CHAPTER 19
Each day, Sean supervised debriefing. The first round with Doc had been to heal minor matters and kill parasites. Each of the displacees now had a full physical, which was quicker with Arnet’s gadgets—about an hour versus several. This also apparently included data for temporal transition. Then, Doc needed their impression of their history, with Captain Elliott requiring specific markers. After that, Doctors Sheridan and Raven had a series of tests and questions on diseases and vectors. He had to get all their military background and operational actions. Cryder wanted information for the Bykos. It would take a week to fully debrief them, while the Guardians flew drones looking for contaminating artifacts, read over the reports, and asked some specific questions about movement patterns and the natives.
Kita ran around, watching people. It was clear she was trying very hard to grasp what all these things and goings-on were. She was popular as a mascot, and adored by Caswell, Raven, and Spencer.
Sergeant Spencer took statements on chain of events. At least with Byko gear it could be done verbally and auto-transcribed. Caswell was chaperone for the females, Dalton for the males. They all had approximately the same story, and it was rough to hear them. The loneliness, panic, terror, disgust all came through. The relief at contact, and yes, Noirot sounded cold and distraught about being offered up as trade goods. She needed to be told she was heroic for doing so, but how to phrase it?
He was given summary reports. Cavities. Scars. Infections healed. Local taskings the troops had. Keeping Lieutenant Cole in the loop, both as informant and subordinate. Gradually explaining to the man how badly he’d fucked up and that it must never be mentioned outside the designated circle.
Sean said, “I’m probably not even referencing it in my written AAR. We’ll verbally inform the counselors. They’ll need to deal with it.”
Cole asked, “They don’t report back?”
“They all have religious degrees and thus privileged communication. We’re lucky to have General McClare. He takes very good care of us.”
Cole said, “My three concerns are Noirot and her kid, Lozano and his…interests, and I’m not sure about Munoz.”
“‘Interests’?”
“He likes his girls barely pubescent.”
“…Oh.”
Well, that explained a couple of things, and made others that much more complicated.
Sean replied, “We also need to consider your official status as commander and the unofficial debrief. Nothing here will affect your promotions, but it’s certainly going to color your actions, and how the informed command recommend you.”
He nodded. “Sir, I realize I fucked this six ways from nothing, and my first reaction to anyone would be, ‘let’s see you do better,’ but obviously you did. I’ll take whatever’s coming to me, but I want to make sure my troops are taken care of first. They’re not at fault for anything.”
The man was near tears again.
Sean replied, “That’s a very professional answer. I agree with your concerns and we’ll do everything we can. I also want to make sure you’re treated fairly, because as you note, there’s nothing that could have prepared you for this. Our tech experts will talk to some other people and hopefully eventually there will be more training on how to deal with strange cultures. I got lucky with Sergeant Spencer and Sergeant Alexander, who were both skilled reenactors with SERE training. Sergeant Barker had a lot of primitive skills. Caswell is trained in sociology and wild food. I can’t say I wouldn’t have wound up in your shoes, but it wasn’t impossible. We made a point of setting our own camp, and two years in we were about to start settling down with the natives.
“At the same time,” he noted, “you did get stuck in this rut and even without blame, you’re going to have this as your first command experience.”
The guy nodded seriously. “Yeah. Sir.”
“So we’ll deal with your people and recovery, and keep talking about this among ourselves, without saying a word to anyone back home until we decide what they need to know.”
“Roger that, Captain.”
While that went on, the Bykos’ primary concern was recovery of twenty-first-century artifacts. Drones went out over all the identified areas the troops had been in.
Cryder’s recon gear was top notch. After noon, at the CQ, he reported, “We have more lurkers.”
“Oh?” Sean prompted.
“About five hundred meters that way.” The man indicated roughly northwest.
Sean whistled. That was pretty dense terrain.
“How’s their progress?”
Looking at his screens, Cryder said, “They’re not advancing. Maintaining a small camp.”
“Ah. Have you looked for an OP?”
“‘OP’?” the man asked.
“An observation post.”
“Ah. Stand by.”
The zone imagery shifted around, changing both direction and orientation. It was dizzying even to watch.
