Ultimate Warrior (The Fight for Creation (Book Three)) (13 page)

Ana stared at Russ and said, “Where did you get the idea to hire me?”

Russ looked her in the eyes and said, “Russell contacted me and told me that the wrong Warrior had been killed and he begged me to see that you and Genia were given the money he was given for his title. Your refusal convinced me that you were someone worthy of being helped. Getting you to come to work in my home was my idea.”

Ana slowly nodded and said, “So now that you’ve made a stance, you’re too proud to do the right thing.” Russ’ eyes narrowed and Ana said, “My husband was just honored for what your son did. They both should have been honored and if you tell me you’re not proud of what he did I’ll know you’re not being honest or the man I know you are. I want to meet him and I want to meet him in my new home. If you won’t allow me that one honor, I’m leaving.”

Russ stared at Ana and saw she meant it. He took a deep breath and lifted his wrist unit. He spoke for a moment and listened. He turned to Ana and said, “He will be at your quarters tonight.”

Ana smiled and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

• • •

Russell completed the training exercises and felt his wrist unit vibrate. He looked at it and saw the Division Commander on it, “Yes Sir.”

“You will leave and go to your home to meet with Joe Tarver’s wife in two hours.”

“Sir, I’m not allowed to go home.”

“The Baron has made the request personally and the wife of the newest recipient of the Bristone Star will have her request honored. She has requested a meeting with you and you will be there. Is that clear, Captain?”

Russell felt his tears, “Joe received the Star?”

The General smiled, “That he did. You should honor him and be there.” Russell nodded and turned the company over to Sgt. Major Semy. He teleported to his quarters and entered the shower. Two hours later he was in his dress uniform and wishing there was a way to avoid going. Mitch came to his room fifteen minutes before his scheduled departure and saw his expression. “You don’t want to be late.”

“Sir, I killed her husband.”

“No you didn’t; the enemy blaster killed him.”

“But I was stupid. I should have seen it.”

Mitch saw Russell’s agony and said, “You’ve really got it wrong.”

Russell looked at him, “How?”

“The Warriors that were assigned to that blaster initially failed in their assignment. You know how difficult it was to see them until you were right on top of them. If the ones assigned to take it out had done their task, it wouldn’t have happened. Joe died because of the luck of the draw. It was his turn to teleport first or you would be the one dead.” Russell stared at Mitch. “Did you and Joe take out your assigned target?” Russell nodded. “You prevented it from killing other Warriors. Who decided to take the initial teleport?”

“Joe made that decision.”

“If you had made the initial teleport, it would have been you saving Joe and don’t stand there and say you wouldn’t have done it. I’ve seen your misery at his loss. You would have done it without thinking; just like he did.”

Russell lowered his head and took a deep breath. He looked at Mitch and said, “Thank you, Sir.”

“You need to go tell his wife how important his sacrifice was. It might bring her peace.”

Russell went to attention and saluted Mitch. Mitch returned his salute and Russell teleported away. Pixie teleported into Mitch’s room and said, “How do you feel about him now?”

Mitch looked at Pixie and slowly shook his head, “The truth is I probably don’t deserve him, just like I don’t deserve you.”

Pixie’s smile was huge, “Now that’s the man I know.” She rushed forward and kissed him. Mitch held her and suddenly plans began running through his mind that weren’t there before. He smiled and said, “Let’s go win us an exercise.”

“Not until you kiss me back.”

Mitch smiled and pulled her close.

• • •

Russell arrived at the entrance to the Slade’s Royal Residence and was greeted by Jacob. “Good evening, Sir; if you will follow me.” Russell followed Jacob to the main portal and Jacob entered the destination. They stepped through and Russell was led to a housing unit on the main grounds. Jacob pushed the door control and heard a female voice say, “Yes, who is it?”

“Madam Tarver, Captain Slade is here.”

The door opened and Russell saw a beautiful brown haired woman holding a young girl. She looked at him with brown eyes that were sparkling and said, “I was worried you wouldn’t come.”

“I almost backed out.”

“I’m glad you didn’t. Come in, I have a meal waiting for you.” Ana looked at Jacob and said, “Thank you for showing him here.”

