“Another point of interest,” Takai continued, “is the removal of young Torgai from the group. At about the age of three all young Torgai are taken away and never seen again. We're sure it's not for food, since neither the Torgai or Kraa regard the other as a food source, but not only are they taken away, the adults are encouraged to have additional children."
"Any idea of why?" Kevin asked.
Sophie added from the side, "that's a key question, and not even the captive Torgai know the answer; but the Kraa don't act out of pattern without a reason. Maybe this gives an answer to the report of that scoutplane pilot a month or so ago that was largely discounted; the one that reported seeing a Torgai accompanying a Kraa pack.”
“Consider what would happen if the Kraa could make use of the 'mind net' capability of the Torgai for military purposes. Or train the Torgai to aid them. That, in my mind, is the reason why we have to handle this as an emergency."
Kevin leaned back, "this supports what we've been seeing. The Kraa have clearly been underestimated. As soon as we develop one set of successful tactics, they change their mode of operation. It's like pushing against water. They're certainly centrally controlled, not only does each Kraa pack have a leader, groups of packs act as if coordinated."
Eric responded, "they are centrally controlled; that was verified by the contact. A Kraa known as Kraa-Ki is the overall leader."
Takai sat thoughtfully for several seconds while the others watched him. "Still, we've managed to clear much of the area around New Athens and haven't had an attack in over six weeks, and Kevin reports that even in the north they appear scattered. We're certainly making progress."
Colonel Gardner leaned forward, "are we? We're seeing Kraa in areas where they have never been sighted before. Are we winning, or are we just causing them to relocate and change tactics? Remember, even from our advanced base we can't reach out effectively for over 1,000 kilometers, and it takes special effort, such as a forward base, to reach the foothills of the northern range. The observations from the Eretz Israel help, but are of little value unless the Kraa congregate.”
“No, gentlemen, I don't believe the Kraa are anywhere near under control."
Kevin nodded, and added, "I have to support what Colonel Gardner says. If you review the reports the kill ratio is nothing like in the earlier days. For example, over the last ten days we've killed a little over 150 Kraa; for a campaign of the scope of our present one that's not very good. And during that time we've suffered five seriously wounded and three killed; a loss we can't replace." Glancing over at Dr. Moore, "I understand Kraa reach breeding age in two to three years, and have litters typically of four to six. They can easily replace their losses if they find safe-havens."
Dr. Moore nodded, "correct, but normally they don't breed for another year or two but stay with the mother's pack. Once they start breeding they have a litter every two years.."
"Don't forget the signs we're beginning to see east of the mountain ranges," Captain Meyer commented, "they've found passes and some have moved to the east where we can't follow. Consider the implications; the eastern area is much larger than the west and more heavily forested; exactly the terrain that gives us the most trouble. Once there, I'm afraid they're there to stay."
"Then what do we do?" Takai asked.
Colonel Gardner leaned forward, "what we need most right now is better coverage of the area where passes could exist. Therefore, I've asked Captain Meyer to immediately modify the orbit of the Eretz Israel to provide this improved coverage. While right now eastern sightings are minimal, we believe limited to scouting packs, the goal is to be able to strike any significant groups making the move, and also to determine whether the passes are suitable to interdiction; by a ground force or by some other means. We've also been working with Dr. Moore to improve some of our equipment. If she would, I'd like Dr. Moore to review some of the progress."
Tanya nodded, "OK, according to Kevin the biggest shortcoming for present air support is the limited time-on-target for scoutplanes in the fringe areas. This is something I think we can correct. We've successfully enhanced a prototype with solar panels, and find we find we can keep a scoutplane aloft on solar power alone during the hours of sunlight, even with a light overcast. Of course night flights or heavy overcast, or when we need added power for more elevation or higher than normal travel speed, the hydrogen engine is required. But during normal daylight you should be able to keep the scoutplanes over the target continuously. Also, we’ve converted some for pilotless operation to fill the gap until we can get smaller drones through manufacturing; some armed, some for observation only.”
