Imperial Guard (23 page)

Brogan pursed his lips. “That’s good advice, sir. I’ll do my best.”

“Do better than that, son, or you’ll be dead!”

*

Ten days later Brogan watched as Manazes climbed into a flyer and lowered himself into the front passenger seat.

“Thanks for coming, Manazes. This little trip is not in the line of duty, so I appreciate your tagging along.”

Manazes turned his head and smiled as he flipped down his helmet’s visor. “That’s what friends are for, Colonel.”

Brogan thought again about all that Manazes had meant to him as he fired up the flyer and took off.

Early that morning he had heard a rumor concerning the whereabouts of the med team. It was the first lead that had come his way, and he was itching to follow it up. He felt frustrated and helpless at not having been able to do anything to locate Adriel since he arrived a month ago. So other responsibilities or not, he was not going to sit long on this one.

As Brogan maneuvered the vehicle into the fourth-level airway, he noticed a maroon flyer pull into traffic a couple hundred meters ahead. Instinctively he looked in his rearview mirror and saw another similar-looking flyer enter the airway some distance back. Brogan shrugged.
Probably a coincidence,
he told himself.

As Brogan drove, Manazes studied the computerized map of the city. “Turn left at the next intersection,” he instructed, looking up.

Brogan prepared to do as ordered and noticed the flyer he had seen earlier up ahead make the same turn he was about to make. After turning, he kept glancing to the rear until he saw what he hoped he would not see—the second flyer also turned left.

Brogan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Looks like we may be having some company,” he said tersely to Manazes.

Manazes looked around sharply. “Where? What d’ya mean?”

“Relax. I’m not sure yet. Just read the map and make sure we don’t get lost. I’ll know more after we’ve made the next turn.”

*

Three kilometers away two men dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard loaded their weapons into a light-blue flyer. The first weapon was a rifle-fired anti-personnel cartridge. It automatically calculated the distance to the target, and after the round was fired, the cartridge detonated near its objective in midair, spewing a thousand tiny projectiles for a hundred meters in every direction.

The second weapon was a heavy-duty laser rifle. It contained its own null-grav device, which made it extremely easy to sight and fire. The third article placed in the flyer was a rifle-fired poison-gas canister. Its lethal effects, like the anti-personnel cartridge, were indiscriminate and equally effective.

The two assassins climbed into the flyer and lifted off. They had an appointment to keep, and they could not be late. The driver moved into traffic while the second man busied himself in the back seat with the weapons. As they pulled over to await the arrival of Brogan’s flyer, he picked up the laser rifle and prepared it for firing.

*

The two men in the maroon vehicle continued to monitor the conversation between Manazes and Brogan. The two in the chase flyer were doing the same. Both vehicles continued to match Brogan’s route turn for turn, not realizing that Brogan had spotted them. Earlier they had surreptitiously bugged Brogan’s flyer. Now their primary concern was to keep tabs on it.

Within two minutes the maroon flyer traveling in front of Brogan and Manazes approached the light-blue stationary vehicle. Its two occupants were scanning the area ahead and to either side. Just as they passed the waiting flyer the man in the passenger seat of the maroon flyer saw a glint of light and jerked his head around to locate the cause. What he saw made him freeze.

“Swayze! Heavy weapons in a blue flyer back at that intersection! Left side. Let’s move it . . . now!” He yanked at the laser gun in his shoulder holster.

The driver whipped the flyer into a 45-degree climb and then turned left. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the target. He continued climbing and accelerating, then yanked the vehicle into a 120-degree turn. Ordinary flyers had to conform to safety codes. They were limited to 45-degree turns and 15-degree climbs or descents. But this was no ordinary flyer, and neither was Brogan’s.

The flyer screamed down on the idling vehicle at an angle from the rear, picking up more speed as it dove. The two men in the diving flyer grimaced as they saw the Imperial Guardsman in the back seat take aim at Brogan’s flyer. But suddenly the assassin looked over his shoulder, the scream of the attacking flyer apparently penetrating his awareness. Shock was evident from his open mouth and wide eyes. Desperately he tried to swing his laser rifle around, but it was too late. The plummeting flyer crashed into the top of the assassin’s as its occupants ducked to the floor. The windshield crumpled as the attacking vehicle caromed off and began to swing around.

