The Black Guard: Book II: Evolution (Black Guard Series 2) (10 page)

Even I had to agree. After each assignment it had taken
weeks and sometimes months—not to absolve myself, but to convince myself
that my opponents had given me little choice and my actions were not made out
of hate or for glory and gave me no pleasure.

"I agree, Colonel Berger. She then used that to justify
contracting a Jax cruiser in Blackwood space as necessary to protect Blackwood
from further Outpost interference. Of course, that also reinforced her threat
to call me back if necessary."

"I think the JCC will be pleased with the outcome.
It not only blocks Outpost from forming an alliance, but also may lead to
systems like Safort, Haven, Kaycia, and Chancel contracting with us. I imagine
the JCC will give Blackwood and any others a very favorable rate," Blatt
said.

When I arrived back at Sasser Mountain, Hada was—to
my disappointment—on another assignment. We had discussed my feeling
uncomfortable around civilians, and she had agreed to help me on our next after-action
leave. This last assignment hadn't helped. It had reinforced my detachment from
everything except duty. When not working with the third phase candidates or
teaching the whip, I spent my free time in meditation. That kept me from
obsessing over what couldn't be changed, what couldn't have been avoided
without worse consequences.

Commander Wexler waited two weeks before calling me to
his office to discuss my after-action report. He might have been very
traditional, but he was also very perceptive and realized that at first, I
wasn't ready to discuss it.

"Sit, Sapir," Wexler said after I had
performed the ritual bow. "I imagine you are the only one not happy with
the outcome. The JCC got what they hoped for, I'm pleased you had no losses,
and your detail considers you a seer or a miracle worker, depending on who you
talk to. I know you are at peace with the assignment but are troubled with the
reputation you are getting as a heartless and ruthless killer. I've talked to a
lot of people, and everyone who knows you considers you sensitive and
compassionate."

"Yes, sir. I don't want the Guard to be considered
heartless killers who enjoy killing. Neither I nor anyone I've had on assignment
with me enjoys killing. We all feel the deaths we cause in the course of doing our
duty. They are just following my orders."

"Yes, that is the problem, isn't it—them following
your orders makes it your responsibility." He stared at me, watching as I
nodded agreement. "But you too are following orders: mine. And I'm
following the JCC's orders. We all share in the outcome. I have come to agree
with Hada's father: so long as we don't kill out of hate or in pursuit of glory
or pleasure, we are living our lives as honorably as we can in support of our
country.

I was looking forward to Hada's return and the
socialization of Rivka
. It was long
overdue. The Guard was my family and I was at peace with my life, but someday I
would be retired from the Guard and it would be nice if I were ready for the
transition. And it wouldn't hurt to have a life outside the Guard, some
activity that provided a diversion from duty. Time flew by between my duties
helping with the phase three candidates, teaching the whip, working out with
whoever was available, meditation, practice on the firing range, and reading.
Life was good and I was at peace.

Dragon Tzadok and I were working on counter moves to a
series of attack techniques when Corporal Yaron appeared. He stood patiently
waiting to be recognized. One did not interrupt captains, particularly dragons
when they were fighting. Tzadok stepped back and bowed.

"Well Corporal Yaron, does Commander Wexler want
Sapir or me?"

"Captain Sapir, sir," he said, nodding in my
direction.

"Unless the commander said immediately, tell him
I'll be delayed a few minutes to freshen up," I said. Currently I was in
my workout clothes—stained with grass and dirt, and dripping with sweat.
Appearing in that condition wouldn't be respectful.

"No, sir. He said there was no rush," Yaron
said quickly, which I took to mean as fast as I could make myself decent. I
idly wondered if Yardon had ever been on an assignment. As long as I had been
in the Guard, he had always been Wexler's secretary. He had obviously passed
phase one training or he wouldn't be in the Guard. Tzadok broke into my musing
as I was collecting my towel and water.

"Sapir, tell Wexler I'm available if it's an
assignment. I know you've been waiting for Hada to take you on post-assignment
leave."

"Thanks. Hopefully, it's something else." I
waved and double–timed back to my quarters, had a hurried wash, put on a
clean uniform, and was in his office in less than twenty minutes.

"At ease, Sapir, and sit," Wexler said as I
bowed. "I had planned to keep you off assignments until Hada returned and
you had your after-assignment leave. However, General Issak has requested our
help again, and he specifically asked for you to command the detail. He feels
your innovative approach saved many lives."

And resulted in
the death of Corporal Narkis,
I mused, visualizing his face along with the
other that had died following my orders—a place of honor.

"A similar situation?" I asked, hoping it
wasn't. New Keif had turned out well considering the rebels controlled the
building in overwhelming odds.