Cryder informed him, “Yes, there they are, three of them. They’re watching from that outcropping, one hundred three meters at seventy-two centimarks.”
“Seventy-two hundredths of a circle, hold on, that’s about two-sixty-two degrees, so just past due west.”
“Yes.”
Sean scanned with his eyes, focused on several features, then saw faint motion. “Ah, there. I bet they have some sort of noisemaker, and they’re waiting for us to go outside the wire.”
Cryder nodded. “That seems logical.”
“Argarak is a smart bastard. We’ve taken his people and valuables. He knows he can’t beat our fence. He’s going to wait for opportunity. I expect they will rotate out and have dried meat and such.”
“It’s clever, but not clever enough.”
Sean asked, “I expect you have a way to stun them from here?”
The man agreed, “Stun or kill. I’d far prefer to continue nonlethal force for several reasons, but I’m considering it may not effect.”
“Right. It’s okay for apprehensions, but it doesn’t dissuade dedicated attackers as they know they can come back.”
Cryder said, “We’ll need to relocate, but our vehicles leave a trace, and I suspect they could follow our steps, too.”
Sean noticed the man’s English was very precise, yet chopped. Versus his native dialect that crammed entire paragraphs into a few words.
He considered the information and replied, “I would bet money on it.”
Cryder offered, “Sufficient distance may convince them pursuit isn’t feasible, and we’re not a threat.”
Sean noted, “We still need to get those other items, though.”
“We’ve an alternative, though it means using some power and more force.”
“Go ahead,” he prompted.
“You’re aware our active concealment is near invisible to the unaided eye.”
“Yes.”
Cryder elaborated, “We have two sets on hand, and enough replacement parts to improvise a third. Three troops can advance unseen and recover what they can.”
That was possible, but…“If they get IDed, they will probably get dogpiled.”
“We have a stronger defensive weapon. Remote neural stimulation.”
“Ah. We have one that induces heat sensations.”
“This is simply pain. A lot of pain. It causes damage to the brain after only a few seconds.”
“Oh.” He understood. “It has to be intermittent. Okay.”
“Its range is limited, and recuperation time is much faster than from stun, if the individual has a high pain tolerance, which their environment suggests. It’ll discomfort a person entirely and near instantly, and…gives them opportunity to retreat.”
“How can they retreat if they’re not sure where you are?”
The man gave a wry smile. “Exactly. This isn’t at all ideal. But, if infiltration is successful, it won’t be needed until we’re well inside the village. Problem comes if someone is inside a habitation. They’ll have no cue to evacuate, but may flee when they feel a presence inside.”
Sean said, “It would work handily with six troops.”
“Precisely. We can take three.”
“We may still have to stun some.”
“Yes. But, they will not be able to see us, making distance weapons far less viable for them. They won’t be able to easily approach.”
Sean said, “Obviously, one of you must go. One of my troops, whomever is best up close, which is probably Sergeant Dalton. One of our scientists. Raven again? She’s performed well.”
“Let’s find out.” He pulled out his phone.
Dalton’s response was, “I’m in if you need me, sir. Tell me what I need to do.”
Raven said, “Given the circumstances, it might be best to send Sheridan. I’m better at forensic matters, but that’s not a critical concern for this mission. I’m probably a bit stronger, but she’s stable on her ankles and I’m not.”
“Very well. Dr. Sheridan?”
Sheridan came over from the science awning.
“Yes, Captain?”
He explained the operation.
She nodded. “I can do that. It’s true I’ll be sturdier. I’m a bit apprehensive about potential violence. I don’t have any training for it.”
“Sergeant Dalton will be tasked with providing force. Arnet will direct and act as reconnaissance.”
“Okay. When are we doing this?”
“Probably tomorrow, early.”
He texted Oglesby. FIND OUT FROM SHUG WHEN THE HUNTERS AND GATHERERS ARE LIKELY TO BE OUT WORKING.
Oglesby’s response was, HAMILTON MAY KNOW BETTER.
I WANT TO KEEP THIS WITHIN OUR GROUP.
AH, ROGER, STAND BY, SIR.
Shortly, Oglesby came over in person.
“Shug says as soon as they can see, they will probably be getting a bite, then going out to work for what I gather is about two hours.”
