Planet Wrecker

-10-

Hawthorne frowned as he stood in an underground room in Political Harmony Corps Headquarters. The video shots he watched were grainy, with occasional white-line wavers. Then everything fuzzed horribly, and the technicians at the boards adjusted controls.

The room was dark except for the wide-screen on the wall. Besides Hawthorne and the PHC technicians, there was Captain Mune in his wheelchair and Chief Yezhov of PHC.

The Chief wore a red uniform with black straps. He was a medium-sized man with round, un-athletic shoulders, pale skin, a weak chin and washed-out blue eyes. He nervously glanced at Hawthorne.

“This is quite normal, I assure you,” Yezhov said.

Hawthorne noted dryly to himself that Yezhov had been doing a lot of assuring the past six hours. The Chief had good reason to be terrified. A little more than seven hours ago, massive cybertanks had smashed through the front barriers. Into the rubble had swarmed bionic soldiers. Sixteen PHC guards had died in the ensuing gun-battle before the rest of the guards had thrown down their weapons, surrendering.

Hawthorne’s counter-intelligence people now combed through PHC computers. He doubted they would find anything damning against Political Harmony Corps. Yezhov had likely set up the real PHC operational headquarters elsewhere, leaving the headquarters in New Baghdad as a shell. The howl against what he’d done would soon begin. He’d have to decide whether he was going to initiate a bloodbath to maintain his authority or if he could continue along old lines but with upgrades.

“How long can the operative beam these images?” Hawthorne asked.

Yezhov cast him another nervous glance. “Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough. The…operative doesn’t know she’s beaming the information.”

“What form of transmitter does she use?” Hawthorne asked.

“It’s a retinal scan,” Yezhov said.

“Explain that.”

“One of her eyes was surgically removed. A bio-replacement was inserted along with a cerebral power-pack. You’re watching what she’s seeing.”

Hawthorne stared at Yezhov. It seemed the Chief of PHC carefully kept his gaze on the screen in order to keep from looking at him. Finally, Hawthorne turned back to the picture.

The grainy images showed war-torn streets: rubble, blasted buildings and overturned vehicles. People moved quickly, usually with their heads bent and shoulders hunched. A soldier stood on a street corner. He wore a Free Earth Corps uniform.

“Where is this again?” Hawthorne asked.

“New Orleans, in Louisiana Sector of North America,” Yezhov said.

“That’s far behind enemy lines.”

“Ah,” Yezhov said. “If you would watch this….”

Hawthorne became absorbed as a giant strode into view. The Highborn wore combat armor, but without the customary helmet. He strode closer, until he filled the screen. His mouth moved as he talked to the operative. The Highborn had pallid skin, and the intensity of his eyes was overwhelming.

“We’ve studied their preferences,” Yezhov said. “They prefer tall women, at least tall in our terms. They enjoy big firm breasts and wide hips. The last no doubt is to absorb their…ah…vigorous ways.”

“She’s a volunteer?” asked Hawthorne.

“…Not as you might conceive of it,” Yezhov finally said.

“Explain,” said Hawthorne, who found that he was frowning.

“She believes herself an infiltration operative. For morale reasons, her true mission is kept from her.”

Hawthorne felt nauseous. It was one thing to send soldiers into desperate situations. But this—it was monstrous. Yet he found that he couldn’t tear his gaze from the screen. In morbid fascination, he continued to watch.

“Skip to the end sequence,” Yezhov told a technician.

One of the women at the controls made adjustments. The grainy image vanished, replaced by another. It was a shot of a ceiling. Then a door panned into view. Through it walked a nude Highborn. The man’s musculature was amazing, as was his other endowments.

“This is obscene,” whispered Hawthorne.

“War is vicious,” Yezhov said, without any inflection.

The next few moments were like a bad porn video. The Highborn’s face took on an animalist cast. Then everything went red on the screen. Suddenly, there was a white flash. The grainy image vanished, and the screen remained white.

“End of sequence,” a technician said.

Hawthorne blinked as a growing foulness filled him. This was inhuman. He said in a choking voice, “She didn’t know what would happen?”

“Few would volunteer if they did,” Yezhov said.

“What method did you use?” Hawthorne whispered.

“A cortex bomb,” Yezhov said. “The Highborn implant them in certain personnel of their suicide squadrons. You shouldn’t be troubled. We’re merely paying them back in like coin.”

“They’re not murdering their own people to kill our soldiers,” Hawthorne said.

“With respect, Supreme Commander, this is no different than your ordering soldiers to stand and fight the Highborn. My method is in the end more merciful.”

“Do you actually believe that?”

For the first time, Yezhov faced Hawthorne. “What have you said before? We could lose a million civilians to kill one Highborn. I have lost a single human and killed one Highborn. I doubt even your elite units have a better kill ratio than that.”

“You sacrificed her without her consent.”

