The Feeding of Sorrows

by Rob Howell

  “Get the quad MACs there for support.”

  “They hit three of them with their short-range missiles.”

  “Where’d they fire from?”

  “North of the river.”

  “Hold on. Rei’shin Akuwin, send the next pass north of the river. Slam the north shore. They’ve got launchers there, so fire at long range.”

  “We’re down to two CAS and two dropships. Not sure if the Foresters have anything left.”

  Tahnerif looked at the sensor readings. “You may be right. I haven’t seen any Forester aircraft since your last big pass.”

  “It’s not much, sir. At best, we can hinder them. They seem to have an inexhaustible supply of those crappy missiles.”

  “In that case, hold as a reserve. Launch as soon as you see any of their dropships. I have another idea.”

  “As you command, Kal’shin.”

  Tahnerif looked at Allzhen. “Mar’shin, release the two reserve quad MACs. Maneuver the MAC vehicles along these roads, and behind these two buildings. Set up enfilade shots. Don’t expose them to the north shore. The Humans have missiles there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Mar’shin Biranthiss. I’m sending you two more quad MACs. I’m hiding them behind the empty barracks and that warehouse off to the side.”

  “Thank you, sir!”

  “You just have to hold and let the Humans try to advance past the quad MACs.”

  “Got it.”

  “Kal’shin!” came another call.

  “Yes, Rei’shin Qarsh?”

  “The Foresters are pushing us back. The sight lines in this jungle only allow us one or two shots, and too many of those are bouncing off. I don’t know how many we’ve killed, but both of my heavy launchers are down, and I think we’re down to one company.”

  “Same problem we’ve seen before. Pull back.”

  Qarsh hesitated.

  “Pull back. You’re on their terrain. Get back to the gate where we have the advantage.

  “Yes, Kal’shin.”

  “Fahrissthan. Status on the east gate?”

  “Many casualties on each side. Pushing them back, but slowly.” She sounded tired.

  “Are you wounded?”

  “A scratch and it’s already bandaged.”

  “Good. I’m pulling Qarsh back to the west gate. She’s got about a company.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yes, casualties have been high on both sides. We’re also getting pressed by the shuttle pad. A company of Foresters came across the river.”

  Fahrissthan sighed. “The Great Hunter has given us a worthy hunt.”

  “Maybe more than worthy. Can you push them out of the gate with what you have?”

  Another pause. “I don’t know, Kal’shin. I believe they’re low on ammo, but so are most of my companies.”

  “What if you pull the company from the east gate?”

  “I’ll fight to make the Great Hunter proud.”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 57 – Pvt. Rhan’Kiial’Tala

  East Gate, Forward Base Maquon

  Jeriasker Province, Maquon

  Sweat clogged Kiial’s fur. The Zuul were relentless. He was out of K-bombs. Down to less than ten percent of his HEAT rounds. His section had become a fire team consisting of one sergeant, one asshole, and a Cochkala. Section 11 was no better. Its remnants included Cox and two others.

  They held one corner of the motor pool. What was left of Sections 31 and 41 held the other corner. The other Delta platoons appeared on his display, but he didn’t have the energy to figure out exactly where they were.

  All he knew was what was in front of him.

  Doggies popped out, fired, then popped back, not giving 21 a chance to respond.

  “Hold fire, 21,” Schmidt kept repeating. “I’ll tell you when to fire.”

  A rocket hit the corner next to Kiial, showering his CASPer with limestone.

  One went past him and impacted the building behind him.

  Another.

  “It’s about time for them to try again, 21,” cautioned Schmidt.

  Seconds later, eight Zuul charged down the street. Section 21 was ready, and Kiial put a three-round burst into one, then another.

  A rocket hit his arm, but he barely noticed as he put several rounds into yet another Zuul.

  After the charge rebounded, Schmidt asked, “Kiial, you okay?”

  He tried to raise his arm, but the servos refused to activate.

  “I’m fine, but I can’t carry anything.”

  “Your shoulder mount?”