“Okay, so we want to be in place BMNT, and proceed from there.”
“‘BMNT’?” Cryder asked.
“Begin Mean Nautical Twilight. Basically as soon as we can see.”
The man obviously considered the etymology of the term.
“Yes. Also, culturally, historically, and linguistically, that’s a beautiful phrase.”
“I’m sure it is, two hundred, five hundred years from our time?”
“In a future with different terms and a changed language, yes.” There was a definite hint of a smile on his face.
Damn.
“Okay, I’ll write a quick fragorder for my two people.” God, even here, again, in the Stone Age, much of his time was spent doing administrative crap.
“I’ll send Arnet to discuss other details and demonstrate the gear.”
He said, “Seems like it’s a good thing we allowed time for recon, recovery, and transit.”
“It’s never as simple as the plan.”
“Never has been.” They definitely agreed on that.
He sighed. If it had been possible to zero in better and hit the exact tick, they could have recovered these people within days.
“Hey, Cryder, why didn’t your scientists send a probe, like they did for you, and zero from there?”
“They already had our transition to zero from, and they still only got within about a year.”
“Ah. Makes sense.” Well, shit.
If this wasn’t successful enough, he might have to discuss the odds of any remaining artifacts being found, versus the possibility of another trip later to suppress them, versus hoping for the best.
He pulled up a chair and a screen, here where pretty much all command and control took place. The one thing that remained true was there was no private office in an element of this size. No doubt the Bykos had field buildings for bigger events, but they’d done well with two vehicles.
He’d just sat down to notate activities and write the frago for this, when SSG Burnham came over.
“Sir, sorry to interrupt, I’ve got a question from our team.”
“Go ahead.”
“Can we take a walk?”
“The two of us? Sure, what’s up?” He got to his feet.
“No, I mean our team, take a walk.” The man was trying to sound casual.
“Outside the wards?” He asked in clarification.
“Yes.”
“For what purpose?”
“Exercise.”
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? We know the area well enough. We’ll be safe.”
“That’s not the concern.” He realized several of the others were not far away.
Burnham asked, “Captain, are you stating you don’t trust us?”
He glanced carefully around. Dalton, Caswell, and Spencer had strolled up and looked ready to respond in a moment. Arnet gave him a sidewise glance and the barest nod of acknowledgment.
“I’m stating my orders are to see you returned home. I can’t risk anyone getting displaced again, or lost. Our schedule is much tighter than it sounds.”
It was entirely obvious they understood their status was “detained recoverees.”
They clustered a bit more, but it didn’t seem threatening, yet.
With a few glances, they changed tacks.
Maldonado asked, “What about our families here?”
“Does anyone else have any offspring?”
“No.”
“Then unfortunately we are not authorized to relocate them. Offspring are relevant due to genetic footprint. Local involvement is not a concern the Army or the Bykos are prepared to deal with. The return mechanism can handle us, you, and a limited number of offspring.”
Maldonado continued, “But we don’t have the ’terp anymore, so you could fit one more.”
“That’s Kita, and others are not within my orders, nor Shuff Cryder’s. I’m sorry.”
“Can’t we at least have a chance to properly say goodbye?”
“We don’t consider that feasible under the already hostile circumstances.”
Munoz said, “It wouldn’t have been hostile if you hadn’t just started zapping people and dragging them off.”
“Soldier, we are not having a discussion on this. There are orders from two governments, two chains of command, and they match. The circumstances are what they are. I cannot, and will not, approve a variance at this point. If circumstances make it feasible, I will let you know. If one of the villagers approaches peacefully, that discussion can take place, and any relatives you’ve met here can visit here under controlled circumstances.”
They glanced around at one another.
“They can come here?”
“In small groups, for limited amounts of time, yes.” He realized they’d probably gotten what they actually wanted this way, and why didn’t they just fucking ask?
“Can we communicate with them about this?”
He really didn’t like even this much, but it was going to be tough to wrangle them, after five years.
He said, “It’s possible we can do audio through a drone. I will discuss with Shuff Cryder.”
Burnham replied, “Thank you, sir. By the way, which one of you ranks the other?”
