by Musser, Dale
“Also, Tibby, Admiral Regeny has sent a message that two of the fleeing Brotherhood ships have veered off from the others and are making a run for a nearby asteroid field. He’s sending two Mirage Fighters after them and he’s pretty sure they’ll outrun the enemy ships before they even get close to the asteroids.”
“You would think by now the Brotherhood would be getting the message that it is futile for them to run.”
“Tibby, the problem is distance and communication. By the time news of events gets to anyone here, it is old news. The events of the DUSTEN and the revolt are just now getting here; and much of what they are hearing is doubted as being anything more than rumor.”
“Well you and Cantolla are changing that,” I said with a grin.
“Only to a small degree. We are only able to convey verbal news or communication, which then has to be repeated by the receiving person on the other end. Messages can be changed in the telling; and the person receiving a message can totally misinterpret or change the meaning of the message by adding or deleting a single word, either intentionally or accidently. It’s not like anyone else can monitor the transmission to make sure every detail is exact. We can’t send any visual data by this means, or show you scenes of carnage. Everything is subject to the two people sitting in the transmission and receiving chairs.”
“I hadn’t thought about that until now. We’ll have to think about developing confirmation protocols. Will you eventually be able to modify the system to accept visual images or to broadcast to more than one receiver at a time?”
“I don’t think so – at least not if this is working the way I think it does. I’m not sure I want to go into the theories behind my opinion, lest I sound crazy or unscientific; but let’s just say that this works by way of universal consciousness – and I try not to think about that aspect too much.”
I laughed, “A’Lappe, I would prefer not to think about it at all.”
Just then, A’Lappe’s and my wrist communicators activated. Captain Stonbersa’s voice said, “Tibby, A’Lappe and Marranalis please report to the bridge. It looks like the Brotherhood is about to attempt something.”
A’Lappe and I headed to the bridge at a fast pace and arrived to find Marranalis already there.
“We just intercepted some communication from the surface using the codes Felenna provided us. From the chatter we’re intercepting it looks like the Brotherhood is planning to make a run for it. They hope to join up with their ships that are en route from Plosaxen and launch a two-front attack on us. They believe we will pursue and that once we see the size of their combined fleet – rather, the fleet they believe is responding to assist – we will not engage them. They have no idea that most of their fleet has been decimated.
Their true intent is to leave several ships behind while we pursue, ships that will then flee with their cargo holds loaded with drugs. They’re saying that once we’re out of range, those transports will take off toward another hidden base somewhere in the Blandaran System. They intend to blow up all their bases when they leave, killing all the native slaves in the process. They’re planning to make their move in about seven hours.”
“It looks like we’ll have to act quickly if we’re going to stop them and save the natives. Get someone to bring Felenna to the conference room and get all our top security people in there as well,” I said.
Fifteen minutes later we were all assembled in one of the larger conference rooms in the ship.
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to take action a lot quicker than anticipated,” I began. “The Brotherhood is preparing to make a run for it. They intend to draw us away from the planet in a pursuit, during which time they plan to take their drugs and flee in the other direction. They also intent to destroy each base as they leave without first releasing the slaves. We need to stop them before they get their ships in the air. I want all our Mirage Fighters to make repeated passes over the bases to knock out all the ships they can. For the time being, don’t target any buildings; I don’t want any structures hit that might have natives inside.
“Felenna, do you have any idea where the MIZBAGONA might be hiding?”
“I’m pretty sure I do. Captain Ruraldo is the number two man. He and all the top Brotherhood people hang out at the main base. It’s located in the southern hemisphere along a river that flows from a lake created by a meteor impact.”
“If you can direct one of my ships to the area, they will fly in cloaked. You won’t have much time – maybe an hour – to get aboard the MIZBAGONA and plant the EMP device. My suggestion to you is to stay aboard and hide. Once the device goes off, everyone will abandon the ship. Shortly thereafter I’m hoping we will have the base sufficiently under control for some more of my people to fly in cloaked with a new core for the reactor and have it operational again within an hour. After that I want you to take charge of the ship and fly it back here with the crew that replaced the core. You’ll be provided with security codes to clear you so you won’t be shot down by friendly fire.”
I could see the shocked look on Felenna’s face. “You want me to take charge of the MIZBAGONA? I’m not a captain. I’m not even one of your crew.”
“You’re the best and most qualified person for the job. As acting first officer on a sister ship, you know the ship better than any of my men do – and we don’t have time to train anyone.”
“Kerabac has flown the RUNANA. He could do it,” she said nervously.
“Yes, and Kerabac will be busy flying the RUNANA again. We’re manning the ship and he’s taking her out cloaked to assist in destroying as many Brotherhood ships that leave the planet as he can. He’ll have the firepower to take out the larger ships on the Brotherhood bases; and with the cloaking device A’Lappe has installed, his risk of coming under fire is greatly reduced.”
“Why don’t you simply put an RMFF shield on it… like you have on the NEW ORLEANS?” she asked.
