The commandant didn’t mention the disturbance. Instead he said, “Are there any questions?”
Of course, no cadet would be foolish enough to ask a question when in formation. Richard knew the commandant was only asking as a formality. No cadet ever asked questions. But to Richard’s surprise, this time one foolish cadet raised his hand. Richard was even more surprised to discover he was the fool.
“Cadet 832,” said the commandant. “What is your question?”
Richard noticed TAC Officer Myers’ back stiffen. Richard had no doubt he’d hear about his indiscretion later.
“Sir! Cadet 832, sir!” Richard said. “Traditionally, the lower cohorts depend on supplemental training by their upper-class cohorts to supplement their Academy training. With both the junior and senior cohorts gone, how will they get their full training? It’ll take another two years before the current sophomore cohort will become seniors. Sir!”
The tension around Richard was so thick he thought he would have trouble cutting through it with a phase rod. Richard wished with all his might he’d waited to ask the commandant in private.
What was I thinking? Richard thought.
You weren’t, said Nickelo in response. When will you ever learn?
Of all the people in the formation, only the commandant seemed unperturbed.
“That’s a very good question,” said the commandant. “And the answer is they won’t.”
No one said anything, but Richard felt the tension in the air thicken even more.
“I hate to be the one to tell you this,” said the commandant, “but the wizard scout program as you know it will cease to exist after you graduate.”
Before any of the cadets could begin murmuring, TAC Officer Myers did an about face. His fiery-eyed gaze kept everyone silent.
“Yours will be the last cohort to become wizard scouts,” said the commandant. “The cohorts below you will have a modified two year training program. They’ll graduate as dragon scouts. You’ll be the wizard scout omegas. You’ll be the last wizard scouts produced by the Academy. I’m sorry to say the eight hundred year history of the wizard scouts is coming to a close.”
The commandant rubbed his eyes as if something was in them. He turned away for a few seconds seemingly surveying the first rays of the morning sun on the tips of the far off mountains. Finally, he turned back around. No one had moved. No one had spoken. Like the rest of his cohort, Richard was in a state of shock. He’d known the war had forced the Empire to graduate the three cohorts ahead of his early, but to do away with wizard scouts entirely seemed foolish beyond belief.
Richard wanted to ask why, but he dared not ask another question. He wasn’t even sure he wanted to know the reason.
“The DNA Center will be placed under the control of the Imperial High Council beginning next week,” said the commandant. “That’s the reason for expediting your DNA baselines. In the future, DNA baselines will be given out based upon need as determined by a committee created by the Imperial High Council.”
The commandant gave a final glance at the junior cohort before snapping to attention. He gave a rare salute. “TAC Officer Myers, take charge of your unit.”
“Sir! Yes, sir!” said TAC Officer Myers as he returned the commandant’s salute.
The commandant did a picture-perfect about face and walked to a waiting hover-car. Once the door shut and the hover-car disappeared around the corner, TAC Officer Myers finally dropped his salute.
“Platoon sergeants,” said TAC Officer Myers, “take charge of your platoons. Divide them up into chalks of eight. You have ten minutes to get your platoons to the airfield.”
“Sir! Yes, sir!” said the four platoon sergeants in unison.
“Cadet 832!” said TAC Officer Myers. “Front and center.”
Richard had known it was coming. He just hadn’t figured it would be coming so soon. Breaking ranks, Richard double-timed to the front. He snapped to attention in front of his TAC officer. He didn’t salute.
“Sir! Cadet 832 reporting as ordered, sir!” Richard said.
TAC Officer Myers said nothing. He just stood there glaring at Richard until the last of the platoons had marched out of earshot.
“The commandant,” said TAC Officer Myers through gritted teeth, “wants to see you tonight in his office at the airfield headquarters building. You will report to his office at 1800 hours. When you are finished with the meeting, you’ll report to the staff duty officer for additional duty. I think a couple of shifts on guard duty will remind you in the future not to ask questions during formation.”
