The Chronicles of Benjamin Jaminson: Empires At War (Book 5 Part Two)

by Thomas Wright

  I want this one to prod the others into moving out of our way, then herd them along with us. No stopping to eat. Tell them their queen is in danger and needs them. Tell them anything that will get them moving.

  If they were cows or horses, you might slap them on the rump to get them to move out of the way, but these beasts might turn and take your head off. I didn’t want to kill any of them, but I needed more control over them. The spider queen didn’t seem very effective.

  Deireadh must have got the message across to my steed. The ant began biting legs and asses and finally the crowd began to move. I spied an opening and started running again, then saw something interesting ahead. They were big. Bigger than the run-of-the-mill black and brown beetles the Cjittan had been breeding.

  Larger than a bull elephant, they were taking heavy small arms fire from the Khalnalax soldiers, but it had little effect on their hard exoskeleton. Two rhinoceros beetles and a larger three-horned beetle stood before me. The spurs and spikes on their legs were over a foot long. They moved at their own pace as if there was nothing going on around them.

  Deireadh, how do I light a fire under their asses?

  That is the answer. Light a fire in their ass; it is a most tender spot on any creature. Just be sure they point in the direction you wish them to go.

  You’re kidding.

  I do not make humorous anecdotes. It is the way. They are large brutes with very small mental capacity and very thick bones. Anything else to motivate them would not get you the result you seek. In the time of ancient kings, they were ridden into battle by the generals. Even the king himself had one. They were trained during those times but now I do not believe that is so. Many things—

  Thanks. You’re rambling. I need a stampede and those three will do major damage. Let’s get on with it.

  “Mira, come with me. Harry, go on ahead.” I slid off the ant.

  “They just turn these giants loose and follow in their wake? Not very effective,” Mira commented behind me, understanding my frustration.

  “I think they normally try for overwhelming the enemy with numbers, but this time they fell very short,” I replied and drew my pistol, powering it up.

  Benjamin, you need to hurry. Queen Tazleaha has lost half her soldiers, Imelda said.

  “I’m gone, Boss,” Harry said. He ran a short distance then twisted his big body sideways, pushing between two unmoving insects. We followed, then broke away. Dropping and rolling under bellies and dodging legs, we made our way to our targets.

  “Mira, this is the only suggestion I have,” I said, moving within a few feet of the beetle’s rump. “I need you to get as close as possible and shoot it right in dead in—”

  “No damn way.”

  “Do it or I’ll—”

  “You’ll do what? You have the fancy talking armor. You go do it. Here, take my pistol and hand me yours or that axe. I got your back.”

  Exasperated, I handed her the axe and holstered my pistol. No way I was giving her my pistol. I ignored the dirty look and took hers, stepping a little closer to the creature’s behind and taking aim. Feeling some sympathy, I tapped the power from full to half. Like most of my solo plans, bad luck decided to rear its ugly head. I watched the beetle’s anus muscles begin to move as I fired and found my plan would work. Not only did I burn its big brown eye but caused a small explosion as gas ignited. The downside was the giant pile that would have fallen to the ground exploded in all directions. It reared and charged. I dripped and clopped as shit fell off me. While it wasn’t very fast, once it got its head it picked up speed, anger and a burning ass inspired the impaling and knocking of bodies, trees and any damn thing stupid enough to be in its way as it thrashed its head from side to side in a steady gallop.

  Deireadh, what the hell? We’re covered in shit.

  That is not my fault, Your Highness.

  Can you do something?

  I will try.

  “Your queen isn’t going kiss you looking and smelling like that.”

  “Shut up, Mira. I still haven’t forgot you shot me in the back earlier.” The other insects moved forward, funneling into the path of destruction the beetle left in its wake. In front, some ran over the top of others to get out of the way. I saw an opening and took off. Mira ran past me.

  “It’s not pleasant being downwind of you.”

  “Keep it up and I’ll pick you up and shove your head in the next one, then shoot the exploding hole.”

