"Good now get too it." The many years of training and discipline had induced in these men a duty and spirit that was unparalleled by any force now present on the Earth. Landaus and his men were exactly at the right place and time to deflect this incursion. With any hope they would be victorious. Hector and Amida for the moment stayed out of sight watching from the periphery as the preparations got underway. Although there was little time for preparation the ancient citadel was a formidable defensive position. They hoped that this advantage may for a while go unrealized by their blood thirsty enemies.
From a distance Hector and Amida watched and listened as this all had unfolded. Hector was moved by what he heard there. "Amida, I see now why you have placed such confidence in this young man. There may yet be hope for one last victory."
"Perhaps but we must first offer ourselves and services up to them. We however must be cautious if we are to undothe damage you've created. They have no reason to trust us.
Let us for the moment lay down our arms and approach them." Landaus stood before his men orchestrating their defensive plans when he began to notice that on the periphery of those gathered there that some kind of disturbance was taking place. He watched as an empty swath began to open within the midst of the crowd. All eyes were now seemingly fixed upon the two approaching figures, whose menacing appearance had encouraged the skittish crowd to instinctively step back.
As the two men stepped forward they immediately drew Landaus's ire and his stern gaze. The sergeant major and a few select guardsmen with weapons ready came forth and placed themselves between their leader and the pair of strangers.
The grizzled Sergeant Major being a veteran of many a campaign did not hesitate to draw his sword first. In one quick fluid motion he presented mere inches from Hectors face the sharp end of his blade. Then he fixed his steely gaze onto Hector and spoke. "We will no longer require the services of the likes of your lot. I suggest you turn around and go back to where you have come before I order these men to cut you down where you stand." Hector did not once flinch for he had been so threatened innumerable times. Though he returned his adversaries glare with an equal intensity. Though Landaus may have in his heart wished that the Sergeant major had followed through with his threats, his even headedness would prevent this from happening. "Sergeant major, do not yet kill the prisoners. There may yet be useful information in their possession that we may use to our advantage in the coming battle. So tell me Amida is that your real name? And what of this Ananda or Hector will he again attempt to control our minds and actions as he did before?"
Hector stood silently as Amida responded. "Landausit is I, Amida who recently had been allied to you on Nibaru. Isee no reason why this relationship must now change for we despite our differences, face the same foe. We, my brother and I have long fought this enemy. We now know that if this battle is won, you shall see no more of them."
"Yes Nibaru the dark planet of our enemies, I had nearly forgotten about that. Where pray tell have you taken it. Have you shrouded it in the mists of our imaginations? Have you painted a black hole on the canvas of the universe for it to fall into?" "Oddly enough as ridiculous as that sounds to you there is more truth in that than you can know."
"More than I can know. Is that not a bit presumptuous of you? Why don't you give it a try and perhaps I will be inclined to listen further to your story."
"Very well, I will do as you ask." He paused a moment and let his mind wander about the ancient redoubts. He turned back to face Landaus. As he began to speak, there still present upon his expression was a glimmer of this distant memory. "This place through the dark ages of my memory has seen many days like today; each struggle seemingly had become more desperate than the one before. As a testament to your survival you do well to venerate it. However here in the fullness of time an age defined by the entangled destinies of these two planets has come to its natural end. I ask you all now to trust your senses and know what I say is the unadulterated truth. Nibaru the shadow that has stalked your nightmares has gone. And this war with its ebb and flow of fortunes will now see its final battle."
Sensing the break, Landaus raised his hand so to claim his chance to speak. "Amida you have done us service in the things we have seen you do, but these things you tell us now are well known to us. What we need to know to make sense of all this how and why these circumstances have come to be."
"There is but one way to tell this story. Thereforethough I promise to be brief, I must start at the beginning. Once in another life I was a man not unlike you. I had a family and a career. As you may have already guessed Hector and I originated in the age your people have ascribed as that of the forbearers. Unlike yours, our lineage did not as far as we know originate from a far off star. Despite this the world of our origin was remarkably similar to your own but with one major glaring difference. The world from which we came knew not of Nibaru, for it did not exist. I was a scientist. Our society, our nation, our world for generations had been prosperous. However the state of our technology had been such as our advances had outpaced our ability to process their implications. It was because of this that the fates of Hector and I were bound to those of that accursed planet. In our scientific studies we began the arduous work of mapping the quantum superposition of thought. What happened next though wholly unforeseen was in fact elementary. In our zeal we dared to unlock the unknowable. By negating the boundaries that separate one from the other our two universes collided with devastating effect. From a third set of probabilities one in which Nibaru existed it was drawn into our reality. It was then that the two destinies were intertwined. Between these two fates myself, my brother and the crystal room are the sole anomalies existing in both and all simultaneously. Since that time your world has suffered repeated trauma of Nibaru’s cyclical visitations. My brother and I as if cursed have been made by circumstance to live out these incursions." He took another moment to allow those there a chance to digest what they had heard. Xora took the opportunity to speak what the other dared not say for fear of appearing ignorant.
