Formerly the casualty ratio in battles between Earthlings and Minervans had been a hundred to one. Now it was a mere ten to one, and sensing the fact that they were finally inflicting appreciable casualties, the Earthlings were disregarding their own huge losses to keep coming, wave upon bloody wave. If it weren’t for the fact that the different factions of Earthlings were spending almost as much effort slaughtering each other,
the situation would already have become hopeless. Iska nder’s company made it to the Temple steps and took cover behind the row of stone lions. The Colonel opened up a hypercom link to Major Pinander, commanding the Minervan heavy weapons unit. “Pinander,” he said, panting to recover his breath. “Get some thumpers and squash the Earthlings in sectors 47, 84, and 102.”
“But sir,” Pinander replied. “Those sectors are Kennewickian territo - ry. Under the treaty, we can’t…”
Iskander cut him off. “Major, I don’t give a pack of rotten raffa rinds what the treaty says. You squash those Earthlings and do it now.That’s an order!”
“Yes sir!” Pinander said. Immediately several large areas across the plaza loaded with assassin snipers were smashed flat.
Iskander turned to the company’s chaplain, Priestess Fourth Class Meliora. Since the company’s captain was dead, she was its ranking offi- cer.
“Meliora,” he said. “I’ve got to go inside the Temple to report to Nendra. This company is to hold position here at all costs. If the Earthlings attempt a charge across the plaza you are to use the thumpers, is that clear?”
Meliora nodded. “Yes sir. We will not retreat from this spot.”
An urgent hypercom call signaled from Captain Araster, commanding the sixth company, located near the Universal League compound.
“What is it, Araster?” Iskander answered. “Make it quick.”
“Sir, there is a Weegee official here who is requesting we provide her military escort to the Temple.”
“Who is it?”
“She says her name is Countess Danae.”
Iskander thought for a few seconds. Weegee aid was their only hope. “See to it, Araster. Get her here as fast as you can. Use all necessary force to breakthrough.”
He turned to Meliora. The girl was obviously trying very hard to be brave. “Fear not,” he said. “Minerva will stand by you.”
“Yes sir,” she said.
He gave her a quick hug and ran inside the building.
High Priestess Nendra was there in the central hall, praying together with all the Eminences of the High Council. Upon seeing Iskander, however, Nendra immediately descended from the altar.
“Colonel Iskander, your report.”
Iskander activated a holomap, and quickly explained the situation. “Divine Eminence, we have withdrawn from all our nominal territory outside the old middle perimeter. I have companies stationed here, here, here, and here, with thumper backup units positioned in sectors 6 and 9. The IGMEK army divisions are located here, here, and here, and are advancing in force towards the Temple along these two vectors. They are being slowed down because they are also engaged in heavy fighting with two different groups of protorationals located here and here, as well as three mutually-opposed factions of Christian hyper-psychotics based here, here, and here. Also, an IGMEK General named Lee has split off from the main command and declared himself sovereign of the area south of 15th street. Generals Stuart and Jackson have gone over to his side. In addition, we’ve identified units of the US Army that have slipped into town and who seem to be raping and killing more or less atrandom.”
“It sounds like pure chaos,” Nendra said.
“It is. However Vardt seems sufficiently in control to press his advance against us and carry through with his coronation this afternoon. And as a result of the fact that his forces now have jammers and descramblers, however obsolete, our casualty rate is wayup.”
Nendra gulped. “How many have we lost?” she asked softly.
“I estimate over eight thousand. The Earthling losses have been ten times as great, but they just keep coming. The thumper batteries are now on their last reserves. We are being driven in towards less defensible positions, and our logistics will soon become untenable. If we try to hold on to the fish farms, we will lose theTemple.”
Nendra’s face blanched white. “Holy Minerva,” she whispered. Then she seemed to gather herself and faced a woman Iskander hadn’t noticed before who was sitting in the front row of the Temple pews. The woman wore the uniform of a Weegee Ambassador at Large.
“Ambassador Junea,” Nendra said. “This peace treaty of your has turned into a total disaster.”
