"Is that how it works?" Baldwin asked, thinking.
"Yes Sir, that's how it works." Reed said. "I've got your coordinates. I'm coming for you now."
"Belay that for a second, Captain. I'd like to ask you a question or two, and I'm in no danger here. Quite the opposite, in fact. I've been made very welcome here."
"If you insist, Sir." Reed said reluctantly.
"I do insist." Baldwin affirmed. "I want to know what your orders are concerning me, concerning my person as the Sarvan Representative to the Senate of Worlds?"
"I and my ship the Cavanaugh, Sir, are to be at your disposal, Sir." Captain Reed answered. "She's not the ship that Benefactor was, quite a bit less luxury I am afraid, but quite a bit more armor and weaponry, I might add. There'll be no accidents with this ship, Sir. We'll find a place aboard where you'll be comfortable, Sir, I promise you."
"I'm not coming aboard just yet, Captain."
"I'm sure I couldn't have heard you correctly, Sir. I thought I heard you say you were not coming aboard yet, Sir?"
"You heard correctly, Captain. You and your ship are going to be busy, however." Baldwin said.
"Busy doing what, Sir?"
"I haven't worked out the details yet," Baldwin said, "but you're going to be busy conquering a planet."
There was a long pause, then; "I hate to sound repetitious, Sir, but I'm sure that I did not hear you correctly?"
"You heard correctly." Baldwin said.
Chapter 50
"This is your plan?" Gris Holter asked.
"Should we start knocking doors?" Tiny asked with a chuckle.
"Shut up." Lan said, even though they had been whispering and there was no one near who could hear them. The size of the town seriously put a crimp in what Lan had hoped to accomplish.
"We could sure use that bug now." Nat said.
"I thought I said to shut up." Lan said, but he hardly put any heart into it. That mental fog was trying to overwhelm him again. They had about five minutes to find Rebecca, and get her out, before all hell broke loose here, and he had no idea how to go about doing it. Every idea he had would only serve to bring the chaos sooner. But it was coming on its own. They had to do something.
Gunfire erupted in the forest behind them, back where they had passed the small group. Several shots, then a flurry. Lan would not want to have been in the middle of that cluster fuck for anything in the Universe, where friend was as likely to kill friend as foe. Where blades would be slicing out of the darkness. Where hell was breaking loose now, a hundred guns firing.
And suddenly it was over. There was no more sound.
"They'll be here in a moment." Becla said breathlessly.
It didn't matter, Lan thought, as he watched the town in front of his eyes explode into activity, if it took them another twenty minutes, or if they were already there; the town was alerted. The Team would not be able to sneak in now.
Every house in sight began disgorging armed men and boys. Women carrying torches ran to light wall sconces and more torches, and piles of lumber ready prepared to the purpose. Within minutes the whole town was ablaze with light. Then everyone vanished, or nearly so. The women back into the houses, the men and boys into the shadows, into nooks and crannies, onto roofs, and wherever else concealment could be found. Bows in hands and ready and waiting.
Of course they were plainly visible in the thermal spectrum, but otherwise the town might've seemed entirely deserted, but for the fires burning everywhere.
A blaster fired straight up into the air from somewhere in the middle of the village. Lan's thermal contacts automatically polarized out the additional light, but it was obvious it was bright enough to light the whole town as if in daylight. The ball of energy slowly dissipated as it rose, and Lan's lenses automatically readjusted, back to green gloom.
A voice was raised, giving commands, but it was too far away to be clearly heard. None of the hidden fighters in sight moved. Either they had not heard, or it did not affect them, Lan couldn't be sure.
"Come on." Lan said, loud enough for them all to hear, and possibly loud enough for some of the defenders, but he didn't care. They were going to move.
Where they were was where the action was about to begin. No part of his plan called for them to be caught in the middle of the two clashing forces. They followed single file as Lan moved.
The town was larger than he had expected, he found, as he led them around the outskirts, just far enough into the forest to be out of view of the villagers, but as close as possible to make the best time possible, as well.
He thought he could hear the closing force arriving, as he led them away and around the village, though he knew that wasn't possible. They were yet too far. But he could imagine them, running now like the insane through the pitch dark forest, knowing they had been detected, covering the intervening kilometers as quickly as they could.
The village was prepared to receive them. Prepared or not, they were coming, and they had guns.
More blaster fire erupted from the middle of the village. The Team had covered about a quarter of the distance around the village, Lan estimated. Another quarter to go to get them to where he wanted them. The blaster fire was like a fireworks show in the night sky above. Two, three, four dozen weapons all firing at once, it seemed.
There was going to be a bloodbath. It reminded Lan of the good old days back on Calafga. How he missed those days of yore! Yeah right!
Lan couldn't care less what the two native forces did to one another as long as he got Rebecca out first. Lan led them quickly but quietly. He wanted all the villagers attention focused solely on the approaching force. When the two forces collided, they would try to sneak in the rear and find Rebecca.
"I had it figured out all along." Lan whispered, to no one in particular.
........................................................................
Jarlaxle always led his men. It was one of the reasons he was so well respected. He had never been afraid to risk his own life.
