"We knew, but not as quickly as we should have." In response to my beckoning hands asking for details, he gave me his full smile – the one where I could see the black tunnel between his two front teeth. "Confidential."
"Closed-mouth gray ghost!" I snarked at him.
"Surly obnoxious teenager," he replied.
Like I said, we're getting along well. "How many sleepers have you tagged?"
"Not enough. One middle-aged woman made a run at me some years ago, but B.C. put me under protection and told me to stay in hiding. I don't believe that they'll send any more sleepers after me. I'm near death anyway. But Zzyk's going to throw everything he has at the Wilizy when he realizes that you've outsmarted him once again."
"We're ready. Hank's helping the Aboriginal Nation move the people who know where we live to safety. Did you look into Mac's background like I asked? Interesting that she weaseled her way into the Wilizy so quickly and easily. We're kind of worried about her even though our security measures said she was clean."
"She came to one of my colleagues some months ago and told him that her boss was in danger from the DPS. She didn't say why she felt that. All she wanted was a weapon or two. We checked her out. When we realized it had something to do with you, we quietly did as she asked. Our background check was inconclusive."
"Which means what?"
"She claims that she can trace her family back to Scotland, but we found no official records to back her up. The earthquake of '48 destroyed a lot of downtown Vancouver; the tsunami took care of the rest. Her only ancestor that we can confirm existed is questionable. She says that he was a B.C. author in the early 21st century who supposedly wrote youth science fiction books. But we found no evidence that any such books were ever purchased. She might be making him up. If so, everything about her could be a sleeper's cover."
"So we should watch her?"
"Depends on how much you trust your own security. Don't bother researching her supposed Wighton ancestor. We couldn't find much on him."
"Are you really on death's door?"
"Rick thinks I am."
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Chapter 14
Zzyk was relaxing in his private retreat on top of what used to be the Hotel Macdonald in Edmonton. It was a sunny day and he was relaxing in a lounger chair, the top button on his white shirt undone, sun glasses reflecting the sun.
The Hotel Macdonald had long been an Edmonton heritage site. Zzyk had converted it to government cubicles when he took over the government decades ago. His own office at this site was deep underground. This wasn't the office with the exploding visitor's chair, but it was still a well-hidden and well-protected office. A contingent of six guards had this portion of the hotel's roof protected and all of them were ignoring Rick. He had been in Zzyk's good graces ever since he had told Zzyk where the Wilizy were hiding.
Rick had asked for this meeting to brief Zzyk on what had happened at the western wall the previous night. "Franklin dismantled 100 meters of walls in three separate stretches. The DPS commanders in those areas were busy watching what Franklin wanted them to watch. He made one concession to us last meeting and last night's action is to tell us he won't budge any further. If we don't agree to make a public statement, he's effectively saying that we can expect our western wall to leak like a sieve."
"Why does he care so much about this statement?"
"The Wilizy are pulling his strings. But, the statement will mean nothing if the Wilizy are destroyed. Just approve the statement. It will be all lies anyway."
"And the demands for financial compensation for the incursions? Where are we on that?"
"That's what Franklin conceded. We'll pay no money. However, instead of money, he wants Alberta land. That won't amount to much on the complaints they've lodged. We'll have to give them a few small parcels of land plus unrestricted access to them. I've mandated that the parcels they choose can't have any existing structures on them. That means that they'll be small and worthless. Hardly worth fighting about. After Rolf destroys the Wilizy, we can take the land back. B.C. won't be able to stop us."
"What do they want the land for? A symbolic victory?"
"Perhaps. They've lost on everything else that we've negotiated. They tried to threaten us with taking our towers and using the steel for a second WZBN transmitter on Mount Assiniboine for example – but I negotiated access to our steel out early. They weren't serious about it – it was only a negotiating ploy. A second transmission tower wouldn't consume much steel. Promoting Alberta visitors into B.C. was another ploy. Visitors would have no money to spend and would their government really want to deal with Albertans who had recently lost their brain-bands and were wandering around unable to control their emotions? But they're sticking to these land demands. Plus they want to build structures on them."
