The Lotus Eaters

Fort Cameron, Balboa, Terra Nova

In his analysis of the problem, Pigna had come to the conclusion that there was only one force really capable of intervening in the city. All the others—barring only the troops in the jungles of La Palma—would take from hours to days to mobilize and move against his 7th Legion. The troops in the jungle would take even longer.

But the Volgans . . . they're the only real threat to my operations. They're here; they're trained; they're organized. Let them loose and my legion would collapse like a house of cards as soon as any of them came to understand what is happening, beyond the handful I brought into the plan last night. Most of them are just following orders to secure the city and do certain things that they think come from Carrera.

Got to neutralize the Volgans.

With that in mind, he got out of his mule and walked the fifty odd concrete steps to the Volgan commander's quarters, the two moons cancelling out his shadow. He mounted the stairs and knocked. A somewhat plump Volgan woman answered the door, then turned and called something in a language he assumed was Russian. The man he recognized as Samsonov came to the door quickly.

"Legate Samsonov," Pigna began.

"Legate Pigna."

"I just wanted to let you know I've received orders from Carrera to do some very odd things in the city. My legion is already moving, by vehicle and on foot, to secure certain vital assets and critical facilities."

"War with the Taurans?" Samsonov asked. The prospect didn't seem to worry him overmuch.

"No," Pigna shook his head in negation. "At least I don't think so. Frankly, I'm not sure what Carrera has in mind. Though he insisted we break out and issue our basic load of ammunition."

"Damned strange. I would have expected him to have told me."

Pigna shrugged. "He did say that this was a test of readiness, so perhaps that's why you were not informed."

"Maybe. I hope no blood is spilled by mistake because people were not informed."

"Oh, I understand that he or someone will be speaking tomorrow morning. It should be all right."