Markus' PX device showed the time, too early to rise, but he pulled on his boots and tightened his Polyskin, knowing that he would not sleep again. He checked that his helmet was engaged and then checked it again before crawling through the airlock into the open air. He nodded to a sentry as he strode towards the airfield. He found Sarah’s pod, now Robert’s, and thumped on the airlock door. He waited a few seconds before thumping again.
He heard Robert’s voice. ‘Quiet. You’ll wake the major.’
‘What?’
‘Ha,’ said Robert, ‘you’re too easy. Come in.’
The red LED fixed to the narrow tunnel’s entrance switched from red to green. Markus opened the first airlock door and crawled into the tight space. The outer door slid back into place. ‘Are we leaving already?’ Robert asked as the pump whirred into life.
‘No,’ Markus said. ‘Not for a few hours.’ The inner door opened and he crawled into the pod’s tight space.
Robert still lay on the sleep mat, still in his Polyskin but half covered in a space blanket.
‘I don’t have anything to drink,’ Robert said, ‘apart from water. I gave Sarah one of my wine bottles before she came here. iMicor took it, can you believe that?’
‘Maybe she drank it,’ said Markus, removing his helmet.
‘She hates wine,’ said Robert, ‘she took it because I insisted. I said it would remind her of my bad breath if she ever missed me. It was probably unopened.’
‘I won this from my lieutenant yesterday,’ Markus said producing a small flask. He took a long swig and handed it to Robert.
Robert took a sip and flinched. ‘You guardsmen and your moonshine,’ he said. He found his canteen and tipped a small measure of the improvised spirit into the precious water before throwing the flask back to Markus.
‘Here we call it “deimshine”,’ said Markus, ‘for the Deimos moon.’
‘Oh well,’ Robert said, ‘here’s to how the other half drinks. But should you be drinking now? And why are you awake if we aren’t leaving?’
‘One of those nights,’ said Markus.
‘I see,’ Robert nodded slowly in understanding. ‘It’s because you fought yesterday?’
Markus took another swig and shook his head. ‘There’s no pattern. It comes when it wants. Sometimes I go for months without an attack. But every time it becomes worse, like every dream will bring me one millisecond closer to death.’
‘You should talk to someone,’ said Robert.
‘No,’ Markus said.
‘You still think you’d lose your commission?’
‘I would certainly lose my commission,’ said Markus, ‘I have history, I have enemies, even in Redbourn.’
‘One night you might not wake up,’ said Robert, ‘I know people – it will be confidential.’
‘Nothing in Redbourn or Cydonia is said in confidence,’ said Markus, ‘but I’ll sort it out when I am back on Earth. And don’t you tell anyone.’
‘I won’t, of course I won’t.’ Robert said. ‘But this is the first time you’ve mentioned Earth. Does Martian life not suit you?’
‘Fifteen years in Redbourn, and I’m still only captain,’ said Markus. ‘I’m concealing a psychological disorder and my career is a sorry step away from ruin. It is not only Martian life I find unsuitable.’
‘Don’t talk like that,’ Robert said, ‘nonsense. How much of that deimshine have you been drinking? You are in your prime with your life in front of you. Yes you’ve made mistakes, but who hasn’t? People remember your greatness long after they’ve forgotten your mistakes. You’re the best there is on both worlds.’
Markus shook his head again.
‘You’ve never been modest before,’ said Robert, ‘don’t start now.’ Markus glanced at Robert in a cold, weary manner that suggested he did not wish to continue the conversation.
‘Have it your way,’ said Robert, ‘but you know I am right. And I must thank you for what you did for Sarah. I know you two aren’t friends – though you really are more similar than you think – but thank you.’
‘Why didn’t you meet Sarah at Cassini?’ Markus asked. ‘You must have known she’d be there. Why come here and endanger yourself?’
Robert delayed his response by sipping his deimshine.
‘Well?’ Markus pressed. ‘I think you’re avoiding her.’
‘I want her to wait,’ said Robert, ‘alone and helpless like I did. You are angry with me for coming here. How angry do you think I was with her for doing the same thing?’
Markus stood and holstered the flask. ‘Be ready an hour,’ he said as he pulled on his helmet. ‘I want you on the first boat.’
‘Wait,’ Robert said. ‘Why do you think Naktong was so poorly guarded?’
