The room was spacious and contained all trappings of a very wealthy
man.
From colorful wall hangings and floor coverings to the ornately carved,
exotic and sweetly scented timber furniture.
The overall effect was of no particular period, but an assembly of timeless
pieces from the pre-war, to avant-garde guard by the best known off planet
craftsmen.
But the mixture worked, each article complementing the others.
Whatever one said of him, he had style, and a purse large enough to accommodate
it.
The wall facing the outside of the building was made up from a complete
panel of photo chromatic plastic. It was electronically controlled to allow
a constant intensity of illumination in the room, no matter at what point
in the sky was the orb, or whether it was night or day.
At this time it was dark outside, and far below through the now clear panel
twinkled the myriad of lights and open fires that sparkled within the city
of Quone-Loc-Sie.
Three men stood in the room. One in the tunic of a high-ranking officer
of the guard stood rigidly to attention near the door.
Another leaning casually at the fireplace, and the last looking in silence
through the window at the city. It was for this one that the others waited.
" Then the rebellion has begun at last ". He said with hardly
concealed glee
" Apparently so ", said the one by the fire.
" Then the waiting is over. Soon they will show themselves so that
I can at last crush them once and for all ".
He turned from the window, and spoke to the one in uniform.
" Their leaders especially must be taken alive. Your men understand
that? ".
" If we can ". He answered timidly.
" No ifs " was the sharp reply he gave, as he turned upon
the guard "I don't want them to die in battle and be martyred I want
to publicly execute them. Everyone single one of them. Is that understood?
".
" Yes Marshal ". He snapped smartly " Orders have already
been given to every foot soldier that he has to account for each kill, and
will be rewarded for each prisoner he takes ".
" I want them left hanging, shoulder to shoulder over the entire
length of the keep's wall; until they rot. Then the miserable slime of this
city will understand once and for all what will happen to anyone who defies
me ".
The man knew he was expected to say nothing in reply.
" Then go, and make sure no detail is left unresolved, or you will
answer to me ".
" Marshal " he snapped with sharp efficiency.
He left the room clicking his heels several times as he turned and stepped
in military fashion.
The marshal looked at the other.
He was not stood at attention, instead still leaned against the fireplace
" My advice does not change, with this new information ", the
man said continuing the conversation from before they had been interrupted.
" I still council against using the cruiser ".
" No. I have decided. I will use the cruiser. I have for too long
allowed them to grow. Now at this one time all their little outlaw bands
will form where we can get at them ". His voice was rose in excitement.
" Then and only then, I will have the opportunity to wipe out all opposition,
completely ".
The tone changed it was a challenge not a request any longer, gritting his
teeth he spat the words out. " I need the weapons aboard the Drakken
to burn the very ground they stand on ".
" It will be as you wish. Though….. ". He hesitated;
the man seemed less at ease now the marshal had taken on that unconcilitory
tone. " I agree with your reasons but I have to have you direct me
to use the saucer ".
" Yes. Yes. How many times must I Say it ".
" M it is I who will have to explain to the council, and they already
question how long it has been in the planets atmosphere. If they found out
we were using it to catch one man ".
" Yes ". He snarled. " I know, and you spoke against
its use that time also, but I remind you he was not just one man. If it
became known of his blood. The rebels would follow him with even more vigor.
It would bind them together. No he must be removed ".
" But they did not kill him, not even with the Drakken ".
" And whose fault is that? ".
" It was pure luck on his part ".
" Luck is no excuse, and if it was, do you claim the same when
he was exposed on the ledge? And yet again he slipped through their fingers.
No ". He snapped " Our master on Mars put you here as an adviser
KaarLck. I control Quone-Loc-Sie, and all that happens on its lands. I will
do as I see fit ".
" True marshal, it is your responsibility, but as an adviser must
advise, and by drawing your attention to the fact that by using the cruiser
you are breaking the treaty we hold with the lunar colony. I caution you
that if you do not win the battle as you foresee, you will surely loose
everything ".
The marshal glared at him as if he wanted to strike out, but he knew
KaarLck was too powerful. " 'IF' I do not win; those are the words
of a defeatist, I wonder if you would speak to the Emperor in such a way?
".
KaarLck ignored the taunt, " I will instruct the Drakkens commander
of your decision when he returns me to the station " he said firmly.