"Great," Kevin grinned, "when can we get them? That was number one on my priority list."
"We can start the retrofitting now and have all the units upgraded in about two weeks," Tanya responded.
Dr Moore continued, "as to enhancing the Eretz Israel thermal sensor resolution, that's an ongoing effort. Right now we can detect objects with less than half the heat output needed for detection when we first started, plus the pattern recognition is being constantly improved. Additionally, we plan to add a second laser to the Israel and multiple thermal sensors where we now have only one."
After a several more minutes of discussion, Takai changed the subject. "I'd like to change the discussion to the question of the captive Torgai, and what if anything we can do. Eric, do you have any idea where they're being held?"
Eric responded, "no, except it's in a fairly mountainous, northern area and in a high-walled box canyon. The captives themselves don't know but can only estimate based on the position of the sun."
Captain Meyer interjected, "it's possible we know. For several weeks we've been observing a heat concentration in an area of the northern mountains. It shows up at the very edge of our range so can be glimpsed for less than a minute on each orbit, and even then shows up faintly because of the angle through the atmosphere. At first we thought it was a Kraa concentration but it doesn't fit the pattern. It's also too stable and fixed to be a herd of animals. Strangely, during the day, late afternoon and early morning, we get the best observations, with less during the hours of dark. That could indicate Torgai retiring to their dens. Do the captive Torgai have dens, Eric?"
Eric looked at Yitzhak with interest, "not sure. I think so."
Yitzhak continued, "anyway, we've been considering a laser hit, but because of the angle that would be very difficult. Also because of the uncertainty of the cause we've held off. Now, until we know for sure, we'll put it on hold."
Kevin asked, "how far is it, and at what elevation?"
Yitzhak responded, "I'll point it out on the map later. In any case, it's beyond scoutplane range, although maybe Tanya's new solar enhancements could handle that. It would be in VLV range however. We won't know for sure until we alter the Israel orbit to get a better view."
"How long before you can close out your current operation?" Sophie asked Kevin, "what if you cancel the second phase?"
Kevin thought for a moment, "three days," he responded, "cancellation is a good idea. I doubt whether the next phase will pay off very well anyway."
"And Yitzak, how long before the Israel can be reorbited and detail pictures of the suspect area available?"
"We'll re-orbit as soon as I get back to the Israel, and should have detail pictures, both standard and infra-red, by the day after tomorrow."
"Good," Sophie responded, "Kevin, terminate the current action immediately, and Yitzhak proceed immediately with the reorbit. Any objection, Governor?"
Governor Maesaka shook his head, "none."
Kevin looked at Colonel Gardner, "I'd like to stay a few more hours and go over Captain Meyer's findings. If that's where the Torgai are, and we can develop a feasible plan of rescue, I assume it’s top priority. I suggest we schedule a review for the 19th, and I don't think we want to send a scoutplane to check the canyon. It might spook whoever is there."
Colonel Gardner nodded, looking at Takai for agreement
, "sounds reasonable. If it's OK with you, Governor, I'd like to excuse Captains Murphy and Meyer."
Takai nodded, "I agree. In fact, I suggest we adjourn."
Kevin, Yitzhak, and Eric walked over to Yitzhak's 'landside' office; an office he rarely used, spending most of his time aboard the Eretz Israel. Kevin glanced over at Yitzhak, "maybe we can keep the meeting short. I'd like to bring in Lt. Kelso also to get briefed; he’ll work with Eric to develop a rescue plan if one appears feasible. As for me, if I have time I'd like to get a shower, change of clothes, and a bite to eat before I head back."
Yitzhak grinned, "Oh, I agree, the shorter the better. Definitely the shower and change of clothes. You were pretty ripe in there, and my office is a lot smaller. I suppose you noticed I tried to sit on the other side of the room."
Eric laughed, "ripe? Wait until you sleep in a Torgai den. You'll know what ripe is all about."