“Do you ask permission when you send your soldiers into places that will get them killed?”

“That isn’t the same thing!” Hawthorne shouted.

“…I agree,” Yezhov said after a moment. “The military slaughters far more of its operatives than PHC does theirs.”

Hawthorne found that his right hand was trembling. He gripped it so the others wouldn’t see. Now if he could only grip his growing anger…. “We don’t send soldiers to their certain death,” he said.

“Come now,” said Yezhov. “That’s mere semantics. You must realize that when a battalion goes into battle that few of its soldiers shall survive contact with the Highborn. I sent a lone operative—”

“You altered her.”

Yezhov silently indicated Captain Mune.

Hawthorne shook his head, but he couldn’t muster further arguments. He could hardly think. It was true that Yezhov killed Highborn. But this was nasty work, low, foul and un-soldierly. But economical of lives, said his coldly logical half. The Highborn were winning, and it was extremely hard to inflict kills on the super soldiers. They were very good at using FEC soldiers as fodder. Could this vile method help turn the tide of the war? No. It wouldn’t bring victory, but it might help in an attritional way.

“World War One,” Hawthorne muttered.

“Is that a historical reference?” Yezhov asked.

“Captain Mune,” Hawthorne said.

“Sir?”

“Alert the team outside,” Hawthorne said. “Tell them to put these technicians into protective custody.” He felt soiled having witnessed this. Yet that wasn’t logical. Yezhov was right. It could be argued that he’d ordered much worse.

“These are my best people,” Yezhov was saying. “I’ll need them to keep my operations running smoothly.”

“You’ll need my good will to keep running smoothly,” Hawthorne said, his voice rising.

Yezhov looked away. His fingers twitched.

Hawthorne glanced at the technicians. They had stood, and at Mune’s orders, they filed for the door.

“Kill them,” Hawthorne said.

“What?” Yezhov said, turning around.

A gun barked in Mune’s hands. One by one and in quick succession, the technicians thumped against the walls. The woman who had spoken before slid down to the floor in a growing pool of blood.

Yezhov stared open-mouthed at Hawthorne.

The door burst open and three bionic soldiers fanned out with drawn weapons.

“Check the dead,” Mune said from his wheelchair.

One soldier pulled out a chemsniffer. Another had an electro-scanner. The last kept his gun trained on Yezhov. The soldiers waved their wands over the dead. The electro-scanner beeped. In moments, a soldier peeled a tiny device from a technician’s breast.

“What did your finger-twitch signal?” Hawthorne asked, with his voice under tight control. He had to grip his right hand. It was badly trembling. Was this his nerves, an old wound?

“You’re mad,” said Yezhov.

“Begging your pardon, sir,” said Mune. “He’ll never admit his guilt. I recommend you allow my men to drag him outside to be shot.”

“You’re already in control,” said Yezhov. “So this can’t be a coup. Is this a personal vendetta against me?”

“What did you signal, Chief?” Hawthorne shouted. “I saw your fingers twitch. My file on you says nothing about nervous mannerisms. It says you have the emotions of a lizard.”

Yezhov turned to the bionic soldiers, addressing them in a grave voice. “The episode two days ago has unhinged our Supreme Commander. You can see for yourselves that he is no longer fit for command.”

“Yezhov,” Hawthorne warned.

“I used to admire him,” Yezhov said, continuing in his grave manner. “Yes, he has fought hard, but the truth is that the Highborn are winning the war. It saddens me to say this. But for the good of Social Unity you must relieve him of duty as you once relieved Lord Director Enkov.”

“Good try,” Hawthorne said. He didn’t like the way the three bionic soldiers listened to Yezhov. Their faces were like masks. “But your chatter only shows your desperation. Your life is now being measured in seconds.”

“I’ve served the Supreme Commander, and look how he rewards me,” Yezhov said. “In his growing madness, how will he reward you?”

From his wheelchair, Mune made a sharp motion.

The bodyguard with the gun trained on Yezhov holstered it and took two heavy strides to the Chief. The bodyguard put a hand on one of Yezhov’s shoulders, and squeezed with bionic strength.

Yezhov cried out in pain, twisting as a small boy in the grip of an angry father.

“Killing your technicians just now was ugly and brutal,” Hawthorne said. “I despise myself for ordering it. I wonder if another person could fight this war better than I. I do not wonder, however, if having you in charge would be better for humanity. Someone on Earth still has contact with the cyborgs, the same cyborgs that turned on us at Mars.”

“Not guilty!” Yezhov shouted.

Hawthorne shook his head. “Speak honestly, Chief, and you will live. Continue with your present tactics and you will lie on the floor of this room, dead.”

Yezhov opened his mouth.

“Think carefully before you utter another word,” said Hawthorne. “And know that I’ve decided on ruthlessness. I believe it’s the only counter I possess against your secret-police guile. The incident on Level Fifty-Three—” Hawthorne shook his head. “The decision to practice ruthlessness is difficult. But be assured of this. Killing you will not prove difficult.”

