Beyond Armageddon: Book 03 - Parallels (35 page)

            He exited the main entrance of the dormitory skyscraper out into an overcast day.

A supply truck with six big wheels drove by spewing noxious exhaust and a Skipper whirred overhead. Otherwise, the neighborhood felt deserted.

To his left, the street continued toward a series of smaller buildings that looked commercial in nature, perhaps shops. He also saw a small park with a cluster of trees and benches. At some point it must have been an area for recreation. If those trees were in bloom—if it were the summer months—then the little park might have looked cozy. Instead, it looked sad.

            To his right, far in the distance, the start of the industrial district including some kind of power sub-station and a big garage. He spied streams of smoke drifting into the sky.

            He walked to his left.

            The sound of his footsteps clicked off the concrete walkway and echoed among the buildings. The occasional beep or bell joined the sound of those footsteps, but otherwise the day felt heavy with silence.

            That silence broke as he passed the small, sad park. "They say your name is Johnny."

            A person stood next to one of the thin, barren trees wearing a gray jacket with a dark hood over technician’s garb.

"Why yes. You may call me Reverend Johnny."

"You are a friend of Trevor Stone’s? You came here with him?"

            "That is correct. Now may I ask who are you?"
            She removed the hood revealing a lovely face marred by a scarred cheek and hair cut short to match her military appearance. Nonetheless, he recognized the woman.

"My name is Ashley Trump."

---

            Trevor took one step closer toward The Committee, purposely setting himself apart from Nina. Director Snowe stood off to the side, waiting for the confrontation to unfold. However, as usual, the three Committeemen whispered amongst themselves as they sat at their elevated table, not yet acknowledging Trevor or Major Forest's presence.

            Trevor fidgeted, clenching and unclenching his fists with growing impatience.

            Finally, he blurted, "Did you want to see me or can I get back to trying to save all your asses?"

            That drew their attention, but only long enough to shoot him down.

"You will be addressed."

"We are still formulating our position."

"Despite your unique situation, interruptions will not be tolerated."

            Trevor grunted. The men returned to their whispers for a bit longer, no doubt a punishment for his brashness.

            At long last, The Committee spoke.

"We have analyzed the after-action reports from special mission number forty-two seventy-six. After reviewing these reports we realized we had made an error."

            "Yes. A procedural error. You should know that we do not hold you responsible for this error. It was our mistake."

            Trevor cocked his head, "Error? What error?"
            "We received reports from all involved including Corporal Brewer and Major Forest."

            "This is, of course, standard procedure."

            "Then we realized that we had not requested a written report from you."

            "You hold an honorary position with the Third Legion therefore we did not feel that a written report from you would hold enough legitimacy to be a part of our official findings."

            "However, after discussing the matter we have concluded that we should grant you the opportunity to provide a detailed account of forty-two seventy-six."

            "We believe this to be the most equitable course. Taking disciplinary actions against you for negligence would be unfair until after we have received your report."

            "This is true. You should know that both Director Snowe and Major Forest face sanctions as a result of their role in the poor judgment displayed in the authorization and execution of mission number forty-two seventy-six."

            It took Trevor a moment to process what he heard.

"Huh? Did you just say…wait a second, you consider this mission a failure? You think we did something wrong?"

            One of the Committeemen referenced a sheet of paper.

            "One AATC willfully destroyed—"

            Trevor looked at Nina who translated, "Air Assault and Transport Craft. A Skipper."

"—unacceptable fatalities and casualties. Expenditure of excess ammunition and willful destruction of several crates of ordnance stored on the destroyed AATC."

            "Wasted fuel for initial transportation plus the follow-up extraction team not to mention fuel onboard the purposely destroyed AATC.

"Wait one damn second," Trevor failed to muster a full head of steam because he was so flabbergasted at The Committee's reaction. He tried, "We knocked out a Battleship and brought back a shit load of parts from the Steel Guard’s Golems. This mission—"

            "Oh, yes," a Committeeman interrupted. "We must also consider that the decision to engage the Geryon Reich has destabilized our eastern border."

"The Geryons have not pushed west for nearly two years. It is possible that your actions will encourage reprisals against us. This has increased our peril."

Major
Forest
tried to intervene, "I remind The Committee of this man's special disposition as we discussed in the past."

But Trevor did not let her go on. He did not even hear her. His jaw practically unhinged as he gasped, "Destabilized? Peril? Do you hear yourselves? You’re the last human beings on Earth and you think I could possibly increase your peril?"

            Major Forest raised her voice louder this time and pointed out, "His people have fought and won many victories like this. That is why on his Earth, humanity is the dominant force."
            He heard her that time, but she only added to his momentum.

            "Damn right. Since I’ve been here I’ve seen nothing but half-assed soldiers. I honestly have no friggin’ idea how your city is still around. You’ve been living lucky."

            Director Snowe stepped forward, apparently deciding the time had come to join the fray.

            "With respect, I remind The Committee of our prior discussions regarding this Trevor Stone. I must re-emphasize the assistance we are receiving as a result of his presence here."

