They continued riding onward then the land grew narrow and soon they were riding through a canyon with steep rocky sides that were dotted here and there with crumbling fortifications. There were also great cuts in the rock that showed signs of burning as if a great heat had ripped across the surface. The floor of the canyon was littered with the remains of huge animals and skeletons of warriors long dead.
“This is the place of the protector” Ishea spoke softly, and then she pointed with her spear to a structure in the distance, “their lives the Mother of Voices”.
Arn looked to see a large mound of rock and something crouching upon it like a great bird of prey. As they drew nearer the King could make out more of its detail and soon saw that it was not a creature of flesh and bone but a great machine of war.
It closely resembled the long-range cannon of the Nomads but its size was beyond belief, the barrel was the length of twenty tall men and pitted with age. It sat upon a huge mound of solid rock cut into a platform with massive bands of steel holding the breech end of the enormous gun. There was a wide stone ramp leading up to the hind end of the weapon and at the top was another platform that gave access for loading. Who had forged such an incredible thing was beyond the knowledge of the Nomad but the Gods must have surely put it there.
When they at last stood beside the huge gun the Queen gave a signal and her warriors began to dismount. Seeing that they had reached their goal the King also gave the order and the Outlanders quickly surrounded the mound of rock and steel so that no enemy could hope to come near.
Now the reason for the great wagon became known for it was pulled up to the ramp and opened to reveal a huge steel projectile the size of a three warrior. In form it resembled a Doffbird egg but was flat on one end, the other end was fashioned into a sharp point so that it could penetrate more easily. And along with the great mass of steel there were several round woven bags that held a substance that would produce enough power to blast the heavy shell through the air.
If Andra had been there she would have seen that the weapon was a siege cannon meant to destroy an enemy from a great distance. She had faced such weapons when she was a soldier fighting for her Homeworld. By most standards it was a primitive defense system, nothing like the Blaze-cannons or Magnitite enforcers of the Outer Rim planets. But it could still deal out death and death is death no matter how it comes.
It took the strength of several strong Nomads along with as many Norgonie to lift the heavy projectile and carry it up the long slopping ramp. Several more warriors bringing the bags of explosives followed them, and as the move upwards the Queen turned to the King.
“Now you will hear our mother speak,” she said smiling, “and when she does death will follow”.
Death was indeed coming for the monster from the stars was entering the place where Eurdor-Can laid waiting.
“Long range sensors have detected a large group of humanoids directly ahead”.
A moment later the former Shadowman accessed the detector and confirmed what the Taskrobot had reported, “continue on course and prepare all forward weapons”, he commanded. And the faithful servant transferred his orders to the projectile weapons that had been taken from the City of the Talsonar, the robot would continue to monitor all sensors and when they were in range it would report that all was in readiness for war.
Andra was not thinking of war but neither was she thinking of the small child that she held in her arms. The tent of the King was surrounded by the best of the Nomad warriors for when Arn had rode out he left behind strict orders that they should guard his mate and see that no harm came to her. Inside the Off-World girl sat listening to the wise words of Omara the Touchtender that had cared for her when she lay unconscious for so many days.
The old woman had seen countless children in her many cycles but she had never seen a creature like the one she was now called upon to nurture.
It is a strange thing she thought her skin is white as the snow and she does not cry. Any other Touchtender would have run from the tent and never returned saying that the child was a spawn of demons and a thing of evil. But the heart of Omara was great so she finished mixing Grana with clear water in a special clay bowl and handed it to the Off-orld girl. In turn Andra took the mixture and began feeding it to her child for she had learned that her baby would not drink Trofar milk or any other nourishment other than the Salt of the Earth combined with water. Now as she watched her baby drink deeply she heard the old woman speak.
“A creature that can consume the gift of the Goddess cannot be a demon,” she said.
But Andra was not listening for her mind was far away.
I promised to be at his side always she heard her mind say, and as she looked down at the child in her arms she heard a voice speaking to her.
Go to him, it said.
And looking into the blue eyes of the infant she suddenly knew it was the right thing to do so she placed her baby into the arms of the old Touchtender.
“Care for my child until I return” she said. And then she quickly rose and began encasing her strong body in armor.
A short time later a lone Whiptail and its rider rode out from the Fortress and into the green woods. The warrior that all knew as Moonbud left behind a child that she cared for more than anyone in the world, but at that moment her heart was being pulled by another love, a love that she could not ignore.
Even the eldest of the Norgonie had never heard the Mother of Voices speak for no enemy had dared enter their lands and face the great guardian of the South, but now Forest-dwellers and Nomads alike would hear what no others had heard sense ages past.
It took some time to load the great gun for its breach was rusty in spite of all the care that the Norgonie had lavished upon it in days past. But with the help of the Nomads it was finally opened and following ancient teachings the heavy projectile was put into it followed by the bags of combustibles. Aiming the cannon would be a task in itself for inside the mount of rock lay a series of giant wheels and pulleys had to be turned or pulled to turn to the right or left or up and down. Advance mathematics wasn’t a thing that a warrior needed to know for they were creatures of action and there were old men of the tribe to do there thinking for them. So the Norgonie had brought along with them an Elder who had studied the writing of the Overlords enough to understand some basic physics and therefore could guide the turning of the huge gun.
