Ch 2 (Pt 3): Experimental Weapon; The Wrong Question
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(Harrington)
As we withdraw high over the coastal plain, my musing thoughts are interrupted by Kade.
“Harrington Kade here shall we terminate the live feed broadcast? We’re scanning nominal enemy activity, proceeding to next assignment visit to friendly forward operating base for inspection and meeting with logistics team.”
Having captured for the propa feed the violent elimination of criminal terrorists, we have begun to move out of the disputed zone. Our POV shows us receding backward and downward in altitude, scanning for threats.
“Kade Harrington here no, please keep broadcasting as we scan for threats.”
Our eyes turn to the western horizon as a large flash of blue and purple is followed by a lingering orange that lights up the low clouds. These are the colours citizens associate with violent, fiery death.
We caught that on the live feed as a happy coincidence.
But now the drone’s sensors alert us to a surge of electromagnetic energy, a signature of Trans-Eurasia’s new experimental railgun.
Kade reacts. “Harrington Kade unsure what this is it’s fairly close you may want to hold on.”
I grip the railing and await the spectacle.
Suddenly the entire sky is lit with a huge, brilliant green arc and the landscape is briefly rendered brightly in an alien green daylight. It’s accompanied by electric crackling sounds and immediately followed by a massive, cracking then rolling thunder clap. Kade’s seat shakes violently as he winces. Kade and I glance at each other mock-nervously although we know we’re at a safe distance. Actually we’re not even there. We marvel as we vid-capture the awesome spectacle of this new weapon discharging, with its own unique and terrifying colour signature - and the sound of thunder!
Both Kade and I exhale.
As I relax my grip on the railing, the propa feed immediately cuts in with scenes of terror, residential buildings collapsing in real time, people running, screaming, some with gruesome burn injuries. The feed scrolls repeatedly:
UNPROVOKED TERROR ATTACK ON REMOTE MINING RESIDENCES – TERRIFYING NEW WEAPON VAPORIZES ENTIRE VILLAGE – SAVAGE NEW WEAPON KILLS INNOCENT CIVILIANS – THOUSANDS DEAD
This scene will be replayed countless times in the propa feeds, reinforcing the myth, which is real, of a frightening, capable and enraged enemy.
These displays of violence near the front line remind me that the fear and bloodshed keep us safe from our enemies. “Us” meaning the elite class. “Enemies” meaning all other humans.
As we continue retreating, I instruct Kade to cut the live feed, and Kade determines that it is safe and appropriate to relax and converse informally. He turns his chair toward me. I can see that he is ever so slightly rattled by what our POV and the propa feed has just captured. He is reacting to the enemy’s cruel, pointless violence.
“Do you ever wonder, sir, if the war will ever end? Is it possible that our enemies continue making war against us simply to maintain the status quo in their own corrupt society? To maintain their dictatorial control and so on?”
I look at Kade for a moment, considering his question, and decide to change the subject. I inquire with feigned urgency about the source and target of the conventional explosion we saw a moment ago, just before the railgun. Kade answers without hesitation while throwing a live casualty report to the screen.
“Yes, I see, good enough then.” But I’m thinking about the mistake Kade has just made.
I make a point of going back to the formal piloting communication convention while appearing to browse through my overlay display.
“Kade Harrington here please remind me who we’re meeting at this base command meeting.”
Kade immediately responds with information about the Logistics Officer and Supply Sergeant we’re meeting and their anticipated supply issues.
We reach the forward base and Kade uses the WRAITH POV to closely inspect the operation. The base is a sprawl of modular habitats, each housing a mix of military InfoTechs and BuilderHelpers.
“Kade Harrington here please switch POV to our base command meeting and please conduct the meeting at your discretion, I will not be attending, thank you Mr. Kade.”
I step down from my viewing platform and exit the drone command station just as the screen switches to a utilitarian boardroom where a tough but scared looking middle-aged man and a tired and very scared looking younger man both in army camo sit facing Kade. They will have just witnessed the rail gun discharge. There’s no need for me to terrorize them any further by looming over a discussion of supply checklists and ordnance requirements.
Their discussion fades as I emerge back into the serene quiet of my offices. I breathe and exhale. It always feels a bit weird coming back from the front.
As I walk I am strangely feeling the weight of the untruth of the whole matter we just participated in. It’s because of the question Kade asked. Of course, Kade, yes. The war is meaningless except for the purpose of social engineering. But you should not have asked about that.
My private feed reminds me to touch base with the heads of the visiting Leader families. It’s only a month until Earth Day. I need to review the notes of my speech commemorating the Earth Purge.