            Trevor glanced at Snowe. He did not like the man. His first instinct suggested that this Director Snowe shared more in common with the bureaucrats sitting on The Committee than with the soldiers of Thebes. However, regardless of his politician-like words, it became clear that Snowe aimed to help.

            The Director continued, "If it pleases The Committee, I recommend you review the readiness reports for Third Legion. You will notice a significant improvement in efficiency and tactics. This is due in no small part to Mr. Stone’s efforts."

"Yes, this is true," The Committee admitted. "We have taken this into consideration as we evaluate Trevor Stone's usefulness to our defense and we will continue to honor the parameters regarding his position here."

            "We are willing to give you the benefit of the doubt that you were doing what you thought was best."

            "We remind you that you do not hold any official rank. You are considered an advisor."

            "This is why the sanctions will primarily be against Director Snowe and Major Forest."

            "You are not to take any action without first consulting—"

            "Action?" Trevor interrupted. "Let me tell you something because you folks need to hear it. You’re all dead! Every last one of you inside these walls, you are already dead."

"You are out of line!"

            Stone disagreed, "No!
You
are out of line. This entire city is a big graveyard! You sit up there and do nothing but file reports. I’ll bet you have one Hell of a set of push pins!"

            The insubordination stunned The Committee into silence.

            "I am trying to save you. Do you understand? You have nothing left to lose! If you are going to survive, if you are going to keep this Earth for yourself, then we have to start fighting! We have to risk everything because there’s nothing left to lose, anyhow!"

            One of the Committeemen appeared ready to pounce but another took his arm and whispered in his ear. To Trevor's disappointment, all three of the men retreated from the heated discussion in favor of their monotone approach.

            "We can not and will not waste supplies and resources on foolish ventures."

            "For all that you say you still found nothing of value. You returned empty handed."

            "Indeed, one may interpret your decision to fight with the Geryon Reich as an attempt to distract us from the truth that your mission was a failure."

            Trevor responded, "Empty-handed? Failure? Then you have not looked into the eyes of the soldiers who returned from that mission!"

            One Committeeman said, "Less than two dozen soldiers returned, many of them injured."

            Stone nearly screamed, "I tell you that those men—that handful of men—could take over your entire Operations Center in five minutes! They are better soldiers now! Their enthusiasm will grow and spread until maybe—
just maybe
—it might revive what’s left of your sad army."

            Director Snowe decided to join the discussion again. "Trevor Stone speaks the truth, your Honors. His victory during mission forty-two seventy-six has improved morale among those who fought there. I agree the result will be an improvement in the defensive capabilities of the city."

            Trevor stammered, "The defensive capabilities? You don’t understand—"

            "I agree," Nina stopped Stone with a hand on his shoulder and her words. "I think the defensive posture of Thebes has been greatly improved directly as a result of this mission."

            Snowe continued on his end. "I would add that the likelihood of a Geryon Reich retribution strike against our city is unlikely. Our sources indicate that the Geryons have been under constant assault by the Chaktaw. I doubt they will risk expanding this one engagement into a full blown war on their western flank. They’d have little to gain by it."

"Then it’s agreed. We are concentrated on defensive actions for the immediate future."

            "The Committee expects a written report from Trevor Stone. Due to the positive side effects of mission forty-two seventy-six we anticipate that sanctions against those involved will be confined to credits and punitive assignments."

            "However, further insubordination and misuse of vital supplies will not be tolerated. All parties are hereby duly warned. This Trevor Stone's special disposition may change if this type of transgression occurs again. You are dismissed."

            Trevor’s mouth worked open. Nina tugged at his shoulder.

            "Not now," she whispered. "C’mon."

            Major Forest glanced to Snowe and then pulled Trevor from the chamber.

---

            Reverend Johnny sat on the bench with the Ashley of that alternate world. A cold breeze brushed through the leafless trees. The gray clouds overhead felt oppressive.

            "I’m a support specialist in Records and Information Systems. That’s how I know about you and the other…the other dimension. I sneak a look at a lot of those records and reports. I know, well, I know all about you and Trevor and why they brought you here."

            "I see," Johnny listened.

            "Tell me about your Trevor. I’d like to know if he’s…if he’s the same man I knew."

            "On my world, Trevor Stone is a great leader who won numerous battles when the odds were tall and has shown wisdom." Johnny considered and offered an addendum, "I should say he
usually
shows wisdom. Alas, he allowed his emotions to get the better of his head and that is why we are here in your world. He made a few brash errors along the way."

She clutched her hands on her lap, cast her eyes down, and solemnly said, "He sounds very much like the Trevor of our world."

"He is my friend. I would do anything for him," Johnny tilted his head in introspection and added, "Which is why, I suppose, I ended up here, too."

"You followed him, no matter where it would lead? Not surprising. Trevor always had a great deal of control."

"Control? My dear, you misunderstand. I volunteered to be by his side even in the face of danger. He is my friend, and he has earned my loyalty, and I have been inspired by his courage and even—on occasion—his compassion. While he does his best to display a suit of emotional armor, I know he is a man who feels things deeply."

She brought her eyes up quick and widened in what had to be surprise, or perhaps shock.

"The only things the Trevor I knew ever felt deeply were anger and cruelty."