“Get us outa here!” the assassin in the back seat screamed. “Head for the target!”

The flyer took off like a shot straight toward Brogan’s vehicle. Other flyers began to scatter in a desperate attempt to get out of the way.

*

When Brogan and Manazes saw the crash, Brogan slowed his flyer. Instantly he saw that they were directly in the path of the damaged, fleeing vehicle. He dove the flyer just as a laser blast from the assassin’s rifle gashed a hole in the top rear of the vehicle. Manazes pulled out his laser gun and got off a shot as they passed under the attacking vehicle.

Then Brogan pulled into a steep climb as the blue vehicle swung around. The assassins saw Brogan’s route and matched his climb. Brogan leveled off and began to make irregular twists, turns, and dips in an effort to keep the laser rifle from getting a fix on them. As soon as possible he yawed around the corner of a building, his momentum carrying him so far that he knocked some protruding objects off the wall on the opposite side of the street.

Brogan slowed and took another turn as his pursuers roared around the corner he had taken seconds earlier. Brogan continued to weave in and out of buildings in an effort to stay out of the line of fire.

“Manazes!” he shouted over the wind. “Get out my gun and get ready to fire!”

He turned another corner and came to an abrupt stop, sloughing the flyer in the opposite direction as he did so. He yanked his laser from Manazes’s grasp, and he and Manazes took aim in the direction they had just come. Immediately the pursuing flyer burst around the corner in a blur of blue and whipped by only a few meters above their heads. Both men followed with their guns, pumping as many laser pulses at the vehicle as they could in the one or two seconds they had.

Brogan shoved his gun at Manazes and jumped the flyer into motion again. As they passed the corner they had come around only seconds earlier another flyer raced into the intersection. Brogan identified it as the maroon flyer he had spotted earlier. But ignoring Brogan and Manazes, the occupants went after the Imperial Guardsmen, who had just completed executing a “tennessee” of their own.

The newly arrived maroon flyer dipped below the assassins’ vehicle, and both men fired at its underbelly. One had a projectile rifle and the other a laser. The Imperial Guardsman with the laser rifle had not been able to get off a shot before they passed out of sight, but the shots from the occupants of the maroon flyer succeeded in totally disabling his flyer.

At the same instant, the second unidentified flyer raced into the battle zone at a higher level and circled the assassins, the occupants firing lasers as it did so. These were the shots that put an end to the mercenaries.

The battle over, the three surviving flyers converged. “Sure glad you pulled that about-face, Colonel,” said one of the men. “Don’t know if we could’ve caught up if you hadn’t. You can sure pull out the stops when you want to.”

Brogan rested his biopack-encased arm on the side of the flyer. “Who are you guys, if you don’t mind my asking?” rasped Brogan tightly.

All four men grinned and looked at each other, savoring their little secret. “Why, we’re Minister Mizpala’s personal bodyguard,” the spokesman revealed with a laugh.

Seeing Brogan’s shocked expression, he explained. “The Minister figured you might need some extra protection. And we’re the best, if you don’t mind my saying so.” The man smiled at his own jest. “And you certainly needed the best today.”

Brogan laughed and felt the tension drain from his body. His hand began shaking slightly now that the threat of danger had passed. “You’re right on that score. You have my heart-felt thanks. I’ll thank your boss when I see him.”

“Well, we’ll lead out, and you follow us. Hanks will bring up the rear. Let’s get you back home and talk later.”

*

“I’m glad I listened to General Calderon when he recommended giving you extra protection,” said a relieved Mizpala, when they were all back at the palace.

“Me, too. I want to thank you for the loan of your men, sir.”

“It is my opinion, Colonel Brogan, that the information you received was false. It was meant to lead you into a trap, not to Adriel.”

“That’s the way I see it, too,” the dejected officer agreed.

