Prophet and the Blood March (Prophet of ConFree) (39 page)

The angel showed Bees into Martial Breakblade's office in the embassy. Bees thought of them as angels, even though the Legion referred to them as Brights. It was clear in her mind that the Brights were angels. Some of them were females and resembled the angels of human legends – except for not having wings – and some were males. Most of the males in the embassy were knights, but some were not. Both males and females had that strange glow on their flesh that identified them as Brights – or angels.

Black Angel. Welcome.
Breakblade came from behind his desk to greet her. He was clad in the Brights's white uniform, which added to his luminous appearance. It was hard to look directly into his face, but Bees did so. She was thrilled to be one-on-one with an angel, and a White Knight at that. He appeared to be…ageless. Young, but mature. Pale flesh, silvery eyes, no facial hair except faint eyebrows and eyelashes and pale golden hair framing his head. Bees snapped off a salute, fist to heart. Breakblade returned it.

It is an honor to meet you again
, Breakblade telepathed.
I remember you well from Stormhaven.

Bees was stunned.
An honor? To meet me? It is I who am honored to meet you, Excellency. I am nobody, I am nothing. I am a slave of God, a slave of the Legion, a slave of the people of ConFree
.

God has no need of slaves. His followers are all free people, who embrace liberty. And it is an honor for me to meet a human who is prepared to die for God, for your Legion, and for your people. Here. Let me see.
He approached Bees and cupped his hands over her head. Bees closed her eyes and stood there silently.

It is gone
, Breakblade telepathed.
The evil spirit has fled, abandoning this holy house of God. You are strong. So strong. You are truly a knight of God. Why have you come here today?

I am reporting for duty as an interpreter, Excellency. I am joining my Delta comrades here.

Excellent. We thank you. But you have another reason to come here. Another…mission.

Yes, Excellency. A personal mission. I…I wish to know God. To understand God. To better serve Him. I adore Him. I wish to learn more.

So do we all. Pray – for wisdom. He will answer you. Not always right away. But he will answer.

You told us God was a real person. Is He alive?

He is alive in all who serve Him. He is the source of all light – of all that is good, and pure, and admirable. He is opposed by all that is evil, and rotten, and hateful.

Is God a living person, or a spirit?
Bees hardly dared ask the question.

Come,
Breakblade said.
Follow me.
He led Bees out into a wide terrace, under a cloudy sky. The air was fresh and clear and it was slightly cool. It looked like it might rain. Bees tried to remain calm. Was she really going to learn the ultimate secret?

The origins of our people are lost in the mists of time,
Breakblade said.
We lived in our universe which we called Haven. At first we struggled with other creatures who wished to oppress us, but we won our independence and became strong, spreading our race to many worlds. As the years passed we focused on developing an ideal society – one where our people could prosper, and live in freedom in a just state, with each individual vowing personal integrity and charitable behavior with good faith to all. We were successful. Our advanced science allowed us to become immortal. At first we called ourselves angels but another race that opposed us – the Demons – called us the Brights and we thought it a fine name so we began using it.

But tragedy struck. A faction of angels began to worship power, embraced evil, and attempted to bring down our ideal society. A terrible war raged in Haven. It was an elemental war – good against evil. I shall not describe this awful disaster, but the result was that the rebelling angels were defeated and cast out of Haven. They fled to your universe, which we call the Others. The leader of these fallen angels was called Satan.

The surviving angels in Haven were exhausted from the struggle, but learned that Satan had chosen a world called Terra for his refuge. Terra was inhabited by a primitive, innocent people. Our leader was a fearless warrior, scientist, philosopher and holy man who led us with courage and mercy and wisdom to enlightenment. His calm, insightful logic and astounding miracles won millions of converts. He could cure the sick and raise the dead and change your life just by touching you. This was Godfrey of Bright Haven. He told us we had to help the innocents on Terra.

He led our exhausted knights to the Others and attacked Satan and his allies and after another protracted struggle, smashed their armies and chased them out of the Others. They fled back to Haven and hid in Mid Haven, which was inhabited by their allies, the Demons.

