THE WAR OF MARIAN

JG McCord

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Published by AuthorHouse 10/20/2020

ISBN: 978-1-7283-6496-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-6494-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-6495-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020911354

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 Drills In The Morning

Chapter 2 Failure in the evening

Chapter 3 Scouting Mission

Chapter 4 New Horizon

Chapter 5 The City of Icardia

Chapter 6 Beyond the wall

Chapter 7 The mission

Chapter 8 Together forever

Chapter 9 Shots fired

Chapter 10 Newcomers

Chapter 11 A Night at a Bonfire

Chapter 12 Secrets at the Library

Chapter 13 When on Mars

Chapter 14 The First Conflict

Chapter 15 A truth revealed

Chapter 16 A soldier fit for a Rebel

Chapter 17 Holding onto Fire

Chapter 18 Oakden’s Deal

Chapter 19 Interrogation

Chapter 20 Weapons of Mass Destruction

Chapter 21 Meet and Greet

Chapter 22 Short Reunion

Prologue

The world had settled into an era of advancement and expansion. The gained ability of space travel opened new opportunities for Earth. Expeditions were sent to other planets to scope out land and resources suitable for life to prosper and further start new settlements. After two decades of searching, multiple planets were found to meet the needs of humanity. This would be Earth’s greatest achievement and their greatest time of prosperity.

Soon, groups of people had settled into colonies on other planets such as Mars and Venus, along with planets on the outer belt such as Saturn and the moons of Jupiter. Engineers built domes to allow for human survival and stability until the foreign planets could be made habitable. With the quickly advancing technology, soon even that was easily accomplished. Humanity over three hundred years had made their mark on the universe by making well known that this galaxy was theirs.

Nations formed and grew on a multitude of planets, expanding the reach of the human race. Since the red planet, Mars, along with Venus, nicknamed the silver planet, were the easiest to inhabit, growth was rapid and fast-paced. Mars and Venus quickly became similar to Earth’s atmospheric conditions with the ability to sustain life, this with the basic necessities for growing and harvesting food along with livestock.

The two planets developed their own government, laws, and military. Fields grew food and kept livestock as towns and cities were erected to sustain a growing population and the need for Earth’s guidance and protection was no longer needed, and more importantly, was no longer wanted. With threats of war, Mars broke away from the rule of Earth while Venus became neutral ground. Mars and Venus easily obtained their independence from Earth. The vast distance between the planets made it difficult for Earth to control them for this reason, Earth relinquished their rights. The sister planets were able to make their own laws and govern their own people. Six centuries of peace passed. Life prospered and the three planets held neutrally beneficial alliances with one another.

Then the world appointed capital of Earth started to fall apart, divided through various reasons and separate agendas, the fighting escalated, and war broke out. Amongst the chaos of civil war many other countries took advantage of the weaknesses and attacked, trying to gain a foothold and win the rights to lead Earth. Soon a world war had broken out and no one was safe. War was fought on all fronts and the land became tainted and stained with the blood of the innocent lives lost.

The world was tearing itself apart and the neighboring planets watched as Earth would soon destroy itself. The Venus government sent forces to help, but with the threat of destruction reaching their planet, they removed their forces and left Earth to its own. Many people tried to escape to the other planets while they could, but it was too late. Mars and Venus refused to open the ports and accept any refugees, leaving Earth to its own demise. After twelve years of war, Earth reached an agreement of peace for the sake of the remainder of humanity.

A peace treaty was signed almost two hundred years ago. The Earth still bears scars of the past great war that almost destroyed humanity. Where the fires once burned, out of the ashes, humanity survived and started to rebuild itself determined to be a greater civilization then before. A century passed and it seemed humanity was on the rise once more, that was until unexpectedly a plague swept through Earth. The people of Venus and Mars were unaffected. Because of that, humanity would have a fighting chance.

Many accused the red planet of causing the disease as an attempt to take control of the planet. Mars’s population had continued to grow and taking control of the Earth would present opportunities for expansion and relief from overcrowding.

