by Dean, Warren
"Russian 'tanks have entered the city, sir," she heard Tegus say. "It won't be long before the battle begins."
"Get your equipment into the 'copter now," Ganzorig instructed the scientists. "We leave in ten minutes."
They hurried away and he took a last look around. Qara did the same.
"Sir!" said Tegus urgently, a finger pressed to his 'mote. We have incoming 'copters." He listened for a moment. "Two of them, approaching from the south. They are not ours. They must have evaded our air defences."
"Is there time for us to get away?" snapped the president.
"Negative," replied Tegus. "It is too late, they are within attack range."
"Get everyone into the building, now," ordered Ganzorig.
Tegus rapidly relayed the order and then sprinted off to make sure that everyone complied. Qara stood stock still, staring at the president in shock. A few seconds later, she heard the unmistakable whine of approaching hover-copters. Then there was a massive explosion, which shook the entire building.
She and Batu dropped to the ground instinctively as two security agents bowled the president over and crouched over him protectively.
"What's the status of our personnel?" gasped Ganzorig.
"Report," one of the agents growled into his 'mote. He listened briefly. "Our 'copter has been hit by a missile, sir. But all personnel were clear. Major Huran is pulling everyone back into the building."
The president jumped to his feet. "Not everyone," he ordered. "I want half a dozen scouts in the forest. We need eyes and ears out there. Those 'copters will be carrying ground troops and they will be here soon." He looked around. "We will make our stand here."
Qara's shock was wearing off and she thought quickly. "Can't we hide in the forest, sir? It is the facility that the invaders want, not us. If we give it to them, perhaps they will leave us alone. Surely there is no need for us to defend it?"
Tegus came back into the room while she was speaking. "I don't think that will work, sir," he said. "They have seen our 'copter and know that we are here. They think that valuable technology was left behind by the Faerie Folk and will realise that we came to retrieve it. If they find that we are gone and the facility is empty, they will come looking for us."
"Surely we can lose them in the forest?" Batu ventured.
Ganzorig considered. "Maybe; but the problem is that those 'copters carry sixty or seventy men each. We have a force of about thirty soldiers, two 'copter pilots and five security agents. Even if we count our civilians, we are significantly outnumbered. If they catch us out there, we won't stand a chance. Some of us may be killed and the rest captured. If we stay in here, we can try to hold out until help comes."
There was no further discussion. Huran ordered his soldiers to secure all entrances. The pilots joined them. Luckily, for their own security reasons, the Faerie Folk had built the facility without windows, which would make the task of the defenders easier. The scientists were bundled into the safest room within the complex and ordered to stay there. When Batu disclosed his military training, he was quickly armed and ordered to join the soldiers.
The president strode through the building, encouraging his men and making sure that they knew what to expect. Qara trailed along in his wake, anxious to keep abreast of what was happening.
When he got back to the dome, Tegus hurried up to him. "We have a problem, sir," he said in a low voice. Qara pretended she couldn't hear what was being said.
"We have no forces near the city. The army was detailed to co-ordinate the evacuation. It is now well clear. And once the operation was complete, our 'tank and 'copter squadrons were moved out too."
The president nodded slowly. "Yes, there was no reason to try to hold an empty city. We would have suffered casualties needlessly."
"The trouble is, sir, our nearest 'copter squadron is over two hundred kilometres away. It has been scrambled so that it will get to us as soon as possible, but it will take at least twenty minutes to get here. And that is only if it is not intercepted along the way. Chinese and Russian 'copters are now engaging each other over the city, so our 'copters are going to have to fly around it to avoid contact with them."
"I see," said Ganzorig. He activated his 'link. "All personnel; our copters are on the way. We have to hold out for a few minutes, but we can do it. We are in a very secure defensive position. The enemy will not attack us with missiles or rockets because they do not want to destroy the building. They will try to take it using laser fire and grenades. Keep them back from the walls as best you can. And don't take risks if you can help it. We cannot afford casualties."
