Carnifex. Part 62

"General Rogers," the President returned with a slight bow of his head. "I have a message for you, General."

"I am prepared to receive, sir."

From his desk the President lifted a piece of paper. From it he read: "By oppression's woes and pains, By our sons in servile chains, We shall drain our dearest veins."

The general nodded and answered, "I understand, sir. 'But they shall be free,' Mr. President."

"People! You heard the man. ICBMs, unmask. Submarines, up to launch depth. Project Themistocles, unmask and paint that alien alien fleet," Rogers snarled. fleet," Rogers snarled.

Then, finally, "And clear that courier s.h.i.+p out of our our s.p.a.ce." s.p.a.ce."

UEPF Spirit of Peace Where the uniformed woman under the Dragonbacks had seemed preternaturally calm and determined, the woman in uniform aboard the stars.h.i.+p went instantly white. Her voice was full of panic as she called out, "Admiral? High Admiral? We've got radar and lidar illuminating us from the surface...dozens...no hundreds hundreds of emitters. And-oh, s.h.i.+t-we've got a launch. It appears that the target is robot courier 117." of emitters. And-oh, s.h.i.+t-we've got a launch. It appears that the target is robot courier 117."

The High Admiral, Martin Robinson's predecessor, went as white as his crewwoman. "Red alert."

Almost immediately, red lights began flas.h.i.+ng not only aboard the flags.h.i.+p, but also aboard every other s.h.i.+p in the fleet. Klaxons added to the sense of panic. The United Earth Peace Fleet was never really intended to fight a war. None of its crews ever really thought a war that could directly affect them was even possible.

"Message from below, High Admiral," said the communications officer. "The chief of the FSC wants to talk to you."

"Put the barbarian on," the High Admiral snarled.

The President wasn't smiling when his image appeared on Spirit Spirit's bridges main viewscreen. His words were icy.

"We've had enough of you," he began, most undiplomatically. "For twenty-five years we have been working, in secret, and well. We are ready now. I've ordered the destruction of one of your robotic couriers to demonstrate that you are vulnerable vulnerable. I've also ordered my strategic nuclear forces to prepare to engage your fleet, and to scour your base on the island of Atlantis free of life if there is the slightest retaliation for the destruction of that courier."

"Try and nuke our cities again, you miserable son of a b.i.t.c.h."

Chapter Twenty-seven.

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.-Ecclesiastes 1:9Be not deceived; G.o.d is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.-Galatians, 6:7Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest.-Ecclesiastes 9:10

25/9/469 AC, Punta Cocoli, Isla Real, Balboa Though the sun was long set, still heat emanated in choking, stultifying waves from the tarmac of the airfield. Under a double-roofed hangar a Nabakov-21 transport waited for its load. With the Nabakov likewise waited a profusely sweating Omar Fernandez, along with a section of utterly reliable guards and a score of dripping men of the Tercio Tercio Jan Sobieski, seconded to Fernandez's department, who would be accompanying him on the upcoming flight. Jan Sobieski, seconded to Fernandez's department, who would be accompanying him on the upcoming flight.

Fernandez had reason to sweat, and it wasn't just the heat. What Patricio told me to do? My G.o.d, does he understand the risks? This is the genie in the bottle. That...or perhaps he is right and it is that cap that seals the genie into its bottle. Even so... What Patricio told me to do? My G.o.d, does he understand the risks? This is the genie in the bottle. That...or perhaps he is right and it is that cap that seals the genie into its bottle. Even so...

A three-ton tactical truck stopped behind the hangar and began disgorging troops who raced to surround the half of the hangar nearest the airfield. Two more trucks, hauling forty foot conexes, pulled up to the hangar on the side away from the airfield, the side toward which the Nabakov's loading ramp faced. The trucks' air brakes squealed loudly as they shuddered to a stop. A fourth truck stopped, this one, like the first, carrying security men. Those men took up positions around the far side of the hangar from the airfield, completing the circle. Inside that perimeter, the first of the heavier trucks began to back up to the Nabakov's ramp to transfer its cargo.

Fernandez watched the transfer closely. I hope dearly that Patricio is right and we can keep this part of the secret I hope dearly that Patricio is right and we can keep this part of the secret secret secret. Obras Zorilleras Obras Zorilleras worked hard on these. And we will need them still to be a surprise if...no, not "if," worked hard on these. And we will need them still to be a surprise if...no, not "if," when when it comes to open war with Taurus. it comes to open war with Taurus.

