"The Reunion"
Episode 204 – Mobilization
D-Minus 5 Days
"As time passed, both SICON and the Tophetti Councils grew lazy. Neither were ready for the bugs to come back. Fortunately, Jonnie was able to convince the Tophetti that they had to prepare themselves. The ability for both to fight back had decreased so much, that any large scale attack would have crippled them to the point of immanent defeat.
"I guess its still amazing to me sometimes how we were able to even fight back as bad as we were spread out. Maybe it was the wake up call we needed to remind us that there was always something out there that was a threat, no matter what you thought."
- Dr. Robert "Paperboy" Higgins, from: The Roughneck Chronicles
LOVELL A-19
The Queen sat alone in her chamber with a small memory drone in front of her. She told her thoughts to it, and it alone. The beauty of the drone was that it reacted to no one but the queen, and a brain if she were killed through some mishap. It sat silent absorbing her thoughts thinking of nothing else.
[My mother had been smart. She planted her eggs all over the galaxy before she personally led the attack on Earth. Over fifteen million were spread out across the systems.] She saw her five dozen transports moving through the stars to the planets to retrieve as many of her hordes that she could.
[And when she died, she made sure that her remaining generals that were out there kept quiet until I made contact with them. But when I did, the result startled me; I found that the number had decreased by half of what it should have been when my mother was killed. From what I was able to find out, it was the human that had actually killed her who was leading the extermination process against my forces.
[As I relay these thoughts to you, I have dozens of transports moving outside of the Terran's abilities to detect, gathering what forces I can get. While one of my primary goals is to retake our home, I will not move there myself for until the vermin are extinguished from my life. I have more to worry about past them.] The queen felt a ping of something in the back of her mind. She shook her massive head and looked through her mind's eye and saw him nearing her.
[Yes, he's almost here. I can feel him getting closer. It's taken him two months. Traveling here at his maximum speed, never stopping. He's growing close. I must admit, he is the only one I fear. The only one of the Terran's I truly fear. There are several others that pose minor threat; his friend, the one they call Rico, and his squad of Terrans. They were a most painful thorn in my mother's side, and they will run the danger of being one in mine. Then there's that other one. The unstable one who was responsible for half of the loses on the planet they call Eden. He tore through everything, never hesitating, never stopping. He was the one that the general there wanted for his own, and in the end, the Terran killed him. Yes, he will be the one I have to look for singularly."
The queen nodded after finishing her last thought. The Terrans had to be eliminated quickly and swiftly, their way was a threat to her. The resolve of their people was unmatched by the countless other species that had been slaughtered by the previous queens. Many of the others had fought longer, harder, and deadlier. But none had ever fought with the tenacity as the Terrans. One species, the Kili, had fought the Bug hordes for three hundred years, and in the end were destroyed. But they had fought until the resources of countless planets had been exhausted, and yet, they never showed the ferocity that the Terrans had. They would give up and let the bugs overrun them if the odds were immeasurable, but the Terrans, would fight to the last man, and then come back if they didn't win. It was a trait rare in the galaxy. Their sense of species was that to match the original queens who had fought for control of Klendathu millennia ago, beating back those which would soon return.
The queen quickly changed thoughts quickly; she did not know who the enemy was, only that they would return one day. She had to quickly prepare her forces, and the only thing that stood in her way was the Terrans. They would fall before her. In their victory over her mother they had grown over confident in themselves, arrogant, delusional. They were on the verge of self collapse. The time was right for her to make her move. She would destroy them then take care of the Tophetti; they were of little consequence to her. Both would fall before her.
TOPHET
T'Phai sat alone outside the main hall of the Tophetti Council. The twin suns were high in the sky and their light and heat invigorated T'Phai. He was aging and he knew it. He felt it in his bones and in his joints. Everything was beginning to fall apart inside of him. He had suffered considerably after the war, many doctors talked of giving him a mind wipe and having him start over, but the presence of his kids and some quick action by several of his friends kept him from being pushed into a psych treatment.
