Cleaning such a city would take many years and a titanium fist. If they didn’t give Connor a whole planet at first, he’d gladly accept the challenge of a mess like Barca.
“Speaking of,” Connor said, “the after-reports from Barca are promising. Let’s hope our special guest can shed more light.”
Special guest.
That’s how Capt. Felt described their next visitor when he announced an upcoming “inspection.” Every ship of the fleet received spot inspections from the Admiralty or its representatives, but this was the first time Felt required the crew to attend a ceremony in dress blues.
Everyone speculated what it meant. Was it the final act of Requiem’s shadow war? The first formal recognition of the work these hundred and twenty soldiers had done to light the flame of interstellar conflict? Or, as Connor believed, was it the news they long hoped for?
Four months ago, after escaping Kartuffe on Nexus’s transport, Red Team returned to the Wave only to hear about MR-44’s failure. Felt and XO Cessa Tyloe did their damndest to spin it into a positive. They said war was inevitable, but popular sentiment fell just short. With a little more time, Requiem would intensify the chaos to nudge member worlds toward a point of no return.
“Attention, crew. This is your Captain,” Felt announced. “Report to the deck. Assume formation.”
Connor felt sweaty palms; or perhaps it was the white gloves. He never understood their purpose.
“That’s us,” he told his bunkmates. “Time to meet our guest.”
The crew stood at ease on the hangar deck while Felt and Tyloe greeted the visitor, who stepped off a small private shuttle. It barely met minimum size requirements for worm drive capability.
Connor, from his position in the second row, examined the tall, sturdy officer with a chest thick in stars and bars. He wore an Admiral’s sash. Though Connor often struggled to distinguish the races of the Perseus Cluster, he believed this man looked like a G’hladian. A descendant of pre-history Earth’s Japanese diaspora.
He approached the crew flanked by Felt and Tyloe.
“Attention,” Felt said. “Admiral on deck.”
The crew stood in salute.
“Today, we welcome Adm. Sike Nagano, Project Requiem’s most important ally in the chain of command. He brings news and a message. Admiral, if you please.”
Nagano stepped forward.
“At ease!” The Admiral cast a long, hard look at everyone before he began. “I cannot express the depth of my pride at this moment. What you men and women have done to set the future on its proper course cannot be understated. You volunteered first to reshape yourselves and then to reshape the Collectorate.
“You have performed with a cunning, stealth, and professionalism that restores my faith in a navy I served my entire adult life. Some of your comrades gave their lives. The loss will never be forgotten.
“More than two years ago, I was among the first officers to submit to a Dyson Shell. I joined with the visionaries who created Requiem because I believed we lost our way. As a fighting force and as a civilization. Everything we gained when the People’s Collectorate rose from the ashes of the Chancellory’s rule, and the unity we embraced after defeating the Swarm, now feels like a mirage.”
Connor’s heart beat faster with every word. Just knowing, for the first time, that they had a representative deep in Central Command, meant everything. Felt and Tyloe never said how high up Requiem’s support went.
“My home world, G’hladi, is ravaged by sub-human filth,” Nagano continued. “I am among the minority of my people who cry for a change. Who beg the UNF to destroy Black Star at any cost. And who is willing to sacrifice millions to restore peace and reason to billions.
“For that is the burden we share. Everyone here understands: Humanity must be shown a better way. To do this, we must eradicate the diseases that plague our worlds. Eradication requires death on a toll never seen before. Your actions prove you embrace this concept.
“To that end, I am excited to announce your recent operations on Catalan and Kyriokos have ensured a solid timetable for executing Code Exodus. The groups in play will make their move in a window between the next four to six standard days. With the help of officers loyal to Requiem, the UNF will be moving certain parties into place in advance. Some of you will help execute these maneuvers. In addition, we will activate civilians and loyal SI field operatives to the matter. They will act on a moment’s notice.”
Finally. It’s happening. It’s really happening.
Connor had so many questions, but he knew the answers would come when his superiors deemed appropriate.
“Lastly,” Nagano said, “If Code Exodus triggers events according to our timetable, you will soon emerge from the night. Your roles will change. You will lead the way as we eradicate the disease.”
Yes, Connor thought. Just as I predicted. The truest believers will stand at the front. No mercy for our enemies.
“Thank you, Admiral,” Felt said. “At this time, I ask the following officers to step forward. Gutenhaus, Minshou, Velky, Stallion, Oda, and Hinton.”
Connor and the others complied. Was he about to meet an Admiral face-to-face for the first time?
“All other crew is dismissed.”
Felt waited until the hangar was clear before he resumed.
“The Admiral said several members of the crew will take part in maneuvers in advance of Code Exodus. You six will be first. XO?”
Tyloe said, “Gutenhaus, Minshou. Follow me.”
Felt nodded. “Velky, Hinton. You’re with me.”
Connor didn’t know what to make of that one. He and Kaz had been partners on every mission for months. They developed a chemistry. Their superiors recognized it.
That left Connor and Mid-Star Lt. Hoshi Oda alone with Nagano. The Admiral surveyed them with what Connor hoped was admiration but felt like suspicion.
“You’re a providential pair,” Nagano said with a wry grin. “But for a stroke of incredible good fortune, Lt. Stallion, you should have died on Earth when you were five.”
The Admiral must have noticed Connor’s eyes bulge. Connor never told that story to anyone in the UNF.
Nagano clasped hands behind his back.
“You’re wondering how I know, Lieutenant. Blame your brother.”
