Chapter 11: Twisting the Knife

A few hours would pass. Javier’s thoughts still rang out at the idea of what happened. Inside one of Fort Rangoon’s rotating centripetal rings, Javier, Shira, Stone, Mizu, and Darin stood overlooking a large circular center display table in an enclosed rectangular room. In the center was a holographic media news broadcast that depicted the current events of the day. Obviously, most of the feeds were all about Batrice and the current predicament dealing with Batrice’s succession and revolution.

The room itself almost seemed to be a waiting room more than a stateroom. Cushioned seats and consoles resided along the well-lit walls. Along the walls were additional large displays depicting ship movements in Batrice’s system, status, or various feeds around the public areas of the space station, or other non-important data sources. With the exception of Mizu, who had switched over to a clean pair of red and blue jumpsuit uniforms, everyone else still wore the same uniforms as before, being almost still shots of a prior disaster. Even Shira, Stone, and Darin still kept their respective side arms as well.

Despite Darin’s presence, Mizu felt the most out of place in the room, as he knew he was the lowest rank. However, the pilot also knew that he had very little else to be. The destruction of the Lifen had set a lasting impact on almost everyone in the room. Darin and Shira seemed the most unaffected, with the former Shal’rein captain smoking her cigarette and an open tin on the table filled with burned-out butts. Nobody seemed to mourn the loss; instead, they appeared to be displaced and experiencing the lingering effects of shock over the event. If anything, Javier was happier to be alive regardless of what happened. However, Mizu’s reasons for being there came down to a simple request. The debriefing continued.

“Was there anything else that you can tell us about the rebels?” Javier asked Mizu.

“Ummm...,” Mizu said, scratching the back of his head. “I’ve pretty much said what needed to be said, sir.”

“Take your time, Mizu,” Shira calmly replied. “For we have plenty of it...” She never bothered to look at the pilot and only continued to take drags from her cigarette.

Mizu thought about it for some time. If anything, the room almost depicted that of boredom at this point. Even Stone, who should have been more flustered over the events, was showing only a calm aggravation more than anything else, staring off at one of the displays and only half-listening to the prolonged debriefing. Darin seemed to listen intently, but was left to his own thoughts. The pilot had been reduced to a lame entertainer. A briefing that should have ended several minutes ago kept going, and Mizu was aware of it. Instead, he decided to placate the former CO and XO.

Mizu sighed. “They were more like ... refugees, sir,” he explained to them. “They had a base, but I wouldn’t call it an operations center, either. I wouldn’t be surprised that many of the rebel cells on Batrice are in the same predicament or just smaller underground movements scattered throughout the planet. Honestly, more can be done here than even there. The refugees are practically living by their local firing squad.”

“Understandable,” Javier replied.

The pilot looked down. “Sir, it’s my fault this all happened. If it weren’t for me and Dean, the Lifen wouldn’t have been out there.”

“If we weren’t there, you would be captured or dead by now. There was no way of knowing that Batrice had an ambush waiting for us.” Javier lightly turned his head to look at the Shal’rein woman, almost as if he was in question with something else.

“The fault always lies with those above you,” Shira added. “In the end, I take responsibility for that loss, not you.”

“Besides,” Javier said. “Without you, we wouldn’t have scored that victory against Batrice. You managed to accomplish a lot, far more than I could ever imagine.”

“Indeed ... You and Dean performed more than adequately.” She lightly turned around and gestured to the map. “You may have very well turned the entire tide of war in this upcoming theatre.”

“There’s always a new ship, partner,” Darin added. “Every time I go in with the Rampage, I treat it like it’s her last fight. Even if I lose her now, I know she wasn’t a disappointment. Speaking of which...”

The door slid open. Admiral Hazer finally entered the room, causing all but Darin to come to attention.

“Admiral on deck!” Javier remarked.

“At ease, at ease...,” Hazer said as he approached the table. The door closed behind him while the rest of the group relaxed their stance. Mizu felt the mild hint of anticipation with the officer, but he was too exhausted to feel anything.

“Finally got a moment of your time, sir,” Javier addressed him almost with a hint of annoyed relief.

“I know you’ve been waiting,” Hazer replied. “I’ve been busy convening with the other Admirals again, discussing the recent updates ... including what just happened.” The admiral placed his hand on the table and showed a sense of empathy. “The loss of the Lifen will be remembered. Her sacrifice won’t be forgotten.”

