“Lor Guldr posits an interesting proposition. I ask why should we wait? Mining ships can be obtained for the right sum of money. Let Lor Guldr share his financial analysis with this Assembly, then with its approval, let us send buyers to every quadrant where a ship is for sale, or to those where the owner of a ship we desire can be persuaded to sell.”
The assembly erupted in laughter. It was several minutes before the ruckus died down. Banging his gavel on the desk, the chairman called for order and instructed Dur Rudnr to yield the floor or continue.
“I continue. This is a unique opportunity, and Lor Guldr should be commended for recognizing it. The Centorians must suspect we will increase our mining efforts to make up for the lost ship. If we obtain additional equipment, in confidence with the sellers, they will be surprised at the magnitude of our response when it is leaked. I agree with Lor Guldr’s suggestion that the Centorians will overreact, and they would never expect anyone to attack Centoria.”
Dur Rudnr looked out over the assembly. Making a grand gesture he threw his arms open wide. “I believe this plan has merit. We have the advantage of surprise, a key element in any military endeavor. Therefore, I second Lor Guldr’s motion and request an immediate vote of this National Assembly to execute his plan just as it was presented.”
Erg Balor stood at his chair and requested the floor, while the clamor in the Assembly room reached a fevered pitch. The chairman intervened.
“Silence, silence in the chambers,” he yelled, “the Chair recognizes Erg Balor.”
“Thank you for the floor Chairman,” he said as he made his way to the open space in front of the head table, “and thank you Assemblymen for having me here today to describe the recent events on Centoria. As many of you know, I am also a military man,” he nodded to Lor Guldr, “and I know something of the Centorians, having met them in the field on more than one occasion.”
“The events played out on the eastern ridges of Umbreathe were tragic, and we sustained heavy losses; both personnel and equipment. Yet, in that regard, no one has asked a very important question here today. In fact, several important questions have not been asked here today.” He paused to make sure everyone was listening.
“What were the planners thinking when they sent a mining ship to Centoria? Were they unaware of the significance of the rock cliffs east of Umbreathe, and the Legend of Angels held so dear by all Centorians? Did we think to mine rock and not be obstructed in any way? Our desire for easy rock, and the short sidedness of our planners, resulted in many dead giants, not to mention the complete destruction of one of our dearest ships.”
“Did I not tell you the Centorian placed a preprogrammed tetratic sphere on the hull of our vessel? Our visit was anticipated and their response was planned. Think carefully about what you are about to do,” pleaded Erg. “Captain Urlorh was a seasoned veteran, yet he underestimated the Centorian who met us at the eastern ridges, and he paid with his life.”
“Buy your ships if you desire them, and mine the planets of our system and beyond, but do not think to invade Centoria and catch them by surprise. That is utter nonsense. Is it for no reason they are called the guardians of the universe?”
“And what ships would you send into combat? Have you not heard what happened to the Zin Charr on Numaria? How the new Centorian Alpha Class Gunship tore through the Zin Charr’s shields like it was lint from a clothes dryer? Before you claim it is rumor, I will tell you I’ve personally verified the account. I spoke to the captain of a Zin Charr cruiser. The Zin Charr say they have no response to the Centorian’s new Alpha class ships.”
“I ask you to consider our military fleet. Do we have any ship or weapons that might guarantee victory, that might be better than those of the Zin Charr, let alone the Centorians? It is madness to entertain such an endeavor. The fault for our losses at the eastern ridges of Umbreathe is our own. Do not let that error become a mantra for a greater mistake. You will not catch the Centorians ever abandoning their home world defenses. The suggestion of such a thing among them would be considered blasphemy and an apostasy. Centoria is their heart and soul. They will never, ever leave her defenseless.”
“Listen to me today. Consider what I have said and ponder it carefully. I have studied the Centorians extensively; their history, their society and their art of war. I have met them in the field, as a soldier and as a miner. There is no victory to be had against them. Buy your extra ships if you have the money, and send them to mine; that is the livelihood of Korganraim Giants. But don’t appoint yourselves and all of Korganra to ruin. That is our fate if you underestimate the Centorians and agree to this ill-advised plan.”