As if to hammer home his point, a burst of laser fire from the forest studded the front door. Then they heard a voice hailing them in Mandarin. Major Huran hurried into the room. "It is the Chinese, sir. They say that they have the building surrounded and that we must surrender immediately."
"Stall them as long as you can, Major," said Ganzorig, who understood Mandarin perfectly well. "Play for as much time as you can. Every minute counts. Tell them that we have no intention of keeping the building from them, but they have destroyed our 'copter and left us with no means of leaving safely. If they supply us with a 'copter and guarantee our safe passage, we will go."
"And don't tell them that the president of Mongolia is in here," added Tegus.
The major dashed back to the front entrance to open negotiations.
"Don't think I haven't noticed you skulking around, young lady," said Ganzorig to Qara. "Get yourself to a secure position. I don't want you hurt when the shooting starts."
Despite the danger, she couldn't help grinning at him. "Yes, sir," she said, and hurried away. Luckily, he hadn't specified what he considered to be a secure position. She ran through the corridors until she found Batu crouched in a doorway. He was with half a dozen soldiers covering one of the smaller entrances at the back of the facility. The whole squad was armed with large calibre laser repeaters.
He looked back at her as she crouched down behind him. "Take this," he said, pulling a handgun from his belt and handing it to her. "If you have to shoot, don't hesitate."
She nodded, and then he showed her how to connect her 'link to the secure channel the soldiers were using to communicate with each other.
"…approaching the north west entrance," she heard someone say. One of the scouts in the forest was reporting the movement of Chinese soldiers.
"Give the signal when they begin crossing the clearing between the forest and the walls," barked the voice of Huran. "Lieutenant Jebe, at the signal, throw open your door and give them a warning burst. No longer then ten seconds. Don't hit anyone; just chase them back into the forest."
Seconds later, the scout gave the signal and Qara heard a short burst of laser fire from elsewhere in the building.
The Chinese didn't react well to the show of force. "They have about fifty soldiers at the north east entrance," whispered another scout, "They are preparing an attack."
The negotiations had failed, it seemed.
"Which is the north east entrance?" she whispered to Batu.
"This one," was all he said.
"Why don't the scouts do something to stop them?" Qara whispered back.
"They have been ordered not to reveal themselves," he replied. "The tactical advantage their intelligence gives us is too valuable."
As he was speaking, Major Huran arrived with ten more soldiers. If this was the entrance the Chinese had chosen as their way in, a strong contingent of defenders would be there to meet them.
Laser fire hit the building from a number of different directions simultaneously.
"Are you sure this is not a feint?" snapped Huran over the com.
"Yes, sir," whispered the scout. "They are trying to draw defenders away from the north east entrance because that is where they are poised to attack."
"Can we chase them back if we open the door?"
"Negative, sir. They are going to launch grenades from the forest and then cross the c
learing. Take cover until after the initial barrage and then engage them when they breach the entrance."
Huran barked an order. Everyone pulled back from the entrance and took cover.
Then they waited.
The fear Qara felt in those few seconds was more profound than anything she had ever experienced in her life. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it had stopped, and her stomach felt like it was full of burning coals.
When the first explosion rocked the entrance, she nearly jumped out of her skin. The door held, but the hard-water was not designed to withstand explosives. After half a dozen more hits, a gaping hole appeared. Then a grenade bounced through the breach and exploded within the corridor. The sound was deafening and the defenders were showered with debris.
"Hold," shouted the major. Seconds later the first enemy soldiers came through the opening. The Mongolians were ready and cut them down with a withering fusillade of laser fire. The attackers lost ten men or more before realising that the entrance was more strongly defended than they had hoped. They pulled out of the building and sprinted back to the forest.
Huran moved his detail even further away from the entrance, anticipating more grenades being lobbed through the opening.
"What is your status, major?" Qara heard Ganzorig say over the com.
