The Rask Rebellion

Once Cooper was over the eyes, he realized that the newcomer was also a quadruple amputee. His BDU ended at the shoulders and thighs, revealing some very high-quality prosthetic limbs. The arms were near-perfect replicas of their organic equivalents, the black polymer housing molded to give them a natural silhouette. The legs were not unlike Cooper's own, the more filled-out thighs tapering into simple rods at the shin, the skid-like feet made from flexible pieces of carbon-fiber.

Was he special forces? Had to be, he seemed to have no concern for his appearance, striking Cooper as someone who valued practicality and performance above all else. What was he doing here?

"This is Lieutenant Brenner," Sarif said, introducing the man as he joined them at the table. "His team is here on special assignment from the Special Warfare and Advanced Recon division."

He was Black Ops, then. SWAR was a shady organization that the Admiralty tended to call in to do clandestine work, or jobs too sensitive or risky for the Marines to handle. Korbaz seemed to be having a staring contest with the newcomer, one that she was destined to lose due to his lack of eyelids.

"Rugza Korbaz," Brenner mused, her ears flicking with surprise as he said her full name. "Former Ambassador and Coalition Security Council representative. We've had our eyes on you for some time."

"If you mean to unnerve me, it will not work," she hissed in reply. "You are far from the first UNN spy that I have dealt with."

"Oh, I know," he replied, assessing her with his expressionless cameras. "They sent me your file, you've had some pretty extensive dealings with UNNI in the past."

Sarif cleared his throat, getting their attention.

"Now that everyone is present, perhaps you two can tell us what the hell is going on?"

***

"That's the long and short of it," Cooper said, leaning his weight on the edge of the circular table as the four of them pored over the holographic map. "The best chance we have to end this conflict with the fewest possible casualties is to get Korbaz through the East Gate and into the capital city. If she can successfully challenge the Matriarch, then she can end the war with a snap of her fingers."

"Well, the experts on Borealan culture back in Elysia have confirmed that that's how the Rask system of succession works," Sarif muttered disapprovingly. "You're sure that you'll have the support that you need to validate your challenge?" he asked, his question directed at Korbaz.

"I believe so," she replied. "The Matriarch will never lower her defenses, we would have to fight our way through the gate all the same, but she will have to let me enter the city and approach the palace once word of my challenge spreads to the common people. She has no choice, to do otherwise would make her look weak."

"Then our course of action is obvious," Sarif added, tapping at a control panel. "We break through the defenses and hold position outside the capital. If the Admiral succeeds, she can order the enemy forces to stand down, and the war ends there. If she doesn't, we continue to push until we've taken the city, and we've eliminated the Matriarchy's leadership. Securing the MAST launch sites remains our top priority, but I'd rather we didn't have to fight our way through the streets to reach them." The view in the center of the table zoomed in on old satellite images of the Rask territory, a broken band of jungle that ringed a lake, the desert sands spilling through the breaches. "We need to know everything that you can tell us about this gate," he said, pointing to the flickering image.

"There are four large breaks in the jungle band that we refer to as gates," she explained, "one for each cardinal direction. There are smaller gaps, but those are far more difficult to traverse. The only way to sail fleets in and out reliably is through those gates, and they are well defended as a result."

"By Rask standards," Brenner muttered, Korbaz shooting him a dirty look.

"What's more, the Matriarch has been shoring her defenses in preparation for a siege," she continued. "In the time that it takes us to get there, she will have had even more time to fortify."

"What kind of fortifications can we expect?" Sarif asked. "What are the capabilities of the Rask? If they have steel and they can pour concrete, they can make dragon's teeth, pillboxes, Czech hedgehogs. Can they dig trenches in this storm?"

"What about anti-tank mines?" Cooper asked. "If they managed to get their hands on MASTs, can we safely assume that they might have some?"

"They would probably have used those against the formation by now if they did," Brenner added. "The same goes for any serious AT weapons. The Kodiaks can push through dragon's teeth and hedgehogs given enough time, and concrete bunkers will be no match for their main guns. We have the Yagda, too. It was designed to defeat Bug fortifications. What's the maximum altitude of this thing?" he asked.