  “Still green, Sarge. But, I don’t have much ammo. Less than fifty rounds.”

  “Keep it going, Tailboy.”

  “Delta 31 to 21. Looks like we’ve got another of those companies moving up.”

  “Shit. 21 to 31, let’s pull back to the gate and make them come to us.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Delta 11, pull back,” commanded Schmidt.

  Cox and the remains of 11 moved back smartly. “We’re good.”

  “Delta 21, it’s our turn. Keep your intervals.”

  Kiial hustled back and knelt next to a wall. Schmidt was opposite him, with Johnson right behind her.

  Section 11 leapfrogged back.

  Schmidt and 21 moved again. They were only two meters away from the corner of the gate intersection when the Zuul charged.

  Rockets came streaking down the road. Fortunately, it seemed the first volley had been unaimed covering fire, and the rockets didn’t hit any of the Foresters.

  Cox and 11 opened fire. Schmidt turned and did the same, hissing at Kiial and Johnson to get to the corner.

  Kiial started to turn when he saw a group of Zuul pulling a large rocket launcher down the road. No one could see his tail twitch in fear, but inside his cockpit…

  He let out a long burst of 12.7mm HEAT. So did several others. A round separated one Zuul’s head from his body. Another practically exploded.

  Zuul infantry answered with rockets and Johnson took five Zuul rockets at almost the same time. Somehow, his CASPer didn’t explode, but the impact flipped him up and back, creating a CASPer-shaped crater in the pavement.

  One of the survivors of 11 did explode, though he managed to take an entire Zuul fire team with him. In fact, so many Zuul bodies littered the road that the doggies couldn’t charge at full speed.

  Then the large Zuul rocket launched, heading straight at Kiial.

  Fuuuck! This is the most frightening experience of them all!

  Corporal Tariq Roberto Cox jumped up to stand right in the path of the rocket.

  Pieces of Corporal Bag O’Dicks’ body and CASPer showered the road

  Kiial caught his breath and fired at the Zuul rocket team until his 12.7mm clicked empty.

  “Get to the corner,” yelled Schmidt. Together they made it. The other member of 11 died as he pulled back, but he carried Zuul with him to the ferryman.

  At the corner, Schmidt continued, running hard. Kiial and the remaining troopers at the gate followed.

  Schmidt yelled at them to form a line in the trees on the hill opposite the gate.

  “Status, Tailboy?”

  “I’m unassing my CASPer.”

  “You crazy?”

  “I got no ammo, no sensors, and I can’t lift my arm. I’d rather be able to fire my M-93 than sit in this half-armored target.”

  “In that case, hurry up, boy. The doggies ain’t going to wait long.”

  Kiial hit the release, and the cockpit opened. He jumped down and scurried to the ditch by the road. Too shallow to provide useful cover for a CASPer, or even a Human, it worked just fine for him. He got down as low as he could.

  Never wanted to have an entrenching tool before, but Mizar knows I now understand why cadre kept making us dig.

  He blinked.

  And Cox. Corporal Bag O’Dicks saved my life. What the fuck?!

  He had no time to process that thought as the Zuul charged out of
the T-intersection.

  This time, though, the Foresters were in perfect position. The Zuul had to look for targets in the brush while they were exposed on the street.

  Kiial put a three-round burst into one before he could fire. Another turned the corner, hugged the wall, and got a shot off. The rocket went over the Cochkala. He put a burst into that Zuul, too.

  But they kept coming.

  At first, they didn’t see him, and all their shots went harmlessly into the jungle. He downed three more before they noticed him.

  Now, he was the most obvious target, even if his cover was excellent. Rockets skimmed off the road. One hit the road solidly and exploded, showering Kiial with bits of asphalt.

  He changed his mag and kept firing.

  It clicked empty.

  He changed it again.

  A CASPer fell out of the jungle onto the road. Its driver had to be dead, but four rockets ensured it.