As he finished, a giant who was bigger than most and a head taller than Erg, joined him in the open space between the head table and the Assemblymen. In an unprecedented move, he superseded the Chairman’s control and challenged Erg for the floor. “We’ve heard enough of your lectures,” said the giant. “Explain how all the officers onboard the mining ship Secundor lost their lives pursuing the glory of Korganra, and you stand before us alive with not so much as a scratch. Did you not offer any resistance to the puny Centorians? Yield the floor, we have had enough of your ramblings.”
No one in the room missed the giant’s insinuation; certainly not Erg Balor. There was complete silence in the assembly room, and every eye was on the two giants, who stood only five meters apart. “If you want the floor, Gor Bol, you are free to try and take it,” said Erg.
Gor Bol was not one to avoid a challenge. Hoping to catch Erg off-guard, he charged forward. He was quick, but Erg used Gor’s momentum against him and sent him crashing into the closest wall. The assemblymen reacted at once, some cheering Erg and some heckling and taunting him. Gor recovered and came at Erg again, this time in a more controlled manner. As he approached he reached out with both arms, intending to grab Erg and throw him to the ground. But Erg deflected Gor’s right hand, grabbed his wrist, and while bending his arm behind his back sent him crashing into the wall again.
This time, before Gor could confront him, Erg landed a side kick that stunned Gor and bruised two of his ribs. Gor stumbled forward and before he could recover Erg applied a sleeper choke hold and pulled him to the ground. Six seconds later, Erg released Gor’s unconscious body and stood up before the stunned Assemblymen.
“Mister Chairman, I relinquish the floor.”
Erg Balor was different than most giants. Compared to his fellow Korganrans he was rational to the extreme. It wasn’t that he didn’t have emotions like other giants, he simply chose to balance them against what was both rational and prudent. The result was Erg Balor’s military record read like a template for cadets wishing to achieve success. In every aspect, he excelled.
But he was different. When Giants might send troops charging into a line of fire, he would wait and evaluate options; options that might often save the lives of his soldiers. Erg Balor’s different approach made other officers uncomfortable, and he didn’t enjoy the support of his superiors others took for granted. When it was clear to everyone in high command his methods would not change, he was politely informed his military career would not advance because he didn’t have the stomach to make hard decisions.
His response, “Only idiots willingly sacrifice good soldiers,” didn’t help his cause; the Military Records Evaluation Panel hearing his case was staffed with ten such idiots. That is how the most capable officer in the Korganraim military in recent history became a miner. When a reporter for the Military Gazette asked him about his decision to leave the service Erg said,” Sometimes it is better to leave the ocean than to flail against the tides.” The reporter printed the quote verbatim, but few of his readers understood its true meaning.
Erg Balor yielded the floor after his speech to the National Assembly of Korganra, knowing he had not convinced them. It was too easy for them to imagine an expanded and invigorated mining fleet, and a quick victory over the Centorians. Most of the Assemblymen had no military experience. They didn’t
understand the horrors of war, so they were compelled by opposing arguments to disregard his appeal.
Giants are aggressive by nature, and given the opportunity they would most often choose conflict over negotiation, and reaction over careful planning. That day, the Assembly voted to expand the fleet and use it as the central element in a subterfuge that would begin what they believed would be a quick and decisive conflict.
The National Assembly cast their votes that afternoon. The motion passed, and Lor Guldr was asked to be Chairman of the Battle Council. In an unexpected move, the Assembly, who were enamored with how he had dispatched Gor Bol, requested Erg Balor accept the position of Vice Chairman.
They commissioned agents to acquire mining ships as suggested by Guldr, who had already prepared a list of ships for sale, and a list of owners who could be pressured to sell, though their ships were not on the market. Within a matter of days, all the necessary ships were procured and the Council began looking for crew members. Many of them had also been identified by Lor Guldr and Dur Rudnr, who had been commissioned to procure all necessary supplies without delay.