“Sir! Yes, sir,” Richard said.
Richard waited for Myers to release him, but he didn’t. His TAC officer just kept staring at him. Richard noticed the muscles at the corners of Myers’ eyes twitch as if he was fighting some internal battle. Finally, the twitching stopped.
“You may think you’ve made it,” said TAC Officer Myers, “but I swear if you screw up again, I’ll personally rip your head off. Do I make myself clear, cadet?”
“Sir! Yes, sir,” Richard replied.
“Dismissed,” said TAC Officer Myers.
With a quick about face, Richard took off at the double to join his platoon.
Chapter 28 – Assassination Plan
_____________________________________
Three Crosioians sat on one side of the long table. Two humans and an ebony-skinned humanoid with pointed ears sat on the other. A life-sized holographic image of a Crosioian head floated above the middle of the table.
“Counselor,” said the holographic image representing the Master computer. “Our spies report the Empire’s Academy has accelerated their schedule. The most senior of their cohorts will now receive their DNA baselines in five days.”
“Yes,” said the Counselor. “I saw the report. It would be advantageous to launch our attack prior to that occurring.”
Turning to the Crosioian to her right, the Counselor said, “Admiral, what is the status of the invasion force?”
“The fleet’s ready,” said the Crosioian admiral. “We could attack today and destroy the orbiting Empire ships. But…” The Crosioian admiral looked at the ebony-skinned humanoid across the table. “Unless the ground forces can disable the force-field generators at the objective sites, any aerial bombardment will be ineffective.
The holographic image spoke. “If the force fields are not deactivated at all three objectives, I calculate only a twenty-six percent probability of success. Our hacks into the Empire’s communications system will only disrupt communications in the Velos area for twenty-two minutes. If the force fields haven’t been disabled by then, the Empire’s Imperial High Command will be aware of our attack.”
The ebony-skinned humanoid, a dark elf, leaned over to confer with the nearest human. After a few moments, the dark elf looked up. “Counselor, the ground forces have been divided into three task forces.”
The dark elf indicated the Crosioian on the other side of the Counselor. “General Constance has already assured us her Crosioian shock troops will be able to destroy all three power plants at the spaceport within fifteen minutes of infiltrating the spaceport’s defensive shield. The DNA Center was successfully marked by our recon unit three weeks ago.” Pointing to the Crosioian admiral, the dark elf said, “Your dreadnaughts should have no trouble destroying the Empire’s DNA Center and the spaceport’s other key facilities.”
“The ability of my troops is not at question,” said the Crosioian general. “My concern is with the ability of these special assets to get our troops through the spaceport’s defensive shields without being detected.”
“General,” said the dark elf, “as demonstrated during our previous recons, their dimensional shifts will get your troops past the Empire’s defensive shields. And, the contingent of mages assigned to your troops will use their combination stealth and invisibility spells to get the lead elements of your shock troops into position undetected. The combination of technology and magic should ove
rwhelm the Empire’s defenses before they know what hit them.”
“We’re not here to rehash our tactics, Captain Nightbane,” said the Counselor to the dark-elf. Her tone bordered on anger. I want to know if we’ll be in a position to start our invasion earlier than planned.”
“Counselor,” said the Master computer. “Our forces have adequate demons for the assault troops for the spaceport and the airfield. The destruction of the DNA Center at the spaceport and the Empire’s secondary teleporter at their airfield is assured. I calculate a ninety-eight percent probability of success.”
“And what of the Empire’s primary teleporter at their Academy?” said the Counselor. “All three facilities must be destroyed to win this war.”
“We currently only have enough demons to support half of the assault troops attacking the Academy,” said Captain Nightbane. “We need three more weeks to summon the additional demons necessary for all the troop shuttles.”
“And the probability of success?” said the Counselor.
The Master computer replied,” I calculate only a fifty-two percent probability of success at the Academy without the additional demons.”
