The Black Guard: Book II: Evolution (Black Guard Series 2) (11 page)

I thought I saw a brief smile touch Lothar's lips before
he spoke.

"We think the raiders number around forty to
forty-five. They landed close to sixty, but Colonel Kaur's timely response
caught them by surprise, and they suffered significant losses," Lothar
said.

"We had to back off then," Kaur glanced toward
Singh and Nguyen, "because of the consequences of storming the building."
He shrugged in resignation. He had obviously been ordered to stop his attack. "There
are two two-story buildings. In building one is the main lobby. On the first
floor are the sales and marketing offices, and on the second, software and
hardware design offices as well as the safe where we store the finished
product. In the middle of the second floor, there is a walkway that connects to
the second building, which contains proprietary equipment for processing the
minerals on the ground floor and a finishing line on the second. Based on some
early communications with the people inside and what we can see through the
windows where lights are working, we think they split their forces: one half to
watch the hostages and raid the second floor safe in building one, and one half
to pack up the equipment and any crystals in building two. Of course, given the
delay imposed by the stalemate, that may no longer be accurate."

"Entrances?" I asked, hoping there were several
they would have to cover, thus spreading their forces.

"Only one. The building with the proprietary
equipment has no windows and no doors, although in a dire emergency there are
two panels on the ground floor that can be blown off. Only the administrative
building has an entrance. Because of the value of those crystals and the
proprietary nature of the equipment, security is tight," Kaur said. "Only
a military operation could have breached it."

"General Issak, what contracts do the Jax have?"
I asked. That would determine duty and possible solutions.

He smiled. "At the moment, only one: to ensure the
two raider cruisers do not provide support for the raiders on the ground.

"We would like the Jax to clear the building—"
Singh began.

"And free the hostages," Nguyen interjected.

"Of course, we need the hostages unharmed,"
Singh said, nodding.

"That's only possible if you agree to a compromise
with the raiders, in which case you don't need the Jax." I noticed Issak
frowning. "We could clear the building of raiders, but we couldn't
guarantee hostages wouldn't be killed," I said, fighting the urge to
panic. Trying to fight and save hostages would be messy business and
significantly increase the risk to the Guard. "Can I see the building from
here?"

"No, but if you walk about a hundred meters north,"
Nguyen pointed, "there is a slight rise, and from there you can see them.
They are about four hundred meters ahead. You can't miss them. They're the only
buildings in the area."

"Thank you." I proceeded toward the tent's opening.
"Lieutenant Elijah, bring the team."

"Yes, sir."

I wasn't really interested in seeing the buildings. I
just needed time to quiet my mind so I could think. I felt being with my
family—the men and women who would live or die based on how smart or
stupid my solution—would help.

"Well, any ideas? This is an excellent training
exercise," I said, collapsing into a sitting position.

"We could try a masquerade party. Maybe they are
bored and we could provide dancing girls and clowns," Sergeant Nadel
quipped. She had been with the detail on Lanzhou, New Keif, and Blackwood,
where disguises had been successfully used.

"The Black Guard circus," Senior Sergeant Catz
said with a snort.

"One of us could get captured, then misdirect them
after the appropriate amount of torture," Elijah said, probably thinking
of my rewrite of Captain Embry or maybe Blackwood.

I let myself sink into a meditative state. I don't know
how long I meditated, but I felt relaxed when I opened my eyes. "I like
the way you people think. I'm giving you high marks for your ingenuity," I
said, rising with an idea, hoping the space gods were in a helpful mood. "Sergeant
Ganz, how are your acting skills?"

"Outstanding, sir."

"Corporal Reti, how are yours?"

"Better than Sergeant Ganz. He's a sergeant and
doesn't have to act," Reti said to grins all around.

"Good." I made my way back to the tent with everyone
following. Issak stood waiting outside. "General Issak, I will attempt to
clear the building with army support if the Jax has a contract."