Many of our best knights died in the struggle for Earth. Godfrey was killed. And Satan – he was also killed.

Godfrey reappeared to us, as a powerful spirit, and promised he would always be with us. And he has kept that promise. He is God. He is all-powerful. We consult with him on everything. His views do not change. We do what is right, and just. Always. He rules from the dimension you call Dimension X. We have a strong spiritual connection with this dimension, which we call Paradise.

Satan also reappeared to his evil minions. And his views have not changed either. He also appears to be very powerful.

And now, the struggle is to continue
, Breakblade said.
Let us go inside. It is raining.

Bees came out of her trance, and blinked. Indeed it was raining, raindrops stinging her face. She had not even noticed, she had been so caught up in the story.

Δ

"Attention to Orders!" We snapped to attention as Ambassador Wester addressed us in the large conference room of Delta Research. Everybody was there, including a brace of Legion and civilian brass up front surrounding Wester. Everybody was in clad in formals, Legion and Fleetcom black and civilian grey. Kwan and Lan Hwa were in Assidic forest green and Nan the Man was in his plum-colored UMC formals with a chest full of medals. We had no idea what was up but knew it was important.

"Good morning, Delta," Wester said. "As you know the Legion does not hand out medals, or commendations. You have earned your combat crosses and blood badges by your deeds but there are no other awards for our soldiers. Our belief is that you are all heroes, and your recognition comes when your name shows up on the Legion Monument to the Dead. Delta Research has been exceptionally busy serving the people of ConFree. However, there is one way we can demonstrate our appreciation for your accomplishments. Professor, front and center!"

The Prof hustled up there to face Wester. The Prof seemed a bit surprised, which was itself surprising since it was the Prof who called the meeting. Wester picked up a d-card and read from it: "Headquarters, Ministry of War, Quaba City, dated 385/10/02. The Director-General of the Confederation of Free Worlds has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and abilities of Commander Jarleman Surinto, warname Professor. In view of these qualities and his demonstrated potential for increased responsibility he is therefore promoted to Brigadier General with a date of rank of 385/08/03. By order of the Minister of War, James A. Seddon."

Wester pinned a silver general's star to the Prof's left collar, another to the right, then took one step back and saluted. The audience erupted. We shook the roof with wild, deafening applause, shouts, screams, howls. Those stars were for us – for all of us. The Confederation of Free Worlds was recognizing Delta Research, for all we had done. I felt so damned good.

But it wasn't over. When the applause finally slowed down, Wester addressed us again. "General Prof, please remain where you are. And please read the following." He slid another d-card over the wide podium to the Prof. The Prof picked it up and spoke.

"Attention to Orders! Bird, front and center!" Bird charged up there. And when the Prof finished reading the orders he pinned two stars to Bird's collar. Bird was also promoted to Brigadier General! There was no doubt he deserved it. Between them, Prof and Bird had cracked the secrets of the Demon starship and weapons systems. They were both geniuses. Everything Delta Research had accomplished flowed directly from those two. They may even have won the war against the Demons for us. This recognition was long overdue. We raised the roof again with our applause.

"Attention to Orders!" the Prof called again. "Bees, front and center!" It was just wonderful. Bees, Ice, Saka and I were all promoted to Commander. From enlisted to Commander, quite a jump. I was so proud and excited when the Prof pinned the commander bar to my blouse I was almost shaking.

Doggie was promoted to Major. Smiley, Arie and Scout all became Captains. I think they would have probably promoted Blackie if they could have figured out how to do it. We all deserve it, I thought. We sure as hell deserve it!

Nan the Man received the Legion Cross. That was something we presented to foreign soldiers or civilians who stood with us in battle. It was a Legion Cross in gold, a stunning design. The Prof pinned it to Nan's chest. Nan sure deserved it, for his actions on Bliss. He was the first UMC citizen to receive that award.

General Huynh of the Assidic Starforce also received a Legion Cross, we heard, although he was still on Pandaravos so the presentation was made by our embassy there. General Huynh was head of the Assidic Starforce. He had personally awarded me Assidic Starforce pilot wings after I learned how to fly the Demon saucer they had captured. It was good to know we were finally recognizing him. He had led our raid on Kratar. I had not expected to survive that one, but I did. Thanks to him.