" You are not staying to watch the rabble die? ".
" The success and glory are yours alone marshal, I wait to see
it ". His words indicated far more than what they said. " ……
but before I go I must remind you that it was made quite clear to me by
the Emperor, that he is not ready to be drawn into a conflict with any of
the colonial powers. If things go wrong all knowledge and help will be denied
you, and of you ".
The men faced off for a few seconds before KaarLck became more conciliatory.
" I remind you marshal that it is still not too late to draw the armies
back to the city. Victory can still be yours without the saucer ".
" As you say KaarLck. But I have made my decision. The matter rests
there. I would be alone now ".
The man knew the arguing was over " As you wish ", he said
as he walked to the door.
As the door closed the marshal turned again to the window to look at
the city. It was his, and no gang of peasants was going to take it away
from him, no matter what the cost. His mind thought again on the report
from the saucer. The rebel informer had confirmed the attack on the keep
would be on the aging. The claimant would be dead, and the saucer would
even at this moment be ready to return a rebel prisoner for interrogation.
KaarLck was a pessimist; whatever could go wrong now.
A knock at the door broke his run of thought. " Enter ".
It was one of the household staff.
" Are you free now your excellency? ".
The man took the brief nod of the Marshal's head as a yes.
" I have a list of engagements and the menu for tomorrow nights celebration
your Excellency; if you would confirm that they are to your liking we will
finalize the arrangements ".
" Give it here.. ". He spoke as one in a dream, for indeed
he was annihilation of the opposition was as good as done.
He barely saw what was written and automatically initialed the papers dropping
them back on the table.
" I will retire to my bed chamber, wake me when captain Sans Mons arrives.
He slept with dreams of victory
There was a gentle, almost hesitant knock at the door.
" Enter ", the marshal said sharply,
It felt as if he had only just laid down.
He looked at the timepiece next to the bed. It was four in the morn, he
had been asleep for hours; the Drakken should have been here long since.
Why had they not woke him before. Kaarleck strode into the room.
" We have had a communication from the Drakken ".
" Yes. Yes. What has been the delay? Has the rebel said anything
else? ".
" The news will not be to your liking. The saucer has been disabled,
and will not return for some time ".
" What ", he screamed sitting up in his bed " The saucer
is not coming yet? ".
The marshal could hardly speak with fury. " What is wrong? When will
it come? ".
" They do not know. Some hours. It is not serious but several systems
are working only on back up. It would be irresponsible of the commander
to launch in such a situation ".
" The saucer disabled. No. No. I need it now ". A trace of
panic was in his voice. " I need it here Kaarleck. Is this something
of your doing? Some trick to make me fail, and you yourself succeed ".
" Marshal. Hear me out, and hear me well. This is nothing of mine,
but of your own guards stupidity ".
" And how do you come to that conclusion? ".
" The saucer was boarded by a saboteur ".
The marshal stared at him. " My responsibility? Strange: I though
the saucer was under your command Kaarleck " He replied in a sneering
tone. " And if you have given any thought that I will volunteer to
explain how does a untrained and unorganized peasant rabble put the pride
of the Corporation of Mars on the ground, then put it out of your mind ".
" I said only that the saucer is disabled, " said Kaarleck
uncomfortably. " He was luck…… " The words froze in
his throat as he saw the glint in the marshals eyes " ...had knowledge
of the electronic system of the saucer, it will fly again and soon ".
He hesitated again " I just cannot say when at this moment ".
" I assume I don't have to ask if repairs are being made? ".
" Of course, but as I said the extent of damage is unknown "
" It carries spare equipment? ".
" Things that are liable to replacement, but not every single piece
".
" So the answer is no? ".
" There is a slight chance that they may need further parts from
Freedom ".
" From the station ", the marshal shouted " Are you mad.
There is to be a meeting there in hours, the whole of the system will know
if equipment is ferried down now ".
" I stress marshal. We may not need replacement parts ".
" This is not what I wanted to hear ".
" It is not what either of us wanted "
" No? It strikes me that it is more in the way of your thinking
"
Kaarleck refused to answer the jibe
" Then when will I get my rebel? I must interrogate him before it all
begins ".