Jonnie himself had done all he could to keep T'Phai from being destroyed inside. He fought for two months while T'Phai was kept in a hospital on Tophet under constant surveillance. The loss of his wife and the destruction and death he'd witnessed had pushed him to the brink. The case was common in many troopers, but only a few had been lucky enough to get out with their minds still intact, and even fewer from suicide. T'Phai had spent months trying to rebuild himself, but little was working, he kept slipping into depression.
But then Francis Brutto had shown up on Tophet as a SICON ambassador to discuss conditions for a long term alliance with them. He'd spent a few days ignoring T'Phai and taking care of other business. He'd visited T'Phai's children and Clan hall to speak with the elders of his clan. At the time T'Phai had no idea what was going on. But then, the wake up call came in a fashion T'Phai had never expected.
He'd been asleep in his room in the hospital when the door was thrown open. Brutto sped in on his hover chair and tipped T'Phai's cot over. T'Phai spent a moment trying to gather himself then the shouting began.
"What is this?" Brutto yelled hitting T'Phai with a long pole. "Get your skinny butt up on the bounce. Trooper, this is not acceptable."
T'Phai had jumped up and was at full attention instinctively. He looked down at Brutto who only stared back at him. His eyes were cold and empty, his face a hard glare that broke into T'Phai's very soul. He began to break when he felt a sharp crack across his leg.
"What was that private? Did I give you permission to cry? No I did not! So you will stand at full attention and will not move until I give the order. Am I clear?" Brutto had moved closer and stared up at T'Phai who was just staring straight in front of him. He hadn't said a word. "Am I clear private?" There was another crack across his leg with the pole and he began to break again but stopped quickly before a third hit came.
"That's better." Brutto said with a light smile. "Now private, tell me what is the matter." Brutto's voice calmed slightly and T'Phai had begun to relax when he felt another crack on the leg. "Did I say stand down?"
T'Phai had thought for a second then looked down at Brutto. "It is my fault."
Another swing came and connected, this time across T'Phai's arm. "I didn't ask for a sob story soldier, I asked 'what's wrong with you'! Now what is wrong with you?"
"I cannot bear to hear them anymore in my head!" T'Phai yelled back. Brutto back off a few feet and T'Phai sat his cot back up. He sat down on it and looked at Brutto. If Tophetti could cry the way the human's did, T'Phai's face would have been running with tears.
"I know." Brutto said sympathetically. "I know how you feel."
"How can you possibly know?" T'Phai had spat back in anger; too quickly he realized his err. Brutto looked and glared through T'Phai.
"'How can I possibly know?' I spent months in recuperation trying to rebuild myself. I had to sit back while every day my friends fought for their lives without me there to watch their backs! I had to face the truth that I would never walk again, that my wife would not be coming back to me, and that my only son had to fight against the enemy I should have protected him from! How dare you tell me that I don't know! At least you can walk!" Brutto took a breath and let his words hang in the air. He had seen that they had an effect on T'Phai. He had watched T'Phai take in the words and begin on the long road to his recovery.
"You are my best friend T'Phai, and now I am watching the man that helped me overcome my own personal doubts, crumble into nothing. I know exactly how it is to feel dejected how to feel rejected. I know that you are trying to come to terms with what has happened. But this is not the way to do it. You're kids need you T'Phai. They've already lost their mother, and because you want to be a coward and hide, they're running the risk of losing their father. Is that what you want?"
T'Phai looked up at the sky. He was back in front of the council building. The past was where it was meant to be and he had learned from it. As it was now, T'Phai was back to one hundred percent, maybe a little less. He was the man he once was, proud, strong, a leader, and a loving father. M'Rett was in courtship with a male from another clan. He was strong, brave, but stupid. And T'Phal was busy with the Tophetti Defense Force. He was a Lieutenant now in their military and commanded a wing of Tophetti fighters. He was proud of his children and their lives. Anytime he thought of them, he could feel his insides swelling up with joy and pride.
T'Phai could hear the council members screaming inside the building. It had only been a day since they'd received word from SICON about the bug activity and the council was not happy. Things had been going well for Tophet over the past five years. Their four cruisers were fully operational with more on the way. T'Phai was lucky enough to have command of one, and since it had been in dry dock for the past two weeks. He was ready to get back to it.
