บท 23: The Emperor's Arm
The Imperial World of Friih | Frontier
Augusta Cassius.
I woke up abruptly from the shaking of the ship and grabbed my weapon. After looking around and calming down, I promised myself that one day I would get rid of the habit of grabbing the weapon when I woke up. But life on the Frontier would give you more than that ability. Running a hand over my face, I climbed out of my bunk and walked into the corridor.
My Kaars was a small ship but incredibly fast. True, it was made possible by a huge upgrade, which is difficult for an ordinary person to achieve. And I was very lucky to find a fugitive Adept who had pissed off someone at the top and was happy to escape on any ship from the centre. Mark was an excellent Adept, so repair costs were rare and minimal, and the ship was rightly considered the fastest in the segment.
Through the memories, I reached the cargo bays. Some crew occupied these compartments, as there wasn't enough room in the cabins for everyone, and we didn't need such huge holds. So they occupied one of them, which suited everyone. Nodding at the passing fighters, I glanced at the containers filled with supplies in one of the compartments. It was illegal for anyone except the Biologic to procure them. They could be crucified, for example, or have their heads cut off. So we risked a lot by mining them, but there was no point in being afraid of the Empire on the Frontier. The planetary defence forces have long been controlled by the right people, and the Prefect himself probably got a lot of money from lower officials. In a way, it was a haven for those with a score to settle with the Empire.
- Cass! - I turned to see Phrix coming out of his quarters. He had been my friend since I was almost born, and now he was the leader of the boarding party. So only he could call me that.
- А?
- I ask again, are you sure about this, Nastar*? - He glared at me again with an annoyed look and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
(Author's note: Nastar is one of the Imperial worlds where the sun is almost invisible due to the volcanic ash that covers almost the entire planet. The inhabitants have white or grey skin due to the lack of light. The planet itself is class A, as it has huge reserves of minerals).
I rolled my eyes and had to say it for the hundredth time:
- Fricks, if you don't like him, you and your boys can shoot him in the alley, but until he gives us our denarii, don't lay a finger on him, or I'll unscrew your head. Understood?
- I understand," muttered the big lumpy man, a head taller than me. He never dared to cross me ever since I was a child. But I knew he was my most loyal man, so I wasn't angry with him.
- If that's how you feel about him, you can take your own. But only if they try to keep a low profile. Do you understand? - A smile flashed across his face, and the big guy disappeared, though it seemed like the ship should shake when he moved.
Sighing, I made my way to the cabin. Soon a narrow corridor led me to it. Once inside, I saw the familiar sight I'd seen for days. Mark, as usual, was rummaging around in the spare console, keeping everyone from helping. At the same time, Titus, our pilot, silently steered the ship towards the planet visible through the glass.
- What have you got?
- The spirits of the module are very unhappy; we have to buy new parts; otherwise," he tapped on the console, "it will never work.
- You'll get the parts, we'll have to take a lot of money from our order. Titus?
- One-hour flight, Captain. They've got a new dispatcher today. Will that be a problem?
- No, Kiros is giving us a good briefing, so it's all good. Well, I'll check the cargo and get on with it. You let me know when we're coming up. Is the team OK?
- Yeah, if we give them some time off on the ground, they'll be fine.
- Don't let any "juniors" in the cargo hold. Let the Freaks keep watch. We'll be in planetary range soon; they can know what we're bringing in without knowing what we're bringing in.
- Acknowledged. I remind you that the penalty for discovering ZX-56 is execution on the spot. - Titus muttered.
- I'm aware of that, cog. - I sneered, "OK, I'm going to bed. Wake me up in the control room, or you can wake me up, that's all. - I yawned and fell back asleep.
The second awakening was easier, apart from the gun in my hand. As I felt the hull shake, I realised we were already coming in for a landing. I shook my head a few times for a final awakening and went to the tiny shower cubicle. As I tidied up, I felt a violent shudder and a bang from underneath the ship. It was Titus landing the car, which meant it was time to move out, as it was best to get rid of the cargo as quickly as possible.
