The Black Guard Read online

  * * *

  It took several hours to load the shuttles and reach Yuan Province and the governor’s estate. The shuttle landed on a manicured lawn a hundred meters in front of the estate, a luxurious, three-story structure. When I trotted down the ramp, a Yuan Colonel, a small, plump man, came running towards me.

  "Are you the Guard? How many?" he asked while looking up at the five shuttles hovering above us.

  "Yes, I’m Captain Sapir of the Guard. We number twenty-four."

  "Where is the army going?" He pointed to the other five shuttles which were now moving away. "We need more troops here to protect the governor."

  "They are going to engage the rebels’ main force. So, it’s unlikely we will see more than a couple of hundred rebels, which between your forces and the Guard we should have no trouble dealing with. For now, I need you to give me a tour of the estate so I can deploy my team."

  His face paled as he watched the shuttles disappear into the distance.

  "Colonel?" I prodded.

  "It’s Colonel Ou Yang. The governor isn’t going to be happy." He motioned toward a red-bricked stairway, ten meters wide that led up to the entrance, located on the second level.

  "Sergeants Rosin, Solow, have your teams check out the grounds. Lieutenant Ceder, you will accompany me." I nodded to Colonel Ou Yang who led us up the stairs and into a large, circular foyer with another wide staircase in the center, which led to a third level. As we entered, a tall man came striding down the stairs. He smiled.

  "I’m Governor Li Ho Lew, and you are the Black Guard, judging from your uniforms. How many men did you bring, Captain?"

  "Sapir. There are twenty-three in my team. They are outside becoming familiar with the grounds. I’d like a tour of your house and an introduction to those persons who are part of your household, so that I can deploy my people."

  "Twenty-three isn’t many. How many army?"

  "None, they flew off after they dropped off the Guard," Ou Yang said.

  "That’s unacceptable!" Ho Lew said, frowning at me. "Get them back! And you need more guards."

  "Well, while you are trying to get the army back here and arranging with the Jax for more Guard, I’d like that tour."

  "I gave you an order, Captain." Ho Lew said, giving me an angry look.

  "I don’t command the army, nor do I negotiate contracts for the Guard. Whoever did negotiated for the size of my current team. And, you don’t give the Guard orders, I do. So, I’d like that tour so we can get started doing our job, while you take care of the other matters." I had to admire the governor for managing to keep his composure—more or less. He did look a little flushed, but his voice was under control when he finally spoke.

  "Yes, I should have known. You’re only a captain. I will talk with someone in authority." He smiled, thinking his childish remark a rebuke.

  "You’re absolutely right, Governor Ho Lew. I’m sure a man of your importance will be able to rectify the mistake," I said with a small nod. He had no more power than me to change the current deployment or it wouldn’t be what it was—and we both knew it.

  "Chang!" no sooner had he said it, than an elderly man in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie appeared from a side door.

  "Yes, sir?" he said, bowing low.

  "Give the captain a tour of the house and introduce her to my family." He walked away without another word. His day obviously wasn’t going well, and I suppressed a smile.

  "Captain, if you will follow me. We might as well start on this floor."

  The house looked big from the outside, and it was. The first level was dedicated to the servants and estate maintenance. Specifically, servants’ quarters, kitchen, laundry, household supplies, and repair facilities. The second level, officially the first floor, had fourteen rooms for guests and daytime activities. He led us through a reception room, formal dining room, a smaller breakfast room, game room, four guest bedrooms, library, media room, dayroom, and three bathrooms in addition to those in the guest bedrooms. On the third level, there were thirteen rooms exclusively reserved for the family: six bedrooms with bath suites, family room, three game and media rooms, two studies, and a library.

  His wife Mei, who looked about ten years younger, son Yul, age eight, daughter Jia Li, age six, and mother Li Ming were currently in residence. After a brief introduction with each, I met with the team leaders.

  "Rosin, Solow, your teams will rotate every eight hours. One Guard on each of the entrances. Colonel Ou Yang and Chang will provide us with a short list of who is authorized to enter the house. Everyone else needs approval. One Guard on each family member, in his sight or outside the person’s room at all times. That leaves you to roam and monitor your team. Lieutenant Ceder and I will coordinate our times. Our priority is the governor. Any questions?" When no one said anything, I continued. "Sergeants, you can determine who takes the first shift." I left and found Chang in the kitchen.

  "Captain. Can I help you?" He bowed. He probably did a lot of that working for the governor.

  "We are here to protect the governor and his family; however, if possible, we will endeavor to protect you and the other servants. The minute there is a sign of trouble, you need to find me. I won’t have time to look for you."

  "Thank you, Captain." He bowed again.

  * * *

  Sergeant Solow was just coming out of the kitchen door while conducting his rounds when he saw me coming down the hall. He nodded and waited.

  "What’s your current deployment, Solow?"

  "One guard with each family member. Li Ho Lew is in his study, Mei Lew is in the game room with her children, and Li Ming is upstairs in the study off her room. Two guards are roaming the grounds, and one guard at each entrance: front, back, and service."