"In his mind, I'm sure it appears that way. But I
doubt they are: the occupiers aren't rebels, the buildings aren't the same,
there are hostages, the army hasn't gained any access, and who knows what
else." Wexler looked and sounded frustrated. "I'd like to refuse him
... Damn you, Sapir. Life was complicated enough when the Guard was noted for
protecting important people inside buildings. This is a disaster waiting to happen."
His fist hit his desk. Kaffa jumped from his cup and splashed onto the desk.

I had to agree with him, although I kept my thoughts to
myself. Keeping assassins out of a building was a good deal easier than kicking
them out of one. Wexler and I had the same concern—the lives of our
family—the men and women who would die following my orders on ever
increasingly difficult non-standard assignments.

Wexler's glare softened, and he shook his head as if to
clear it and then typed on his Mfi. "I've downloaded the roster of
available Guards on the station. We only have a few hours. I've been told the
Black Leopard will be arriving today and the situation on Heibei is
urgent."

"Yes, sir," I said, running through the list
with mixed emotions. I didn't want to take only experienced people, just in
case ... but I would need the best if I were to minimize the losses. My head
pounded and I closed my eyes, seeking to quiet my thoughts. After several
minutes, I felt in control again and continued reviewing the list. When I
finished, I closed my eyes and emptied my mind. Sometime later, I spoke,
"Lieutenant Elijah, Senior Sergeants Judt and Catz, Sergeants Nadel, Ganz,
and Click, and Corporals Uziel, Markov, Polak, Toch, Volpe, Preis, and Reti, with
your permission, sir." I opened my eyes.

Wexler stared at me and then checked his Mfi. "I
thought you would want double that number," he said, clearly surprised. "You
have forty names to select from. You're not afraid ..."

Of getting
everyone killed
, I finished mentally. "No, sir. I'm neither suicidal
nor consider any Guard expendable. We are not going to overwhelm them with
numbers. Otherwise, the army wouldn't need us. Rescuing the hostages will
require us to use stealth, not force. At least, that is my assessment here at Sasser
Mountain."

"No, you are neither. Your recommendations are
approved, and I'll have Yaron notify them immediately." He typed on his
Mfi for a minute and then looked up. "It's ... ironic. Dragons make me
nervous because you're unpredictable, yet it's times like this I'm glad a
Dragon is in charge. Good hunting, Dragon Sapir."

I had just finished packing when I was notified on my
Mfi that the Leopard was in the system and would have a shuttle on Sasser
Mountain within six hours. I made my way to the dining hall, where I found my
entire detail. Like any combat soldiers, we ate when we had the opportunity,
because we couldn't be sure when we would have the chance again.

The dining facility had three seating areas: officers,
sergeants, and everyone else. We weren't required to sit in the area designated
for our rank, but we couldn't sit in an area above our rank. I walked into the
lower ranks' section while waving for everyone to follow. They quickly pushed a
few tables together as I went through the serving line.

"You can eat while I talk," I said, looking
around the table. "General Issak believes the Jax situation in Heibei—that's
where we're going—is similar to the situation in New Keif, and therefore
has asked for our help. For those of you who weren't at New Keif, we were asked
to help the army and marines clear several buildings the rebels occupied. I'll
let those who were there give you the gory details. However, in my opinion, the
current situation is not the same, so the solution isn't going to be the same,
which is the reason for the smaller detail. I selected you because I've worked
with each of you before and believe you are the best of the best." I met
each of their eyes before continuing. "Unless you aren't interested in the
solution, I'll see you up top in five hours."

I hoped the solution didn't include any deaths. That was
the only part that tainted an otherwise perfect life—the deaths of
family.

* * *

Colonel Helon was waiting as I left the shuttle. I gave
him a respectful bow that he returned. He stared thoughtfully at me before
speaking.

"Good morning, Captain Sapir. You have acquired
quite a reputation since you were last on the Leopard. I believe General Issak
feels you are the go-to person after New Kief."

"It appears he thinks the situations are the same
or, at least, similar," I said, wondering if Helon agreed.

"I don't think they are. If you have a moment,
Captain Lambar and I would like a word with you. We could bring you up to
date."

"I'd appreciate that. My information is a bit sketchy
and probably out of date." I followed Helon as he led me to the captain's
office.

Lambar stood when I entered and I gave him a low bow.

"Help yourself to something to eat and drink,
Sapir, and have a seat." Lambar gestured toward an empty chair.

I found hot water and made myself tea while clearing my
mind.

After I sat, Lambar continued. "The last
information we had indicated two well-armed cruisers entered Heibei and dropped
four shuttles of raiders, who broke into the Heibei Technical Labs, HTL. But before
they could get away, the army surrounded the building and destroyed the
shuttles."