And maybe best of all, the civilians Doctor Dimension, Paula Deep and Doctor Dorak all received Legion Crosses for their part in educating Delta research and – in Dorak's case – heroism in battle.

"What the hell did I tell you?" Arie asked me, with a giant grin.

"That's what the hell did I tell you,
sir
," I replied.

Δ

When Smiley and his lovely new bride arrived at Delta Research, we ambushed them. General Prof and Captain Nitro picked them up at the starport and walked them through the Delta Research main entrance. Delta was all there, in the main hall, and we burst into applause when they appeared.

"Welcome to Delta Research." The Prof smiled at Christine. "Smiley may be a little slow sometimes, but he's a good man. I promise we are all going to take good care of you." Christine appeared overwhelmed, hanging onto Smiley's arm, taking us all in.

"Hello," Blondie said, taking Christine by the hand.

"Oh! It’s you!" Christine said in surprise.

"Blondie, remember? Smiley was worried that you might be married. I did a little recon just to ensure you were still available. He didn't know about it. But he was glad to hear what I had to say when I got back. You're a good girl, Christine Morrison. And we are, indeed, going to take good care of you. We all love Smiley. And we're going to love you, too. Now tell me, did you slap him, like you said you would if he ever showed up?"

Christine smiled sadly, and lowered her voice. "No. It was very strange. When I saw him standing there, everything else all around me just slowly faded away and blacked out. The office was full of people, but they were suddenly invisible. There was only him, standing there. I could see every detail – crystal clear. My entire being was focused on him. Nothing else existed. It was tunnel vision. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. Then he slowly raised his arms – as if reaching out to me. Not a word. I approached him, as if in a dream. And walked into his arms. And I didn't let go for a very, very long time."

"That's right," Smiley confirmed. "She cried like a baby. Everyone in the office was gaping at us. But we ignored them completely. When I took her away, they all cheered. I don't know if it was because they were glad to get rid of her, or they thought it was terrific that I had gotten down on one knee and showed her the ring and proposed to her, right there in the office. Anyway, they all cheered."

Christine became the girls' fourth musketeer. Honeyhair, Blondie, Mary and Christine. They were a formidable gang, and you didn't want to get on their wrong side. Lan Hwa wasn't a member of the gang, as she stayed very close to her husband Saka, but she was friendly with all the other girls and was always there, along with Bees and Ice, when the Delta Wives Politburo was in formal session to map out the future for their husbands.

Δ

"So how is the occupation going?" I asked Nan the Man. We were sipping beer in the Viking. Doggie and Arie were with us.

"We call it the restoration, not occupation. Terra is ours by law and you're not occupiers if you're on your own property. That's the official line."

"All right, how is the restoration going?"

"Just fine. There was hardly any opposition. We had some casualties but it was mostly accidents and friendly fire. Nothing real serious, unless you were one of the unfortunates who were killed."

"How are you dealing with the PJ's?" Doggie asked.

"We try to keep it simple. We toss everybody into the camps – all suspects, that is – then see what we've got. It's execution for the leaders, activists and high-ranking government officials. We free anyone who appears to have been a dupe, a casual opportunist, or a mindless camp follower of one type or another. They have to sign a loyalty document in which they promise not to be stupid any more, or something like that. It's a nonsense document but if they're picked up for cause again, they die. And we make sure they know it."

"Are there a lot of executions?"

"Thousands. We publicize them. I don't have the latest figures."

"Is life getting back to normal again?"

"Yes. We've opened up feeding centers everywhere, to stop the starvation deaths. Everyone who shows up there has to register for work. Anyone who refuses to work is executed on the spot. We don't have time to screw around with these people. If you don’t work, you die. These parasites killed our country and now we're going to kill them. We're encouraging private business and getting the economy back on-track. Accepting public assistance without contributing to society is now treason – instead of government policy. And treason carries the death penalty. We're hoping to clean out the gene pool of all the deadwood."