When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) (38 page)

             
In his private corner of the platform, Markov doodled on a tablet while mumbling whatever thought popped into his head. Overwhelmed by curiosity, Sasha moved over and sat down. He looked over the docto
r’
s shoulder and saw the monitor was still directed at the fledgling guerrilla squad. The entire platform, it seemed, rooted for the underdogs. They had cheered when the ambush on the two trucks went down, and many had fallen silent to watch what would be the final battle of the games. Of course, no one thought the small group of soldiers, determined though they may be, would succeed against Alpha. It was
n’
t just a numbers game. Alpha Company had as many well trained combat veterans as anyone, and they had taken their position at the top by planning and reacting intelligently. In any case, it would prove to be entertaining.

             
“Dr. Ivanovich
,”
Sasha said, breaking the silence.

             
The younger man held up a hand
.“
Please, Sasha. Call me Markov
.
”

             
“Okay, Markov then
.”
He poured himself a glass of water and sipped
.“I’
d like to talk business. You told me we were coming here to start something
.
”

             
“Yes
.
”

             
Sasha ran his fingers over his mustache again and again, an old nervous tick
.“
I
t’
s been several months.
I’
m sure w
e’
re learning a lot about tactics and all, but what exactly are we doing here? I enjoy watching these kids play at war as much as the next old warrior, but I do
n’
t see the point. Team Hercules operators already have the training and experience yo
u’
ll need for your candidates
.
”

             
Markov put down his notebook and sighed
.“
I was always afraid you would leave while we were on Europa
.”
He stopped Sasha from answering with a raised finger
.“
I took you out to help me understand how I had failed.
I’
d like to think you enjoyed your freedom more than you hated the cold
.
”

             
“
I’
m from Mars, comrade. I revel in the cold
.
”

             
The doctor smiled wearily
.“
Yo
u’
ve seen my notes, and I know w
e’
ve talked about my past before. I thought that my time serving the government had come to an end all too soon, that for all my abilities I had failed to become the man I was supposed to be
.”
He leaned forward
.“
I know you understand that feeling. No matter the outcome of the war, you wanted to be a part of that grand finale. And you should have been. History has been cruel to us both, but now we have an opportunity to step into a new chapter. One of our choosing.

             
“These games were started for our benefit. Sure, the military loves a good war simulation, but the real purpose is observation. We have an opportunity to repair the mistakes I have made, to give the Army a tool that will serve them well in the coming years
.
”

             
Sasha sat up straight on the sofa
.“
Against the aliens
?
”

             
The doctor laughed
.“
No, this job was given to me over a year ago. But maybe this will help against those creatures as well
.
”

             
“And what is that job, Markov
?
”

             
The doctor turned back to the monitor. On the screen, the squad leader and his enormous friend were barreling toward the enemy base in the explosive-rigged trucks
.“
We are going to create the definitive super soldier, one that will never see a worthy opponent. We will train them, equip them, and send them after the enemies of humanity. And we will choose our elite from those below
.
”

             
He was about to continue, but a sudden commotion caught his attention. On the other side of the room, two military policemen, weapons drawn, were approaching Brent. The Red Hammer liaison sputtered as the soldiers grabbed him by either arm and began dragging him toward a waiting shuttle. Counsellor Fogwell stormed toward them, veins bulging from his forehead.

             
“What is the meaning of this
?”
the politician demanded.

             
One of the MPs stopped and produced a warrant
.“
Brent Kerrigan is to be placed under arrest with regards to an attack on Earth
.”
Bren
t’
s eyes went wide. He either had no idea what was going on, or knew exactly how much trouble he was in
.“
Admiral Walker put out the order that all Red Hammer personnel, no matter their position in the organization, are to be arrested on sight and remanded to the brig
.
”

             
Fogwell stepped in close
.“
Do you know who I am, boy
?”
The soldier did
n’
t flinch. Sasha, watching from the sideline, smirked
.“
I am a member of the Centurial Council, and I demand you put me in touch with your superior officer. If this warrant does
n’
t stand up to the full scrutiny of the law, I will personally ensure that you end up sitting in a jail cell long before Mr. Kerrigan. And you can take that as a personal guarantee
.
”

             
The MP glared right back, his poker face unchanging
.“
Ther
e’
s the phone, Counsellor. Ask for General Khushal, because anyone with less than four stars ca
n’
t supersede the Admira
l’
s order
.”
Fogwell was about to speak when the MP stepped forward, putting his face an inch away from the politicia
n’
s
.“
And if you so much as fart in my direction again, I will beat you senseless and arrest you for obstruction of a lawful order while on a military post
.”
He turned and walked away, grabbing Kerrigan and taking him toward the door. He called over his shoulder
.“
And you can take
that
as a personal guarantee, sir
.
”

             
Sasha was practically dancing. Markov hit his shoulder, but he was grinning like an idiot himself. The atmosphere of the entire Seraph had changed on the spot. Civilians made calls to their companies to find out more about the situation on Earth, while the politicians blustered about how the Counsellor had been treated. Only the military men seemed unfazed by the ordeal, though a few placed discreet calls back to the post.