“Only if you consider it from a purely local point of view,” Junea answered. “In terms of the larger picture of galactic geopolitics, it has worked out quite well. In fact, I am informed that even as we speak the United States Army has invaded Mexico and is eliminating that entire nation of planet assassins. This is a huge step forward for incorporating the principle of self-determination of savages into an interstellar legal structure that will go far towards maintaining stability not only on this planet, but throughout the entire Southern Sector. You should really be proud to have been a participant in such an importantaccomplishment.”
“But we are being wiped out!” Nendra exclaimed.
“Perhaps you should seek a non-military solution,” Junea said. “I’m sure the Supreme PIGME will be generous if you agree to lay down your
arms and accept his rule.” Nendra looked aghast. “If we lay down our arms, he’ll have us all killed.”
Junea waved her arms. “Now really, you have no proof of that. Give him a chance. He may well prove to be a wise and kindruler.”
Nendra drew herself up. “Ambassador Junea. The situation here has become untenable for us. As High Priestess of the People of Minerva, I hereby request that the Western Galactic Empire evacuate us from this planet without delay.”
“I’m sorry,” Junea said. “But I am not authorized to conduct an evacuation. You’ll just have to make peace with the Earthlings on terms they are fully willing to accept. If you like, I would be happy to act as mediator.”
Both Iskander and Nendra were speechless.
At that moment a contingent of Minervan militia entered the Temple
central hall. It was Captain Araster and his company. With him was a striking young Weegee woman wearing the robe and tiara of a Countess.
Junea jumped to her feet. “Countess Danae,” she said. “How nice of you to come.”
“What’s going on here, Junea?” the Countess snapped.
“The Minervans seem to be having difficulties using their old meth- ods under the conditions of the new realities,” Junea explained. “I have suggested to them that they consider using diplomacy rather than force, as the latter will no longer work for them now that the local military balance is more equal.”
Nendra cut in. “Countess Danae, I beseech you. Please evacuate our people before the savages massacre us.”
Danae turned to Junea. “You have refused their request for evacua- tion?”
Junea smiled. “I believe it would be better to give peace a chance first.”
“Are you mad?” Danae said. “The Earthlings will exterminate them. If we stand by and let that happen, it will destroy WGE credibility forever.”
“I’m sorry,” Junea said. “But diplomacy needs to run its course.”
Danae looked darkly at Junea. “As a Countess of the Realm, and as such ranking Imperial Subject on this planet, I order you to initiate evacuation operations immediately.”
“No,” said Junea. “I am Princess Minaphera’s personal representa- tive, and I have authority here.”
Danae folded her arms. “Are you aware of the fact that the squadron
of Battlecruisers orbiting this planet is under the command of my broth- er, Count Commodore Danatus?” “That may be,” Junea replied. “But he has been detailed to my com - mand.”
“We’ll see about that,” Danae said. She
opened a telepsych link. “Give me Count Commodore Danatus.”
There was a momentary pause. Then Danatus’ voice echoed is the room. “Danatus here.”
“Danatus, this is Danae. The Minervan defenses are collapsing. They need emergency evacuation. Initiate transport operationsimmediately.”
Junea spoke up. “Belay that order, Commodore. We have no authorization to evacuate.”
Danae said, “Danatus, we have to act now.If we don’t theMinervans will all bekilled.”
“My authority comes from Princess Minaphera herself,” Junea said, “and...”
Danae cut her off. “And you have betrayed her clear intent. Danatus, I am your sister. Listen to me. You know the Princess would not want the Minervansmurdered.”
“No, certainly not,” Danatus answered. “What is the situation down there? Is Aurora safe?”
“No,” Danae said. “The Earthlings captured her several days ago. She’s probably already dead. It’s up to us to save the rest.”
“Why thosedirty…” Danatus muttered.“OK, sis, what do we do? We need a large smooth area to land the transports. The closest one is Seattle.”
Iskander broke in. “That’s too far. But there are several hundred square kilometers of flat land nearby in this place called Hanford.” He displayed his holomap to Danae. “Your battlecruisers could blast it smooth with their helicannon.”
