Chapter Twenty
November 9, 2768
Western Slopes of the Cascade Range
North America
Empire of Amaris (Terran Hegemony)
“Gently, gentlemen, gently,†Antonius whispered to the former linebackers as they brushed aside the dirt covering one of Amaris’s nuclear mines. “This is no mere firecracker, my friends.â€
Vince turned to glare at the former Blackheart, as Bernie scowled. “I still can’t believe you talked us into this. Sneaking past the Rim World lines and digging up a nuke.â€
Antonius smiled. “Oh come, now, Bernie. You were as excited as the prospect as a freshman cheerleader asked to the prom by the star quarterback. Besides, I can think of several much more appropriate places for this munition than here in the middle of this pass, can’t you?â€
“Yes, but what if they booby-trapped it?â€
“Vince, Vince, Vince, of course they booby-trapped it.â€
Both of the guerillas suddenly stopped digging and stared at Zalman.
“I am a specialist, however. Just don’t jostle it too much.â€
“Liz would have a cow,†whispered Bernie was the two began to sweep away the soil against, slower this time.
“Dear sweet, Liz, of course she would! I imagine she would rather we just disable the nuke than move it.â€
“Could you do that?â€
“Bernie, where is the fun in that?â€
Vince stopped digging. “I think I found the outer casing, Antonius.â€
The spry old man dropped down into the hole and carefully brushed aside the dirt. And then he smiled. “Yes, yes you have. Hand me that tool bag.â€
Taking a paint brush, the special agent began to slowly and carefully brush aside dirt until a small access door was revealed. He reached into the bag and took out several tools, and within minutes he had removed the panel, and was reaching into the internal mechanism of the bomb. Several minutes more, and he sat back, holding a strange looking device.
“And that, gentlemen, is a laser initiation system for the Mark Eleven tactical nuclear demolition munition. The weapon is quite safe, now. Let’s bundle it up and be on our way.â€
“Exactly how heavy is this thing?†asked Vince as he glared at the slimmer, dapper special agent.
“Heavy enough that I am so glad the two of you volunteered,†said Antonius with a grin. “Come, my beasts of burden! We have miles to travel before we are done for the evening. And I need three more of these firecrackers, so on to the next site, we go.â€
November 10, 2768
Imperial Palace
Unity City, North America
Empire of Amaris (Terran Hegemony)
“Gunthar, his Majesty has gone around the bend,†Brigadier Augustus Talbot whispered. “It is time to think about preserving ourselves.â€
Four other high-ranking Internal Security officers nodded their agreement, and Gunthar slowly added his own. “What do you propose, then, Augustus?â€
“We have already prepared a cargo submersible at the Bremerton docks. The ship has a full crew and supplies to remain submerged for up to three years. We will slip quietly out into the Pacific and wait for the furor to end. Then we will land somewhere and get passage off-world. There are many places in the Periphery where a man can leave his past behind.â€
Another officer spoke up. “We might not even have to abandon the Inner Sphere, Gunthar. Men of skills are always needed, no matter how much our employers might publically disdain our methods.â€
“Mercenaries,†Gunthar said with a snarl, “we should become mercenaries and abandon Stefan. That is what you are saying.â€
“Stefan is a dead man, Gunthar. We know it and you know it. This is our chance at not dying alongside him. Join us—there is room on the sub for you.â€
“You are all set on this course?â€
The officers nodded their affirmation.
“I cannot, literally cannot abandon Stefan, gentlemen. And as for you,†Gunthar suddenly drew his pistol and shot Talbot in the chest, as IntSec guards swarmed into the room. “You are traitors to the cause. Take them out and shoot them,†he told the guards.
After the protesting officers were hustled from the room, Stefan Amaris walked in, causing Gunthar to snap to attention. “My Lord,†he said with a deep bow. “I had thought not to disturb you with this—housecleaning.â€
Stefan smiled. “Don’t worry about me, Gunthar. I have been fully aware of what these officers have plotted for some time. Why do you think I publically asked for Kraal and Daragou? To draw out those who are not true-believers in our Empire.â€
“You pretended, Sire?â€
“I even fooled you, I see. No Gunthar, I remember well Luis Kraal’s screams after your threw him into the fish tank. And I am pleased that even in such circumstances, YOU my friend, remained true to me. Still, the traitors have a point: we cannot stop the Star League now. But I think that submarine will be best served by conveying you, I, and my family to safety. Not these fools.â€
“I understand, my Lord. I shall make the preparations at once.â€
“Carefully, Gunthar. We must wait for the right moment—too soon and these fools will surrender and fail to cover our retreat. Kerensky must believe that we are both dead if we are to escape and rebuild our fortunes.â€
“Yes, Sire.â€
“And who knows? Perhaps these imbeciles might stop Kerensky from crossing the Cascades. His casualties will be extreme and I am loved by my people, after all. They might stop his advance.â€
And the horse might learn to sing, thought Gunthar. But he only said, “By your will, my master.â€