"Your recommendation?"
"As it stands now, this treaty will cost us a few worthless bits of land and a meaningless statement. However there's a risk. If Rolf's attack isn't successful, you'll face a penalty that you'll be obligated to honour. According to this treaty, any further incursions by our military forces into B.C. could cost you up to 5 square kilometers of land per incursion. The amount will depend on how many soldiers were involved. If you don't honour the agreement, they can strip 5 km of wall and we don't have the mobile forces to be able to stop them. We'll be attacking into Aboriginal Nation land within a week. If Rolf isn't successful against the Wilizy, you'll be obligated to honour the treaty."
"Five square kilometers is somewhat generous."
"To appear legitimate, the treaty has to hurt you. They'll believe that you'll be deterred if you agree to something that will hurt you. That way, you won't invade their territory, which of course you're going to do. If you refuse to agree on this, you'll tip your hand. The solution is to pretend to be deterred. Give them some tiny parcels, publish the statement, wait, and let Rolf solve the problem. After he destroys the Wilizy, you'll be free to ignore the treaty. B.C. won't care."
"Explain."
"B.C. is using this treaty to raise money. When I refused to give them Alberta money, they decided to obtain it from the Wilizy. They're going to re-sell any Alberta land we give them to the Wilizy, and in exchange, the Wilizy will charge them less for access to WZBN programming. The Wilizy are making a ton of money off the network. B.C. wants a bigger share. If the Wilizy are destroyed, B.C. will probably inherit the broadcast materials. They're storing them after all."
"Why do the Wilizy want our land?"
"I don't know. But what do you care what the Wilizy think they're going to do with our land. Rolf is going to destroy them, right?"
"He's been scouting the area for a week but the camp is basically empty. The Slut and the giant are the only ones there," Zzyk said. "He'll attack as soon as Will and The Slut are in the camp together."
"You did warn him that Will likes to set trip wires for people sneaking up on him?"
"Rolf assured me that he has stayed kilometers away."
"I'd feel better if I had been able to plan the attack. You said B.C. was the bigger threat. I had to agree, but still . . ."
"Relax. Rolf's good at killing people. Sign the treaty on my behalf. Issue the statement that B.C. wants."
Back to the Table of Contents
Chapter 15
Yollie reported that the DPS forces left the Lethbridge base Saturday afternoon, October 8 at 5:30 in the afternoon. That base had already received additional troops from Calgary and Medicine Hat. She calculated that about 300 men boarded twelve copters that took them into Montana, and from there, westward into the heavily mountainous and forested area of the old Glacier National Park where they made camp. Yollie saw some significant weaponry. Mortars, machine guns, powered grenades, plus other weapons in unlabeled packs. All of it will be carried on the backs of soldiers into the battle zone. Rick's advance warning of numbers and weapons appeared to be accurate.
The copters themselves were troop trans
ports with machine gun weaponry, but they were not combat helicopters. All were solar powered with reduced engine noise, but by necessity, they'd be operating on battery power during the attack that Rick said would be at dawn. Those batteries should be sufficient to transport the soldiers to the battle site but they would not have much operating capacity left afterwards. The forecast for Sunday was for sunny weather. The copters could recharge soon enough and could leave after the battle. But it was going to be an infantry fight for the most part.
The invading force left the Glacier camp at 2 a.m. Sunday morning and entered B.C. airspace at 2:20. At that point, they broke into two groups - six copters aiming to come in behind the Wilizy camp from the west, the other six to come in from the east. All soldiers were on the ground by 3:30 a.m. and were slowly and quietly on schedule to have the Wilizy camp surrounded by dawn. The copters had offloaded their troops and then had relocated to a collection point south of the enemy compound.