“As with the Romans we met, there’s no exact translation. His title roughly translates as ‘chief, but it’s more like ‘station commander’ than chief warrant officer. He’s approximately my rank, and we’re working in parallel, not one under the other.”
Burnham noted, “So you’re the sole decision maker.”
“For matters pertaining to US personnel, yes. No one else can give you orders, but it’s a good idea to take any of their suggestions under strong advisement.” That was a valid concern, and he was glad to see it codified.
The man nodded. “Fair enough. Thank you, sir.”
And why had they sent the NCO to ask that question, not the officer? He wondered where LT Cole was. They should have gone through him. Either they didn’t trust their own commander, or he’d already nixed it and they were trying to go over his head. Given the previous conversation, he was betting on the latter. They’d need to be reminded how things worked. The local way of doing things was no more. It was the Army way, as screwed up as that often was.
They needed to do more interviews shortly, but he had to be there personally to get the best nonverbal reading of things.
He walked over and got close enough to his counterpart to minimize volume.
“Cryder, is it possible to communicate with that element via drone?”
It appeared the man had overheard. “It is. I’d prefer our element monitor requests, and that they be done as a recording.”
“Exactly.”
The big man shrugged and stared. “Though how willing Argarak will be to let others visit after we’ve absconded with people…I mean, I have doubts about it.”
“He may want hostages in return. But, that would let us get a couple more people into place in the village temporarily.”
“Yes. We can only do it once, though, and that ends any future compromise with them.”
“I wish these people had thought to bring those when we said, ‘all-issue gear.’ It didn’t occur to me they’d think of an emergency trade as binding.”
Spencer asked, “None of the gear was restricted though, right? Not weapons, not technical gear.”
“Right. So they probably thought of that as expendable.”
“Okay, if we can make this work, we’ll see if they can trade for the trinkets, and we should still have tried for that before using force.”
Cryder said, “Possibly, but I suspect force will be needed.”
“What can we offer them?”
“Delicious food. A good supply of salt or alcohol.”
“Yes, salt and booze. Both excellent commodities and expendable. Sweets in the form of fruit?”
“I think we have a container of dates.”
“Perfect. Also, this means I don’t have to write another order just yet.”
“I understand.”
“Let me do this, then.” He wrote out an outline, then had to ask about printing.
“Sheet copy?” Cryder confirmed. “Yes, limited per day. Tap here, tap there.”
“Got it, thanks.”
Being able to just tap his own computer screen without any add-ons was neat, though it reminded him the Byko network had access to everything they had on device or spoke near one.
He printed the page and called, “Sergeant Burnham! Lieutenant Cole!”
They came over quickly enough without sprinting.
“Sir?” “Yes, Captain?”
“Okay, we’ll record a request and send it to the hunters observing us. I’ll allow three guests at a time, not to exceed twenty-four hours, and everyone must understand it’s goodbye. I don’t want to have to detain anyone else the way we’ve detained Lozano, but if there are issues, we must.”
“Is private time included?”
“Yes, couples may have private time. We’re also going to offer to trade some choice items for the few remaining issue items. I’ll write it up, you offer it, and we’ll relay it back on each exchange, too. Which of you has better local language skills?”
Burnham said, “We’re both about the same. I seem to have a better accent.”
“Okay, here’s the summary,” Sean said, and handed over a printed sheet they could mark up.
INTRODUCTION: Note you are speaking via a magic device.
It is necessary for us to return home to our people, now that the spirits have seen fit to allow it. While we will miss you all, we must leave, it is the will of our spirits.
They and our chiefs have agreed that we can visit briefly with you before we depart. Three at a time can visit our camp for one day and night at a time.
Before we leave, (those of us with wives) would like to spend a bit more time with them. We will always appreciate the hospitality and grace you showed us, and miss you much.
If Argarak (or other) wishes, we can discuss this at the fence (Wall?) of our camp.
Our spirits guarantee the safety and accuracy of this message.
“We’ll have you record that and relay it.”
Burnham looked at it. “I understand the summary,” he said. “I’ll need to adapt it slightly.”
Sean agreed, “Go right ahead. Any reasonable phrasing that makes those points is acceptable.”
“I’ll work on it for a few minutes. Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome.”
