The Fight for Peace (34 page)

“Welcome to Crystal City, Lieutenant O’Dell,” Arinna said as five planes cruised into hailing range.

“How the hell did you get here before me, Captain Prescot?” Kieren asked.

“She flew like the maniac she is,” Jared huffed.

“I don’t think you have any room to complain, Captain Vries. Although I am very glad to hear you doing so, sir,” Kieren answered.

Nine dactyls made the entirety of the European fleet with Jared’s crashed to the north. The five from Europe came fully loaded with missiles that Derrick and Arinna’s four had long since expended. The firefight between the FLF and the Guard intensified as the FLF put all they had remaining into the battle.

On both sides of the fight, lines pushed forward while others faltered. The shield crackled as a transport took a hit. Arinna flipped in front of Derrick, shooting at the shield to give it power while upside down and narrowly avoiding hitting it.

“You aren’t supposed to power it with yourself!” Jared yelled at her.

“You’re just jealous because you broke yours,” Arinna shot back when her erratic flight stabilized over the city. “You must be hurt to be so grouchy. Are you going to be alright, Captain?”

“Not if you are going to keep flying like that,” Jared answered, but the hostility was less.

“The shield is holding. I’m guessing the hit transport is still generating?” Arinna asked.

Derrick hadn’t been paying attention other than to her. He changed course to fly over the area now that Lieutenant O’Dell had knocked out the tank responsible. A side was punched out and sparks indicated circuits were shorting, but the shield remained steady.

“They hit the back edge. It won’t be flying or navigating, but the generator is still functional,” Derrick answered.

“Relay the message to hold fire. If you agree, Captain Vries?” Arinna said.

Next to him, Jared snorted quietly before answering. “I trust your judgment. Hold fire.”

It took a minute for the bright flashes from the Guard forces to peter out. The FLF did the same. Uneasy darkness settled around the city.

“Let’s join them,” Arinna said, her dactyl dropping in a smooth curve along the edge of the shield. “Spread out.”

The nine dactyls hovered in front of the shield and over the Guard soldiers who stood with weapons pointed at the FLF, separating them from their city with strength in arms and numbers as well as the shield. The message was clear, even though it took a tense minute for the first FLF soldier to make a decision. He threw his rifle to the ground in front of Derrick, holding his hands over his head. The man next to him did the same. The action spread faster than a comm unit could transmit.

“Good luck living with her,” Jared said, startling Derrick. “Cause she is always right and it can get damn annoying.”

Arinna spaced out the dactyls around the shield to oversee the surrender, putting her and Derrick together to guard a gateway transport. She was giving orders on how to handle prisoners and wounded as Derrick walked down the back hatch of his plane. He waited until she was finished, satisfied with the bright glance and smile she sent his way. The moment the soldier saluted, she turned and launched herself into his arms.

“I was so worried about you,” she whispered in his ear.

He held her, only now believing she was truly there when he felt the solid warmth of her against his chest and arms. The reality of what had been accomplished nearly dropped him to his knees. He pulled away enough to see her face, smoothing a few wild tendrils of hair from her forehead.

“When Kehm couldn’t reach you first and called me just after Jared was shot down,” he couldn’t finish the sentence. Arinna did her best to make him forget the overpowering worry, stealing breath and thought with a kiss of soft lips pressed hard against his.

“Good thing the two of you are married,” Jared said as he leaned against the side of the dactyl. “I’d hate to reprimand both of you.”

Arinna walked to Jared, embracing him carefully. “We need to get you to a hospital,” she said, wiping tears from her cheeks. “You look like you were in a plane crash or something.”

“Hell no. I haven’t died yet. I’m staying to see them surrender the city.”

Arinna opened her mouth to argue and then shook her head. “Fine. Lieutenant, if you would find a medic for Captain Vries? I don’t want him to miss Crystal City’s surrender because he passed out.”

They waited until dawn when the FLF troops had been processed before turning their attention to the city. It had stayed lit all night as if defiant of what waited outside. But as light stretched across the landscape, the emptiness of their troops as well as the number of Guard couldn’t be hidden. Especially as new transports arrived from Europe, carrying Guard reinforcements that had been stationed on the border.

The Guard formed a ring inside the shield, weapons aimed at the city as if it were an army of giants. Arinna walked through the gateway transport with a swagger, marching forward to stand in front of Europe’s Army with arms crossed over her chest. It took a few minutes for a young FLF officer to walk reluctantly to her.

“Yield your leaders to us, surrender the remaining forces within the city, and we will spare it just as we did Isle Royale.”

He ran back.

“You seem to have a knack at ordering cities to surrender,” Jared said to Arinna.

He was pale where he sat in a commandeered FLF Jeep. But he was awake and swore the handful of painkillers took the edge off his injuries. Derrick stood next to him, ready to fight or help with the surrender. He wouldn’t trust the FLF to easily give up, even now. Although he sincerely hoped they would.

