Echoes of War Box Set, page 68
part #1 of Echoes of War Series
“They’ll always be my men. We made a pack to defend our faith, our families, and those who couldn’t fight back from the butchers in the Monrovian government. Regardless of what it took, we’d make them pay.”
“By killing innocent civilians?”
“Innocent?” Monahan asked incredulously. “Do you think the people who voted to exterminate us are innocent? While I’m a Christian, I know the history of Jews, Colonel. I know what happened to your people back on Earth. If you had been alive during the Holocaust, would you have not tried to strike back?”
“Of course I would’ve tried to strike back,” David snapped.
“And you think you’d have taken out a few people that maybe didn’t deserve it? For that matter, are you seriously telling me that, in your career, you’ve never killed an innocent?”
David sat silent for several seconds. “No, I can’t say that, General. I’d like to believe, though, that I never targeted innocents. I’d like to believe those deaths will stick with me and guide me to make better decisions.”
“I played the hand I had. Bombings worked. We inflicted real pain.”
“Don’t you realize that by engaging in suicide bombings, you only made it easier to round up more people and execute them?”
“They would have done it anyway, Colonel. I evened up those scales. I might have even brought down the government if you guys hadn’t shown up.”
“And how many more would have died in the end?”
Monahan shrugged. “That’s for God to sort out.”
“No, it’s up to us to do the right thing. Day in, day out.”
“Maybe for you. For me… anything required to win is on the table. Victory at any cost.”
How far would I go? Could I face down defeat and opt to do the right thing overtaking more of the enemy down with me? “I don’t subscribe to that way of thinking, General. I remember the words of Marcus Aurelius. The best revenge is to be unlike them who you fight. When we stoop to the level of acting like our enemy, I believe we become our enemy. The only way to truly win is to win the moral battle within, as well as the physical battle.”
“Colonel, I’m glad you haven’t yet had to make that choice. Someday, you will. I’d be curious to know what your decision is on that day. For now, you can keep riding high on your smug morality.”
“It would go easier on you if you would provide us with names of those who engaged in civilian bombings.”
“I’ve got nothing to say on that matter. I won’t give up those who served with me. I don’t care what you do to me. Lock me up the rest of my life. I don’t care.”
David nodded. “Well, it’ll be up a tribunal set up jointly between Monrovia, the Terran Coalition, and the Organization of Non-Aligned Planets to determine what happens to you. And the rest of the war criminals here.”
“Good old Attwood’s idea of coming clean?”
“It was his idea, yes.”
“I should’ve shot that coward when I had the chance.”
“For what it’s worth, General, I think he’s sincere about wanting to make amends.”
Monahan’s eyes narrowed. “There is no way in heaven or hell to make amends for trying to wipe out millions of people in torture and gas chambers.”
David cocked his head to one side. “That’s perhaps one thing we do agree on, General.” He stood up, glancing toward the door. “I’m afraid I have to be going. I’ll let the guard know you’re ready to go back to your cell.”
“You do that, Colonel,” Monahan replied, his voice hard.
David banged on the door and waited for it to open. God, please don’t let me end up like this man. That would be a fate worse than death.
Amir jumped out of the all-terrain vehicle as it came to a stop, turning back to face the nun who had driven him to the flight line. “Thank you, Sister. I’m much obliged for your assistance.”
“My pleasure,” the younger woman said, flashing him a smile and hitting the accelerator. The vehicle took off, whisper quiet due to the electric engine.
Looking out across the flight line, eight SF-106 Phantoms remained out of the twelve they had initially given to the sisters. Almost all of them had battle damage, but Amir thought they sat there proudly, if a piece of equipment could remotely appear proud. He made his way over to the lead fighter and walked around it to find Arendse staring up into one of the engines. “Salaam ‘alaykum, Sister Arendse,” he said.
Arendse whirled around and smiled upon seeing Amir. “And also with you, Colonel Amir. I wasn’t sure if I’d get to see you before the CDF shipped everyone out.”
“Colonel Cohen is finishing up some business in the capital, as is Colonel Demood. I just wanted to come back and make sure you were okay.”
“Worried about me?”
“It was a bit touch and go there, wouldn’t you say?”
“Very. But God saw us through, that and some fancy flying. We’re in your debt for teaching us how to utilize these fighters properly and for staying with us until the very end.”
“Trust in Allah, and tie your camel to a tree,” Amir said, recounting an Arab proverb.
Arendse laughed and smiled. “I like that one. I think I’ll start using it too.”
“What now?”
“We serve as peacekeepers until relief arrives. Mother Superior told us that the Terran Coalition has agreed to send troops, so we have to keep things together until they get here.”
“I understand we’ll be transferring more fighters to your order. You’ll have twenty-four fully operational Phantoms once they get here.”
“What about spare parts?”
“I’ll make sure we send some of the more difficult to source parts over,” Amir replied. “I’m going to try to get you a couple of simulator units with our more realistic training scenarios.”
“Thank you.”
