by Rob Howell
“Which buildings are those?”
Akuwin pointed at them.
“The Slyest Prey taunts us,” cursed Tahnerif.
“Yes, sir. As you can see, each building can hold around a battalion, and we don’t know if they have extensive underground storage areas.”
The kal’shin blew out a breath. “Keeping track would be challenging.”
“It’s also more troopers than we believe the Foresters have in their entire unit.”
“Assuming we can trust Streetho’s intel.”
“Exactly.” Akuwin wrinkled her nose. “I don’t believe the buildings are fully occupied. The second one gets fewer deliveries. The third gets almost none. Mal’shin Grillaran got bored and had his kin count how many trucks came to each building.”
“He’s going to make an excellent kal’shin someday.”
Akuwin bared her teeth. “Indeed he is, if I don’t slay him for asking too many questions. He’s as annoying as a swamp-wasp on hot days. However, he’s got the Great Hunter’s knack for finding small details.” She waved a paw back and forth. “I didn’t think about counting those trucks, though I should’ve.”
“I don’t know that I’d’ve thought about it either. Did he notice anything else?”
“Given the size of the supply trucks, we estimate they have something like three companies of troopers serving here in addition to the guard platoons.”
“I didn’t realize they had that many soldiers.”
“They’re not all soldiers. Many seem to be support personnel and replacements stationed here temporarily. Also, they have several hundred civilian workers, both Human and Maquonese, that come through the gates each morning.”
Tahnerif wrinkled his nose. “That complicates things.”
“Yes.” Akuwin hesitated. “Fahrissthan won’t differentiate.”
“I know. Do those civilians work day and night?”
“The vast majority come in the morning. A smaller group arrives in the late afternoon, about the time the others are leaving. They depart around nightfall.”
“Good. If we attack before the workers arrive, we won’t have to worry about many civilians. There might be some casualties, but the Slyest Prey is everywhere.”
“He is.” Akuwin flicked her ears.
“What about the other buildings? By the river and the shuttle pad.”
“Given the antennae and satellite dishes, that small building likely houses their comms.”
“Excellent. I saw it on the Zuparti map but wanted to confirm it with my own eyes. We’ll have to take it out first.”
“Yes.” Akuwin pointed to the larger buildings. “Those are warehouses and logistical support facilities.”
“The primary reason for the base’s existence.”
“Yes.”
“Do they get much river traffic?”
“Most days a barge or two from the direction of Jeriasker arrives.” Akuwin glanced up. “We haven’t been able to determine what’s in the crates they deliver.”
“We’ll have to worry about river traffic?”
“Yes.”
“Shuttle flights?”
“Consistently, usually offloading supplies.”
“Dropships?”
“None that I’ve seen, but I’d be shocked if the Foresters didn’t have any.”
“Me too.” Tahnerif looked around the valley. “Atmospheric aircraft?”
“Not sure. This shuttle pad is only big enough for vertical take offs and landings. There’s an airport in Jeriasker, so it’s possible. However, we haven’t seen any flyovers.”
“We have the assets to control the airspace after we take the base?”
“Assuming the Zuparti let us bring our dropships and atmospheric CAS craft down.”
“Assuming that.” Tahnerif studied the base for a moment. “It looks like we can block the roads in and out,” he mused. “We should be able to prevent any reaction by Maquonese security forces.”
“Absolutely. The Maquonese are a docile race. The competition that originally brought the Trackers and Foresters here was tame compared to that on other planets. Two corporations, large for this planet and backed by local governments, grew impatient over a boundary dispute.”
“It had to be something like that. Is the flora around here valuable?”
“Not really. The tree sap in this valley is prized by the Maquonese pharmaceutical industry, but it’s too common to be worth much.” She wrinkled her muzzle. “The Prey-damned stuff makes our fur sticky. We have to groom for hours after going on patrol, especially since there are no decent bathing areas, or we look like mangy souls worthy of the swamp.” She glanced at her commander. “Sir, the base is large. If we’re going to hold it instead of destroying it, we’re going to need many kin. How many do we have?”