The political climate on Tophet had far surpassed T'Phai's personal wishes. Fighting amongst council members raged in ever session, whether it be how to best allocate water resources, or whether it was how to supply disabled veterans. One topic that was taking receiving a lot of flak was the issue on SICON relations. While economic and diplomatic ties had been good since the end of the war, council greed and SICON's squandering of itself has led many to believe SICON a waste of time. Now that Tophet had her own ships (few as they were) some even questioned whether or not SICON was ripe for the picking.
Being who he was, T'Phai had the control over the delegates to shoot down such preposterous ideas. It wasn't actual power that he had, but since he is T'Phai, he had certain sway and pull in the council. Twice before they had tried to have him elected as Viceroy of the planet, and twice he'd refused. He didn't want the responsibility of the entire planet on his shoulders. The weight was unbearable he could imagine. He knew what it felt like to have the weight of a squad or platoon under him, and that could become quite unsettling. But an entire planet was beyond him. He felt that maybe Tophet was better off ruling itself, but the shouting and screaming inside left him wondering otherwise very often.
The curses and shouts left T'Phai wishing to back in space, on his ship. His new rank of commodore left him feeling empty without his ship, the M'Tre, named after one of the greatest Tophetti war hero's in their history. M'Tre was a general who led the Tophetti forces against the first invasion of the bugs fifteen years earlier. He had led an army of two hundred thousand warriors against the bugs and forced them to retreat back into space. Unfortunately the battle cost the general his life and over half of his army, leading way for the bugs to return with a larger, stronger force.
The past was never to be lived again, and he knew that. But he kept his mind open to what it meant, and what it taught. The loss of M'Tre and his army cost Tophet many of its sons and daughters, and from that, they were determined to never let the bugs enslave them again.
T'Phai waited anxiously now for Jonnie. He should arrive soon. The thought of seeing his old friend filled his heart with happiness, but he wished that it could be under better circumstances. He'd received the message from Carl late into the night and was surprised to find it address to Jonnie. T'Phai did not know why Carl had sent it to him, or why he'd locked it, leaving T'Phai unable to forward it to Jonnie. Whatever Carl was planning, T'Phai knew that he was doing it for the best.
TOPHET ORBIT
Jonnie looked out the forward viewing lounge of the Threshold down at Tophet. He could see the Tophetti dry dock and the ship it contained. He was amazed at the speed at which the Tophetti were beginning to stretch their legs into space travel, especially with the help of SICON.
The Threshold had been delayed three days due to various problems. Hull breaches and damaged relays caused the ship to begin to burn. Her engines were came close to exploding from the stresses created by continues speed. Four people were killed and seventeen injured by a ruptured plasma relay and the fire it caused. Four hours of fire fighting couldn't put it out and the crew was forced to decompress four decks, causing the loss of one, an Ensign Kylene Mathews, someone's daughter, sister, or even more. An explosion in the engine room caused a forty foot hole to be opened in the side of the ship, which in turn cause them a day to just patch it up and get back under way. From what he understood, the Threshold would be allowed into one the Tophetti docks and repairs would be carried out. It seems someone on the planet has the kind of pull to allow something like that to be taken care of immediately.
Jonnie walked to the main hanger in silence. He ignored the salutes and greetings he received on the way. He was already in full power suit and ready to land on the planet. He'd decided he'd be going alone to meet with T'Phai. He reached the launch bay quickly and boarded the transport. It was nothing more than a retrieval ship that was going to be landing him, a common practice. After seating himself in the back with a small data pad, the pilot boarded and moved to the cockpit after noticing Rico's disposition in the hangar.
TOPHET
{T'Phai!} The voice screamed from inside the office. T'Phai had been walking quietly back to the rotunda to speak with the chairman about Rico's impending arrival. The loud yelp had startled T'Phai away from his train of thought and he was forced to turn after remembering where the voice had come from. He stared into the office of Representative B'Ref of the J'owl clan. His eyes stared hard from their aging black pits. He was well over one hundred, but he still tried to act like a younger Tophetti. T'Phai entered his office with annoyance and discontent; he did not like the elder.
