God's Dogs
Chapter 25

This is the wonderful thing about espionage: nothing exists any more.

William Stephenson

Robert O’Brian spent six months on retreat at a remote monastery. One of the monks was assigned as his spiritual advisor, and O'Brian spent those months 'replaceing his soul.' Then he offered his services to Penglai Intelligence. Now, two years later, he was aboard the refugee ship in orbit around Amantha. The Coyotes, Pax in particular, made sure none of the transported Empire refugees were spies, and O’Brian dealt with the rest of them as they arrived.

Their first week, while they were still pumping with fear, relief, anxiety, and hope, he ran them through a series of medical exams, debriefs, orientations, physical activities, and group counseling. Once they calmed down, he met with them one-on-one to allow them the opportunity to start planning for their futures.

In one such interview, the man he was talking to was certain there was no future. The Empire, he was convinced, would never let them escape.

O’Brian’s instincts twigged on the man’s certainty, and he requested Pax’s help in ferreting out the truth. Pax flew up from the surface and met with O’Brian and shortly thereafter, met with the refugee. Pax was also convinced of the man’s sincerity. The Empire would try something, but it was unclear what that might be.

Quinn’s team studied the question of what the Empire might do to upset or derail the refugees' escape in Quinn’s room. It was a hotel suite with sitting room, bedroom, and kitchenette. The furnishings were sturdy couches and chairs, small table, and a hardwood floor. A bay window was across from the entrance, and the window framed the town with mountains in the background.

Quinn summarized, “It's a safe bet to assume they are planning to do something, but getting something past Solomon would be the big problem.”

“I agree,” Pax said. “My guess is they will ambush the refugee ship after it leaves the system.”

“That would make the most sense,” Linda murmured.

“Yeah,” River sighed, “but how would they pull that off if they don’t know where the ship will jump to? They can’t attack at the hyper-limit. That’s still in-system. When the ship jumps, there’s no way to follow it or blow it out of hyper.”

Quinn nodded and said, “Unless they figured out how to do one or the other.”

“We need more information,” Pax said.

“How about a chat with Raina. She should know,” River offered.

Since River was their tech person, she took a shuttle to the flag ship in orbit and placed an FTL call to Raina. Since it was a conversation conducted in Morse Code, it was a short one. River got what she needed and returned to the planet to report her replaceings to the team the next day.

Back in Quinn’s room, she relayed, “If they get a tracker on the ship, they can follow it in hyper. So that’s the probable plan. Raina said it’s possible to knock a ship out of hyper, but not technically feasible.”

Pax chuckled. “Seems like they just keep giving us ways to ambush them.”

“It does,” Quinn smiled. “How do we want to set this up?”

Linda said, “Bait and switch would be my vote.”

“We’d have to replace the tracker.”

River grinned, “Not a problem.”

“Okay,” Quinn began, “we replace the tracker, put it on a different ship with marines, have a squadron on hand to deal with their ships at the jump exit point, and then what? Just wipe them out?”

“Maybe,” Linda said. “Or we give them a chance to surrender. Can we hack into their communications to broadcast to all their ships that they’re screwed?”

“Probably,” River answered. “I don’t know how long we could keep a link like that active, though. Their flagbridge should be able to shut us down pretty quick.”

“Well, that’s good enough to pass onto Master Chin,” Quinn said. “We’ll let him worry about it.”

Quinn did so, and the topic dropped off the team’s radar. They went back to providing security and escorting new refugees to the ship in orbit.

The Empire delegation continued to drag its feet in the negotiation until the end of the thirty days Senator Morrison designated as the last chance for a negotiated settlement. At the final round of talks on the eve of the deadline, the Empire spokesperson stood up to address the gathered delegates.

“I think we have covered the preliminary issues in detail. I believe it is now time to address the more pressing issues. In summary, those issues reduce to the need to end the aggression, which is expensive in terms of blood and treasure. We propose a continuation of the cease-fire so that we can work with our member worlds to fashion an equitable proposal for lasting peace.”

Then he sat down. Jonathan Smythe-Wilson stood. He paused to look around at the delegates and their aides, clearly enjoying the moment. Then he said, “I do not think Senator Morrison will be swayed by your argument, sir. You are offering nothing more than what we currently have – a cease fire with the hope for a peace agreement. You’ll need to put more on the table than a promise to do something in the future.”

Senator Morrison looked to the senator from Penglai and raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t expect that from him.”

Kim Than chuckled. “He is a patriot. One would hope, anyway. The trade potential for a peaceful settlement is far greater than one achieved by war. We would have to rebuild their infrastructure if it was conquest.”