After waiting for the crew to get their gear ready, I ordered them to open the ramp. Almost immediately, a cold wind blew into my face. Friich was a desert planet, so the winds there were very strong, but only a fraction of the raging force hit the cities. As soon as we stepped out, a typical scene opened before us, typical of many planets in the Frontier. A vast space littered with all sorts of lightships, mass-produced by the local shipyards. Mechanicus looked the other way, as they didn't break their laws. Still, the look of the ships could be very different, while Mars built ships of one style, Imperial, for versatility. While we were looking at the ships, the technicians drove up in their refuelling truck. Having been paid, they were busy preparing the equipment for the refuelling and maintenance work on the ship. Mark immediately jumped out and started negotiating.
The rest of the team left in passing cars while we set off to our loading platform, where we carried our cargo, hidden by a tarpaulin. There were millions of such platforms on the planet, and ours stood out in no way, nor did the rest of our team.
She soon drove us to the gate that separated the spaceport from the main city so that no one would wander between the ships. We were allowed into the city after the standard check, which was just for show. Almost immediately, we were hit by the stench of the slums that covered almost two-thirds of the city. The people were very poor. All businesses were controlled by the Prefect's men, and getting a job was considered a stroke of luck. You could move to the upper floors, closer to the palace. I have an apartment there but only got it by diligently marketing my captured cargo. All my cronies lived there, too, and the team was already "downstairs".
It's worth describing the levels. The city itself was built on top of a huge mountain. At the top was the Prefect's palace. Nearby were the mansions of the most powerful people: the heads of corporations, mining stations, the head of the spaceport and the commander of the PO troops. Then there were the houses of the workers and the middle class. And beyond that, the vast slums where everyone survived as best they could. It was almost a standard Frontier experience.
Once in the city, we found ourselves at the junction of many roads leading in all directions, with only one normal road leading up. We had to pay to use it, which was the wrong way to go today, so we turned left.
Passing through streams of people dressed in bright white clothes for the hot climate and caravans of livestock, we soon reached the warehouses on the city's outskirts. This was where our client would be.
The buildings were half-decayed concrete boxes, and many holes had been filled with whatever materials were available. These buildings had been built during the resettlement period, which was probably true.
As we approached the buildings, I looked over at Phrix. He was dressed in heavy infantry armour and nodded at me. So his boys are in position, and that's a lot of power. I unloaded and went to the door, where several Nastar men were on duty.
When one of them spotted me, he ducked inside, and the other two blocked my way.
- Where?" I couldn't see any weapons on them, but at least two dozen of them must be sitting behind the wall, armed to the teeth.
- Cato's waiting for us. Tell him we've got an order. - He looked to the back of the building and got a signal to let us through. Some stayed to guard the platform while I went in with Friks and a few other fighters. After wandering through the corridors under the watchful eyes of the inmates, we finally entered Cato's quarters.
The first thing that caught my eye was an enormous body sprawled on the cushions, dressed in an expensive gown, possibly from Terra. That was Cato. Five fighters stood around him, watching our every move; the fat man didn't skimp on security.
- We've brought your goods, Cato. - The corpse looked at one of the guards, who quickly took one of the cargo bags and opened it. The room was immediately filled with the lovely scent of flowers. If you didn't know that these were substances for making gas bombs to be used in ground sweeps, you could even admire them.
- Beautiful! Just beautiful! - Irs, give them the money. You were quick. Were there any problems?
- No, not that it's any of your business. Is everything in here? - I took the bag the guard brought.
- Yes. Are you going to check it? - I unzipped the bag. Inside, in straight rows, were notes, and lots of them. It seemed all right.
(Author's note: electronic cash flow is only available to central worlds, as banking houses will only provide their services to loyal planets at a colossal fee that only very rich worlds can afford).
- That's all right, there will be more orders. Come back for more.
- Of course! - the corpse chuckled again; it must have been him instead of laughing.
It was soft. Usually, the customers were less cheerful, but this one was gurgling. And as soon as I had the bag in my hands, I realised the problem. It wasn't supposed to be this light, at least a few kilos more. The creature had decided to leave us behind!