“There is a matter of space limitations. The components of the RMFF system are too large to install on anything smaller than a frigate, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, I never thought about that. Even so, the Brotherhood doesn’t know that, so their ignorance gives you an added advantage, doesn’t it?”
“Exactly!” I replied.
“Marranalis, I want all your troops to understand that every effort is to be made to locate and free all slaves. At the same time, all care must be taken to protect them and not put them in harm’s way. If it’s a question of allowing the Brotherhood to escape in order to free or protect the natives, so be it; but they are to be freed and protected at all costs.
“If it’s possible to capture a ship, do so; but don’t make it a priority. My guess is they’re pretty low on ships right now and they’re going to protect them as best they can.
One more thing – I suggest that the men assigned to ground operations each carry two cloaking devices; so when the power on one runs out, they have a back-up. I’ve no idea how long this operation will take.”
Marranalis nodded; and if he had any questions in his mind about my orders, he didn’t show it. I must credit Marranalis and his team; they were assembled and underway within the hour.
Before we left the NEW ORLEANS I went to see Kala again. I felt helpless standing there with a million things I wanted to say to her; but nothing seemed right. At the moment all wanted was to end things with the Brotherhood as quickly as possible so we could find the ruguian eggs needed to wake her from the nightmare that was in her veins.
“I’m trying my very best, Kala. I’m doing everything I can to get you out of there. Just a little longer,” I said. “I love you, Kala.”
I felt anger as I left her, anger toward the Brotherhood who poisoned her and anger at them for standing in the way of us getting the eggs that could provide her salvation. I was still angry at Regeny, too; but my focus now was on the Brotherhood, as they were ultimately the ones that had caused all this and I wanted it to be over.
Against everyone’s w
ishes, I went with the team that took Felenna to the camp where she believed that Ruraldo and the MIZBAGONA were located. The base itself was hidden in the jungle and covered with camouflage netting similar to the other bases; but this base was stretched out along a river in a long, narrow configuration rather than the circular encampment that I saw at the other base. Our pilot deposited us at a wide place along the shore where there was a large sand bar. He disengaged the cloaking device just long enough for us to disembark and then re-cloaked and departed with instructions to return in about two hours to begin firing on buildings in the camp. We hoped to free the slaves and damage the netting before his return, as well as capture the MIZBAGONA. Onboard our patrol ship were the replacement reactor components that would be installed after we had control of her. We would need to get her back in the air as soon as possible.
Felenna, the ground troops and I had only gone a short distance into the jungle, when a native suddenly dropped from a tree in front of us and said in his native tongue, “You man who speak for Thumumba?”
I was taken aback. We were hundreds of miles removed from Jnanara’s village. It was impossible for word of my presence and my plans to have spread this far to the south so quickly.
“I am man who speak for Thumumba,” I replied, unsure what would happen next.
“Come,” the native replied. “Thumumba wish you to come this way,” and he set off on a route perpendicular to the river and parallel to the camp.
“Do you think it’s wise to follow this native instead of going to the camp?” Felenna asked?
Not in our logic it wasn’t; but I had a feeling it was the right thing to do. Suddenly the small native stopped and indicated with his finger for us to be quiet. Then he turned and slowly started leading us in the direction of the camp while constantly looking to his right and sniffing the air. Several times he stopped and motioned with some urgency and agitation to be quiet, when one of my men would inadvertently snap a twig or produce some sound. At one point our guide stopped us beside a very large fallen I’aban tree, which created a barrier nearly 50 meters high and 350 meters in length between us and the river. He motioned for the others to remain quiet and perfectly still. Then he motioned for me to follow him, as he began climbing the branches on the side of the fallen tree.
As we neared the top, he again motioned for me to be quiet and then slowly raised his head to peer over the top of the tree. He looked left and right, then brought his head down and indicated I should do the same. When I looked past the tree trunk, I was stunned to see about a hundred natives harvesting the plants that were used by the Brotherhood to produce God’s Sweat. Approximately 20 Brotherhood troopers guarded the slaves that were restrained by electronic collars. I ducked my head back down and nodded to my guide, who then led me back down to the others.
Back on the ground my men looked at me with silent anticipation as I stared back at them. We had 25 troopers with us, not counting Felenna and myself. I tried to think quickly; I needed to figure out how to revise my plans.
Very quietly I whispered what I had just seen. “There are about a hundred slaves guarded by about 20 troopers on the other side of this tree. If we had taken the route along the river, we would have walked right into them and they would have alerted the base before we could take any action.
“The troopers are stationed around the natives at equal intervals. We’re going to cloak and file out in a line – everyone follow behind me. I am going to walk around the tree and to the farthest guard. I want each of you to stop one guard short of the person in front of you. You won’t be able to see each other, so you’ll have to pay attention and count to figure out your exact position. All the guards will be visible from our point of approach; so you should be able to figure out which one is yours. This is going to be tricky. Since I will be farthest away, you will have to watch for signs that I’ve initiated my attack. When you see that guard fall, you will all take out the guard before you. Is that understood?”
Every one nodded.