“Well it’s my second one in twenty-four hours. I’m getting the hang of it now.”

Jared chuckled, wincing with the laughter.

Arinna glanced at Jared, more concern than teasing in her glance. “I can’t believe you crashed.”

“I was shot down,” Jared said, refusing to look at her. “Besides, Derrick was taken prisoner ... again.”

Arinna’s breath caught. “What?”

“Oh, like you didn’t do anything you’d rather I not find out about?” Derrick answered, unwilling to admit how difficult, and how close, the fight had been. Arinna didn’t answer.

A few soldiers trickled out of the city without weapons and with hands raised. Jared watched their approach before glancing at Derrick. “Don’t worry. We can check the recorded video on her dactyl to find out what she isn’t telling us.”

Arinna crossed her arms as she shifted her weight. “As long as I get to watch you crash first.” Jared swore. Finally, Derrick laughed, feeling the relief of the day and that they stood there wash through him.

A larger group walked from the city. This time they had guns, but they were pointed at a group of seven disheveled men. Two wore unbuttoned military coats, though all were dressed very well. Better even than Sergi Novikovich and his family had displayed.

When Guard soldiers hustled forward, the FLF soldiers dropped their weapons to the ground. As they were escorted past Arinna, the seven men glared at her. Derrick coughed on a laugh at the smile she offered in return.

“I want them held separately,” Arinna said to a Sergeant. “When we confirm they are the leaders, and all of the leaders, we will arrange their transport to Europe.” Arinna nodded toward the surrendering troops. “Once this is done, search the city.”

The Sergeant snapped a salute, following after the FLF High Command.

“I would leave you in command, Lieutenant Eldridge, since you know the city,” Arinna said, walking to join Jared and Derrick. “But since you are also Secretary of Defense, I’m sure the Prime Minister would like you to provide a report. And you look like you need some sleep. If you agree, Captain, how about we leave Lieutenants Assad and O’Dell in charge and come back tomorrow for a tour?”

“I might need more than a day,” Jared admitted, standing slowly with an arm across his waist.

Arinna offered him support as they headed through the transport to her dactyl. Derrick took Jared’s other side.

“I would love to tell Byran we won,” Derrick said. “I’ll give Farrak and Kieren some pointers on what to expect and where to search. If you give me an hour?” Arinna nodded once.

“I don’t care if Derrick saved you first,” Arinna said to Jared. “I had to rescue you and your army. You owe me this time.”

“I knew you’d bring that up. I saved your life last time. Can’t we call it even?” Jared said with a moan.

Chapter 37

CADET CORIANNE HEYLOR

AFTER THE WAR

“I can ride a horse,” Pyotr insisted.

“Of course you can, dear,” Cori said as she leaned down to kiss his forehead.

Pyotr crossed his arms, glaring at her. “I am not going to Kesmere in a carriage.”

“Like a girl encumbered by frilly skirts?” Tatiana asked.

“Or one who is so pregnant that she must be carrying twins,” Cori said, examining her cousin’s overly rounded form.

“Big babies run in the family. I think Pyotr weighed eleven pounds when he was born,” Tatiana said as she chewed on a hunk of bread spread with jam.

“Ugh. Thanks for the warning. We will be adopting if you want children after we are married,” Cori said.

“You know if it means we can go now, we can take the carriage,” Pyotr said. He leaned forward, spreading his weight between a chair arm and a crutch.

Cori resisted the urge to help as Pyotr hefted himself to his feet. As much as she worried about him, she understood the drive to manage such a small task without assistance. They had that stubborn streak in common. But then a lot of Guard soldiers did, though they made concessions for each other. But she was Pyotr’s fiancée and not simply another soldier. If he’d accept her help waffled between affection and brushing her off.

“If you really want to ride, we can. It is a nice day. Both saddle horses are free. But it will be a long day. If you are sore for the ride home ...”

Pyotr hesitated. “Then we’ll ride back slower. Maybe stop by the brook for a bit ...” The mischievous smile on his lips that in turn lit his hazel eyes flipped Cori’s heart.

“I can completely see why your ex-girlfriend shot you,” Cori said to him.

A shadow crossed his face but faded. That Assandra had died in the barn and not Pyotr didn’t bother Cori, but she knew he’d cared. Even if the girl had tried to kill him.

“Corianne!” Cori’s mother admonished. She occasionally called Cori by her preferred nickname now, but not when proving a point. “It is also early spring. I don’t think you’ll be stopping too long anywhere, especially considering the hour the last time you came back from Kesmere.”

Cori and Pyotr glanced at each other, sharing a quick smile. After fighting with the Guard, cool nights and a bit of mud were hardly a bother.

“They did offer to let us stay the night,” Pyotr pointed out, grabbing his coat.

