Portal Wars 1: Gehenna Dawn (6 page)

“I have.” He really hadn’t, at least not with
the thoroughness Keita would want. But he wasn’t about to admit to
it. “I believe Sergeant Taylor’s section to be the better of the
two.” He was bullshitting, at least in part, but he was pretty
confident the troops on Erastus would prove to be tougher than
those on Argos.

He’s full of shit, Keita thought, amused…he
glanced at those dossiers, nothing more. He sat quietly for a few
seconds, leaning back in his chair, trying to decide if he wanted
to let Kazan off the hook or press him further. “OK, I’m inclined
to agree with you that Erastus is a crucible more likely to produce
what we want than any other world.” He decided he wasn’t interested
in discussing the trivialities any further, especially not with a
brownnosing simp like Kazan. “We could talk this to death, but we
need to move forward. Let’s put Sergeant Taylor and his people
through one final test, and if they succeed….” By which he meant,
if they survive. “…they will be our subjects for the program. And I
believe I have just the thing.” He stared down at the screen,
punching keys for a few seconds. “I know I saw an alert about
Erastus…yes…there it is.” He read to himself for a few seconds
before continuing. “We have discovered one of the Machine
manufactories on Erastus…the first one, I believe, on that world.”
The Tegeri defense of each Portal planet was centered around a
network of large bases where they produced their biomechanical
warriors. Ultimately, the UN forces on each planet were tasked with
locating and destroying these facilities.

Keita scrolled down the screen, reading the
full report. “Let’s make sure that…what is the correct unit?” He
looked at his screen again. “2nd Battalion…is assigned to the
operation.” He hesitated as he continued reading. “It appears
Taylor’s strike force commander was just seriously wounded, which
is perfect for our purposes. Let’s put the good sergeant in command
and see how he does.” He paused then added, “And make sure his
troops are placed in the vanguard of the assault.”

Kazan nodded. “Yes, Secretary Keita.” He slid
his chair back slowly, assuming he had been dismissed. “I will send
a dispatch at once.” He started to get up.

“No.” Keita’s voice was calm and even…but
firm.

“Excuse me, Secretary?” Kazan fell back into
the chair.

“You will go to Erastus personally. You will
observe the operation and prepare a full report for me.” Keita was
expressionless, his voice betraying no emotion. But he was enjoying
making Kazan squirm. “This is a crucial program for us. Indeed, our
ultimate success in the war against the Tegeri may hinge on it. We
must be thorough at every step.”

Kazan’s mind was racing, trying to think of a
way out. But there was none. Disappointing or defying Keita would
end his career in its tracks. He could feel his head nodding,
almost involuntarily. “Yes, Secretary.” He swallowed hard. “If that
is your wish.”

Gregor Kazan much preferred the civilized
comforts of Geneva and the upper class lifestyle his political post
allowed him to the harsh conditions the UN’s soldiers endured. The
Portal worlds were battlefields, uncivilized frontiers. And, by all
accounts, Erastus was the worst of the lot. He could feel the
tension in his stomach. He was going to be sick.

“That’s all, Kazan.” Keita’s voice was
dismissive. “You may go and prepare. You leave tomorrow.”

Kazan stood up quickly, nodding again. “Yes,
Secretary Keita.” He turned and moved toward the door as swiftly as
his wobbly legs would carry him.

Keita watched with amusement, a thin smile
creeping momentarily onto his lips. He spun his chair and stared
out over the magnificent vista. Despite the astonishing view, his
smile quickly faded. He was privy to far more classified data than
Kazan. The war wasn’t going badly, at least not to superficial
analysis. UN forces were pushing the Tegeri back almost everywhere.
Given limitless resources, the UN forces had a good chance to
ultimately defeat the enemy and take control of the entire Portal
network. But resources are never without limit, and Keita had seen
the projections. The maximum productive output of Earth intersected
with the anticipated men and supplies required. The lines crossed
far short of the point of victory. They were going to run out of
resources long before they beat the Tegeri. Unless something
changed the military situation.

“Project Zed,” Keita whispered softly.