‘It would take a battalion to guard this valley,’ said Markus. ‘A better question is: why build here in the first place?’
‘Do you think they are coming back?’ Robert asked.
‘No one is coming,’ said Markus. ‘iMicor has taken everything of value and they’ve no need for urgency. The Molecule B deposits aren’t going anywhere.’
‘Discounting strategic molecules,’ Robert said, ‘what was this place worth?’
‘Without Molecule B, Naktong was worth only eighty ransoms,’ said Markus, ‘and a bottle of wine, apparently. What do you think it was worth?’
‘That depends on who you ask,’ said Robert. ‘Sarah was here. If they took her, I would have brought the entire regiment to Naktong. But to everyone else, it’s worth nothing.’
‘Well, it’s worth nothing now,’ said Markus as crawled out of the airlock. ‘No one is coming.’
Robert didn’t sleep again. A guardsman came for him in less than hour and escorted him to the airfield. The camp was awake now and the first airships began to rise into the dark sky though the sun had yet to ascend. Guardsmen patrolled the camp’s perimeter, their visors fixed on the horizons, their weapons ready. Airborne drones circled the valley, keeping watch for the enemy. One of the guardsmen pointed Robert to the single boarding platform and told him to board the Kestrel airship docked there. Robert reached the top of the platform and searched for Markus but couldn’t see his friend through the darkness. He climbed the ladder to board the ship. He shared the crowded cabin with guardsmen who, apart from occasional nods, ignored him. The ship lifted into the sky leaving Naktong to enjoy the sunrise alone.
Markus stood on the river bank and watched the first Kestrel disappear behind the near horizon. More aircraft followed as Redbourn Security abandoned Naktong. Lieutenant Barnsley appeared at the top of the chain ladder. ‘We’re on schedule, sir,’ he said.
‘And the major?’ Markus asked.
‘The major will leave after the evacuation is complete.’
‘I should be the last to depart,’ said Markus.
‘She’s the ranking officer, it’s her problem. And the departure is on schedule, sir, if you’d like to make your way to the airfield,’ said Barnsley.
‘Well done, lieutenant,’ said Markus.
‘It’s not done yet, sir,’ the lieutenant said. He was watching the horizon. He checked his rifle, gazed at the horizon and then checked the weapon again.
‘Relax, lieutenant,’ said Markus. ‘Enjoy the sunrise. No one is coming.’
‘Where do you think they’ll strike next?’
‘What’s it worth to you?’
‘Half a litre on Zubrin Town,’ said Barnsley.
‘Done,’ Markus said, ‘Izu.’ They shook hands to confirm the bet. Let’s clear out. This place isn’t worth a drop of even your second-rate deimshine.’
The sun moved above the horizon breaking the morning’s gloom with blue light. The last ships ascended as the new sol began leaving Naktong Vallis, as it had been for aeons before, silent.
Cassini Crater, Arabia Quadrangle
Erratic sleep during which Markus both sweated and shivered ended when his lolling head, still in its helmet, thumped his neighbouring passenger. ‘Terribly sorry,’ he managed to say.
‘Turbulence,’ his neighbour replied. ‘We’re descending. Do you need a sick line?’
‘No,’ Markus said, suddenly realising that he spoke to Major Ajido. He remembered her boarding his Sparrowhawk and finding a seat in the cockpit before departure. She must have moved alongside him after he dozed off. Markus straightened in his seat.
‘Captain Arundel,’ said the major. ‘I hope I’m not interrupting your well-earned rest. You did some excellent work yesterday.’
‘Thank you, major,’ replied Markus, ‘I’m fortunate to command the finest fighting unit in the regiment.’
‘Oh yes,’ said Ajido, ‘Captain Arundel and the famous Sarissa Company. I’m sure you’ll be just as successful with your new unit.’
‘My new unit?’
‘You haven’t heard,’ she said. ‘I didn’t realise. You’d better speak to Major Hameed.’ The major stood and returned to the cockpit. Major Ajido was ordinarily a fierce professional. Her rank formed an impassable barrier for her subordinates and she had never before allowed her keen dislike for him to show. Markus swore that she smiled behind her visor as she slipped into her seat.