"Amida, forgive me but I don't understand. How can these things be so, no man could exist for so long?" He could little believe how at this point that they had not yet figured it out. But these people had not endured the countless centuries as they had. They had had the luxury of time for its understanding tobecome clear that these people had not.
Hector now for the first time felt the need to speak. "It's quite simple really. On that long ago day our thoughts reached out into the void. There our consciousness's were splintered in time and cast out into this world to live out this event over and over again. Now that the cycle has perhaps come to its naturalend I would beg you not to deny us our chance at closure, and perhaps redemption."
Chapter 18
The city state of Baldur having once dominated its part of the globe had a long and proud history. Outward from its ports and libraries, its influence had sent ripples of prosperity where ever its trading ships made landfall. There however was little trade anymore, as the ships had all but stopped coming. In fact there had not been a foreign ship in its harbors for months. It now found itself alone in an increasingly insular world, which was just as well for their dwindling resources would be far too dear to trade.
Something was happening out in the world beyond. Though to some extent these conditions had been mirrored at home, no one could adequately fathom how these things had come to pass. The changes had happened so subtly that none could have identified a point in time or to an event that could have been called its genesis. Despite the lack of knowledge regarding its inception, its moribund effects were smoldering just below the surface. One fact remained that the state of its civilization and by extension the world had for centuries been slipping imperceptiblyinto a slow decline from light into darkness.
Nowhere were these symptoms of internal decay more plainly evident than within the ranks of its decadent ruling class. The so called first families of Baldur, who had for generations held tightly on
to the political reigns they had inherited, were now no more than a morally weak ennobled caste. It was from these ranks that the upper echelons of Baldur's government were primarily constituted. These citizens having long focused only on the maneuverings required to maintain the status quo, were left deeply isolated from the subjects that they claimed to serve. Now within the depths of their current crisis, the people would find that these men, having remained entrenched in their own selfish pursuits, were conspicuously absent. These men then would have good reason to fear that what was left of their way of life could come suddenly crashing down.
Men like Landaus who throughout the current crisis had maintained their unflagging loyalty to their nation would then be called by circumstance to action. Landaus then by virtue and default was duly charged to lead the defense of the citadel and by extension the island nation. This mantle of responsibility would seem to rest easily upon his shoulders. During his years of duty in the service of protecting the citadel he had logged many an hour in contemplation of its defenses. He had walked every square inch of its walls and there was none more qualified. From the moment he realized an invasion was an inevitable fact, he had begun to prepare for the worst.
Though the time that remained for their preparations was at a minimum, he possessed the unquestioned loyalty of his men. Therefore in short order their limited resources would be marshaled with a keen machinelike precision. Morale of the defenders was high and as the time of their enemy's coming drew nearer, their confidence remained unwavering. He however held close his private doubts. For as he worked out the possible scenarios there remained some troubling facts. In his mind's eye the offensive parties had always assailed them from the sea never from the air. He came to the conclusion that on paper these differences were mere subtleties. How these events would ultimately unfold however, was at this stage unanswerable.
As the morning sun reached toward its high point in the sky the work of bolstering the already formidable defenses was well underway. From his vantage upon the hills that stood above the city he observed the lay of the land with great scrutiny. From here final adjustments were being made. This was being carried out by use of a relay of runners through which his orders were quickly brought to his lieutenants on the ground.
Looking through the lens of his spyglass out across the city he saw there on the edge of the horizon a dark band of forming cloud. He lowered the spyglass from his eyes and was met there with a cool breeze racing in advance of the storm. This was just another factor that he could not account for. Grunhuf who was at his side took note of his troubled expression. "Landaus the time is drawing nearer. There is perhaps an hour remaining before those ships are upon us. Should we not now retreat within the perimeter of our defenses?"
He did his best to clear these thoughts from his mind before he responded. "Yes, of course you're right." He turned to the waiting guardsman and gave him a command. "Runner, return now to the citadel and tell those you see on your way to do the same. Now run and make haste."
The unkempt runner already panting from his previous run said, "Aye Colonel." He quickly saluted then turned tofollow his orders.
As the guardsman ran out of sight, Landaus spoke, "Grunhuf we've done all we can do. Let's hope it'll be enough." "I'm sure it will be. The city is bristling with arms and the spirits of the men are high. I would imagine they could hold off a thousand ships."
"Thankfully that's not the case."
Following the path that the runners had taken down a high mountain trail that leads to an open field they walked toward their waiting motor carriage. For the few moments it had taken to cross this distance Landaus's mind was in a whirl of questions. Sensing such uncharacteristic unease Grunhuf offered his assistance. "Landaus what is it that is troubling you? I would be more than happy to act as a sounding board."
"Well my dear friend, the problem I have is not one of spirit or arms but rather mathematics." Grunhuf naturally gave him a rather puzzled look in response to this statement. Sensing his confusion Landaus tried to explain.
