I replied, "If they land on the surface, they will be sending their troops into the protection of those fields. We might see the ground war we've been trying to avoid."
I called the captain of one of the Odenta ships. "Captain Xonn, the gravity pulse rifles we developed, did we manage to save any of those?"
The captain replied, "We have twenty-thousand units on the Greikus."
"Is there any way we can get those through the inhibitor fields to our troops?" I said.
Captain Xonn shook his head. "Short of crashing a ship, I don't see how. The rifles will work within that field, our ships won't."
I asked, "How close could you get them to the center of one of those field bubbles?"
The captain replied, "I'll have an answer for you in just a minute."
Garrett came on the comm. "I have a visual on Joni's shuttle. She set down right in the middle of those fields. There's a high ridge about eight kilometers from the inhibitor. I might be able to do a hard landing on it."
I shook my head. "Don't chance it. Take up a position on the perimeter beside us. We might end up going in there together."
Garrett nodded. The Garmon and the Jess were soon parked in a grassy field at the edge of the combined inhibitor fields.
Go talked as he powered over the top of the field. "I have the transports in sight. If you check my position, the Council's transport is directly in front of me. Give me another minute and we can have the lot of them mapped out."
I replied, "When you get to the Council ship, how are you going to make contact?"
Go thought for a moment. "I don't know, I suppose I'll just have to go in there and start yelling. If I take out their inhibitor, are they left high and dry or will there be overlap? They don't appear to be parked too far from the other transports."
Garrett responded. "Scans say they'll drop to about 40 percent field strength. We might even be able to land a ship in that, but I wouldn't count on it."
Several minutes later, Go said, "OK, I'm going in. You should have the visual data for all the ground forces. I only caught the Grumar and Grotus transports at an angle, but that should be sufficient to check their strength."
I opened a comm to all of our ships. "If an attack comes from above, only focus your efforts on protecting the Grunta and Talisan ships. If the Grumar and Grotus ships are their targets, let them be."
Jack frowned. "You sure letting them in that close is a good thing?"
I replied, "If the Grotus decide to attack our people on the ground, we have no good way to stop them. If we were armed with GPRs we might not care, but we have no way of getting the GPRs to them at the moment."
Several minutes later, Go said, "I got the attention of the Council. There is a lot of confusion as to what to do. Joni is there with them. What do you want me to say?"
I yelled, "Tell them we want them on their ships so we can get them out of here!"
Go replied, "You don't have to yell at me, I'm back outside the field. I can hear you fine. I just have to yell at them when I'm down there."
I lowered my voice. "Sorry. We want them all in their ships so we can drop those inhibitor fields and get them out of there."
Go shook his head. "They aren't going. They were told to sit where they are and they would be safe. Besides, they are gearing up for a fight with the Grumar and Grotus. Those troops have started moving in under the protection of the inhibitors."
Jack said, "I don't know if this helps or not, but they aren't far from all of those underground chambers your people had. Would it be of any benefit to move them there?"
I thought for a moment. "What does that buy us?"
Jack paused. "Time? If we can get them in the bunkers, it protects them from any particle beams the Kergans may throw down here. It also protects them from the Grumar, Grotus and Moddle if they decide they want a fight. Heck, if we can squeeze them and the Talisan in there, we might be able to drop those fields altogether. Let the Kergans do their thing to the others, then power the fields back on."
I said over the comm, "Go, try to convince them to move into the bunkers. There should be adequate room and it will offer them protection where they currently have none. If they refuse, make your way to the Talisan and give the orders to them."
Jack leaned back with a confused look. "You would leave your people out there as the only ones to face the others? That doesn't sound like you."
I replied, "I want everyone to survive. If the Gruntas want to stay and fight they won't be looking for any assistance. If I can get the Talisans in those bunkers, I might be able to convince the Council to do the same."
After receiving instructions, Go powered off toward the Talisan commanders. I called upon the Talisan major commanding my troops on the Garmon, instructing him to meet me at the armory. Once there, GPRs were distributed to my small force of a hundred men. We soon led off across the fields toward the forests.
As I reached the edge of the inhibitor field, Jack said, "We'll do our best to keep the Kergans away."
I stopped. "We should be somewhat protected by those fields. Do what you can, but don't put yourself in a situation you can't get out of. We'll need you and the other ships if we want a shot at getting out of here."
Jack nodded, and the comm closed as I stepped into the inhibitor field. Almost immediately my arm pad shut down. Other than the lack of ion power, the inhibitor gave no indication of its existence. The sky overhead was a bright blue. The temperature was moderate and the smell of the air was fresh and clean. On several occasions, I saw the telltale ripple in the air as a gravity beam shot up toward orbital space.
As I continued forward, I took notice of something that had escaped my attention before. Jorus was teeming with life. Birds filled the trees, insects fluttered among the various shrubs. And the gnats, the pestilence of bother that seemed to inhabit every planet, swarmed around each of our heads as we walked.
