Ninefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire, #1)

by Yoon Ha Lee

“Pull out now,” the colonel’s voice crackled over the link. “The Nirai are about to put on some fireworks.” He started listing the units that were to get to the pickup point. A list. Not all units. Six companies weren’t on the list, if she remembered the roster correctly, so they’d be staying. Her company was on the list. So that was fine. Major Kel Belleren’s company was not on the list. That was not fine. They had gone to academy together. She should have queried her battalion commander, but instead she called the colonel directly. “Sir, Captain Mieng, Battalion Three, Company Two. If you need another unit to hold, we can hold.” Her battalion commander was going to kill her. If the colonel didn’t do it first. An infinitely brief pause. “Captain,” Ragath said, “I’m not leaving those companies to cover the retreat. I’m leaving them for the butcher’s block. On direct orders from the general. She has decided that, with the confusion from the Nirai explosives, this is the minimum number that will convince the heretics that their victory was real so the next operation can proceed. I hear she’s good with numbers.” This was more explaining than Ragath usually troubled with. “Sir, we can –” “I’m not interested in martyrs.” His voice grew hard. “You have your orders, Captain. Colonel Ragath out.” She bit her lip, but formation instinct made her give the necessary orders, made her march out of the smoke-haze with its stench of upturned dirt and chemicals and livid blood, made her g...