Depraved by Trent Evans
Chapter 16
The generals were arrayed at the huge table, arcing in a semi-circle around him, the Central Committee’s best and brightest, Kaman at the center of it, standing before them.
“Report, General Merson.”
He was Kaman’s most senior—and ruthless—general, with decades of experience, and with a cruelty streak Kaman regularly allowed the man to indulge.
He needed hard men, willing to do awful things in the cause of preserving Order and Harmony.
And on numerous occasions, Kaman had found Merson exceedingly willing to show just how capable he was of doing awful things.
The man’s thick, white beard moved in time with his words, his dark blue eyes like chunks of ice—and every bit as cold.
“Our units are in place, fully supplied and awaiting orders. But they have no idea why they’ve been staged as they have. What shall I tell them, Chairman?”
“You tell them nothing. They’ll obey—and wait for your further orders, Merson.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Kaman laced his fingers behind himself, strolling along the long arc of the table, just behind the assembled generals. “The HKUs are now in sufficient numbers that they’ve been assigned to many of the TSS shock units. Especially the forward elements. Expect that, and plan accordingly. Make sure your field commanders understand that while the HKUs are integrated into their formations, the individual HKUs must have freedom of movement, and command autonomy when needed.”
General Vellna cleared his throat, the slender, pale visage marked by the suddenly raised eyebrow. “Freedom of movement, Chairman? How are the commanders supposed to—”
“Yes, Vellna, complete freedom. Trust the plan. Ensure your commanders trust it too.” Kaman turned, glaring at Vellna. “Or their superiors will be held directly accountable. Am I clear?”
“Yes… yes, Chairman.”
Vellna had gone still, as if even the slightest movement might provoke Kaman’s sometimes volcanic temper.
The simpering executive officer wasn’t far from the mark, Kaman watching him for a long moment before continuing his stroll behind the assembled generals.
“We’ve allowed the rebels to be played off against one another, and The Sixth Society has benefited in the meantime. Peace, prosperity, and justice will prevail once these traitors are finally brought to heel.”
He stopped, and as if on cue, all of the generals turned around in their chairs, watching.
“What I’m about to say cannot ever leave this room. It’s been kept from most of you until now, due to the need to maintain the utmost of operational security. Understand?”
“Yes, Chairman,” they answered, their combined voices almost thunderous.
Kaman began to walk again, rounding the far end of the table. “TSS special intelligence operatives were the ones responsible for supplying Carter with the information that Benton Wyndham had refused to conduct reprisals against TSS supporting citizens.”
A tiny ripple of murmuring sounded from the Generals, but Kaman went on.
“The hope was that Carter would kill his erstwhile ally in a rage. And that is precisely what came to pass. The plan, gentleman, worked elegantly. Better than we could possibly have hoped. The rebels are in disarray. Splintered. Distracted. Suspicious of traitors everywhere in their midst.” Kaman affected a grin. “A splendid irony, that? Traitors suspecting traitors?”
Scattered chuckling sounded from the group.
“The HKUs are now in sufficient numbers that the time has come to finally wipe out The Awakened… and the Carter Faction along with them.”
A shocked stirring erupted from the Generals, eyes wide, shock upon several faces.
“In mere days, all HKU units will be issued secret orders, directives instructing them to smash nearby rebel positions, and ultimately, to attack the—up to this point—secret rebel base in the Emerald Fen.”
“They’ve found it?” one of the generals asked, incredulous.
Kaman nodded. “Oh, much more than that, even. The plan is for one massive attack to crush the rebels so comprehensively that their movement will fizzle and die. Afterward, the Intelligence and Security bureaus will make a concerted, coordinated effort to track down, arrest, and execute any remaining holdouts. The Central Committee will no longer tolerate any dissent, nor any foolish agitating for “freedom”—which the rebels seem to believe is their entitlement based upon some foolish notion of a Creator. As you gentlemen well know, there is no such thing—there is only the here and now. There is only the Party. Only The Sixth Society!”
Kaman raised his voice as he looked upon each of his generals in turn. “And this operation is going to bring home that fact in a way even the most die-hard agitator, or malcontent “freedom fighter” will understand. As they writhe in their death agonies, their life draining away, they will finally learn the truth. That there is nothing waiting for them in some mythical next life.”
Kaman moved to the center of the room again, once more surrounded by his generals at the table. He held up his clenched fist as he said the last.
“This is the time to show the citizens, once and for all, that those who dare challenge the peace and prosperity, the enlightened moral leadership and guidance of The Sixth Society… will receive not a single ounce of mercy.”