Mizpala smiled. “Don’t look so glum, Colonel. Because of my men, you’re alive to give it a second try.”

He paused for effect. “While you were gone, I was given more reliable information about Adriel’s whereabouts
—information that I consider to be absolutely trustworthy.”

Brogan leaned forward, face expectant and eyebrows raised above eyes flickering with curiosity. “That’s great! What do you know?”

Mizpala smiled. “My, my. Eager aren’t we?”

“Sir, please.” Brogan ached with suspense.

“OK, OK. I won’t toy with you any longer,” Mizpala said, holding up his hand. “My sources tell me that the med team has affiliated with the Society of Man.”

Brogan raised an eyebrow again. “The Society of Man? What’s that?”

Mizpala gave those assembled a brief explanation, then said, “The Rio branch of the Society is located in Sector 10, and from what I’ve been told, the med team has taken shelter in an abandoned rail terminal in that Sector.”

“How do we get there?” Brogan asked as he rose to his feet.

“Patience, Colonel, patience. I agree that there is cause for haste. But you need to hear me out before you go off half-cocked.” Brogan slowly resumed his seat as his ears blushed with embarrassment.

“It is my belief that your search for Adriel is no longer a personal side-track. Because the Moguls have already given you a false lead to Adriel, we must assume that they know of her importance to you and that they also are bending all the resources at their disposal to find her—not to help her but to use as a weapon against you. It is, therefore, imperative that you get to her first or all our hopes and plans could come to nothing.”

Mizpala stood and concluded dramatically, “The locating and taking into custody of Adriel Swartz has become your main objective, Colonel. I suggest you get to it without further delay. For all we know, the Moguls may have the same information we do.
You must get there first!”

*

The judge leaned over the bench and leered at Adriel. “For giving aid to your fellow man, for healing the wounded, for encouraging the downtrodden, for giving hope to the hopeless, this court finds you guilty! You are hereby sentenced to nonpersonhood. As a nonperson, you are fair game for whoever wants to do you harm. Take her away!”

Adriel watched herself being dragged off.
This doesn’t make sense
, her rational mind screamed at her.

She was thrown brusquely into the street, but she felt no pain when she hit the hard surface.
How odd!

She picked herself up and looked around. Everything seemed distorted, as though she were looking through water. People began to close in around her. Some of them were Imperial Guardsmen. Someone shoved her. Hands groped for her. Panic rose in her throat.

She pushed through the pack and started running. An eerie screech rose from the crowd, and they bounded after her. Her legs felt heavy.

What is wrong with me? Why can’t I run?

The cry of the crowd crescendoed behind her. Hands closed around her throat . . .

Adriel lurched upright in the makeshift bed. She was clammy with perspiration. Disoriented, she looked around the room with wide, haunted eyes. Slowly realization sank in.

“Ohhhhh, what a nightmare!” She lowered her face into her shaking hands. Gradually her breathing slowed, and she took a deep breath.

She looked up and stared into the distance with unfocused eyes. “But it’s not a nightmare,” she thought out loud. “It’s real life. I am a nonperson.”

As she sat there staring, her face slowly hardened with resolve. “But I don’t have to like it!” She gritted her teeth. “And I don’t have to accept it!”

She got up and stalked out of her private area. She saw Willum on the far side of the terminal, bending over something. Circling around piles of personal belongings and junk, she soon came to stand beside the big man.

Willum looked up. “How was your nap?” he asked with a smile.

“I’ve had better,” Adriel snorted as she flopped down across from him. “I had a bummer of a dream.”

“I guess an afternoon nap wasn’t such a good idea.”

“It’s OK. I’m more determined than ever to get out of this pesthole. I don’t like being a nonentity!”

Willum grinned. “When you’ve been somebody once, you never do get used to being a nobody. I never have.”

“Well, it’s long past time you got out, too.”

A noise made Adriel look up. Three figures dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard came through the front entrance. “Willum!” Adriel gasped as she leaped to her feet.