I caught Frix's eye and gave him the signal with my eyes, closing them as quickly as I could. A bright flash followed, and there were all the guards and the fat man in front of me. The fighters took them out in quick bursts, and I got Cato. I stomped on his throat and spoke:
- What, you bastard, didn't you get us out of there? What have you given us? - I opened the bag and thrust my hand deep inside. It immediately came up against a plastic container full of various rubbish. - That's it! You've signed your sentence here. Where is the rest, you scum? Tell me! - I squeezed his throat with my boot, and he gasped and turned away.
- Give it to me. - Freriks came over with his hatchet, causing the fat man to scream and crawl towards me. Still, the stormtrooper grabbed him and dragged him around the corner, and I heard the thud of a dozen fighters coming towards us.
As I approached the door, I signalled to one of the fighters. He nodded at me, and his pulse rifle began to pierce the door, melting the plastic it was made of and carrying death down the corridor. Immediately there was screaming and yelling, and me and the others joined the shooter. Soon the corridor was flooded with a whirlwind of fire. And outside, the others were already entering the building and finishing off the guards from behind. Soon it was over. The fighters went off to check out the building and collect trophies while I went around the corner where Fricks had hidden. The first thing I saw was a headless body convulsing. Frith was picking at the wall with his knife, which turned out to be a tricky door.
- I didn't say anything until I had to scratch a bit.
- Anything interesting?
- Yeah, I'll dig it out, take the box, and have Mark open it. What about the merchandise?
- We'll give it to Glad; he'll give us a good price, and no one else will take it.
- You should have gone straight to him, I warned you. - He had a smile on his face.
- He promised more money, and I took the boys with me, so no complaints. But yes, you were right. - I kicked the corpse. The Prefect's men will be here soon, and we don't want that.
Soon our horde piled into the courtyard, loaded onto the platform and raced to the central level, sirens wailing in the distance.
POV Dispatch
Anna Taon.
Well, here it is again, my shift. Another twenty hours filled with absolute routine. And so it goes every week. What have we got here? I run a system check and reach into the fridge. As expected, there's almost nothing. The last shift didn't think it was worth bringing food.
I sink back into my chair and stare at the radar projection showing a dozen points in orbit. Nothing new. I was about to nap when the console screech made me fall out of my chair. Cursing those who made it, I activated the techno-mind message.
- What do you want, Ironclad? - and information poured out of the speakers.
Subspace exit detected...
700,000 kilometres from the planet...
Classification... Imperial Battleship...
...
What is it?
...
Special code received: Directive 45...
The highest priority is given...
Ship requesting communication... Standing by...
- Patch it through! - Why on my watch!!! - Imperial World Control 4-1, please state your name and flight number. You're not on the arrival list.
"Friich 4-1, this is the flagship battleship, Mars. Request planetary landing. Terra's special mission, the highest priority."
Why me?!
- "Mars, stand by. No room for you at this time.
"Negative. Inform the Prefect of our arrival. We're about to land. Over and out."
Hang on... Landing?!
- Mars, come in! "Mars! Change your vector now! Your mass is too great! "Mars! - I yelled into the microphone as I watched the huge ship whiz past the station and begin to enter the atmosphere.
End of POV
Bridge of the Battleship Mars
- Master, we are ready to test the Mass Dampener. - reports the ship's Adept to the massive figure on the Captain's pedestal.
- Acknowledged. As soon as we enter the thermosphere, activate it. Helmsman set course for the spaceport. Take us to the edge.
- Acknowledged. - The Legate grinned carnivorously; soon, he would show what happens to those who try to throw off the Emperor's hand and destroy the Empire by bringing anarchy to our home.
With these thoughts, he made his way to the landing bays, to his Legion.
The huge ship came in for a landing. Its massive engines blew the wind out of the people near the landing point. Soon the outriggers came forward, and the battleship 'fell' on them. Crews of technicians and administrators immediately rushed to it, and many ordinary people gathered in the terminal to watch the unseen spectacle.
Soon the ramp at the bottom of the ship crept down slowly. As soon as it touched the ground, the head of the spaceport, extremely indignant at how he was being treated, stepped inside. But he had barely walked a few metres when he became numb and almost instantly turned white as chalk.