  Kiial ducked as bits of armor landed around him. One brushed his cheek as softly as grass, but he could feel the blood from the cut dripping on his uniform.

  Still, he kept firing.

  Zuul fell.

  The bolt stuck open on the M-93, and he shoved another mag in.

  One mag left!

  He put down another doggie. Then a bunch charged, and the remaining Foresters fired everything they had.

  Doggie parts flew, and a blue mist covered the gate area.

  Yet some Zuul still reached the perimeter road. One stood over Kiial, lowering his launcher.

  Kiial rolled over and fired a wild burst.

  He missed the doggie, but Mizar blessed him and his rounds knocked the launcher out of the Zuul’s hands.

  Then his M-93 clicked open again.

  He had no time to replace the mag as the doggie jumped at him with a knife.

  Kiial caught the Zuul’s arm with his hands, and they rolled in the ditch. The Zuul tried to punch him with his other fist, but Kiial focused only on keeping the knife out of his face.

  And using his tail.

  He wrapped it around the Zuul’s neck and squeezed like he was hanging from a zir tree high over GrBatch.

  The Zuul didn’t seem to notice. He just kept pushing the knife at Kiial’s face and punching. He rolled on top of Kiial, and the knife neared Kiial’s snout.

  Then, as if startled, the Zuul’s brain realized it hadn’t received oxygen for far too long. His eyes widened and then darkened forever. The doggie collapsed slowly onto Kiial, almost as if resting.

  When Schmidt finally came looking for him, Kiial still had his tail wrapped around the Zuul’s neck.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 58 – Col. Roosevelt Edmonds

  South of Forward Base Maquon

  Jeriasker Province, Maquon

  “Bravo Actual to Sunray Actual.”

  “Go ahead, Captain.”

  “We’re across, but we’re penned in at the docks and shuttle pad. It’s those damn quad-MAC vehicles. We killed three, but they have two firing enfilade hidden by buildings. We know where they are, but we can’t get to them.”

  “Mark them on my display.”

  Two spots immediately appeared.

  “How long can you hold?”

  “We can hold for a while. Those who are left have found cover, and there’s a no-man’s-land between the forces. We could probably break through, but attacking them exposes our flanks to those big MACs’ field of fire.”

  “Understood. Can you get laser designators on them if I can get a dropship up?”

  There was a pause. “We can get close. Be warned, though. One’s next to a warehouse, and one’s next to a barracks.”

  “Which barracks?”

  “Two.”

  “Thank goodness, not the one Jackson said held prisoners. Those buildings aren’t as important as your men.”

  “It’s your base, Colonel. Sure, I can get a designator on an area.”

  “Let me see if I can find something to home in on them. Don’t do anything rash.”

  “Wilco. Bravo Actual out.”

  “Sunray Actual to Alfa Actual. Sitrep?”

  “We’re pushing them. Their big rocket launchers are out of action. We haven’t seen much in the way of doggie air support for a while, so we’ve been using the M-8s to clear a path. Casualties are high on both sides, but we’re making progress.”

  “Understood.”

  “Sheridan, do we have any dropships left?”

  “I’ve got two. They’re mostly full of fuel, and they have full ground attack loadouts, but only two AAMs each.”

  “Okay. Plot this course. Launch when I tell you.”

  “This course? It goes right over Jeriasker.”

  “I know. That’s why I want you to wait.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Edmonds to Blaine.” No answer. “Colonel Edmonds to Rick Blaine, come in.”

  A sleepy voice answered. “What do you need, Colonel?”

  “I need your skills. I have to get two dropships to circle around the base and come in from the Jeriasker side without any Zuul seeing them until they’re over the city.”

  “The Maquon satellite network is already set to suppress your transponders. Tell them to stay low.”

  “Not good enough, I want your help. Otherwise we’ll risk civilian lives, and I’m not prepared to do that. If you help, I can save Forester lives and, hopefully, end this.”

  There was a pause.

  “I’m not at my best, sir. I’ve had two hours of sleep since the attack started, and this day has been…eventful.”