Over the centuries that had passed, the citizens of Mars appeared to display differences in their genetic makeup to that of earthlings and this difference made them immune to the disease that had spread over Earth, it also gave the Mars citizens different outward appearances. The disease caused blood to pour from the eyes, ears, and nose of the infected. It was this reason the disease was given the name the red death. This accusation caused tensions between that of Earth and Mars. Soon all treaties and alliances with Mars were dissolved and it seemed Earth would once again see the destruction of war.

However, the Earth’s military was in no position to fight Mars. The red death ravaged Earth and once again, humanity was on the brink of extinction. With the almost complete annihilation of humanity came the destruction of everything along with it. Cities burned while buildings fell, homes and towns were once again taken over by the land. Earth was returning to a time before it was touched by humans. In its wake left the ruins of a civilization lost to the test of time.

It has been just over a hundred years since the red death was neutralized. Humanity survived but just barely. The survivors gathered to form pockets of civilizations and societies around a now changed earth. The first nation constructed held the second largest number of people at a couple of hundred thousand following behind the nation of Tiffiledien. The nation of Helenia is protected by a wall that surrounds the eastern side along with part of the northern and southern sides. The southern borders are met with a vast amount of water with the nation of Tiffiledien sighted in the distant horizon. While the northern borders tapered off into the east and west were home to immense and treacherous mountains that generate strong, freezing winds and snowstorms making travel almost impossible. Beyond the western boarders, lay a desert stretching for miles.

The government of this civilization quickly rebuilt a functioning society led by military forces. Within their borders, the people lived by a four-tier system with towns and cities contained in each tier. The outermost tier, Consus, is home to those that live on the outermost of the borders. The people live in small towns in grassy plains near an over towering wall that protects the boundaries of the grasslands and the city. The people live simply but hold jobs that provide for the many by tending to the farmlands and the livestock.

The second outer tier, Lincoln, is split into industrial and manual labor. The people work tirelessly with the military to make weapons and machinery to strengthen the stronghold of the military defenses. The industrial tier, along with the military, makes up the mass of the workforce, providing textiles, weapons, and goods.

The third tier, Charles, holds that of the military forces. Not only is the military responsible for protecting the border and act as law enforcement for the nation, but also work on breakthroughs and advancements to help rebuild humanity and strengthen its forces from threats of otherworldly proportion.

The innermost tier, Otho, belongs to the aristocrats and leaders of the nation, the ones that pull the strings for the remainder of humanity. They live in wealth and security away from any possible attacks.

Then there are those that fall outside the tiers, outside the construction of a government, those that fall outside the wall and the borders. It is rumored that the people who live outside the wall can’t even be considered human. There is something different about them. Their genes are different. Some of them even carry the red death gene but show no signs of illness. For that reason, the government fears another outbreak of the disease that would potentially wipe out humanity in its entirety.

The outer tiers think this might be the next step in the evolutionary chain, while others think that those on the outside of the wall are citizens from Mars lying in wait to attack and overtake the Earth. In reality, they are outsiders because they resist the rule of the structured government, disagreeing with the laws and social structure. Their goal is to overthrow the current government and rebuild a government acceptable for all, even those with a unique genetic makeup.

Though there is tension with those on the outside of the wall, a declaration of war has not been established, but there is fear and fear always make for rash decisions. Tensions are on the rise and it’s only a matter of time before units are sent out in an action to destroy those that are different.

Chapter 1

DRILLS IN THE MORNING

Hey Dans, did you read the paper today

Liam jumped over the bench sliding into a seat next to his best friend, Dani. Even sitting down, he loomed over her, a task that was not at all hard given how tall he was. He grabbed the paper out of his back pocket and laid it on the table where it unfurled itself. Now anyone who wanted to read it could, allowing themselves to be exposed to all the exciting news being feed to the mindless masses by those in higher positions or influences.

Yes, because between waking you up, the mandatory morning run, getting dressed, and waking you up again, I just have so much time to read the paper. Honestly, I’m not even sure where you found the time to read the paper and by the way you missed the run.