Lambar stopped for a drink of his kaffa. "The
Heibei government immediately contacted the Jax and initiated a contract for
two cruisers and one hundred fifty soldiers. By chance, the Sabretooth was in
the general area with one hundred army aboard and arrived within a half day of
being notified and deployed the army units. Ironically, General Issak was also
in the area and arrived on the Lynx shortly afterward. The raiders haven't
attempted to drop any more shuttles since the presence of the Sabretooth
negated their ability to support the shuttles. And the army units are reluctant
to storm the buildings for fear that the raiders will kill the hostages. The
situation has created a standoff, which General Issak believes you can resolve
based on your performance at New Kief."

"What is so important that it tempted two raiders
to attack the HTL facility?"

"The HTL mines an element called Xallium-50, which
their lab processes into a crystal ten times harder than diamond. The quantity
is limited, only produced on Heibei, and in high demand. I believe the raiders
not only wanted to steal the current batch but also might have hoped to obtain
the process and equipment to make it. And that delayed them leaving."

Lambar paused, and when I nodded, he continued.

"And they would have succeeded if the space gods
hadn't conspired against them. An alert security guard identified those who
broke in as space-raiders and not local thieves—and notified the army.
The local police arrived quickly in response to the security alarm but were
unsuccessful in entering the building. The police presence didn't worry the
raiders, so they didn't panic. But the army arrived with military-grade weapons
and disabled the shuttles before they were ready to leave. Someone in the
government realized immediately the army was no match for two cruisers and
contacted the Jax. And because the Sabretooth was in the Merlin Commonwealth
Sector and the general area of Heibei, they arrived before the raiders'
cruisers could attempt to extricate the trapped raiders on the ground."

Helon spoke up, obviously amused. "The question to
you, Dragon Sapir, is what do you intend to accomplish with only ten Black Guards?"

"Petition the space gods for help," I said to
smiles.

My duty
, I
mused.

* * *

We arrived twenty-eight hours later and were delivered
planet-side without incident. The two raider cruisers weren't anxious to start
a fighting war with three Jax cruisers over one shuttle, which couldn't hold
more than twenty troops. Not surprisingly, a whole fleet of vehicles awaited us
and took us to their headquarters. On arrival, I was ushered into a large tent,
where General Issak and several high-ranking officers and two civilians stood
around a table filled with papers.

Issak left the table and waved me outside before I could
give him a respectful bow.

"Captain Sapir, I'm sorry I got you involved. I
realized too late that the current stalemate puts the spotlight on you to solve
the problem and that wasn't what I had intended. Oh, I wanted your advice and
help but not to pass the problem on to you and the Black Guard." He looked
pale and the bags under his eyes said he hadn't slept much in the past day or
two.

"Sir, we can't change people's perceptions, so let us
focus on the problem. If you will bring me up to date on the situation, I'll
give you my opinion and offer what help I can."

He nodded and spoke as I followed him at a walk.

"Thank you, Sapir. The raiders have about thirty
hostages according to the HTL representative. That is the approximate number of
employees normally at work during the time the raiders stormed the facility. There
were also eight security men on duty at the time. Initial information indicates
they were killed when the raiders forced their way into the building. So there
may be more or less. On the one hand, the problem from the HTL's perspective is
that the deaths of those employees could put the company out of business for
years. That's equally true if their proprietary equipment is destroyed. In
addition, they don't want the raiders to leave with the current inventory of
crystals that is estimated to be worth close to ten billion credits, nor with the
equipment—since that would again put them out of business. The Heibei
government, on the other hand, would let them leave if they didn't hurt any of
the hostages. And the raiders don't want to leave empty handed and know the
hostages and equipment give them leverage. The Heibei government and the HTL
representative want a contract with the Jax to eject the raiders, but we can't
agree on terms. They want the hostages unharmed, and that seems impossible as
the raiders are threatening to kill them if we attempt any action against the
facility. The result is a stalemate."

"Can you show me what the facilities look like and
where you think the raiders are currently positioned?" I needed more
information than I had, as well as time to think.

Issak led me back inside the tent and pointed to each
man present in turn.

"Captain Sapir, Colonel Lothar is the commander of
the Jax army unit, Colonel Kaur the commander of the Heibei army unit, Mister
Nguyen is the governor of the province, and Mister Singh represents the HTL.
Gentlemen, this is Captain Sapir of the Black Guard. The Captain needs a
briefing on the facilities and your latest intelligence."

"You only have eleven troopers with you—"
Singh began.

I raised a finger to my lips. "Colonel Lothar,
Colonel Kaur, if you please."

I knew it would be both frustrating and a waste of time
trying to explain to civilians who wanted a magical solution that force wasn't
going to work, so I resorted to the Black Guard's—or maybe rather Captain
Sapir's
heartless
reputation—to
silence them.