Dawn of the Void

Chapter 83: Someday. Not today.

You did what?

James stood straight in the small conference room. His heart was pounding, and in his mind he saw Bjrn widen his eyes just as James aimed the gun at his face.

Recounting what had happened felt like letting off a depth charge deep within his soul.

I killed Bjrn. And as clinically as he could, he began recounting what had transpired at Bjrns apartment.

No, I know all that, said Hackworth, cutting him off. Jessica told me the details after it happened. But god damn, James. Youd better explain yourself fast.

Yes sir. James stared over Hackworths shoulder. Mid-battle Bjrn tried to use his Inspire ability to force me to drop a Heavenly Assault. I locked up, resisting it, and took a harpoon to the face. Id have died without Denzels Martyrs Cry. As is, Denzel was forced to burn his Aeviternum to survive, and I was taken out of the fight and laid out for I dont know how long with Nem3s around.

Damn. Then?

I confronted Bjrn after the fight. He was unrepentant. And I saw James tried to find the right words. I realized that he fully expected me to back down. That he saw my giving him that second chance as weakness. That at worse hed be kicked out of the squad, maybe Blue Light, and that he was fine with that.

Court martial and dishonorable discharge.

But sir. James again tried to put the emotion into words. Bjrn had no regard for anybody other than himself. Which would be fine if he didnt have Inspire and Terrify. I knew in my bones what he would do next. Set himself up as the leader of a dark mirror to Blue Light and create a medieval society in opposition to us.

So you executed him?

So I executed him, yes sir. James continued staring ahead. I know that doesnt give me any moral high ground, but with whats coming we cant afford a man like Bjrn working against us. Creating an alternative to the way were doing things. Enlisting folks who believe might makes right and drawing them out of our ranks. The only way were going to survive whats coming is if we work together. Bjrn would have burned our chances.

Damn, James. Hackworth rubbed at his jaw and turned away. This is by all rights I should have you arrested and tried before a military tribunal for murder.

I understand.

But tomorrow weve got the Third Wave. Then the Fourth.

James said nothing.

And do you know what it would do to Blue Light, to morale, if I had you arrested? If it got out you murdered one of your own squad?

Not good, sir.

No! Not good! Hackworth let out a despairing laugh. Who knows about this?

My squad. Becca quit and left us after it happened, dont know who shes told. Maybe Ebon Griffin, if they were still hanging around. Anyone watching through a window.

Damn it. Hackworth rubbed at his eyes. You couldnt have just knocked him out? Tied him up and left him somewhere for collection?

Didnt occur to me, sir. He revealed himself to a an existential threat. To what were doing. Trying to do. I saw it. It was either take him out, or risk everything he could do to us down the line.

You realize that a unique understanding of a mans potential future threat is absolutely no basis for murder? That the US military does not condone executions in the field under any circumstances?

Yes sir. James finally met Hackworths eyes. Im sorry. I know this fucks shit up. But much as I hate it, I believe it was the right play. Our futures better with Bjrn removed from play.

Hackworth held his gaze for a long while, then sighed and fell into a chair. Covered his eyes for a moment, then grimaced. Well, even though this is the apocalypse, the US military cannot condone murder. If - when - word gets out as to what youve done, all of Blue Light will be torched if were seen permitting this crime.

James stiffened. I understand.

So Im going to refer this case to the Criminal Investigation Division and recommend a special court martial.

James felt the blood drain out of him.

That being said, it may take time for the referral to take place. I am a busy man and am well known for being negligent when it comes to filing paperwork. Until the CID investigates your crime and turns over its official findings to the appropriate command and legal authority for disposition and adjudication, I expect you to continue fulfilling your duties both as the Command Sergeant Major and leader of Crimson Hydra. After all, you are innocent until proven guilty.

Jamess eyes widened and he stared at Hackworth.

But mark my words, James. Hackworth stood and moved right before him, and now his anger did blaze forth, tightly controlled as it was. Under my command there will be no more summary executions. Our present circumstances are extraordinary, and your utility to our nation outweighs the need for immediate justice. But I will not delay judgement on this murder forever, nor will I tolerate any - and I mean any - such crimes in the future.

James met Hackworths steely, furious glare.