“You two,” I said, indicating two of my men not needed for this task. “You go with Felenna to the Brotherhood compound. She knows what to do from there. Wait to see which ship she enters and then one of you come back to lead the rest of us back to the camp. We’ll free these slaves and then join you.”
I turned to the native guide. “We now free children of Thumumba. You take woman and two men in hard skins to bad men village, protect from drodoceal and keep hidden in jungle?”
He nodded and then motioned for Felenna and the pair of security officers to follow him.
Once Felenna, the officers and their guide were out of sight, the remainder of us switched on our cloaking devices and set out around the trunk of the tree. I hoped we wouldn’t run into each other, since we basically were invisible not only to the Brotherhood goons but to each other as well. Instead of moving around the outside of the semicircle of guards, I moved along the opposite side of the tree trunk which would be the shortest route to the far end where I would approach my target. Once I came within three meters of him, I moved very cautiously, so as not to make any noise or disturb the leaves in a way that would seem unnatural. I maneuvered around until I was positioned behind him; then I waited several minutes, hopefully enough to allow all my men ample time to get situated by their respective targets. Then, using a quick martial arts technique, I broke the neck of the guard in front of me. As I released his body, I looked about the semicircle to see guards struggling and falling to the jungle floor. When I could see no more guards, I turned off my cloaking device and heard the gasp of the natives as they dropped their harvesting tools and fell to their knees. One by one my men began decloaking and appearing around the circle. I could only imagine what must have been going on in the minds of the natives.
“I speak for Thumumba,” I said. “Children of Thumumba now free. Return quickly to trees and to your people. Tell children stay away from places of evil men until ugly villages and evil men gone.” Slowly they got to their feet and looked about at each other. Then they quickly departed in a direction away from the Brotherhood camp. In a matter of only seconds they were all out of sight.
“What now?” asked one of my men.
“Now we head for the Brotherhood base. Hopefully we can find and follow the trail used by the guide who took Felenna and the guards. We should meet up with the guard who’s coming back to guide us in. If not, we can only pray we don’t get lost.”
“It didn’t look much like the Brotherhood was planning to leave, if they had slaves out here gathering these weeds just hours before they were supposed to flee the planet,” said another one of the men.
“On the contrary, it makes perfect sense; they want all the drugs they can carry. From what I’ve seen, just the smallest drop of this sap will have a person high for days. I imagine they extract the sap and dilute it down before it’s sold, which will double or triple the street value of each harvest. Heaven only knows how much of this stuff they must be making. Certainly they’re producing enough to buy and support the ships and manpower they have here,” I said.
We had only gone a short distance down the path when we spotted someone coming toward us. We took up locations in hiding until we were certain that it was one of the two men that had accompanied Felenna. We then stood in view; and when he came near he said quietly, “The village isn’t far. There are a lot of troopers posted around the base, so we’ll have to be quiet and careful. Felenna made it to the ship she wanted and got inside after talking to a guard posted there. She hasn’t come back out. Wilnod is cloaked and keeping watch. That native fellow you sent with us disappeared shortly after we got to the camp. He never said a word – one minute he was there, the next he was gone.”
Just then my communicator began vibrating on my wrist. I lifted it to my face and said quietly, “Tibby here.”
“Tibby, this is Stonbersa. I’m not sure how the natives across the entire planet knew we were coming; but all over the surface are clusters of three pillars
of smoke rising from the jungle. Right now I can identify about a dozen locations where the Brotherhood camps have been marked. We’re setting down as many men as close to the bases as possible; but we don’t have enough men to tackle all these bases at once. We do have Mirage Fighters in the air, though; and if the Brotherhood doesn’t have too many ships coming up at one time, we should be able to pick off any that try to leave.”
“That’s good news, Captain,” I said. “Be sure to feed the location data into the computer on all the bases. Those we can’t get to today we can save for the next assault.”
Then I turned to my men and ordered, “Okay, let’s get going. We have a lot of work to do.”
As part of our plan we had given Felenna an hour from the time she boarded the MIZBAGONA to plant the EMP device. It was set to detonate 15 minutes later. We reached the base about 20 minutes after the trooper met us on the path, meaning we had 35 minutes before the device would disable and ground the MIZBAGONA. We needed to synchronize our attack so everything would be set in motion just after the EPM device crippled the ship.
My men were instructed to spread out about the camp and plant bombs in key locations so to inflict maximum damage. We knew the natives were not on the base, so we didn’t need to spare any structures or other items in the camp, save the MIZBAGONA, which we hoped to capture intact.
I was a bit anxious, hoping that our timing would be right. We had no way of knowing from outside the MIZBAGONA if and when the EMP device would detonate, as there would be no explosion or anything visible to indicate that the ship had lost power.
When the time arrived for the bombs to detonate, chaos erupted. Buildings and ground conveyances began exploding one by one. The laboratory building went up like it was sitting on a volcano. Buildings burst into flames and troopers and men in white lab clothing began running manically in all directions. Many of the troopers and technicians instinctively ran toward ships, but most of the ships were in flames as well.
