No one answered, but their facial expressions were sufficiently communicative – they all understood. “I think perhaps General Holm would like to add a few thoughts at this point.” Compton looked at the general as he spoke. “I believe his insights would be helpful.”
Holm moved in his chair, trying to get comfortable. He was tense, like everyone else present, and his back was killing him. The old wound was acting up, as it often did when he was overly stressed. The Battle of Persis was a lifetime ago, two wars past, but he still carried the scars. “You will note that Admiral Compton advised us that Alliance army units have been dispatched to Columbia…indeed, I can confirm that they have been sent to other worlds as well, including Arcadia.”
Holm’s voice sounded normal to everyone present, everyone save Cain. Erik could hear the tension, the strain lying below the surface. It was just a feeling, an impression, but Cain was worried about the general…even more than he was worried about the rest of them.
“This is arguably a breach of the Marine Charter.” Holm was speaking to everyone, but his gaze shifted between Cain and Jax. “Alliance Gov claims these assignments are for policing and training purposes only and, as such, are not covered under the Charter. This is obviously nonsense, but it at least gives a pretext of legitimacy to the actions…one that General Samuels has been perfectly happy to accept without complaint.”
Holm was relieved to have Jax and Cain with him again. The last three years had been difficult, with Holm losing a series of struggles regarding demobilization and reassignments. The wartime Corps, which he had worked so hard to help build, had been largely disbanded, its veterans forcibly retired or dispatched to small, scattered garrisons on fringe worlds. Seasoned troops were replaced by new recruits coming from Camp Puller, and Holm wasn’t happy with what he saw in these new Marines. He hadn’t been to Puller in years, but he was starting to wonder what was going on there.
He’d been drinking more than he should recently, he knew that. Holm had always been a bit of a drinker; it’s how he dealt with the voices from the past, the memories he wished he didn’t have. He had the same type of ghosts that kept Erik Cain up nights, but he had more of them. Now things were worse, more difficult to comprehend, and he felt lost and uncertain. Rafael Samuels was the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and he had repeatedly accepted developments and changes that any of his predecessors would have considered unthinkable. He’d failed to fight against the assignment of political officers late in the war, and now he executed a demobilization plan that gutted the Corps’ combat effectiveness.
Holm was suspicious of Alliance Gov, as were many Marines, especially those pulled from the underside of society on Earth. But it wasn’t in his makeup to suspect someone in the Corps, certainly not the supreme general, a veteran of almost fifty years’ service. Elias Holm was a man who could summon the strength to face any challenge, pay any cost to prevail. But for the first time in his life he simply didn’t know what to do, and the helplessness was easier to handle if he had an extra drink or two. He wasn’t proud of it, but that hadn’t stopped him either.
“There are two matters I feel need to be discussed. First, the massive deployment of Alliance army units to the colony worlds - do we sit by idly and allow this to happen? Without intervention of some sort, it is doubtful the colonial forces can hold out for long against such forces.” He paused, realizing as he spoke the implications of what he was saying – or at least indirectly suggesting.
“The second issue is perhaps even more complex and troublesome.” He’d been thinking about this meeting for days, but he still wasn’t sure exactly how he was going to say this. “It appears to my judgment that Alliance Gov is making a major push to assume total control over the Corps, in directly violation of the Charter.” Jax’s expression showed some surprise, if not at the overall developments themselves, at Holm’s willingness to state it so bluntly. Cain’s was matter-of-fact; this was no shock to him…none whatsoever. Had he not been among his most trusted friends and allies, he might have worn an “I told you so” look on his face.
“I think we have to consider the possibility that General Samuels is operating under some form of duress or outside influence…” He paused, glancing briefly at Compton. “…or even that he has been abducted like Admiral Garret and replaced with an imposter.”
Vance leaned forward in his chair. “I do not think it is likely he has been replaced.” He looked over at Holm. “The events you describe have occurred over the last 3-4 years. I don’t believe that a replacement could remain undetected for such a long period of time. It is much more likely that he is experiencing some sort of external pressure, though I am sorry to say I have no idea what form that may take.”
Even Roderick Vance was completely unaware that General Samuels was actually a member of the Alliance Intelligence Directorate, having been suborned six years before by Gavin Stark. The actions so inexplicable to Holm and his allies were part of an overall plan to eliminate the Corps and replace it with a Directorate-controlled force. Rafael Samuels had been a hero of the Corps but, unknown to any of those present, he was now the greatest traitor in its century-long history.
The room was strangely quiet for a few minutes, everyone deep in thought until Cain finally broke the silence. “Obviously, the entire situation is enormously complex. But is appears to me that there are several pressing matters that require immediate attention.”
He looked over at Compton. “First, Admiral Compton must deal with the demand that he bombard the rebel-occupied sectors of the planet. May I venture a guess, admiral, that you have no intention of launching a nuclear attack on the colonists?”
Compton looked grimly at Cain, then at each of the others. “No, I will not give that order.” He exhaled sharply. “But I cannot predict the results of my refusal, especially since it will appear to everyone outside this room that I am directly disobeying Admiral Garret’s orders.”
Cain nodded. They would deal with that fallout when they had to. “Second, if Admiral Garret is indeed being held hostage, we must figure a way to rescue him.”
Everyone started speaking at once, except Vance, who sat silently and watched. Compton’s voice rose above the others. “Is it even possible to break someone out of Alliance Intelligence headquarters? There is nothing I would like better than to free Augustus, but I don’t see how it can be done.”
Cain looked back at Compton. “We have no choice. We must find a way.”
“Erik, I know how aggressive you can be, but I think you’re reaching too far on this one.” Holm’s tone was somber, fatigued.
Cain was about to answer, but Vance spoke first. “I think General Cain is correct. And I believe I might be able to assist.” Everyone stopped talking and looked at the Martian envoy. “It will be extremely difficult, but we may be able to sneak a small strike force into Washbalt. Our embassy is located close to Alliance Intelligence headquarters, and it is possible we could get a few of your people there under cover as diplomatic staff.” A slight smile crept across his face, the first time his expression had betrayed any emotion. “Indeed, the Alliance is behaving in an almost obsequious manner in diplomatic circles recently, which gives us added latitude in making changes to embassy staff without being questioned. No doubt they are trying to buy time to research the technology on Epsilon Eridani IV before they are forced to share access.”
“I will lead the strike team.” Cain hardly let Vance finish before he spoke up. “A small group from the old special action teams, if we can track them down quickly enough.”
Holm was considering the situation, and he was about to protest when Sarah beat him to it. “Erik, that’s a suicide mission.” Her face was blank, expressionless. She knew he’d go, that he’d have to go – or at least believe he had to – no matter what she or anyone else said. But still she had to try. “You can’t possibly be serious about trying to break into Alliance Intelligence headquarters.”