"We have pushed them back, sir, no casualties," replied Huran. "But they have breached the door and we have no way of securing it again. They will be able to drive us back with grenades. We won't be able to defend it so easily next time."
"How much time do we have?"
"I can't say, sir. Not long."
"There is another group of about fifty preparing an attack on the south east entrance," broke in one of the scouts. "They intend to divide our forces."
Qara heard another series of explosions, slightly muffled this time. The Chinese had the numbers to attack from more than one direction at a time.
"Lieutenant Jebe, get the rest of the men to that entrance and take command of the situation," barked Huran.
What if a third entrance came under attack, wondered Qara. Who would be left to defend it?
The Chinese used the same tactics to blow a hole in the south east entrance. Then, instead of trying to storm it, they turned their attention to the main entrance. When they blew the front door apart with grenades, Huran was forced to send soldiers to hold it. The defenders were now spread dangerously thin.
Trying to hold back the waves of panic that threatened to engulf her, Qara tried desperately to think of a solution. They should just surrender, she thought at first. Surely being captured was better than being killed? But she knew that it wasn't that simple. The Chinese had already suffered casualties and might not be prepared to stop the attack. And even if they did, what would happen when they discovered that the president of Mongolia had fallen into their hands? What would they demand in exchange for his safety?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the crack of another grenade exploding in the corridor. It was followed by two or three more. She could hear other grenades exploding elsewhere in the building. The Chinese were attacking the three entrances at once. She risked a peek around the doorway she was crouched in. Shadowy figures with laser repeaters appeared through the smoke shrouding the entrance. They dived into the corridor, took cover and then exchanged fire with the defenders.
"Keep them pinned down," she heard Huran say.
From reports over the com she knew that the same thing had happened at the main and south east entrances. Chinese soldiers had forced their way in and were engaged in a firefight with the defenders. At the main entrance, both sides were pinned down. But at the south east entrance, the enemy had attacked in greater numbers. Jebe's detail took casualties and was down to nine men. They were forced to fall back. Ganzorig ordered his security agents to reinforce them, but more and more Chinese soldiers were pouring through the breach. Overriding his agents' concerns for his safety, Ganzorig picked up a laser repeater and joined them himself.
Qara looked at her 'link and saw with horror that less than ten minutes had gone by. How was it possible for so much to happen in such a short time? And how were they going to hold out for another ten minutes?
Ganzorig must have been thinking along the same lines. "Where are our 'copters?" he rasped.
They are engaged with enemy 'copters over the city, sir," said Tegus. "I don't know when they will be able to break free."
So, no help was coming. Or if it was, it would be too late.
Oddly, the hopelessness of the situation swept the panic and confusion from her mind.
"We have to surrender, sir," she heard Huran say. "We cannot hold back so many."
"No, wait," she shouted. "We have one more option."
She ducked into a nearby room where the sounds of battle were at least slightly muffled. Mentally berating herself for not thinking of it sooner, she jabbed at her 'link. It seemed to take an age, but in reality, the call connected within seconds.
"Emissary acknowledges," said a high-pitched voice with a slightly metallic tone. A female voice.
"Vi, it's me, Qara. I've changed my mind. I want to come with you."
The translator's response was heartfelt. "I am glad to hear you say that. You are most welcome."
Qara thumbed her 'link so that the rest of the conversation would be relayed over the com. "Unfortunately, I am in a spot of trouble," she went on hurriedly. "There are others with me. We need help."
"Where are you?"
"We are under attack at your old facility in the forest. We can't hold out for more than a few minutes more." She had to shout the last bit over a loud exchange of laser fire.
There was a slight pause before Vi spoke again. "We have a shuttle on its way to one of the settlements outside Ulan Bator. I have diverted it to your location. It will be there in less than five minutes."