Awe, don’t be too hard on him Dani, we all know Liam is only good at one thing...

being devilishly good looking and hardworking Liam interrupted.

Aiden spat out his breakfast of eggs in a fit of laughter. A girl with long blond hair that was kept up in a neat, tight bun with bangs falling loosely in her face, walked up to the table to join the group of cadets eating their breakfast.

What’s so funny, Aiden? Sarah, the blond hair girl, asked.

The idea that Liam was anything but irresponsible not to mention a procrastinator was humorous. Liam had a talent for always showing up to formation, training, or anything that didn’t involve food or sleep, late. He somehow managed to always slip under the commander’s radar. His outgoing personality attracted a profusion of attention whether it was positive or negative. It was his mouth that unfortunately got him into trouble.

"Liam thinks he’s hard-working.

Hard-working, you? Now that is funny. Sarah sat her food down and joined the rest of her fellow cadets at the table, scooting in next to Aiden.

What I was going to say is being a complete screw up Aiden finally finished his sentence to the group of friends.

Someone’s just angry they didn’t get their beauty sleep this morning Liam stated with a hint of glee to his voice, preening like a ray of sunshine, putting on a show of it. He knew his comment would get Aiden wired up. Liam enjoyed watching Aiden get mad over silly things and any opportunity that presented itself to help that along Liam took advantage of.

Not all of us have the ability to sleep in and miss the morning requirements while staying clear of the consequences. How you manage to do it fathoms me. Dani commented while her dark green eyes continued glancing at the paper Liam had now shoved in her face.

She was in a daze, her mind far off thinking about something else. One of the articles had caught her attention and she was currently entranced by it. Dani was by no means shy but she was quiet. She often looked lost in thought but anyone who knew Dani Mitchell knew that was never the case. She was in fact calculating every situation and was always studying her surroundings.

Breakfast time was the few minutes the cadets had in the morning to enjoy some friendly conversation before heading out to formation and receiving the morning brief that would set the tone for the full and exhausting day of training they would have to endure. Everyone lives for these few moments. At each table, comrades were building lifelong bonds through laughter and storytelling.

One person was holding their side laughing at something someone else had said at the table across from where Dani and her group sat. At the table adjacent from them, two girls gossiped over a fellow male cadet that had caught the eye of one of the girls. The table behind them, someone was leaning over into the aisle, head in hands, nursing a headache from too much drinking from the night before while his friend stood in the aisle making judgmental comments.

The dining hall was filled with conversation that created a noise that almost soothed her. Dani appreciated the simplicity of it all. The knowledge that all of them were there for a reason that combined them in a bond stronger than blood.

What interesting news does the almighty paper give us today? Aiden joked.

It seemed the daily newspaper was more rubbish then insightful. It spun tails ranging from super soldier Marsians who had come to Earth spying on humanity to that of possible alliances between Mars and Venus. There are even bits on war campaigns from the leadership and how they would put an end to the conflict between Earth and Mars. In all reality, there was no real conflict between Earth and Mars and even if there were, Earth would never stand a chance against the Marsian forces. Earth was still too weak, and humanity was spread too thin compared to the population Mars had built over the past few centuries. While Earth was suffering from war and disease, Mars was on the rise, building an empire.

It seems the prince of Mars is looking for a bride. And that’s not all. He would prefer to take a bride from Earth. Dani went on to inform the others. it seems by taking a wife from Earth it will mend the tension and bring peace to our two worlds.

That seems a bit... well old and barbaric. A contract marriage isn’t something humans have done for at least a thousand years! Sarah chimed in. Furthermore, why would someone who is in complete power that isn’t being challenged by any other force feel the need to establish a peace treaty of any means, especially with Earth?

Unless Mars is being challenged, possibly by Venus. Aiden added, flicking his fork towards the paper.

Even if they are, Earth is still rebuilding, we’re in no position to stand grounds. We’re not really the go to here. Liam air quoted. Plus, we have stable alliances with Venus going back hundreds of years, since their independence, in fact. So, there’s no way we would side with Mars.