During the hectic days that followed the National Assembly meeting, Erg Balor was summoned to the Assembly Chair’s office. The Chairman, Kor Tohl, had previous experience in both the military and mining, not unlike Erg, and he had government experience that contributed greatly to his success as the National Assembly’s Chairman.
“Come in, come in,” urged the Chairman when Erg arrived. “Would you like a drink? Some water, or maybe something stronger?”
“No, I’m fine Chairman Tohl.” It was his first time to visit the Chairman’s office. Instead of being decorated with finely made furniture and expensive rugs, which the National Assembly’s coffers could certainly afford, the room had spartan furnishings. It wasn’t what he expected, but he was pleasantly surprised.
“Please, call me Kor. I like to keep it simple,” he said as Erg took in the room. “No sense spending money needlessly. But I didn’t ask you here to discuss interior design, did I?”
“Why DID you ask me here?” After the Assembly rejected my advice I was shocked to be appointed to the Battle Council.”
“Not just appointed to, but Vice Chairman. They love a good fighter.”
“I still don’t know why I’m here.”
“You are here because I need a favor,” said Kor. “I’ve seen the damage and destruction that follows Lor Guldr. Every moment of his career he preferred conflict if it was an option, even when it wasn’t necessary. Even when it was a weaker path to take he eschewed peace. The man has not vision. What he has is eloquence of speech, and the gift to move those that hear him, or fear him, for good or bad.”
“I don’t like the path we’re on, and I don’t trust Guldr. The fleet being assembled is being outfitted with men of his own choosing. Men might feel indebted to him. They might be easily swayed by Gulder for other purposes.”
“I don’t disagree with your feelings about Lor Guldr,” said Erg, “but, you still haven’t told me why I’m here.”
“I want you to watch Guldr closely,” replied Kor Tohl. I’m suspicious of how we got to this juncture, and I’m worried about how we will proceed. Guldr has his plan. I think it’s flawed, but the National Assembly voted and we are now obliged to press forward. But, we should proceed cautiously and be alert. A time may come when we must intervene in this questionable endeavor.”
“How would we accomplish that?”
“I’ve made many friends in my career. Those men are loyal to me. “I’m sure you also have men that would be loyal to you, if you needed their help.”
“You think Lor Guldr will approach the military,” stated Erg. “You think he’ll use this situation to drum up support for a coup.”
“Lor Guldr is no young man. The opportunity to reign supreme on Korganra is slipping through his own hands. Now, the imbecilic raid on the eastern slopes of Umbreathe has given him a new opportunity. That unfortunate incident is being used to rattle our swords and stir the passions of our assembly. Underestimating Guldr would be a grave mistake; he is after much, much more than war with Centoria.”
“If he miraculously pulled out a victory what then?” asked Kor. And if our military is decimated, will he not use that as a rallying cry, as he has done with the loss of our mining ship and all its officers, except you? Watch Guldr,” cautioned Chairman Tohl. “If he begins to have meetings with members of the military, and you are not invited to those meetings, we will be on the verge of a civil war.”
“And what happens then?” asked Erg.
“What happens then? Like it or not, you and I once again become military men.
CHAPTER SIX
THE END APPROACHING
The sky over Midmortia rumbled, then contorted like it was being folded then stretched, then folded again. No clouds were left in the sky after the first rumble, they drifted away, but not sideways to the horizon, they drifted upward and dissipated into a thin line of water vapor that went up and up, into the sky seemingly without end.
People stood and stared at the odd phenomenon. No one who watched that odd sliver of water vapor stretch into the sky was prepared for what happened next. The long, jagged tear mark across the sky ripped open, leaving a gash that looked like a gigantic black lightning bolt from one horizon to the other. When the gash reached the far horizon, it made a deafening noise like the sound of a gigantic bomb explosion.