He barked a laugh. "That's another stalemate. The
hostages' lives continue to be a sticking point. How can you or I guarantee
their safety?"

"We can't and shouldn't, but what if we stipulate a
bonus for each life we manage to save? It won't stop us from doing what's
necessary, only limit some of our options. And it might make the Heibei and HTL
representatives think we will go out of our way to save the hostages, which we will
if it doesn't unduly risk Jax lives." I was hoping to avoid a foolish
contract like on New Kief, which had resulted in the loss of far too many army
and marine lives.

After a long silence, Issak nodded and entered the tent
smiling.

I waved Elijah to me. "Elijah, let Colonel Kaur
know you will need a monk's robe for me, preferably white, and Heibei army
medic uniforms for Ganz and Reti and a proof-of-life monitor. Take Ganz and
Reti with you. They will have to shed their protective underwear. It wouldn't
pass a pat down or most weapon detectors."

 
"Yes,
sir." Elijah got Ganz and Reti and they entered the tent.

I stood readying myself for the coming confrontation or
maybe for the consequences of my decision.

* * *

 
Sometime later, Elijah returned with Ganz
and Reti in army uniforms with Caduceus arm patches and white berets with red
crosses. Two male Heibei medics were with them.

"Ganz, Reti, I
want you to get with the medics and learn as much background as you can of
their lives before and while in the military," I said as I began
undressing.

Issak and Colonel
Lothar joined us a short time later.

"That uniform
doesn't look very safe," Lothar said, frowning.

"I'm going to be
the Heibei negotiator. I'm from Blackwood, here visiting friends, and offered
to help. I've enlisted two medics to help as a goodwill gesture. General Issak,
have you secured a contract?" I almost wished he hadn't. This operation
had more unknowns and was therefore riskier than New Kief.

He smiled. "Yes,
a very satisfactory one. I think they felt a large bonus per person would
guarantee they all got out alive."

"We'll try, but
the priority will be clearing the building with the minimum loss of Jax lives,"
I said to make sure he understood and only continued after he nodded. "I'd
like you to have the army in position to attack the front entrance on my
signal."

"What signal?
You don't have any Comm equipment." He was looking me up and down like he'd
missed something.

I held up my
proof-of-life bracelet. "The signal is if this bracelet indicates I'm
dead." I held up my hand to stop him from saying anything. "If I take
it off, it will stop recording, as if I'm dead. In that case, storm the first
floor and secure it. Don't enter the second floor. Lieutenant Elijah will be
responsible for infiltrating the second floor."

"Why?"
Issak asked.

"Teamwork. You
know how to force your way into a building and secure it. The Guard knows how
to clear a building with minimum damage. I'm relying on the Heibei's
information, which indicates the hostages are on the second floor. Given that's
right, you can use military grade weapons on the ground floor without having to
worry about killing hostages. The second floor will require a different
technique to which the Black Guard is better suited."

"What if you are
actually killed?" Iaask asked.

"Then you and
Lieutenant Elijah will have to revisit the strategy." I couldn't stifle a
laugh at the look of panic on their faces. "Let just hope the space gods
are in a good mood, or the raiders decide to cooperate with us, or better yet
both."

"How can three of you …?" Lothar questioned in
disbelief.

"I'll let you know when it's all over," I said
with genuine amusement while waving

to Granz and Reti to follow. "We'll walk down to the buildings so that
the raiders have plenty of time to identify us and the army has time to get
into position."

"What's the
plan, Captain?" Reti asked.

"To kill the bad
guys and go home," Ganz said, smiling.

"More or less.
First we need to talk our way in without getting killed, and then you will
treat the wounded while I negotiate. Ideally, we secure the hostages and signal
the army to attack, and Lieutenant Elijah and the detail help us kick ass. However,
if the raiders don't cooperate, then we may have to revise the plan."

"Duty, sir?"
Ganz asked, seeking focus for when the doss-bomb exploded.

"Clear the
building with the minimum loss of Guard lives."