Tahnerif wrinkled his muzzle. “Another full company plus some teams carrying a few rockets just landed. The three companies that are up to strength are available within a day. The three reserve companies are a month away from deployable. Once we take the base, we can bring down a squadron each of atmospheric CAS birds and dropships to provide air cover plus a company of heavy weapons with SAMs and quad-mount MAC vehicles.”
“How many rockets?”
“Twelve. We have six teams, so we can launch quickly and disperse them, but we’ll have to make them count.”
“Two companies to take the base. Twelve heavy rockets. Clearly, the Foresters are doomed, as they have only about three times that many.” She chuckled.
Tahnerif’s tongue lolled, and he bared his teeth. “Indeed. Tell me about the rest of the buildings.”
They went through the various features of the base.
“It’s what I thought,” said Tahnerif after putting down the binoculars.
“Had to see it yourself. I know,” said Akuwin.
“Yes. Let’s get back to the others.”
“Have you seen Fahrissthan since you came down?”
“No. I came straight here.” The kal’shin rubbed his muzzle. “I’ve no doubt she’s been a handful.”
“She keeps ranting about her littermate on Peninnah. And the other kin hate this forest. The sap is really annoying.”
Tahnerif sighed. “Best to get this over with.”
“Does that mean we’re continuing with the contract?”
“You’re pretty damned annoying, too.” The kal’shin wiggled out of the observation post.
“Yes, Kal’shin.” Akuwin’s tongue lolled. “Well?”
Tahnerif looked back out over the valley through the spiny, slim trees. “Yes, Akuwin. We are. The hunt isn’t over. Let us hope the Great Hunter guides our next steps.”
“May his eyes see clearly.”
“Indeed.”
Akuwin led Tahnerif to the cave that served as the primary Zuul base. By the time they arrived, he completely understood his kin’s frustration at the sap. His surly mood got worse when Fahrissthan arrogantly stomped over.
“At last,” growled the rei’shin. “What took you so long? The Slyest Prey’s had time enough to father many litters on our sisters.”
The kal’shin stared at his taller subordinate. “Are you questioning my honor, Rei’shin?” he finally asked with a snarl.
“You know I’m not!” Fahrissthan shouted. “Those dishonorable swampbeasts have outlived their time for the hunt!”
“Has not the Great Hunter chased the Slyest Prey for eternity? Are these Humans as shameful as the Prey?”
Fahrissthan’s ears went back, and she opened her mouth, showing her fangs, and snarled. She slapped a paw against the stone wall. “The Foresters have slain my littermate and our kin. They must pay, or we are shamed.”
“And pay they will, but each hunt will go at its own pace.” Tahnerif looked around at the pack under his command. “Fahrissthan isn’t wrong. The Foresters must pay for each and every crime they’ve committed. However, we won’t rush into this battle like a swampbeast who’s seen his shadow.”
&nb
sp; Tahnerif paused and stared at Fahrissthan. “Do you understand, Rei’shin?”
The rei’shin bared her teeth again, but assented.
“Good, now get Qarsh and the mar’shin into whatever serves as a briefing room. There’s little time to waste. We need to let our troopers get this swamp-damned sap off their fur.”
Fahrissthan growled and began shouting orders. The kin who had heard the conversation bared their teeth and returned to their business.
Soon the leaders were in a chamber deep in the cave system. It was furnished with a number of makeshift tables covered in maps and notes.
“Thank you, my kin, for leading the way.” Tahnerif picked at some of the sap on his fur. “You have battled the worst of our enemies with no hope of success, yet you never faltered.”
The leaders’ tongues lolled out of their mouths.
“Kukuluki informed me just before I came planetside he wants us to proceed to step two. We’re to take the base.”
“At last,” howled Fahrissthan.