Willum whipped around to find the source of her consternation. “Quick! This way!” he whispered hoarsely. He grabbed her arm and pushed her in the opposite direction.

“Wait!” called a voice. “Don’t be afraid. We mean you no harm.”

Adriel stopped even though Willum kept pushing her. That voice sounded familiar. She jerked against Willum’s grasp. “Willum! Stop! I think I know one of those Imperial Guardsmen.”

“Are you insane? You don’t know any of that kind!”

“I know it sounds crazy, but just wait. I think it’ll be alright.”

She turned around and started back toward the approaching trio. Willum lagged behind reluctantly.

As they got closer, the leader took off his helmet and put it under his arm. “Adriel?”

“Timothy?” Adriel put her hand to her mouth. “Timothy!” She ran and threw her arms around him. Brogan responded in kind, but awkwardly because of the biopack on his left arm.

“I’m so glad I finally found you!”

Adriel released him, suddenly self-conscious, and stepped back. She looked him over.

“You certainly are full of surprises, Timothy Brogan. Last time I saw you, you were a captain in the army. And now you’re an Imperial Guardsman?” She glanced at his insignia. “And a colonel no less? I can’t wait to hear this,” she said with a chuckle in her throat.

“I’m afraid that will have to wait. We’re here to take you out of this place, and I don’t have time to explain. Let’s just say it’s for your own safety and a matter of the utmost urgency. By the way,” he said turning, “this is Lieutenant John Manazes and Sergeant Abigail Gonzales. She goes by Abby.” Brogan looked at his feet. “I thought it might make you feel better if another woman were along.”

“Feel better about what, Timothy? What’s going on?”

Brogan sighed. “Look, go get your things, and make it snappy. I’ll tell you on the way to the flyer.”

“I’ll help,” volunteered Willum.

“Oh, I’m sorry. This is Willum. We’ve become good friends here.”

Adriel and Willum led the way, and within a few minutes, Willum, Brogan, and Manazes had bundles slung over their backs. They started for the front entrance.

“OK, so tell me what’s going on,” Adriel persisted as she stepped around some debris.

Brogan shifted his burden and said, “I can’t go into detail now, but some men may be searching for you. They want to kidnap you and use you against me. I can’t let that happen. You mean too much to me to see anything happen to you.”

Adriel’s emotions were suddenly in conflict. Her heart leapt when Brogan’s last comment registered. But it also sank when she realized she could be in even greater danger than she thought. “Say no more, Colonel. I’m right behind you.”

The small group stepped out into a street shadowed by late afternoon sunshine. As they turned to head for the flyer Brogan froze. “Hold it,” he hissed. Four Imperial Guardsmen were looking in and around the flyer.

Brogan started stepping backward. “This way,” he commanded in a loud whisper. “Back to the entrance . . . slowly.”

The stranded group inched back the way they had come, but a sudden shout brought them to a standstill. Adriel looked in the direction of the voice and saw another Imperial Guardsman serving as a lookout.

“Drop everything!” shouted Brogan. “Back inside! Quick!”

All five dove through the entrance as laser fire began lacing the sidewalk and building. Adriel felt pain shoot up her arm as Brogan grabbed it and yanked her along. They fled across the terminal lobby as fast as they could. When they had reached the far side, they all fell behind an assorted pile of junk and debris. Adriel was gasping for breath, as much from fear as from exertion.

“Hold your fire, men,” Brogan ordered as shadows began to appear in the doorway. “We don’t want to reveal our position.”

“Their thermal sensors will find us soon enough,” Manazes offered.

Brogan turned around from peering at the entrance. “We can’t hold them off here,” he stated. “I’m open to suggestions.”

Willum leaned his huge bulk forward. “I know this building well,” he said in a raspy, self-assured voice. “Follow me.”

“Lead the way, big fellow. But keep your beef low,” Brogan added.

Willum led the way, followed by Adriel, Brogan, and Abby. Manazes brought up the rear. Laser fire and projectiles began singeing the air above them.

Brogan pitched forward, and knocked Adriel down. “Sorry,” he said. “Laser caught my cape.”

