“What are you willing to do to protect them, Captain? Would you rather safeguard these twelve young men here before me? Would you rather preserve their lives than save the billions of people on Earth? Is that your logic? We wouldn’t want Bingwen here to get nightmares and be scared, so let’s step back and watch Earth burn.” Li shook his head. “No. That thinking does not hold water with me, Captain. This is not a war of easy choices. We will not win by following dated rules that were created without an awareness of our unique circumstances. Do you think the Formics live by some ethical code? Do you think they will withhold any advantage because of some convention convened in their past? You served in China, Captain. You saw what these bastards do to innocent people. My people. My homeland. Are you telling me that you’re not willing to do whatever is necessary to annihilate them?
“And frankly, Captain Rackham, I find your objection rather hypocritical. You were the one who first took Bingwen into conflict. Was he not your guide to the Formic lander during the First Formic War? You steered him into battle, you dragged him into war. Not once, but many times. And when you were arrested by the Chinese military, your fellow MOPs made Bingwen one of their own. This boy, this child, as you call him, saw more action under your direction than have most soldiers of the International Fleet. I find that far more morally reprehensible than the sins you’re throwing upon me. So don’t stand there and pretend to occupy some moral high ground, Captain. You are far guiltier of this crime than I am.”
Mazer said nothing. What could he say? Li was right about Bingwen. Mazer had put him in danger. Mazer had tried desperately to remove Bingwen from conflict, but the circumstances thrust upon them had prevented that from happening.
“We’re done here,” said Li. He stepped out of the office, and Mazer followed.
“Tell me, Bingwen,” said Li loud enough for everyone to hear. “Captain Rackham here doesn’t think you’re worthy to be a soldier. He thinks you’re a useless child. He thinks you don’t deserve to be in the IF. What do you say to that?”
“I must respectfully disagree with Captain Rackham, sir.”
“You would like to show him that you’re a soldier, wouldn’t you, Bingwen?” Colonel Li asked.
“Yes, sir, Colonel Li, sir. I would consider it an honor, sir.”
“Very well,” said Li. “Then we shall grant you your request.” He turned to Mazer. “Captain Rackham, you will spar with Bingwen and allow him to show you that he is worthy to be called a soldier.”
Mazer hesitated. “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Are you questioning my authority, Captain Rackham? Are you refusing to follow a lawful, direct order? Considering your recent court-martial, one would think you would be a little more submissive to authority.”
Nothing Mazer could say would change Li’s mind. He would not recant his orders in front on his men and lose face. He would dig in, and Mazer would only make things worse for himself and for Bingwen. His only choice was to accept.
“You’re right, Colonel,” said Mazer. “I beg your pardon. A demonstration of Bingwen’s prowess would certainly help me understand your perspective better.”
Li smiled, victorious. And for an instant Mazer saw something else in the man’s eyes as well: an eagerness to see a confrontation, a hunger for a fight.
Mazer removed his shoes and stepped out onto the mat. He was still wearing his class-As, which weren’t designed for flexibility, but they would have to do. “Well, Bingwen. You’ve clearly been practicing a lot more than I have, but I’ll warn you. I’m taller, heavier, and I won’t go easy on you.”
Mazer spread his feet apart, assuming a relaxed fighting position, waiting.
Bingwen turned to him and joined him on the mat, facing him, his expression still flat, as if Mazer meant nothing to him.
Then, a heartbeat later, Bingwen attacked. Mazer hopped back as Bingwen advanced with a series of kicks aimed directly at Mazer’s groin. Powerful kicks, relentless. Bingwen knew he had a stronger opponent and that his only chance was to target where Mazer was the weakest. Mazer blocked a kick with his leg, then another with his hand, then he grabbed Bingwen’s foot and flipped him over.
Bingwen landed hard on the mat, and Mazer saw a flicker of anger in Colonel Li’s face. Mazer had to keep it going and show no mercy, he realized. He only hoped Bingwen would seize the opportunity when it came. Bingwen sprang back to his feet.
