The Son of Light

Chapter 17 Base Defense

While Hannah and Thad observed their current predicament with steadfast devotion and resolve, Matthias meantime observed his own issues regarding Schöber, at no small cost to his mental health. Schöber had finally recovered from his wounds and was finally ready to infiltrate the Internment Zone to get photographic evidence for the cause. However the situation had become rather dire, and two fronted for Matthias. A few days before Schöber recovered fully, compatriots of Die Eisenfaust  were all summoned to the Manor to be debriefed on a new mission, the details of which only seemingly worsened the situation for Matthias. 

"As many of you have undoubtedly heard, a plane was shot down by the Allied mandate forces, and summarily crashed into the Internment zone. The pilot mean time, has evaded capture. Now, the details of the situation remain undisclosed to the general public, However due to the arrival of twenty escaped children into the Njord Federation, which Matthias abetted, albeit a noble gesture, may have doomed our situation. The testimony of these children have prompted an investigation into the claims they made before parliament which made headlines of various international newspapers." Wandy threw down an unfolded headline for all to see. "This has drawn unwanted attention to the Allied Mandate which could very easily began the mass murder of all the Ghüddsche, in order to hide their crimes. And these children's testimonies apparently corroborate with the testimony of several escapee's a few years ago. If my intelligence serves me right, the Njord federation has begun to make moves of proving the validity of these claims. In other words a pilot and spy got a little too ambitious, and may have caused grounds for mobilization of the Allied Mandate's forces. In order to save the many, we must sacrifice the few." He now looked at each and everyone of them in turn. "All of you need to understand. If this pilot manages to return with any kind of evidence along with his testimony, it will trigger a war and the annihilation of all remaining Ghüddsche within the Fatherland. We will not allow that! Your mission is simple. Find the man, and kill him!"

Matthias and the others retired to the drawing room afterwards to discuss their plan of attack. Puffing on cigars the boys stared about with glum faces and wearied expressions. At length Rabb said what was being mutually shared amongst the boys and there expressions with one another. "What are we even doing anymore? We now have a chance to expose these devils' and now we have to kill a fellow compatriot in order to save the Fatherland? I didn't sign up for this! To kill my own race! If he were a race traitor than it be different I'd have no qualm in killing him, but to kill one who is on our side . . . We've lost the plot." No one commented, what was there to say? Finally Marletto said "We all knew the risks, that in order for our salvation we would have to kill those we may not want to kill, but we have to trust the plan. Have faith in Wandy's judgement." "Wandy's judgement," exclaimed Rusty balefully. "It seems like his 'Judgment' is becoming more and more detrimental to our cause then beneficial." The boys all murmured in agreement. "Quiet!" Hissed Takeshi fearfully. "These walls are thin!" 

"Why so fearful Takeshi?" asked Craggy suspiciously. "Are we not free to speak in this house? If you know something we don't, say so." Takeshi made an expression that in Matthias' opinion, looked like someone who is holding in a painful urge to defecate. "I-I just don't think it is wise to discuss this here while Wandy is close. . ." He suddenly rose and said. "I need to use the latrine!" and quietly exited the room. "He's been acting rather strangely of late," remarked Benny suspiciously. "How'd you mean?" asked Matthias raising his eyebrows. "Me and him were both summoned for a mission, just the two of us mind, a week ago, and when we returned, well. . . ." All the boys were now looking at Benny with rapt attention. "Go on," encouraged Marletto. Benny swallowed and continued. "Takeshi said he had to go ask Wandy something. But when he came back, he was different." "Different how?" asked Rusty and Rabb together. "He was troubled, really . . . jumpy and . . . skittish. As if he were suddenly afraid of something. His whole countenance was completely . . ." There was suddenly a creak of wood outside the door. They all whirled about, Matthias his heart pounding. One of the boys quickly ran and threw open the door. "No one there?" he exclaimed. "I-it's an old house!" reasoned another boy nervously. "They creak!" But no one dared say anything more.