Adriel’s eyes grew wide. He pulled her up, and they hurried on through a doorway and around a corner. When they were all safe, Willum pointed at a stairway.

“We go down here.”

Manazes said, “You folks go on. I’ll catch up. I’m going to give these goons something to chew on.” He pulled two small concussion bombs out of one of his cape pockets. They were effective up to a twenty-meter radius.

“Good!” grunted Willum. “We need the time.”

Brogan looked sternly at Manazes. “Don’t delay.” To the others he said, “Let’s go!”

The four raced down the steps. Adriel looked back and saw Manazes roll one of the bombs into the lobby. As she turned to descend another set of steps, she saw him put the other bomb on the next to the top step. Then he raced after them.

Willum led the fleeing party down a wide corridor that opened onto abandoned train bays. The sound of a blast made them all look back with a start.

Manazes grinned. “That’ll make ’em more careful. Probably didn’t kill any, but I’ll bet some of ’em have a doozy of a headache.”

They turned a corner as the second bomb exploded. Willum bent down and pulled at a square plate in the floor. “Give me a hand.”

Brogan did have, literally, only one hand to offer, but he pushed in and helped Willum lift the cover. Willum looked down. “This is the storm drain system. It’s a drop of about four meters. Water’s not very deep this time of year.” He looked at Brogan. “You take Adriel down there and head east. We’ll draw the Guardsmen after us.”

Brogan looked down the hole. Adriel said, “No way! You’re not going to get
me
down there!”

“Stow it, Adriel,” Brogan admonished. “It’s the only way to get you outa here safe.”

He turned and shook Willum’s hand. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

Willum kept hold of his hand and stared him in the eye. “You just get Adriel to safety, and you won’t owe me anything. Now hurry!”

Brogan nodded, gave his shoulder a pat, and turned to Adriel. “Give me your hands.”

Adriel looked Brogan in the eyes for a long moment, the cold edges of fear brushing across her body. Then Brogan gripped her arm above the elbow and pushed her backward toward the dark, gaping hole. Adriel grabbed Brogan’s good arm with her other hand as he began to lower her down.

As she eased herself over the edge, she thought wildly,
What am I doing?
Brogan lowered himself to his knees, and she watched him brace himself with his biopack. When he had lowered her as far as he could, he said, “When you hit, bend your knees, then get out of the way quickly. Now, drop!”

Adriel let go, and as she did, she called up, “I hope there’s nothing living down here!”

She hit with a splash, her legs jarring as her feet struck the concrete. She was up to her thighs in water. She barely had time to think and was just moving out of the way when Brogan splashed down beside her, giving her a complete soaking.

The small circle of light provided by the manhole was blotted out and the two sewer rats looked up to see Manazes leaning toward them. “Good luck,” he whispered loudly.

Brogan looked up at the circle of light. “Same to you,” he said hoarsely in reply. “Manazes, when you get outside, set off the special emergency signal.”

“Right.” The cover grated back into position, and they were alone in the dark.

Adriel wrinkled her nose at the smell and gazed around at the blackness. “How are we supposed to see down here?”

Suddenly a beam of light nearly blinded her. “With this,” Brogan said with a chuckle. “My helmet comes equipped with a light beam for just such an emergency.”

“How handy,” Adriel quipped. “But, seriously, it does beat splashing around in the dark and running into, ugh, who knows what.”

Brogan snorted and grabbed her arm. “Come on!”

Adriel soon discovered that trudging through the nearly waist-deep water was hard work—and slow going. Brogan kept pulling at her in his haste, but she was not in as good physical condition as he was. The water was bitter cold, and Adriel felt a chill coming on. In spite of the numbness attacking her legs, they felt like lead weights from the exertion.

After about five minutes, she protested. “Timothy! I’ve got to rest. I just can’t keep up.”

“OK,” he said as he looked back. The helmet beam flashed around the walls of the storm drain as Brogan searched his surroundings. He pulled Adriel along a little farther, continuing to cast his light around. Finally he spotted a shadow in the wall.