Dr. Sheridan came back over.
She was surprisingly quiet and discreet as she asked, “Captain, do I understand their local mates will be coming in?” She seemed tense.
“Some of them, possibly. Is that a problem?”
“Not at all. It makes gathering DNA samples that much easier. If I can find any excuse to swab them, I can have all the data we need as a cross section of those.”
He understood her tension now. It was eagerness, not concern.
“Oh, good. I love things that make my task easier.”
“I’ll find an excuse. The specimen tape is basically just that. As long as I make contact, I’m good.”
“Make it some sort of blessing or greeting.”
“Exactly.”
Sheridan was a lot friendlier overall than Raven, and nominally in charge, but it seemed to him that Raven should be the senior scientist. She certainly appeared to have a broader skill set and knowledge. Possibly it had to do with assignment date, or papers submitted, or some other political issue? Or just being friendlier. She certainly enjoyed watching fit young men exercise. Raven acted as if they didn’t exist. Personal reasons? Or just disregard?
He checked with Cryder.
“How is the local recon element?”
“They’ve not moved the slightest since this morning. I’m impressed.”
“Okay. Hopefully they’ll be receptive to the message. Why them and not directly?”
“Partly to follow their chain of command. Partly to make it clear we know where they are, but not clear that we know where he is. If need be, we can escalate. When we eventually do reach our limits, we can bluff for more.”
“Solid reasoning.”
Burnham came back a bit later.
“I’m ready to record, sir,” he said.
Arnet brought over a tiny mic that wasn’t attached to anything. Burnham looked at it, shrugged, and started talking.
The language sounded almost Russian, almost French, almost Pashto in its intonation and delivery. Was this possibly one of those ancestor languages to the entire continent? Cool, if so, and now they had more recorded samples.
“That should be it.”
Sean replied, “Okay, we’ll transmit that to the drone shortly.” Then added, “We’ll let you know on response,” when it appeared the man wanted to hang around.
As soon as Burnham left, he texted Oglesby to bring Shug with him.
When they came over, he ordered, “Please listen to this and tell me what it says.”
Oglesby showed Shug how to listen to Byko audio, simply by letting the device know you were ready. It arranged projection to the listener’s ears all by itself. He apparently asked Shug to repeat back what he heard. Oglesby listened also, and said, “It’s roughly what you wrote. Nothing deceitful.”
“Excellent, thank you. Let’s send.”
Rich Dalton decided to approach Lozano again.
“Hey, Christopher,” he announced, as he neared the tent.
The response was a grunt.
“I was thinking about differences between us.”
Nothing.
Rich said, “So you’ve done well here. I managed to keep calm and faithful, but I can’t say I was happy with the actual event. Only with my relationship with God.”
Lozano grunted.
“But you actually managed to be happy.”
“Yeah, I scored four women here.”
That really wasn’t that impressive. Though for some it might be.
“Good. Was it enjoyable for all of you? Or was this all at once?”
“No, one at a time. Well, two of them once. Holy fuck, that was hot. It was like her visiting friend from another camp, and she got invited into our house, so…anyway.”
“I can see how that would be amazing.” Also rather sinful, but he couldn’t say he’d turn it down. Flesh and human instincts were the cause of sin, after all.
“They start younger than we do.”
“Yeah, we noticed that on our trip. It was something we were very careful with.”
“I like them young.”
“It happens.”
“No, I really like them young. The oldest was seventeen, near as we can tell. The youngest was thirteen.”
Yeah, that. “It won’t be a problem back home. No one needs to know, and this isn’t our culture.”
“If I fuck a thirteen-year-old back home, my ass is getting raped in jail.”
Oh.
“So, you’ve become accustomed to young girls.”
“Accustomed? You could say that. I haven’t even looked at the older ones. Even when Frenchy was putting out. All I could think was that if she was ten years younger and a lot tighter, she’d be alright.”
That was disturbing. But…“They age faster here. In their twenties, they’re old.”
“It’s not that.”
“Well, you should at least see what the future women look like. And they may be able to help you with this problem.”
“Who says it’s a problem? They’re fucking amazing. Or amazing fucking.” He laughed.