The concussion wave shook everything everywhere, like a fierce wind shakes a tree’s brown leaves in the dead of winter. Buildings swayed tremendously and trees snapped from the sudden burst of pressure.
Stuart Devlon stood in his office watching the sky when the shock wave hit his building. The floor seemed to move and shift beneath him unpredictably. It wasn’t the wind striking the face of the building that caused the problem. It was the wind rushing along it’s sides, forming swirling eddies as it pushed around the edges of the building.
Those vortices were like invisible little tornadoes peeling off the sides of the building in alternating patterns that set the entire skyscraper vibrating. As they passed, they pushed and pulled the windowpanes, distorting his image as if he was in a circus tent admiring his peculiar body in a funhouse mirror. Stuart felt the building vibrate again, and the floor shift precariously under his feet.
He grabbed his communicator and headed for the stairs. It was only then he heard other employees screaming in fear. Some hugged their officemates while others hid under their desks thinking they were in the path of a tornado. Stuart yelled at them as he passed down the hall.
“Go to the stairs, get out of the building. Go to the stairs,” he screamed.
Just before he reached the elevator Stuart noticed a friend, Jay Millser, standing in his office. He walked to the door as the building shuddered, and he stumbled sideways grabbing the door jam. “Jay, you need to leave.”
His friend stood perfectly still near the windows. “Jay, you need to leave,” yelled Stuart. He didn’t budge from his spot, he stood facing the window.
Stuart ran across the room and grabbed his friend by the shoulder, turning him around. “Jay, you…” His face was emotionless; frozen with no expression and his eyes were dull and lifeless.
“You’re in shock. Listen, you have to come with me, you have to come now. Do you understand?” Stuart grabbed a coat from the hook behind the door and threw it around his friend’s shoulders. “We’re leaving, Jay, come with me.”
Stuart guided his friend out of the office and into the hallway. Because of his friend’s odd behavior, he was oblivious to the sounds of panicked people yelling and screaming. But the distraction faded and he focused on their highest priority. “We have to leave,” he yelled down the hallway. “Donna, you have to leave.”
His boss stood stiffly in the middle of the hallway, staring blankly through her office and out the window. Stuart wasn’t sure she been able to hear him over the din of frightened people. “Stay here Jay, stay right here,” h
e said as he pushed his friend against the wall next to the stairwell door. The building shuddered again and Stuart almost lost his footing as he headed down the hall.
“Donna,” he shouted, as he walked around her. She didn’t acknowledge him in the smallest way. Shock, he thought, and he took her by the hand.
“Time to go Donna,” and led her down the hall to the stairwell. After helping them onto the landing inside the third-floor stairwell door, he painstakingly led them down the shifting stairs to the garage and helped them into his transport.
“Marie, where are you?”
“I’m at the Stohphim Hotel Stuart. We left on the shuttle early this morning when you went in to work. When are you joining us?”
“Listen carefully Marie,” and he explained what was happening. “Oh no,” he cried, as a swirl of dust and small bits of rock floated past him toward the sky.
“Stuart, are you okay? You tell me what is going on right this minute.”
“Marie, I need you to call your brother Arton. Call him as soon as we hang-up and tell him what’s going on here. Tell it like I described it to you Marie; the rip in the sky; everything. Tell him I’m seeing soil and debris float off the ground and into the sky. Everyone at the office is panicked. I left the building, and I have Jay and Donna with me, they’re both in shock. If I can...”
“Stuart, you leave there right now,” She yelled into her communicator.” “Do you hear me? Stuart? Stuart?”
Marie sat quietly for a moment before she was jostled back to reality by her young sons.
“Mommy, are you going to call uncle Arton?”
“Yes, I’m going to call him right now.”
“What did daddy mean when he said the sky was ripped?”
“I’m not sure. You’re hungry aren’t you. I laid out a snack on the table. Go eat, and we’ll do something fun after lunch.”
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