Meeting in Kamabharata
The meeting had been arranged for by one of the captains in the Autonomous Fleet, who still maintained links with his friends in the Federation. We were to meet at a specific bar in Kamabharata. The choice was a good one; even back in the earliest days of space colonization Kamabharata had developed a reputation for being a place where everyone could find what they need. What they need usually turned out to be sex.
As one of the older colonies, the infrastructure of Kamabharata was starting to show its age. Here and there I could see hastily applied fixes to the colony wall where the walls had begun to come apart at the seams. Skirting around a slow-moving family of wide-eyed boys staring – and drooling – at the decadence around them, I stride quickly down the narrow streets. A few pimps try to attract my attention but I wave them away with brief apologies. For them, it seems that business has never been better. I suppose people do get more horny when tensions are running high. A few classier buildings were even advertising an “End of the World promotion, get your appendage of choice gobbled before the Emperor gobbles you!”. I file that sentence away for possible tactical use in the future.
If I had to use one word to describe the bar that was to be our rendezvous point, seedy would be it. That makes a certain amount of sense if you don’t think about it too deeply, in a place where everyone looks suspicious, one more suspicious person in the mix would not stand out much. I sweep my eyes across the place. There’s a fire exit at the back – or at least the dirty, unlit sign says so. Given the disregard for building safety code I’ve observed so far, I would put good chances on it being obstructed. The open area has ten long tables set after Skanish fashion. The atmosphere is noisy; everyone is talking about the imminent arrival of the Empire. There is a private room near the back of the hall, reserved for regulars with the money to spare. I head towards that. There is a woman leaning against the wall, sharpening her dagger. She peers at me, and then flashes a crooked grin and waves me in.
As I enter the room, its inhabitants turn to look at me as one. None of them are in uniform, but had any of them been I would have turned and walked out immediately.
“You are right on time, and you came alone, as promised. Thank you for trusting us.” says the man closest to me. Tall, middle-aged, with streaks of grey lining his auburn hair: “No, thank you for being willing to meet with me, Major Miller,” I nod respectfully. Coming alone was slightly risky, but nothing I couldn't handle. I turn to look at each of the men and women seated around the table, returning their salutes as they introduce themselves. Colonel Kowaki. Captain Laresse. Lieutenant Colonel Torwick. Colonel Camna. Major Rothsen. Captain Antiokyes. Those present came from a smattering of ranks, high and low. We spend a few minutes engaging in polite banter.
“Now, let’s get down to business,” says Colonel Kowaki, taking charge of the meeting. She peers at me with a serious look in her eyes. “I will be straight here. What do you want to accomplish by fighting the Federation?” I think for a while, and choose my words carefully. “I am not fighting the Federation. I am fighting its leaders.”
“It’s the same thing,” says Captain Antiokyes. Lieutenant Colonel Torwick sighs. “Captain, I do not want to have to give you another civics lecture.” Antiokyes clams up with a frown, scratching his arm.
“Clearly there is a lot of bullshit going on upstairs,” says Major Rothsen, scratching his beard. “I mean, we’re still not being deployed while the civilians try to sort out who should be in command and where.”
“It’s a right mess.” agrees Laresse with a sigh. “And here we are talking to the enemy.”
“Ah, but he doesn’t have to be the enemy,” says Miller. “This is why we are here.”
“We want to find out what you want for the future of Earth,” says Kowaki.
I look at the assembled officers and fold my hands together on the table. “I want to find out what the people of Earth want. Then, we shall see.”
Kowaki gives a slight nod. “A legitimate viewpoint. I do think the president has been acting too rashly. We should have conducted a referendum on how to deal with the Empire.”
“The sackings have gotten worse too. A lot of my acquaintances are out of their jobs and on the streets.She’s always been paranoid, but even more so lately. We can’t trust the Fed anymore.” grumbles Miller.
“Wait a minute here, how is he any more trustworthy than the Federation?” blurts out Antiokyes, unable to hold his tongue. “The both of them are just as bad as each other, I reckon. Don’t forget that this guy was behind the events of Ankida. Better the devil you know, I say.”
“Antiokyes raises a valid question,” says Torwick. “How do we know you can be trusted to uphold the interests of humanity any more than the Federation has?”
I wait until Yua gives me the confirmation.
“Well, the devil you know seems to be rather interested in your activities right now. Isn’t that right, Antiokyes?” I give him a practiced smile, one that tells him I know what you are up to. With the instincts of a cornered rat, he springs to his feet and bolts for the door. Before he can get there, however, two colonels and a major have already brought him down, sending him crashing to the dirty bar floor.
“What are you up to, Antiokyes?” asks Rothsen.
I speak up. “Left arm, right above the upper third of the ulna. You will observe a slight, tell-tale growth that indicates the presence of a micro-radio which can record and broadcast audio at a touch. The signal was just confirmed a second ago. Ladies and gentlemen, Federation forces could arrive here any moment now.” Of course, I could have stopped him before he began his broadcast, but where would the fun be in that?
“Antiokyes, you rat bastard!” Laresse kicks the captain in the side. She proceeds to draw her pistol, but Rothsen holds her back.
“How could I stand by and let the lot of you conspire to commit treason?” His grin is ugly and wide, as if he’s already won.
“You’re acting as if you have already won.” I say.
“Of course I have. Did you really think we would not pick up on a bunch of problematic officers taking a break at the same time? We have the colony surrounded. Surrender and the President will spare your life.”
“Just listen to you, Antiokyes,” I laugh. “You’re talking like a comic book villain already.”
“Say what you want,” he growls angrily, “there will be no escape.” I turn my attention away from him, inwardly thanking the Federation for this blessing. Torwick pulls out a blackjack from his pocket and bashes Antiokyes over the head with it, knocking him out. He catches my glance and shrugs. “Always wanted to do that, but just being annoying isn’t a good reason to assault your subordinate.”
“We will have to get the word out to the ships,” says Colonel Camna, the first time he’s spoken in front of me. He calls together the other officers and they go into a huddle, whispering so that Antiokyes’s bug would not pick up their conversation. After a few minutes, they separate. Miller comes up to me. “Well, it looks like our hand has been forced. We may have to fight our way out of here. Again, thanks for trusting us, son. Better get out of here quickly, they'll treat you worse if they catch you here.”
"I didn't expect the higher ups to be so far gone," grumbles Rothsen. "Goddamn generals playing politics."
“If you surrender they might still take you back,” I say.
Torwick shakes his head. “It’s too late. We have no other option now.”
“Well…” I begin thinking. “There is always another option.”
***
A. Turn this into an impromptu operation to lure me in for capture. Although they had not planned on it, when they were offered the meeting by my contact, they decided to covertly conduct a plot to meet and capture me, the elusive annoyance that has been plaguing the Federation. They did not report it because they were concerned I might have more moles and spies planted in the Federation, and doing so might tip me off and cause me to chicken out. As for Antiokyes, they did not know he would go over their heads in a greedy attempt to gain credit. This will help preserve their positions for a while, until we are ready to strike. I am ‘taken’ into their custody – I’m sure that the President won’t be able to resist meeting me to gloat…
B. Same as the above, but I somehow ‘elude’ their grasp. This makes their position weaker but I would much rather prefer to spend my time back at the base preparing for the war to come.
C. I help them to escape, though this way they will have no choice but to declare their defection immediately. I had not seen any warships or troop transports when I arrived; the garrison of the Kamabharata numbers at a hundred and fifty, so this will be the extent of the forces I am facing. There could be a couple of CFs in the mix, and a dozen armoured vehicles. I should be able to handle this easily, although it will attract more attention to myself in the future.
(But seriously, NEVER!)
