The admiral said, “General, I can report that the D.C. Human brigade is coming along on schedule. Earlier issues have been resolved. This announcement by their king tomorrow should motivate them further.”
The general nodded. “Excellent report, Admiral. When we go in, they will be up against the crack troops of the Consortium forces. We will be hitting Molingrad with every Human we can muster.”
The admiral grinned. “This is incredible news, General. I will do everything in my power to see that the Humans under my command are ready.”
The general scowled. “See to it that you do, Admiral. And no word of the target to anyone. Any leak of such will be met with justice so swift you cannot begin to fathom it.”
The admiral nodded. “My staff and I will maintain the highest possible security for this campaign, General. Molingrad. What a prize that would be. Oh, I do have one question I would like to ask���”
The general gestured. “Go on.”
“Casualties… specifically Human casualties. How are they to be handled? I have yet to see any medical support staff being trained.”
The general leaned into the camera. “That’s because there will be no medical support staff for the Humans. Injured troops will be moved to the rear as always. From there you can take them up to orbit and space them for all I care. Dispose of them however you like���but don’t be stupid about it. We want those front-liners fighting with all the spirit they have, knowing that their fallen brethren are being taken care of.”
The admiral pursed his fish-like lips. “Won’t that demoralize the Humans for future campaigns?”
The general returned an evil grin. “If this assault goes as planned, we will no longer be in need of the Humans. I expect the Consortium to sign the treaty we’ve been after them to sign for the last two decades. If they do, Humans will have no further value.”
The admiral asked, “Would we exterminate them?”
The general nodded. “Possibly. Would you have another use in mind?”
The admiral smiled. “What would you think about going into business with me, General?”
“Go on.”
“I was thinking about a recreation resort where the Humans were hunted for sport. They would, of course, be unarmed. But imagine the delight in one’s eye when bringing down one of those big bucks you���ve been tracking for a full day or two. And with the wormhole devices to take clientele directly from home to this other world for a week of sport hunting, who wouldn’t want to take part in that? We could have contests for weight or quantity. Imagine returning with the stuffed head of a record-setting Human!”
The general nodded. “Keep kicking the idea around, Admiral. If this works out, I may be interested in such a venture. This war is getting old.”
The briefing went on for another fifteen minutes.
Johnny whispered after the Karthians left the room. “Do we follow the admiral back or hang out here for a while?”
Mace replied, “I think we leave. Could be weeks before the admiral returns, if ever. We got some of the answers we were looking for. Let’s take our winnings and go.”
The two Humans boarded the admiral’s shuttle, and soon after, the admiral boarded and the shuttle lifted out of the docking bay. Two days were spent on the admiral’s shuttle, hopping to other ships, before another trip was made down to the surface. The shuttle hovered just above the drilling fields and a long ramp lowered him to the ground. After a short walk, Mace and Johnny stood behind the admiral, his aides, and the Karthian officers.
Musha said, “They have mastered the five techniques and have been marching in unison since their king gave his speech. I would pit these Humans against any brigade I have ever seen. I’ve talked with several of their commanders. They take the business of war-fighting very seriously. I almost pity whoever they are thrown against.”
The admiral grinned. “You won’t pity their opponents, of that I can assure you. If all goes well, this could be our most triumphant victory.”
The admiral looked over the three officers. “And you officers will have the honor of having been there. If this campaign is successful, your names may be celebrated for the rest of your lives. Keep up the good work. I’ll be back in a few days for further evaluation.”
The admiral returned to his shuttle.
Musha shoved Kassif. “See. It has to be Molingrad. Where else could such a great battle be?”
Kassif laughed. “Every battle is a great battle to the admiral. Have you not been paying attention the last few years?”
Musha shook his head. “This is different. I could see the excitement in his eyes. I can almost feel those fifty credits weighing down my account!”
Kassif sighed. “Credits have no weight. They’re electronic. They only exist virtually… like your brain.”
Donli cut in. “I don’t know, Kassif. I think Musha may be right. If this was just another minor operation, the admiral would not have come to inspect the troops at all. This is something much bigger.”
Mace pulled on Johnny’s arm, taking him back to a distance where they could talk. “Do we give Stark’s commanders here the info we just got or do we try to get it to Stark himself?”
Johnny winced. “If you give it here, will they lose motivation? Knowing there won’t be any medical care on the battlefield is something I would want to know, but might not need to know.”
“If we tell Stark, he may not pass that info down to his men. And if he did and the Karthians heard about it, they would want to know where he obtained that information. I think it best we just tell the commanders here and let it filter out through the ranks. Best they know what’s coming.”
“Looks like they’re taking a break out there. Might be a good opportunity to make a move.”
Mace said, “Hold onto my shoulder.”
Seconds later, the two invisible Humans were standing next to two Human commanders. A captain and a lieutenant were in conversation.
Mace said, “Captain, don’t be alarmed. I know you can’t see me, so just listen to what I have to say. I have information regarding the upcoming battle you will be fighting in. The Karthians will not have any medical facilities or care available during whatever the fight may be. Casualties will be carried to the back lines and then disposed of.”