The valley where Hank and Yolanda had settled was angled north-south with a small river running down the middle. To the east and the west were reasonably high hills. About two hundred soldiers with long range weaponry were quietly climbing the back sides of those hills and were on pace to reach the tops by 5 a.m. at the latest. One hundred men to the east, one hundred men to the west. From the hill tops, they would have excellent shooting angles on the compound below. Mortars would also inflict heavy damage on the buildings. In the event that any Wilizy escaped into the trees, some invaders would be dispersed lower on the hillsides and would ambush the fleeing Wilizy from their hidden locations. At those elevations, forest cover was not dense. Some sections of the hillside were quite steep – cliff-like in areas. This would force Wilizy survivors into a few obvious escape routes. The plan was to have heavy machine guns set up to cover those routes. With withering fire from the hills, they expected any surviving Wilizy to try to flee up or down the river.
The remaining one hundred soldiers had been dropped off beside the river. Fifty soldiers started about four klicks north of the compound and the other fifty an equal distance south. Both groups were now proceeding slowly towards the target. Together they would form a concentrated force that would first block off any escape through the valley and then would move in and mop up after the shelling. If any Wilizy bodies were transportable, they would take them to Edmonton where they'd be displayed.
Rolf's last report to Zzyk put the estimated number of Wilizy in the compound at six. Three hundred soldiers versus six Wilizy. He said that he would take personal command of the force and attack at dawn. He estimated they'd be finished by dawn + 30 minutes.
# # # # # # # #
The first request for instructions arrived at the Command Post at 4:31. Soon afterwards, all platoon sergeants were reporting that a small light was in front of them, slowly flashing red. Each light was about 100 meters away. All forces were now holding positions and awaiting further orders. The troops charged with gaining shooting positions on the top of the hills surrounding the Wilizy camp were still on the back side of the hills and well below the peaks. The troops working their way up the river valley were two kilometers away from being able to see the little village.
"This is the Battle Commander. All units: Proceed carefully against possible sentry campfires. Platoon Sergeants: Be prepared to disable sentries silently."
Soon another rush of queries flooded the command post. Each sergeant reported that more red lights were becoming visible now. All were flashing red. The flashes were coming more quickly now.
"This is the Battle Commander: All units are to advance by belly crawl. Spread out. Use night goggles to identify any opposition. Hold positions at 30 meters from the lights. The Third Platoon Sergeant will report; all others units will maintain radio silence."
"Battle Commander. This is Third Platoon Sergeant. We're at 30 meters from the lights and holding. We are fully dispersed. Each soldier has a flashing red light in front of him. It's floating about 2 meters off the ground. The lights are now brighter and the flashes are coming at 1 second intervals. We can't see anyone standing or lying behind the lights. We're partially blinded right now. No need for night goggles. Battlefield is fully illuminated."
"All units: Hold for instructions."
Two minutes passed.
"This is the Battle Commander: Third platoon, attempt to flank."
One minute passed.
"Flanking attempt unsuccessful, Battle Commander. Red lights are following. We're now 20 meters from the lights."
"Third Platoon Sergeant – have half your force flank left, half flank right."
One minute passed.
"Battle Commander: Attempts to flank were unsuccessful. We're now at 10 meters and holding. The men nearest the lights are becoming disoriented."
"Third Platoon Sergeant: Can you see anything living behind the lights?"
"Negative, Battle Commander."
"Third Platoon Sergeant. With no opposition detected, assume that flashing lights are intended to frighten casual strangers away. On your command, have your men charge past the lights and take cover on the ground behind in case the lights are intended to help guide the fire of sentries posted in the rear."
Thirty seconds passed.
"Battle Commander. This is the Second Platoon Sergeant. We were on the Third Platoon's left flank. The red lights were weapons. All Third Platoon soldiers are dead. The red lights facing them have disappeared. We heard no noises, not even from the men dying. Recommend an order to retreat."
"Negative, Second Platoon Sergeant. All positions hold. Await instructions."