Bent over in pain, with the bionic bodyguard gripping his shoulder, Yezhov looked about wildly. His eyes finally showed fear and approaching terror. He tried to squirm free. It only made the guard squeeze harder. Yezhov’s hands flew to the iron fingers as he desperately tried to pry them free—to no avail.

“Yes, yes,” Yezhov said. “I signaled the technicians. Tell him to let me go.”

“What did you signal?”

Yezhov panted. “It hurts! He’s so horribly strong! Tell him to stop!”

Hawthorne was disgusted with himself. This wasn’t his way. The fact that he’d doubted his bodyguards showed how shaken he was. Yet now was the moment. He could choose to be like the Shah of Iran, who ran away and allowed the wolves to devour his country. Or he could be like Napoleon Bonaparte and roll out the cannons, with the will to use them on anyone who stood against Social Unity. Hawthorne hardened his resolve.

“Be glad that you’re still able to feel pain,” he told Yezhov.

“No,” Yezhov groaned.

“No more evasion,” Hawthorne said. “Begin talking, or my men will beat you to death with their fists.”

Bent over, with the bionic man squeezing his flesh, Yezhov craned his neck and looked up at Hawthorne.

James Hawthorne forced himself to look down steely-eyed at the PHC Chief.

Yezhov shut his eyes, and he whispered, “I signaled them to begin Operation Inversion.”

Hawthorne motioned the bodyguard as he told Yezhov, “Explain.”

Yezhov cried out in relief, stumbling away from the bodyguard. He rubbed his shoulder, and bumped against one of the technicians’ chairs. With a groan, Yezhov sagged onto it. He looked up at Hawthorne. Rat-like, survivor’s cunning was visible on his face.

“Why should I speak?” Yezhov asked in a cracked voice. “You’ll have me shot anyway.”

In that moment, Hawthorne decided to maintain one facet of his old life. He would do what was necessary to hold power so he could save humanity. But he would keep one part of himself pure.

“You have my word of honor, Chief, that I will not shoot you.”

“How can I trust your word?”

Hawthorne forced himself to stare at Yezhov, to stare at the monster who planted bombs in pretty women’s brains. Then he sent those women into enemy territory, to seduce Highborn and blow both her and her lover to death. What other horrors had this monster committed? He must never become like Yezhov. He must never sink into depravity. Maybe the only dike against that would be to keep his word.

“My solemn word is all I have left,” Hawthorne said.

While crouched in his chair, Yezhov sneered.

Hawthorne almost drew his gun and fired. To have this worm doubt him….

“Your days of power are over,” Hawthorne said, and he was surprised at his calmness. “But I want your expertise. You shall become one of my advisors. You will receive a double ration of food and full privileges. But you will be in confinement in my headquarters. I want to know everything you’ve been doing, Chief. You must hold nothing back.”

Yezhov gingerly massaged his shoulder. “The Directors won’t stand for your highhandedness.”

“My reading of history indicates otherwise. If those with the guns are willing to use them ruthlessly, then a small group can with terror effectively control nations.”

“You’ll use PHC methods?” asked Yezhov.

“We’re on the brink of the abyss. Will humanity hold together through good will? I doubt it. We need fierce ruthlessness now.”

“Your way has failed us,” Yezhov said.

Speaking with this filth was wearying, but Hawthorne clamped down on his revulsion. He needed the Chief’s knowledge. If he would practice ruthlessness, he would also practice it against himself.

“We’re still holding territory,” Hawthorne said, “and that’s due to my way, my control of the military.”

“Your years at the helm have changed you,” Yezhov said. “Or don’t you recognize that in yourself? Each year, you’ve become increasingly dictatorial.”

It was probably true. Wars brutalized soldiers, people and the commanders. Long wars only intensified the process. Even so, Hawthorne doubted he could keep listening to Yezhov. The desire to kill the monster was nearly overwhelming now.

“Each year, I become increasingly desperate,” Hawthorne said. “You now have five seconds to answer me.”

Yezhov glanced right and left, and stared at the dead technicians. Three seconds passed as his gaze froze on them. Then sweat bathed his face. He jerked upward. Maybe he realized he’d been immobile. Maybe he didn’t know for how long he’d stared.

“I’ll talk!” he screamed. “I’ll tell you everything.”

Hawthorne found that his heart was beating with heavy thumps. In a thick voice, he said, “That’s too bad, Chief. I wanted to kill you.” He took a deep breath, tried to make it a calming one. His heart kept thumping, and he didn’t know why. “My word is my word. Now start talking.”

“Where should I begin?” Yezhov asked.

Hawthorne took a second deep breath, and finally his heart-rate began to return to normal. That was a good question. Then he knew the answer.

“What do you think will make me the angriest? Start there.”