Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) (33 page)

There were also rows of body bags, human and rogan alike. The last two hours had been a grizzly time collecting the bodies. Some were reluctant to do this but most felt it a duty and service to their fallen comrades. They could not account for all the losses but they had found most of them.

It was a very moving ceremony in the open area outside what was left of the Mintoslum facility. There were raw nerves, raw energy and raw emotions but there were also heartfelt reflections. Sorrow was worn openly and there were many red eyes.

Felis said a few words and thanked everyone for their sacrifice. He deliberately kept it short and handed over to Dave to deliver the eulogy. As he finished Felis felt a craw in his throat. He knew he would be attending other ceremonies for the huge losses suffered by his own forces. 

Ivan had offered to do the eulogy but Dave had declined his offer. Dave stood not far from where he had been when they formed up for their withdrawal. In his mind’s eye he could see Ginty coming through the doorway barking instructions to her marines. In that moment he discarded what he was going to originally say to the gathering.

“It’s fitting that we hold this ceremony here” said Dave in a big voice. “Many of you passed through this location yesterday when we withdrew from this facility.” He pointed to where the doorway had been. “Just over there you exited and formed up here. I saw Lieutenant Ginty Morales come through that doorway. She and her 1
^st
Platoon had borne the brunt of the initial enemy assaults. She had rallied her troops to stand firm and despite the horrendous losses inflicted, she came through that doorway determined to carry out her mission.”

“She was and still is the embodiment of the spirit which makes our small force so effective. Her drive and resilience under extreme pressure was not the only example on display in this battle – far from it. There is no shortage of heroes here. You were called to stand and you were not found wanting. Of that I am very proud. I so wish that we did not have to pay such a high price for our victory. It saddens me no end.”

At this point Dave had to swallow hard and then take a deep breath lest he give way to the tears that threatened to overflow. “Yes, it’s a sad business” he managed to continue “and one that alas is not over just yet. We have destroyed the so called Confederacy. Its irksome leader Sallusam sits now in a Republican jail. He will be held to account, not only for the atrocities he has committed here but also for Polaris. Don’t worry he will get his just deserts.”

“But the Imperialists are still fighting on and so must we till we defeat them too. They will be defeated. It will take time and further sacrifice. We must maintain our resolve. If we do that we will prevail and then we can go home.”

Dave handed over to Jim whose expression was one of appreciation for what Dave had just said. Jim had been struggling himself but now felt a small measure of relief from the load that he was emotionally carrying. He called the honour guard to attention and gave the order for the firing of the salute.

A few minutes later they were boarding the warthogs that would take them back up to their spaceships. Dave had accepted Felis’s offer to bury the bodies in a specially marked cemetery at this location. But as his shuttle took off Dave felt like a part of him was being left behind.

Chapter 20. Resolute over Checklin 2300, 22 September

“What?” asked Dave as he struggled to turn on the light from his bed.

WO2 Chuck Meadows, his Master at Arms hailed “We have a problem Sir. One of the marines has been slashed down on D deck.”

“What do you mean slashed?”

“With a broken glass.”

“How bad?”

“Not good. The doctor says he’ll live but he’s sporting over twenty stitches. I have Trooper Garcia in custody.”

“Terrific” said a weary Dave. “Sounds like you’re on top of things chief.  Have a report ready for me in the morning.”

“Will do. Sorry for disturbing you Sir.”

“No, you did the right thing. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Dave hit the light and lay back down. ‘It never rains.’

Part 5
Replenishment

The battered and bashed, the injured and maimed

Seek time to heal and replenish again

A safe harbour, home base or refuge is sought

Lest the fabric of life be reduced to naught

Recharged, resupped, refitted for war

Then we can do our duty once more

Chapter 1. Resolute over Cheklin 0700, 23 September

Dave began his morning meditation still tired. The pain killers that Mary had given him for his injured foot had done the trick. Dave knew it wasn’t physical, but rather it was emotional stress that had made him so weary. He’d been here before after other battles, though none where he had lost so many people under his command.

In the darkness of his cabin he sat cross legged on his arsana, in chin mudra with his hands on his knees, palms down, thumbs and forefingers touching. He kept his back straight, closed his eyes and took in some deep breaths, exhaling long. He let his breathing return to its normal pace and began repeating his mantra silently to himself in time with his breath.

He offered up this mediation to his guru as he always did. But this time he also offered it up to those under his command both living and dead. ‘May they find peace’ he said silently. The mantra dropped away and his focus dropped down into the dark void. He felt supported by divine energy and lost awareness of his surroundings. He was neither asleep nor awake. It felt restful and serene.

He stayed in that state for over thirty minutes before an image appeared before his inner eye. It was of Ginty coming through the doorway of the Mintoslum facility. He was right there. He could see the intensity on her face as she barked her orders. But he could also see his own form urging her and her troops to hurry up. He saw a similar intensity and determination on his own face. He was the witness not the participant.

The image being witnessed fast forwarded to the moment when the truck convoy arrived to take them into Lewista. He saw himself there boarding the vehicle. But part of him called out “NO! Don’t do it! You’ve done enough.”

The image changed abruptly. This time he saw Ginty’s body lying on the ground at the Casement entrance and then the rows of body bags at yesterday’s ceremony. Tears began flowing down his cheeks. The emotion overwhelmed him and he rocked his head back and forward and then side to side in an unconscious effort to ease the pain.

He was back in the awakened state now. He grabbed a tissue to wipe his eyes. One was not enough. He became aware of the blue light on his communicator. He had been hoping to see a different blue light, the inner blue pearl. But he was grateful nonetheless. He knew that this was just part of the grieving process. He knew too that there was no real option other than to mount those trucks and head into Lewista. ‘Sallusam would have got away with it’ he reminded himself.