  “At least you still have a sense of humor. Sometimes I listen to you talk and it doesn’t sound like you at all,” Mira said, then disappeared, dropping my axe. I rounded some breed of roach to find an Etash holding Mira above its head, ready to lower her into its beak-like maw. I fired at the tentacle holding her, burning a hole in it, but it didn’t let go. It squealed and shook her then reached for me. I fired and missed. It shook Mira again like a ragdoll as it writhed in pain from the wound. I fired repeatedly, running for my axe. Snatching it up, I swung down into its face. It was a plan. It failed.

  Two tentacles batted me before I could connect, sending me rolling across the ground. I continued to roll to make sure I was clear of its reach and was almost stepped on by an ant passing through. I couldn’t understand why no insect was attacking the Etash or why it wasn’t attacking them. How did these stupid people fight a battle, let alone a war? I rolled into a standing position and drew my pistol and fired. No more screwing around with a laser; I had places to be. The round ripped through its head, which exploded like a giant jar of jelly, and then through two insects, killing one and wounding the other. I used my axe on the tentacle that still held Mira in death twitches. Her armor protected her from the hook-like claws that ran the length of the tentacle, but being shaken rattled her brain.

  “You ok? That copycat armor working for you?” I teased. She put an arm on me, trying to steady herself.

  “I’ll live. This armor is better than most and did what it was supposed to do. It has protected me in one way or another since it was created.” She was covered in blood spatter and gelatinous slime.

  I didn’t doubt that. I was sure it made an impression on the Akelorians. “You smell like fish ass,” I said and bumped her shoulder. The Etash had a constant stink that only got worse when you shot them. We made it another fifty yards and I got glimpses of the battle, hearing my railgun ahead as Harry fired off a steadily timed barrage of single shots. It was good he gave the barrel a chance to cool in between rounds. There was other weapons fire along with a familiar voice yelling orders at her people.

  The Khalnalax were running around the insects that had wandered in and surrounded Taz and her people. Of course, the insects weren’t protecting them, just taking advantage of the situation. They seemed to have lost interest in the fight. Probably the feeding frenzy, gorging themselves into a food coma, and the ease of finding a free meal. I heard Taz calling Harry, directing him to a position next to her. Mira and I entered the clearing.

  “Hey, can I have my pistol back? And wipe it off good,” Mira said, coming to a stop right behind me.

  I tossed it over my shoulder, not taking my eyes off the situation playing out in front of me. Some of Taz’s people were hunkered down behind the carcasses of the dead insects while others lay on the ground using a dead comrade as a shield.

  “Tazleaha, get your people back over that embankment and work your way back to the rear. Harry will take you to the Cjittan encampment.” I could tell she was working on a reply, but it was slow in coming. “Get out of here. We will cover your retreat then follow.”

  “She looks confused,” Mira said and took a shot at a group of advancing soldiers. She followed it with two more blasts, trying to keep them honest.

  “She probably wants to stay and fight. They will all be dead if they stay.”

  “Mira, you go too. Help Harry take them to base camp. I’ll cover and join up with you there.” She looked at me. I thought she was going to argue, but she didn’t.

  She ran to T
az. I risked a glance and could tell an argument immediately broke out. She was trying to explain. Zora understood and began barking orders. I pulled my pistol and started sending rounds across the battlefield, moving toward the Khalnalax and trying to push them back. They were unsure what to make of our weapons. Their range and effectiveness were three to ten times that of a laser. I picked up where Harry left off and it seemed to be working. They had slowed their advance and were sticking with any cover they could find. I risked another look behind me. Harry was trying to explain to Taz the urgency.

  “Mira, just stun her and be done with it. Her people can carry her,” I yelled. She had no com. This was a case of seconds being too much time. In the end, there can be only one giving orders. The rest have to follow. Taz would get them killed. Mira did as I asked. Dela’maah tackled Mira just after Taz collapsed. She didn’t know what Mira was capable of. Mira had her in a choke hold and was going to put her to sleep. I hoped it was just sleep. Harry said something and pointed his sausage-sized finger at Mira, who promptly let up on her choke hold and stood. He went on to give Zora and Dela’maah orders. They got under Taz’s arms, hoisting her up, and hustled over to the embankment out of sight.