  "Good," I said as I continued down the hallway.

  Corporal Glick nodded as I passed the study. On guard duty, a nod was sufficient acknowledgement. At the game-room door Private Nadel stood guard. Inside, Private Ganz and Corporal Judt stood against opposite walls.

  "Good day, Mei Lew."

  Mei looked up from where she sat at a small table with her two children playing a game with tiles. The table had a leather top with a map-like design and the tiles contained beautifully painted pictures. Three dice appeared to control the movement of the tiles.

  "Are guards necessary in the room?" she asked, in a manner one would chastise a servant.

  "I have detailed one Guard for each family member. They are experienced guards and under orders to protect your lives. Their positions will depend on circumstances but always to ensure your safety." Worth it or not, I mused.

  "That can be very invasive. What if I don’t like it?"

  "In that case, I would assign you and your children’s guards to your husband and his mother. But then they won’t be available if the rebels manage to reach the estate, and your fate would depend upon their goodwill. Most are kind to children."

  "Who do you think you’re talking to? I’ll report you to—"

  "Mei Lew, you either want security or you don’t. If you do, the Guard will decide how best to provide that security because that is our job. Your husband can certainly tell us he no longer wants the Guard, in which case, we will leave. But we are not your servants. We do not fetch or carry or provide entertainment."

  I nodded and turned on my heel. She was still muttering as I closed the door behind me, leaving Judt and Ganz fighting to maintain a bland expression. I took the stairs to the second floor and found Private Lipkin outside of Li Ming’s suite. She nodded as I approached and knocked at the door.

  "Who is it?"

  "Captain Sapir."

  "Come in."

  Li Ming sat in a lounge chair with a book in her lap. A pot of tea, a cup and saucer, and some small cakes sat on the table next to the chair. She was a small frail lady with sparkling eyes that suggested a sharp mind. The study was a restful room. One wall had shelves which contained a large collection of books of every shape and description. A large
picture window with maroon drapes dominated the far wall and looked out over the front lawn. Paintings hung on the other two walls.

  "Lady Li Ming, I just stopped in to answer any questions you might have."

  "What do you think, Captain? Will the rebels overrun the city and this estate?"

  "The rebels out-number the Jax army, at least, ten to one, so it’s unlikely the army can contain them without help. So, it will depend on the ability of the Yuan military to stop those that break off from the main force to attack the estate."

  "Well then, Captain, can you hold a hundred or two? Because the Yuan military is no better than the rebels and less motivated."

  "We could hold, but we couldn’t both hold and protect you if hundreds manage to reach the estate."

  "So you’ll desert us?" she said without emotion, but her eyes had an amused sparkle.

  "The Guard does not abandon those they protect. That would not fit with our tradition or our duty. We are the Guard, not an army who the rebels can expect to meet them on the battle field. Then because our numbers are few, they will rely on force to overrun us. And finally, they will believe we are standard military trained and their equal. No tactic can survive that many mistakes."

  "I almost look forward to seeing the rebels." She smiled.

  * * *

  I left the governor for last. When he said to enter upon my knock, he was sitting behind a large redwood desk, which had papers spread out over half its surface. He looked up and frowned.

  "Good day, Governor. I just stopped in to see if you had any questions."

  "Shouldn’t your troops be outside, not guarding the rooms we’re in?"

  "We are guarding you and your family, not the building. You have an army to do that, and they are supported by the Jax army."

  "What good are you then?"

  "We could leave if you feel we aren’t needed," I said, trying to hide a grin. I could have tried to explain the Guard provided protection the military didn’t, but he was frightened and not in a mood to listen to reason. A simple yes or no question would save me the frustration. Besides, this approach was less stressful and more amusing.

  "You’re very arrogant!" His voice rose and his tone became master to servant. I wondered whether his wife took after him or he after his wife—similar reactions to things they didn’t want to hear. I felt sorry for Chang and the other servants. They had no choice but to apologize for speaking the truth and probably stopped trying at some point.

  "Probably not as arrogant as the rebels will be when they come. Governor, we are dedicated to protecting you and your family or to die trying. If you don’t feel you need that protection, we’ll leave." And this looks like one of those die trying situations. Ho Lew stared at me for a long time, his face shifting through a series of emotions: rage, anger, disbelief, resignation, and finally settled on stubborn.

  "Do whatever you do," he said, and returned to shuffling through the papers on his desk. I left feeling that the situation was under control. My team was deployed as best I could, given our numbers, the Ho Lew family understood the reasons for my current deployment—like it or not—and I went to bed satisfied.

  * * *

  I woke with a buzzing in my ear-implant signaling a message on my Mfi. When I lifted my arm, Captain Drezner’s face was displayed on the screen.

  "Judging by the hour, I assume you have exciting news for me." The gray light of dawn had barely begun.