Vi, the people attacking us have 'copters with missiles. If they see your shuttle…"
"Don't worry; all of our shuttles are shielded and cloaked. We anticipated having to land in war zones. Listen carefully; there is a landing pad on the roof of the facility, north of the dome. Access is through a hatch in the roof of the old medical room. The shuttle will land there. I will signal you once it has touched down."
"Thank you, Vi. I will see you soon, I hope."
The call ended.
"Good thinking, Qara," she heard Ganzorig say. "You heard that, major? We have to disengage at the right moment so that we can get to the shuttle when the time comes. Any ideas?"
"I do, sir," said Huran. "Stand by. Scouts, converge on the north east entrance."
Qara was already dashing back towards the central dome, looking for the medical room. If the entrance she had come from was north east, then north was that way…
The Chinese soldier appeared in front of her as if from nowhere. He raised his repeater and fired, but she was already running and able to use her momentum to dive through a nearby doorway. Rolling to her feet, she fumbled desperately for the handgun which she had stuck in her pocket when she was talking to Vi. What a stupid thing to do, she thought. The soldier came around the corner before she was able to get it free.
A burst of laser fire from somewhere else cut him down, and she saw the stocky form of Batu advancing down the corridor. He fired again and she heard bodies hitting the floor. The infiltrator hadn't been alone, she realised. They must have broken in somewhere, under cover of the fighting, planning to take the defenders by surprise.
Batu stopped in the doorway. He checked that both ends of the corridor were clear and then beckoned her. "Which way?" he asked.
She resisted the urge to hug him and darted out into the corridor. This time she kept the handgun in her hand, the safety off. With Batu following, she found her way back to the central dome and then into the small medical room which opened off it. They quickly located the roof hatch in one of the corners. It was easily reached by climbing handholds set into the walls. Batu reported the position of the room ov
er the com.
"Good work," replied Ganzorig. "Get the scientists in there now so that they are ready to go as soon as the shuttle arrives. Major, whatever you have in mind, now is the time."
She listened to the events of the next few minutes play out over the com. Huran had bolstered his detail with four men from the main entrance, leaving five to keep the Chinese pinned down there. When they were in position, he ordered the six scouts to attack the Chinese at the north east entrance. They had left a force of about twenty men there to keep the defenders occupied, while their main strength had gathered at the south east entrance.
When the scouts opened fire from the forest, the Chinese were forced to defend themselves. As they turned away from Huran's detail, he led a charge down the corridor. Caught in the middle, the Chinese were quickly wiped out in a brief firefight. Only two of Huran's men were killed.
Joined by the scouts, the major's detail numbered seventeen. He led them around the outside of the building to the south east entrance. There were about eighty Chinese soldiers attacking Jebe's position. His squad was hard pressed and would soon be overwhelmed. Then the Chinese would be able to take the building and finish off the other defenders.
Despite the disparity in numbers, Huran had no choice but to attack the superior force. On the plus side, the Chinese were in the open, believing that all of the Mongolians were still inside the facility, and two of the scouts had grenade launchers.
A well-placed barrage of grenades scattered the Chinese and sent them racing for the cover of the forest. Before they could regroup, Huran led his men back into the building through the south east entrance. Another firefight ensued as they attacked the enemy soldiers who were already inside the facility. Although outnumbered, the Chinese fought back and three more Mongolians were killed.
The major's men flanked the enemy soldiers, but left them space to retreat. They did so, eventually making a break for the forest. Huran let them go. By then, Jebe's detail had lost five men, including one of the security agents.
While that was going on, Qara was relieved to hear the thump of something heavy settling on the roof. Seconds later, Vi confirmed that the shuttle had landed. Batu threw open the trapdoor and the scientists were soon climbing through it. While Huran took his men to the main entrance to drive out the rest of the enemy soldiers, Tegus and the remaining security agents hustled the president into the medical room. Once all of the scientists had disappeared through the trapdoor, Qara, Ganzorig and the agents followed. Batu stayed below as rear guard.