A delegation of legates was on its way down, led by the man who used to frighten naughty children and whose name every inhabitant of the Empire knew: Legatus. His scarlet cloak fluttered in the wind, adding a unique sheen to his dull black armour. The golden sword at his belt swung menacingly, its gold gleaming against the black paint. The men behind him slowly backed away, trying to escape the Emperor's Arm.
Soon the warlord and his warriors approached the trembling nobleman and looked down menacingly. He was half a metre taller than any human, which was no surprise.
- Did you have something to say?
- I... I did not expect your arrival... To what do we owe this honour? - he started to say, but the giant grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground. Looking up at the man spinning in the air, he said with steel in his voice:
- Are you trying to save your own skin by licking your boots? Do you think your deeds won't be known to the Emperor? We have allowed you to exist with impunity for too long. Today we will wipe out your filth! He clenched his fist at these words, and the body hung like a limp rag. He tossed the body aside and turned his gaze to the stunned technicians.
- Marcus," he said to one of the Primipiles behind him, "take your cohort and seal off the spaceport. No one gets through until I give the order. No rats are to get through! Tiberius took the rest of the Legion and occupied the city. I'll take the guards to the Prefect. - The officers beat their chests and disappeared into the ship's bowels. Soon there was a growing roar...
Thousands of legionnaires were marching down the city's main street, heading for the summit. Their marching song could be heard in this city's farthest and darkest corners. The standards and bayonets of their rifles gleamed in the sun, bearing the golden word of the Emperor. Scarlet banners and cloaks fluttered in the wind, and the Imperial Eagle spread its wings to conquer this planet.
One by one, formidable ranks rose from the bowels of the mighty ship, separated by rows of combat vehicles and heavy bots. They clearly controlled the Legion's path, ready to crush any separatist or outlaw. The Centurions led their units into different parts of the city, destroying the criminal dens and their inhabitants. Plumes of smoke were already rising from many parts of the city.
Three hours after the sweep | Prefect's Palace
The Legate gazed in awe at the free-standing tree in the Prefect's garden. While the guardsmen quickly cleared the mansion, he could afford a moment's rest. He remembered trees like this from the days of unification when they had conquered the eastern nations. Their delicate pink petals had touched his heart then, and he still marvelled at their beauty. The mysterious island where the trees grew was forever etched in his memory. And now he saw a beautiful piece of Terra before him. This tree could be worth as much as this city or more. Simply beautiful...
With these thoughts, he did not notice that a group of guards had finished their search and were already dragging an unconscious man dressed in an expensive, gold-ornamented toga. They threw the body at the Legatus' feet.
- Perfect Brunei! How good to see you. I remember your appointment," he tugged at his cloak and dragged the man to his knees. - And what that position has done to you..." his red eyes seemed to burn into his very soul.
- Please, Master, I will tell you everything I know! - The man coughed up blood. - Have mercy!
- Have you decided that your power gives you the right to defy the Emperor's will? Is it too late to beg for mercy?
- Please..." the man cried.
- Hush, my old friend, hush. Bring his family! - Several guardsmen left and soon returned, dragging the weeping woman and the two girls.
- NO! - The Prefect tried to free himself, but the warrior's boot pinned him to the ground.
- You must understand, Brunei. Your crime is the worst you could have done. - The Legatus drew a pistol from a hidden compartment in his armour. - Your kind will be exterminated so your descendants will not stain the Empire. - He shot the kneeling, weeping woman in the head with these words. The body swayed and fell to the ground.
The two daughters screamed and hung helplessly in the arms of the guardsmen.
- No one can stand against the Empire. - A beam of energy pierced the girl's head," and those who dare will be destroyed and their names wiped from history. - The other girl fell with a hole in her head.
- You have signed your own sentence, Brunei. - The man no longer responded. - Raise your head and accept death by looking it in the eye. - He raised his head, and the muzzle of a gun was pointed at his forehead. - Meet me beyond the fringe, old friend. - His finger squeezed the trigger.
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