{Yes?} He bit. He wanted to leave B'Ref's presence as quickly as possible.
{Who gave you authority to allow the Threshold to dock?} He asked returning T'Phai's attitude.
{No one 'gave me the authority'; I simply asked the yard commander if he could spare a day to allow the ship time to repair. As you know, I have asked Major Rico here as a guest. There are several matters he and I need to address in person.} T'Phai said barely keeping his anger in check.
{Next time you need to clear it with the council!} B'Ref yelled.
{I most certainly do not!} T'Phai quickly countered; he could no longer contain his anger. {You are of little importance. I delivered my report to the council this morning, you know what we face. If I find the need to speak with a SICON official, that is my prerogative, not yours.}
{You are not a member of this council T'Phai; you have no real power, only the sympathy of a few!} B'Ref concluded. T'Phai let out a low growl but decided to leave it at that and left the office. He and B'Ref had been rivals since before the Bugs had enslaved their people. B'Ref was a very head strong individual who cared for little more than personal gain.
The main rotunda was a large expansive room with chairs arranged in a circle around the middle podium where anyone who wished to speak could, for five minutes. Several council members were still in their seats, discussing matters amongst themselves. He didn't have to wonder what it was they were talking about because he already knew. Everyone wanted to know what they could do in the two week timeframe that the SICON psychics were giving, and if they couldn't what were their options then?
Of course the Tophetti would stand next to their human friends, and the Humans would do the same. But the timing of impending attack could not be worse. Both governments' military's were in a state of perpetual limbo. Neither was either of their Navy's, especially the Tophetti. They had five ships already completed and in service, with another five due through out the coming year. Their infantry strength was less than SICON's, no body wanted to fight anymore, and T'Phai couldn't blame them, he didn't want to fight anymore.
He sat down in one of the chairs facing the main entrance and waited. He was waiting for Rico to land; the two had much to discuss. The data pad which T'Phai had downloaded Carl's message to was sitting in his right pocket. Why he'd sent it to Tophet had stumped T'Phai. Carl had to have known that Jonnie was no where near the planet and that the journey would take him days if not weeks. He sure hoped that Carl had some method to his reasoning.
The chairman walked in from his office on the right side of the rotunda. N'Til was startled to see T'Phai, and even more surprised that T'Phai did not seem to notice him. N'Til stepped slowly as to not try and startle T'Phai.
{It is okay N'Til,} T'Phai said at length. {I know you're here.}
{You seem, detached my friend.} N'Til said sitting next to T'Phai.
{I have much on my mind.}
{I have noticed that. Is it about your Terran friend?} N'Til asked remembering T'Phai's report that morning.
{That is one of them, yes.} T'Phai finally looked at N'Til. {I am frightened. Frightened as to what the message may say, frightened as to what is going to happen in the coming weeks. We are not prepared for any sort of war.}
{This is true,} N'Til said after going over the problems in his head. He was a general in his younger years, T'Phai's superior. He had been one of the lucky few to escape the control bug's during the war and lead an effective, if yet somewhat minimal resistance to the bugs prior to the human's arrival. {But we were not ready before either. And we were able to survive.}
{Perhaps. But I think this time, we will be facing something slightly different.} T'Phai let his words linger in the hair. N'Til simply nodded and left T'Phai to his own in the rotunda.
Jonnie stepped off of the transport and onto the tarmac of the landing field. It was little more than four pads and a single building for registration. The twin suns were beating down hard, and even though the suit had its own temperature levels, he was still feeling kind of warm.
The trip down had been rather bumpy. The transport almost felt like it was having to maneuver through bug plasma for a while. After the ride smoothed out, Jonnie saw the new Tophet landscape. Since the end of the war, with SICON help, Tophet had grown into a major industrial planet. He could see smoke stacks rising into the air, billowing a white steam. Major highways were being built stretching across the entire planet. Things were beginning to look up for Tophet.
Jonnie made his way across the field to the check in station. He saw a small hover car sitting outside and the Tophetti in it eyed him for a moment. Rico figured it was for him but would wait until he was approached to question it, he'd just as soon walk.