The captain replied, “Who is this?”
Mace replied, “Unimportant. Just know that when you fight you might want to keep your injured fighting with you. The Karthians have no plans to assist with casualties. Also, you will want to get word to Stark. The target of your fight is Molingrad. It’s the capital of the Consortium, the species you will be fighting. It will be a direct assault. And from that assault they hope to sign a peace treaty that favors the Karthians.”
The Karthian officers signaled for the drilling to continue.
Mace said, “That’s all I have for you now. If I get more, I’ll be back to let you know. See to it that Stark gets that info. It’s important.”
Mace walked away as the captain reached out into the air with his hand while looking at the lieutenant.
Johnny said, “I think you just freaked him out.”
“It’ll sink in. He’ll do what’s needed.”
“So what’s next?” Johnny asked.
“We go home. We inform the others in case Stark makes contact with them somehow. Then we come back and see what else we can learn.”
The invisible shuttle lifted, landing back beneath the security of the projected image that kept the Organ Cave complex hidden.
Mace and Johnny walked into the main section of the cave where Jane, Jenny, and Vanessa were sitting as the kids played.
Jane asked, “You’ve been gone for days. Everything OK?”
Johnny shook his head. “The Karthians plan to use Human troops in their next assault. And it’s supposedly going to be a nasty fight. And casualties will be disposed of instead of being cared for.
Jenny asked, “You learned all this in a couple days?”
Johnny nodded. “We hopped a couple rides on shuttles and managed to hear it from the Karthian general who’s in charge. And get this, if our people are victorious, and if the Consortium signs the peace deal the Karthians want, they may turn Earth into a planet for the sport hunting of Humans.”
Jane scowled. “Sounds like another whacked-out species we’ll have to teach a few lessons to.”
Johnny chuckled. “In case you haven’t noticed, they do have us in a cage right now. Not a lot we can do.”
“Well, we need to do something,” Jane said. “The longer we just sit here the closer we come to that dystopian world you just mentioned.”
Johnny said, “We are doing something. We’re gathering information we can use. If we know what they’re planning, we can work to stop it.”
Jane stood. “If this war is coming as soon as you say then we need to be doing more about it right now. Jenny and I, as well as a dozen others here, are fully capable of going out and doing exactly what you just did.”
Mace replied, “That’s one of the things we wanted to come back to discuss. What we discovered is what should be obvious to us all. Gathering intel takes time. And you still have to eat, drink, sleep, and even poop. You may be trapped on a Karthian ship for days or possibly weeks. You have to survive while you’re out there. “
Johnny grinned. “Speaking of that, I left a deuce on the general’s ship. Someone’s not gonna be too happy when they find it.”
Mace said, “They won’t find it. I disposed of it. We can’t afford to leave markers around like that saying a Human was there.”
Jenny said, “A deuce?”
Johnny laughed. “A number two. Get with the program, girl. Weren’t you ever in junior high?”
Jenny winced at the image now in her head. “Not in the last twenty years, no.”
Jane shook her head in disgust.
Mace raised a hand. “Anyway. We can’t be leaving evidence that we were there. And we went as a team of two. It was difficult to keep track of each other. We couldn���t see or talk to one another, so I would suggest we go out as individuals this time. You make a plan, you inform others of that plan, and you try to stick to that plan. If you can’t for whatever reason, you will be responsible for making your own way back here.”
Jane said, “So when do we go out?”
Mace replied, “First, I need a shower and a nap. After that we can organize, stock up, and head out.”
Jenny asked, “Why don’t you let us organize while you sleep? Give us a few tips on what supplies we’ll need, and we’ll have everything ready when you get up.”
Mace nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
Chapter 6
*
Fifteen espionage volunteers were waiting in Jeff’s lab.
Mace pointed. “Mr. Moskowitz, you and Mr. Klept are definitely not going. Mr. Hooba, that goes for you, too. You three are needed here. The work on the wormhole weapon, among other things, has to continue. Oh, and see if you can come up with a design for a wormhole generator for the shuttles. We’re trapped here on Earth as long as those shuttles are our only ships. See if it’s possible to squeeze a generator aboard.
“That leaves thirteen of us. So here’s what we’ll do. We pick thirteen of the community centers, preferably the larger ones. We drop off one person at each. Your missions will be two-fold. First, you inform the Human commanders of what we already know. Then you move on to gather more intel. You probably don’t want to go aboard their ships, but you may have to.
“If you hop a shuttle to elsewhere, keep in mind that you will want to come back at some point. Don’t get aboard if you aren’t fairly certain of where it’s going. And don’t take chances if there’s a risk of getting caught. This holo technology might just be the thing that saves us all. We can’t afford to lose it. So keep your distance and keep quiet. Oh, and be mindful when you are walking in grass or on other soft or wet surfaces where you’ll leave tracks. Protecting this tech is your first priority.
“I’ll be the team lead for shuttle one. Jordan, you take shuttle two. Set a time and place where the shuttle will be back for a pick-up. And remember, if you aren’t there when the shuttle arrives, you’re on your own to find your way back here, so make every effort to be there at the prescribed time. We all have our packs. I’d suggest going through them one more time. After that, Jordan and I will decide what community centers each of you will be dropped at. Good luck to us all.”
