The IX (33 page)

“
And
?”

“It was a complete anticlimax. I know he was heavily medicated. He is still recovering from a nasty injury after all, but . . .”

“Oh, for goodness sake . . . Sir.
But
what?”

“That’s just it, Williams. You’re going to think I’d been on the whiskey or something, but I got the damndest impression I was talking to someone else. It looked like Houston. It sounded like Houston. But it didn’t act like him. Do you know, he actually congratulated me on my advancement and wished me well?”

“Seriously? The Captain said that?”

“It knocked me for six, I can tell you.”

They stared at each other, perplexed by the weirdness of the conundrum. Then Williams raised a valid point. “Hey, Jake. Sorry . . . Sir. Do you realize what this means? With Smith and Houston out of the way, you are effectively
the
ranking officer of the 2
^nd
Cavalry Regiment. Hell, you’re easily the most experienced of us all, anyway. I bet if you put your foot down, the commanders would listen to you.”

He’s got a point. This is a terrible waste of energy and resources. If timing is going to be of the essence, my boys can serve better by acting as flying pickets or an emergency reserve on the day.
“Williams? Send a runner after Corporal Spencer and his men. They can’t have gotten far. Once they return, have them rendezvous with us here and gather the platoon together. We’re marching for Rhomane.”

In answer to his sergeant’s bemused look, Rixton added, “If the hierarchy went to all that trouble to promote me, they’ve got to expect me to start making command decisions sometime soon. This is my first one, and I don’t intend for it to be my last.”

*

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Mac asked, for the third time. “Because if you do, there’s no going back.”

He skimmed through the details of the latest evaluation report on the man before him one more time. “You’ve attended twice the number of training sessions of any other civilian here. Managed to qualify in not one but
two
close quarter battle theaters, and have achieved an above average pass for pistols, medium range machine guns, and immediate action drills. What interests me is the fact that your long range marksmanship has been assessed as outstanding. That’s impressive by any standards.”

Bob Neville had the decency to look embarrassed. “I’ve been working hard,” he mumbled, “and although I’ll always be a scientist, first and foremost, I want to be enough of a man to make a difference.”

He stepped forward and placed a set of dog tags on the table between them. Mac knew them well. The words
PO988453K COLLINS D. – B POS – C of E
were etched into the hard resin of both discs.

Well, well, well. Looks like he’s grown a pair.
“So, you think you’re too good to be a soldier, do you?”

“No, not at all,” Bob replied defensively, “I’m just aware of my limitations. Both you and I know I’m no warrior. I never will be, but at least now I can make a valid contribution.”

Mac studied the man before him.
Yes, I believe you can
. “They say a volunteer is worth ten pressed men. And when that volunteer is properly motivated, he’s worth double. You may regret your decision in the future, especially with what we’ve got coming up. Nevertheless, congratulations. You’re in.”

“Eh? That’s it?”

“Oh yes. Be they military or civilian, I have complete autonomy as to who gets to be on my team. And your ass, dear man, now belongs to me.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Red Gold Rush

Entering his office, Marcus slapped the dust from his breastplate and skirts before removing his cloak.
Damned stuff gets everywhere. Still, I shouldn’t complain. We’re fortunate this is the only real problem we face.

The expedition had been on site for just over a week. All fortifications were complete, and the mining operations had begun the previous day. None of the patrols had reported any evidence of Horde activity, and the Ardenese laser cutters were making ore extraction an incredibly swift and easy affair.

It’ll be nice to get the first shipment off. Then I can get back, and catch up with what Decimus has been up to. I can’t wait to see how the Arc of Death looks now it’s finished.

Having shaken out his cape, Marcus hung it up next to his sword belt and strode toward his desk. A handheld computer had been left beside his in-tray pile. A flashing cursor in the top left corner of the screen showed it was active.

Ah, the report Leonard said he’d help me with.

Although Marcus had made an effort to familiarize himself with the newer and more sophisticated tools of his trade, using tablets to write reports was not one of them. Thankfully, he had plenty of willing volunteers to help in that regard.

Retrieving the pad, he sat back in his chair and activated the message.

Let’s see if a scientist can write anything near to what I recommended, in plain language.

To: Commander Saul Cameron

From: Praefectus Marcus Galerius Brutus

Initial Report: Shilette Abyss Mining Expedition

Saul,

I hope this opening summary finds you well.

You will be pleased to learn that events are proceeding apace. The fort and surrounding defenses are now complete. Patrols of the nearby forest and adjacent highway are undertaken at all times of the day and night by joint squads of Legion Equitata and U.S. Cavalry. At the time I write this testimony, we have been on site for eight days, and Horde sightings remain at zero.

Now that the shield wall is in place, our operations here will be masked from sight. We have remained undetected so far, and due to the stringent security protocols I have initiated, I am confident this will remain so.

Now to business.

Iron Ore Extraction

The deposits found within the Shilette Abyss canyon show unique characteristics. Iron is usually found at locations where there has been a steady aquatic flow over thousands of years, or where there is a proliferation of mineral hot springs. Lower grade accretions can precipitate out of purer water sources, where they collect in layers at the bottom of lakes or streams.

However, the features of this entire region display advanced geological block modeling, with a blending of chemical variables. We have established the grade distribution of Fe, and SiO2 as bimodal, due to a consequence of both mineralization and extreme weathering. Distribution of suitable contaminants is low.