“I have been in many squadrons, fought in many battles, and had the honor of serving with many fine pilots. I want you to know that among all of them, I’ve never seen more courage, dedication, and honor than out of you and your sisters. There have been battles in the past where a few good people made an outsized difference in the outcome. This was one of those battles,” Amir said earnestly. “You should be proud of your efforts and your sisters’ efforts. I go back to the Lion of Judah inspired by your example.”
Arendse turned away from him before turning back, a tear running down her face. “I can’t stop thinking about the ones who didn’t come back. We normally don’t go into direct combat. Our largest space battle to date has been against low-rent space pirates that run away as soon as someone shoots back. I don’t think I was emotionally prepared for what real combat is truly like. How do you do it week in, week out?”
“It is hard,” Amir said. “It’s difficult to make friends and gain meaningful emotional attachments because of the high loss rates pilots suffer. It’s our job to go out and take the hits meant for the big ships. Still, I mourn every loss. You should too. Remember their sacrifice but continue the fight.”
“Those are wise words.”
“My wife told me that once. I never forgot it.”
“Is your wife in the CDF too?”
“She was a fighter pilot for ten years. Our daughter is a pilot now too. The entire Amir family likes to ride fast and fly high,” Amir said, grinning widely. “I’m so proud of my daughter. She’s even better in the cockpit than I am.”
“Don’t you worry about her safety?”
“Now you sound like my wife,” Amir joked. “Yes, I worry every day, and I look forward to getting the short vidlinks she sends me once a week. My heart stops for a moment after I hear of a battle her carrier was in. All that said, she’s fighting for what’s right. I am proud we raised children who value our freedoms and are willing to die to defend them.”
“I’d like to meet your family someday.”
“I’d be honored to have you in our home for a meal.”
“Deal. As soon as the war’s over.”
Amir smiled. “I’d better be getting back to Colonel Cohen’s shuttle. I don’t want him to leave without me,” he said, deflecting her comment.
“Godspeed, Hassan.”
“Ila al-liqaa,” Amir replied. “Until we meet again,” he finished, explaining the Arabic phrase he had used.
As David and his compatriots prepared to depart Monrovia for the last time—at least on this deployment—he found himself in the courtyard of what had been an abandoned Catholic church. The sisters had taken it over as their planetary HQ, something David found especially fitting. The final shipment of military hardware was delivered. An old Gladius-class destroyer, which ironically had been the same class of warship that his father flew into the side of Seville’s flagship so many years ago, was in route to the system to be handed over to Mother Superior Sarno.
“Colonel?” Simone asked as she walked out of the main sanctuary’s wide-open doors.
“Sister Darzi!”
“Simone is fine… I think we can be on a first-name basis after I hauled you out of prison.”
David cracked a smile in return. “Very well, Simone.”
“You wanted to see me? Mother Superior was asking all kinds of questions. She reminded me that I’ve got solemn vows in my future.”
“Yes, I wanted to thank you for saving my life,” David said, as what she said registered and his face turned red. “Sister, I would never in any way try to violate your vows…” As soon as he said it, a voice in the back of his head chimed in, It’s not like she isn’t incredibly attractive and you don’t realize that.
“I know,” Simone cut in. “You’re a good man, Colonel. I’m glad our paths crossed.”
“No one is good…not even one.”
“I wasn’t aware that Jews quoted the Christian Bible.”
David grinned. “The verse actually traces back to the Psalms…which is on my side of the Bible.”
“Ah, I wasn’t aware of that. How does a CDF colonel have the time to study the Bible?”
“Before I was an officer, before I joined the CDF… I wanted to be a rabbi. I spent many years studying the Torah and the wisdom of the rabbis who came before. To me, that’s one of the neatest things about Judaism. The constant search and questioning of what God’s told us. I loved nothing more than reading the Torah and asking the rabbis the toughest questions I could. But, somewhere along the way, I decided my calling was to be a soldier. Nearly twenty years later, here I am.”
Simone adjusted her habit and smoothed the fabric down. “It must have been a difficult choice.”
“It was. I still wonder sometimes if I made the right call. It’s a shame there isn’t a group of Jewish rabbis running around the universe doing good through combat.”
Simone laughed. “Are you making fun of us, David?”
“Never. You, Mother Superior Sarno, Sister Kaufman… you’ve earned my respect and gratitude.”
“Well, I can only speak for myself, but you and your crew earned mine too,” Simone replied, pausing for a moment. “I’ve been thinking about leaving the order.”
David stared at her closely. “Why?”
“Yes. I… I’m not sure I’m fit to remain after killing that man. Mother Superior has counseled me that it was an unavoidable consequence of war, and my actions were justified before God. I just… when I close my eyes, I see him,” Simone said, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “How do I get past that?”
“You don’t. When I close my eyes at night, I see the faces of those I’ve killed. Sometimes I look down at my hands, and I feel like no matter how much I wash them, the blood never comes off. There’s a part of me that hates what I do, another part of me hates how well I do it, and yet another part is proud that I’m able to defeat the League because I believe the League is pure evil.”
“That’s quite a contradiction.”
“Isn’t it?” David said, agreeing with her.
“How do you reconcile it all?”