We soon found ourselves on a long overgrown roadway that offered level footing. We sped up from our casual walk to a modest run. The Talisan troops seemed to have no issue keeping up with my pace. The slightly lower oxygen levels on Dallex had given them powerful and efficient lungs. On many planets, their endurance was something most species could only dream of.
As we ran, I periodically glanced up at the heavens. It was hard to believe that, not far away, tens of thousands of ships were clashing in a war that was far bigger than anything we had ever seen. For a brief moment, I was taken back to my youth where history lessons told about the War of Wars and the many thousands of ships involved, a number far greater than that just above us. The inevitably tremendous loss of life that was taking place soon had me quickening my pace. Again the Talisan managed to keep up.
Several hours passed before the first of the Grunta transports came into view. They were arranged in a grid pattern that spread out from three inhibitor towers in the center. Activity could be seen in and around each of the transports. As we moved closer, the activity was easily identified as combat training. Large Grunta mauls were being swung with ferocity and then jabbed forward repeatedly.
We came up over a rise only to be greeted by a half dozen Grunta fighters who were patrolling the perimeter.
"Halt... Mr. Beutcher! Welcome!" one of the fighters said.
I nodded as I continued to run. When we reached the inhibitor towers, the Council's transport came into view. I slowed to a walk, ordering my troops to take a rest. I had to chuckle to myself as they came to a standstill without taking so much as a deep breath.
Joni was standing in the doorway of the transport with a grin. "Man, when the ambassador said you were all dead, I almost lost it right there. I wanted to pump a big blaster bolt into his chest. I'm still not sure how you were making contact. I could barely hear a whisper."
I replied as I came in for a hug. "We managed to get one of Garrett's tags on the bridge. It's a microdot on the wall right where you heard me talking. We had Go plant it there."
Joni stepped back. "Yeah,
what's up with that? I can hear him yelling, but he sounds like he's fifty meters away. How are you projecting his voice into dead air like that?"
I smiled as I placed my hand on her shoulder. "I'll explain as we walk. I need to talk to the Council."
Joni shook her head. "I thought you were stubborn, but you're nothing like them. They didn't want to hear anything I had to say."
Go yelled in my ear. "Knog, the Grumar and Grotus are heading this way!"
I nodded as I began to walk, gesturing to Joni. "Come with me. We need to let the Council know the full situation."
As we reached the door to the Council chamber, two guards stepped into my path with their mauls pulled to their chests. I was barred from entry as Joni stood by my side.
"They are stubborn," Joni said.
I replied, "We have to get in there to let them know."
Go yelled, "I can go back in!"
I shook my head. "No, this is something I have to do. They will stop their discussions for a break at some point. I'll catch them as they come out."
Chapter 13
* * *
Two hours passed. I walked toward the guards.
"No one enters," the guard on the left said.
I continued forward, bumping the one on the right to the side as I passed. "I have important things to say. They'll want to hear them."
The guard stood with a scowl as I pulled the door open, breaking Council protocol. Four additional guards stepped into my path just inside.
I said, "The Grumar and Grotus are coming. Probably close to twenty-five million in total."
The lead councilwoman stood. "We are aware of this, Mr. Beutcher. Please remove yourself from this council before we have you removed by force."
I stood my ground. "Look, you need to quit behaving like stubborn Balimus mules!"
The Council broke into heated replies as half of the women stood in anger.
I raised my hand. "Good. Now that I have your attention, I need to give you all the info I have. The Kergans have close to twenty thousand ships out there. Harden Salton used you as a bargaining chip to bring them out here. It's his intention that the Kergans kill off the Grumar, Grotus and Moddle and then leave this sector. But we all know that's not going to happen. His hopes are that, at a minimum, all of these species are greatly weakened.
"What's going to happen is the war being fought above you will have only one winner. Either the Grumar and Grotus, or the Kergans, or the New Alliance. The Alliance Ambassador told Joni to her face that you were all expendable. They won't fight to protect you. The only way you live is if they are victorious. Given their record with previous battles, I don't think that will happen. Which places you at the mercy of whoever wins."
The lead councilwoman replied. "And I suppose you have a plan to protect us?"
I nodded. "I do. I've ordered the Talisans to move into a series of heavily protected underground bunkers. You should do the same. We then let whoever wins to come down here in their diminished state. We have the ships and the technology needed to drive off a much smaller force. We believe we can keep a force of as many as two thousand ships away—giving you an opportunity to fly your transports out of here."
The councilwoman frowned. "The Grumar and Grotus are here. It's the determination of this council that we fight them here and now."
I replied, "Why risk a single unnecessary death? Move into the bunkers just like our ancestors did. Wait out a result that you can better make a decision with. If the Grumar and Grotus are still out here, you can deal with them then. If they're dead, well, you didn't risk a single Grunta life on them. We could all leave this planet together, or... we could all remain here afterward. This is our home. This is where we originate from. Let's not also make it where our species goes extinct."
The lead councilwoman took a deep breath. "Please excuse yourself, Mr. Beutcher, as we take this under consideration."
I bowed as I left the council chambers, and stood in the hallway as the Council determined my family's fate.