Liam was right. Earth held no power. We were weak. At one-point Earth was the foundation, but with humanity having to start over so many times, Earth had become a dying planet and it had taken everything to hold on to the little bit of life they had left. The last hundred years showed promise, the population was on the rise, nations had been rebuilt and functioning governments were in power, but the idea that a prince from one of the most powerful planets wants to marry someone from Earth was ridiculous. Unless it was a power play to take over Earth. After all, humanity might not survive, but there were plenty of resources to still be used and with Mars growing, they needed all the resources they could get.

The bell rang alerting the cadets to the end of breakfast and the beginning of another challenging day of training. Dani trained harder than most. Her father was a general holding a job at the eastern command, therefore the expectations of Dani were higher. As much as the commanders and other trainers pushed her, no one pushed her harder than herself. She was bound and determined to be the best that she could be, not because she was trying to live up to her father’s expectations but because there were people she wanted to protect.

There was a chill in the air and the leaves on the trees surrounding the academy compound were starting to change. Fall had arrived. This time of year, had always been Dani’s favorite. To her, the world seemed more peaceful. Everyone seemed to be happier and was enjoying the cooler days after suffering through the long hot and sticky days of summer. The vigorous training was somewhat more bearable when the blazing sun wasn’t scorching Dani and her fellow cadets.

It was honorable and a desire to be accepted into the military’s academic program. The nation of Helenia was one of the first pockets of humanity to retain any type of structure and gain stabilized mobility paving the way to take hold of smaller, still developing nations and towns that surrounded Helenia. It wasn’t long before Helenia had tripled in size making it one of the largest nations. The military played a vital role in the success of the large nation. It was the force that controlled the people and implemented the laws set down by the leaders. The nation of Helenia was a military run state with a panel of generals at the control. The only person higher than them was the leader, a totalitarian of a man that goes by the name of King Foley.

Everyone had lined up and was in a tight-knit formation ready to receive the brief. The air was crisp, and the sun was hiding behind the clouds making the morning feel hazy and gray. The sky and dark, low hanging clouds teased the trainees with the idea of rain. Even though it was a bit chilly standing out in the wide-open courtyard it certainly beat the hot summer days when the sun was brutally unkind.

The brief was by far the most daunting and taxing part of the day. It seemed as if the brief would go on indefinitely. It didn’t help that the entire duration of the brief was spoken whilst everyone was at attention holding still in complete unison. The government held the military forces, especially those who attended the cadet academy, to the highest of standards. Those who graduate from the cadet school would go on to join the ranks of the elite task forces with higher ranks.

The commander spoke with such stamina and excitement, one would think the cadets were receiving a heartfelt speech about standing together and fighting till the last man stood right before charging the enemy.

Today will be the day that each of you will take your next step to join the glorious ranks amongst the elite. The tasks that each of you will face are meant to be challenging, they are meant to push you, to break you, to tear you down and then when you feel you can no longer continue you will find the inner strength and that will rebuild you into the cadet, into the leader needed to succeed and lead.

Liam leaned over towards Aiden and whispered. Who do you think he’s trying to convince with all this hero bullshit?

Aiden in returned snickered at the comment. You’d think he was preaching.

Should we give a hallelujah shout out? Liam commented.

Liam and Aiden were quietly taunting the commander while in the background he continued his speech about honor and glory. Droning on and on about duty and the self-sacrifice needed to better the lives of the remanding survivors of Earth.

Dani gave both of them a look that was a good indication of what she would do to them if they didn’t stop fooling around, followed by an immensely disapproving shush. Dani actually enjoyed the two guys shenanigans, especially during an hour long brief that she had heard every day since joining the academy four years ago, but she would never let them know that. They wouldn’t let her live it down.

We will be running drills this morning and into the afternoon. Each of you will be assigned a squad. Once you receive your squad number, join your fellow squad members in your assigned area. Each team will pick a leader. That leader will be given an envelope that will give each team further instructions. Treat this like a real mission because one day your life will depend on how serious you take this today. Your squad will not eat lunch until the mission is complete so finishing in a timely manner would behoove you, that being said, accuracy is also key. Too many mistakes and your squad will do the mission over. Failure will not be tolerated. After lunch, half of you will work with arms and the other half in combat for two hours and then we will switch and go again for another two hours. At that time, we will reconvene. Now, the officers will call names, listen up because it will only get repeated once. When you hear your name move to the designated area.

