Hard Strike (Decker's War, #7) by Eric Thomson

Author:Eric Thomson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: space marine, space fleet, space navy fiction, espionage, canadian author science fiction, science fiction terrorism, science fiction rebellion
Publisher: Sanddiver Books
Published: 2019-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

— Twenty-Six —

An appalled silence settled over Morrow’s office. The two Constabulary officers stared at Decker with growing alarm.

“You mean there could be several hundred kilograms of that devil’s mixture left on Cimmeria?” The chief superintendent suddenly sounded hoarse.

“Or more. Silfax was a test and a warning. It caused enough casualties and destruction to get the government’s attention, but not quite enough to stampede it into calling for martial law and Fleet assistance right away. The next target will be an even more important node, something that’ll cause a bigger shock to Cimmeria society.”

“Cheerful bugger,” Galdi said, scowling.

“Why has no one claimed responsibility yet?”

Talyn’s chuckle sounded grim.

“Psychological pressure. The longer Cimmerian cops and politicians are in the dark about who and why, the more time they have to dream up worst-case scenarios and make counterproductive decisions. That leads to panic, and if it strikes the planet’s leadership, the population will quickly sink into helpless fear. People who are afraid will do anything to ease their terror, such as forcing elected officials to negotiate with radical groups. Someone will claim responsibility, but not yet. If the bastards placed one or more moles inside the government or law enforcement, they’ll be able to time it with exquisite precision.”

“At least we enjoy one advantage they didn’t expect. We can tell the Cimmerian authorities how it was done and who’s responsible.”

Talyn raised a hand with index, middle, and ring fingers extended.

“Three advantages, Caelin. The one you just mentioned, plus the fact terrorists don’t know Zack and I are in play and that one of the Commonwealth’s premier counterstrike units is already on its way.”

Decker grunted.

“We hope. I asked for a squadron to back me in the Scandia business and they sent a troop. Not even a company but a troop.”

“That was a different situation, Zack,” Talyn replied. “The boss will come through this time.”

“Terrorists who massacre thirty-five hundred civilians to get a government’s attention frighten me. Face it. We’re outmatched this time around and can’t rely on local help. The boss better come through or we’ll see a lot more dead children.”

“He will. But back to out our advantages. I said we have three. The third is a name that can lead us to the bastards. Alasdair Malter, who traveled as Alek Mannsbach, was the DSA’s envoy to the Mission Colony Freedom Collective. He gave the late Gustav Kerlin money and a kilo of MHX to join his organization. Malter’s the reason we’re here.”

“Since both of you keep using the past tense when speaking of the dead, may I assume this individual is no longer among the living?”

“Some people don’t react well to interrogation drugs,” Talyn replied. “And in a field situation, we can’t test them beforehand.”

Morrow raised a hand.

“I don’t want to know.”

“As you wish. But our best bet right now is to find his friends and acquaintances. Many will be DSA members. It’s the only thread we can pull on.”

A soft but insistent chime forestalled Morrow’s reply. She tapped the screen embedded

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