" You will not be able to. According to the informant, the rebel
leader is not on the craft "
" The informant, dam him, brings no news at all. What has Sans
Mons to say for all this "?
" No one has seen the captain, though his horse has been recognized
".
" Stop talking in circles. Was he there or not? ".
" I am told his horse was ridden by another. The commander of the
Drakken has sent a soldier to the place where Sans Mons was to have gone
".
" It was this saboteur who had his horse? ".
" We assume it was him who disabled the Drakken. All we know for
sure is that he was dressed in the captain's uniform. There is nothing we
can confirm further than that ".
" Then you have a suspicion? ". The marshal asked
" The informant claims he knew the man but we cannot confirm any
of these facts as of now ".
" Knew him. You're hiding something? ".
" Not hiding. I wanted to confirm before I spoke that it is believed
to be Nicholas of Borramulla ".
" Why is that man not dead? ". He almost spat the words. "
I have an entire army and they cannot remove one youth ".
Kaarleck said nothing.
" I have been betrayed. You should have killed him long ago. Now
this usurper is at the gates of my own city ".
" You know very well that I can have no direct part in what happens
on this planet. We have given you all the information you should have ever
required ". He looked cruelly at the marshal " You have betrayed
yourself. I warned you against arrogance. But enough of this has already
been said and more will not save the situation. Fighting between ourselves
will only aid them in their purpose. I urge you; there is still time to
recall the local garrisons to the city ". Then Kaarleck smiled "
I have a plan that you may approve of ".
" All right. It will be done. Let them do their worst, their surprise
is lost and the gates to my city will be shut. I will still win ".
.
KaarLck knocked on the door for the third time, but still there was
no answer.
He began to question his memory that the Marshal had said to meet him in
his private apartment at this time.
Loosing patience he turned the handle and pushed the door open.
The room was brilliantly lit, and immediately a light breeze caught the
side of his face drawing his attention to an open door on the opposite wall.
The light from inside made the opening seem black, but as he walked
to it and his eyes began to adjust, he saw the pale light of early dawn
and the several tall oil torches burning outside.
He knew this was the private garden having seen it before from the air,
so he knew it ran the entire length of the garrison roof and also its layout;
starting with a well tendered lawn, laid out in formal style and bordered
with a profusion of flowers of all colors and kinds. Then there was an ornamental
pond, its surface covered in with waterlillies and reeds, and after this
was an area dense with ornamental shrubs, leading finally to an orchard
with fruit and nut trees.
It was there that he found the Marshal standing against a low wall looking
over the plains in the direction of the sea.
Kaarleck walked to his side.
" See Kaarleck, the day dawns ". The Marshal had given no
indication that he knew he was there, and even now he did not turn to greet
him.
" All is done that can be ", he replied confidently. "
The last of the near garrisons will be brought into the city in covered
wagons by mid afternoon ".
" They are to be kept out of sight? ".
" Of course. Those that need to be elsewhere were moved under the
cover of darkness last night "
" The tower and walls? ".
" There will be thirty men at the gate, twenty in the tower, one
hundred at the inner wall and another hundred at the outer. Here in the
keep will be two hundred ".
" Good " The marshal smiled cruelly " They know the signal?
".
" The same as the rebels will use, the cheer at the end of your
address ".
Both men stood in satisfied silence looking over the awakening city.
What had been a crowd became a multitude as more and more people poured
into the city from the countryside.
The traders were ecstatic, this was set to be the busiest and biggest ageing
in memory, and even at the last minute there were still more wagons arriving.
Many had tall timber sides and were tied down over the top with canvas so
their contents could not be seen, but it was a time of celebration, and
more goods of all kinds were needed, so no one was took any notice.
The mood taking Simeon and Antour as they quickly ate the midday meal
was somber, in stark contrast to that of the previous day.
Nothing as such had changed, but each of them dwelt on their own thoughts
in silence, but with the common thread that was it would be their last together
before the opening ceremony, the rebellion, or maybe ever.
The food was excellent, but they literally shoveled it into their mouths
without consciously realizing.
Their eyes constantly darted up towards the wall mounted timepiece, both
knowing that for the plan to work they would have to be at the location
that would allow them access to their targets on time.
Arrive too early and they would arouse suspicion, arrive too late and they
may be forced to join other latecomers who would spill out onto the bridges
and even the town, far from where they were needed.