The Cassini’s airfield terminal swirled with motion. Guardsmen and civilian staff, some arriving and some departing, crowded through hallways too small for half their numbers. Floating media drones made little voyages through the rising warm air above the masses. Cassini’s air terminal was not a sizeable structure; its design was not optimal. Airlock gates opened into areas where other passengers, waiting and incredulous, queued to depart. In its architect’s defence, the structure was designed for crews, not passengers. Major Ajido’s aides cut a channel through the crowd for their officer.
Major Hameed waited boulder-still amidst the human squall. He nodded vaguely to Major Ajido as she passed him. His scarred, normally grinning face, scowled. Hameed nodded again as Markus approached and saluted. ‘Captain,’ said Hameed, ‘well done.’
‘Am I reassigned, major?’ asked Markus.
‘You’ve heard.’ Hameed turned to glare at Ajido who had already vanished among Polyskins and bodies in the crowded terminal. ‘We need to reshuffle.’
‘You’re dismantling your best team? And you’re doing it during a conflict?’
‘This is not dismantling. This is reshuffling, captain.’
‘This is about punishing me,’ said Markus. ‘How far must I fall before they’re satisfied?’
‘There always remains room to fall,’ said Hameed. ‘And right now, you have far more space below you than above, so don’t complain. Third Battalion is not combat-ready. What good is a regiment when only some of its units are elite? We deploy our best officers to where they are needed. These orders come directly from the colonel.’
‘What about my company?’
‘Sarissa Company is otherwise unchanged. We have assigned a new captain. I wanted to tell you in person, Markus, before this Naktong business started – certainly before another officer told you. But I don’t always have the luxury of time.’
‘I’m the best you have, and I have been in charge of Sarissa Company for over four years, sir,’ Markus said. ‘We’re the strongest unit in the regiment. How many battles have I won for you? How many times have I saved Redbourn from disaster? Without me, you don’t have a company.’
‘I’ve already explained it,’ said Hameed, ‘this isn’t a request, Markus. Nor is it a debate. I said this is happening so you will get on with it. Order. It’s not enough to win battles.’
‘Sir,’ Markus said. ‘Might I ask who will be replacing me?’
‘Does it matter, captain?’
‘It is of importance that my lads are in good hands.’
‘His name is Ramjas,’ said Hameed.
‘Never heard of him,’ Markus shook his head.
‘He’s new,’ said Hameed, ‘a former Indian Expeditionary. But this is not about him or you, Markus. This is about the regiment. I’ve always been able to count on you.’
‘You still can, sir,’ said Markus.
‘Good,’ said Hameed, ‘then you will leave for Izu Oshima tomorrow .Your new company is from Third Battalion, called Assegai, and they’ve already been deployed there. Meet your lieutenants and take command of the defences as soon as possible. It’s a vital site to us. Do you know where it is?’
‘North East,’ said Markus. ‘I thought you allocated Third Battalion to protecting Cydonia City.’
‘It was,’ replied Hameed, ‘but the battalion is green and Cydonia City is a poor classroom. It’s time for the deep end. Izu is a key contested site and it has yielded more Molecule B samples than any of the other sites this quarter. iMicor will try for it, and soon. I want your new company ready for them when they do.’
‘Sir. They will be.’
Hameed wandered to the terminal’s bay window to watch an Earth-bound rocket begin its launch sequence. ‘We haven’t yet recruited a major to take over Third Battalion. I’m hoping that one of the three captains will step forward. It could mean a promotion later. Deliver me a battle-hardened company ready for action and I guarantee you that someone will notice. I’ll leave you to inform your old company of their change of command. Their orders are to return to Zubrin. I expect professionalism from everyone.’ Twin blue vapour trails pushed rocket upwards. ‘All of this for a molecule,’ Hameed said.
‘If not Molecule B then something else,’ said Markus.
‘Exactly right,’ Hameed said. He watched the rocket ascend until it slipped from view, easily escaping the undemanding gravity. Hameed turned, his old grin returned. ‘That was excellent work yesterday. Is Mr Pauly secure?’
‘His ship arrived with mine,’ Markus pointed through the window to a Kestrel that hovered above a platform in the distance.
‘Good,’ said Hameed. ‘Now, I must meet with the UN Marshal.’
‘Why was he allowed to travel to Naktong?’ Markus asked.
‘I’ll deal with that,’ Hameed said. ‘You worry about Izu.’ Guardsmen saluted and staff stepped out of the major’s path as he strode away.
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