  “After the dropships get past Jeriasker, it’ll likely be over, one way or another.”

  Another pause.

  “Heading back to the Cabot’s EW suite.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Blaine.”

  A minute later, “Blaine to Edmonds, I’m ready.”

  “You see the dropships?”

  “I have them locked in, yes.”

  “Good. I’m launching them now.”

  “Got it.”

  “Sheridan, launch the dropships. Laser designators will be live when they get to the release point. They’re to drop everything they can on their target, it won’t be a precise shot but area affect.”

  “Understood.” There was a pause. “Dropships lifting now. Aircrews apprised. Drop everything including stinky socks and empty jocks.”

  “Stinky socks might work.” Edmonds changed channels. “Blaine, still got the dropships?”

  “Yes. In communication with them. I see the Zuul active emissions, and I’m guiding the dropships around them.”

  “Good.”

  “I’ll start jamming when they start their run.”

  Edmonds turned back to the battle reports. Delta was holding the west gate, barely. Zuul casualties had been high.

  “Jackson to Sunray Actual.”

  “Sunray Actual to Jackson. Situation?”

  “Zuul fire teams retreating down the trail.”

  “Numbers?”

  “So far about a platoon, but more coming.”

  “We think there are about two companies on the hill.”

  “Could be.” He paused. “Now about two platoons out of there.”

  “Can you see where they’re going?”

  “No sir, not much sight range.”

  “Hold one.”

  “Sunray Actual to Steele.”

  “Steele here.”

  “Can you see Zuul retreating from Hill 296?”

  There was a pause. “I can see movement, and it seems to be toward the base. Hard to tell from this distance and the cover.”

  “Can you tell which gate they’re going to?”

  Another pause. “I think to the west gate. Jeriasker side, sir.”

  “Let me know the moment they turn to the east.”

  “Got it.”

  “Jackson, you still there?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “New count?”

  “Up to about a company. Traffic is
thinning, though.” A pause. “Hold one.”

  Edmonds waited, pressing his lips together.

  “Okay, sir. This might be it. There’s about a full platoon falling back with one Zuul giving orders. Might be their command section.”

  The colonel took a deep breath. “I hope so, el-tee. Stay low. I don’t want anyone in Alfa to make a mistake.”

  “My momma’s son wouldn’t like that.”

  Edmonds laughed and clicked the channel. “Sunray Actual to Alfa Actual. Zuul retreating from Hill 296. Take it and drive them toward the west gate.”

  “Got it, sir.”

  “Leave the missile fire teams and the M-8s in good firing spots on the hill. They can range the base from there.”

  “Wilco.”

  “Blaine to Edmonds.”

  “Edmonds here.”

  “Dropships almost to attack position. They’ll begin their run in thirty seconds. Get your laser designators ready, they’ll be coming in fast.”

  “Got it.”

  “Sunray Actual to Bravo Actual. CAS coming in hot in two minutes. Two, repeat two minutes. Get those designators ready.”

  “Bravo Actual to Sunray Actual. Got it.”

  “Blaine to Edmonds. Attack run commencing…now!”

  * * * * *

  Chapter 59 – Kal’shin Tahnerif

  Forward Base Maquon

  Near Jeriasker, Maquon

  “Kal’shin, we’ve pushed them back to the east gate.”

  “Good, Fahrissthan.”

  “We’ve lost many hunters, though. So many hunters.” Fahrissthan’s speech was slow and dull.

  “Their status?”

  “Many hunters lost, too. But they have a good firing position. I might be able to clear it, but…”

  “Understand.” Tahnerif’s heart sank. “Hold in place, Rei’shin.”

  “Yes, Kal’shin. Thank you.”

  Tahnerif blinked. If Fahrissthan is exhausted, how must the rest of our brethren feel?

  “Qarsh, what’s your status?”

  “We’re off the hill.” A burst of Human fire sounded on the channel. “But the Humans saw us retreat and are pressing us.” Zuul rockets replied.

  “Update when you c—”