“It is my pleasure. Enjoy your meal.”

• • •

Russ sat in the tower looking down at the grounds and saw Russell arrive. He looked different. He had put on weight and it was clear that it wasn’t fat. Russell entered the door and Russ sat and stared at Ana’s quarters.

• • •

Russell said, “I’m so sorry about Joe.”

Ana put her finger on his lips, “There is not going to be any sorrow tonight. I know Joe would want me to make sure you understood that you have no reason for self-blame or sorrow. I’ve seen the recording of what happened and you had nothing to do with his death.”

“Then why did you want to see me?”

“To thank you for your efforts to make sure Genia and I were cared for and protected. You didn’t have to do that and that tells me how much Joe meant to you. I have a meal and I want to know all about you. I also want you to tell me your memories of Joe.”

Russell smiled and sat down with Ana. “He was a joker extraordinaire.”

“Oh I know that.”

The time literally flew and finally Russell glanced at his wrist unit and said, “Oh my gosh, I have to go. We have a major exercise tomorrow.”

Ana stood and went with him to the door. They had put Genia to bed hours earlier and Ana opened the door for him. Russell’s eyes widened and Ana turned and saw the Baron standing in the entrance. “Father?”

“Russell, I want you to know that I’m proud of what you’ve done. You’ve surprised me and I feel I have wronged you in my actions.”

Russell shook his head, “No, you were absolutely right to do what you did. You probably saved my life.” Russ looked confused and Russell said, “I was defined by my Royal Title and did not really know what the real world was until you forced me out in it. It was a hard lesson but it was one I needed. You have no reason to feel bad.”

“I’m restoring your title.”

“Please don’t.”

Russ shook his head, “Why not?”

“I’m still finding out who I am. When I complete my service, we’ll look at it but now is not the time.”

Ana said, “Royalty is not always defined by a title, Your Highness.”

Russ and Russell looked at Ana and Russell said, “There’s only one thing I would like and that is that I be allowed to come home.”

Russ smiled and said, “You are welcome anytime, Son.”

Russell turned to Ana and said, “Good, now would you mind if I come to visit you Mrs. Tarver.”

Ana smiled, “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t. Besides, where could you find someone that can cook like this?”

Russell laughed for the first time since Joe’s death and said, “Thank you. You’ve helped me a lot.”

Ana nodded and Russell turned and hugged his father. “I won’t disappoint you again.” Russ nodded and Russell pressed his wrist unit and disappeared.

Ana looked at Russ and said, “That’s some son you have there, Your Highness.”

Russ turned and looked at her, “I know.”

Ana smiled and thought, “So do I.”

• • •

Russell arrived at the Training Base and was directed to Mitch’s office. He rushed in and Mitch looked up from the diagrams he had drawn on the rooms display, “How did it go?”

Russell smiled and said, “I’m ready to win an exercise. All I need is for you to tell me how to do it, Sir.”

Mitch smiled and said, “You will be coming in with the Company Scout and making life miserable for the Second Regiment.”

“Sounds like fun.”

Pixie said, “You have no idea.”

Mitch filled Russell in and he looked at Pixie. She smiled and he looked forward to the next day’s event.

• • •

Admiral Dennis looked at the two officers and said, “Today, the Second Regiment will be going in to take out the First Regiment’s Fourth Battalion. The winner of the overall exercise will be determined by how many Warriors are lost in the two day exercise. Fourth Battalion is expected to eventually be overrun but the number of casualties they can inflict on the aggressor will be included in the two day totals. The second day, the Second Regiment will be dropping in from their transports to attack the Third Battalion in the First Regiment. Are there any questions?”

Mitch looked up and said, “I understand that we will not be allowed to use our invisibility modes during the exercise.”

“Neither side will use it Major. This is designed to determine your Warriors ability to use their tools and invisibility will make the exercise too drawn out. Are there any other questions?” No one said anything and Admiral Dennis said, “Report to your units. The Exercise will begin in an hour.”

• • •

Mitch teleported in to his battalion and hit the general frequency, “Alright, they’ll be dropping in one hour from now. You know your roles. We’re outnumbered four to one so make them pay for any ground they try to take. Go to your positions.”