Ten minutes later a spokeswomen emerged. "Mr. Beutcher, it is the determination of the Council that we fight the Grumar and Grotus today. They want this chapter of our lives closed."
I dropped my jaw in disbelief. "They are fools! Fighting today ends nothing! The Grotus have another hundred twenty million citizens out there on Mayanis. All we are doing is dooming ourselves!"
The spokeswoman scowled. "You would do well to leave this ship before the Council hears your remarks, Mr. Beutcher. I will give you this opportunity just once."
Joni pulled on my arm. "Let's go. There's no convincing them."
We walked down the ramp of the transport into the bright Jorus sun.
Go yelled into my ear. "You family is to the northwest of here, about a kilometer."
I nodded as I yelled back. "Thanks! Why don't you go topside and get us a status of things up above as we make our way over there!"
Go yelled back. "Be back in a few!"
Ten minutes later we arrived at the transport that housed my family. Every male and female, both young and old, were in a nearby field practicing their drills. After a short search, we identified Getta as she led her troops through swinging drills.
As I approached, Getta came forward with a smile. "We should be pulling out any minute. I am proud of the commitment of my team. The Grotus will not be happy when they meet with us on the battlefield."
I replied, "This fight is without reason. I did my best to explain this to the Council, but they won't listen to reason."
Getta sighed. "We don't know everything they know, Knog. We have to believe in their decision, it's the only way."
I shook my head. "It's not the only way. And I have all the information they have, if not more. I just don't understand the illogical nature of their position. I offered an alternative that worst case only delays this fight. Best case would be that it doesn't have to be fought at all."
Getta grabbed my shoulder and shook it gently. "We are going to war today. If you want to survive, prepare yourself for the coming fight."
I held up the GPR hanging on my side. "I'm prepared. I wish I could get them to move a brigade over to our ships. We have about twenty-thousand of these rifles that will still fire inside this field. We could take down the Grotus without them ever getting a swing at one of our people."
Getta gestured toward the practicing troops. "You have already given us the counter for the axe the Grotus use. They will soon find they were outclassed three thousand years ago and nothing has changed today."
I stood in silence for several seconds. "I'm bringing my troops in under your command. We have a hundred of these rifles. At least I can protect my family."
Go returned and yelled, "Mr. Beutcher! I have news! The Kergans are winning. It's early yet, but the numbers are going in their favor. The Moddle are already down 20 percent of their ships. All ships on both sides are fully engaged now. The Grumar and Grotus ships are holding up well; the Salton ships, not so much. The Kergan particle beams are cutting through their forward shields when two strike at the same time. Our ships are trying to counter those shots, but are failing to do so."
I yelled back. "What of our own ships? Have the Kergans or anyone else attempted to come down here?"
Go yelled: "There were two additional attempts involving several hundred Kergan ships each time! Jack and the others were able to push them back, but not before they destroyed every last one of the Grumar and Grotus transports! A quick visual scan has their numbers at twenty-six million! At least fifteen million of those are Grotus!"
I turned to Getta. "You heard that, right?"
She nodded. "I did. But where is it coming from?"
I replied, "We have a technology that allows it. Just as we have a technology that allows these GPR rifles to fire inside this field. Unfortunately, we only have that ability with a single comm."
Getta again grabbed my shoulder to assure me. "I'll send a runner to let the Council know about the rifles. Wher
e did you come in from?"
I pointed. "Straight north. There was once a roadway there, just follow it out and you won't miss it. Jack is ready to hand out the rifles and to give training if needed. They are simple to use, so it shouldn't be an issue."
Getta asked, "Have you talked to the Talisans?"
I nodded. "I have. They are heading for the bunkers that I suggested we should use. The Grotus would slaughter them in hand-to-hand combat. They are loyal and would charge ahead if I asked, but I don't want to risk any of them on a bullheaded Council."
Getta scowled. "I asked you not to speak of them that way. It's disrespectful."
I sighed. "You are right. I apologize."
A runner sprinted up to Getta. "Ma'am, it's time. General Kalan wants you to move your troops two kilometers due south. Once the lines have formed, we will advance."
Getta acknowledged. The runner returned to his command.
"Go," I yelled. "Send ten thousand of my Talisans out to Jack. Have them return with every GPR they can get their hands on. Let Jack know they are coming so he can hand them out in the fastest possible manner. As soon as they have them, send them toward the front lines. The Talisan can run the whole way—please have them do so. We are going to need that firepower."
Joni said with a smirk. "Kicking yourself for not having thought of that before?"
I nodded. "If we made the right decision every time, we probably wouldn't be here. Take this GPR. I can't see you doing much good with that mace. I'll use my maul."
Joni smiled as she took the rifle. "Just point and shoot?"
I pointed toward the safety. "Flip that off and it's ready to go. Aim and squeeze the trigger. It fires a gravity pulse. You can dial the impact up or down using this slider. At full strength it would be like getting hit by one of your uncle's limousines. The low setting is closer to me punching you in the chest."
Joni half smiled. "I've seen you punch someone in the chest. I'll keep that in mind."
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