Jarlaxle and Henamka were the first two in amongst the hidden force, Henamka slightly ahead. Henamka heard the swish of the blade even as it descended on him from nowhere. The blast rifle in his hands saved his life as he threw the weapon up and forward in a guarding action, purely reaction.
The blade rang off the metal casing of the blast rifle even as his mind first registered that he was under attack. The contact threw sparks which illuminated the night for one brief, fatal moment . . . and then both he and Jarlaxle were diving away to the sides as the thunder of rifle fire opened up behind them, at first several, and then a hundred, rifles tore apart the area, cutting down the small group as efficiently as hay beneath the blade of the scythe.
The sound of one man escaping, crashing blindly through the forest, came to them as they quickly lit a fat soaked torch to survey what had been done. Nineteen bodies. All very much dead. No energy weapons.
"They knew we were coming." Henamka said as he dusted himself off.
"I don't think so." Jarlaxle said. "If they had, they'd have been waiting with real weapons. They must have sentries posted all over."
"Fat's in the fire now." Henamka said.
"They have no weapons we need fear." Someone farther back in the attack force said, who was out of sight.
"This day will be costly." Jarlaxle said, contradicting the man.
Just then Nago fired his blast rifle in the middle of the Dunaj town, its bright ball of energy arcing high overhead, seen through the branches and leaves as a trickling light which only barely illuminated the forest around them. At this distance.
"Everyone will concentrate their fire on those who bear the energy weapons." Jarlaxle said loudly. "That is our only chance. That's it. Let's move." Jarlaxle waved the torchbearer forward and they all fell in as close to him as possible, the light guiding their way. Further stealth was pointless.
The torchbearer needed no further urging. He knew as well as anyone what time now meant to them.
But it probably would not matter, Jarlaxle thought. His own people needed very little time to prepare for an attacking force. They lived prepared. He didn't expect less from others who had been successful themselves.
They would fight ferociously and to the end, as well. The Dunaj never gave quarter. Having never given it, they wouldn't expect it in return.
It was too bad. To be able to absorb a whole large tribe like this would have furthered his goals considerably.
The only other option, of course, was it's entire eradication. Of all who bore arms against the Tarovan.
Now a flurry of blaster fire came from the Dunaj village ahead. They were almost there. The sky was lit up brightly above. Not as bright as daylight, but they would have been able to see clearly without the torch.
As the blaster fire faded away, they continued to run with only the torch illuminating their way.
"They're deploying them." Henamka said, running easily. He could have outrun them all.
"Let's just charge right in!" Jarlaxle said sarcastically.
"Could have worked." Henamka said, then laughed.
"Only you would laugh now." Jarlaxle said.
"Can't spend your whole life being depressed."
"Just don't get yourself killed," Jarlaxle said, "because I'm gonna need to execute someone as the patsy when this is all said and done."
Henamka could only laugh.
..............................................................................
Nago had never heard the concussion of a combustion weapon's report, but he had no doubt it represented some new form of unknown weapon. With the Outsiders arrival had come immediate change. There was nothing really to be too much surprised about anymore, now was there?
Nago got outside the door of his home in time to hear the last of the fusillade. It came from the forest, several kilometers at least, and directly in-line where he would estimate Zakin might have made camp for the night.
So Zakin had been useful, but not in the way Zakin had meant to be. Funny how things worked out.
The Dunaj were exploding into activity around him. They needed no directive from him at this point, to know what needed doing. They knew. They were well rehearsed in their roles. Nago did not see one man, woman or child who did not know exactly what they were supposed to do. There was no confusion, though to an untrained eye, that is exactly what it might have seemed. Dunaj ran in every direction.
The town was designed to be defended.
Nago had the large Outsider weapon in his hands. In fact, it hadn't left his hands, since he had taken it from the pile earlier. He hadn't fired it though.
Now he settled the butt plate against his shoulder, pointed it nearly straight up into the air, unlocked the safety switch with his thumb, listened to its momentary whine, then let his pointer finger settle onto the little metal stud.
It slammed against his shoulder, spewing its deadly fire high into the air. Now this was real power, Nago exulted! The hand-held weapon was but a pale comparison to this one.
Laughing, Nago raced for the storehouse. Those who he passed, who heard his laughter, looked askance at one another nervously at the madman who was their Chief, but there was nothing that could be done. Now there was some new menace upon them, and it would take their mad leader to get them out of it.
He had always done so before.
Nago expected to do so again.
"To the storehouse!" Nago yelled now as he ran, after the laughter had passed. He would have to pass out his treasured weapons if the Dunaj were to survive this night. "To the storehouse!"
Men who recognized what Nago meant to do raced after him. Some did not, but the bolder among them did, and a crowd gathered around as Nago passed them out. When no more of the weapons remained, Nago moved among his men, showing them the simple operation of the weapons, and they began test firing them into the sky.
He was now not the only one laughing just a bit strangely. The weapons gave a great sense of power.
"We face a new, unknown weapon." Nago said. "You all heard it."
There were murmurs of agreement.