"Three meters," the Lieutenant Colonel replied, "enough to clear most conventional tank traps. We could use the Yagda as the tip of the spear, prioritizing enemy fortifications like pillboxes and bunkers, and warding off infantry with our sponsons. We can cover the Kodiaks as they push through and clear the way for the mechanized infantry."

"We can send the scout company ahead to scope out the gate before the main force arrives," Brenner added, leaning over the table to examine the map. "The artillery company can soften them up before we make our push."

"How many MASTs does the Matriarch have?" Sarif asked, Korbaz shrugging her shoulders.

"I do not know their exact number or location, but I can tell you that she has fewer than she would like you to believe."

"Still can't bring in any air support, then," Brenner grumbled. "All of this needs to be done from the ground, and without satellite imaging. We can't even fly drones in this damned storm."

"I want one thing to be clear," Sarif added, crossing his arms as he turned to Korbaz. "The only reason you're not in cuffs right now is because the Admiralty believes that having someone friendly to the Coalition in a position of power is more valuable than prosecuting you for your involvement in this whole mess. We're not just going to pack up our gear and leave you to your own devices once this situation has been resolved."

"I did not expect you to," she replied. "I will not grovel at your feet and demand your forgiveness, nor do I ask for amnesty. I have played an instrumental role in this war, as have you, and there have been many deaths on both sides. I did my duty until it became clear that the Matriarch no longer had her people's best interests at heart."

"Yeah? Well, if you'd made your mind up a little sooner, you might have saved us both some trouble," Sarif grumbled.

"I do have one request, however," she added. Sarif looked irritated, but he didn't stop her. "After you destroyed one of my crawlers with an artillery strike, its nuclear reactor was breached. Some of my people suffered radiation poisoning during their attempts to rescue survivors as a result. They are very sick, and we have no means to heal them. I would like to formally request that they be transferred into your custody for immediate treatment."

"They're in bad shape, sir," Cooper added. "It's a miserable way to go out."

"Very well," Sarif sighed, "I'll have them transferred to the Yagda's infirmary once we're in range of the crawlers."

"What are we doing about those things?" Brenner asked.

"There are two options," he replied, examining the map again. "We could leave them behind and have the Rask join our formation in what vehicles are available to them, as we haven't the resources to transport them all ourselves. Alternatively, we match speed with the crawlers and escort them back to the gate, which gives the Matriarch more time to prepare before we arrive."

"I've seen the guns on those things up close," Brenner added. "They took them off old Clovis frigates that were probably supposed to be scrapped. They could be of use to us, it's the next best thing to orbital fire support."

"I must enter the city in the company of my own soldiers," Korbaz interjected. "If I march on the palace alongside Coalition troops, it may be seen as an invasion rather than a liberation. I also require the support of my Crewmasters, and having all three crawlers at my back will raise the morale of those loyal to me."

"I mean, what are they going to do while we drive over there?" Brenner asked with a dismissive shrug. "Dig more trenches? I doubt that it will make a difference, sir."

"Then we shall escort the crawlers to the gate," Sarif said. "I will permit the Admiral to return to her flagship in the meantime. As for you, Corporal," he added as he turned his attention to Cooper. "Your Kodiak was disabled, and with the storm, we have no way to land a replacement."

"Did my crew make it out?" he asked.

"I thought you might ask that, and I took the liberty of inquiring before you arrived," Sarif replied. "They're fine, and I'm sure they'll be happy to know that you've reappeared. Since you now have no turret to operate, and we're honestly short on places to put you, you have my permission to return with the Admiral if you wish. You two seem to be working well together so far."

"Thank you, sir. I'll do that," Cooper replied.

"Keep in touch. If anything happens on the crawler, I want to know about it. And...let's get you a new uniform before you leave," Sarif added, glancing at his jacket.

He and Korbaz returned to the elevator, Cooper watching Sarif and Brenner glance over at them as the doors closed.

***

"I do not believe I have ever seen you show respect to someone before," Korbaz said, stepping off the gantry and into the crawler's cramped interior. She closed the hatch behind them, the howling wind cutting off abruptly, Cooper brushing some of the sand off his new pressure suit. "I was starting to think that you were incapable of it."

"Only around you," he replied, taking off his helmet and running his prosthetic fingers through his hair.