Open war? I'm preparing for that well enough. Whoever is in charge-we can only hope it's that frog b.a.s.t.a.r.d, Janier-when the war starts he will be very surprised at the loyalty of some of the people working for him. That's for the future, though, and a lot may change. Be nice if we could ensure Munoz-Infantes were in command on that day. We could just relax; war over and won. He won't be though. It'll be a Frog, Janier or some other one. I mean, it has has to be a Frog or the mistress' quarters in Building 95 on Fort Muddville will be totally wasted. to be a Frog or the mistress' quarters in Building 95 on Fort Muddville will be totally wasted.

Fernandez smiled at his own silent jest. It would never have done for him to make an open joke. And it was hard enough for him to smile at all. He pulled out his wallet and flipped it open to a small picture, that of his young daughter, murdered by Salafi terrorists years prior.

Baby, he thought to his daughter's image. Baby, by now you know everything your father has done and does. Do you still look up to me, even as you gaze down upon me? I can hope so. What I do, I do for Baby, by now you know everything your father has done and does. Do you still look up to me, even as you gaze down upon me? I can hope so. What I do, I do for la Patria. la Patria. And I rarely take any joy in it. And I rarely take any joy in it.

The crew chief of the Nabakov found Fernandez deep in his reveries. "Legate," the chief said, "we're ready to board you now. The crews for the cargo are already loaded."

28/9/469 AC, Xamar Airport, Xamar Carrera, Hamilcar standing beside, met Fernandez at the airport. "You have them?" Carrera asked. "They really work?"

"Tested against the best radar we could find to test them against, Patricio. They work. Mitch.e.l.l and Soult came along, too. The package?" Fernandez asked.

"It flew in with me, along with my son. I didn't have all of the things in hand when I sent you the other s.h.i.+pment. One we took later. We'll marry up the package and the drone, here, then do the launches."

"I have a man watching the compound," Fernandez said. "He's a Sumeri, one of those who've been herding the targets for us. He's a good man, a tremendous a.s.set. I'd like to pull him out before it's too late. I don't have to be explicit; I can tell him we think someone's on to him and to be prepared to flee at a moment's notice. Then we give the notice, maybe two hours before H Hour."

Loyalty to one's subordinates is...proper, Carrera thought. "You can pull him out but not more than one hour before time."

Fernandez shrugged. He'd split the difference. Whatever it takes to keep Khalid in play. Whatever it takes to keep Khalid in play.

He'll split the difference, Carrera thought. Fernandez is nothing if not loyal. Fernandez is nothing if not loyal.

"We're really not going to be able to keep this secret, you know?" Fernandez said. "Too many people are too much in the know about too many parts. At best best we might have plausible deniability." we might have plausible deniability."

"At some point in time," Carrera pointed out, "we're going to want want the word to the word to get out. For now, only your people know. Obras Zorilleras Obras Zorilleras only knows they had to give up two models of Condor. The aircrew that brought the Condors here only know they brought conexes. The crew that brought myself and the package knew they're carrying something odd, but no more than that. And they're used to me traveling with some baggage, at least sometimes. The crew of the only knows they had to give up two models of Condor. The aircrew that brought the Condors here only know they brought conexes. The crew that brought myself and the package knew they're carrying something odd, but no more than that. And they're used to me traveling with some baggage, at least sometimes. The crew of the Qamra Qamra that will take me out to the that will take me out to the von Mises von Mises won't know anything. And if I can't trust won't know anything. And if I can't trust your your people to keep quiet then we're f.u.c.ked anyway." people to keep quiet then we're f.u.c.ked anyway."

"You're really sure about this, Patricio? This is..." Fernandez struggled for words and found none.

"Horrible?" Carrera supplied. "Monstrous? Inhuman? It's all those things, Omar. Are you worried for my soul? Despite rea.s.surances otherwise, I'm rather certain that that's forfeit anyway. And I can think of no other way to end this. We have to raise the stakes to a level the other side can't handle.

"And besides, Omar," Carrera continued, "our mercenary days are almost ended. We have another war to fight and for that we must have all the force at our disposal in Balboa. This war must end, now. now."

Hamilcar had hardly said a word in weeks. It wasn't so much that he was in shock over what the Pashtian witch-girl had told him, though there was some of that. Nor even had he been too shocked when over a hundred of the Pashtun, apparently from the witch-girl Alena's tribe, had lined up along the road leading to Camp San Lorenzo's airfield to go on their faces as his father's staff car pa.s.sed to bring them to their plane. He'd known it was Alena's tribe because she had been there, too, standing in front of them to lead them in their devotions.

His father had had the car stop and beckoned Alena and someone Ham thought was probably her brother over.

He'd spoken to them very briefly. "Upon our return, and until you are or he is dead, you are all hired to be bodyguards to my son. Is this acceptable?"