“That is unacceptable,” said the Counselor. “We must crush the Empire’s teleport capabilities as well as their DNA Center with one blow. We won’t get a second chance.”
“Counselor,” said one of the humans sitting next to Captain Nightbane. “I assure you my mercenaries are more than capable of–”
“Your human dogs have always been the weak point in our plan,” interrupted the Crosioian general. “You can assure us of nothing.”
“General,” said Captain Nightbane as the dark elf laid a hand on the human to quell any pending retort. “Perhaps I can make a suggestion. What if we shift some of the mages from the spaceport and airfield objectives to the Academy? Perhaps you could assign a squadron of Crosioian U.H.A.A.V.s as well. After dropping off the first half of the Academy assault troops, the shuttles could return to the fleet and pick up the other half of the attack force.”
The Master computer’s holographic image rotated to look at the dark elf. “Will your master return in time to accompany the spaceport’s initial assault team?”
“I’ve had no contact with Lord Crendemor since he was sent on the Dalinfaust’s mission,” said Captain Nightbane. “But if he hasn’t returned in time for the invasion, I’ll lead the spaceport’s attack myself.”
The Counselor held a whispered conference with her fellow Crosioians. Finally, she looked up and spoke to the Master computer.
“Will the captain’s suggestions change the probability to an acceptable level?” asked the Counselor.
“Only one active wizard scout is currently on Velos,” said the Master computer. “The remainder of the Academy’s training cadre is comprised of old men and women on disability retirement. Even the commandant of the Academy is a decrepit retiree. If the attack is initiated prior to the cadets getting their DNA baselines, and if the additional forces are added to the Academy’s attack force as suggested, I calculate an eighty-nine percent probability of success.”
The Crosioian general spoke before anyone else could reply. “Have you forgotten the cadet from the spaceport? He also killed our best Crosioian scout last year. He could be dangerous.”
“He had help,” said the Master computer. “I agree once he gets his DNA baseline he could be dangerous. However, that’s why it’s important to make our attack before that occurs.”
The Crosioian admiral stood up and unfurled her wings in a display of irritation. “I grow tired of this bantering. If we don’t attack now, we’ll need to wait until the new wizard scouts are transferred off planet. That could take a month. Our fleet cannot remain hidden that long undetected.”
The admiral pounded her fist on the table. “We need to attack now and destroy this new crop of human scum before they receive their baselines.” She pounded the table again. “And… we need to destroy every cadet on this planet along with their instructors and training facilities. Once we’re finished, the Empire will never again threaten us with their vaunted wizard scouts. The quick annihilation of the Empire will be assured.”
Not to be undone, the Crosioian general stood up as well. She didn’t stretch her wings. However, she did pound the table with both fists. “I say that cadet is trouble. Our scout would have killed him at the airfield weeks ago if Crendemor had not been too cowardly to act. I demand the right to send an assignation team to kill the human cadet before the attack begins.”
“With all due respect, general,” said Captain Nightbane, “that would be foolish. The Empire would be alerted even more than they already are. Because of the fiasco at the spaceport, a battalion of the Empire’s special operations soldiers have already been stationed on Velos. We don’t need additional trouble at this point in our plan.”
“The fiasco at the spaceport was your–” began the Crosioian general.
“Enough!” said the Counselor as she stood up and spread her wings.
At her display, the Crosioian admiral furled her wings and sat down. The Crosioian general followed suit. They meekly waited for their leader to speak.
“Master computer,” said the Counselor. “You’ll work with General Constance to transport two quads of her best scouts to the airfield. They’ll assassinate the cadet. He’ll trouble us no more.”
The Master computer’s image shimmered as if troubled. “The team can be transported via one of the demon shuttles. I would recommend assigning a team of mages as well. Even then, I calculate only a seventy-two percent probability of success.”
“You underestimate the abilities of my scouts,” said the Crosioian general. “We don’t need magic to kill a filthy human.”