The Tophetti walked up to him. "You are Major Rico. Correct?"
"Yes, I am." Jonnie replied. He'd noticed this Tophetti's voice was more guttural, deeper and more accented that T'Phai's.
"My name is K'Ntak, I am an aide to Representative T'Phai, he asked me to bring you to him at the capital."
"Thank you." Jonnie said following K'Ntak to the car.
"I must say, I am deeply honored to be meeting you Major. It is not everyday that one gets to meet a living legend." K'Ntak said opening the passenger door for Jonnie.
"I'm no legend." Jonnie sat and the door was shut. K'Ntak hurried around the car and got in.
"But you are Major, on Tophet; all know the history of the Roughnecks. You are placed among P'Ton, J'Kok'n, M'Tre, and T'Phai. We see you as a hero of our free peoples." K'Ntak said flooring the accelerator and sending the car into the air.
"I am gracious." Jonnie forced a smile. If only the young one knew how prejudice he'd been, maybe he'd be viewed differently. He sat back and listened to K'Ntak go on about his childhood and his hopes and dreams. Jonnie just wait intently, wishing for times of simplicity.
"The political, economical, and sociological climates on our two worlds have drastically caught us in a state of unpreparedness my friend." T'Phai said as he set a small box on the table Rico sat at. They were in a small conference room. The normal orange and brown was all over the place, the colors of the Tophetti Federation. "As we speak, my people are still trying to catch up to the Terrans, and your people are in a state of perpetual limbo. Everything is at a critical point in our histories. We have defeated our enemies, only to face the prospect of something worse."
Jonnie looked up at him. "What do you mean?"
"I do not know what information is in the box. It was sent to me, with instructions to download it into a mobile holocube. I did so, and have not yet been able to access it. It requires you, some code I believe. Carl's voice said only you would know the answer."
"We may not want to know."
"I have thought of that." T'Phai sat down. "As we speak my friend, in the main rotunda, my people fight amongst themselves. Our clans were once united, in war, by blood, and now, we fight for the greed of those in power."
"Yeah, I know how that works. On Earth, everybody is too concerned with trying to stay away from anything dangerous. Our colonies are filled with cowards who think they know everything, and SICON has forgotten who it was. A few do still remember, but for the most part, it's gone soft." Jonnie said shifting his weight in the uncomfortable chair.
"I have noticed that." T'Phai tapped the center of the box. The top flipped up and a small lens popped out followed by a small speaker. The image that appeared was that of the Tophetti insignia; an orange oval with the eighteen clans symbols in the center, around one that symbolized a unified Tophet. A small light in the upper right corner began to blink then it was replaced by Carl's face.
"This is as far I have gotten" T'Phai said sitting back.
Rico straightened out as Carl's voice sounded. "Jonnie, when did we go to Colorado for spring break, the one that made us sick beyond anything?"
Rico laughed. He remembered the event well. After getting back, the two had puked for three hours because of the change in water, 2075. And no one knew it. He relayed it to the box and the image wavered. Carl started speaking, revealing what he had discovered about the bugs.
"Jonnie, two months ago, I awoke from a nightmare. At least, that's what I had thought it was. Over the next three nights, it was the same thing, and then I realized what it was. It was communications. I was hearing what the remnants of the bug hordes were doing. At first, it didn't affect me, then I realized, there was voice there, similar to on I had heard long ago and hoped I'd never hear again.
"The queen is back Jonnie, a new one. This one is producing bugs at a rate that her mother would have envied. She's readying herself for an invasion, and soon. The transports are all over the place, knowing where and how to evade SICON listening posts. Jonnie, they're coming. And soon. SICON is not in the state in needs to be in to counter any kind of large scale bug attack. I would have sent a message earlier, but I just recently got signal to do so and I didn't want to risk revealing my position to the Queen, though she knows I'm coming. But I had to risk it now, we're out of time. I couldn't risk this going to SICON directly, to many channels to break through, to many questions. This went to T'Phai because he'd be able to pull you in above anyone else. You're a ghost now." Carl looked uneasy for a moment. "I'm going to try and beat her myself, one on one. I hope I see you again Jonnie. Goodbye." The screen went blank and was replaced after a moment with the Tophetti Symbol.