It was a fine balance but one they had to achieve.
As soon as they had finished their meals all bid each other good luck
and melted into the throng of humanity that was already moving up towards
the fortress
It was the change in sound that first alerted Simeon that they had stepped
onto the timber drawbridge, as his eyes were too busy searching for others
in their scheme.
Then he saw close against the tower wall, one then another couple who embraced
in apparent oblivion, that was four. Then two more, closer to the bottom
of the crete stairway, no attempt was made to signal any recognition.
Simeon felt a cold chill in his body as the gate passed behind him and
a thought crossed his mind that he would not walk back out.
Immediately he saw others were inside the gate; a group of seven burly men
threw dice on a rapidly diminishing open space next to the door leading
to the winch room.
His anxiety grew as he jostled his way towards the keeps main entrance
where his group was to meet. For some long seconds he saw no one, and then
he saw two females and his worry eased.
Close by were some of the twenty men who would be at his side, they were
the biggest and strongest of all, for this entrance would have the greatest
need of brute strength, having fifteen or more guards to overcome.
But things looked good, other guards he had seen had seemed uninterested
in the crowd, obviously preferring to stay inside during the celebration
and let the merrymakers do as they wished; it made sense as in any case
they could not move about any easier than he could.
He went over the odds again. The Protector always kept fifty in the garrison,
no more were needed as that number could hold off an army outside the wall,
but they were some of his best, both in skill and in how they were armed.
His people could match them in neither way, but they had surprise, and if
they were quick they could cut them off from their weapons, comrades and
mop them up in small groups.
His fear was for the outer wall; at least another hundred were stationed
there. That was why it was so important to have the bridges raised, for
once they did they could hold the keep.
Simeon huddled into a corner and pretended to be in an alcohol-induced sleep,
while his mind went over each step again.
By four after the afternoon he had to stand for lack of room. At half
past five the Marshal came out onto a balcony several floors up.
For thirty minutes they listened to him extol the virtues and glories of
the administration.
At six o'clock he raised his hands high into the air, as if in worship and
said,
" Let the celebrations begin ".
A great cheer rose from the crowd.
Nicholas had ridden as hard as he ever had for over six hours.
He felt for the steed under him, but the black horse did not protest as
it raced past all it met.
In the uniform of a captain he had ignored and swept by all the formalities
at every checkpoint he had come to, but he was now on the outskirts of the
city.
Here the guise would wear thin, especially if any recognized the animal
he rode. He needed a change of clothes.
A small farmhouse caught his eye, to the side: at the rear he could
see washing hanging out on a rope line. It was a little too near the door
of the building but that could not be helped.
Leaping from the saddle he strode quickly toward a woman coming from the
house.
" On the business of the Protector, Marshal of the city, I require
the clothes that hang upon your line to dry ".
The woman said nothing, her mouth hung open in shock and amazement as he
took what he needed, glancing back at the horse.
" I would be obliged if you would water my animal ", he said casually.
" ...While I change in your outhouse ".
The clothes fitted reasonably well considering how he had come about them
although they were still quite damp.
In barely two minutes he had become another man.
Prince had stopped drinking and was munching on the soft grass near
the wall as Nicholas emerged from the outhouse. He felt callous tearing
the horse's head from the food.
" Come…. The time draws near that you shall have your well deserved
rest ". Throwing a small bag of coins at the woman's feet, he jumped
onto the horse, leaning forward over its ear.
" ...I will ask no more than that you carry me this last distance into
the city my good friend ". The horse let him spur it back out onto
the road.
In his pocket were directions to a trusted contact that Bertram had
given him, though he wondered now just who could be trusted. The instructions
were accurate enough that he only needed confirmation of street names twice.
At the end of the street stood a public stable, and he raced straight in,
causing the stable boy to jump out of his way in terror.
" Boy I am on an urgent secret errand. Give this animal all it needs
and I will pay you more that it's worth ". The boy seemed excited at
the prospect of intrigue on a day that he had been forced to stay, while
all about him had left for the keep.
" Yes sir. I will. I swear it ". The stable boy began to take
the saddle from Prince.
" Wash him well " Nicolas said, " Seeing how baldly the
horse sweated. It was completely spent; It had given its all and more.
Nicholas went over to the creature's head and looked into its eyes.