On leaving the meeting Takai returned to his office, and, after several minutes checking his messages left and followed a path between the buildings until he reached the end of the built-up area, and then continued on to the edge of the security perimeter. There, on a high rock knob, he lowered himself and began to relax.
From the knob he could watch the sea in the distance and the undulating prairie to the south. Here he could find peace and meditate. And right now, he needed that. The news of the captive Torgai was disturbing, more so when combined with information on the young Torgai removal from their parents.
In an earlier meeting with Dr. Moore she indicated she thought the mind-netting ability was innate in all Torgai and associated with certain brain lobes humans lacked; and had added the Kraa had similar lobes. If the Kraa were able to develop that capability, or make use of that of the Torgai, they would become more than an annoyance; they could threaten the very existence of the colony. This reinforced his concern with the progress being made in stamping them out or at least containing them.
Things were obviously not going as well as most thought. If the Kraa were really now moving east of the mountains they would become virtually impossible to eradicate. A longer range solution was needed, something that could hold them at bay until the colonists could develop a final solution. But the quandary was that what they were doing now required such a large part of their resources that it slowed normal development of the colony.
Yes, freeing the Torgai was necessary, if not for humanitarian reasons, to remove them as a Kraa resource. But, while he hadn't raised the subject, if they couldn't free them they would have to destroy them. The answer was brutal, but they had to be removed from Kraa control.
Near midnight, to the northeast . . . .
Ta moved from shadow to shadow, crossing the open areas when the intermittent cloud cover obscured the partial moon. Soon he reached the mouth of his den and ducked inside. Ta wasn't particularly worried about being seen by the Kraa guards since they rarely if ever entered the canyon at night. Still, it was forbidden to leave the dens after sunset, and he couldn't help feeling nervous about it. The meeting with the camp elders disclosing the contact with Barco had been filled with excitement. Not daring to hold it in his own den for fear of endangering Sula the meeting had been held in a den of another. Suddenly Sula was not just an unimpressive Torgai youth; now he was their shaman, or as close as they could get.”
The news that a free Torgai village existed had raised the spirits of all. Few had expected success from Sula's efforts, and some doubted it even now; it was well known that the Kraa had last encountered Torgai several years before. None of the captive Torgai from the Clan of Kraka were from Hath's village so none actually knew Barco, but all had heard of him, and one had seen him at the grand council at Suth's village.
The news of the other Torgai was one thing, but when Ta disclosed that the humans had returned and in much greater numbers, the elders were shocked into silence. Few could adjust to the information of the return and that the free Torgai village was now allied with these returning humans in a fight against the Kraa. But once the information had been absorbed and discussed the consternation changed to hope. Perhaps they would again see freedom if the humans and Torgai prevailed, or perhaps the humans would again turn on them.
Two days before, after his initial contact, Sula had slept the full day and far into the night, and had then contacted Barco again. Only this evening, after the Torgai had returned to the den, had he been able to brief Ta of all he had learned.
Everything had happened so fast Sula found it hard to fit things together. But one thing was clear; he and Ta would have to prepare the people. Before he had been considered an oddity by the other Torgai because of his constant attempts to contact nonexistent free Torgai and had no special status. Now he was shaman. The new responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.
CHAPTER 8: The Rescue
(November 22, Year 20): Kevin slouched back in his chair in the small chartroom next to Colonel Gardner's office. Captain Meyer, Lieutenants Toso and Kelso, and Sergeants Lopez and Steiner shared the small table. The table was littered with sheets of paper used for notes and partially filled coffee cups, and the walls were covered with marked-up maps and charts; the residue of a long session. It was past 8:00 PM and the lights of nearby buildings were visible through the window, making a halo effect in the light mist. Colonel Gardner had left for a final meeting with Governor Maesaka in his quarters.
