It took me an hour to circle around the fire. Along the way, I strangled one guard and scrambled another’s brain. Their force was cut in half and no one had figured it out. Sweet for a stalker when your prey was clueless.
Thinking like a commander, I realized half the Rebels were on watch while the other half slept. Once they woke and went to relieve the dead guards, they’d know something was up. Maybe not the terror that was a Knight Protector of the Clan, but they’d recognize the danger and go into combat mode. I needed to reduce the numbers before being drawn into a battle.
There are many things that I am thankful for. Until tonight bugs weren’t on the list. I’d worked my way closer to the sleeping forms around the fire. As I watched the scum sleep, deciding what to do next, one of the sleeping women slapped a bug. She repeated the movement with another loud slap. The men on either side of her rolled away and pulled their field blankets over their heads. So, I put a hole in her ear and it sounded like her slapping a bug. I will forever look upon bugs differently.
Blankets make terrible defense weapons. The men with the blankets died in their sleep. I’d come back later to do the carving. This left two adults and one small child. I moved back from the camp and deeper into the woods. As I eased into a better position to advance on the last two Rebels, they stirred. I flowed back towards the camp quickly.
Two people were standing and one was whispering, “Up and at em. Our people need to get some rest. Come on people let’s move.”
I slipped up behind the quiet one and ran my stick through her neck. She wobbled until her knees buckled. As she fell onto the leaves, the talker pivoted in a circle aiming a pistol as she spun. I slapped the pistol out of her hand then slammed her to the forest floor.
“Knight Protector?” a small voice whispered. Denzilee was looking around from under a blanket near where the quiet one had fallen.
“Little Druid, stand up. Are you well?” I asked.
“I am fine now,” she said as she began to cry, “I knew you’d come, I knew it.”
“Take the trail back towards the monastery,” I directed, “I’ll be along shortly.”
“I can’t see you.”
“You aren’t supposed to witness the Knight Protector. Follow the trail, I’ll be with you along the way. Go! Now!”
She meekly picked her way between the bodies and disappeared beyond the circle of light. I turned my attention to the woman I had pinned to the ground.
“Good morning,” I said, “You shouldn’t have attacked the Clan. Now all of your people are dead.”
“The Empress’ Constabulary fears no one or any Clan,” she spit out, “When she rules again, the Druids and their evil trees will be cast into space. Your Clan will die. The Realm can’t stand against her majesty the Empress. Even now, beyond planet Uno my sisters are taking back what is rightful ours.”
Now I had intelligence that put everything in order. The increase in Pirate attacks was funded by the Empress. As was the Rebel activity on Nafaka. This also gave a reason for the poisoning of the Heart plant. But the horror of it all meant the death and destruction of the Great Schism had returned.
The Great Schism lasted over ten years. It was hundreds of years ago when, a woman declaring herself an Empress, had almost overthrown the loose confederation of the Galactic Council. After years of bloody war that took millions of lives, the Empress and her followers were brought to heel. There was disagreement about the future of the Empress and her hoard. After much deliberation, the Council choose to exile her rather than create a martyr.
Giant ships were prepared, and the Empress, and anyone choosing to follow her, were placed aboard. Our scientists aimed the ships at a group of habitable planets and sent them off. No one had heard from them since.
“You were to live and carry the message from the highland Clan back to your people,” I said into her ear, “But the message is lost on fanatics.”
I ended her life by driving my stick through her carotid artery. She bled out as I carved the first of the capital Cs that were due that morning.
Chapter 63
For a young girl, in the black of night, on an uneven mountain trail, Denzilee had made good time. I caught up with her and told her to stop. As I approached from behind she shivered.
“We must hurry as the Elder is injured,” I said laying a hand on her shoulder, “I will carry you. Perhaps in the future, you will carry me.”
In one motion, I lifted her thin frame in my arms and we raced down the trail. I heard her stop breathing at first than she loosened up. Laughter bubbled from her lips at the exhilaration of blindly careening down the mountain trail.
I stopped and set her down at the edge of the clearing. Shoving her forward, I stepped behind a tree. She hesitated than moved towards the low fire and the injured Druids. I stripped off the Clan suit and retracted my sticks.