“Not if the Penglai plan continues to work the way it has.”

“All out war might preclude our approach, especially so on the core worlds.”

“So what do you think Wilson’s game is?”

“I think he’s betting on both sides. If the Empire sues for peace, he wins. If we invade and take them by force, he wins.”

A different representative from the Empire stood. “The Emperor knows what has happened on the worlds the League has already conquered. You are forcing your values and way of life on the populations of those worlds. That is an unacceptable outcome. We need autonomy to continue our way of life if a settlement is to be negotiated. You will cease and desist from fomenting rebellion against the Empire. You will cease and desist from subverting our people to emigrate to League space. You will also need to provide us with financial support to rebuild. With these guarantees, we may be able to craft an agreement that works for both of us.”

Leah Morrison stood as that delegate sat. Before he could settle himself in his chair, she put her hands on the table and leaned towards him.

“Tomorrow is the deadline, sir, and you still seem to think you are dealing from a position of strength. You are not. We will bomb you into submission. The only hope you have to ‘continue your way of life’ is to stand down your military, submit to referendums on each world as to what form of government the people may want, and to agree to military inspections for the next century or two. That is our final offer.”

The same delegate rose to face Leah. “The Empire will not submit to those conditions.”

“Then we will unleash our dogs of war, sir, so that the threat you pose the League of Worlds is erased from the galaxy. May the goddess have mercy on your souls.”

Moss’ team arrived the next day with a ship full of marines. It was the same style ship as the refugee ship – a troop carrier. The team caught a shuttle down to the planet to meet with Quinn’s team. They met in Quinn’s suite.

After the hugs and back-slapping was over, Moss grinned at his old team and asked, “Did you miss me?”

“Like the plague,” Pax rejoined.

One of Moss’ team, a straight-backed dark-skinned man named Raul, replied, “You can have him back any time.”

“That bad, huh?” River smirked.

A blonde woman, Renee, grinned, “He’s not that bad, unless he’s doing his trickster thing.”

The fourth team member, an Amazon named Dimitri, spoke, “We’ll need those abilities if we are to pull this off.”

Quinn eyed Moss and asked, “Is it one of those complicated ops that never work out?”

Moss shrugged. “Yeah. Lots of contingency plans. If this happens, do this. If that happens, do that. Plus, we’ve got a marine major in charge, and he’s a bit much.”

“How so?” Pax wondered. “As bad as that militia lieutenant?”

Moss smiled at the memory. “Close, but not as bad. The major leads from the front, at least, but he’s too rigid in his thinking.”

“Bad combination,” Quinn observed. “Flexible battle plan, rigid commander.”

“What’s the battle plan?” River asked.

They sat down and Moss began, “We’ve got Raina’s shield on our ship, as do two of the cruisers with us. We’re the bait. When the Empire ships show up, the rest of the League ships power up, jam their ability to go FTL, and surround them.”

“Nothing tricky so far,” Linda said.

Moss grinned. “If the pattern holds, the crews of the Empire ships will abandon ship as soon as they can. We will board their ships in the confusion.”

“Okay,” Linda prompted.

“Once we have all the officers and crew loyal to the Empire separated out, we’ll ask the defecting crews to reboard their ships so we can go joyriding.”

After a few moments, Quinn said, “Lots of variables.”

“Tell me about it,” Moss snickered.

“Are we in on this,” River asked, “or do we stay with the fleet.”

Moss pulled a data chip from his pocket and tossed it to Quinn. “Your orders. Our joyride is a raid on the emperor’s palace. That’s to be a distraction for the other ships to sew discord around Empire space.”

The ambush went off better than Moss thought it would. The manning of the Empire ships with League officers, chiefs and Empire defectors as crew took a few days. Pax and Renee, the empath on Moss’ team, had to make sure there were no ringers in the crew. The computers on the Empire ships, which had been wiped during the short battle, were replaced with League hardware, software, and Class 1 A.I.s. Empire command codes, rendezvous locations, and other operational data, once gained from interrogations, were uploaded.

It took ten days, but they were finally ready. A squadron of five Empire ships jumped for Empire space.

Cedric had lost weight, but he was still an imposing figure. He sat on his throne in the audience hall hoping for some good news. The tables were only half filled with the men of the government departments. Cedric expected more today as the delegation from the peace talks on Amantha were giving their report. Six of those delegates were seated to Cedric’s left.

“Report,” he called to them.

One stood and spoke, “We could not bargain for an extension of the cease fire. The League has settled on a resumption of hostilities.”