"It must be similar, but more powerful. It makes more thunder." Nago said. "But this is our home. We will prevail. Spread out to the perimeter. Go!"
They scattered, their new weapons held gingerly or tightly, depending on their dispositions, spreading out to the perimeter. To the defense of their community. Their first test was already upon them.
Nago climbed to the roof of a perimeter house to stare over the peak into the forest beyond. He saw the torchlight approaching before it was extinguished, and expected an immediate attack, but in that he was mistaken.
The attacking force, knowing there was to be no surprise, now took their time, deploying around the town, completely encircling them. This was a large force. Nago could hear them moving in the darkness perfectly well.
They weren't trying to be quiet.
Chapter 51
"Sir! Are you aware of the potential significance of that action!" Captain Reed said quietly.
"I'm Sarvan's elected representative to the Federation of Worlds. Bali is in the Sarvan Star System. According to Federation Law, that means I am the final authority on all matters Civil. Crime, punishment and criminals are Civil Matters." Baldwin said. "I've given this considerable thought. I'm quite sure I have the authority to do as I please here!"
"I don't argue that." Reed said. "You have the authority to do as you please, within the Sarvan Star System, and anywhere else you are not impinging on another Senator's Jurisdiction, but Sir . . . "
"But you don't recommend such a course?" Baldwin interrupted amused.
"I'm not sure what the rest of the Senate can do to you, if anything, Sir," Reid said, "but you can be un-elected. Impeached, Sir. Special elections and all that, Sir."
"Never happen." Baldwin said. "Voter turnout is so low because most people hate the System. When the majority see me trying to do something, they'll turn out to support me. I'm sure of it.
"Anyway," Baldwin added, "this planet is ready. You'll see for yourself when you come down."
"I can see clearly from here." Reed said. "There is a war happening. Right now and right below me. They don't look like they're ready for peace to me, Sir."
"Lan Carter." Gylastak said.
"It's larger than that." Reed said. "Carter's beacon signals coming from right outside the melee, though. Looks like he's waiting for the two to whittle one another down."
"And who's Lan Carter?" Baldwin asked.
"Your Security Tech's brother, Sir," Reed said. "who is supposed to be rescuing you!"
"Rebecca's brother?"
"That's the one, Sir." Reed agreed. "Why did they send you by yourself, Molog?" Reed asked carefully, but he sounded angry.
"Move too slow." Gylastak said.
"So they sent you by yourself for the Senator," Reed said slowly, now obviously very angry. "While all the rest went to rescue his sister? Am I understanding you correctly?"
"Yes, understand." Gylastak said. "Make military decision. Was correct decision. Gylastak rescue Senator immediately, not wait for slow humans."
"I doubt an Investigative Panel will see it that way." Reed said testily.
"An Investigative Panel isn't going to see it at all." Baldwin said suddenly, the icy assurance of his authority plainly evident in his voice.
"But Sir . . !" Reed began.
"But nothing!" Baldwin snapped. "Do you know how to follow orders?"
"Yes Sir!"
"I want Colonel Collins rescued and I don't care how you get it done." Baldwin said. "As long as it gets done!"
"Yes Sir." Reed said crisply. "A show of force over the battle zone, possibly, Sir?"
"Does that put your ship in any danger?" Baldwin asked.
"Not at all, Sir." Reed said. "A blast rifle wouldn't so much as scratch her hide. The Cavanagh's a Destroyer, Sir!"
"Then get moving."
"Already moving, Si
r."
"Those are my people!" Larita said.
"Captain Reed?" Baldwin said.
"Yes, Sir?"
"A passive show of force."
"Yes, Sir. If you say so, Sir."
"I do." Baldwin said.
"Yes, Sir."
Chapter 52
Lan's communicator signaled on his arm, the silent minute electrical pulses in Corps' Battle Code;
'Senator safe.' It continued. 'Cavanagh to exhibit show of force over current zone. Colonel Collins to be rescued at all cost. Senator's Orders.'
Lan acknowledged the communique in code, though who might hear over the battle raging in front of them, even if he screamed it aloud, Lan could hardly guess.
The Team had slunk further into the forest as the attacking force had encircled the village, and then all hell had broken loose. Guns crashed all around the perimeter. Blasters and blast rifles responded, chewing up the edge of the forest, starting fires that illuminated the battle.
There was little they could actually see from their vantage within the forest. There were combatants right in front of them, in the forest between them and the village. To come out of concealment now meant to be attacked by either force. There was little Lan could do for the moment.
.................................................................
Nago waited patiently. He had the patience of the true hunter. He saw movement in the forest as the attackers settled into their positions, but he did not act. He merely noted their locations and sought to locate others. They would attack when they were ready, and then the Dunaj would respond.
And then they attacked. Their weapons thundered, flashing brightly, louder even than their own, but the effect was far less. There was no resultant explosion.
But Nago heard men scream in pain and surprise, after the first salvo. So the weapons did have a bite, but not the bite he had expected.
Nago threw his weapon to his shoulder and aimed down the sights as the Outsider woman had shown him, and let his finger settle onto the little metal stud. Ever so carefully!
Duty, Honor or Death the Corps Sticks Page 26