Mazer laughed. “Is that what they teach you, Bingwen? To kick a man where he’s most vulnerable? Good. You’re a soldier. Your job is to win, not to play fair.”
The second attack came. Mazer hopped away again, moving to his left in a wide circle on the mat, acting as if he were enjoying himself. Three more kicks from Bingwen. Mazer blocked them all. “Predictable, Bingwen. You’re showing me a pattern. You’ve got three good kicks you use too often. Everything else is weak and insubstantial. Or maybe you’re going easy on me.”
Two more kicks, easily blocked.
“I certainly won’t go easy on you,” said Mazer, stepping aside to dodge a punch. Another punch immediately followed, but he twisted again, grabbed Bingwen’s wrist, pulled him off balance and landed a stunning flat-palmed blow into Bingwen’s chest.
Bingwen staggered back, the wind knocked from his lungs. He clutched at his chest, but he stayed on his feet, half bent forward, desperate for air. For a moment Mazer thought he had hit him too hard.
Mazer continued to rotate around the circle until his back was to Colonel Li. “If we keep this up, I’m going to hurt you, Bingwen,” said Mazer. “Better give up now and save yourself some bruises.”
Bingwen’s face hardened into a grimace and he assumed a new fighting stance.
“Persistent,” said Mazer. “I commend you for that. Especially against a stronger opponent. But a soldier must also know when to retreat. You sure you don’t want to call it? Or maybe you want to invite two of your friends to help you?”
Mazer then gave Bingwen a subtle wink, one that Colonel Li couldn’t see, and he hoped Bingwen would understand its meaning.
Bingwen did, because his fastest and fiercest attack followed. Now there was no pattern to the volley of kicks and punches. Everything he had done before this moment had been a feint. Now there was real power, as if Bingwen had held himself in reserve until this moment. Mazer scrambled to his left, dodging, deflecting, retreating. An opening came, and Mazer took it, as any soldier would. He kicked out, but Bingwen was already dropping to the floor, anticipating the attack, and sweeping with his leg, connecting with the one foot Mazer was standing on. Mazer didn’t have to pretend to fall. His balance was off, and he went down.
But he knew better than to lose at this moment. That would be too obvious. He had to appear wounded and angry first. He had to show Li a progression in his emotions for Li to believe it. Arrogance, then surprise, then rage, then humility. This was surprise.
Mazer cursed under his breath, then rolled away and was back up in a crouched position, furious. Bingwen didn’t pause in the attack, as Mazer knew he wouldn’t. And Bingwen charged with an animalistic ferocity. Kick, block, kick, block, punch, block, sweep, jump, kick, dodge, punch, block, kick—
Mazer grunted as Bingwen’s foot connected with Mazer’s side. Nothing broke, but Bingwen wasn’t pulling any punches.
Mazer retreated and kicked out, which Bingwen easily dodged. Mazer gripped at his side, wincing a little, his mouth a thin hard line. Then the fourth attack came, and Bingwen upped his assault even further, which Mazer hadn’t anticipated, and which he found pleasantly surprising. Whoever had trained him, had trained him exceptionally well.
Mazer knocked him down, but Bingwen was right back up again, not even pausing for breath. Again, Mazer knocked him down. Now, Bingwen, he wanted to say. Do it now.
Mazer repeated the same move, to knock Bingwen to the mat, but this time Bingwen anticipated the move and rolled to the side, spinning and ramming his elbow hard into Mazer’s gut. M
azer buckled and dropped to his knees, gripping his stomach, then he lifted his head high enough to see Bingwen’s foot right as it connected with the side of Mazer’s face.
Mazer’s head snapped to the side, and his whole body twisted and fell back to the mat. He tasted blood in his mouth. His lip was busted, his head was ringing. His jaw wasn’t broken, but he’d have a facial bruise. He raised a hand meekly. “Yield.”
Colonel Li came over and offered him a hand. Mazer took it and slowly got to his feet, making no effort to wipe away the blood on his lip.
Colonel Li smiled. “What do you think of our army now, Captain?”
