Binary

Chapter Six: New Orders

"Yes, sir."

"How are your sources so sure?"

"They found evidence of the Firestorm," said Vera, "and they tested the ashes and residue, it came back positive. Only the samurai can wield the Firestorm, as far as we know..."

Rikon buried his face in his hands.

"What's the other thing?"

"This same week three Mechian safehouses were hit," said Vera, "they know where we're hiding in Animas."

Rikon looked up at her in disbelief. Vera grinned encouragingly but he stayed quiet.

"Sir," she said quietly, "this has all the makings of a well-coordinated and carefully thought-out attack. They blinded us and appeared in a place that we thought they wouldn't show up, and now they're engaging our Mechian forces in Animas."

Rikon still didn't say anything.

"Our Mechain brothers say that they believe their attackers are coming from sleeper cells throughout the country, likely waiting for some sort of signal that they've received," Vera continued, "We have to assume that Starlust is similarly compromised, they could be out on the streets waiting to hit our safe houses too."

Rikon took another pull of his pipe, but he couldn't stop his hands from shaking.

"Sir," Vera said softly, "we're at war... what are your orders?"

Rikon looked up at her.

"My orders," said Rikon, "my orders..."

He seemed to think for a minute.

"We go to ground, recall everyone in the field, fall back to the tertiary holdout positions."

"What?!" Vera demanded shrilly, "Sir! Are you ordering us into hiding? We should fight back, the letters we intercepted from Lady Argus could give us some clue-"

"No," snapped Rikon, "Vera, this isn't a war of attrition like the three countries fight, it's a war in the shadows. As long as the Hatred doesn't have the Way, then we're still winning!"

"We can't confirm they don't know, I mean, they knew the location of three of our safehouses in Animas! Sir, they're clearly targeting the Mechians because they see them as a threat, if we suspect Lady Argus is complicit, then these letters are part of all this, if we could just decode them, they might give us some clue, some means to fight back!"

"There's no fighting back in a war like this," said Rikon, "Vera, you had only just joined the Light ten years ago, when we were in the midst of battle, so you didn't see how that battle started, but in a war like this, whoever strikes first is usually the victor. If we pull back our forces now, go to our private hiding places and disappear, as they have for the last ten years, then they won't have anything to strike at."

Vera was at a loss for words.

"But the Mechians will still die," she finally said, "shouldn't we do something about that?"

"They vowed to give their lives for the cause," said Rikon, "we all know the oath. We all knew what this could cost us."

Vera stared at him.

"If the Hatred gets their hands on more of us, they stand a better chance of finding the Way. We need to minimize contact with them."

Vera nodded dumbly.

"Give the order," said Rikon, "everyone goes to ground. No one comes back until they get the signal that it's safe. Even if it takes ten years."

Vera stood up, downing her tea, which was cold now.