Because of this, we have made a remarkable discovery. Huge quantities of naturally occurring bedded ore, arranged in geological sequence, are available to us. The cliff face of the plateau has partially collapsed and opened the sedimentary layers to the elements. As such, we have incorporated an ‘open shaft’ approach to extract the banded magnetite and hematite found here. These particular examples alone have been assessed at 92% to 94% pure, and will be the first minerals extracted.

We are also blessed with an abundant smattering of both goethite and limonite. Although of a more inferior quality (60% – 65%), this will still provide a valuable and additional source of low grade material if stocks ever become depleted.

Patrols have established the presence of nearby outflows from the inland Esteban Sea. Although shallow, the creeks are saturated with chalk, clay, and peat deposits. From what we have ascertained so far, those locations will be an excellent source of granular ‘bog-ore’, which we may be able to exploit in future, should the need ever arise.

Personnel

So far, everyone has buckled down to the task at hand, and appears to be working well together.

My chosen centurion, Tiberius Tacitus of the 2
^nd
Cohort, will make a reliable camp commander. His optio—or lieutenant as you would call him—Lucius Scipio, is a career officer with a sound tactical mind. Between them, this expedition is in safe hands.

Any disciplinary or security issues arising will likewise be handled decisively by the appointed tesserarius, Staff Sergeant Tiberius Cenus. Tiberius is a twenty year veteran of the legion and a man who exacts high standards from those he serves with.

I must confess, his job is being made all the easier by the efforts of the young cavalry officer, Second-Lieutenant Wilson Smith. Free of the influence of Captain Houston, he has proven an energetic, willing and exemplary soldier, who has taken the lead in providing long range patrols. Both he and his men are to be commended.

Once their disciplinary tenure is completed, I know Lucius would be happy for them to remain in post, as they have bonded to the rest of the family here remarkably well.

The combined mining operations and geological survey crews are a wonder to behold. Because of their professional standing, each department under Leonard Tam and Joshua Osborne take pride in achieving results. And results are exactly what they’ve been producing.

The drillers, led by Oliver Prince and Gerry Hunt, have adapted to the Ardenese equipment with amazing proficiency. Because of this, we cleared nearly half a ton of refined ore on our first day. Were it not for our security measures, this would have been a much higher figure, but I am determined to ensure our undertakings here remain undiscovered by the Horde.

(See my addendum—appendix A—at the end of this report regarding absence of enemy activity in the Tar’e-esh area—and proposed response).

Alexander Du’pre, the former terrorist and biochemist, has proven himself an absolute godsend to Matthew Keegan and his experts. It was Alexander’s analysis of nearby streams that established the existence of iron oxides within each of the outlets.

Likewise, the former leader of their organization, Sebbi Farah, has devised a most ingenious splicing of Ardenese and remaining Earth technologies. Her knowledge of computers has not only improved the security coverage of our surrounding area, but has also boosted the range of our covert transmitters to fifty miles. She is currently working on several backup flyers. It is our hope that she will be able to incorporate a relay system through their software that will provide a live-time audiovisual link back to Rhomane within a week or two.

Transportation

We are on target to fulfill the first shipment fifteen days from now.

Because of this, I will be dispatching Lieutenant Smith and a section of his men back along the main Tar’e-esh to Rhomane freeway in just over a week’s time. They will be dropping off a section of riders at three strategic points along the route, to establish covert staging posts. It is envisaged the advance party will liaise with the incoming supplies somewhere in the region south of Arden’s main spaceport. Once they meet up, please advise the drivers to follow their guidelines exactly. Suitable concealed paths have been fashioned through the forest, to facilitate speedy ingress and maintain secrecy.

Facilities have been incorporated into our infrastructure to accommodate up to four skidders and six skimmers at a time. Thereafter, I propose we commence regular mechanized shuttle runs once per week, along with a new schedule of radio updates, every evening at sundown.

~ * ~

This concludes my first report as acting base commander.

Expectations are high, as is morale. This location is capable of providing a ready source of precious iron ore for the foreseeable future. Extraction and smelting methods are simple and straightforward. I sincerely hope our efforts instill a feeling of hope and renewed enthusiasm among our friends back home. Remember, this is but a first step into uncharted territory. It would appear many more options are opening up to us than was originally anticipated.

I have confidence that your latest endeavors are going well. If successful, they will prove a great boon to future production here and at other sites yet to be discovered.

Upon my return, I look forward to discussing recently gained tactical intelligence with you, in person.

Marcus.

“I like it,” Marcus murmured, “and although I haven’t got a clue what some of those scientific terms mean, it will provide a succinct, informative, and hopefully encouraging précis for the command staff back home.”

He glanced toward his dusty cloak on its peg.

Although I must admit, I think I’ll miss the place.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Once More into the Breach

The rolling countryside sped past. Leaning back, Mac lifted his head to the sky and savored the breeze sweeping across his face. Not only did it take the bite out of the midday heat, but it helped him relax before the coming storm.

Sitting down, he rested against the side of the skimmer and closed his eyes.
I don’t suppose it will hurt to review things one last time.

Because of the specifics of their last mission, they had thought it prudent to avoid the use of the subway to gain entry to the launch site. There was obviously more to the Horde than had previously been realized. Thus, it would be fair to assume their enemy would have taken precautions to prevent anyone using that avenue of approach a second time. Att Mohammed’s suggestion, the entire team encamped into three vehicles—two skidders and one skimmer—and simply utilized the excellent freeway running adjacent to the spaceport’s environs. It was a far longer path, but one that circumvented an area of known danger.