When the Stars Fade (The Gray Wars) (46 page)

-                           
XIX                            -

              “Sergeant Alexa Haines
.
”

             
The crowd roared, cheering on the spry team leader as she stood and danced in place. Already four soldiers had been called out, most from Alpha company. Alexa was the first female named and screamed to show her appreciation. Josh remained seated, half hoping to walk away unmentioned. Dax had been the first named announced. The big man walked over to Alexa, picking her up in a big hug. The jumped in a circle, surrounded by Charlie Company comrades.

             
“W
e’
re down to our last two candidates
.”
Hennesy stood at the microphone, his face shiny and red. H
e’
d been enjoying a few drinks with the good doctor at the head table
.“
This next soldier demonstrated an ability to think on her feet during the early days of the event. Though she was taken out before the end, her personal score rivals entire platoons. The best shot in all of Kronos. Adders, congratulate Specialist Liane Lu
.
”

             
Across the room, a petite asian woman stood and shouted. Her table rose with her, cheering and stomping on the floor. The Delta soldiers cheered her on, clapping their hands and whistling. Josh asked how well she had done. Felix told him she had 48 confirmed kills during the exercise. She had practically taken out Bravo singlehandedly before an Alpha mortar round knocked her out. Josh joined in the applause, duly impressed. It took five minutes for everyone to calm enough for the last announcement.

             
“Our final candidate led his unit to the very end, taking the fight to the enemy without fear. No situation seemed too dire, no foe too daunting for him to tackle. Our last soldier exemplifies what we look for in a leader
.
”

             
Josh looked across the floor at Zev. The two soldiers locked gaze, neither one breaking contact.

             
“In fact, this soldie
r’
s ability to read a combat situation was so impressive, that he will not only join his brothers and sisters in arms in this experiment, but will receive a battlefield commission to second lieutenant
.
”

             
This caught Jos
h’
s attention. He turned toward Hennesy, his eyes wide in disbelief. A battlefield commission? The idea of taking the rank of officer, without the mess of OCS, was quite tempting. Suddenly the contest seemed more interesting.

             
“Ladies and gentlemen, let us shake the very roof as we welcome our final candidate into this program. From the number-one company in the number-one platoon in the top-ranked squad for the
entire
event, Sergeant Joshua Rantz
.
”

             
The room erupted as the soldiers, officers and guests shouted and cheered for Josh. They pounded the tables as he stood from his chair and waived, somewhat taken aback by the whole affair. Dax clapped him on the back and nearly knocked him over. The two friends hugged and toasted their beers. Across the room, Zev smiled and lifted his own glass. Alexa kissed her squad leade
r’
s cheeks, grinning from ear to ear.

             
Josh looked around the room, unable to comprehend the meaning of this win. The entire day had been one big blur, and this was just another mass of crazy to deal with. Still, he would
n’
t begrudge himself another drink for being named top dog.

             
“Yeah
!”
He shouted
.“
Go me
!
”

*              *              *              *              *

              “
I’
m not sure I understand
.
”

             
“You do
n’
t have to
,”
Cameron said
.“
Just get a destroyer group to those coordinates
.”
H
e’
d had to scream himself hoarse before the nursing staff took his warnings seriously. The
y’
d dragged one of the operation cente
r’
s field-grade officers out of bed to listen to the pilot rant. The Major was half-dressed and had heavy bags under his eyes. Throughout Camero
n’
s story, the officer had
n’
t said a word. From the look on the older ma
n’
s face, he was anything but impressed.

             
“Lieutenant, yo
u’
ve had quite an ordeal over the last week. I
t’
s understandable to be a little upset
.
”

             
Cameron had to bite his tongue to keep from screaming
.“
How the hell do you think I got here, sir? They must have followed one of our relays from Tallus, and I got dragged along for the ride
.
”

             
The Major yawned, bringing a hand to his mouth
.“
Davis,
I’
m tired. W
e’
re all tired. Sector Patrol is already out searching for your phantom armada, so why do
n’
t we just let them do their job
?
”

             
“Christ, sir. We do
n’
t have time for waiting around
.
”

             
A young corporal walked into the room carrying a small projector. He snapped to attention at the sight of the Major
.“
Sir. I brought the Comms
.
”

             
The elder officer frowned, deep lines bunching on his forehead
.“
I did
n’
t ask for any communication devices
.
”

             
“No
,”
Cameron said, swinging his legs off the bed
.“
I did. We locked on their signal
?
”

             
The Majo
r’
s face reddened
.“
Lieutenant, you are way out of line
.
”

             
“Then court martial me tomorrow.
I’
m trying to save your ass. Sir
.”
He stood, pulling his hospital gown tight as he walked toward the corporal
.“
Send it
,”
he said.

