Authors: Tony Gonzales
Their minds were linked, sharing the latest data from THANATOS.
The space above them was a volumetric maelstrom of speculative theories and imagery from the agent’s perspective on Pike’s Landing.
“We don’t know,” Tashin answered.
“But regardless, it implies something unexpected or uncontrollable has happened.”
“Let’s assume both, and that the target was immortal technology,” Irhes said.
“Then what?”
“Then the one that’s following THANATOS right now could be unique, perhaps spared for some reason,” Esoutte said.
“His isolation from the group also suggests a possible rogue scenario.”
“All the more reason to capture him intact,” Irhes said.
“This is a precious opportunity we can’t waste.
And, it makes the case for direct intervention even stronger.”
“What do you mean, stronger?”
Tara asked.
The Inner Director’s visual construct transformed to those of CONCORD battleships.
“I propose that we send in our own forces,” she said, “and confiscate or destroy any more evidence we find.”
There was silence as everyone else’s projected mental imagery froze and then disappeared—as usually happened whenever anyone suggested something preposterous.
“Irhes, that’s a little much, don’t you think?”
Tashin finally said.
“The mandate gives us the authority to do it—” Irhes started, surprised that her staunchest intellectual ally disagreed.
“We know about the mandate,” Esoutte snapped.
“But you’re starting to worry me.”
But the defiance only made Irhes more determined.
“The Imperial Navy just fired on their own troops!”
she insisted.
“That alone gives us good reason to investigate.
There is no clearer message of urgency.
If they cannot contain their situation, they may even ask our assistance.”
“Then let’s offer it,” Tashin suggested.
“See how they respond.”
“And in the wild chance they accept, then what?”
Esoutte asked.
“Order the Federation ships to leave Amamake and secure the colony,” Irhes said.
“And violate the whole reason the mandate was created in the first place?”
Tara said.
“Are you insane?”
“I am a defender of humanity who takes her job very seriously—”
“You have no boundaries, do you?”
Tara said.
“Did you forget that we already have blood on our hands?”
“We’ve been through this—” Irhes began.
But Tara would have none of it.
“That agent is surrounded by Federation troops,” she argued.
“If she’s captured or killed—”
“There is nothing identifying her or her equipment as originating from CONCORD,” Tashin interjected.
“Mordu knows who she is!”
Tara roared.
“She sat in his bloody office!
Or have you forgotten that as well!”
“But he’s not on Pike’s Landing now, is he?”
Irhes said.
“Your point is irrelevant.
To be quite frank, Tara, I’m beginning to question whether or not you’ve got the spine for this responsibility.”
“And I’m beginning to question if you’ve got the ethics, Director.”
“My ethics are aligned with the mandate,” Irhes growled.
“Practicing them requires having the courage to make difficult choices, which, clearly, you do not.”
“Well, that makes this arrangement academic then, doesn’t it?”
Tara said.
Her mind link with the group abruptly terminated.
The physical attachment to her neuro-interface socket detached and retracted.
“I hereby tender my resignation, effective immediately,” Tara said, using her voice for a change.
“My security clearance will be void the moment I walk through that door.
I’ll show myself out.
Thank you so much, Irhes.
You’re an inspiration to us all.”
The echo of her angry words reverberated through the spherical chamber as a live feed from THANATOS appeared suddenly: The immortal soldier she was tracking stood just a few meters in front of her, holding a flare overhead that could be seen for kilometers, as a Federation gunship hovered in the background.
I have been compromised,
the agent reported.
“Well…” Tara said.
“You’re about to find out if your technology works as advertised.”
HEIMATAR REGION—HED CONSTELLATION
AMAMAKE SYSTEM—PLANET II: PIKE’S LANDING
TWENTY-FIVE KILOMETERS SOUTHEAST OF CORE FREEDOM COLONY—BADLANDS GRID
SOVEREIGNTY OF THE AMARR EMPIRE
Vince knew exactly what he wanted to do.
He just wasn’t sure how.
But there were two independent instincts within him now, and both were aligned.
Survive.
Find Gable Dietrich.
The path to harmony.
Lowering the flare, he took inventory of his surroundings.
He knew which direction the Paladins were approaching from, and he had successfully drawn the attention of Federation troops.
The assassin continued her steady advance, navigating up the ledge leading to his position with unnatural ease.
Everything about her physical appearance was designed to trick her prey into underestimating her.
She was dangerously unassuming;
pure
might have been the word Vince would use to describe her features, in spite of witnessing what she was capable of.
Given her abilities, it was probable she had known he was following her for some time; if this was true, it was also likely he was being led into an ambush—though not necessarily to kill him.
There had been plenty of opportunities for that already.
Vince reasoned that she had plans for him.
That was fine.
He intended to draw a big audience for whatever she had in store, increasing the odds that an opportunity to escape would present itself.
He ejected the cartridge in his rifle, cleared the chamber, and tossed the components aside.
Then he unholstered his sidearm and did the same.
Both weapons went over the ledge.
The Federation gunship was circling overhead, training a spotlight on them.
His adversary didn’t seem concerned or angry as she approached to within three meters.