"It's rather simple really. We have well over a hundred cannon. Some long range some significantly less so. I've set the long range cannon, twenty in all to focus on the ships. We must make sure they are all rendered inoperable. Beyond this their use is rather limited in close quarters. Use of the remaining cannon arrayed against the enemy are similarly ill equipped not by capacity but rather by the type of available projectiles. We'll pack them with small caliber steel balls, nails and even stone, basically anything we can fit down the barrel. This as devastating as it may sound, may however be no match for our enemy's personal armor. In the end it may be down to muskets and sabers. Between you and I it is there I fear that as a whole our side may not be quite up for the challenge. Oh their brave enough,too brave. I fear we will endure heavy losses and that nothing that we do will be enough. "His face had grown pale as he had unburdened himself. Grunhuf for a brief moment hesitated, carefully weighing his options before responding He did not wish to alienate him unnecessarily, despite his apparent inability to see what he thought to be a prime option. "Landaus it would seem that either pride or arrogance are preventing you from seeing what others might see as obvious." Stopping cold in his tracks he turned. Regarding with a stern eye toward his friend he asked, "Exactly what are you trying to say?"
"With all due respect, it would appear that something other than sound judgment is dictating your reaction to the presence of these strangers among us."
By now they had reached the carriage. Without saying a word Landaus open the door and started the engine. Both men found their seats within. Grunhuf did not remove his gaze from Landaus. Staring into his face, he patiently waited for a response. When one did not readily come he pushed him further and more insistently "Will you not even consider that by allowing these strangers to fight at our side that you will deny us an immeasurable resource. You know as well as I do how well suited they are for war. It has been their only existence throughout all their many incarnations. It is my opinion that such an action borders on foolhardiness."
Landaus closed his eyes and spoke. "I know it may seem foolish of me. My intention is I think a noble one. I desire only independence from this tyranny of circumstance from which we find ourselves in. In these final hours to earn a victory that is rightfully ours to win would be invaluable. By what right do I deny them this honor?"
"It is exactly this tyranny of which you speak that gives you the right. There have been many disadvantages placed at your feet in this coming battle by circumstance. Why not also embrace the advantages as well? Those two alone as you well know could save many a life and even perhaps turn the tide ofbattle. Why would you lose the battle and perhaps all our lives, including young Ibsen over some notion of nobility or honor? That my friend is madness."
Landaus as if delivered upon a realization this time opened his eyes as he responded. "What you say is hard to hear, yet it is even harder to admit. Some of what you say may be trueand it's hard to argue against such logic laid out in such a way."He grew silent for a moment as he appeared to again mull over his options. Again he spoke deliberately. "It would seem that you have corrected my faulty mathematics. For that I thank you. I will consider it." He then depressed the carriage gear shifter and engaged the motor. Soon they were rolling swiftly down toward the defensive perimeter.
By now all the runners had delivered their orders to the officers on the ground and upon the gunnery positions. Landaus had called upon all the gunnery commanders to rendezvous in the great hall. It having appeared that all were present and accounted for he called for them to gather around the long table. There on a large sheet of paper a hastily drawn map representing the citadel and its environs was represented. "I wish to thank you all for coming. This will be the final meeting you will have with your commander before the battle. All arrangements have been finalized and you will receive no further direct orders from me. As you can all see on this crude map is an image of the field before us as seen from the air."
Using a pointer he circled a point on the map that was shaded with crosshatching. "Indicated here from the air one would see where obstacles have been deployed along the ground around the citadel. It is these obstacles that should prevent landings in all but three pre-determined positions. The ships themselves due to these constraints will be forcedto land in a three point vertical configuration. In this position the ships therefore will prove to be easier targets. So it will beto there that the concentrated cannon fire would from on high be arrayed." Using a graphite pen attached to a pointer he demonstrated the angle of attack by drawing lines of fire. "To those commanders of the long range cannon, this will be your primary kill zone.Your Job is to destroy those ships hopefully before their warriors can disembark. However accuracy rather than speed will win the day. All of you have trained for this so let's make those shots count. Remember all cannon are to harass the same ships simultaneously. Only when the first is destroyed should the focus of your fire be shifted to the second, and then the third." From there he moved the pointer farther up still. "Here along the outer wall marksmen with heavy musket and mortar will be aligned. A continuous volley of fire will lie down from these positions. If the enemy can survive this it will be here that they will be allowed to breach the wall. Upon the sound of the horn your musketeers and mortar bearers will beat a planned retreat and set up the secondary defensive line. It will be here where the enemy will then be trapped into the secondary kill zone. They then will be assailed from all sides by all manner of armament. Dug into shallow earthen redoubts small mobile cannon will be deployed." This time when he used the pointer he did so with extra emphasis. "It will be there that the front lines must be held at all cost. Beyond there only the high walls of the citadel itself would hold the enemy back. Under any other circumstances these defenses would be unassailable. This enemy however is unlike any tribe of pirates or wayward barbarian horde we have ever faced. There will be no hit and run tactics. This will be a fight to the death. Many of you I have known your entire lives and have trained by my side. Some of you are raw volunteers and have never before held a weapon. All of you however will prove that you are up to the challenge. You will do what must be done. Ok then let's take our positions and good luck to us all." With only the sound of chairs being moved the men in double time filed out of the hall and began to hurriedly make it back their way to their positions.
A Paradox in Retrograde Page 31
