to weaken us after the battle, we want to be prepared. We will be ready to crush him at a moment
’
s notice
,
”
came the voice in his mind.
“
I see… I had thought you took his word at face value awfully quickly. So what are my orders exactly?
”
“
Take the army. Assist Polyhelix, but do not let your guard down. If they give the slightest sign of double-crossing, put them down. Also, get out of bed and stop wasting time. The helicopter is arriving in fifteen minutes now.
”
Sixty
Sixty
hours until the battle of Ilyeion
“
This…this is fantastic. Yeah, this will work for sure. A tad dusty in here, but other than that… Six SCARA type robotic arms, fully functional console with all of the programs I need. I
’
m moving some stuff here,
”
Max said as he walked around Crimson
’
s safe house.
“
Yeah… You going to tell me what this is all about or what?
”
“
No,
”
he said as he handed her a piece of paper with a list on it.
“
Also, I will need everything on this list within twelve hours. If it isn
’
t fulfilled then I don
’
t know of how much assistance I can be to you.
”