Mace said, “Jordan, your team heads west. We’ll head east.”
The volunteers were divided into the two groups. Destinations were selected and shuttles boarded. An hour later, Mace was again settling into Arlington cemetery to drop off Johnny. A short walk had him standing behind the three Karthian officers as they were joined by a fourth.
Musha said, “Tell us why the admiral sent you here again. And your name is?”
The new officer replied, “Botlu Derrust. The admiral asked me to report directly to him. Your duties will now be restricted to seeing to the training of your Humans. The admiral felt your time would be better utilized in that manner.”
Musha asked, “Derrust, is that Gervian?”
Botlu nodded. “It is.”
Musha continued: “Well, Gerv, you will stay out of our way. And you will stand over there, at twenty meters, until we are ready to give you status. Understood?”
The young officer bowed. “Understood, but I would add that this request will be part of my report to the admiral.”
Musha smiled. “As I would expect it to be. Now, run along to your new station, over beside that bush. If we need you, we’ll let you know.”
The junior officer complied, moving the twenty meters distance from the trio.
Kassif shook his head. “You are playing a dangerous game, Musha. The admiral is a powerful man.”
Musha replied, “The admiral also respects decision-makers. And my battalion will outshine both of yours on the battlefield. In fact, I would be willing to pit my eight hundred men against your combined battalions.”
Kassif laughed. “You are such a big talker. Our three battalions are equal. Your leadership will not make your men fight any harder than ours. These Humans don’t respect you. They loathe you as they loathe every Karthian. You will receive a laser pulse to the back should you turn away from them long enough. With ours, we would at least have the option of mercy.”
Musha huffed. “We shall see when the fighting begins.”
As Musha and Kassif each looked in opposite directions at their men, Johnny reached out, pushing Kassif hard over. The Karthian officer fell, sprawling out on the ground in surprise.
Musha looked down, laughing. “What are you doing, Kassif?”
“What am I doing? Why did you push me? I should file charges!”
Musha shook his head. “File all you want, you oaf. I didn’t touch you.”
Musha looked over at Donli. “He commands a battalion and yet he cannot stand on his own two feet. I tell you what, Kassif, you report me for assault and I’ll report you for being an idiot.”
Johnny Tretcher turned away as he held in his laughter.
Mace settled just above the water of the Charles River in Boston. A sprawling community center occupied the downtown space that had once been covered in luxury hotels. Battalions of Human troops were marching across Boston Common as another set of officers looked on. Mace was soon standing behind the Karthian men.
“Gratle, these Humans are dangerous. I fear for my life should we get out in the field.”
A second officer replied with a grin: “Just stay behind them, Fanjo, and you will have nothing to fear. My cousin has been witness to a video of their fighting. They do not retreat, they only move forward. Your only worry should be as to whether or not you get left behind.”
Nomig Pantaz scowled. “You are always the jokester, Gratle. That will be your undoing. When the fighting starts, your quips will not protect you.”
Gratle replied, “Don’t be suc
h a stodge, Nomig. We are not in battle yet. When the time comes, I will be serious enough.”
A fourth officer commented: “I shall be out front leading my Humans.”
Gratle laughed. “Then you will be the first to take a laser pulse in the back! These Humans have no loyalty to you. When the fighting begins, they will not be rushing to your aid, Weezle. You do know what Weezle stands for in their language, right?”
The officer named Weezle replied, “I do not.”
“It means someone who is sneaky, insincere, or untrustworthy. I’d say that describes you fully.”
“How so?”
Nomig huffed. “Stop taking his bait, Weezle. The man is goading you. Have you no common sense?”
Fanjo shook his head. “We are all going to die out there.”
A comm came in. “The colonel would like to see the four of you. Report to the command shuttle.”
Nomig Pantaz waved over a junior officer. “Keep the drills moving. We will return when the colonel releases us.”
The colonel paced back and forth as the four Karthian officers approached. “The timetable has been moved up. In twenty days we will be boarding our transports. I have not been authorized to release the target to you, but I believe you have all heard the rumors. Henceforth, our training will be done with live weapons.
“Nomig, you will move your team over to the waterfront. You will disperse into the buildings designated on your battle console and you will hold those buildings for as long as you can.
“Gratle, your battalion will perform an assault of those buildings. Your mission will be to clear them of Nomig’s fighters. Fanjo, you will do the same with Weezle. Clear out the building of all rival troops.”
Fanjo said, “When you say live weapons, you are talking virtual kill mode, right?”
The colonel stopped in front of the officer. “Fanjo, why would we order our troops to shoot each other before we’ve even fought the enemy? Yes, VK. You will pass out the rules to your troops. A single torso strike, or three limb strikes and they lay down where they are. And please, all of you, set your suits to virtual tracking. I don’t want to have to start again because one of you fouled up. Now go and prepare your troops, we will begin the war games in one hour.”
HADRON Havoc Page 5
