Fall With Honor by E. E. Knight

Author:E. E. Knight
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: valentine, speculative fiction, Horror, fiction, Science Fiction, human-alien encounters, david (fictitious character), horror fiction, general
ISBN: 9780451462107
Publisher: RoC
Published: 2008-07-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The Allegheny Alliance, West Virginia, June: The campaign surrounding the great union in the Alleghenies near the town of Utrecht is one more men claimed to be at than ever were. Or if not themselves in person, a brother, a cousin, an uncle or aunt, or a cousin—laid down like a trump card when veterans get together to talk about their experiences in the Liberation. (Only writers of lurid exploitative novels title the fight against the Kurian Order the “Vampire Wars.”)

It’s safe to say that Utrecht, West Virginia, had never seen such a feast, even during holidays during the platinum age pre-2022. The town square had a smaller square of groaning white-clothed banquet tables set up within. The old pedestal in front of the courthouse that had once contained a memorial to First World War veterans (replaced by a statue of a Reaper holding a human baby up so it could look up at the stars, and happily sawn off at the ankles the week before when the “guerrilla army” occupied the town) had a new set of stairs, as well as platform and loudspeaker system for speechmaking. Most said Special Executive Karas had been working on a stemwinder for months, looking forward to this moment.

For David Valentine, out of thousands readying themselves for a party of special magnificence, the night held little promise.

* * * *

David Valentine drove the cart back into company headquarters, fighting tears. All around the people were putting up colorful bunting (red, white, and blue or yellow being the colors of choice, but some folks were making due with tinsel and other old Christmas decorations).

Blueberries were in season, and Bee happily scooped out an entire pie Ediyak purchased for her. Ediyak was whistling Southern Command marching tunes, rather off-key. Every storefront had fresh baked goods for sale, and around the back door bottles and flasks and mason jars of liquor were being passed out in exchange for everything from gold or silver coin to overcoats, old eyeglasses, and boots.

Southern Command’s officers and NCOs spoiled not a few prospective evenings by checking packs and ammunition pouches of those traveling to and from town.

Valentine pulled himself together enough to institute a liquor search of his own when he returned, and three bottles were emptied into the thirsty Allegheny dirt and Patel had new miscreants for latrine and garbage duty. Though he’d laid out his best uniform for the banquet, the prospect of a feast had lost all its luster and he decided not to attend. He checked in at headquarters and swapped purchases he’d made in town for twenty-four duty-free hours after the banquet. He wanted quiet and solitude.

Jolly was left in command of the camp. He said he’d heard enough speeches about Kurian tactics of fear never conquering the human spirit in his life. But he almost ordered Valentine to go.

“If anyone deserves a good feed, it’s you, Valentine,” he said. “You’ve kept us in fresh eggs and vegetables for three months.”

Moytana saved him from being ordered to attend by appearing.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.