Five officers started to call names and in a stampede of excitement, cadets started moving left and right. They were moving fast and swiftly with a purpose, but that’s just how it was in the military. Time was precious and moving slowly could be the difference between life and death.

Dani heard her name called along with a few other cadets she was familiar with. They all moved to the east side of the courtyard where the trainees met Warrant Officer Reed. He was short for a male, but he was built like a tank. His hair was always slicked back, not one strand was out of place. He had brown eyes that were almost black as night and carried a fierce look of determination.

Amongst the cadets to join Dani’s group, Sarah was one of them. Dani was ecstatic that she would be in a group with her. Sarah was one of the few people let alone females that Dani was close with. She just got along with her so easily, but Sarah was a happy person and was easy to get along with in general. There was also another female with untamable curly red hair that bounced with each step she took and bright green eyes that shone like emeralds. Freckles covered her face and she spoke with an accent. Her name was Erin and she was a fierce competitor. There were also two males, John and Cain. John was similar to Liam when it came to morale; lazy but charming. Cain on the other hand was quiet and usually had his nose in a book.

Warrant Officer Reed selected Cain to take the lead point for the morning’s activities. His shyness and attempts at disappearing amongst the others only painted a target on his back. Officer Reed gave a laugh and immediately singled him out with not another thought behind his choice. Cain was handed a small white envelope. Inside were the instructions waiting to be read and followed. Cain pulled them out and looked on with confusion turning the paper over and over.

Good luck cadets. Officer Reed’s serious demeanor let loose for a momentary devious smile as he walked away. The five members of squad two watched as the officer walked away to join the rest of the officers on the side of the courtyard.

Well... Sarah paused waiting for a response from Cain. The other members’ eyes were immediately drawn back from their task, and on to Cain. He stared blankly at her as if he just realized she and the others were standing there.

What does it say? John said a little more harshly and louder than he meant too.

It just says run he responded. Cain flipped the paper over and over and looked inside the envelope, one eye shut as he did so.

Run? That doesn’t make any sense. Run to what, to where? What do they expect us to do with that?

Erin was as confused and apparently as anxious as everyone else, after all, these morning drills were meant to challenge the cadets. Each drill represented a possible real-life scenario and each drill became increasingly more demanding and strenuous forcing the cadets to use all the skills previously learned. They had to be able to think fast and act faster adapting to any situation. Now it seemed even the orders were cause for alarm. They, too, were given regarding think and think fast.

At that moment a gun fired from the west somewhere in the nearby woods. Everyone stopped but only long enough to realize the drill had started. They had run out of time to think.

Everybody move! Head to the nearest cover! Dani had figured it out and was shouting at her squad. She took off running towards the woods directly behind her. She had yet to put all the pieces together and she wasn’t sure of the objective yet but through her training, she knew one thing, keep moving or die.

If they could just get to the trees and find a spot to hide for a few minutes, then they could collaborate an idea and unveil the plan behind this drill. John and Sarah reached the edge of the woods first, there long legs giving them an advantage of speed. Dani was right behind them. Erin was close too; it was Cain who was lost. He was running but not towards the eastern woods where the rest of squad two came together. In the chaos, he got turned around and now wasn’t even sure where he was supposed to be running at all.

Dani reaching the woods, singled for John, who was the fastest and strongest of the group to go back out and retrieve Cain. While he did that the three girls, making sure to keep an eye out for trouble, started to discuss their next play.

What the hell is going on! Erin was furious. Her shirt had been snagged on a branch and ripped as the thin, low hanging branch broke. She was pulling the stick out of her shirt, while Sarah pulled a few leaves that had collected in Erin’s hair when she disrupted the tree.