Its nostrils flared rapidly as it tore breath from the air; it would take
some time to recover.
Nicholas leaned forward and kissed the animal on its cheek. " Thank
you ". He could say no more.
" Here. Make sure you tend him well ", he placed the remaining
coins from his coat flap into the boys hand.
It was far too much for the service he had asked, but he would have no further
need of money.
The boy had told him that the house he sought was just along the street
and finding it he hammered on the door.
At first there was no reply and it seemed that the stable boy was right,
saying that everyone was at the aging
Nicholas could feel a slight panic; he had no idea where to start looking.
Again his fist banged the door.
" Please answer, please "
" Who is it "? Someone called from the other side.
Nick hammered on the door even louder this time. " I must speak
with you, " he said anxiously
The voice was nearer this time.
" Please stop, I am coming as fast as I may ".
Then the door swung open and he saw the reason for the delay. The woman
walked with a stick.
" Marm. forgive me, I….I did not know, but I need help and swiftly
". He stopped speaking and stood foolishly wondering if he should pour
out a story like his to a total stranger.
" I seek a man called Nathan, do you know of him ".
" Indeed, I know of a Nathan, for my husband is of that name, but
if he is the one you seek or no, I cannot say ".
She seemed hesitant. She probably believed him an agent of the guard,
as much as he believed she could betray him. But though he lacked trust
in her he could wait no longer, he had no time or choice.
" The Nathan I seek is a good friend of Simeon and Antour, and it was
our mutual friend Bertram who told me to contact this address ".
He saw a faint reaction in her eyes and gave caution away.
" I must warn them to call off the attack. It is a secret it is no
more. The marshal at this moment waits to use their plan, within his own
".
He reaction confirmed his hopes. " Sir I not know who you are,
but the urgency in your voice and its message I cannot refute. The man you
seek is my husband, and if what you say is true then he and your friends
are in grave danger for at this very moment they await the signal ".
" Then tell me where they are, and quickly please, for time has
run out ".
He still saw indecision in her. Was she sentencing her husband to death
or was she saving him? She knew already the dice had been cast and either
way there was little left to loose.
"They are in the courtyard, close to the keep with my son. It will
be packed with people. They will be hard to fin…… ".
Her words trailed off for he had gone.
There was no need for directions, the great wall loomed over the city
and as he ran it seemed to grow ominously higher.
The further he went the more people crowded about. Drunkards fell out of
the taverns, people were laughing, and children were racing amongst their
parent's legs, giggling in mimicry at their elders.
Young girls after their first taste of ale, shouted comments after him or
tried to catch him, thinking he ran for some game. All the while the wall
drew steadily towards him.
With relief to his body but not his mind he came to the edge of the
crowd and could run no more. He began to brusquely push his way through
the crowd, but his progress became slower and slower.
Several times drunks accused him of knocking ale from their hands, and shouted
obscenities after him, but at last he turned a corner, there before him
was the wall.
He had arrived at the gate, but over to one side.
Now he pushed and jostled his way round the side of the pond to the first
drawbridge. How he would find the others inside in the throng before him
he had no idea, and dismissed the thought from his mind lest he should become
too discouraged.
The footfall under him changed in sound. He was on the timber of the
bridge at last. Progress now was nearly impossible, and it took several
minutes just to enter the tunnel through the tower. Suddenly there arose
a great cheer and the crowd went wild.
Everybody threw their hands around each other shouting rhymes and calling
out " Ageing day comes, the ageing day comes ".
The cheer had been the signal. All the rebel groups now sprung into
action.
As arranged the first ones to engage were at the tower and gate. Both groups
entered the doorways and stormed up the stairs meeting no resistance.
The result of their acts in both locations was the same; as they burst upon
the expected few surprised guards, they found them instead to be overwhelming
in number, and fully prepared.
Neither could hardly be called a fight, never mind a battle, both were brief
and few were taken prisoner as they vainly continued their assault on targets
which they could not possibly take.
The traps for the main forces were slightly different, but just as final.
In all cases the rebels were allowed to enter the buildings, then the guards
closed off the exits trapping them in narrow corridors where they could
not fight and could not flee.
Almost immediately Anton was wounded, and taken with his group, but Simeon
and a number of his men realizing it was a trap fought their way
To a window and dropped back into the crowd.