Danae looked at the map. “Right. That should work. You got that, Danatus?”
“No problem, sis. Will commence firing immediately. Transports will follow.I’ll see you all on orbit tonight. Danatus out.”
Seconds later there was the sensation of helicannon bursts followed by a huge thunderclap, as the massive batteries of thesquadron’s big guns rent the air only miles away from the Temple.
Danae turned to Iskander. “Colonel, I require more of your services.”
“Anything Countess,” Iskander said, unable to contain his gratitude. “I am yours to command.”
“Good,” said Danae. “Then place that woman under arrest.” She pointed at Junea.
Aurora stood, hands bound behind her , on the flat platform in the back of an Earthling vehicle that slowly made its way through the jeering crowd. She was dressed again in her Minervan priestess robe and owl pendant, and the multitudes screamed in triumph as this representative of their hated enemy was displayed to them prior to her execution.
Earlier that day she had heard the helicannon blasts, and for a moment she had hoped that it signaled Weegee military intervention to save the city. But it was now clear that the helicannons had simply been used to clear a landing strip for evacuation transports. She could see them now, several miles in the distance, taking off and landing in an endless stream. The Minervans were leaving, and with them all hope of rescue.
The truck entered the plaza in front of the holy Temple. Aurora surveyed the area, which had once been the scene of happy Owl Festival dances. It was clear that there had been some serious fighting here. Several large areas were squashed flat with thumper impacts, and the bloody dead bodies of dozens of Minervans and hundreds of Earthlings littered the ground. But the delirious crowd took no notice of them. Instead they jumped up and down on the bodies of their enemies and fallen comrades alike screaming “Death to the Minervans! Death to the Minervans!”
The truck reached the center of the plaza, on which there was a raised platform. Aurora was lifted off the back of the truck and led onto the stage, in the center of which was a pole fixed in a vertical orientation. Aaron Vardt and Field Marshall MacArthur were on the platform, as were Generals Patton and Pershing. The three officers were all wearing elaborate uniforms with ceremonial swords and many glittering medals. The two Generals grabbed her and tied her to the pole. Then they started piling fragments of a murdered tree around her feet.
As Aurora watched in horror, a group of Earthlings passed a cage full of owls from the ground onto the platform, where it was hung on a pole above a pile of broken wood. They were the holy owls from the Temple! The Eminences must indeed have departed in a hurry to have left these behind. Now they were going to share her fate.
Aaron Vardt walked up to the input device of an electromagnetic voice amplifier and addressed the crowd. “Fellow Kennewickians, I give you the holy day of victory!”
The crowd roared its applause.
Vardtcontinued. “This is the greatest day in human history. On this day, the pagan invaders have been driven from our sacred city! On this day, the power of Jesus Christ has anointed us with the most glorious victory of all time! On this day, the Imperial Grand Magnificent Empire of Kennewick is officially established! And on this day, I, your divinely chosen leader, Vardt the First, shall be crowned the Supreme PIGME of the IGMEK!”
The cheering of the multitudes rose in mad triumphant waves.
“Death to the Minervans! Death to the Minervans! Death to the Minervans!” They chanted.
“Yes,” Vardtsmiled. “Death to the Minervans. They are fleeing, but our Empire will follow them throughout the galaxy and someday we will exact our full just revenge. However, through the mercy of Jesus, we have been provided today with one of the foremost pagan witches and all of their idolatrous owls through whose incineration we can celebrate the divine purification of our holyland!”
The crowd cheered wildly.
Vardt nodded to Field Marshall MacArthur, who turned to Patton and Pershing. “Generals,” the Field Marshall said. “You may commence the ceremony.”
Pershing and Patton each picked up a stick around whose end was wrapped a rag drenched in a smelly hydrocarbon fluid. They approached MacArthur, who withdrew a small metallic object from his pocket, which he manipulated with his thumb, causing a small exothermic chemical reaction flame to be initiated. The Generals placed their rag-sticks in contact with this flame, and immediately the reaction spread to the rags, growing an order of magnitude in size in the process. Pershing then turned and stood erect before her, holding his flaming torch, while Patton walked over to stand before the owls with his.