From the Journal of Jake Taylor:

I’m starting to forget. I close my
eyes and try to focus, but my mother’s face is fainter, harder to
see. I know I’m losing what little I have left of her, of home. I
try to recall the taste of apple pie or the feeling of the cool
water of the swimming hole, but those things are slipping away too.
I remember the words, but less and less the feelings and images
that give them meaning.

I don’t want to lose those last hazy
links with home, with the family I left behind. But it’s hard. Have
you ever really tried to will yourself to remember? It’s not an
easy thing to do. You try to stay focused, but you get
distracted…you fight, you sleep, you work…then, when you remember
again, the recollection is that much weaker. No matter how hard you
try, you still lose a little each day.

I had a girlfriend back home. Beth.
I left her behind, just like I did everyone else. When I first got
here I used to think about her back home, picturing her crying for
me…for lost love. I imagined the change day by day, as time slowly
turned heartbreak to sadness…then to fond remembrance. How long,
I’ve wondered, before she lived a day without thinking of me…before
she was free? Before she found someone else, someone with a life of
his own to share with her? Where was she now? Settled down with a
family? Does she still think of me after all these years? Sometimes
I wonder if she ever walks outside, leaving her husband and
children for a few brief moments to stare at the sky and remember
her lost love. I’d like to believe she does, but I’m not sure I do.
I’m not even sure I should want that. What could it help? What use
is there but to cause more sadness…and resurrect pain mercifully
forgotten? I have nothing left to offer her, even as a memory.
Better she never thinks of me again.

I used to lay awake, slick with
sweat on my cot when I couldn’t sleep in the relentless heat,
thinking of her. I’d close my eyes and imagine the way her hair
felt in my hands, the smooth softness of her skin against mine, the
sound of her voice whispering gently in my ear. Now I’m forgetting,
losing a little of that remembrance with each passing day. I fight
against it, trying to cling to every detail, but it is
pointless…she is lost to me forever. Perhaps the forgetfulness is a
blessing.

Taylor stared wordlessly at the small tablet.
He’d been doing the same thing for at least ten minutes, and the
orders on the backlit screen still said the same thing.

Taylor, Jacob (Sergeant), commanding Section 2, 213th
Strike Force, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, UNFE is hereby reassigned
to: Taylor, Jacob (Lieutenant), commanding 213th Strike Force, 2nd
Battalion, 2nd Brigade, UNFE. Assignment effective immediately. Lt.
Taylor is hereby ordered to assume command upon receipt of this
communique.

He wouldn’t have been surprised to be placed
in acting command of the strike force. He was the section leader
with the most time onplanet, the logical choice to take over while
Cadogan was in the hospital. But this was a permanent
assignment…and a promotion to commissioned rank. He wasn’t sure how
he felt about being an officer. From the day he’d stepped out of
the Portal, Jake had felt out of place. He never thought of himself
as a real soldier, even now, although his troops knew he was one of
the best on Erastus.

He was sure what he thought about the formal
reassignment, though. Lieutenant Cadogan was still alive in the
infirmary, and Taylor wasn’t ready to accept that he wasn’t coming
back. He’d have been OK with covering for the lieutenant, but
replacing him? Permanently? It felt wrong. Disloyal somehow. At
least until it was certain the lieutenant wasn’t coming back.

His rational mind understood, realized such
thoughts were foolish. But some things came from the gut, the
heart. And taking Cadogan’s place was one of them. He’d follow the
orders, of course…he didn’t have a choice. But he wouldn’t feel
quite right about it.

He read further down, scrolling through the
communique, reading softly aloud as he did. “Lieutenant Taylor is
authorized to reorganize the strike force in any manner and is
empowered to issue non-commissioned promotions within the command
structure.” He stopped reading and looked up. That’s odd, he
thought. The orders gave him a lot of latitude, far more than
standard practice. He knew, for one thing, that Cadogan hadn’t had
the power to issue promotions. He sent recommendations up the
chain, often waiting weeks or months for an approval. Strange…

“Hey, Dog.” Taylor could recognize Blackie’s
voice anywhere. His accent was so heavy, it almost sounded like a
bad fake. Even after two years, Taylor still wasn’t truly used to
it. “Some of the guys are playing cards with a crew from the 189th.
You wanna come down, help us take their money?” There wasn’t any
currency on Erastus, not really. The troops did get a form of
scrip, which they could use to pay for the few items that passed
for luxuries on Erastus. Most of the fake currency ended up in the
brigade brothels when the guys got a few day’s leave. In between
those infrequent breaks, it gave them something to gamble with.