The tears of grat.i.tude and religious devotion had been answer enough.

The problem was, I don't I don't feel feel like a G.o.d. I don't believe I like a G.o.d. I don't believe I am am a G.o.d. I don't a G.o.d. I don't want want to be a G.o.d. I'm just a little boy. to be a G.o.d. I'm just a little boy.

"Remember; easy now, boys," said the warrant officer in charge of the detachment. "Take her out gently."

The conex had room, more than enough room, for the Condor frame, motor, propeller, control station, a load of fuel, three sets of wings, lifting-launch system, or LLS, all the other parts required, and a tool kit for a.s.sembly. Unpacking and a.s.sembly presented no problem to the crews; they were the same ones that had disa.s.sembled and packed them back on the Isla Real.

The conex doors were unlocked and opened. Inside was the body, mounted on a wheeled framework. These, the crews pulled out onto the concrete floor of a stifling hangar, then proceeded to remove the fastening straps that had held the body and wings securely during s.h.i.+pment. There were also a dozen cots inside, secured around the control station at the far end..

While one part of each crew went to work checking the engine, another lifted and then rotated the wings into position. These were secured in place with carbon fiber pins. A third team for each moved the lifting-launch system from the conex and trudged it out of the hangar where they checked tank pressure and began laying out the two balloons that would provide initial lift. Likewise, they unfurled the lifting and restraining lines that would, in the first case, attach to a jettisonable ring atop the Condor and, in the second case, hold the balloons to the heavy steel frameworks on which the birds rested. Still a fourth pair of teams moved out the cots and prepared the control stations inside the conexes.

The sun was up, and the air above the tarmac of the airstrip s.h.i.+mmering, by the time the Condors were ready to be wheeled out and hooked to the LLS. They were left under cover for the nonce, however.

The warrant officer in charge inspected both Condors from nose to tail, along with the ancillary gear. Eventually satisfied with his inspection, he sent the men to sleep in one corner of the hangar, then stood guard himself. There would be several nights of rehearsals before the night of launch.

29/9/469 AC, Hajar, Yithrab In a cloth-hung room, cloth-hung the better to simulate the tents of the Bedouin ancestors, a tray of kibsa kibsa, lamb over rice with a yogurt based sauce, sat barely touched on the floor between the three brothers. Each man wore traditional robes, their heads covered with keffiyahs keffiyahs held in place by beaded cords. The held in place by beaded cords. The keffiyahs keffiyahs were traditional white. The robes, however, varied, Bakr in white, Abdullah in blue, and Yeslam in red. were traditional white. The robes, however, varied, Bakr in white, Abdullah in blue, and Yeslam in red.

"This is like being in prison," said Yeslam ibn Mohamed ibn Salah, min Sa'ana, "like prison with a sentence of death on our heads!"

Bakr sighed. They'd all heard about the sentences of death, and the manner of death, of Mustafa and his followers. While the mercenaries had not advertised it, word had leaked out from the Pashtian Scouts that had actually carried out the crucifixions and bore the blame, or took the credit, for them. Khadijah, inconsolable, had taken to her rooms, shrieking and weeping at the indignity presumably inflicted on her beloved stepson Mustafa. The truth was much worse than she suspected.

"I am thinking," Bakr said, "that we'd all have been better off if someone had strangled Mustafa in the cradle. Yes, I believed we should support him, early on, but who could have suspected the kind of terror he would bring upon us."

"I suspected it," answered Abdullah. "You have not lived among those people. I have. There is a touch of vindictive madness about them. They keep it hidden, most of the time. But it was always there." suspected it," answered Abdullah. "You have not lived among those people. I have. There is a touch of vindictive madness about them. They keep it hidden, most of the time. But it was always there."

Yeslam shook his head. "Cursed be the day we sent Mustafa off on his grand adventure. Cursed be the money we gave him to start his project."

"I gave him no money," Abdullah insisted. "That was all the doing of you and Bakr. gave him no money," Abdullah insisted. "That was all the doing of you and Bakr. I I counseled against it." counseled against it."

Both Bakr and Yeslam shrugged, eloquently. Spilled milk. Spilled milk.

"Then counsel us now now, brother mine. What do we do now now?" Bakr asked. "How do we keep our clan's life blood from spilling now now?"

"I would suggest a bribe," Abdullah answered, "except that we do not have enough money-no, not if we turned over everything we own-to buy our way out of this. Our enemy is implacable, inconsolable, and inhuman. He will keep us locked up here-nor would we be safe anywhere else in the world-until the judgment day."