Dani spoke first. I think it’s an ambush drill

An ambush drill? What do you mean Dani? Sarah’s face was in disgust, she didn’t like the idea of being attacked by her own leaders even if it was a drill.

Think about it, at any moment, especially during a scouting mission, we could be attacked by an enemy. We need to be on guard and ready to counterattack at any given time. What better way to prepare us for that than for us to be attacked by our own leaders without warning, this forces us to act on natural fight or flight instinct. As military personal, we should be acting on our skill and training. That being said, they wouldn’t just attack us without some kind of catch. That leaves me to believe that we still have a mission to complete. So, we need to figure out what the second objective of this drill is.

John and Cain returned soaked in sweat from running and dodging the chaos of other cadets running around still confused and trying to get to the woods clearing the square.

What have you guys figured out so far? John asked as he wiped his brow with the edge of his shirt and then took a swig of water from a canteen hiding away in his pocket.

It’s an ambush drill. Cain responded through heavy breaths. He had leaned over allowing his hands to rest on his knees, his head was feeling overheated.

But that’s not all, we still have a mission, and I believe we’ll find out what that mission is by heading towards where that gun was fired from. Dani stated sure of herself.

Dani was sure that any answers they needed would be guarded or protected. So, heading towards a known weapon, though it would possibly be dangerous, would prove that the leaders had hidden clues close by. The only thing now was to strategize whether to run blatantly through the square out in the open or trek through the woods that surrounded the courtyard. It would add time, but they could stay in the shadows and undercover with the tall trees and thicket ensuring their rate of success to increase.

Cain! Dani snapped at Cain drawing his attention. Cain raised from the sitting position he had fallen into to meet Dani’s eyes.

You’ve been placed as the leader for this drill, so what’s your order. She asked him already knowing what they should be doing but showing him the respect, he had been handed.

I’m....I’m not sure. He stated shakily.

You know every war strategy, every maneuver, every tactic! You have to have some idea. John was annoyed at Cain’s lack of responsiveness. It was that kind of weakness that would get members of a squad killed one day.

This isn’t a situation where strategy is used, if we were ambushed, we would be thinking about survival, not the mission. Cain responded with an attitude. He was starting to get annoyed with John. He and John had a history of disagreements and arguments.

Bullshit! We’re soldiers we should be able to handle it, not freak out and shut down! John became louder.

Okay guys let’s just settle down a bit. Sarah moved in between John and Cain, waving her arms attempting to ease the tension. Getting upset isn’t going to solve anything, furthermore it’s only going to divide us, and we need to stick together with clear heads. Sarah looked to Dani. Dani why don’t you take point until Cain calms down.

Sarah was good at getting people to see reason and diffuse a situation before it became too heated or out of hand. Dani knew she was right, already she knew where they needed to go and that there was still a mission drill to complete.

We need to head towards where that gun was fired, so we need to go west, across the compound into the forest. But we should stay to the tree line. We can stay in the cover of the woods but close enough to where we can see any activity occurring in the square.

You want to head towards the danger, where most likely someone will be waiting... with a gun... to possibly fire at us again. Any of that clicking with you.

Erin was aggressive towards Dani. It made sense; she was envious that Dani was the first choice to take point. She felt her skills as a cadet matched that of Dani’s, there was no reason she shouldn’t be able to lead the squad as easily and efficiently as her.

Erin, chill out. Dani’s right. Sarah chimed in. The best place to find out clues about a mission we have no idea about is to look at where the mission initially started. I say we go for it, beats sitting around here all day anyways.

Sarah’s optimism made Dani feel at ease and as if she was on the right path. It brought a smile to her face and she once again was happy that Sarah was on her team, giving her the support, she didn’t know she needed.

The squad started on the move towards the west side of the compound. It was about a two-mile hike through the woods and the sun was starting to shine through the clouds, breaking up the chances of a rain shower. The trees helped to alleviate some of the sun’s brightness and provided great coverage not only from the sun but from being seen by others. The members of the squad heard other groups making their way towards the western woods as well. Seems others had figured it out, this only reassured them they were on the right path. After the two-mile hike the squad reached the edge of the