Rich swallowed hard. Lozano needed more help than he could offer. He was afraid if they took the man back he would start preying on young girls. It was definitely a taste he had acquired, and he seemed to really like it.
A more disturbing thought: Hopefully he’d acquired it here, not before he left.
He’d have to ask Caswell or Raven. He wasn’t sure how.
“Our law is clear, but doesn’t apply here. As far as culture, yeah, you know how ours feels. The scientists tell me it’s within normal range for people, which is why it happens, and why we have the laws we do. As a Christian, I guess I understand that everyone has their own path. It’s not up to me to judge you. That’s between you and God. I’ll admit I’m uncomfortable with the idea.”
Uncomfortable? Hell, he was revolted.
“But if you want to talk, I’m here.”
“There isn’t much to talk about,” Lozano replied, and stared at him through the mesh. “If I fuck those chicks back home, I become a prison bitch. I’m not interested in being ‘cured’ or ‘made better.’ I like what I am. I like it here.”
“I think liking the girls is a big part of why you like it here.”
“Yeah, so?”
“God has a challenge for everyone. For Sergeant Spencer, it was fear of everyone else magicking home while he was in the latrine. Caswell was deathly afraid of all males—”
“She was right.”
“Some at least, yes. One of our others had health issues that were breaking her apart. Memory loss, cognitive damage, physiological stuff. People die slowly of cancer. Others are abused or orphaned or abandoned. I struggle trying to understand people who aren’t like me, and to help them find God if they’re willing. You have traits society won’t endorse.”
“If God cared I wouldn’t be this way.”
“It’s very human to think so. God may want you to face this, and yourself.”
“Yeah? How do I do that, smartass?”
“I don’t know. I wish I did. The answers always come from within.”
“You sound like a fucking mystic on a mountain.”
“Well, we’re sort of on a mountain, and enlightenment is obviously needed.”
Lozano laughed at that.
“You’re stubborn and devoted, Dalton, I’ll give you that. If all this hasn’t shaken your faith, nothing ever will. Dumbass.”
“It’s been shaken. Hard. God sent me a message through the least likely channel, so I knew it was real.”
“Yeah?”
“Sergeant Spencer’s a dedicated atheist. He told me I had to hang onto my faith.”
“That’s kinda the first sergeant’s job.”
“Context matters.”
“Yup. And thirteen-year-olds are fine in this context.”
“All I can do is pray for you.”
Lozano’s voice had a mocking tone. “For me to give up my sins?”
Nice try, he thought. “Nope. For you to find whatever answer you need.”
“Unlock me and I’ll walk down the hill. Problem solved.”
“Whatever answer fits the available circumstances.”
“Yeah, always a catch. Did you get what you needed from this discussion?”
“For now, yes. Have a good day, Christopher.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
Had he gotten what he needed? If he needed to be disgusted with humanity, certain particular elements of humanity, science, and the world in general, yes.
He’d have his own discussion with the Lord about all that.
Dr. Raven was at the CQ and apparently saw his expression.
“What’s up?” she asked.
He pointed with a twist of his head. “The man’s a f…damned pedo. He likes the teenage girls.”
She almost shrugged. “Some are attracted to the first blush. Within evolutionary constraints it’s acceptable. Older is safer for reproduction, but it’s within the mean and evolutionary process doesn’t care about safety in the short term. As society has evolved it’s become unacceptable, but that’s a much faster change than the base instincts. Then, we have a spectrum of ephebophiles who regret it and seek help, and others who are sociopaths who hide the desire and use children as objects. Though we have to question how much of that sociopathy is native to their personalities or developed due to personal or societal shame.”
Rich didn’t like that as he processed it. “Are you’re saying it’s okay?”
She glared at him. “Oh, fuck no. I’m just explaining where it came from. In this time frame, murdering people for food is also a thing. In ours, it’s no longer acceptable. Exposing infants is considered okay. As I said, societal and social evolution is much faster than physiological.”
He said, “That’s more an argument for us being created than for any evolution.”
She just shook her head and replied, “I have no idea how to respond to that. You’re so far off you’re not even wrong.”
“Maybe, but I know that’s wrong.” He pointed with his head again.
“So do I. Believe me.”