Her eyes were as big a dinner plates as she watched me walk up to the group of Druids.
“It is done,” I said to Artair, “Now we can take you to get medical care.”
“As you wish, Knight Protector,” he and Brenton said at the same time.
“Not now, now I’m just Lieutenant Piran, Navy aviator,” I said selecting two long poles to make a traveling stretcher.
It took me most of the morning to drag all four Druids to the helicopter. During all four trips Denzilee was right beside me sneaking sidelong glances than shaking her head in disbelief. I knew the legend of the Knight Protector would grow when she went to planet Uno for the Ritual.
At 1600 hours I sat the full helicopter down at protein LZ. A medical team carried the Druids to a tent where doctors began working on them. As Denzilee and I watched, Lieutenant Bryndís from the Nafaka Regional Authority drove up in a truck.
The truck had a machine gun mounted in the truck bed. Four uniformed women piled out with the protein LZ security officer. They all had assault rifles slung over their shoulders
“We found the Rebel’s radio in Sade’s friend’s house,” she said as she stopped almost nose to nose with me, “Did you know anything about that?”
“No ma’am, not a clue,” I replied, “I’ve been in the mountains with the Druids. I do know the terrorist cell to the north is no longer active.”
“And I’m to believe you why?” she asked.
A little voice broke the tension between us as Denzilee spoke up, “Yes ma’am, it’s true. Lieutenant Piran rescued me from them.”
“That’s a story I want to hear,” Bryndís said softening her stance in the presence of a child, “But right now I have a Shuttle coming in and if any unauthorized persons exit the shuttle, they had better have a good reason.”
She made a circle up motion with her hand and the five woman climbed into the truck. It sped toward the shuttle landing area. There were no protein crates waiting. This shuttle was special.
“Base to J-Pop.”
“Go Base,” I responded as the Shuttle sank to the pad and the troops under Bryndís raised their weapons.
“Be advised, there is a single female Druid on the way to take charge of the child,” Dunya reported, “Javelin said, once you’re finished babysitting, his words, you’re to get your butt back to Base.”
“Rodger that Base,” I said looking across the pilot seat at a pair of big eyes, “Can I help you?”
“Lieutenant Piran, when Artair had me hand you those things, I didn’t believe,” Denzilee said in a soft voice, “I believe now, Knight Protector.”
“You’ll do well at Ritual. Make me proud.”
“I will, I will indeed.”
The Shuttle dropped four women who were cleared once Bryndís had spoken to each of them. A Female Druid, complete with shears and a watering pan, waited stoically at the bottom of the Shuttle steps. I watched as the little girl marched up to the tall Druid. They exchanged words which were lost to me. From across the shuttle pad, Denzilee stopped and turned to face me. She executed a deep curtsey complete with a bow of her head. The honorific
brought a curious look from the Druid, but Denzilee shook her head when questioned and climbed into the shuttle. The Druid looked arrogantly at me for a second then followed the child into the shuttle. Somethings never change.
It was getting dark and I was tired to my marrow. But Javelin wanted me at Base, so I lifted off hoping I wouldn’t kill myself or worse yet, damage the helicopter. I was eight grueling hours from Base and out of energy. It took me eight blurry hours and fifteen mean minutes.
I stumbled into the radio room and returned Dunya’s salute.
“Javelin wants to see you,” she said, “He’s in his office.”
“Aye, Senior Chief,” I mumbled then shuffled to the office of Captain Gesina.
“Lieutenant Piran reporting as ordered,” I said standing as tall as my aching back would allow.
“Piran, new orders have come in for you,” he replied not sounding happy about the change.
“Where am I going Sir?” I asked with a little more energy. A change of orders has that effect on you.
“Special Naval Operations, whatever that is,” he said, “You’re on a Shuttle tomorrow. So be packed and on the pad by 04:30. I’ll fly you to Nuevo Kansas.”
“Aye Sir. Can I say it’s been a pleasure working for you?” I asked.
“Hell Piran, we never saw each other. Oh wait, that’s what junior officers like,” he said laughing, “We’re getting some troops and a new pilot to chase down Princess and her merry band of Rebels, in case you’re interested.”