             
“Does this change anything for us
?”
Sasha asked.

             
Markov shrugged
.“
It means we can enjoy the rest of the games in peace, I suppose
.
”

-                           
VII                            -

              The relay system around New Eden was far more complex than any other node array in the Terran galaxy. Surrounded by seven moons, each one populated, the blue and green planet represented the pinnacle of colonization. Though Tallus had been the first, and Colorum remained the most profitable, New Eden was the gem of the Colonial Federate. Almost exactly the size of Earth, and with an atmosphere rich in oxygen and nitrogen, the heavenly body had been the discovery of the century. Now, almost one hundred years since its founding, th
e“
diamond of Ero
s”
was looking to grow even more.

             
Located a perfect distance from the blue star Eros, the planet earned its nickname. Founded by an Israeli Ark Ship, the planet had originally been called Gan Yarok, or the Green Garden, due to endless expanses of land. Rolling plains, sapphire rivers and mountains that seemed lifted from a painte
r’
s canvas, the planet was as aesthetically pleasing as one could possibly imagine. When more and more settlers arrived, the lush landscapes and crystalline waters invoked an image of paradise and the moniker had stuck. New Ede
n’
s tropical climates attracted tourists by the millions. The more temperate areas to the north and south were populated by some of the largest corporations in the galaxy. Scientific research labs on the poles provided incredible opportunities for some of the best minds the Terran academies had to offer. Despite all these amenities, the cost of living was still surprisingly manageable, and New Eden hosted the largest extra-Earth population at almost seven billion inhabitants.

             
Even the native life of New Eden had been amenable to habitation. The largest mammal was a gentle giant called the Monsoon Seal, a two-hundred-foot creature that often rose next to passing boats to meet the traveling humans crossing its waters. Fate had apparently put all the most violent and dangerous creatures on Ede
n’
s moons, most of all on Kronos. Lannisian Spiders were a particular menace, but only to the soldiers who ventured deep into the canyons known as the Lio
n’
s Mouth. In between the heavenly bodies, Celestial Whales often migrated through the system on their lightyear-long journeys to the spawning grounds. The ethereal behemoths continued to be a wonderful mystery for scientists, given their incredible ability to enter Blue Space at will.

             
High in the sky over New Eden, resting in a gentle swell of gravitational pulls, the massive space station began its morning. Aboard the node, the team of civilian technicians monitored a constant flow of traffic. Scientific vessels routinely used Stride drives to travel to the mineral and gas mining operations on the other planets in the system. Civilians, politicians and of course the Federal Fleet jumped in an out of system on varied trips and missions. All of this had to be carefully controlled, lest a miscalculation cause a cruiser to exit Blue Space in the path of a striding chemical hauler. It was not unlike an air traffic control network planetside, if airplanes traveled at seventy thousand miles per hour. The circular command deck was divided into three separate sections, spread like slices of a pie from the central control desk. Standard Drive coordination only required five technicians, while Stride Drive took up the largest footprint.

             
At his console near the center of Blue Traffic Control, Charley Bruins watched a small detachment from the Meir Academy disappear into the ether. It was fascinating to see the radio signature simply vanish as the ten-ton scientific research vessel entered Blue Space. H
e’
d only had a chance to watch the event live twice, and each time the site of that eternal maw opening and swallowing a ship whole had left him breathless. He often wondered how a scientist endured it, jumping into the unknown. The statistics attached to hyperspace made it seem so safe, but Charley could
n’
t bring himself to enter the void as often as the brainiacs from Meir.

             
“Attention all stations
,”
the Room Leader shouted
.“
W
e’
ve got a heavy day planned. FTL traffic is going to pick up, and we should see a lot of unplanned trips pinned on us last minute. New Ede
n’
s centennial is only a week out and the tourist trap is officially set. Be flexible, and remember to wait a full five seconds before confirming coordinates as the numbers are still a little jumpy. Second watch had another close call yesterday
.”
The overweight woman waved her pillow-shaped arms, the fat flopping around like tired wings
.“
If you see any unauthorized activity, flag it to my computer. And remember..
.”
She waited for the expected response.

             
As one, the technicians called out
.“
Announce your arrivals
.
”

             
She smiled, her excessive makeup making her look like an angry clown
.“
Very good. OK, my lovelies, get back to work. Le
t’
s keep the skies safe
.
”