SICON knew some of this, but as Carl was telling it, SICON had days, not weeks. Rico sat for a moment after the message ended. The box folded itself up, a closure to the news.
"This cannot be happening." T'Phai broke. He stood and exited. Rico followed him and the two entered the main rotunda of the Tophetti capital. The representatives broke from their debate and stared at the two. Quickly T'Phai began speaking and silenced several who tried to stop him and enter their own opinion. After a few moments, everything was silent. The chairman spoke calmly and everybody got up and left. T'Phai turned as the chairman entered his office.
"Things have been set in motion. Our people will be mobilized."
"Good. That solves one of the things I had to do without me even having to lift a finger." Jonnie told T'Phai about his conversation with Zim.
"Things will be ready my friend, perhaps now you would like some rest?"
"No, I need to contact SICON, relay the message to them." Jonnie said going back into the small room. He grabbed the small box and spun to see T'Phai in his face. "I need to get this to them. It's been unlocked, so they can see it."
"Follow me." T'Phai said. He led Jonnie into a side office where communications equipment was stacked to the ceiling. T'Phai sat at the console and began to go through the coordinates and readies the station for Jonnie. "It is yours. All you have to do is specify the exact location on Earth."
Jonnie thought for a moment about where would be the best place to locate Zim. Then he figured probably at home since he hated to be at the HQ. Always had. The coordinates for his home and within seconds, his friend's face was filling the screen.
"Jonnie!" Zim looked tired, rough. Jonnie had forgotten the time differences, but he knew his friend wouldn't care.
"Charlie, I'm sending you something, you need to see this." Jonnie let T'Phai hook the box into the system. "It's my message from Carl." The information was sent and soon Jonnie heard Carl's voice on the other side and Zim's face went pale.
"Oh my God." He looked back up at Jonnie. "Orders were sent out today; all personnel are reporting tomorrow and shipping out. The Jean Razak will be making its way for Tophet to rendezvous with you and plan the next move."
Jonnie bit his lip. He wanted to know if Dizzy had had orders issued too, but he knew it wasn't any of his business. "Is it my squad?"
Zim smiled. "Of course, and I'll be coming along. You need someone to keep them safe from you."
Jonnie returned the smile. "I'll see you soon my friend." The screen went black. He swiveled around to T'Phai. "What about you?"
"I have responsibilities here." He said low. "Several clan heads believe it to be nothing more than over active presumption. They don not see any threat. Now we must ready what troops we have to move out, without their support. I unfortunately, am left in the position of organizing much of this; they will need my help to coordinate everything.
"But you are welcomed on Tophet, and asked to stay as long as you would like." T'Phai said as an afterthought almost. Jonnie could see the stress building up in him.
"Thank you, but no." He stood and put his hand on his friend's shoulder. "There's a lot of work to be done on the Threshold, so I have to get back to it and see what I can do to help."
"Of course." T'Phai said standing. "Tophet resources are at your disposal."
Jonnie thanked T'Phai and left. The trip back to the port was quiet and the flight to the Threshold even more so. The entire time, the only thing on his mind was the love of his life: Dizzy.
EARTH
Gossard landed with a thud on the hard wood of the dock. The sun was shining at the horizon and the gulls called out in the air. He caught Jessie as she jumped. They smiled, embraced and kissed. There was a slight cough from the top of the deck.
"A-hem." Gossard turned to see a man in full SICON uniform waiting with a folder in his hands.
"Can I help you?" He asked. Putting Jessie down softly.
"Lieutenant Jeffery Gossard, I am here to issue you your reactivation orders." The man walked down the plank and handed Jeff the papers. He saluted and did an immediate about face. He looked over the orders and crumpled the paper in his hands and threw them in the lake. He turned around to Jessie.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I'll be back soon, I promise." He said and climbed the rope back up to the boat. He packed his things and left an hour later for war.