Do not make the mistake of thinking your importance to Blue Light negates your need to follow the law enshrined in our nations constitution or that you can violate our militarys proud code of ethics with impunity. I thought you were far, far better than this, Sergeant Major. I am beyond disappointed, and only hope that time and your continued service to our nation will convince me that Im making the right decision here today.

Yes sir, whispered James.

For a moment longer Hackworth glared at him, then finally he stepped back. Do not speak of this matter outside your squad, command them to remain equally silent, and refer any queries to me. Now get back to work. Weve an order of magnitude more Nem3s to kill tomorrow.

Yes sir. James hesitated. Tried to think of an apology that was worth a damn, but everything sounded weak. So he simply inclined his head, moved to the door, then paused. Sir. Im going to have to tell Jessica.

Hackworth clenched his jaw, considered, then nodded curtly. I understand. No one else.

No one else. James opened the door, stepped outside, closed it behind him.

The hallway was alive with people moving hurriedly to and fro, with the chatter of voices, radio, and echoing laughter coming from the distant lobby. It all felt surreal. James leaned one shoulder against the wall. Saw again Bjrns mocking dark eyes. Saw Esmes lifeless face.

Had he done the right thing?

His Sola Animus came floated toward him, its miniature ivory mask a picture of concern.

I feel out of my depth with these matters. Shall we instead go kill demons?

Thatd be good. But that wont fix this problem.

Can you state it for me? Perhaps your framing of the issue will help me understand.

I killed Bjrn for the threat hed pose us in the future. But in our society, folks aint supposed to take justice into their own hands.

Your society. You refer to your world as it was before the invasion?

Yeah.

That world is transforming into something new. Do its laws apply to the world in which you live today?

I want them to. They were good laws.

Were they framed with these circumstances in mind?

Literally? No. But they were written after a war. The Founders knew about the dangers of battle.

But not a global war for your species survival.

No, I guess not that.

This is a time of flux. The old is giving way to the new. There are no guarantees that the new will persist for long. You acted to increase the chances of this new worlds survival.

Yeah.

Do you think everyone should act as you did when faced with a threat such as Bjrn?

James hesitated. Pondered. Yeah.

And that by doing so the world and its people would be improved?

Yeah, I guess so. Fundamentally. Folks like Bjrn shouldnt be allowed to use supernatural powers to control others against their will.

And the nature of Inspire makes it difficult to detain them indefinitely?

Id say so.

Thus it seems to me, ignorant as I am, that you acted for the greater good during a time of legal uncertainty so as to increase the chances of humanitys survival. Your peers may not accept it as such, but morally speaking it would seem you acted correctly.

James had been staring at the carpet, but at this he looked up and scrutinized the Anima. You think so?

It spun its four sword-arms once about its body, a gesture strangely reminiscent of a shrug. I am without fear of death, the consequent need to reproduce, and all the contingent instincts that are derived from those imperatives, so my opinion is idiosyncratic. But yes. That is my evaluation of this deed. You acted correctly, James, as far as you are capable of discerning. You may yet be legally culpable, but morally you are in the clear.

James laughed darkly. Well, that about clears it up then. No need to think about it further.

Agreed. I am glad to have been of assistance. What shall we do now? Go kill demons?

Well have plenty to kill tomorrow. Right now I need to go tell Jessica what happened, get replacements for my squad, then circle back and make sure everybodys still on the same page.

Alas. Killing demons gives me such sweet, sweet satisfaction.

You and me both, bud.

James found Serenity waiting for him at the end of the hallway. Shed been chewing her thumbnail, and at the sight of him her eyes lit up and she hurried over. And?

Court martialed.

You what? Her face immediately flushed. Ill -

Someday. Not today. James took her elbow and guided her back into the lobby. Hes pissed as a cat in a barrel of beer, but hes not going to do anything about it now.

Of course hes not. What choice does he have? The whole organization would fall apart if he touched you. She turned him around. You know this is your group, right? If Hackworth moves against you, two-thirds of Blue Light would look to you for orders.

Maybe. But thats not the point. I want people working together, Serenity. Not drawing lines in the sand. But whatever, Im off the hook for now. Do me a favor?

