Chapter 31
Allies and Enemies.
Those that fight by your side are your allies; those that you fight against are your enemies but what of those caught between?
From the Book of Isarie
General Ivar had gotten very little information from this prisoner and that frustrated him, if it had been anyone else he would have that person executed without waiting but he knew that it would take time to wear down the defenses of the girl before him.
“Tell me all you know of the enemy!’ his voice was growing tired with asking the same question over and over.
Andra had undergone far more pain that a normal female of the Outer-Rim would have tolerated but although she had accepted the fact that she was not who she thought she was her stubbornness and pride prevented her from saying what the General wished to hear so she kept her lips together and stared into the eyes of her captor.
Ivar nodded to a technician and watched as his prisoner shuttered with pain, “It is useless to resist” the General said, “You have nowhere to go and no one will come to your aid”, but again he got no response, She will break soon enough he thought, so turning he left the interrogation room without asking another question.
Andra watched him go through burry eyes and although she would not admit it to herself she was glad the pain was over, a least for now.
Kela, Anais, Romar and what was left of the Tribe of Many still remained near the Cave of Iron. Without the warriors, they would be helpless against the dangers of the Outlands. How could they know that they were not the only ones to see their guardians vanish into the ground, those who were too old or weak to travel looked to their leaders to guide them.
“What shall become of us?” cried out a woman who saw her mate leave her side.
“How will we survive without the warriors?” asked another.
Anais stood upon a large rock so that he could be seen by all, “Isarie will protect us and we will find a way bring our protectors back!”
But his words did not lessen the fears of the old and fragile.
“Isarie has abandoned us” one called out.
“It is because we have taken an unbeliever into our tribe!” said another.
And hearing those words the tribe turned their face towards the Off-Worlder.
“Yes” screamed a woman who saw her son march away in the night, “He is the reason that the Goddess has turned her back on us!”
Kela heard the rising accusations aimed at Romar and tried to squelch their fears, “Isarie has not turned away from us and this man has helped us at the risk of his own life”.
“He is a demon sent to destroy us!”
“Kill him before he kills us!
Seeing that Kela’s words were falling on deaf hears Anais spoke once again, “You have seen fit to make Kela and myself your leaders and we have done the best we could, now we have suffered a great loss but you must trust in us to do what is right”, they are as afraid as I am.
This seemed to quiet the angry words so seeing that there was nothing more to be done the Blind-prince and the Handmaiden took Romar back to their wagon but along the way they were met with cold looks and the air was filled with the grumblings of frighten people.
Arn filled his empty belly with those that would have feasted on him for Shore-creepers make an excellent meal cooked or otherwise, now with his hunger forgotten the King set out to find that which he had lost for his memory was no longer clouded and faces that he thought he had forgotten became clear to him once more.
Moonbud he thought, I must find her and together we will be Moric-Kan once more.
Moric-Kan the Twin Dragons a name that once brought fear into the hearts of the enemies of the Almadra for with Andra fighting at his side no warrior could hope to defeat the King and his mate, but that was before, when the world of Gorn was protected by Isarie and no army dared land on its surface, what now, would that name still have meaning? But that would have to wait for Arn was alone and armed only with a knife.
The Nomad walked along the shore looking for any sign of his ship or crew but he found only bits of planking and a few remnants of sail cloth and rope. The heavy fabric would be of little use but he cut away the rope from a broken mast and winding it up he carried it over his shoulder, and with his meager supplies he once more set out to find the woman he loved.
“He must go” Anais said to his mate as the human listened carefully to his words.
Kela was not of the same mind, “We cannot turn him away he is our friend and we must help him”. The Nomads were thankful that they could not be overheard through the thick steel hull of the ancient machine giving them shelter for if the tribe knew that there was doubt between them it would have sent a message that would further weaken the already depleted Outlanders.
Anais understood that Kela had an affinity for all things living but he also knew that the Off-worlder was in great danger, “if he stays the tribe will turn on him.”
“Why would they do that?” Kela asked, “He has done them no harm”.