Doc Lacroix was shaken from sleep around twelve AM in his office by a knocking on the door. A thin manila folder slid under it and he heard footsteps steadily receding. Groggily he turned on his light and walked over to the folder. The SICON insignia was not a good sign to him. He picked it up and opened the folder. The single piece of paper shot chills down his spine.
He'd heard the rumors from the inside. Higgins and the Serge had informed him a little on what had been going on. He had hoped to God that it was just rumors. He put the folder down on his desk and left it at that. He left shortly there after on an extended leave of absence.
Robert Higgins was sitting alone in the main broadcast station for FEDNET when a secretary tapped him on the shoulder.
"Excuse me sir, there's a SICON officer here to see you." Robert turned around and saw an Officer speaking with his boss. Robert got up and went out to the two. Within ten minutes, he was heading home to pack his things and catch a transport for Geneva.
"Sergeant Brutto, do you copy?" Max heard in his headset. The rain pounded down on his helmet and he could see the three dozen soldiers moving through the trenches. Tracer firer arched across the mud and sand as several warrior bugs moved towards them. An explosion ripped one into pieces and sent it flying all over the place.
"Sergeant Brutto!" The voice repeated.
His boys didn't see the warrior coming up over the hill to their right. He jumped down into the trench and took it out with one shot. He grabbed the ape closest to him and threw him into the mud. He held his face in it for a moment then let him up.
"You are dead soldier! And two of your buddies!" He said walking over him and throwing two more down. "You three are dead. You bought the farm!"
"Sir, next time—" One began.
"There is no next time soldier!" He spat. "You stay where you are!" He walked over them.
"Sergeant Brutto!" The voice came again.
"What base!" he shouted turning around and taking out a warrior. "I'm a little busy."
"You are ordered to break engagement immediately and return to base for reassignment." The voice said. Max froze.
"You have got to be kidding me!" He yelled.
"No sergeant. A squad is on its way to contain the warriors for later use. You are ordered to pull your men out and return to base." The line went dead.
Max got his three soldiers up. "It happens, next time, you'll know." He said. "All forces: retreat!"
The men scrambled out of the trenches and began to move back. Soon, a skimmer shot over head and landed with a half dozen MI. Max couldn't see what happened to the warriors, but the weapons fire died down after a moment as the troops slowed to a march.
They moved out of the mountains and soon were only a mile away when another skimmer flew over then landed in front of them. The man who stepped out only filled Max with dread and disgust, and yet, also joy at seeing an old friend.
"Zim!" He yelled. "This is because of you, what were you thinking-" Max was cutoff by a stiff jab to the mouth.
"You have been reassigned to me Sergeant for the time being!" Zim said as Max recoiled. "Sergeant Mason will be returning your men to the base. Get on board the skimmer."
The recruits all watched in a mystified horror at how their DI had just been told to shut up in so many words. The DI's were supposed to be untouchable, and now, theirs had been reduced to just another grunt.
"Not until I know what's going on." Max said standing his ground.
Zim scowled at Max and was mere inches from his face when he said: "You will get on that skimmer immediately or I will have you for my self." Zim showed the bars on his shoulder and stared down hard. "That information is classified; you will be briefed on our way to Geneva. Do you get me?"
"Yes, sir." Max reluctantly said. He got on the skimmer, soon followed by Zim who had been barking out a few orders and threats. He walked up the ramp which retracted quickly and had the doors slide shut. He looked down at Max and smiled.
"It's good to see you son." He said. "I'm glad to know you've been taking care of yourself and following in the good work."
Max grumbled slightly and then let his anger pass and looked up at Zim. "It's been a long time Lieutenant. Now can you tell me what's going on? I've heard the rumors and the base has been going crazy, what is happening out there?"
Zim sat down next to Max and let out a sigh. "The rumors are true, the fleets being mobilized; all able veterans are being recalled. The Roughnecks are shipping out tomorrow for Tophet." He took a breath and looked at Max. "Just like old times."
The skimmer set down at the base and Max quickly recovered a few personal items then set out with Zim on a transport for Europe to set out for Tophet. The war was now on the horizon.
"Master Sun Said...
Of old,
The Art of War: Chapter 4:1; Sunzi