Now all was in readiness, the Norgonie removed the restraints of the Drogs and gripped their Kagars tightly. The Nomads listened to the grunting of their Whiptails and thought about how they would be greeted in the Golden Hall of Isarie should they fall in battle. And each side prayed to their Gods that they might fight with honor and not bring disgrace on their people.
“Within range” reported the Taskrobot, “we can commence bombardment on your command my God”.
This was the moment that the God-man had waited for, at last he would have revenge, at last he could destroy his enemy, see them scatter to the winds and hear their screams of pain. He sat there for a time letting his anger grow within him, feeling the power rising up like the tide of the Western Sea, and when it had reached its peak he gave the order.
“Open fire!”
Outside the great machine the long-range weapons began to roar and fill the air with a rain of death.
The warriors did not run as they heard the sound of cannon, they sat unmoving on their mounts and waited to see who the Gods would allow to live and who they would choose to die.
It did not take long.
With a great burst of dirt and rock the first of the projectiles hit the ground, and it seams that the Gods were on their side for they did little damage and most of them landed far short of their mark.
Now it was the Norgonies turn to act for they could see the Metal monster entering through the far end of the valley, it was a narrow gap and being so it would not be too difficult to aim the great gun. So after some quick calculations the Elder of the Forest-dwellers shouted c
ommands to the warriors and slowly the barrel of the huge cannon began to move. Creaking sounds filled the air as steel workings that had not turned in many cycles did so again.
But in the time it took to turn the Great Voice another volley of shells landed amongst the warriors and this time they did not miss. Roars from two of the Rowgors could be heard as they were struck by steel from the sky, even their armor could not protect them and they and their riders were lifted into the air and when they hit the rocky ground they were dead.
But still the warriors did not turn and flee for they were the bait that would draw their enemy to them so they stood bravely and waited for their Leaders to command them. And a short time later another burst of shells broke the air and this time it was the Nomads who entered the Afterlife. Three Whiptails and their brave riders were directly hit and in a flash of fire and smoke there was nothing left except bits of flesh and charred bone. The blast barely missed Valen and the sound of the shell caused his Whiptail to bolt but he managed to gain control of the beast and gripping his tooth he steadied himself once more.
The Metal God was now racing fast towards them but still the great gun did not fire for it had only one chance to speak and there would be no time to load and aim it a second time.
Twice more the shells form the monster landed amongst the warriors and each time more of them died, but still they did not run. The King held his ground and waited for it was not his place to order the Great Voice to speak, that power was in the hands of his former mate.
Ishea watched unmoving as her warriors meant their ends but she knew that she must be strong and wait till the oncoming metal beast was closer. Now a volley of shells landed directly in front of her Rowgor and shrapnel for the explosions caused her mount to roar in pain. One of the burning bits of steel cut her across the left cheek but still she did not move.
She was always stubborn, Arn thought.
Ishea could feel blood trickling down the side of her face but the smell of blood only stiffened her courage, then she looked over a the King and she saw the anticipation in his eyes, he was always to eager. She slowly lifted her Kagar and called out in a voice that could be heard by all.
“SPEAK!” she shouted.
And at last Eurdor-Can spoke.
And from the mouth of the Great Voice a sound burst forth that shook the earth and filled the sky with smoke and lightning.
“Long range sensors have detected a projectile approaching at......” but the Taskrobot did not have time to finish his report before the huge machine God was struck by a force that shook it like a Sagar cats shakes it prey.
The heavy shell that burst from the mouth of the great gun penetrated the first, second and third layers of shielding and exploded deep inside the warship. Fire and smoke began to billow out through the jagged hole along with plumes of steam and gas but the warship that once ruled continued forward.
In his chamber the Man-God tried to interface with the main computer console but it was useless for the central information center had been hit along with the Electro-magnetic shielding.
“REPORT, REPORT” shouted the Machine-Man.
But he found no response, he looked up to see that the Orbs blue light was not flickering and inside the clear housing he could see the organic material convulsing violently. And suddenly his mind filled with a searing pain the likes of which he had never known; he reeled on his steel legs and gripped his metal head and tried to scream. But nothing came out his mouth, then he felt strange as if a part of him were dying and being swallowed up by the darkness of death.
The Orb had been created for war and it had fulfilled its purpose far beyond the wildest dreams of its creators, it had destroyed whole planets and laid waste advanced civilizations. As it circled the star Procus it dreamed of death, then it found the human and was given a new path to war. But now it was dying and as its light slowly faded we can only hope that it had at last found peace.
When the smoke cleared and the Nomads saw that the Metal God had been struck they let out a great cheer and shouts of joy.
