Graham Paul: The battle of Devastation reef

“… I’m sure you do, but just in case you’ve forgotten, I’m Colonel Erwin Hartspring, Doctrinal Security, Section 22. You made me look like such a fool the last time we met, so I’ve certainly not forgotten you. I know you think we Hammers are a bunch of clods, but we’re not. So when an opportunity as good as Lieutenant Anna Cheung falls into our laps, we know what to do with it. She made a big mistake, talking about you openly the way she does.”

Panic started to tear Michael apart.

“So, Michael,” Hartspring continued, “we know how you feel about Lieutenant Cheung, and since we’ve been having such trouble getting to you what with all those damned security drones, we decided it would be much easier if you came to us. Our chief councillor is so insistent. He wants to shake your hand before we … well, let’s leave that bit to your imagination, shall we.”

Hartspring paused.

Michael struggled to breathe. Here it comes, here it comes.

“So this is what I propose, Helfort,” Hartspring said, his voice hardening, “and it’s nonnegotiable, so don’t waste time or energy trying to wriggle out of it. You have three months to present yourself to our embassy on Scobie’s World. Three months. If you’re even a day late, just one, the first Lieutenant Cheung will know about this little plan of mine is when I collect her from her cozy little prisoner of war camp and hand her over to some of my more … let me see, how can I put this? Um … yes … hand her over to some of my more high-spirited and energetic troopers for a week of fun and games. They’ve seen holovids of her, and let me tell you, Michael, they are keen for the party to start. They love the way your Fed women look, all that flawless perfection, and I must say your Anna is one of the prettiest I have ever seen. They can hardly wait. And did I mention that there’ll be ten of my boys at the party? No? Oh, well, now you know. Anyway, I don’t think she’ll look quite so attractive when the week’s over, so I think I’ll send her to one of my firing squads.”

Hartspring paused.

“Of course,” he continued, “by the time my troopers have finished with her, she’ll be begging to die, so having her shot is not much of a threat, but I mention it just so you have the full picture. I think I might even command the firing squad myself. It will be fun to watch the single most important person in your life die, to watch the spark disappear from those gorgeous green eyes of hers. Ah, revenge; it is such a sweet thing. And yes, talking of watching, I nearly forgot. We’ll have holocams film every minute of the last week of Lieutenant Cheung’s life. I’ll be sure to send you a copy. I think you’ll enjoy it. I know I will. So there it is. Just so we’re absolutely clear, present yourself at our embassy on Scobie’s World in three months or Anna dies a death you do not even want to think about. I’ll be waiting for you, so be sure to ask for me.”

The DocSec colonel paused again, seemingly to make sure Michael understood fully what was required of him.

“Oh, what the hell,” Hartspring added with a shrug of his shoulders. “As you know, I’m not an unreasonable man, Michael. I know it’s going to be hard for you to get to Scobie’s, so why don’t we say October 1? I think that’s only fair, don’t you? But do not be late, d’you hear?

“Before I go, there is one last condition, so pay attention. Do not even think about telling anyone about this little arrangement of ours. Nobody. Because the minute we find out you’ve opened your big mouth-and we will-the deal’s off and Lieutenant Cheung will be starting the party with my troopers early. You can trust me on that, Michael. Anyway, that’s it from me. Looking forward to seeing you real soon. Bye, now.”

Paralyzed by fear, Michael sat unmoving as Hartspring’s smiling face disappeared, his mind flailing in a frantic attempt to find a way out of the Hammer’s trap. He refused to accept that there was no escape. Over and over he replayed Hartspring’s terrible message until finally it had pounded him into submission, his defenses crumbling in the face of its stark, callous brutality, until he had to accept the awful truth. There was no way out, not now, not ever, and nothing would change that simple fact.

Turn himself in to the Hammers and he would die an agony-wracked death at the hands of Hartspring and his DocSec thugs. Refuse and the Hammers would kill Anna. Abandoned, betrayed, she would die a lonely death filled with horrific pain, and he would live: his heart and soul ripped out, his body left an empty shell wracked with bitterness, hate, and guilt for the rest of time.

Whatever he did, he was as good as dead.