Re: Dawn - Nothing
2409.9
Zezzis system
Zezzis X
The ground combat was vicious. It was classic “strength versus numbers”, as 23 medium troops of the Dawn backed up with 15 fighters attacked the almost 100 militia troops protecting the research facilities. The fighters were the deciding factor, staying in formation and sniping away at the edges of the militia, turning and running to a new spot away from their fire and picking off those on the edge. The militia troops were actually winning the battle in the streets, but they had no answer for the fighters.
Zezzis X was now a Dawn colony. Twenty-five research facilities and over 3.5 billion lives just changed hands from the Sergetti to the Dawn. With that many colonists, rioting ensued. The small transport Polk brought more troops in to quell the rioters. It would take time, but the riots would – hopefully – settle down.
Pantrissa system
Pantrissa II
The security was impressive.
Late – thought Edwards – but impressive.
She was here as the head of the intelligence directorate. Such a simple thing, security. ‘Take nothing for granted. Trust no one.’
The saboteur didn’t make it away from this planet, like his counterparts did at Pantrissa VI and VIII. He was in a prison cell. He was naked, and sitting on the floor. There were no windows, no features, no anything. Four walls of nothing. The light that was in the room was from a single recessed light bulb.
Like most, the man would try to demonstrate his faith and hold out as long as possible and not break under questioning.
But there was no questioning.
There was nothing.
Minute.
After minute.
After minute.
The minutes turned to hours.
Nothing.
No questioning. No one to hold out against.
Except himself.
It started innocently enough. A small movement with the foot. Then, a bit later, a shift in position.
‘Just to get the cramp out’ was the rationalization.
Then the realization that the cramp may have been a test from his goddess and he failed.
Panic. Unworthy. Failure.
Then the resolve for a few more minutes.
But still nothing.
No one.
He prays, but he is alone.
Religious fervor wanes in the face of no opposition. In the face of nothing, what is there to be angry against?
Nothing.
Then the taunting. "Just try and break me…just try it!! I’ll tell you nothing!! Nothing, do you hear me!! Nothing!!!”
But he is alone.
Minutes pass and he realizes he had failed.
He will tell them nothing. He told them. He gave in. He told them nothing, and they have nothing. They have nothing because he told them nothing. He told it to them!
They have nothing.
They have what he promised they would have.
He fails again.
He is unworthy.
He breaks down and begins to scream. For anybody. For somebody.
Rita Edwards was impressed with the security. In less than three hours, the prisoner broke and was babbling to no one.
She thanked the doctors and the guards, and was escorted to her ship. She had to be back at headquarters next month. Timing was crucial. The Norak ambassador had requested a meeting with the Chairman and she would be there.
Lacerta system
...onboard CDS Beagle...
Captain Cabrerra was returning to Sheliak. He had identified a Norak planet that would be the target of a strike. There would be some concern as to how the Cheththod would react to a strike in their system, but that would be secondary. He would be back there next month to lead the attack.
With nothing...
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