“No, he has not, but they believe he has and belief can be stronger than the truth”.
The Handmaiden knew those words to be true for she had said them herself when she read to him from the Thirty-Nine Books of Wisdom, “Very well” Kela said softly, “you have said what is in your mind now let us hear from the man who will suffer the most”, and she turned her eyes to Romar, “We have no Talk Stone here but you are free to speak as you will”.
The Captain looked at Kela then at Anais long and hard before he spoke, “Yes, I must leave” he said quietly, “You took me in when I was dying and healed me, you shared your food and your shelter and didn’t ask for anything in return and for that I am grateful but if I stay your life will be in danger along with mine, it is better that I go and go soon”.
Kela came forward and kissed him on the cheek, “You are a good man and the Gods will protect you”.
And a short time later Romar stood ready to go, the Nomads had supplied him with a carry bag filled with food, a water flask, and a small quantity of Grana for strength, he was also given a strong knife, armored breastplate and helmet as added protection, but both Kela and Anais knew that it would be of little use if he were attacked by one of the large Thundra beasts of the Outlands.
Kela was near tears as Jumo and Delgar sat nearby and being the creatures they were they felt what was in the hearts of their masters. The Handmaiden watched the young man adjusts his belongings, “remember to watch out for Doff-birds and Ax-breakers they may look harmless but do not test them”.
Anais also had sound advice, “always wear your helmet for Sundroppers collect heads!”
“I will remember” Romar said with a smile, “and you remember to hide as best you can, you may be safe for now but there are machines far worse than Flyers”.
He turned to leave when Jumo and Delgar came racing forward, Romar was not sure if they decided that now was the time to attack, but he was much relived when they began licking his hands and making low whimpering’s, “I shall miss you too” he said rubbing them on their massive heads, then without further comment he turned and began his journey into the lands of Gorn.
“Will we ever see him again?” ask Kela.
“Perhaps?” replied Anais, “It is written that there is a place in the heart of Isarie for those who are willing to give their life for others”.
Ivar-Anoon did have a heart, but to him it was merely an organic muscle to circulate his blood and nothing more, now the blood was pumping hot and fast as he watched yet another wave of soldiers disembarked from dozens of troop carriers, with this last wave supplies and manpower his army was complete and he could sweep across the land crushing everything in his path, the only thing that spoiled this perfect day was the fact that he had no enemy to fight.
Very soon the girl will tell me all that need to now Ivar thought, I will give her time to accept the inevitable and then I will destroy my enemy, but hearing this in his mind ano
ther though entered, where are they, what good is a victory without an enemy to destroy? But as he stood near his command headquarters and looked out over the magnificent army before him he swelled his chest and a smile pulled at the corners of his lips, victory will be mine to hold, but then he look further and saw the fallen pyramid city of Del-Godar and the remains of what must have been a great power, where are those that ruled that place now? Ivar was far from a philosopher of the Outer-Rim and had never read a single book on anything that could not be proven, so that question did not last long in his mind and was quickly replaced by ongoing battle tactics and the causalities that were to be expected, but those pleasant thoughts were replaced by an image that appeared to him at the entrance to the fallen city, a tall creature dressed in a shimmering robe.
“Servant” the General said softly.
Arn continued along the dark sand shore for some time, he walked towards the mountains for he knew that Tambor was a strip of land jutting out to the sea and there was only one way back to his people, as he walked he saw more fragments of wood and other debris that more ships had been caught up in the wind or fell victim to the monster from the sky, as he walked he watched the sky for any sign of that flying creature or other dangers but the heavens were strangely vacant of life, here and there he saw a cluster of Dot-flys and a Rockrunner or two but nothing larger than that, being armed with only a dagger and a length of rope he was glad he did not have to contend with anything formidable, then as he rounded a clutter of rocks he saw a section of broken hull and from its markings it could have only been the remains of the Cronos.
One of its huge masts was wedged between two pillars of rock half covered in water and there were many smashed barrels and planking washing back and forth in the gentle waves, and seeing the destruction his heart was gripped by a cold hand.