“Sir, it’s not my place but you should know they are Constabulary troops of the Empress,” I said looking hard at him, “They will not go down easily.”
“I found that out already. Celso’s team and the Marines captured three of the Rebels,” he said getting serious, “They went on and on about how we are all going to die when the Empress gets here.”
“And you don’t believe them?” I asked in shock.
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. Or what you believe,” the Captain stated, “The facts are, we are paid to fight, not to believe every fanatic we come across. So whether it’s the return of the Empress, the Big Bunny Rabbit or a Giant Popsicle, we’ll fight them because that’s what we get paid to do. Now get some rack time, you look like hell.”
“Aye, Sir, and thanks again,” I replied.
We’d been in the air for almost four hours. Javelin was at the controls and I was squeezed into the cockpit for the company. For the last two hours we’d seen Marine Corps’ Shuttles dropping into the atmosphere. As we approached grain LZ, our radio lit up.
“Unidentified Helicopter, identify yourself,” the voice demanded.
“What the hell,” I exclaimed.
Gesina ignored me and replied, “Captain Gesina, commander of the 49th Air Wing Nafaka detachment, call sign Javelin flying transport to grain LZ. And who are you?”
“Combat Control, Javelin, you are cleared to land at grain Landing Zone. Please follow the green arrows.”
So the Navy and Marine Corps had finally arrived on Nafaka. They had commandeered most of grain LZ and were busily expanding it. The green arrows led us to a new helicopter pad.
Javelin and I climbed out and were met by a fresh faced pilot.
“Reporting to the 49th,” the young woman stated as she saluted.
“Oh good, you’re here,” the Captain replied returning her salute, “We need to call Base and let the Chief know we’re on the way. Take the cockpit, Lieutenant.”
Gesina climbed in and took a seat in the cargo area. He crossed his long legs and pulled on a soft cap.
“But Sir, what about the call to Dunya?” the young pilot stammered, “And I’ve never actually flown a helicopter. Two hundred hours of simulator time, but no real control time.”
“Nobody has real time when they get here,” he said as he stretched his legs out while tilting his cover down over his eyes, “Radio’s set, just call Base and tell them we’re on the way.”
“Just like that?” she asked, “What about a check ride?”
“This is your check ride,” he replied in his lazy manner, “If you don’t crash and kill us, you’ll be certified. Heading is south. Call Dunya and don’t call me unless, well just don’t call me.”
I tossed a salute at the reclining Captain and with my gear in hand walked to a tent marked transport. As I walked, I noted Shuttles discharging squads of combat Marines while others dropped crates of equipment. All around the once sleepy grain LZ the buzz of the Military machine hummed.
Chapter 64
At the counter I identified myself and, after a clerk ran a check, he passed my information to the officer in charge. The Navy Captain gave me a chit for a departing Shuttle.
“It’ll be a while, Lieutenant,” he informed me before turning to check another request for transportation, “Find a seat and get comfortable.”
The seating area of the tent was crowded and the long line at the counter told the tale of it getting more crowded. I searched and finally spotted four empty seats in the back. I settled into one of the seats to wait. It always amazes me that, while tons of troops were in bound, some were already rotating out.
Four Druids walked in and glared around the tent. After checking in with the clerk, they headed towards me.
“These seats are reserved,” one of the Druids said. He’d spoken but didn’t give me the courtesy of looking directly at me.
“Do you always go into combat with your eyes closed?” I asked, “That will get you killed.”
All four Druids placed a hand under their robes where they kept their fighting sticks. One, he was young and not so full of himself, looked at me. Then his eyes shifted to the collar pin that was partially hidden by my bars. After staring really hard, his eyes drifted to where my hand was pushed into the Clan strap.
“Asthore’ Knight,” he whispered than he dropped to a knee, “Forgive me. I didn’t know.”
The other three were struck by their companion’s action. They stood with open mouths until another saw the pin. He started to take a knee.
“Oh man, stand up,” I ordered, “You’re making a spectacle of yourselves. Now go find somewhere else to sit.”
They shuffled away a little less arrogantly it seemed. Maybe they’d treat the next person they came across with a little respect. Maybe, no, it’ll never happen.