“I trust that God’s got me in the right place. I believe I need to do what I’m good at to protect others. I try in some way to balance the scales, to leave situations better than I found them, take care of my crew, and bring them home alive. The rest is in the hands of God.”
Simone was silent for a while as she stared out at the hills behind the church. “I think I should rejoin the CDF. Colonel Demood told me he’d sponsor me for OCS. He said the Marines needed more people like me that could confidently engage the enemy.”
“Simone, while I can’t disagree that you’d make a fine asset to the TCMC or the CDF… that’s not where you need to be.”
“How can you know that for sure?”
“I guess I can’t be absolutely certain but let me try to explain. There’s plenty of people like Cal and me. We’re ready to do what needs to be done, including kill as many Leaguers as required to keep our nation safe. There’re far too few people like you and your order. You and the rest of the sisters constantly put your own lives on the line in order not to kill others. I was astounded by the level of care you took, even in the face of an enemy doing horrific things to its citizens. I think we could all learn something from the grace you displayed in even trying to save a man that killed one of your own in cold blood. In short, Sister… we need more people like you out there trying to save lives. I’m convinced you’re where you belong and that you’re doing God’s work.”
They stood there in silence for several minutes, Simone staring at a point far away; David quiet while she thought. Finally, she spoke. “Thank you, David. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime.”
“What about you? What will you do now?”
David shrugged. “Back to the Lion. General MacIntosh ordered us back to Canaan, where I’m sure we’ll receive new orders.”
“Are you going to get in trouble?”
“I don’t know. Also, don’t think I care. My conscience is at peace, and I’m sure we were supposed to help here. If we hadn’t, God only knows how bad the situation would have ended up being for the people on this planet.”
“We did okay,” Simone replied, grinning herself.
“I’d better head to the shuttle before everyone wonders where I ran off to.”
“Take care of yourself out there,” Simone replied.
“You too. As I told the Mother Superior, if you guys ever need something, you’ve got a marker with the Lion of Judah and me as long as I’m in command of her.”
Before turning to go, David stepped closer and gave Simone a hug, which she returned.
“Despite Mother Superior’s dry attitude, she has a great deal of respect for you. I’m sure we’d help someday in the future if we can.”
David inclined his head in thanks before turning to leave. I wonder if I’ll ever meet them again. I hope someday after this bloody war is over, there will be time to visit old friends.
39
After a good night’s sleep, David was rested and ready for morning watch on the Lion’s bridge. He exchanged salutes with the Marines on guard at the entrance to the cavernous bridge and combat information center as he walked in.
Tinetariro announced his presence as soon as he set foot on the deck plate. “Colonel on the bridge!”
The standing enlisted personnel, as well as officers, braced to attention and brought their hands to their brows in sharp salutes. David crisply returned them. “As you were, ladies and gentlemen.”
As everyone returned to what they’d been doing, he strode forward to the CO’s chair. “Lieutenant Jackson, I have the conn.”
“Aye, sir. Colonel Cohen has the conn,” the young lieutenant replied, standing.
David sat down, the change of watch being a ritual he had performed countless times. Still, there’s something special about this ship and having the privilege of commanding her. Turning to Hammond, he asked, “Navigation, status?”
“Standard orbit, sir, engineering has certified the Lawrence drive as ready to jump.”
“Very good. TAO, status?”
“All weapons systems in standby mode sir. We didn’t scratch the paint while you were gone, if that’s what you were wondering,” Ruth said as she cranked her head around, displaying a smile. “If I may, sir, good to have you back.”
“Does that mean you did not like having a Saurian in charge, Lieutenant?” Aibek’s voice boomed from behind them.
Ruth’s face turned red. “Uh, no, sir!”
David chuckled. “It’s nice to be back.”
Aibek sat down with a thud in the XO’s chair. “I was getting used to the big chair, Colonel. I’ll have to break this one in again.”
“Conn, TAO!” Ruth interjected, all business. “Detecting a Lawrence drive transit…new contact. Designated Sierra fifty-two, Gladius-class destroyer. IFF is not showing as CDF, sir.”
David exchanged a glance with Aibek. “That’s mighty odd.”
“Conn, communications. Incoming transmission from the new contact, sir. It’s Mother Superior Sarno for you,” Taylor said from his station.
“Put her on my viewer, Lieutenant.”
A moment later, Sarno’s face appeared on the screen above him. Wearing her robes and habit, she seemed to be taciturn as ever. “Greetings, Colonel Cohen.”
“Good day, Mother Superior,” David replied. “I see you’ve upgraded your ride.”
Aibek snickered, as did Ruth and Hammond, and even the ordinarily sour nun cracked a smile. “General MacIntosh kept up his end of the bargain. We have to engage in a complete refit of the ship, as it’s been in mothballs for fifteen years. But, once we’re done, our ability to project power, as the military would say… will be greatly enhanced.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Perhaps this isn’t the last time we’ll get to work together.”
“Perhaps not, Colonel Cohen. While not normally how we operate, I’m impressed by you and your fellows’ dedication. Please pass on my thanks to Colonel Demood, Colonel Amir, and Dr. Tural.”
“Of course, ma’am. Anything you need before we jump out?”