“I’d say I almost feel sorry for the Formics.” He opened his mouth, testing the flexibility of his jaw.
Colonel Li laughed. Bingwen was already standing at attention again, eyes forward like a robot.
Oh, Bingwen, Mazer thought. Is this what you’ve dealt with for three years? Is this what they’ve done to you?
“You’re not going to beat anyone with fancy martial arts, though,” said Mazer. “All this hand-to-combat means nothing up here. Every one of those moves is based on gravity. And the moment we leave Luna’s gravity well, everything these boys know about combat and maneuvering goes out the window. Zero G is a completely different experience.”
“That is why you are here, Captain,” said Li. “To train them. You will ready this army for war. Our destination is GravCamp, a space station positioned at one of Jupiter’s Lagrange points. There you will teach them the essentials of zero G combat.”
“Who’s going?” Mazer asked. “Just the group of us here?”
“TAG also includes four special forces units,” said Li. “Adults. Seasoned soldiers. They’ll be joining us on the flight. We’ll also have a workshop and representatives from Juke Limited and Gungsu to help prepare and repair equipment. It’s going to be tight quarters. We leave at 0700. Bingwen, please show Captain Rackham to his bunk.”
“Yes, sir, Colonel Li, sir.”
“What about my belongings?” Mazer asked. “I wasn’t aware that I’d be leaving so soon. I haven’t packed anything.”
Li smiled. “This is the military, Captain. We always provide.”
Mazer didn’t object. He couldn’t.
“Follow me please, sir,” said Bingwen.
Bingwen led them to the far corner of the room to one of the bunks. A toiletry set and a uniform Mazer’s size were waiting for him. Now that they were out of earshot, Mazer said. “I hope I didn’t hit you too hard in the chest.”
“It was perfect,” Bingwen said. “Sorry about your lip.”
“It was perfect,” said Mazer. “You really rang my bell. How long has Li been your CO?”
“Since the moment I left you.”
Mazer’s heart broke then. “I’m sorry, Bingwen. I should have been there for you. I had no idea.”
Bingwen shrugged. “Our e-mails were screened. I couldn’t tell you how things really were. How’s Kim?”
“She’ll be thrilled to know I’ve seen you and she’ll be irate to know you’re here.”
“She can’t know I’m here,” said Bingwen. “This whole operation is top secret. They’ll censor every message you send her. Have you seen Victor’s vids of the tunnels?”
“Many times,” said Mazer.
“What do you think is inside?”
“I have a few theories. But if I have a say in the matter, you won’t be the one who finds out.”
Bingwen shook his head. “You don’t understand Li. We’re his ticket, Mazer. He’s invested everything into this program. He has to validate it. He has to prove to CentCom that he was right all along. I assure you I’m going in.”
“You’re not going in alone, Bing. I promise you that.”
“You can’t defy him, Mazer. He’ll destroy you. What you saw today, that was his pleasant side.”
“I’m sorry, Bingwen. I feel like this is my fault. I told you about the school. I encouraged you to go. I thought it would provide opportunities, a future, safety. I had no idea it would be this.”
“My situation isn’t your fault, Mazer. I’ve learned a lot. Li, as difficult and coarse as he is, has taught me more than you know. He has tried relentlessly to make me the kind of soldier he wants me to be, but so far I’ve been carefully resistant. He believes we should think and act like him to be effective, which is to say without compassion and mercy.”
“He’s wrong, Bingwen. He couldn’t be more wrong. We’re not barbarians. We’re soldiers. There’s a difference.”
“You don’t have to tell me, Mazer. I learned that from you long before Li came along.”
Mazer smiled. “It’s good to see you again, Bing. I can’t believe how big you are.”
Bingwen smiled. “Remember when I asked you to come with me to the school? I wanted you to teach there. Guess I got my wish after all.”
“Wipe that grin off your face, soldier. Tomorrow your real school begins.”
