Chapter Twenty-Two – End Game
The last word must go to that eminently quotable general the Duke of Wellington. “Our soldiers, he once declared “are the mere scum of the earth.” In his day they were from the lowest levels of his society. Then, mindful of the famous victories those trained and disciplined soldiers had helped him deliver, he added “it is only wonderful that we have made them the fine fellows they are.”
Gideon was driven back to Haven City, in considerable pain, where doctors cut the arrow out with some difficulty and he was put on a couch in the administration building. The last pockets of resistance in the city had been cleaned out but there was still smashed glass, destroyed furniture and even dead Midis in many of the rooms. Still woozy from the drugs given to him, the colonel received a string of visitors including his officers who hung around the room.
“It may be over,” said Captain Toms. “We’re still looking for anyone willing to fight but there are no takers.”
Cavalry commander Captain Parker insisted on slapping Gideon’s raised palm. “Wild ride, man,” he said. “Wild ride.”
Gideon considered that comment his greatest complement.
His most welcome visitor was BD who fussed over his leg, which Gideon found to be soothing. Then she gently led forward her three year old son, a fair haired cherub who peeped out at Gideon from behind his mother.
“This is Richard,” said BD.
“Hey there,” said Gideon, extending his hand. “They call you Rich, right?”
Richard nodded shyly, the finger of one hand in his mouth, then he put his little palm in Gideon’s out stretched hand and smiled.
Later BD took Richard to see The Witches and although there the little boy did not venture out from behind his mother, she later told Gideon, the Witches were stunned. He was the first infant they had seen in the flesh in centuries. Strongly reminded of the cycle of life and death, they finally turned aside from their research into space time. In that sense perhaps, Black Robes had won, although not in the way he intended.
Another visitor who arrived when Gideon was having lunch with his officers, BD and Thomas without Gideon having to move from his couch, was an imposing Red Band in the company of Gordon Davis, the negotiator in the ruined business suit Gideon had met on the road to the reactor. He had cleaned up somewhat although he still looked as if he could use a couple of good meals. After a conversation with BD, the Red Band was introduced as General Klaarg, the only surviving senior officer on the Midi side.
“He wants to know what needs to be done for the fighting to stop,” said BD.
Gideon was suddenly conscious that everyone in the room was looking at him. “Well, the one non-negotiable condition is the release and return of all slaves at once. Beyond that, I’m not sure. There’s the river here which bisects the Haven plain as I understand it. Why not we live on this side of it and the Midis live on the other side – does that seem acceptable?” He looked around the room. All those present either nodded, shrugged or spread their hands.”
“Gordon, can you sort out the details with BD’s help?”
“It’ll be my honour,” said Gordon.
“More importantly, are those broad terms acceptable to our friend here and can he get his people to agree?”
BD translated and the general, who was relieved to find that they were not all to be enslaved, replied.
“He agrees to the broad terms,” said BD.
“Okay, but tell him that we expect the broad terms to be kept, especially on the issue of the return of the slaves, or the musketeers will start howling again.”
After another back and forth, BD said the general understood.
“Then that’s it. All officers, a general order. All units are to hold their positions until they receive further orders. They are not to fire unless they are attacked. Now go.”
“Yessir,” they chorused.
“It’s over,” said BD, clutching her little boy. “Hallelujah!”
The End
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! :|
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The Hallelujah Chorus, Handel’s Messiah, 1741