The contract was to
clear the building. Protecting the hostages or minimizing collateral damage was
a bonus, which I hoped we always took into account whether it was a part of the
contract or not. But the contract—duty—and the Jax came first.

"Yes, sir."
They chimed in unison.

By now we were within
fifty meters of the front entrance of building one, administration, and had
certainly been noticed. I hoped they wouldn't shoot for fear of ending the standoff.
Before we had climbed the five black-marble steps to the entrance, one of the
double doors opened and two men with multifunctional guns appeared.

"Far enough.
What do you want?" the oldest of the two asked.

"I'm Omom Sudar
from Blackwood. When I heard what had happened, I volunteered to negotiate a
peaceful solution, and I thought you and the hostages might be in need of
medical assistance. These very brave individuals have volunteered to help if
they can."

While keeping his Mfw
leveled at me, he clicked on a handheld communication device. "Lieutenant
Ralph, I have a … negotiator and a couple of medics at the front door. What do
you want me to do with them?" He nodded while he listened. "Petra,
keep an eye on the other two. All right, Sudar, step up to the door so I can
search you." He motioned me forward. I climbed the steps, stopped a couple
of feet in front of the man, raised my arms, and spread my legs. The man was
very thorough, but to my surprise, he didn't take liberties during the search.

The lobby was a
twenty by twenty meter open room with an assortment of beige lounge chairs and
couches, metal and glass tables, and a long curved silver reception counter
near the back wall, which had a group of six men playing cards. Military grade
weapons lay scattered on the counter. Behind the counter, the wall looked like
a window into space, where galaxies could be seen. Four other raiders were
lounging off to the right side with Mfws lying close to them. His gaze settled
on them. "Two of you get over here and watch these medics."

Judging by the shredded furniture and the holes in the
walls and reception counter, the room had seen some serious fighting.

A few minutes later, an elevator door could be heard
opening down a hallway to the left and a short stocky man came striding into
the room, appraising me as he neared. He had a laser strapped to his hip and an
Mfw hanging from a strap on his shoulder.

"What do you
want?"

"A peaceful
solution for everyone." I gave a small bow while forcing my eyes to break
contact with his.

"That's unlikely
to happen. Sooner or later the Jax are going to attack."

"Why would they
do that?" I asked with genuine interest.

"Why else are
they here?"

"As I understand
it, the Heibei are negotiating a contract with the Jax, but nothing has been
finalized. If there were a peaceful solution, there would be no need. Since the
Jax are mercenaries like you, they wouldn't fight without a contract."

He surprised me by
changing topics.

"You brought
medics?" he asked, looking out through the open door.

I nodded. "I don't
wish to see anyone die."

"Petra, search
them and then let them in. There are a couple upstairs who could use a medic,"
Ralph said, giving me a hard look. "If this is a trick or they aren't real
medics … Negotiators usually stay out of danger. Aren't you afraid we will kill
you?"

"No. I believe
in life after death, so my early death would just speed up my transition to a
place where those who did their best to follow God's word through his prophets
will live in peace forever. But I am concerned for the medics. You could let
them leave after they finish helping."

He laughed. "And leave them to report our numbers
and positions?" He seemed amused at the thought.

"Would it matter? You are outnumbered ten-to-one on
the ground and can't hope for any support from your cruisers." This was a
good time to begin sounding like a negotiator. Who knew, I might even be able
to reach a peaceful solution, since the raiders had no winning options.

"The Jax are
good, but we have two cruisers to their one." He grinned.

"I guess you haven't heard. The Jax troops you're
facing arrived on a second cruiser—"

"That makes the odds worse, but our ships are well
equipped and the crews experienced. We could still win."

"A third Jax cruiser arrived several hours ago with
more troops," I said.

"Well then, it doesn't look like you or I will die
of old age." His face lost its amusement, and he looked toward the door. "Lester,
you and Petra bring the medics upstairs after you're certain they are clean."
He looked at me and pointed toward the hallway. "Come, the major will want
to talk with you."