“Atos is dead” an Outlander screamed.
“Our enemy is defeated” hollered a Norgonie.
But the King knew that fools believe with only their eyes so he raised his ax and shouted to his warriors.
“SILENCE!” and the cries from the warriors ended.
Arn had listened as Valen told them about the strange power of the Metal God, how it could reach out and bring pain from afar. And although he longed to charge into battle and test his strength against such a creature he held back and did not give in to his instincts.
It would have been easy for the Norgonie Queen to lead her people against their enemy, but like the King she knew that strength alone does not win battles. So she cooled her blood and waited beside the Nomad.
The light was now gone from the Great Orb but the Half-human still lived.
“REPORT!” he called out again and soon there came a reply.
“Damage to sections three to twenty nine, nine, nine, nine”. The Taskrobot had been damaged but it was still functioning and like all machines it continued to follow its programming, “Magnetic shielding is down, weapons limited...POWER, POWER....is? humanoids approaching from...Damage, damage!”
The Metal man could see that his power had been challenged and a lesser man might have turned and fled but he was no longer a mere human, he was much more and he would not be defeated. Now he drew up all his mind power and concentrated on saving himself, he inserted his digital connector into the interface on his throne and began sending orders to the different mechanisms as his command.
Power was down fifty percent and many of the forward weapons were not responding there was also great damage to the shielding and it would take time to repair them. The Spotters and Repairbots tried their best to regain control but they were hampered by conflicting orders and a lack of power. Navigation was also damaged and this made the Metal God swerve in its path and crash into the rock walls of the valley.
“I will not be defeated,” the Man-God said as he tried franticly to regain control of his world, then after rerouting command functions he was able to access forward weapons.
“FIRE!” he shouted.
And responding to the mind link the canons began the bombardment once more.
Arn could see the Iron monster coming for them and although it was badly damaged it was still gaining ground. Now he had to make a choice, stand his ground and face the mind pain that would surely come or retreat back to the Fortress and make it there last stand? But before he could decide he saw it emit several bursts of smoke and fire and a moment later a shell exploded in front of him.
With a loud roar his Whiptail was lifted into the air and he went flying from the saddle. The war beast had taken the full blast and was killed instantly but the King was unhurt and after picking himself off the ground he shook his head trying to clear the stars that were spinning there.
Isheas Rowgor had taken most of the blast and its thick armor saved its life, now as she saw her former mate nearly killed and more shells coming their way she shouted a command to her warriors.
“Back to the Fortress!”
It went against the grain to turn from an enemy but they knew better then to disobey their Queen so grumbling under their breath they reluctantly turned their Rowgors and began to move back up the valley.
The warriors of the Almadra watched their King narrowly escape death and remembering their vows they quickly came to his aid, several of the Nomads formed a wall around him while Valen reached down and extended his hand to him. Arn took it and pulled him onto his Whiptail.
“This is the second time I saved your life,” he said smiling.
But there was no time for laughter for the King also knew that they must leave.
“Return to the fortress” he shouted. “And let nothing stop you!”
And like the Norgonie the warriors of the Outlands obeyed their leader. Now with more shells bursting around them they rac
ed back the way they came, the Queen looked over her shoulder only once and when she did she saw the wounded Metal God crash into the Mother of Voices and tear it from his resting place. It was then that she knew that Eurdor-Can would never speak again.
They raced as fast as their Whiptails and Rowgors could carry them all the while fire and smoke from bursting shells continued to land about them like flaming hailstones. Arn rode behind the Caladon warrior for a time then he saw a Whiptail without a rider, and when they were near it the King leaped form Valens mount and landing in the saddle of the beast. It roared and tried to fight but the King quickly got it under control and after a moment or two it obeyed his commands. Now with a strong Whiptail under him Arn continued down the valley.
With a great flash of white the Queens mount went down and she was thrown from the saddle. Arn was riding next to her when the shell burst and his Whiptail was also hit, but the thick armor protected the Outland beast and he remained unhurt for the most part.
Ishea pulled herself up and picked up her Kagar that had landed a few feet from her but she found the weapon was broken in half and useless in battle. So she drew her dagger and turned to face her enemy knowing that any moment more shells would land and she would soon be walking in the Afterlife.
In that brief moment it seemed that her long life began to flash before her inner eye, all the memories came flooding back in a cascade of images. She saw all her battles and victories, her cycles as the Queen of the Norgonie and leading her people. She heard the songs sung in her honor and the shouts of the warriors when she stood before them. But with those glories she also saw her defeats, the vows that he had broken and the many lies that had crossed his lips.
A price to pay. She thought, I will die alone.
And knowing that even a Queen must face judgement she braced her feet and waited for the angel of death to come for her.
Suddenly she heard a warriors cry and he turned to see a Whiptail racing for her, and riding in the saddle was a man that she had once hated more than anyone in the world. In a flash she was pulled into the air by a strong hand and she felt her arms grasping the waist of the King.
The Fallen God Page 67