She must be dead he thought, he had clung to the idea that perhaps the Akuna had recurred her but even if they did what hope could there be now? And he was about to turn away when he caught an image in the corner of his eye and turning he saw an arm reaching out from the water sparking hope inside him once more.
He flung down his rope and wadded into the shallows and when he drew near he saw that it was the arm of a man and looking closer he realized that the arm was attached to a warrior he knew well.
“Cian” he called out but the Kandrac of the Akuna could not hear him for his head was half underwater but being a Wave-Rider Arn knew that Cian was as much at home in the sea as on the land, the King tried to pull him free but his legs were held tight under a heavy beam and taking it in his hands he lifted with all his might, the veins on his corded arms stood out and he grunted like a Trofar but he managed to move the beam just enough to free the Akuna’s legs and pull him to shore, Arn was not sure if he was alive or dead as he checked him over for wounds or broken bones but there were only small cuts and nothing more.
“Wake!” the King called out then slapping his friends face he called out once more, “Wake you soggy eater of fish!”
And hearing the insult Cian half opened his eyes and looked into the Nomads face, “You do not have to shout you smelly rider of beasts” he said weakly.
Ivar knew that going to greet the creature rather than having Servant come to him would weaken his bargaining position but he was eager to have their meeting over quickly so he could return to conquering a planet, but as he stood before the strange being he refused to speak first so there was an awkward silence for a time then Servant spoke.
“Greeting Ivar-Anoon, first General of the combined forces of the Mac-Mar Alliance” the emissary said, “You have a powerful army and I am sure you will prevail in your war with the people of this world”.
Ivar stood surrounded by his guardsmen while the Ergan-Mar was alone but there was still a sign of fear in the eyes of the General, “Why have you come?” he asked.
“Your enemy eludes you and without an enemy you cannot have victory” Replied Servant.
How can he know this? Ivar pondered but he was not one to give information away without something in return, “You know where they hide?”
“Yes, they gather under your feet but they will emerge soon and then you may destroy them”.
“When?” the General asked.
“Soon” was the reply, “Then you will have victory and my Master will have what he wants”.
An army that hides in the dark Ivar thought, I fight cowards, “You say they are hiding unground and will come out soon, where will this happen?”
“There is a formation jutting out from the ground in that direction” and the Ergan-Mar lifted his hand, “It was not built by nature and its highest point shine like a beacon, but you must not go there until the time is right”.
“Why not?” ask the impatient warrior.
Servant drew near the human, so near that the guards surrounding the General lifted their weapons but Ivar signaled to them and they lowered their blasters.
“You have conquered many worlds” Servant said in a soft voice, “The Mac-Mar are all powerful in the Outer-Rim but there are some who say that you are still children and need guiding, I am here to be that guide so I tell you not to enter that place until you are told too by my Master”.
Ivar had never been spoken to like this before and he almost raised his hand, it would be a pleasure to see this creature blow into a million fragments, he thought, but he also knew that in the past his information had been correct and had played a significant role in his strategy so far so he decided to let him live and save is revenge for another day, “Then our conversation is at an end”, the General said with a deceptive smile.
But Servant shook his hooded head, “No, there is one more thing that needs to be done”. And when he spoke two addditional creatures emerged from the entrance in the rock, they were large hulking things dressed from head to toe in dark armor plating. On their heads, they wore helmets with visors that shielded their eyes for the harsh sunlight, in their misshapen hands they held heavy blasters but of an unknown type. They resembled the rifles of the Mac-Mar but these had been modified and from the looks of them they were surly more powerful. Ivar’s guard grew tense at seeing such opposition but they held their ground but kept their fingers on triggers in case of trouble.
This little man has grown taller Ivar thought.
“You have a female as your prisoner,” Servant continued, “A human that is not human, a weapon of your own making, give her to me”.
The General had taken great pains to ensure that no one knew of the Infiltrator, our security is lacks he thought, I will find those responsible and they will pay.
“But she is nothing” Ivar said, “I will dispose of her if you like”.
“Give her to me now”, the Ergan-Mar demanded.