“We’ll take them up this time,” Cori said, kissing her mother on the cheek. “So don’t wait up. If we aren’t home by midnight, it will be after breakfast.”

Linda shook her head, pulling Cori back for a hug. “Fine, stay safe. Have a good night,” she added before leaving the room.

This time, Tatiana shared in the quiet laughter. Her husband Phillip had been Guard too. Tatiana knew running about the English countryside, especially now that the war was truly over, was hardly dangerous.

“If you see Phillip in the new vineyard remind him to come home for lunch?” Tatiana called to them as Cori held the back door open for Pyotr.

“I still think she is carrying twins,” Cori whispered as she kept pace with Pyotr’s shuffling gait on their walk to the stable.

Three incomes had improved the little farm significantly. Phillip’s first wine bottling sold well, giving both him and his new wife standing. Cori and Pyotr were Guard, even if Pyotr was on medical leave and Cori enjoyed the break all troops received after the fighting. But that would end soon and she’d be called back. To what though, she wasn’t sure. It was a worry for another day.

Trying not to laugh at Pyotr’s frustration that she needed to saddle the horses, although he did manage the bridles, they were soon on their way. The mornings were still crisp, but even this early in the spring and this far north in England, no frost had formed overnight. A heavy dew blanketed the greening grass and roadways, the horses’ feet squelching in damp soil that smelled of the promise of growing and summer. As much as she looked forward to visiting Kesmere, the ride could have happily lasted for hours.

But as they turned down the winding drive to Kesmere, the sun cast mid-morning shadows and enough heat to evaporate the dew, which lent a spring chill to the air. Now Cori was happy to arrive at a manor she’d once embarrassingly coveted. Pyotr’s friendship with Derrick extended invitations to her as well. Derrick never spoke of the dark twists of Cori’s past other than the one time in Irkrist to thank her for having saved Byran and defended Arinna. At least she had a few things to be proud of, just like joining the Guard.

To Cori’s surprise, Kesmere’s usually quiet halls were filled with children running and laughter. Arinna met them at the door with an expression caught between amusement and a budding headache.

“Did Derrick warn you Byran and his family were visiting?” Arinna asked after greeting them both. She continued as a shout echoed along the hallway into the front room, “And Captain Vries and his family are over from Rhiol.”

“If today isn’t a good time?” Cori began.

“Nonsense,” Arinna interrupted, waving them to follow her toward the back of the house. “The more guests over the age of twelve, the better. It is very good to see you both again. I wouldn’t know half of what had happened in Crystal City if you hadn’t told me the last time.”

“We didn’t know Lieutenant Eldridge hadn’t told you,” Cori said with a blush.

“Oh, he told me the official bits, but not the details,” Arinna replied. “How are you healing, Pyotr?”

“Well,” Pyotr answered. “How is Captain Vries?”

“Not resting enough,” Arinna answered.

“Well, I’m following your example,” Jared said as they walked into the back salon, nodding a greeting to Cori and Pyotr from where he sat stiffly.

“Hah,” Arinna answered, taking a seat. “I was needed at the time and I’m on leave now, aren’t I? Oh, and I think it is warm enough to release the children.”

“You know they will come in covered in mud?” Isabella asked.

“Who said I was letting them back in?” Arinna replied with a smile.

“I’ll remind you of that, should you and Derrick have kids,” Jared warned.

“Do you think she’d behave any differently?” Derrick asked, walking into the room from a side door. He stooped to kiss Arinna’s cheek as he passed the chair where she’d sat.

“No, but I’d hoped you might do better,” Byran said to Derrick. Derrick snorted.

Maureen, Jared’s wife, laughed. “I’ll make sure they are wearing boots and coats,” she offered, heading out of the room.

The chaos made Cori feel more relaxed and not like she was actually visiting the Commanders of the Guard, even if everyone in the room but Derrick and Byran were officially off duty.

“Gee, they’ve only been married what, two months? No pressure there,” Cori said.

Arinna toasted Cori with her teacup. “That is what happens when you elope. Everyone thinks you are in a hurry for other things as well.”

“How is it going in North America and Russia?” Pyotr asked.

“Yes, how are they dear?” Arinna asked with a feral glint to her smile.

Derrick laughed. “You and Captain Vries are both on leave. If anything of importance happens, I’ll let you know.”

“I think you are taking this medical leave a little too seriously,” Arinna said with a shake of her head.

“That doesn’t remind you of anyone?” Jared asked snidely. “Although he is good at it. I think we should promote him.”

“I can take the paperwork back to Prague with me,” Byran offered.

“Ha ha,” Derrick said. “I think Lieutenants O’Dell and Assad are more deserving.”

“We could retire,” Arinna said to Jared, ignoring Derrick. “Or create new positions for ourselves and let the kids handle the day-to-day stuff. Especially since we are now watching over the entire planet.”