"Would you ever call me sir?" she asked with a smirk, the two of them heading down one of the corridors. Cooper was starting to build a mental map of the place now, he could find his way around well enough.

"It's Ma'am for women," he explained, "and no. Not unless you joined the UNN, somehow got promoted to Sergeant, and we were on duty. Then I might call you Ma'am, and only under threat of court-martial."

"And if I bested you?" she asked.

"By all means, keep trying," he replied. "I could use the cardio after being cooped up in that bloody cell."

"As much as I would like to pull you into a side room and dig my claws into you, there is much to do," she sighed. "We have the Coalition's support, and it is now up to them to get us through the gate and into the city. Once I come face to face with the Matriarch, however, the fate of the territory will rest squarely on my shoulders."

"No pressure," he joked, nudging her with his elbow. "So, what do you know about her? What are her strengths and weaknesses?"

"Her strength is...her strength," Korbaz replied. "She is a head taller than I am, and she weighs more than I do. It would not be difficult for her to overpower me."

"So she's a big cunt, I knew that already. Is there anything that you can exploit?"

"There is, perhaps," Korbaz mused. "She lost her left eye some time ago, and now wears a patch."

"Maybe you can use that to your advantage," Cooper continued as they neared the ladder that led to the prefabs. "She has a blind spot, her situational awareness will be diminished. What are the rules for these things, anyway? Are weapons allowed? Can you fight dirty, or is there some huge list of regulations like in fencing? If you can snap her knee and punch her in the fucking throat, all the better."

"One must fight with only their claws," she replied. "It is hand to hand combat, and save for that, there are few rules concerning conduct. Such bouts are usually over long before serious injury becomes a risk, it is not a battle to the death."

"Don't suppose you guys have any martial arts like Judo or Jujutsu, stuff that employs lots of throws and trips? If you're getting into a scrap with some cunt who's twice your size, you need to use their own weight and strength against them."

"I do no recognize those terms," she replied, the two stopping by the ladder to continue their conversation. "Elaborate."

"I'm no martial artist," he explained, crossing his arms as he leaned against a nearby bulkhead. "I know how to box well enough, but some of the guys on the assault carrier were into Eastern shit, Karate and the like. Humans don't have claws or sharp teeth," he added, wiggling his fingers to demonstrate. "Over the centuries, we've had to find more creative ways to lay each other out. A lot of them are all about weight and balance, letting your opponent tire themselves out, redirecting the force of their attacks."

"A human martial art would take the Matriarch completely off-guard," Korbaz marveled, nodding her head enthusiastically. "She would not anticipate it, she would have no knowledge of how to counter it. Can such a thing be taught?"

"I'm not sure, honestly," Cooper replied. "The way I understand it, it can take years to become an expert. That said, there's no reason you couldn't learn some moves that would give you an advantage. You don't have anything to lose by trying. Unless you fucking...break your arm or something, then we're fucked."

"It will take some days to reach the gate," she said, "there is time yet to prepare my strategy."

"I'll send a message to the Lieutenant Colonel and ask him if he can send us someone who knows their shit," Cooper added as he began to tap at the touch device on his forearm. "There have to be a few guys in the battalion who can teach you, I've seen them throwing each other around on gym mats on more than one occasion."

"I must also send a message," she replied. "I must write a speech that will inspire the people to agitate against the Matriarch. The more allies we have when we arrive, the better."

"Gonna cause a little civil unrest?" he asked with a wink.

"It is necessary," she replied. "I will need as much support as I can glean if my challenge is to be legitimized."

She started to climb the ladder, but he reached out to grip the sleeve of her leather jacket, stopping her. She peered down at him as he quickly checked that there were no crew in earshot.

"So...what's the deal with you and me now?" he asked.

"Since we are no longer at war, I have no reason to keep you prisoner," she replied. "I will instruct the crew to treat you with respect during your stay."

"I meant more like between you and me," he continued. "Like, are we still fucking?"

"I consider you a valued advisor," she said, "and your expertise has already proven useful on more than one occasion. You are also my line to the Coalition, and your presence here will help put your Lieutenant Colonel Sarif at ease. But, yes, my intention is that we continue fucking."

"Ripper," he muttered, watching her ass through her skin-tight pants as she mounted the ladder.