Ivar was going to dissect the girl in the slim hope of finding a way to reprogram her but it was something for a later time so giving up his prisoner was not a difficult thing he just hated others knowing what he did, “If you wish her she is yours” and turning to one of his subordinates he gave an order, “Have the prisoner brought here at once!’
It was only the genetic make-up of the Akuna that saved the life of Cian for only a creature bred for the sea could have survived the punishment that he had, for he had gone down with the Cronos when it was hit by the blast from the Mac-Mar Flyer and tangled in its rigging, no human and no Nomad could have spent so long a time underwater without drowning but it had pushed the Akuna’s breath holding to its limits, but some luck was on the side of the Kandrac and he was washed ashore but only to be trapped under the heavy beam until his rescue by the Outlander, he had numerous small cuts about his body and most of his garments had been torn away leaving him only a wrapping about his midsection.
“I was a good thing you came along” Cian said, “I wish to live longer before Dietas calls me to her watery shrine”.
There were far more important things on the mind of the Nomad King other than the Afterlife, “Moonbud?” he asked in a straightf
orward voice.
“I do not know” answered Cian somberly as they sat together on a rock near the water, “I saw her being washed into the sea and taken away by the waves”.
“Then she could be alive” Arn replied still hoping that the Gods had spared her life.
Cian knew that there was very little chance of her surviving a storm of that magnitude but he did not wish to trample on his friends’ optimism, “Dietas is a merciful Goddess so I will not give up hope”.
“Let us go” Arn said as he rose to his feet, then he smiled at his companion, “Or do you need more time to regain your strength?”
The Akuna jumped up like a Wave-skimmer, “I was only waiting for you”.
And taking up his rope the Nomad and the Wave-rider they began their search for a woman they both loved.
Andra still remained strapped to the heavy chair in the interrogation center. She sat quietly but her mind was filled with turmoil for she had accepted the fact that she was not who she thought she was.
My home, my family, all of it was a lie she thought, my mother, my brother all phantoms put there by others. But it all seemed so real to her, she could still hear her mother in the kitchen as she lay on her bed in her room, the smell of baking bread, the meadow birds singing outside her window, her bother calling to her that the morning meal was ready, all so real. A lie all lies, deceptions to fool me, my whole life has been a falsehood. And what about her comrades during the war, she fought beside them and watched many of them die, how could she betray them? Gone, all gone, then she was faced with the most troubling thought of all, Arn, my love, was all that also a lie, was there nothing in my heart but programing and deceit?
There was no further time for questions for she heard the sound of feet approaching and closing her eyes and opening her mouth she made incoherent sounds pretended to be drugged.
“There she is” she heard a man say, “Remove her restraints and take her to the Commander”.
Her deception proved affective for they loosened her straps and when she did she struck!
Lifting her foot quickly she drove it into the midsection of an unwary trooper then freeing her other foot she tore herself free and fell upon the remaining men like a she cat, they fought back but she was too quick for her heavier apponents and one by one she began to dispose of them, taking up a metal tray near her she brought it down on a charging head cracking his skull like an egg and sending him reeling against a wall, another soldier came for her with his arms wide to grab her but she nimbly stepped aside at the last moment and sent one of her fists smashing into his jaw dislocating it.
Andra began to laugh for she was in her element now and took out all her frustrations and doubts on the unlucky men sent to fetch her but it did not last for long, hearing the struggle inside the center other Mac-Mar soldiers came rushing to their comrades in arms aid and by sheer numbers they managed to bring down the girl and with a half dozen strong men holding her thrashing legs and arms a lab technician injected her with enough sedative to keep her unconscious for many hours, so bond and helpless she was taken to the General who in turn gave her to the creature from the earth.
Ivar watched as the two warriors from the darkness carried his prisoner into the entrance, Let them have her he thought, soon I will have a whole planet.
When they had vanished into the opening Servant once more spoke, “Remember, my master is always watching, do not disappoint him”, then he turned and disappeared from site.
Let him give orders for now, The General thought, soon it will give me great pleasure to order his execution.