“Thankfully, with us not on it. She defended us to the very end.”

“Rightfully so. Unfortunately, I can’t be swayed too much by the loss of a single ship.” Hazer turned to look at Mizu. “And I’m also well aware that much of the operation fell upon this pilot. Petty Officer Mizu, congratulations on your success.” Hazer stepped up and offered a handshake, which Mizu happily accepted.

“Thank you, sir.”

“I’m also well aware of the dangers that you and Pilot Dean put yourself into. And, I know that you’ve been operating under an Earth asylum status, having your rank stripped from you thanks to our own leadership. What they did to you was wrong. Even with all of that, you still put your life on the line for the UHN. For that, we’ll not forget. Captain Shira, you may notify Petty Officer Mizu that he’s officially reenlisted in the UHN with the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class. Admiral Simmons no longer works under the Martian jurisdiction. Mizu is welcome to any planet of the UWA as a citizen of the colonies. I also believe a medal is lying in wait for him as well...”

Mizu felt a sense of shock and awe to hear of such a statement as the admiral let go of the man’s hand. Perhaps it made complete sense when Mizu began to think about it. He had been so used to living on Earth or with Shira’s crew that the very idea of becoming a hero to the UWA never really crossed his mind. There was a moment where Mizu was deciphering all of it as the others looked at him. Regardless of losing the Lifen, the wave of victory glowed over him.

“Hmmm...,” Darin remarked. “I reckon that I won’t have Mizu serving on my ship after all ... funny that I don’t see a Captain’s commission for the UHN waitin for me either ... But, I can still say, enjoy the UHN, partner...”

“Eh ... thank you, sir,” Mizu happily said to the admiral.

“Don’t get too used to that rank yet,” Javier told Mizu. “Field promotions still require the training to hold it. Otherwise, it’s just an empty rank. Trust me ... I know...”

“Of course, sir...”

“Now,” Hazer said, turning to look at each other. “Let’s return to the matter at hand. Petty Officer Mizu, due to the operations being discussed here at the moment, your presence is no longer needed. You’re...”

“Admiral,” Shira interjected, her shark-like eye momentarily gazing into Mizu. “I believe there’s something that needs to be discussed with Petty Officer Mizu after this conference. I see no harm in having him here for these discussions.”

Javier gave a momentarily confused look as the admiral almost did the same. “ ... Very well,” Hazer replied. “I can trust that Mizu can keep a lot of this confidential...”

“I have nobody to tell it to, sir,” Mizu replied.

“In that case,” Hazer tapped a few buttons on the table. The display switched the current live news feed over to one of the other displays. The table switched over to depict the map of the Trappist solar system. It zoomed in to highlight Gillan and Batrice. Sets of yellow arrows headed away from Gillan and back to Batrice. Hazer momentarily froze a little bit before he continued.

“With the Rama and Widado both placed out of commission status, the current fleet residing near Gillan has withdrawn and returned to Batrice,” Hazer explained. “Chanvatey has ordered the fleets to reconsolidate over all Batrice-controlled regions in the solar system. Gillan is free from any sieges. We’ve also managed to gain contact with the rebels, thanks to the delivery made.”

“You have?” Mizu remarked, giving a sigh of relief.

“That’s good news,” Javier replied, looking over to Mizu. “It looks like we did far more damage than we thought.”

“For now...,” Shira said. “Baxton follows Chanvatey’s orders, but the question remains for how long. Just because their fleets are no longer in the proximity of Gillan doesn’t mean that they still won’t plan on taking this planet by force.”

“Agreed,” Hazer replied.

“What about the rebels?” Javier asked.

“So far, they’ve been cooperative. They’ve already got in contact with two other cells in Batrice’s major cities. Unfortunately, the resistance mounted for Batrice is nowhere close to being able to repel the regime that’s taken power. However, they still promise to offer whatever assistance they can.”

“I would like to see the list of their resources,” Shira said.

“I’ll get it to you as soon as possible.”

Shira’s cigarette was nearly burned to a stub. She pressed the remains into her ashtray before putting her hands behind her back.

“Admiral,” she resumed her questioning. “What is the status of the planned future operations in retaking Batrice?”