  “Harry, guard their rear, Mira, on point.”

  “But you will be left alone,” Harry argued.

  “Not for long. I have Zuri.”

  I backed up slowly to guard Harry’s retreat and waited. Ducking behind a smoldering carcass, I used my fingers to inventory my belt. Pistol ammo was good if I didn’t lose my shit and shoot everything in sight. I was beginning to feel like I wanted to. It wouldn’t be long before they got brave and charged. I felt Zuri bump me. She growled at the dead insect we hid behind.

  “Get used to the smell. It will get worse before it gets better.”

  Deireadh, I need to communicate with these insects. Aren’t there any mantis here in charge? They were helpful in the past.

  The Cjittan held them back.

  That might explain some things. Fools. Remind me to explain the error of their actions when we get there. This isn’t going to work. The insects have no direction. We will fall back and regroup.

  It is only you and Zuri, Highness. There is no need to tell me.

  Shut up, Deireadh.

  “Zuri, come.” We ran toward another carcass. The Khalnalax put down cover fire for the ones running our way. Five of them hid behind the dead beetle we just left. I picked a spot and fired at the beetle and heard a scream from the other side. Four soldiers ran back, dragging a fifth. I let them go. They had cleared the jungle and eliminated most of the cover unless you laid on the ground. There had to be thousands of Khalnalax soldiers in the area, but it seemed their orders were to kill insects. I guess they couldn’t be bothered by such a small force of humanoids. That was gonna come back and bite them in ass. I would make sure of it.

  “Angel, what’s your status?”

  “Snake scouted ahead and found us a place to hold up. We are almost there.”

  “Good. Lie low for a while, keep out of sight. I am retreating to the camp. We found Taz. I’ll touch base with you before I move out again.”

  “Copy that, Boss.”

  “Do you need us? We can get to you!” Snake interrupted.

  “No, Snake. Follow your squad leader and the plan.”

  Zuri ran ahead of me, trying to keep a small path open between the insects. One mistook her for an easy meal. Its head exploded seconds before it could strike. My bad. They could grow more. I only had one Zuri. I found the rear line, the empty space between the horde and the Cjittan base camp. It would not be the last time I fired my weapon at our so-called ally, whether six-legged or two.

  ****

  Tazleaha was returning to reality within minutes after arriving at the Cjittan army encampment. Zora, Dela’maah and her surviving refugee officers were clustered around her. The ground forces commander and his aides joined them.

  “Where is she?” she yelled. “Where is the blue-eyed she-devil that stunned me?”

  “She is not here presently but I’m sure she will return very shortly,” Dela’maah answered.

  “Someone go and bring her to me now!”

  “Be patient. She is on her way back. They went out to meet someone and are returning as we speak.”

  “Give me a weapon, Zora. I cannot let this stand.”

  “She was only following orders, My Queen,” Zora replied. “It would not be right to hold her totally responsible.”

  “Orders? I don’t remember. Who gave her orders to stun me?”

  “Well, he did.” Zora pointed at the trio walking toward them accompanied, by some creature on all fours. “Harry and Mira went to meet him when they saw him out in the open.”

  “Benjamin? I remember now. Give me a weapon, Zora. Now!”

  “Before I do, please listen. Something is off. His armor is not the same. Then there is that creature walking protectively out in front. I believe we should ask questions then shoot.”

  “You mean the opposite of how he does things.”

  “Yes, as your Minister of Intelligence, I am curious. Take my stunner but please contain yourself for a few moments.”

  “My Queen, I would agree with the Minister. I would advise against any aggressive acts against these people.”

  “Noted, Commander, but I know these people better than anyone. Aggressive acts are all they know and respect.”

  The beast led the way with Benjamin behind it, Mira and Harry behind him on either side. She was furious with his treatment of her. Especially in front of the people she had worked and fought beside during her time on Idaline. She was hurt, too. To do that must have meant he didn’t feel as he once had.

