Free Resilience (Warner's World Book 6) by Dave O'Connor Page A

“They have killed the Deputy” she advised. “We’ve just beaten back an armed assault at the front. They look like FIA troops.”
    “Fuck. It’s started.”
    “What do you mean it’s started? What’s it? Oh don’t bother. Just get down here pronto.” Ursoola hung up because though the firing had stopped out front she could now see a lone figure out there with its arms up holding what looked like a badge. She used the controls to zoom in. She did not recognise the person but she did recognise the badge. It was definitely FIA.
    The figure began broadcasting from speakers emanating out of one of their vehicles behind which their troops were taking cover. She cursed as she tried to activate the audio. Finally it cut in. “…and lay down your weapons. I repeat. This is the FIA acting under direct orders from the First Consul. Cease all resistance, lower the barrier and lay down your weapons.”
    “Whatever you do don’t do that” said Milus from behind her. Ursoola turned to confirm his presence but then refocussed on the figure in the street. It took a tentative step forward but was greeted by a burst of pulse fire. It had to dive back behind the vehicle.
    “Why not? What the fuck is going on Milus?”
    “The First Consul is initiating a coup.”
    Ursoola turned to face him with a very dubious look on her face. “What, to oust himself?”
    “No, to take full control from the supreme council. He wants it all. We’ve known about this since the 24 th .”
    “And what, my pay grade is too low to be brought into the inner circle.”
    Milus just gave her a withering look that said ‘don’t be childish’. “Look we detected this list of names” and he held up his communicator and showed her the message they had intercepted. “There are thousands of names on it. Look right up here is the Director and Deputy. They have just killed Jebna and probably the Director too. I haven’t had time to check.” Milus just realised something and then added “We should do that.”
    “Yeah we will. Go on.”
    “Well we didn’t think they would jump so soon. Many of those names are in the extended territories or even further out in the conquered realms. We thought we’d have at least a fortnight.”
    “To do what?”
    “Launch a counter coup of course.”
    “Oh, of course. Why didn’t I think of that” said Ursoola in a mocking tone. “You say that like its routine. This is the fucking First Consul you’re talking about here. So he wants a little more power. The security situation is worsening. We could do with some more power.”
    “And you wonder why you were not brought in. Look, your choice is pretty simple. Open those doors and let them in or be part of the solution that sweeps away this mess. Oh, one thing to bear in mind, there’s an Olasso on this list.”
    “Let me see” she said thrusting her hand out. He handed over the communicator. She did a search on her surname and there it was. It wasn’t her but it was her uncle, who headed up the 33 rd Army Brigade (Bde). The colour drained from her face. She managed to bleat out “But why?”
    “Probably pissed off someone he shouldn’t have. So what side are you on?”
    Ursoola swallowed. She sat there for a moment unsure. All her life she had been on the side of authority. If she had been asked the day before she would have sworn she didn’t have a rebellious bone in her body. But now… With the flick of a synapse she picked up her communicator and hailed on the security wide channel “If that son of a bitch outside pops his ugly hands up again shoot him.” She then turned to Milus. “Good enough?”
    Milus smiled. “Good enough for me. Might want to ask your uncle if he can get his troops over here. Now would be good.”
    “Yeah, now would be good.”
    On the rooftop of the Konit tower not more than 300m from the ‘complex’ a frustrated Torine looked down through the scoped rifle at the stalemated scene. “Fucking amateurs” she said