Field MarshallMacArthur said, “Gentlemen, you may commencethe purification.”
Each General knelt and solemnly placed his torch in the woodpile before him. Vardt placed his hands together in the pose the Earthlings regarded as representing piety, and the mob roared its approval.
Flames started to expand in the two woodpiles. The owls hooted in terror as smoke rose into their cage. Aurora felt the heat grow, and tried to will her body to resist the searing pain.
A siren wailed. It was the Call to Prayer. The transported multitudes of delirious Earthlings, from the humblest member of the mob to the Supreme PIGME himself, all fell to their knees and pressed their faces to
the ground, praying in the direction of Washington. Aurora choked in the smoke as she tried to mutter her own prayer to Minerva. Suddenly a truck roared into the plaza, approaching the platform at breakneck speed. Aurora gasped as she saw Hamilton leap from the back of the truck onto the platform, carrying in his hand one of the short swords the Earthling soldiers sometimes attached to the ends of their projectile weapons. Paying no heed to the leaping flames, Hamilton ran onto the blazing woodpile, and slashing with his short sword, cut her bonds with one stroke. Aurora fell onto the platform, and rolled clear of the flames.
Looking up from his prayer, Vardt saw what was going on. “She’s getting away,” he yelled. “Stop them!”
Patton, Pershing, and MacArthur leapt to their feet. Pershing rushed at Hamilton, who skewered him on his short sword, ripping it upwards to cover himself in a fountain of blood. Seeing the blood and homicidal expression on Hamilton’s face, Patton took a step back. But MacArthur, who was huge for an Earthling, was made of sterner stuff. The Field Marshall drew his long ceremonial sword, and pointed it at Hamilton.“En garde,traitor,” he said. Then Patton drew his long sword as well, and side by side with Macarthur, advanced upon the Ranger.
Aurora could not believe her eyes. Like a figure out of myth, Hamilton stood o
n the platform, using his short sword to parry the saber blows of the two large savage commanders. Thrust, parry, thrust, parry; the three combatants moved rapidly back and forth across the platform, the fury animating Hamilton making up for the fact that he was fighting two better-armed men at once. Then Vardt grabbed a large crossed staff, and moved towards a position from which he could strike Hamilton from behind.
Aurora launched herself at the Minister, knocking him to the ground. Then he rolled free and stood up, and lifting his cross back, prepared to bring it crashing down upon her.
Aurora had but an instant to act. Seizing the moment the assassin leader’s center of gravity was farthest back, she stuck her feet behind his heels and pulled, sending him tumbling. Vardt landed on her blazing woodpile, which collapsed under the blow of his fall, engulfing him in flames. As the Supreme PIGME screamed, Aurora turned, just in time to see Hamilton knockMacArthur’s long sword deeply into Patton, and then rip his own short sword back to sever the Field Marshall’s neck.
Hamilton pointed at the rear of the truck in which he had arrived. “Come on, Aurora, jump for it! The prayer is about to end.”
Aurora looked at the cage containing the terrified owls. “Just a sec- ond,” she said. Picking upVardt’s cross, she knocked out the peg that was holding the side of the cage in place. The side fell away, and the owls, hooting gloriously, soared to freedom.
Aurora ran to the other side of the platform, graspedHamilton’s hand, and jumped with him into the back of the truck. Hamilton hit the rear of the driver’s compartment. “Step on it Charlie!” he shouted. As the truck sprang into motion, Hamilton pulled a lever, causing a device on the rear of the vehicle to emit thick clouds of black smoke.
There was shouting all around them as the prayer concluded and the crazed Earthlings looked up to see their prey escaping. A few random shots ripped the air, but with the smoke blocking the assassins’ view, all missed their target.
The Holy Land: Fanatical Earthling planet assassins are spreading chaos through the galaxy. Is there any nice way to stop them? Page 35