  “You will never change!” she yelled and began walking toward them. She raised her arm, pointing the weapon at him.

  “Mira, you and Harry spread out. I don’t want you caught in not-so-friendly fire by a friend,” she heard him say. Well she wouldn’t fire on Harry. Just the other two. A deep, threatening growl erupted from the creature, now so close she could almost reach out and touch it. Its lips quivered, then pulled back, exposing its fangs. Angry eyes visible through the slits in its helmet bore into her.

  “Taz meet Zuri, Zuri, Taz. You look good, Your Highness, lean and tanned,” he said, walking past her. She kept the pistol pointed at him, turning, following his progress. “I need to talk to the commander. Would you excuse me for a minute? After that you can resume pointing the stunner at me.”

  She felt her arm shaking and couldn’t hold the weapon still. She was concentrating so hard on her weapon she didn’t see him move. He had her wrist in one hand, pointing her arm away. Her other arm was pinned between her body and his chest with his arm around her waist.

  “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let you stay in the battle. We’ve done too much and come too far to have you die on the battlefield. We need to get you home to Xanlos and restore you to your throne.” He sounded sincere. She paused, thinking for a second about what he said. He might be right but . . .

  “Remove your helmet when you talk to me and let me go. What is this foul substance on your armor?” His hold was so tight she felt she would bruise. He was strong, but this went beyond that. He let her go. She waited for him to remove his helmet. Her eyes grew wide when it became fluid and absorbed into the armor on his shoulders. His long hair was gone, cut in the style of the human males she had seen on the Warhammer. His blue eyes were cold, unwavering. He stared in the face of her anger, unflinching. Did he intend to stare her down? Make her look away first? Not a chance. She swung. The beast growled and her hand stopped, dead. She felt the bristly hair on his face touching her palm, then again her wrist was in a vice-like hold.

  In the same moment, his face pressed against her hand, his head cocked slightly to the side. He closed his eyes. She felt the warmth of his skin and was lost. Her anger began to evaporate. There was only his touch and her skin. No, he wouldn’t get off so easy. Movement caught her eye as his other han
d rested on the head of the creature that now stood quietly along beside him. She knew it was the touch of reassurance, like a father would touch a child, or a large protective beast.

  “I have many questions, Benjamin.”

  “I’m sure. Maybe I have answers. We will have to see.”

  “You didn’t answer all my questions earlier.”

  “Oh, one I know the answer to. Beetle shit.” She took a calming breath and exhaled slowly.

  “We have shared much, you and I. But not the excrement of a giant insect.”

  “Now we have.”

  “I am overjoyed.” She sighed. “Your thoughtfulness knows no bounds.”

  “Never mind that. It’ll rinse off. I want to find out if there is anything we can do to turn this around. If it’s even worth it. If not, we are leaving. I won’t endanger you, the Privateers, and your people over a battle that bears little consequence. Besides, if your navy wins up there, they’ll take care of cleaning up the planet. If they lose, it won’t matter if we win or not down here. The Khalnalax will take care of us. Our odds of getting away are much better right now, ahead of whatever outcome happens up there.”

  She wasn’t ready for the tug on her arm. He moved so quickly and pulled her along until she stepped fast enough to catch up. They neared the waiting group and Taz could see Zora and Dela’maah smirking while the others looked angry or shocked. The commander’s face was stone. This wasn’t the reunion with Benjamin she had hoped for, but he came for her and that was something. She would make him pay in time for stunning her. Right now, they had a planet to liberate.

  ****

  We entered the camp and I realized I still held Taz by the wrist. I let go and took her hand. She didn’t balk or say a word. “Commander, where are the mantis?” I asked the commander who had met us upon our arrival. “I realized too late they were missing and what an integral part they played in controlling the others.”

  “Dead, all except for four. They contracted an illness that took them quickly, before we realized what was happening. We were able to treat four, but they are weak.”