Three companies disappeared and Mitch looked at Pixie, “You know what Russell is going to need. Get it to him as quickly as possible and Russell, you will only have a squad to use against each of their companies. You need to time this precisely.”

• • •

Russell keyed the Company’s frequency and said, “We are restricted in the area we’re allowed to operate. The battalion may not move beyond the cliffs behind them nor leave the valley. The aggressor forces know this so they will be moving in on a wide front to pin the battalion down and overrun them. We are going to take out the center battalion and open a path for the three companies to split their forces. We have four platoons and each of you will be assigned a battalion to take out. We are not allowed to use our armor’s invisibility mode but there is nothing in the rules that restrict any other forms of camouflage. We will be out of our armor and wait for the Second Regiment to pass our positions. When they make contact with the battalion, we will attack the center of their lines and take out as many as possible. Trust your armor and keep moving. Partners, you know your places so do what you’ve trained for and let’s make this work. If we are able to take out the aggressor battalion, first and second platoon will move into the flank of the enemy to the right and third and fourth will attack the left. I’ll be sending you the aggressor positions as our Scout sends them to us. Once we have the first target plotted, we will initiate operations. Let’s make this happen, lads. You have your starting positions, move out.”

D Company disappeared.

• • •

Sgt. Semy held on to the trunk of the tree he had teleported to and watched the aggressor second battalion move under him. He knew that the camouflage uniform blocked any heat signature and he wasn’t holding any weapons so he hoped he would not be seen by the aggressor’s scanners. He would soon know if the subterfuge was going to work. The warriors moving below him were moving fast and used an intricate weave as they pressed forward. He looked out into the surrounding trees and knew first platoon was in the trees around him but he couldn’t see them. He waited for the assignments to come in.

Pixie was also in a tree but was constantly moving from tree to tree to get a good look at the aggressor companies moving below. She wasn’t wearing her armor but she was able to see them and keep their positions in her mind. She mentally laid out a pattern and tracked the movements of the aggressors. The front lines began firing at each other and she activated her armor and sent the assignments to Russell’s Company.

• • •

Semy heard the first blasters and immediately activated his armor. His assignment appeared on his combat circuit, “Boy, our Scout is good.” Lieutenant Gong teleported to the assigned coordinate and the First Platoon moved into the rear of the third aggressor company and began firing as they moved forward at an unbelievable pace. The fifty warriors began hitting the aggressors and their armor immediately deactivated, shutting off their communications. The front ranks were unaware of what was happening behind them. Semy didn’t think and just allowed his armor to guide him. He could hear the music and the exercise became a thing a beauty. The Aggressor Company was wiped out in less than thirty seconds and Semy’s platoon moved to the left and joined up with first platoon. Russell fought with the first platoon and watched his tactical display. He smiled and said, “The gap is open.”

Mitch punched his com and said, “Move out.”

First Company teleported into the gap and joined the four platoons rushing into the two remaining aggressor battalions. Mitch’s remaining two companies teleported into the front ranks of the oncoming battalions and occupied all of their attention. It proved to be fatal. Mitch lost half of his Warriors in the exercise, but the Second Regiment was wiped out with no survivors.

Col. Tgon-nah, the Commander of the Second Regiment couldn’t believe what happened and called foul on the use of the camouflage uniforms. Admiral Dennis looked at him and said, “Are you serious? There are no restrictions on the uniforms worn under a Warrior’s armor. Using the camouflage suits was a brilliant idea. You could have seen them if you had set your scanners to look for any shifting colors.”

“But there wasn’t supposed to be any camouflage in the exercise.”

“No, there was not to be any done by armor.”

Tgon-nah looked at Dennis and shook his head, “Then this exercise is over. There is no possible way for my one battalion to take out their entire Regiment.”

Dennis smiled, “Would you have guessed your Regiment would be taken out by one battalion?”

“No, and I’m reasonably certain I couldn’t get those uniforms for my Regiment before tomorrow.”

Dennis said, “Major Callaway ordered those uniforms the first week his unit was formed. It took him three months to have enough made.”