“Take a look at this, Blackie.” Taylor was
distracted, and he’d mostly ignored what Black had been saying. He
reached out, handing the tablet to his friend.

Black took the pad, glancing down to read the
orders. “F…u…c…k…” He drew out the word as he said it. “I guess I’m
gonna have to get used to calling you sir.” He laughed for a few
seconds, but then his voice became serious. “Honestly, Jake. No one
deserves it more than you. You’ve kept more of these fool kids
alive than anybody I’ve ever seen.” He took a couple steps toward
Taylor, extending his hand as he did. “Congratulations, my
friend.”

“Thanks, Blackie.” Taylor reached out and
took Black’s hand. “I appreciate the sentiment.” He smiled for a
few seconds, taking the tablet back. “But there’s more to it than
my great military gifts. Have you ever heard of a lieutenant
approving promotions?” He paused, though not long enough for Black
to answer. “Something is up, Blackie.”

“You’re paranoid, Jake.” Black smiled. “The
strike force needed a new CO…” He paused, his expression becoming
more serious. He hadn’t considered that Taylor’s promotion meant
the lieutenant wasn’t coming back. No matter what. They’d both
known that intellectually, but this forced it to the forefront. The
213th had been Cadogan’s strike force, but no more. Now it was Jake
Taylor’s. “Look, Dog, we’re all sorry about the lieutenant, but the
strike force needs a leader, and you’re the logical choice. Sure,
it happened a lot faster than the usual glacial pace. But it’s what
we all knew would happen…at least if we let ourselves think about
it.”

“Yeah?” Taylor was staring at Black with an
odd expression on his face. “Well, guess who’s the logical choice
to take over 2nd Section…Sergeant Black?”

Black had a blank expression on his face for
a few seconds before he erupted with laughter. “Thank you, sir.” He
snapped off a better than average salute, trying to suppress his
smile as he did.

Taylor couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sit down
you asshole.” He pointed to a small table and chairs in the corner
of the room. “This strike force got itself shot to shit on
Blackrock Ridge, and we need to do some reorganizing.” He started
walking toward the table. “I’m afraid we’re both going to miss that
card game, Sergeant Black.”

Taylor sat quietly, looking across the table
at Black with an “I told you so” expression on his face. “A
battalion-scale operation,” he said. The words hung in the air as
he held up the pad displaying the orders. Combat on Erastus was
mostly search and destroy, and a full strike force was considered a
large deployment. “I knew something was going on. They must have
found one of the Machine bases.” As far as Taylor knew, there had
never been an entire battalion committed to one battle on Erastus.
But UNFE had never found a Machine factory on the planet
either.

“I don’t suppose I can call you a cocky
asshole anymore now that you have those bars on your shoulders.”
Black sat in one of the hard plastic chairs wriggling around,
trying to get comfortable. It had been hot the last few days, even
by Erastus standards. It was twilight outside…and they were deep
inside the base, but it was still damned uncomfortable.

“As long as you acknowledge my military
genius, we’ll be just fine, sergeant.” Taylor smiled. “But,
seriously, something like this is new ground for all of us. And
we’re not in great shape.” The 213th had been reinforced to full
strength, but that meant there were a lot of FNGs, true cherries
who’d never been in a fight.

“We’ve got a lot of rookies for sure, Boss.”
Samuels’ slow drawl was as distinctive in its own way as Black’s
inner city accent. “But we’ve got some real veterans too. I’ll put
2nd Section’s 1st and 2nd teams against any outfit on Gehenna.”
There was a touch of sadness in his voice. Chuck Samuels had been
in the 2nd team since he’d stepped out of the Portal and into the
blazing heat of Erastus, and for the last ten months he’d been its
commander. But as of three hours earlier, he was Sergeant Samuels,
leader of the 3rd Section. It was a big step up for him, and he
knew Taylor needed someone he could count on to command the 3rd.
But he was going to miss his team.