Black Guard, The by C. R. Daems Read Free Book Online Page B

depend upon his ability to hold the remaining
rebel force he expects they will send against him. In my opinion, he will defeat
the rebels, but I doubt his remaining force will be in any condition to help
us."
    "Holding against those numbers is
going to be a challenge, Captain," Ceder said, and the others nodded.
    "It gets worse. They have a few
military grade weapons which enabled them to destroy a combat assault shuttle
and put another one out of commission," I said, giving them the rest of
the bad news. Now they were all thinking tradition—stand and fight to the
death if required, and the overwhelming numbers seemed to indicate it would be
required. I couldn’t help smiling.
    "What we have here is an
excellent, real-life example of my comparison of tradition and duty. Usually,
they are the same, but not always. When they aren’t, duty comes first.
Tradition would dictate we stand and fight. But the Guard isn’t equipped to
take on an army and protect our client. Even though we have been lied to, we
cannot be seen to have walked away from a contract. The Jax will seek
retribution when this is over." I paused, looking around the room. No one
looked afraid or even nervous. They waited my orders, giving me a strong sense
of pride and fondness. These men and women wouldn’t abandon me nor I them.
    "The army will be outnumbered five
to one. But they are a Jax army, and they will defeat the rebels. We will be
outnumbered ten to one, maybe more. But that’s fair. We’re the Black Guard—the
elite of the Jax military. And we will defeat the rebels that challenge us." That may be a little easier to say than do, but it echoes the Jax tradition.
    "Sergeant Rosin, take Corporal
Glick and accompany Chang to the servant’s quarters. Chang, you are to gather
the servants and leave the estate with Lieutenant Ceder. There is no place else
safe to go, since the rebels control the town. And if one of you leaves and is
captured, you will give the rebels information that will give away our
advantage and result in many deaths, including fellow servants. While you are
with us, we will protect you, and you will be allowed to go as soon as it’s
safe."
    "I understand, Captain," Chang
said, eyes downcast, thinking. He left with Rosin and Glick. Corporal Judt, you
and the other women Guards will find servants’ clothing for yourselves and me
and return here." They were smiling on the way out. "Li Ming, what
does the family have in the way of transportation?"
    "We have three ground vehicles and
two small skimmers, which can hold four or five each," Li Ming said after
a minute’s thought. I spent the next few minutes scanning a map of the area on
my Mfi. Eventually I transferred the area I had identified to everyone’s Mfi.
    "Lieutenant Ceder, check your Mfi.
I want you to take everyone into the area I’ve marked. It’s wild, which will
preclude the rebels from being able to use ground vehicles or skimmers. That
will improve your odds and slow them down. Assign one group to stay with the
Lew family and servants and the other to act as a rear guard. The best you can
do is to find a position that gives you an advantage and fight. I plan to stay
here with the women and, like Captain Drezner, ensure they can’t reinforce
those who will be sent after you. Use the skimmers for the family and anyone
who would slow you down, but have a Guard in each skimmer. I don’t want anyone
deciding to run off."
    "Yes, Captain."
    "Keep Captain Drezner updated. But
do not try to communicate with me. The women and I will be busy. I will contact
you when it’s safe. Duty first, Lieutenant Ceder."
    "I understand, Captain Sapir. Good
hunting." He left with Sergeant Solow. Shortly afterward, the women began
returning.
    "We’re going to a masquerade
party. We are going to be dressed as servants and cooks. Our guests are going
to be dressed as rebels. Sometime during the party, we’re going to turn into Black
Guards and arrest the rebels."
    "I love parties,"