CHAPTER 23
Tubes
To: imala.bootstamp%
[email protected]/fleetcom/gagak
From: shongwe%
[email protected]/kuiperbelt
Subject: New orders
* * *
Captain Bootstamp,
Your orders are to fly the Gagak immediately to the coordinates indicated in the attached file, where you will receive further instructions. The IF is taking steps to remove your family from danger. Please reassure them that their safety is our primary concern.
Sincerely,
Rear Admiral Shongwe
Victor hovered at the holotable at the helm, reading over the message a second time. He chuckled to himself and turned to Imala, Mother, and Arjuna. “Our safety is their primary concern? As of when? Does anyone else find that painfully amusing?”
“Notice who wrote the orders,” said Imala. “Or rather, who didn’t write them. Ketkar the Polemarch resigned, or was forced to. This guy, Shongwe, is one of the territory commanders out here in the Kuiper Belt. I think this is a shift not only in command, but also in policy. I suspect the Polemarch took heat for putting us in jeopardy.”
“If it’s a change in policy, it’s a minor one,” said Mother. “They’re still giving us orders as if the ship is their own. Nor did they return the captainship to Arjuna. They haven’t cut us loose yet. So they’re pretending to distance themselves from the Polemarch’s policies without really abandoning them.”
“I’m not sad to see the Polemarch go,” said Arjuna. “I didn’t like the man.”
“I’m not shedding any tears either,” said Mother.
“So where are they sending us?” Victor asked. “What’s at these coordinates?”
“An IF outpost,” said Mother. “Four months away. What’s interesting, though, is its position.” She waved her hand through the holofield and brought up the starchart. “We’re not going inward. We’re going outward, deeper into the Kuiper Belt, which doesn’t make any sense to me. If they’re taking steps to remove us from danger, you would think that would mean sending us inward toward the Belt or one of the stations at Jupiter.”
“Why send us to an outpost?” Victor asked. “If they want to remove us from danger, why not simply leave us alone? Stop sending us on missions.”
“They clearly have something else in mind for us,” said Mother. “It says we’ll receive further instructions at the outpost.”
“I don’t like it,” Arjuna said. “They say they have plans, but they don’t reveal what those are. The only reason they would withhold information is if they knew we would find it disagreeable.”
“We should go back in that asteroid and see where those tunnels lead,” said Victor. “That’s more important than us going to an outpost.”
Imala shook her head. “Nobody is going back to that asteroid. Even if the IF were to give us that order, we’re not doing it. We held a council. We decided. We do nothing to endanger this family again.”
“There is no danger,” said Victor. “Or there shouldn’t be. The hole I mad
e with the ship was too large to repair. The atmosphere was sucked out. Any living creature inside died of asphyxiation. The tunnels are a vacuum now. We should be free to explore.”
“There weren’t any tunnels big enough for you, Vico,” said Arjuna. “Even the one you squeezed into eventually splintered into smaller tunnels. It only went so deep.”
“We didn’t explore the whole asteroid,” said Victor. “We might find a way in.”
“That’s not an option,” said Imala. “We’ve moved on. It’s out of our hands now.”
Victor didn’t argue the point further. Imala was still angry with him for going inside the cocoon, and he would only aggravate the tension between them if he didn’t let it go. “So what should we do?” he asked. “Go or ignore the orders?”
“We can’t ignore them,” said Mother. “You and Imala are members of the Fleet. If we disobey, there could be repercussions for the both of you. Nobody wants that. And technically the ship is still in IF hands. If we bolt, we could all be in trouble. It might be a weak legal case against us, but we shouldn’t take that chance. Our best bet is to believe that the IF has our well-being in mind. And anyway, we need supplies.”
The others exchanged looks. “No objection from me,” said Imala. “I agree with Rena.”
Arjuna frowned. “Rena’s right. We don’t have a choice. I don’t like being in that position, but that’s the position we’re in.”
“Will you please take the captainship now?” Imala asked Arjuna. “With the Polemarch gone, I think we can get away with making a change here. It’s best for the crew. They will feel much more at ease about this uncertain move if you’re leading.”