"You mean, he's just like us," Yeslam said. He closed his eyes, hung his head, and said in despair, "Allah help us."

31/9/469 AC, Xamar Airport The recon bird would go first. This was both to test Yithrabi air defense and warning radars, as well as to ensure that the secret was still still secret, that nothing had tipped off the target and caused a ma.s.s evacuation. The other Condor, the drone, would follow in the trail cleared by the first. secret, that nothing had tipped off the target and caused a ma.s.s evacuation. The other Condor, the drone, would follow in the trail cleared by the first.

For speed's sake, both crews got together to wheel out the first Condor. Just past the edge of the hangar they stopped and hooked up all five straps plus two electric wires. Four of the five straps that came from the balloon were attached to the steel frame. The fifth went to the jettisonable lifting ring atop the bird. The wires were hooked, one into a heavy duty control that would cause the balloon to cut itself away from the four restraining straps, on command, the other to the top of the Condor Condor next to the ring. next to the ring.

These tasks completed, the crew began to fill the balloon with hydrogen. This was much cheaper than helium and, because the balloon was a throwaway that had only one mission, was not noticeably unsafe nor tactically unsound.

Gradually, the balloon filled until it had just just positive buoyancy. At that point the crew stopped the filling and let it gently float to just above the Condor. They then resumed filling, until the restraining straps were taut. positive buoyancy. At that point the crew stopped the filling and let it gently float to just above the Condor. They then resumed filling, until the restraining straps were taut.

The warrant officer in charge, holding the control box, looked over at Carrera and Fernandez. The latter nodded and the warrant pushed a green b.u.t.ton. Instantly, all four restraining straps, plus the cable, were cut loose, falling to the ground around the Condor. At the same time, the balloon lurched upward, dragging the Condor with it, forcing its wings to bend slightly under the force of the acceleration and the resistance of the air.

The pilot sitting in the control station at one end of the conex watched the altimeter and Global Locating System readings on his screen carefully. Sometimes, prevailing winds could help a Condor out, carrying it nearer to its target without having to expend fuel or hunt for updrafts. This was not one of those cases; the winds were crosswise to the planned line of flight. In the long run, this would cost fuel. The pilot nodded to himself, then typed in a code and pressed a b.u.t.ton.

By the time the Condor received the signal it was several miles away from and above the pilot. It sent a further signal to the ring and the wire atop itself, which caused both to detach. Simultaneously it initiated a timer in the balloon that would cause the hydrogen to burn some hours later, after it had drifted well away from the release point and line of flight.

Freed of the balloon, the Condor initially dropped. Its wings, however, were wide and its chord nearly perfect for gliding. They immediately bit into the air, obtaining lift as the bird glided forward. Later, the pilot would use the engine to rise again, before he resumed the very fuel efficient gliding that was really the Condor's main means of propulsion.

Back in the hangar, the pilot breathed a sigh of relief. It had happened, during development and testing, that the balloon release mechanism had failed. Thank G.o.d it worked properly this time. Thank G.o.d it worked properly this time.

Some distance from the conex wherein the pilot sat, Carrera and Fernandez stood and watched the package being armed and loaded into the second Condor by Fernandez's people. Fernandez noted, Patricio's face is just a stone mask, like he's shut himself down inside. I cannot even imagine what he's feeling. Freedom, finally, from the burden of avenging his family? Wondering what to do with the rest of his life? Or perhaps he's thinking that he has no more reason to live after this. Suicide? Patricio's face is just a stone mask, like he's shut himself down inside. I cannot even imagine what he's feeling. Freedom, finally, from the burden of avenging his family? Wondering what to do with the rest of his life? Or perhaps he's thinking that he has no more reason to live after this. Suicide? Fernandez reconsidered that last. Fernandez reconsidered that last. No...he has a new family and he loves them. That much at least, I am confident of; he will live for them. Which is important, as No...he has a new family and he loves them. That much at least, I am confident of; he will live for them. Which is important, as la Patria la Patria will need him soon. will need him soon.

32/9/469 AC, Pier Seventeen, Port Xamar, BdL Qamra It was almost midnight, with only Hecate-and she in her first quarter-showing. The boat was darkened to normal observation, though Chu knew that he was under satellite observation by the FSN, if anyone happened to be looking. Fosa had wanted wanted them to observe the fleet, if only to get early warning of any attack. He could hardly tell them to look the other way now, even though he had stressed to Chu that he wanted this cargo moved as secretly as possible. them to observe the fleet, if only to get early warning of any attack. He could hardly tell them to look the other way now, even though he had stressed to Chu that he wanted this cargo moved as secretly as possible.