The two humans at the table stiffened, but they remained quiet.
“Silence,” said the Counselor. “I have made my decision. The attack will begin in three days. The Academy’s task force will be supplemented by additional mages as suggested. General Constance, you will dispatch your 3rd U.H.A.A.V. squadron to boost the firepower of the Academy’s assault team.”
The Crosioian general started to speak, but the Counselor held up a hand commanding her to silence. “And, General Constance will dispatch an assassination team tonight to take care of our troublesome cadet.”
Crosioians do not smile, but even so, the general gave the impression of looking pleased.
“And…,” said the Counselor, “a team of four mages will be attached to the assassination team. You’ll inform your team I want the cadet dead, or they shouldn’t bother coming back.”
Looking at the dark elf, the Counselor said, “I want four of your best mages assigned to the assassination team. There’ll be no mistakes this time. The cadet will die tonight.”
The Crosioian general said nothing, but she no longer looked pleased. Her disgust at being forced to work with humans was obvious.
Chapter 29 – Living Gas
_____________________________________
“Perhaps I can help your brother,” said Draken. “I’ve left messages for him, but he hasn’t replied.”
“Don’t feel bad,” Dren said. “He usually doesn’t reply to my messages either. But I’ll tell him you offered.”
Dren continued walking down the corridor with Draken. The Velounian had been her adopted father’s friend for many years. He was a good assistant scientist to Keka, but sometimes Dren thought his scientific logic was lacking. He had the book knowledge, but he often had trouble using his knowledge to solve problems efficiently.
When they reached the intersection, Dren said her goodbye and headed for her brother’s lab. Brachia had sounded excited when he’d called her.
Once at the lab door, Dren pressed the call button. “I’m here, Brachia. This had better be good. I was in the middle of something important.”
The door opened slightly. Dren saw a brown eye looking at her through the crack.
“What’s the password?” said Brachia. His challenge was
accompanied by a series of giggles.
With hands on her hips, Dren said, “The password’s either open the door now, or I swear I’ll pull your hair out.”
“Password accepted fair damsel,” said Brachia still giggling.
The door opened, and Dren shoved her way inside.
“I don’t have time for games,” Dren said. “What’s up?”
“You’re no fun anymore, Dren,” said Brachia growing serious. “Fine. I’ll get to the point.”
Walking to the center table, Brachia pointed to a clear bottle about the size of his fist. Some type of gas swirled inside.
“What’s that supposed to be?” Dren said. “It looks like smoke.”
“The gas is the primary CPU of the Crosioian scout’s battle helmet,” said Brachia.
Her brother had a smug smile on his face. Dren didn’t want to encourage her brother’s swollen ego, but the concept of a computerized gas was too intriguing to ignore.
“Where’d you get this?” Dren said as she moved closer to the jar to get a better view.
“It was compressed inside a microscopic container in the battle computer’s CPU chip,” said Brachia. “Jonathan, Nick, and I came across it while trying to break the helmet’s encryption.”
“Jonathan and Nick?” Dren said. She was puzzled. “Are they still here?”
“Not right now,” said Brachia. “But they come and go. I think they’re doing something back on Velos with their wizard scouts now.”
“Hmm,” Dren said stalling for time. Her brain was still trying to catch up with the ramifications of a gaseous substance being the brains of a battle computer.
Brachia laughed. “Whatever you’re thinking, I can assure you I thought the same thing.”
Dren frowned. She hated being a step behind her brother. “Well, maybe you can fill me in where you’re at now.”
“All right, sis,” said Brachia. “Let me summarize. As far as I can tell, this gas is unlike anything anyone’s ever encountered. I believe every battle computer has one of these gas chips as their CPU. Nick thinks the Empire’s central computer, the Crosioians’ Master computer, and all the other primary computers on the tele-network that comprise ‘the One’ have these same gas chips as their CPUs as well.”
Wizard Scout (Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles Book 3) Page 30
