Intro Chapter 01 . 02 . 03 . 04 . 05 . 06 . 07 . 08 . 09 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 27
"A kidnapping?" exclaims Al.
"Think of it as hostage taking, only we move the hostage." I say.
Al sighs, "That new merc manual is getting thicker and thicker."
"Permission to speak freely, commander." says Gunter.
We are on a fast plane of some sort, and two hours from destination.... no better time to get stuff off chests than now...
"OK folks, it's two hours to touch down, and all ducks are in their rows. All make speak freely for one hour. Lets get stuff off chests."
Gunter continued, "What is the goal of this mission?"
"To keep us alive by destabilizing our enemies." I reply.
"Is one of our goals getting rescued?"
I think for a moment. My first call had been to Azzeed for resupply, not a call for extraction! Was I inadvertently thinking of the "ticket out"? I could see Chin was thinking, too.
"Point taken, Gunter. The question is who to extract to? What's the latest status on events topside?" I ask.
Al answers, "In truth, it's getting ugly up there, real ugly. The mercs are demanding that Nolentov send an extraction team. Nolentov's Fleet Commanders are calling it a suicide mission. They want us to surrender and get exchanged."
Gunter growls.
"It's worse than that: the ship's marines have been mobilized and there's a suit lock-out in effect. The fleet commanders were very worried about the mercs, and now the feeling is mutual. 'Dad' is coming to mediate, but it will be two days before he arrives."
"SNAFU to FUBAR." I sigh, "Azzeed was right.
"OK, topside is out of it, for now. If we get extracted, it will be by private courier. Who has funds to pay for that?"
I look around; I get blank stares back. "OK, folks, think about that one. I know we are supposed to get paid when we land, but this time may be different."
"And this is one reason I'm cultivating the friends we have made down here. They have access to this planet's wealth. If things settle down a bit, we should be able to use our reward to get us out of here."
Gunter looks happy with that, but now Chin speaks up.
"Do we want to do that, Franky?"
I think for another moment, a long one.
When I say nothing, Gunter speaks up again, "If you are talking about going native. I want no part of it. I signed up for action, not oblivion."
Going native is exactly what I'm thinking. It's considered an occupational hazard by active mercs and their commanders. Like getting political, or massacring people, it puts a serious blot on your record. It will cut you out from first-tier assignments for years and years, if not forever.
So... now is the time to put up or shut up.
"Al?"
He takes his time. "Franky, the three of us have been together a long time... and it's been good for me. I'm not about to break up a good thing. I will follow you."
It's time I made up my mind, and I do. I look back at Gunter, "The three of us are older than you, and have been doing this a long time. Our goals are different."
Gunter eyes close a bit, this isn't what he wanted to hear.
"You admit there is no way we can get extracted right now?" I ask him.
"Yes." he still looks nervous.
"OK. This is what we will do: we will work to get you off as quickly as we can. But we will not come. This place will be our ticket out."
After I say that, Chin comes over and slides up under my arm.
Gunter doesn't look happy, "What can I say..." he says. I feel his concern -- there are only six dozen ways, or so, that his reputation can be tarred by our actions. This may be a no-win situation for him, and he sees that.
"You can say: 'I believe you; I trust you, and I'm still part of this unit."
Gunther's military bearing returns, "Yes commander: I believe you, I trust you, and I'm part of this unit."
I look in his eyes. They are clear and calm. I have pushed the right button, and he is back in line... for now. But, I have to keep my promise to him in mind, and I foresee that honoring it may involve some hard, hard choices.
Intro Chapter 01 . 02 . 03 . 04 . 05 . 06 . 07 . 08 . 09 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 26 . 27