The Back Of The Front. Part 3.

General Laitchak was in his room, watching the night through the narrow glass panes which criss-crossedd the opposite wall.
" That god-damned alarm," he grumbled, pulling the blankets over his head to muffle the piercing noise. He turned on his side and thought the fool that triggered it. He would sort him out in the morning. The sudden explosion threw the room into turmoil and slid Laitchak off his bed. He threw his arms in front of him, hoping to soften the fall, but was too late and his face slammed heavily against the floor. A crack ripped through the ceiling and the lights dropped to the ground, sending sparks dancing in the air. Laitchak threw back the covers which were still enveloped aroung his body and struggled into his uniform, brushing the dust off the blood-red stripes. He tipped his cap and was about to march outside when somebody banged on the door. This was followed by shrill cries of "Sir! Sir!". He crossed the room and pulled back the door.
"What are you banging on the door for? Think I'm deaf?" The soldier blushed slightly as Laitchak examined his brown khaki uniform from top to bottom.
"What's this? You call yourself a soldier? Zip this up!" he growled, grabbing the open overcoat. " And tie them up," he added, pointing down at the laces. "Now tell me what happened. "
"There was an explosion in the engine and generator rooms, sir. Cpt. Krakow told me to inform you immediately. He is awaiting you at the engines room. "
" Find those who were on duty to-night and bring them to me. I'll be down at the engines room. "
" Where will I find them, sir?" Laitchak glared at him and he hurried away. Laitchak fixed his uniform and strolled down the long flight of stairs. The engines room was unrecognizable. A pile of scorched metal lay steaming in the cente, surrounded by fragments of cable and glass. Several army officials crowded around them, while others stood over the two dead bodies decorating the floor.
" General Laitchak! " a young man broke away from the crowd.
" Ah, Cpt. Marl. What happened?"
" The ship has been infiltrated by the Mauritz! They blew up the generators and this room aswell."
" And the output appliance?"
" Tried. Didn't blow up. We've disposed of the explosive device. " Another man joined the group.
" General Laitchak. "
" Cpt. Krakow. Have you changed energy output to the secondary engine?"
" Of course, sir. "
" Good. " The young soldier ran inside the room. He paused to catch his breath and handed a small piece of paper to Laitchak.
" I couldn't find them, but I have their names here," he gasped.
" Do you know these men? " asked Laitchak, handing the paper to Krakow. Krakow nodded in recognition and glanced at the two bodies lying closely.
" Right...ok, " Laitchak turned to the soldier, " you can rest. "
" Thank you, sir."
" Marl, make sure the secondary engine is in tip-top conditions. We wouldn't want to go down after surviving all this. " Marl and the recruit departed.
" And Krakow... " they smiled at each other.
" Just as you have predicted, sir. Came by jet, left by parachute. "
" Did you move the ship? "
" Sure did. "
" How far? "
" Twenty miles over the border, sir," Krakow smiled. The two men looked over each other. Everything has gone according to plan. A young man approached them briskly.
" Sir! "
" Yes?"
" We have found an enemy on board! " Laitchak's smile evaporated.
" Lead him to me. "1

The soldier was sitting on a frail, rusty chair with his hands tied behind his back. No light illuminated the room, apart from the dusky light bulb swinging above his head. Blood dripped from a hole in his boot, forming a small pool beneath him. Laitchak walked inside and banged the door shut behind him.
" So? " The soldier looked up with his grey, emotionless eyes.
" Your name?" Laitchak enquired. The soldier didn't reply and went back to watching the floor. Laitchak clenched his fist and brought it down against the soldier's face with a sharp crack.
" Raykord," the soldier muttered.
" Raykord? What a nice name! Now tell me Raykord... who commanded your squad?" Raykord pulled his head backwards and spat blood at Laitchak's boots.
" Tell me his name! "
" I've got three words for you. Go f..." Laitchak gave Raykord a vicious jab before he could finish.
" I'm not an unreasonable man but my patience has limits, especially with fiery tempers such as these. Give us the information we ask for, and you will enjoy life in Siresynnia. We will give you a new identity, we will give you money, we will give you..."
" Let me stop you right there, " Raykord looked around and into Laitchak's eyes, " you are wasting your time. "
" Then you must realise the fate that awaits you," Laitchak drew his 9mm and stuck the barrel into the back of Raykord's neck.
" Can I ask one question? "
" If that's what you want, Raykord," he chuckled.
" How? How did you..."
" Not everyone hates Siresynnia," said Laitchak and pulled the trigger.2

The communication room was empty except for the lonely soldier smoking in the corner. Laitchak burst open the doors and walked inside. The soldier jumped from his seat, hiding the cigarette behind his back.
" Sir. "
" Put out your hand. " The soldier stretched out his hand. A small stub lay across his palm.
" Today is one special day. You can smoke. "
" Thanks sir! " he took out a pack and lit another one.
" I need you to contact the Sirese Department of Defence "
" No problem, " the soldier slumped into the leather chair and tapped at the screen.
" Tell them that following Mauritz aggression over the state of Siresynnia, an appropriate response must commence to maintain the safety of Sirese citizens, " Laitchak paused, giving the operator time to type the message. The operator finished and looked at Laitchak, studying his face.
" Is that it sir?" Laitchak didn't reply. " Sir?"
" No. Tell them...tell them", he paused again, " tell them to prepare for war." The cigarette fell out of the operator's mouth and rolled across the floor. Laitchak walked out of the room.