My number was called and I fell in line for the Shuttle. As I breathed in the last of Naraka’s delicious air, I was handed a rebreather. I looked around one last time at the grain fields. Then my mind shifted. What is Special Navy Operations? And why did they want me? I’d find out when I got my orders on plant Station. Right now, I just wanted to get some sleep on the way out.
On Station: Galactic Council Realm
The End
Thank you for reading my books.
If you enjoyed the adventures of Phelan Oscar Piran,
please leave a review on Amazon.
Sincerely, J. Clifton Slater
Galactic Council Realm Series
On Station
On Duty
On Guard
Appendix
Characters / Reference for meanings of Clan names: http://www.babynames.ch/
Adone Teodora, Merchant Fleet representative on the plant Station. Clan Italian: Ruler and Gift of God
Agdta Hernan, Navigator of the commercial Clipper Ship Uno Shoda. Clan Spanish: Kind and Adventurer
Almaz, Sergeant Galactic Council Marine Corps, scout sniper. Clan Ethiopian: Diamond
Armel, Druid on Nafaka. Clan Celtic: Stone
Armel, Petty Officer Galactic Council Navy, mechanic with the 49th Air Wing on planet Nafaka. Clan Breton: Disciple
Arsenia, Spaceman 1st Class GC Navy, mechanic with the 49th Air Wing on planet Nafaka. Clan Old Greek: Virile
Artair, Druid Elder at Heartless Manor, the Monastery on Nafaka. Clan Celtic: the bear
Ashok, Park Ranger on Nafaka. Clan Indian: Without Sorrow
Bernarde Fabrizia, GC Navy Chief
, head mechanic for the Flight School. Clan Italian: Hardy and Craftsman
Berthe Othon, call sign Bishop, Captain and pilot of Combat Shuttle, Gunship 7. Clan French: Bright and Wealth
Birgir, Senior Lieutenant, Galactic Navy Investigative Service. Clan Islandic: Mountain
Brentley Tadhg, brother to Ide. Clan Irish: Hill and Bard
Brenton, Druid Wood master on Nafaka. Clan Celtic: Hill
Bryndís, Nafaka Regional Authority Lieutenant at protein LZ Nafaka. Clan Icelandic: Armor, Goddess
Cecilius Esmee, Lance Corporal GCMC Fire Team heavy weapons specialist. Clan Dutch: Blind and Esteemed
Celso, Sergeant with Park Ranger on Nafaka and team leader of the quick reaction force. Clan Italian: Tall
Cheeky, low man on the dock crew on the chemical Station. No Clan English: nickname
Dabir Xhosa, Captain of the commercial Clipper Ship Uno Shoda. Clan African: Teacher and Sweet
Denzilee, Druid candidate seven years old on Nafaka. Clan Celtic: Fort
Edgarda Severina, Galactic Council Navy Commander, head of the Naval Flight School. Clan Italian: Wealth and the Severe
Eike Gesina, Captain and pilot GC Navy, commander of the 49th Air Wing detachment on planet Nafaka. Clan Low German: Edge and Strength, Power
Fabrizio, Corporal Park Ranger on Nafaka heavy weapon. Clan Italian: Blacksmith
Ferre Anika, Lieutenant in the Nafaka Regional Authority at the fruit Landing Zone. Clan Dutch: Bold Protector and God was Gracious
Filippo Domiziano, Lieutenant in the Nafaka Regional Authority at the vegetable Landing Zone. Clan Italian: Friend of Horses and Tamed
Gesina, Admiral and absolute Navy authority for all Galactic Military forces in the sectors around the planet Nafaka, plant Station and protein Station. Clan Low German: Strength, Power
Gillis, Sergeant GC Marine Corps, scout sniper. Clan Dutch: Oak
Gitta Shea, Botanist on first exposition to explore the planet Dos. Kidnapped Heart Plants, led revolt and negotiated treaty to protect the future of Heart Plants. The mother of modern Druids and great, great, grandmother of Phelan Oscar Piran. Clan Celtic: The Exalted One and Dauntless
Galactic Council Realm 1: On Station Page 34