“I’m only two years younger than you!” Derrick said to her. “And Farrak is older. I think.”

Pyotr winced as he laughed. “I’ve very sorry I asked. Forgive me,” he said, leaning to the right of the chair as he tried to ease the tension on his stomach wound. Cori took his hand and kissed it.

“Well he won’t tell you, but I know what is going on too,” Byran said. Derrick shot Byran an annoyed glance. “It is one of the advantages of being Prime Minister. At least until elections this June.”

“As if you won’t be re-elected,” Arinna said with a roll of her eyes.

“Exactly,” Isabella added, nudging Byran in the side.

“Raoul Caverra, the President of Free Argentina is helping to oversee the move out of Isle Royale to areas in the south that can support a population,” Byran continued. “I think there will be cities from Central America down to Argentina in a few years. They’ll make good trading partners once they are established.”

“Crystal City is just as standoffish and difficult as you’d expect,” Derrick said, relenting finally. “The shield is still active there. We control anything going into the city. But anyone who wants to leave is allowed to. Most of the captured workers have gone to start new lives, reclaiming towns in Russia and China. Irkrist won’t survive unless it cooperates.”

“I never would have imagined the leader of Irkrist was American,” Cori said, leaning forward in her chair. “Did you ever suspect that?” she asked Arinna.

“Not really,” Arinna said with a shrug. “But I’m not entirely surprised. The US was the first to fall to the FLF and they were highly active there at least five years before. From what little I’ve gleaned,” Arinna paused as she cast Derrick a sidelong glance, “Craig Andrews foresaw Isle Royale would fail. He made his way to Russia during the war in Europe and worked on becoming high in the leadership there.”

“It was his demands for expensive products like coffee and chocolate from the Americas that caused the rift between Isle Royale and Crystal City,” Derrick added. “If they hadn’t had a falling out, causing Isle Royale to seek to relocate without support ... the war might have ended differently.”

“That is not a pleasant thought,” Isabella murmured.

“They might have found Free Argentina before we did,” Jared agreed. “Their help made a lot of difference in North America. When they realized no reinforcements were coming, Isle Royale surrendered fairly easily.”

“Easily?” Arinna asked, drawing out the word. “I think you are just jealous. And we need to stop making Pyotr laugh or we’ll end up doubling his medical leave by the end of their visit.”

“You worry about his injuries,” Jared muttered.

Maureen, just returning, smacked him on the shoulder. “You have a few cracked ribs. He was shot.”

“Yeah, but he was shot down,” Pyotr said. “I wouldn’t want to crash land.”

“I wouldn’t describe it as a landing,” Derrick said to Jared. “If it wasn’t for the pine trees and the ground, I don’t think you would have stopped.”

“It isn’t like a dactyl would run out of fuel, but I’m pretty sure they couldn’t make orbit,” Cori said, hesitating when she saw the flash of a smile shared between Arinna and Jared.

“Don’t look worried, Cori. But that is as good an opening as I ever heard one and why Derrick and I wanted you to come over today,” Arinna said. “I heard you were a good pilot?”

“I flew one of the transport planes to Crystal City,” Cori admitted. Pyotr squeezed her hand in reassurance, but her heart fluttered anyway. “Why?”

“Because your leave is up in two weeks and the Guard is looking for new pilots,” Derrick said.

“Well, tell her why,” Byran said, continuing when no one spoke. “Some of the ‘workers’ in Crystal City were former scientists with the Chinese space program. They know of a few half finished satellites and have ideas for others. We are going to need to work on finding a way to launch them. Either rockets ... or something else.”

Cori had forgotten she needed to breathe. “Would I learn to fly a dactyl?” she asked with the last of the air in her lungs. Pyotr started chuckling again.

“Yes. Advanced training with Captain Vries. When he is cleared by medical,” Derrick said.

“You weren’t so worried about me passing a medical in Crystal City,” Jared retorted.

“What do you think?” Arinna said, ignoring Jared. “Captain Vries is a very good teacher if you can get beyond his unnerving habit of making you learn by nearly killing you.”

“Absolutely,” Cori said.

“Here I thought you might have political aspirations,” Byran said, looking a little disappointed.

“I’m not done with my term in the Guard yet,” Cori pointed out. “Who knows what will happen after that?” Byran smiled at that.

“Have you chosen a date for your wedding, dear?” Maureen asked. “Don’t let them get you so wrapped up in training that you feel like you can’t take time off for that.” The look she sent to her husband and slid beyond him to include both Arinna and Derrick was pointed.

Cori blushed again, but partially because she was so excited that choosing a wedding date had slipped her mind. “I won’t, ma’am.”

Pyotr snorted a laugh taking her hand at the same time. “We aren’t in a hurry. I want to be able to actually walk. As long as it is before my sister’s kids are old enough to be in the wedding party, I’ll be happy.”