“That...,” Hazer paused. “Unfortunately, hasn’t been decided...”

“You’ve had an entire day, sir,” Javier replied. “You’re telling me that the admiralty has nothing?”

Hazer seemed reluctant to answer. “There’s hesitation among the ranks. Unfortunately, it’s not being helped by the current civilian polls.”

“What do you mean?”

“The UWA population, obviously excluding Batrice, is almost evenly split in retaking Batrice, despite Chairman Lecron’s pledge to retake it. Some wish to parley and let Batrice become an independent state. Others want us to launch a full-scale invasion and seize it. With both sides, there are disagreements in how it’s supposed to be done. Those who wish to parley can’t agree whether Gillan should be handed over to Batrice. The ones that want a full-scale invasion can’t agree if we should retake Batrice by blockade to lessen possible casualties and force them to submit.”

“But, it isn’t our goal to worry about the civilians.”

“True, but that doesn’t mean that it’ll influence the UHN. Even now, the admiralty can’t agree whether we should try to conquer Batrice or find another means to subdue them. I’ve offered my proposal on taking Celebes and challenging Batrice’s space fleets, but the admiralty isn’t fully convinced, yet.”

“Hmmm,” Darin commented. “You sound like you got the same problem as I do, hombre. I may wish to continue this, but the people of Earth are going to become more hesitant each time the sun sets over their faces. Eventually, that burr in the saddle will force me not only off the horse, but off the bandwagon completely.”

“No...,” Mizu countered, the frustration seen on his face. “Even after the mission, you’re telling me that there’s no plan? Nothing pushed through?”

“There isn’t much that we can do,” Hazer said to everyone. “Thiago, Anaya, Vice Admiral Gideon, they like my plan and want to carry it out, but the others, not so much. They prefer that we continue to maintain a defensive posture over Gillan and nothing more.”

“The longer they wait,” Javier countered. “The more time Batrice will get the Widado and the Rama back into full operation again. Everything that we’ve worked for these last couple of days, losing the Lifen, sacrificing and putting our lives on the line, will be lost.”

“I understand your frustration,” Hazer tapped the table. “Even now, the UHN has placed a gag order on the UWA media dealing with the Lifen’s destruction. We’re trying to spin it so that we scored a victory against Batrice, but anything else will only demoralize the UWA, convince them that Batrice isn’t worth fighting against.”

“Even this will only work for so long,” Shira replied. “Batrice’s media has surely gathered all the recordings of the Lifen’s demise. Their government will broadcast and collect the ship’s remains to display on their public square as trophies to embolden their populace. The secrecy will become obvious to everyone.”

“That’s what I also said as well, but not everyone agreed. Even if we managed to take Celebes and wipe out much of Baxton’s fleets, it doesn’t stop the fact that Batrice has a powerful space station capable of obliterating the UHN’s forces. I’ve tried to formulate plans on taking it, but ... the simulations all point to defeat or the loss of Fort Batrice entirely. There isn’t much else that I can really do.”

Javier shook his head. “And with each day that passes, it only encourages the UWA to grow more comfortable with the idea of Batrice becoming an independent state. All that Batrice has to do is wait, and before you know it, Gillan will be fully evacuated and handed over to Batrice without a fight.”

“That is a likely plan that Chanvatey will embrace,” Shira stated.

“No ... no,” Mizu remarked, shaking his head. He knew that the situation was obvious. The UHN’s hands were tied. He felt flustered with the idea that the chain of command far above him was hesitating, something that may cost them. The pilot felt a sense of defeat, ready to leave the room and forget about it all. Baxton might as well be holding a chokehold on everyone’s destiny, including Mizu’s. The idea of going back to Earth and living with Li’lo and Jenta in peace was all that remained, knowing that his former home of Batrice was nothing more than a lost cause.

However, Mizu noted that Shira’s gaze was anchored on him. The shark-like eye pierced into his soul, studying everything about him, understanding the man’s frustrations and aggravation. For a moment, Mizu felt that there was a reason for him to be in this briefing, and the answer lay in Shira. The question of why he was there at this conference, only to be told that little could be done, seemed pointless. However, Shira still requested that he be present. Was it for this? Or was it for something else?

“Hmph...,” Stone practically scuffed in growing frustration. “Of course,...”

“You have something to say, Master Sergeant?” Hazer questioned him.