  "You could call it that if you have one terrific sense of humor. Yesterday, we landed a klick behind the rebels with the intention of trapping them between the Yuan’s military defending Ebao and us. We inflicted heavy casualties initially with the help of our five combat shuttles; however, the rebels have a few military grade weapons. They destroyed one shuttle and put another out of commission. As they advanced toward the Yuan military ranks our shuttles became less functional, and we are now using them mainly for reconnaissance. During the night, they overran the Yuan military and now occupy Ebao. That means we are going to have to fight them street-by-street, which will somewhat improve their odds. It also means they will need fewer troops to slow us down and will likely break off a group to attack the governor’s estate. Is that exciting enough?"

  "Definitely sounds interesting. Do you have an estimate of their current forces?"

  "The Jax committee was told the rebels numbered less than six hundred poorly armed rabble. That is why only one hundred army and twenty Guard where assigned. We estimate their original force was between a thousand and eleven hundred. Worse, they are organized and well-armed. We killed at least two hundred and wounded another fifty. The Yuan military might have killed seventy-five and wounded fifty, so their effective force is around seven hundred. In the city, they could slow us down with three hundred and break off four hundred to attack the governor’s estate. I would."

  "That’s definitely exciting, since the governor only has two hundred defending his estate. I doubt they are any better trained than the rebels, and I’m told less motivated. How are you doing?"

  "I’ve lost thirty-one and have another ten wounded. Colonel Wolfson is dispatching fifty commandos within the hour. I think the better strategy for now, is to bypass Ebao and put my troops between the governor’s estate and the city, but in all honesty, it will have to be after they split their forces. If we attempt to push them out of the city, they would most likely try and delay us while they send additional forces to attack the estate. However, if I move between them and the estate, they are more likely to counter with a full scale assault. That way I can force the rebels to come to me while limiting the number attacking the estate. I’m sorry. It’s the best I can do. I doubt I can hold against half their force without losing the entire command. Whoever negotiated the contract lied to the Jax Contract Committee, and you and I are going to be stuck with the bill," Drezner said without emotion.

  "I understand."

  "Maybe you should break off and return to the ship if the group that breaks off overruns the Yuan forces guarding the estate." Drezner gave a wry grin, leaving was not in the Jax tradition.

  "I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to let some want-a-be rebels demonstrate to the universe that the Jax can be beaten by rabble with a piffling ten-to-one odds," I said, smiling to myself.

  He laughed. "Thanks, Sapir, that’s the only thing I’ve had to laugh at since we arrived. We’ll be there as soon as we kick their ass. Try to leave a few."

  My Mfi went blank. Yes, we were stuck with tradition—stand and fight to the last man—even though we had been deceived. We were the Jax. But what about duty… and those under my care. They aren’t expendable. I sat thinking for a long while. I could not disgrace the Guard, my new family, but I would not sacrifice those under my care for tradition. Duty would have to suffice. I clicked my Mfi to Ceder’s channel.

  "Lieutenant, have Sergeant Solow’s men replace any women presently on guard. Have Sergeant Rosin collect Chang. Then I want you, Solow, Rosin, Chang, and the women Guards to meet me at Li Ming’s quarters." After hearing his acknowledgment, I broke the connection and headed to her quarters. Li Ming was obviously the most sensible family member, and including her might help when dealing with the others later. Corporal Glick nodded as I approached and knocked on her door.

  "Yes?"

  "Captain Sapir, ma’am."

  "Come in, Captain," she replied cheerfully. Inside I gave a small bow.

  "Ma’am, I’d like to use your quarters to discuss our plans for a probable attack by the rebels."

  "Interesting. Including me means my son and daughter aren’t going to like what you’re about to do." She gave me a knowing smile. As I suspected, she was the level-headed one in the family and shrewd.

  "And because you have knowledge we don’t."

  "I’ve no objections."

  "Corporal Glick, allow everyone in." The room was quiet as I waited for everyone to arrive. When everyone was present, I began. "I’ve talked with Captain Drezner commanding the Jax army
. He informs me the information the Jax was given for this contract was erroneous. The rebel numbers were under stated by half, approximately five hundred, and the rebels aren’t rabble. They are well organized and well-armed. They have overrun the Yuan military and now control Ebao, which will slow down our army and allow the rebels to break off a sizable force to attack the estate."

  When Li Ming nodded her understanding, I said, "Captain Drezner can’t stop them as he doesn’t have sufficient troops to take on the entire seven hundred he estimates is their current strength. He expects the rebels will break off a group around three hundred fifty to four hundred to attack the estate. If so, we can expect them to overrun the Yuan military guarding the estate and arrive here with a force of two to three hundred." I paused. Looking around the room, there were a lot of serious faces but no fear. I’d have wagered that each person was busy trying to figure out how we were going to deploy against that many rebels. Only Li Ming had a slight smile. I’d wager she was as wild as a Jax Chiayi tiger in her youth.

  "Captain Drezner will position his troops between the town and the estate after the rebels break off a group to attack the estate. That will prevent their sending additional rebels. He hopes to send us support, but that will 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.