Tahnerif glared at her until she quieted. “I’ve taken a look at the base with Rei’shin Akuwin. It won’t be as sticky a challenge, perhaps, but it isn’t going to be easy.” Tahnerif activated the Tri-V on her pad. “We have good intel and our kin are ready to hunt. We can begin the assault with the forces we currently have on Maquon.”
Tahnerif looked at his officers. “The Humans will outnumber us, and they have heavier weapons. We must overcome this by using surprise to strike fast, hit hard, and keep their feet stuck in the swamp.”
He glanced at Fahrissthan. “And we must work precisely. If we lose our heads, we might give them a chance to punch back before we can get help from our companies and dropships waiting in orbit.”
The rei’shin flicked her ears.
“We have six rocket teams, but we were only able to bring down a dozen heavy rockets.”
A number of Zuul opened their muzzles to speak, but Tahnerif raised a paw.
“Two rockets per team should be sufficient. We’ll be able to hit all of our primary targets quickly.” Tahnerif glanced at the mar’shin. “We’re going to have to split up and hit the base in several places. The rei’shin and I will be relying on you to keep the squads coordinated.”
They smacked their paws to their chests in salute.
“We’ll attack each gate with a squad. You’ll each have a rocket team to take out the two Human fire teams on guard. Remember, you cannot anticipate any help. We have few reserves, and we’ll need those to deal with any unit of armored Humans who manage to react. We need nothing in the gatehouses and buildings around them, so hit them hard. We’ll have full ammo resupply if we win. If not, the Great Hunter will give us new weapons.”
The squad leaders laughed drily.
Tahnerif wrinkled his muzzle. “Unfortunately, this isn’t true for the rest of the base. We want most of it taken intact. We especially want to capture all the computers and electronics we can.” He glanced at Fahrissthan. “Remember, this is only a portion of the Foresters. Most of those here aren’t fighters. They may not share the shame of their brethren.”
Fahrissthan growled.
“So, there’ll be no rampant destruction or slaughter,” continued the kal’shin. “Let them surrender. We’re outnumbered, and until the other companies land, our position will be risky. Don’t back the Humans into a corner and force them to fight. Do you understand?”
He said these words to all, but stared at Fahrissthan.
“Surrender,” she snorted. “Cowards.”
“Maybe, but you’ll give them every chance to do so rather than killing them. Understand?” he repeated. Tahnerif waited until the rei’shin acknowledged the instructions, then he switched his gaze to Rei’shin Qarsh, who raised her paws in submission.
“Good.” Tahnerif tapped his pad. “First, here’s the list of groups. Note who is on your team.” Then he highlighted a number of locations. “These are your jumpoff points. Mar’shin Grillaran, take special note. You’ll be taking out the south gate, and you’ll be the most isolated.”
“Yes, Kal’shin.”
“Qarsh, you’ll go to this ridge with two squads and three rocket teams. Your rocketeers will start the full attack by taking out their communications shack.”
She wrinkled her muzzle in irritation.
“Of all of us, you have the best eye for terrain. Concern yourself not with glory but with the hunt.”
The rei’shin sighed. “As you command, sir.”
“After the rocketeers have launched and the battle commences, you’ll have overwatch and keep track of the perimeter. You’re our primary reserve, even though you’ll only have a couple of squads and empty rocket launchers. If it looks like we can’t hold a gate, get to it.”
“Yes, sir.” Qarsh brightened.
“Akuwin, you’ll lead your squads down this road, through the west gate. The river bend and the city will make it tough to get there unobserved, so take your time. We’ll wait for you, but get your squads ready to go as soon as we’re done here. Detail a mar’shin with a rocket team to assault the gate. They’ll remain at the gate to hold it after you enter and report to Qarsh. Once through, your targets are the western barracks and armory.”
Akuwin pressed her forepaws together.
“Good. Fahrissthan will hit the east gate.”
Fahrissthan puffed up.
“This gate will be the most challenging because of the number of buildings around it.” He glanced at Akuwin. “What’s this one again?”