Simeon stood bewildered in the crowd and watched in horror guards spilled
out almost every doorway.
How could things have gone so badly wrong? What had happened to the other
groups in the city itself and further out, what of them? The plan had fallen
apart so swiftly and so completely that he could not grasp its finality.
He could see the drawbridge had been raised, but now instead of keeping
the guard out, a solid line of guard two deep barred any passage.
People milled about confused by its raising and by the sounds of fighting
inside the buildings.
The Marshal was still out on the balcony to the right of the waterfall.
He was talking to some officers then he turned to look out over the courtyard.
He raised his hands and stood waiting as the crowd fell silent save for
children crying and those who wept in uncontrollable fear
He did not shout out in celebration as he had before, and Simeon found it
difficult to hear above the noise of the rushing water.
" People of Quone. The rebellion against me that would have taken power
today is crushed..... The leaders are taken..... But yet among you there
are others who sympathize with this lost cause..... Offer them to me, and
I will open the gates so that you may go in peace and safety with your loved
ones ".
There was a solitary shout from the crowd ". Death to the Marshal
", and then some sporadic jeering.
In several locations chanting broke out, and Simeon took heart that some
of the crowd was brave enough to speak against the Marshal
But it was only sporadic and fights and shouting broke out as different
groups argued.
" You have ten minutes ", The Marshal called and then he was
gone back inside.
The fights and arguments continued but no rebels offered themselves
up, or were given.
Simeon found a few others and passed word that they should intermingle with
the crowd and regroup back outside the fortress
Then the Marshal came out onto the balcony again.
This time with Antour, his hands tied high up behind his back and covered
in streaks of blood. Even from this distance it was clear he had been viciously
beaten.
He was pushed to the front, and almost over the balcony.
Simeon saw an officer shouting at him, and then moments later brutally hit
him with cudgel.
Antour took the blow then stood and spoke.
" I ask my fellow conspirators to offer themselves up for the sake
of the innocent people here………. I have to tell them that
the Marshal promises a terrible retribution. For the sake of the people,
the revolution will still….... ". He was allowed to say no more,
and was dragged back inside the building.
The marshal spoke again. " Today is doubly a celebration so in
my generosity, I will extend the deadline a further five minutes so that
those amongst you may dwell on his words of warning. Until the clock strikes
seven. No later ".
Some minutes later the distant chimes of the city clock came to them
over the wall. One by one they were slowly rang, and on the fourth the Marshal
once more appeared.
" I have to tell you that no person has been offered to me ".
He said sourly
A patchy cheer broke out from the crowd.
The Marshal carried on as if he had not heard.
" Therefore I instruct the guard to commence ". He stood and quietly
stared up to the battlements of the wall, where thirty or more bowmen stood.
Without further encouragement they put arrows in their bows and fired
indiscriminately into the crowd.
Screams and panic broke out as people attempted to flee in any direction
to escape the rain of arrows. But there was no cover and the guards stationed
in the courtyard beat any that found it, back out again.
Dozens fell and as many dived into the drains and were swept down into the
pipes.
Casually the bowmen loaded and shot, over and over.
Parents protected their children with their own bodies, husbands their wives,
only to leave their loved ones exposed to the deadly hail when they themselves
fell.
Simeon could bear the slaughter no longer and began to scream out that
he would surrender but no one could hear him above the screaming. E fought
desperately back towards the doorway and the guard shouting as loud as he
could for them to stop.
Tears of grief and despair were pouring down his face at the carnage
when the marshal put his hands to his mouth
" Give yourselves to the garrison and the slaughter will stop ".
Simeon sobbed; he was trying as hard as he could. .
The arrows ad stopped falling by the time he stumbled to the guard.
Fearing the marshal would again unleash his troops he begged to be taken.
Dejected and with all hope lost Simeon let the guards chain his arms behind
him, and was brutally checked for hidden weapons before he was pushed forward
into the building.
There others waited, their faces and eyes showed the hopelessness he felt
as they were manacled by their ankles to the one in front and the one behind.
In groups of six they were whipped into a short stepped rapid walk down
into the depths of the keep.
It was almost a relief after what seemed like an hour of rough pushing and
kicking that he was thrown into a small dark cell.
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