Leaning forward to refill his cup from the nearly empty pot, Kevin rested his elbows on the table and eyed the others. All the decisions had been made and preparations completed. This morning the advance party had left to prepare the forward base, and during the day the VLVs had been shuttling supplies for stockpiling. The projection machine was still on, showing an artists layout of the box canyon with the mouths of the various dens highlighted with grease pencil. Tacked to the wall was a large chart showing both the box canyon and the upper end of the broader valley beyond the entrance to the small box canyon housing the Torgai settlement.
Yitzak had been right as to the location of the captive Torgai village, and once the Eretz Israel had been reorbited to pass directly over the area it was easily identifiable. Using the high resolution scan the exact number of Kraa packs and their normal locations had been determined, the exact measurements and contours of the canyon and upper valley beyond the mouth mapped, and each of the Torgai den mouths pinpointed. From the data the total number of Kraa packs in the valley was 20 or less, but several dozen more were sighted within a day's travel.
Now there was nothing standing in the way of mission start except the final approval from Governor Maesaka, and when Colonel Gardner returned from briefing the Governor that final decision should be in hand. And if the decision was a go, as Kevin expected, the assault team would start for the advance base late tomorrow morning, with the assault made just before dawn the day after tomorrow. Two VLVs would be used; Kevin, with Sergeant Steiner and a dozen troops and two Torgai scouts, would be in the first, which would land inside the box canyon near its mouth. The other with Lt Toso, Sergeant Lopez, a dozen troops, and two additional Torgai scouts would land just outside the mouth of the box canyon to block entry. Since it would still be dark all troops would be equipped with night vision goggles; the Torgai, with their acute night vision, not requiring that assistance.
The data sent through the mind-net to Barco indicated the Kraa never entered the canyon at night but merely guarded the entrance. The two teams would kill the Kraa caught between them at the entrance and then hold the canyon and canyon entrance from any attacks.
The Kraa guarding the upper walls of the box canyon could safely be ignored since they were isolated from the canyon floor below. With daylight scout planes would patrol the valley outside the box canyon and disperse any packs that attempted to intervene. Meanwhile the Torgai would be evacuated to the forward base a little less than an hour away.
With both VLVs used the evacuation should be complete by late afternoon, with the assault team evacuated before dark.
Tonight the Torgai at the village would be notified that before sunup their rescue would be attempted, and not to be afraid of the sounds they heard outside; and they should stay in their dens until called out by the Torgai accompanying the assault team.
November 24, Year 20 - 4:00 AM
Ta's den was crowded with waiting Torgai crouched largely in silence. Under the cover of darkness the Torgai had left their own dens and concentrated in selected dens to provide better protection. The air was close and the temperature had risen with the body heat of the large number of occupants.
While instructed to be silent, there was the continuous murmur of whispered conversations and the fearful whining of children, none of which would be heard outside the dens. The hunters among them were concentrated near the entrance with their makeshift weapons. If Kraa attempted to enter the den they would be held off for as long as possible.
Ta knew dawn was near and that before it came the humans and their Torgai allies would arrive. He didn't know how it could be done, but Barco had assured Sula that they would drop from the sky into the canyon and that they should stay in their dens for their own protection. He was told there would be a great roaring noise when they arrived, like a great beast, but that they should not panic. No matter what happened they should not leave the dens until called out by the free Torgai. Then they should follow instructions and do whatever they were told, no matter how strange it might seem.
Time seemed to stand still as Ta turned to whisper to Sula who crouched at his side listening. Sula held up his hand, and motioned to Ta that he heard something. Ta called out to the assembled Torgai for silence, and listened carefully. Yes, a steadily mounting 'moaning' sound could be heard from outside, soon increasing to a roar which caused the frightened Torgai to crouch against the walls in panic. The ground under their feet began to shake, and dirt and small rocks began to fall from the roof of the den. When it seemed the den itself would collapse the sound changed, and gradually was reduced until it was replaced with a faint murmur. Then after a pause, other sounds, like switches hitting bushes; gradually moving away from the den entrance, and then that sound also stopped.
Resurrection: Book II: Settlement Chronicals Page 9