“It’s a motor pool.”
“Do they have any armed motorized vehicles?”
“Didn’t see any, Kal’shin, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.”
“Right. In any event, it houses important equipment, so we can expect it to be guarded. Fahrissthan, you’ll need to be wary around it.” Tahnerif stared at her for a moment. “Do not charge before the attack is ready. If you do, we all die. If that happens, I’ll make sure the Great Hunter never stops nipping at your heels.”
The rei’shin waved a paw in irritation. “I know my duty, Kal’shin.”
“No doubt. In any case, you’ll lead the main attack. Most of the troopers are assigned to you, as you can see. Your goals are the east barracks and the armories. As with Akuwin, you’ll assign a squad to join the rocket team at the gate, where they’ll remain and report to Qarsh.”
“Yes, Kal’shin!”
Tahnerif then highlighted four buildings by the river. “Akuwin says these buildings aren’t only warehouses, but include their primary logistics command. I believe these will have the information we need to conclude our hunt successfully, so I’ll lead my squads directly to them following Fahrissthan’s assault. You all have your initial targets and missions. Questions?”
The mar’shin Tahnerif had spoken to earlier raised a paw. “Kal’shin, I thought you wished to capture computer equipment. Why are we hitting the communications building with a rocket? Instead of attacking the gate, my squad could take it.”
“I have no doubt you could. I have great faith in you and your troopers, Mar’shin Grillaran. However, we must prevent them from getting a message off-planet in case they have a ship in the system. Despite your squad’s prowess, an assault takes time, and it’s far too likely they’d be able to get word out.”
“What if their most valuable computers are in there? Don’t we risk losing this base’s greatest treasure?” pressed Grillaran.
“It is a risk, Mar’shin, and you’re wise to ask. However, the value of eliminating ground-to-space comms outweighs that risk. I pondered this question while waiting for the Zuparti to gain enough courage to land our shuttles. If we’re unlucky and one of the Foresters’ destroyers is here, they can alert it, and they can intervene. I don’t trust the Zuparti armed merchants to hold the orbitals, even against an obsolete ship with minimal weapons. Each Zuparti ship has more firepower than the Foresters’ ships are supposed to have, but the Humans would have the initiative. After wat
ching the Zuparti in action, I think it more likely they would hit themselves rather than a Human ship.”
The leaders lolled their tongues out.
“It’s a valid point, but I believe this is the better of two unattractive options,” concluded Tahnerif.
The squad leader touched paw to chin in acknowledgement.
“Any other questions?”
Akuwin stared at her pad. “I notice that you don’t have the base store on the initial assault list. I believe they have various supplies and some weapons there.”
“I read your report, and I agree it’s a potential target.” Tahnerif wrinkled his muzzle and highlighted the store on the Tri-V map. “Unfortunately, it’s isolated from the barracks, armories, and warehouses. You said the housing around the store is mostly occupied with support personnel, not troopers.”
“That’s what we saw, sir,” agreed Akuwin.
“We must not let them deploy troopers in powered armor, other than their guard force. The rockets from our handheld launchers can penetrate their powered armor, but to do so, they must strike true. Our casualties in previous battles with the Foresters have shown us that a single, cohesive fire team in Mk 6 CASPers can hurt us. We must overwhelm their troopers before they can don their armor, and so we must prioritize our targets. Furthermore, if you’re correct about the logistical command center being in the warehouses, we need to get in there before they can erase their data. That’s why I’m taking eight full squads, two for each building. Do you agree, Rei’shin?”
“I do,” said Akuwin with a sigh. “Much like Grillaran, I cannot deny your hunting instinct, yet it bothers me.”
“It bothers me as well.” Tahnerif looked at his rei’shin. “If we don’t time this well and do our jobs correctly, we’ll be glad to have every squad available to us. Humans using guerrilla tactics after we take the base will be a nuisance, but nothing more.” He glanced around. “Any more questions?”
None came.