She seemed at peace—completely confident—and quietly determined.
Vince carefully set the flare on the ground and checked his TACNET again.
Two Imperial Vex-class gunships were racing toward them.
“You’re coming with me,” she said, still leveling the weapon—assuming that’s what it was.
Separating her from it was his first priority.
“No,” he said.
“So you’re just going to have to end my life.”
“I don’t want that,” she said, squinting as the spotlight passed over them.
“Besides … would you even die?”
“Yes, I would,” he said, pointing his chin in the direction of the Federation gunship.
The mission cameras were rolling.
“Just like those Federation commandos you killed.”
“I’m here to protect you from them,” she said, “for your own good.”
“I saw where you hid their bodies,” he said, trying to keep his face pointed toward the gunship.
“Using the riverbed was smart.
Probably lots of caves nearby.
Did you stow your ship in one?”
She smiled reassuringly.
“Just relax,” she said.
“This doesn’t have to be unpleasant.”
Vince mentally switched the TACNET off; he willed himself to wait, wait, wait.…
The Blackjack’s engine suddenly revved higher, as if the pilot was reacting to something.
That was the warning, and he began shifting his weight, dropping his hips to generate power.
Three pulse beams, all fired within the span of a second, slammed into the gunship’s starboard aft section; the engine cowling vaporized in a torrent of white-hot molten fuselage.
A long flame began jetting out of the hole where the engine once was; the rear of the craft caught fire as it dropped beneath the ledge, spinning out of control.
The dazzle of fragments were still flying through the air when Vince propelled himself at THANATOS with all his might: The distraction of the explosions overhead had granted just enough time for him to dive beneath the weapon and plow his shoulder into her midsection.
Vince heard it discharge.
But whatever it fired had missed him, and they were both now tumbling down the face of the ledge.
HEIMATAR REGION—HED CONSTELLATION
AMAMAKE SYSTEM—PLANET II: PIKE’S LANDING
THE GFS
PASSAIC
CARRIER GROUP
“… Mayday mayday mayday!
We are going down in badlands sector nine-one-lima.
Mayday…”
“Fuck,” Admiral Freeman cursed.
“Mr.
President, we have to escalate; the Amarrians just shot down one of our birds.”
“Do it,” Roden said.
“Can you keep eyes on those persons of interest?”
“Negative.
Eagle-Two had to break contact to evade those gunships.”
“Understood.
Resume track as soon as you can.”
“Please inform the Minmatar government that we’re moving in to defend our people.”
“Consider it done.
Good luck, Admiral.”
Eagle One broke through on the channel again.
“Command, we’re still alive,” he said, coughing.
“We’re on the ground, with casualties, but some of us can still fight.… We’re redirecting mobile fire teams to our position.… Your persons of interest are within sight of us.”
“Solid copy, Eagle One.
Hang in there; the cavalry is inbound, ETA six minutes.”
The GFS
Passaic
Carrier Group was composed of forty ships: A third of those were battleships; the rest mostly support vessels and heavy assault cruisers.
The
Passaic
was the flagship, a Nyx-class supercarrier whose squadrons of fighters, bombers, and dropships made her the primary force projector of the group.
Four Moros-class dreadnoughts were also part of the fleet, each carrying regiment-strength troop components.
Admiral Freeman checked his instruments; all told, his officers were directing a division-size force of mechanized infantry to Pike’s Landing.
To avoid getting blown out of the sky by Core Freedom’s defenses, though, the MTACs, tanks, APCs, and even fighter aircraft were all taking the scenic route to reach the surface.
For all intents and purposes, this was a full-fledged surface invasion of a sovereign Minmatar Republic world.
At least, that’s how it would look to anyone from the outside.
There was enough hardware going in to make a serious bid at seizing the colony and its precious space elevator.
President Roden is going to have a hell of a time explaining this,
Admiral Freeman thought.
But I’ll give him this: The guy probably needs a freighter to haul his own balls around.
“Fleet, this is command,” he announced.
“The Amarrians just shot down one of our gunships, and we’ve taken casualties.
Well, they just kicked a hornet’s nest, because we’re going to establish position overhead and get our soldiers out.
We will blink-warp across this field and engage Imperial ships from close range.
Stalker-One is your beacon.
Watch your fire: Do
not
attack Republic Fleet ships, and make sure you avoid damaging that space elevator.”
He scanned the battlefield.
From this range, the carnage looked almost serene: The savage twinkle of burning starships and explosions masked how much hatred there was between these two adversaries.
But it appeared that the Minmatar surprise attack had faltered, and the fight was starting to shift in Amarr’s favor.
In a sense, that was good.
It was time to warn them.
“Republic Fleet Commander, this is Admiral Freeman, Federation Navy,” he said.
“Imperial forces have just attacked our marine assets on the surface.
We are not sitting this one out.
In thirty seconds, my task force is warping into your field of engagement to attack Amarrian targets.
If you call primaries, we will comply.
The ground action is well east of your colony, and that’s where we’re going.”
He couldn’t believe his eyes, but about twelve Republic Fleet battleships broke off from the main group and started heading directly toward the
Passaic
.