Wrath of Axia (The Arcadian Jihad) by Eric Schneider Page B

he’d had no way to fight back. In the First War of the Systems he’d been a serving naval officer. It was a time of continuous, massive attacks from the religious fanatics that led to the downfall of Republic. In the Second War of the Systems, when the rebels of the Republic fought back, he’d become a guerilla fighter. That had resulted in victory for the rebels and the restoration of the Republic. Even if it was a Republic in name only. Since then, and until this moment, he’d almost been a man without a cause. Apart from Evelyn, for she had become his life. But how could they enjoy the life they both sought when they were living under a tyrannical dictator? He realized to his surprise that he actually relished the idea of fighting once more, not only for the woman he loved but also for a cause that was just and good. It was the honorable way.
      “Then it seems that we’re about to fight once more for the freedom of the Nine Systems. What do we need to do first, gentlemen?” Tell asked.
    Blas looked at him. “We have to find Berg Smetana.”
    Tell nodded. “You’re right, for if we are to beat these people we need his special brand of violence and cunning.”
      Smetana’s exploits were legendary. He was a trained master assassin, and he could infiltrate an enemy position and leave reduced to a morgue. Men would follow him too. They would always follow a leader who won his battles yet never left a single man behind on the field.
    “The question is this. Where is he?” Rusal added. “They say he’s on Cadmus, but if that’s true, whereabouts on Cadmus? It’s a large planet.”
    “Sir, I think I can help you there.”
    It was Karn Vansen, the man who’d brought Tell to the house. He continued, “Berg hid out with me for a short time. He said that there was a band of resistance fighters on Cadmus. If anything went wrong, he said he’d join them. Their base is in the city of Arta.”
    So at least they knew where to start looking, but there was a further problem. Cadmus, in the Sirius system, seemed like an impossible distance for men with no ship.
    “In that case we must find a way to get to Cadmus. I think I may be able to get us passage on a naval vessel,” Rusal said thoughtfully. “My adjutant, Captain Cantar, despises the cruelty of these people as much as we do. I’ll call him on my secure communicator and see if he can help. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
    While he was out of the room, they tried to put together the beginnings of a strategy to begin the fight. It was a daunting prospect.
    “Last time around we had the makings of a resistance movement, tens of thousands of troops fresh from their defeat by the Axians and waiting for a chance to strike back. This time, they’ve been clever. Most of the troops have been disarmed and demobilized over the years. We’ve got nothing left,” Blas stated, the dismay evident in his voice.
    “That’s not entirely true,” Max countered. “If Smetana has joined up with the resistance movement on Cadmus, it could be the nucleus of our new army.”
    “It’ll need to be quite a nucleus to take on Bartok’s forces.”
    “Faith can move mountains, Mr. Blas.” Xerxes Tell smiled at Blas’ pessimism. “While I was imprisoned, I had little to comfort me other than remembering the words that great men have handed down to us over the centuries. One man said, ‘Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe’. I believe those words to be true, something for us all to keep in mind in the weeks and months to come.”
    Rusal returned in time to hear Xerxes Tell. He gave him a nod of approval and picked up his glass.
    “Gentlemen, I suggest we drink a toast. To faith, and to the President of the Nine Systems.”
    They all raised their glasses and drank. Blas managed to keep his feelings hidden, for