Go kick Bjrns corpse?

No. Find the others, tell them to not talk about this. Anyone asks about Bjrn and Becca, were to refer them to Hackworth.

Serenity nodded reluctantly. Fine. Where you going?

To tell Jessica.

Yeah, OK. Find me after. I want veto power over our next recruits.

Sounds good. Please find the others before they start talking.

I think theyre all up in Olafs room. #3445. Ill go talk to them now.

Thanks.

He descended to the parking lot, emerged onto the first level, and found the place even more changed than before. New walls of beguiling metallic green were up, partitioning the area into large zones, with signs clearly pointing out where Battle Engineers and War Smiths were supposed to go, along with others with arrows pointing toward stairwells and elevators guiding Domestics and Structuralists below.

A large placard was set up beside the elevator banks, with a list of names set alongside different bands of color. Looking down, James saw the same-colored stripes painted along the floor, branching into different directions as they reached intersections.

Smart, he muttered. Jessica had her own color band: bright yellow. He set off after it, passed through two intersections, then reached the same large corner shed occupied before, but now afforded privacy by the new walls and with huge shelving units along the sides.

James. Jessica was waving her mechanicus over a container of heavenly diamond. One second.

James crossed his arms and stepped to the side of the doorway to watch. Jessica focused intently on the diamond, and the glow from her mechanicus washed over the pile. When it finally dimmed, she straightened and frowned down at the gleaming rubble. Im trying to improve the purification process so that denser diamond remains after I phase out the impurities. Getting there, but

Whats the benefit of density?

She slid her mechanicus into her belt and turned to him. The denser the diamond, the more we can force into a transformation, resulting in more powerful - whats wrong?

James guessed his face wasnt as impassive as hed hoped. I shot Bjrn.

Jessica froze, eyes widening, and then she moved past him to close the door. Hes dead?

Yeah. He used his power on me during a fight. Nearly got me and Denzel killed. After, I confronted him. He wouldnt back down. I saw the way things were going, so I shot him. It was easier to say shot than killed or executed. So I killed him.

Jessica stared at him for a moment, taking this in. Becca?

Gone.

Hackworth?

Threatened me with a court martial one day, but not today.

The rest of the team?

Upset. Mostly with me. But were down two and theyre raw about it. Dont blame them.

Jessica licked her lower lip then bit it. He watched her expression avidly, searching for clues, hints as to how she felt.

Finally she sighed, walked back to her huge desk, and sat on its edge. All right. Wed better get you those new recruits. Cindy can help you out there. Shes back from setting up Fabricator recruitment stations in the Bronx.

Thats it? All right?

Yes. Jessicas tone was precise. Remember how you said you trusted me? I trust you. From everything Ive seen of you, James, from day one, youve proven yourself to be a good man. If you felt it necessary to kill Bjrn after giving him that first chance, then I trust you did so for a good reason. Thats enough for me.

Relief flooded him more powerfully than hed expected. Hed wanted Hackworth to understand but needed Jessica to. Somehow, he just couldnt imagine continuing this fight without her.

Good, he rasped. Glad to hear it.

She studied him. You need to find a way to process this. You cant let it eat you up inside.

The Sola Anima bobbed. We can kill demons together. Reach equanimity through violence.

Jessica laughed. OK, so I made a murderbot. Great.

Demon-murderbot, said the Anima. That could be my name?

No, said James.

The Anima dipped in disappointment.

Seriously. You need to take care of yourself.

I know. James pushed off the wall. Ill look into that. One day.

She frowned and shook her head. Theres nothing more tiresome than the tough guy routine.

Then Ill look into it after the Fourth Wave. Right now, Ive got to find Cindy and get those new recruits. Where she at?

Ill page her. Jessica paused. James. I really am on your side. You dont need to doubt me.

For a moment they stood thus, holding each others gaze, and then James inclined his head. Thanks.

Let me page Cindy. Shes around here somewhere.

James watched Jessica as she grabbed her radio from her desk and raised it to her lips. Her acceptance of what had happened allowed him to square away Bjrns death. He inhaled, straightened his shoulders, and gave himself a nod.

Time to put Bjrn behind him.

There were other things to focus on now.