But then a wave of sorrow sent him reaching for another tissue.

Half an hour later after a brief workout in the gym he arrived in the mess for breakfast. He saw Meg Songa sitting at a table. Her expression was odd, he thought. One moment it looked pained and then annoyed and then confounded. He assumed she was still in an emotional state after having lost her ship and half her crew. Her survivors were now split amongst the Resolute and Tenacity. Even so there was still plenty of spare accommodation on both vessels.

As Dave poured the milk over his cereal he recalled the genuine grief on Jeb’s face yesterday when he realised the losses his marines had suffered. It had not been the way Jeb had envisioned the battle going nor his part in it, being largely at arm’s length. It had been a new experience for Jeb and one he found difficult. He had looked into Dave’s eyes after the ceremony at Neeblo with an expression that said ‘what now?’ Dave had responded with ‘we look after the survivors’ to whit Jeb just nodded.

It was with this in mind that Dave sat down at Meg’s table and said “How’s it going Meg?”

Meg was surprised to see her boss addressing her. “Oh” she managed but then went quiet. Half a minute passed before she added “just coming to grips with it all Sir.”

Dave nodded. “It’s never nice losing your ship” he said.

“I hardly had it two months…won’t look good on my record will it?”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. You lost it while prosecuting a valid order. I haven’t had an opportunity to review the report. You’ll have to do one up pretty quick by the way. Anyway unless there was some error of judgement on your part you should have nothing to fear from the court martial.”

“Court martial…right!”

“It’s automatic if you lose a ship.”

“Will I get another?”

“That will depend on a lot of things. I wouldn’t worry about that right now. Your main concern should be the welfare of your surviving crew.”

Those words struck Meg like she had been caught off guard. At any other time she would have responded with an ‘of course Sir’ but not for the first time of late they occasioned in her a moment of self-reflection that she rarely did. They shone a light into a dark corner and they revealed her selfishness in all its stark ugliness. She physically recoiled, jerking her head and shoulders back.

She looked into Dave’s eyes. They were scrutinising her. She was aware that he had just peeled away her armour. Previously this would have alarmed her but in this moment she actually welcomed it. She felt a wave of guilt come over her and this for the first time in her life she acknowledged as beneficial. ‘Yes I have been a selfish bastard’ she thought.

She then drew on one her great strengths, her determination. In that moment she determined to change. She also realised too that the reason for her change was important. Unlike earlier with Hec when she changed to accomplish a task this time she realised that she needed to change to make herself a better person.

She brought her head back to its normal upright position and said “of course Sir” only this time the words conveyed a level of sincerity not normally conveyed by the speaker.

Dave wasn’t exactly sure what had just happened but he knew something had within Meg. He hoped it was a good thing. If it had been Rihan, he would have probed to gain a better insight but with this relatively new subordinate he judged it best left for now.

But there was one matter he did want to raise with her. Yesterday Julian had asked for an officer to assist him. His work load had increased with the need to conclude the heads of agreement and now the prospect of negotiating for a technology exchange. He had specifically asked for Hec Shoebridge.

Dave had responded initially to Julian saying he doubted Hec would be interested in a political officer position but when he took the matter up with Hec, he was surprised when Hec agreed. Hec had muttered something about the need to contribute where he could but Dave knew there must be something else going on. He knew that here was not the best place to pursue this matter with Meg.

“There is another matter I need to talk to you about. Come and see me in my office in half an hour” directed Dave.

“Of course Sir.”

Chapter 2. Slidwon 0800, 23 September

Emilius Quazor was already dressed and seated at his dining table when Benchin advised him that Raitah had been murdered. Benchin had taken the precaution of stepping back from the table immediately after handing him the e-paper. It was as well, because in doing so he ensured he wasn’t in range of the plate which flew away from the table after Emilius had reacted in one of his rages. Benchin would be the first to admit that these were becoming all the more frequent of late.

“I want Sinceeta here within the hour” bellowed Emilius.

Benchin nodded without saying anything. He turned and headed back to his office from where he hailed Bergan Sinceeta, who had only been recently appointed Deputy Director of the FIA and who Benchin assumed would be getting another promotion forthwith. “Interesting times” mused Benchin.

Chapter 3. Cornucopia 0815, 23 September

Charles had his hand on Merry’s as they sipped their coffee. The plates with the remains of their breakfast lay on the table between them. “We dock tomorrow” said Charles.

“I know” said Merry. That event had loomed over her for a few days now. She was anxious about what would happen. She knew he loved her and she loved him but he had said nothing more on what his intentions were and she really needed to know. She was anxious because she didn’t know how to handle what needed to be said. She feared that if she cocked this up it would just end up another fling in transit. She wanted it to be more.

“I’ve worked out what needs to happen” he announced.

Merry looked up into his eyes, part eager, part trepidatious. “Yes” she said in a quiet voice.

“The first thing is we need to get married. Then I have to chase up someone, make them an offer they can’t refuse and then speak with mother. I think it will work just fine.”

Merry had her mouth open but no words were coming out. She was so pleased to hear that he wanted to marry her but she was shocked, no stunned by the way he had said things. She could see Charles waiting for her reaction. He looked like it was all routine. Something kicked in and her mind went up a gear. She let go of his hand. “Hold on a minute” she said. “Is that how you think you should propose to me, an agenda item to be ticked off the list?”

“Well no. I…didn’t mean it that way. You do want to get married, don’t you?”

She looked at him exasperated. “A proposal is supposed to be a big thing, a special thing. You are supposed to make a fuss about it. We’re supposed to remember it for the rest of our lives.”

Charles nodded. He leaned closer and took hold of her hand again. A smile came onto his face in anticipation of the line he was about to deliver. “Well I think we both won’t forget this.”