CHAPTER 22: RESPITE

The Timberwolf pulled away from the crawler, Mizi watching the massive vehicle diminish on the video feed from the rear cameras. She had gotten to see both the crawler and the Yagda up close, and she had chatted incessantly about the latter for a good two hours when they had returned to the convoy. They had taken some time to rest up and refuel, and now they were heading West under new orders.

"Let's keep the speed up, Mizi," Ben advised as he checked the satellite map. "We've received the grid coordinates that we're supposed to check out. We're going to be scouting the East Gate of the Rask territory along with the rest of the recon company. Looks like the attack is going ahead, we need to get eyes on what kind of defenses the Rask have prepared."

"Oh no," Mizi warbled sarcastically, "more time alone in the desert. However will we pass the time?"

"I still have misgivings about allying with this disgraced Admiral," Lozka grumbled from her seat to his left. "The Rask cannot be trusted under any circumstances."

"The way I understand it, they're trying to install a new leader who will be friendly to the Coalition," Ben replied. "It's not like we were ever going to wipe the Rask off the face of the planet or anything like that, but their ability to wage war is going to be nonexistent for years after the losses they've taken. If they put up a lot of resistance when the convoy rolls through, they'll have a lot of rebuilding to do as well. Urban warfare is messy and destructive."

"The Coalition will probably keep a peacekeeping force in the territory for a long time, too," Mizi added. "Don't worry, Loz, your people are going to be safe."
"I am glad to be taking part in this final battle," Lozka continued. "We shall breach their gate, the palace shall fall, and the Matriarch shall be deposed once and for all."

"We have to get there first," Ben chuckled. "It's gonna take a few days, and now that the Rask fleet isn't gunning for us anymore, it might even be a pleasant drive."

"I can think of some ways to make it more pleasant," Mizi trilled, her headdress flashing pink.

***

"Will your team be in place when the time comes?" Sarif asked, Brenner nodding his head as he pointed to one of the many small breaches in the jungle that encircled the Rask territory.

"Yes, sir. We'll infiltrate through one of these smaller breaks. We can move through the jungle itself if we have to, but that will slow us down, and our timing will need to be precise."

"This is your target," Sarif said, the three-dimensional map zooming in on the Rask capital city. Everything was made from sandstone, the small, squat buildings lining narrow streets made from cobblestone. In the center of it all was a far more elaborate structure, a sprawling palace with a large courtyard that enclosed a small oasis within its walls. The Lieutenant Colonel pointed to the wall that ringed the building. "Our intelligence is limited, but we expect the Matriarch's compound to be well-defended. You'll need to reach the perimeter wall undetected, which may actually prove easier if we end up having to push into the city. Once you're there, stand by and wait for further instructions. You need to be ready to breach and storm the palace if Operation Checkmate fails. If the Admiral can't take down the Matriarch, or if she goes AWOL, the Admiralty wants everything inside that compound neutralized."

"Including the Admiral?" Brenner asked.

"Everyone," Sarif repeated. "If Admiral Korbaz isn't serving UNN interests, then we have no further use for her. Capturing is preferable to killing, but they won't come quietly, so do what you have to do. The Rask military is very hierarchical, and we expect their cohesion to crumble if we take out their leadership."

"And if the operation is a success?'

"Then you were never there," Sarif replied.

***

Having the run of the crawler was a surreal experience. Cooper had spent so long imprisoned on the vessel, peering out from behind the bars of cells and cages, being manhandled through the corridors by burly guards. Now, Korbaz had ordered her crew to treat him as though he were a high-ranking Rask, just like Vitza. They still gave him odd looks when he passed by, but they didn't dare mess with him, not wanting to get on the future Matriarch's bad side. Nowhere was off-limits to him, that wasn't how the Rask did things, so he was able to explore the entire vehicle without supervision while Korbaz was busy sending messages to the territory.

His explorations eventually took him down to the engine room, where the nuclear reactor was housed. It was contained within a huge, reinforced sarcophagus, the room filled with monitoring equipment and thick, insulating electrical cables that fed juice to the rest of the gargantuan machine. With a start, he noticed that Vitza was lurking amongst the pipes to his left, a tablet computer clasped in his furry hands as he ran diagnostics on the equipment.