Three minutes passed:
"Second Platoon Sergeant. Fire one grenade at one of the lights."
"Due respects, Battle Commander. At this range, the blast from that grenade could kill the soldier. Recommend strongly against deploying a grenade in such close quarters."
One minute passed.
"This is the Battle Commander: All forces, retreat 20 meters but no more. Second Platoon Sergeant, report on the orientation of the red lights."
One minute passed.
"Battle Commander: Red flashing lights are holding their positions. Brightness and frequency have diminished."
"Second Platoon Sergeant: Fire one grenade."
"Battle Commander. This is Second Platoon Corporal. Second Platoon Sergeant is dead. The grenade had no effect on the light other than to cause it to attack the sergeant. When it touched him, the sergeant died without a sound. The sergeant's red light is gone. Battle Commander: Due respects. Recommend an immediate withdrawal."
"Negative, corporal. All ground units hold positions. Copter #1 pilot. I want you in the air. Advance into the battle area at your highest possible altitude. Keep your mic open. Report second-by-second when you encounter enemy forces."
Two minutes passed with no activity to report.
"Battle Commander: I'm coming up the river valley from the south now. Estimate enemy compound is three klicks distant. No signs of hostiles. Still nothing. Still nothing. Battle Commander, I have a red light flashing in the distance. It is at the same altitude as I am. I am attempting to fly higher. My engine is struggling. Battle Commander, I estimate 10-minutes of power remaining. Red light is flashing more quickly and brighter now. Battle Commander, at my speed, I estimate contact in less than 20-seconds. Request instructions."
"Maintain course heading and dive sharply underneath the red light."
One minute passed.
"Battle Commander. This is the First Lieutenant of the Special Command Force. The helicopter has been obliterated. Due respects, Battle Commander. Please identify yourself. I do not recognize your voice."
"First Lieutenant, you do not need to recognize my voice. Was there any sign of a missile attack?"
"Battle Commandeer. This is First Platoon Sergeant. Red lights are advancing slowly in my sector towards all men. Suspect same conditions exist elsewhere. We will soon be under attack by hostile forces that we do not know
how to stop. Recommend full retreat immediately!"
"All units. This is First Lieutenant, Special Command Force. I am assuming command. Retreat. All units retreat. Regroup at the collection point. Command Center staff: Arrest and immobilize the Battle Commander on my authority."
# # # # # # # #
All remaining soldiers in the DPS Special Command Force were photographed individually, as well as in their assembled formation before the three B.C. military copters transported them to the eastern side of Alberta's prison walls Sunday evening. Except for the copter pilot, the dead soldiers were also photographed and returned with due military honours. DPS copters were there to greet them. The DPS command structure didn't have the nerve to ask for their copters, weapons and ammunition back too.
On Monday morning, the B.C. government sent the Alberta government an invoice for 5 square kilometers of Alberta land that was due to them as per the recent treaty that the Alberta government had signed prohibiting DPS operations inside B.C. The letter asked for a date this week where B.C. officials could tour certain areas of Alberta and select the land that they would now own. The letter also contained a postscript: "Where's the statement you promised?"
That official statement was released to B.C. officials Monday afternoon, October 10. It was posted in its entirety on the WZBN website and read aloud each hour during Tuesday's and Wednesday's broadcast day.
The government of Alberta regrets the allegations that were made that a member of the Wilizy had been responsible for the deaths of two recently murdered Albertan citizens. As part of our normal investigations into such incidents of violence, we have now determined that a low level security consultant named Rolf used his temporary clearance pass to gain access to both victims and murdered and disfigured them for personal reasons. Certain allegations that have been made publicly regarding the character of the victims and the Wilizy member were the opinions of the consultant only and the Government of Alberta regrets that an IOF citizen could have circulated such prejudices against others. This goes against all the principles of fairness that we espouse. In compliance with the principles of the IOF's renowned justice system, that consultant was executed today at noon.