The Last Revolution Read Online Free PDF Page B

ago.”
    The Polemarch nodded at Lao. Alden had almost forgotten that he had been riding with them.
    “There was an explosion at a police graduation ceremony in the lunar colony of Apollo City at 0300 yesterday morning,” Lao said, with just the slightest hint of an accent.
    “How many dead?” Alden leaned forward. “Has anyone claimed responsibility?”
    “Initial reports indicate 12 dead and another 45 wounded. We think it was one of the lunar terrorist groups, but no one’s claimed responsibility yet.”
    “Why would they want to bomb a graduation ceremony?” Alden asked. “How’s the Council going to respond?”
    “They’re trying to destabilize our security efforts and make the financial and human cost more than we or the Three Nations can handle. But our resolve is strong, and we will find those that carried out this cowardly act and bring them to justice.”
    The Polemarch added, “Our resources are stretched to the limit, and the terrorists know we’re in a precarious place trying to provide peace and security within the colonies. They’re punishing anyone that works with us, as they did with the attack yesterday.” He paused for a moment, gazing sightlessly out the window. After a moment, he continued, “General Sokolov informs me you’ve become an accomplished strategist. How would you handle this situation?”
    The question took him back for a moment; it was rare to hear compliments on the island and Sokolov was as cold as any human could be. If he felt any confidence in his abilities he’d certainly never shared them with him. Did Vasentus really care what he had to say? “Permission to speak freely, sir?”
    Vasentus nodded.
    “We obviously have to respond, as you’ve already mentioned. To let them get away with this would only invite more attacks. As I’m sure you’re aware, we’re effectively waging two wars, one for the hearts and minds of the people and another against the insurgents themselves. People need to know they’re safe and we’ll protect them. We have to turn public perception against the terrorists, ostracize them, and convince people to turn them in.”
    “That’s quite a lofty goal.” Lao leaned back into this seat. “How would you accomplish that?”
    “As they’re killing people, we need to be building hospitals, schools. We have to make people’s lives better. Draw a stark contrast between the death and despair brought by the terrorists, and the hope and opportunity provided by the Council. We stopped the Three Nations from going to war, and helped broker the most critical treaty in human history. We’re a beacon of hope within a dark world, the colonists must know that.”
    Vasentus smiled. “You’re a good man, Alden, but the world’s just not that simple anymore.” He looked out the window. They passed out of the jungle and emerged at the top of a large hill. The school was only a few kilometers in front of them, with the mountain rising majestically behind it.
    “The place looks empty,” Vasentus said, disrupting Alden’s thoughts.
    “Yes, sir. Most of the students and primary staff members are at sea conducting naval exercises.”
    Vasentus looked at Alden raising his visible eyebrow. “Really, what are they practicing?”
    Alden glanced at his wrist deck. “It’s currently 0700 so they’ll be practicing hostage rescue.”
    “What does that involve?”
    “In twenty minute intervals they’ll be flown by copter from the deck of the Council vessel Enoch and lifted to three hundred meters. They’ll parachute down, making a quiet dive into the water. They’ll covertly swim fifty meters before making contact with the target ship’s hull. From there they’ll climb on board, locate the targets and neutralize them, hopefully without the loss of a single life. From the moment they leave the copter they’ll have exactly twenty minutes to finish. Missing any stage of the exercise will result in total failure and they’ll have to start