             
With a chirp, the small box came to life. A holographic image faded into view, glowing against the soft lighting. A moment later, a wizened face moved into frame. Everyone in the room, with the exception of Cameron, snapped to attention. At the other end of the call, Commodore Osaka gave the faintest of smiles.

             
“Lieutenant Davis
,”
Hiro said
.“
It is good to see you alive and well
.”
His eyes lowered
.“
I was sad to learn about your wingman, George. I regret that I only met him briefly. He seemed like a good man
.
”

             
Cameron nodded, his jaw set
.“
Thank you, sir. And thank you for taking this call, I know
I’
m jumping about a dozen rungs in the ladder
.”
To his right, the Major sneered.

             
“Your note said this was high priority. Given the circumstances,
I’
m extending you some leniency. But make this fast, Lieutenant
.”
Hiro sat back in his chair, fingers steepled in front of his face.

             
Cameron dove in, describing his journey in detail. He told the Commodore about being sucked into Blue Space, about the Boxti frigate and the Tallus armada. He told coordinates and tactics and everything else he could remember about the enemy invaders. When he was done, no one spoke. Even the Major seemed cowed.

             
Hiro let out a sigh, tapping a finger to his lips
.“
Yo
u’
re sure about what yo
u’
ve seen
?
”

             
“You know I am, sir. We have to warn the system
.
”

             
The Commodore nodded
.“I’
ll get word to FleetCom. Major, mobilize every unit on that moon and have them deploy to major areas around the planet. We need to be ready to evacuate billions of people at a momen
t’
s notice
.
”

             
“Commodore
,”
the Major said
.“
With all due respect, w
e’
re an Army installation, not Fleet.
I’
ll need to hear that order from General Casey
.
”

             
Hir
o’
s eyes narrowed
.“
Yo
u’
ll hear that order read back from the captain of a firing squad if you delay one more second, Major. Do I make myself clear
?
”

             
“Yes, sir
.”
He saluted awkwardly and ran from the room, polished shoes slapping against the tiled floor.

             
“And Davis
,”
Hiro said
.“I’
m sending a shuttle to take you to Colorum. You can finish your recovery there and rejoin your unit
.”
He gestured offscreen to an unseen officer
.“
Get me Admiral Walker
.
”

             
Cameron shook his head
.“
Sir,
I’
m fine. Just get me a fighter and
I’
ll help out here
.
”

             
Hiro stared into the young pilo
t’
s eyes
.“
I know you want to be a part of this, and I am confident you will. But right now, I need you to be debriefed and checked out. Yo
u’
re no use to me trapped on a besieged world
.
”

             
Even though he hated to admit it, Cameron knew the Commodore was right. He was still weak from days in bed, and certainly in no shape to fly. He lowered his head and let out a terse breath
.“
Understood, sir.
I’
ll be ready
.
”

              *              *              *              *              *

              The celebration in the hall was well underway when the Major arrived. General Hennesy and the other staff officers were watching video from the games and drinking. Soldiers were joking and eating and throwing back cases of beer. It was a moment to savor, but it had to end. The Major grabbed Hennesy by the shoulder, spinning him around.

             
“Major
?”
Hennesy listened as the officer explained everything that had just happened. The smile faded off the X
O’
s face, and the color drained from his skin. He rose, pushing the Major to the side as he crossed to the podium. At first his voice was drowned out by the noise of the dining hall, but company commanders gradually gained control of their troops.

             
In the back of the room, seated with the men and women of the winne
r’
s circle, Josh watched with interest as the one-star general held up his hands for silence. Dax and Alexa moved closer to their squad leader.

             
“Black Adders,
I’
ve just received an order from FleetCom
.”
The collective mood of the room sank
.“
A Boxti invasion force has been reported in Eros System. All Ranger units are to prepare for immediate deployment to New Eden to secure major cities and prepare for attack. All companies must return to their barracks and get some rest. Shuttles will leave at 0700 tomorrow
.”
He stepped down from the lectern, and this time no applause followed. Stunned silence covered the hall as each soldier digested the new situation.