“That was to be expected,” Cedric said. “What about the destruction of the ship carrying the deserters?”

A man from another table rose. “Apparently, that’s been accomplished. Our squadron of ships tracked them, but we’re getting contradictory reports from the front. It will take some time to sort out the confusion, because the League is pushing in that location.”

Cedric nodded. Confusion seemed to be the constant these days. His eyes moved to his left. “John, how’s our defensive disposition stacking up?”

John Scanlon rose. “If they leave our shipyards alone, we’ll have six battle cruisers, eighteen cruisers, twenty-two destroyers, and a dozen missile frigates ready for the line in eight months. That will give us defense in depth to the outer core worlds.”

“If we don’t have eight months?”

“We’ll manage, but we’ll need some luck.”

Cedric grimaced. Then he asked, “Andrew, how is morale?”

Andrew Lockhart stood. “On the planets without a resistance movement, we’re fine.”

Cedric didn’t say it, but he thought it – of course, those planets were fine. Instead, he said, “The other planets?”

“Not well.”

“Why not?”

“The League strategy is to insert a Coyote team or two in order to organize the resistance. Then their fleet comes in to contest the high orbitals. From there they eventually force a worldwide referendum that they monitor.”

Cedric knew from prior briefings that no world as yet voted to remain in the Empire. He blamed that on the voting process, which he was sure the League rigged.

As Cedric pondered this, there was a commotion at the entry doors. Armored League marines burst through and began stunning the Empire guards. His close protection detail fell before they could get Cedric out, so he stayed put.

Moss sauntered up to the throne as the marines used flex cuffs to restrain the department personnel.

Moss genuflected with his left knee and asked, “It this how you do it, Cedric? I read up on the protocol, and it’s the left knee for royals and the right knee for the gods.”

“Who are you?” Cedric demanded.

Moss stood. “Coyote team leader Moss. We’ve come with a message from the League.”

“How did you get in here?”

Moss smiled, “Now that would be telling. Our bigger problem will be getting out. We might have to drop some rocks from orbit to create some chaos so we can exfil.”

“You have a ship in orbit?”

“Two, actually. They used to be yours, but we took them from the maniacs that tried to kill unarmed refugees.”

Cedric squirmed in his chair.

“The other three we took are on other assignments.”

About then, the full import of the situation Cedric was in hit him. Moss noticed the shift in Cedric’s energy and pulled a grenade off his armor.

“Yeah. I pop this thermobaric grenade, and the Empire leadership is no more. You might want to tell your boys outside to stay outside.”

Cedric spoke into the communication unit on his chair, and the sound of troops assembling outside died down.

“What do you want?”

Moss grinned, “Hey, I’m a Buddhist – I want peace and love.”

Cedric gritted his teeth and asked, “What is the message from the League?”

Moss chuckled. “We are the message, good buddy. We can visit you any time we want.”

Cedric swallowed but recovered to say, “Coyotes aren’t known as assassins.”

“True. The marines are another story, though. For them, you’re a legitimate military target.”

Cedric stood and announced, “Then kill me now, because I will not surrender what my family has built.”

“Relax,” Moss consoled him. “That’s not today’s mission.”

“What is the mission?”

“Another Coyote team took over your communication system. This little get-together is broadcasting out to your Empire. We wanted the people to know you’re the barbarian tyrant, not us. We want your military to know you kill refugees, and we protect them. You’re the megalomaniac seeking domination. We have no interest in conquest. We do have an interest in free trade, but not trade that isn’t bound by laws against force and fraud. The League doesn’t rule the worlds in the League. Those worlds rule themselves.”

“Enough!” Cedric thundered. “Enough of your propaganda.”

Moss turned to the marines behind him. “Gunny, I think we’re done here.”

“Yes, sir,” was the answer as a marine stepped forward and stunned the Emperor.

“Exit plan Bravo two,” Moss ordered.

The team and the marines headed for the Emperor’s exit behind the throne. A few moments later a kinetic strike hit the front of the building. The chaos that would allow them their escape was begun.

“Quinn,” Moss said on the command tactical net.

“Here,” Quinn replied. “We’re headed to Bravo.”

“I hope they don’t drop a rock on our heads,” Moss muttered. “It’s not the most accurate of bombardment techniques.”

The group hustled through the passageways to the rendezvous point, stunning people as they went. There was minimal resistance.

“We’ve reached Satya,” Quinn said. “Do you need help?”

“Nah. We’re almost there, and I don’t see any troops ahead of us.”

“Great. See you later."