Chu was almost unsurprised when a four wheel drive vehicle, escorted by two others bearing military police, showed up at the pier and Duque Duque Carrera stepped out, accompanied by several others. One of those other was, apparently, a child. Carrera stepped out, accompanied by several others. One of those other was, apparently, a child. Oh, yes, Oh, yes, that that would explain the need for secrecy would explain the need for secrecy, he thought.

Marta had the wheel, though the boat was tied up and stationary. Chu had been training her as a backup. The girl seemed to have an affinity for boats, perhaps because life ash.o.r.e had been so seedy and degrading for her. Since the loss of Jaquelina, the larger woman had taken little interest in anything else.

Leaving her with the con, Chu hurried to the brow to greet his guest.

He saluted, of course, which salute Carrera returned. Yet Carrera didn't salute either the small standard fluttering at the stern not the bridge. Landlubbers, Landlubbers, Chu thought, with a mental Chu thought, with a mental harrumph. harrumph. They know nothing of naval protocol. Then again, since he owns this boat, the fleet, the entire legion, I suppose I'd best just shut up about it. They know nothing of naval protocol. Then again, since he owns this boat, the fleet, the entire legion, I suppose I'd best just shut up about it.

"Captain," Carrera greeted at he stepped over the gangplank onto the deck.

"Duque," Chu answered, with a head nod. At least he knows the proper form or address. At least he knows the proper form or address. "A cabin had been prepared below. We're past dinner but I've had the cook put a meal in your cabin." "A cabin had been prepared below. We're past dinner but I've had the cook put a meal in your cabin." Which is Which is my my cabin, actually, but let's not go there. cabin, actually, but let's not go there. "If you would like a drink, there's scotch in a drawer in the desk. I can arrange a woman..." "If you would like a drink, there's scotch in a drawer in the desk. I can arrange a woman..."

"That won't be necessary; the woman, I mean. I appreciate the scotch, too, but I've bought my own. My son will stay with me. Billet the others. And then just take me to the von Mises von Mises, Captain."

33/9/469 AC, Hildegard von Mises He looks much the worse for wear, thought Carrera, looking at the emaciated body of Mustafa ibn Mohamed ibn Salah, min Sa'ana. On him, it's plain on the outside. With me? It's all on the inside. On him, it's plain on the outside. With me? It's all on the inside.

Mustafa's beard, once long and flowing and rich in dignity, was shaved off. This was only fitting as he was soon to be changed into a woman. His hands were bandaged and bound. Had he not been given a robe, there would have been visible burn marks on his torso. Both of his feet looked deformed now; the guards had had to carry him into the interview room. He had his arms wrapped about his torso, holding broken ribs as if terrified of any movement. This, too, was understandable. Skevington's Daughter, among her other talents, also broke ribs. Even had none of this been so, still Mustafa would not have smiled. He'd been to the dentist once too often for that.

For all that, he's still in better mental shape than Robinson or Arbeit, Carrera thought. Those two have totally collapsed. Those two have totally collapsed.

"You gave up everything you knew you had to give, I think, old friend," Carrera said to him. His voice was gentle, as if he were somehow detached from his surroundings, even as if he were somehow detached from life. "Still, I wonder what more you might give up."

At a nod from Carrera, the two screens, neither of them Kurosawas, sprang to life. The screen on the left showed little but a rapidly pa.s.sing desert below, with the occasional camel or goat visible only as a greenish pixilation of a slightly different shade from the sand below. The other screen likewise showed a night scene, taken from above. The latter scene, however, was much more brightly lit, the features much more easily distinguished. It showed a walled compound, minaret rising above the wall, and armed guards patrolling it. The images on the screens were being recorded, as was the scene on the von Mises von Mises of Carrera chatting with Mustafa. of Carrera chatting with Mustafa.

"Recognize it?" Carrera asked.

"Go to h.e.l.l, pig," Mustafa responded through drilled and temporarily patched teeth. One of the guards pulled the former prince of the Ikhwan Ikhwan to his feet but his hair. Two brutally quick punches to the kidney left the ex-terrorist sobbing on the floor. to his feet but his hair. Two brutally quick punches to the kidney left the ex-terrorist sobbing on the floor.

It must take tremendous courage, courage pa.s.sing that of men, to still remain defiant after all he's been through. I could admire him were circ.u.mstances otherwise.

"I really do insist that you look at the screen," Carrera said. "I don't want to have to have your eyelids sewn open." A s.h.i.+ft of Carrera's chin caused the same guard who had kidney punched Mustafa to haul him back onto his chair, again by his hair. "Now watch watch. This is important...to you. Do you recognize the view on the right?"